Former Leicester City chairman passes away
Former Leicester City chairman John Elsom has passed away, aged 84.
Elsom held a number of posts at Filbert Street between 1983 and 2002. As chairman, he enjoyed on-field success during the managerial tenure of Martin O’Neill in the late 1990s.
Born in Loughborough, Elsom, who was the former chairman and managing director of Page & Moy Travel Group, became a vice-president of Leicester City in 1983 and then served as a director from 1984 until 2002. He was chairman of the Club from 1998 until 2002. During this period, the Foxes lifted the League Cup and participated in the UEFA Cup, the precursor to the UEFA Europa League.
He also served on the board of the Football League and was a member of The Football Association Council.
When Elsom joined the board of directors in 1984, Leicester City were in the old First Division under the management of Gordon Milne and then Bryan Hamilton. Relegated in 1987, the Club, when Brian Little was manager, reached three First Division Play-Off Finals in succession for a place in the new Premier League, achieving this in 1994.
Elsom was on the board which appointed Martin O’Neill as manager in 1996. Promotion back to the Premier League was achieved the following May, before the Club went on to achieve four successive top-half finishes, as well as reaching thre
League Cup Finals. The Foxes won two of them, in 1997 and 2000, qualifying for Europe on both occasions.
Behind the scenes, in 1997, Leicester City Football Club was floated on the Alternative Investment Market, becoming a PLC. Sir Rodney Walker became chairman of the PLC in 1997 until 2002.
Meanwhile, Elsom became chairman of the Club’s board of directors following its reconstruction in the summer of 1998. He was also heavily involved in the Club’s move to its new stadium in 2002 and stood down as chairman after the 2001/02 season.
Later that year, he was co-opted onto the board of Grimsby Town, until he retired from this role in August 2013, after which he was appointed Grimsby’s club president.
A statement from Leicester City said: “John’s tenure at Leicester City as vice-president, director and chairman was an extremely significant time in the history of the Club and he will be remembered for his major contributions during those years. Leicester City Football Club’s thoughts are with John’s family and friends at this sad time.”
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Leicester City continued their 100% Championship record, after a late debut strike from Cesare Casadei secured all three points against Cardiff City.
A new chapter in Leicester’s history is starting to be written. Their latest 2-1 triumph at the King Power Stadium earned Enzo Maresca his fourth successive win in his new role.
The Foxes opened the scoring through 20-year-old academy graduate Wanya Marcal-Madivadua. The young starlet rocketed the ball through a crowded penalty area and into the back of the net following a corner that was not dealt with.
Cardiff promptly found a leveler, doing so in spectacular fashion. Aaron Ramsey picked the ball up in the deep and curled spectacularly beyond Mads Hermansen for his first goal since re-joining the Bluebirds.
Second-half substitute Cesare Casadei pounced in the second minute of injury time. Jamie Vardy wriggled through the Bluebirds’ backline and tumbled to the floor; Casadei immediately took over and converted from close range.
Erol Bulut’s side failed to find an equaliser in injury time, and were reduced to ten men after Mahlon Romeo was cautioned twice in quick succession before the contest’s close.
Match-winner Casadei joined the club on a season-long loan from Chelsea earlier this week, and was voted as Man-of-the-Match by the Foxes’ faithful following his 62nd minute introduction.
The 20-year-old looked sharp and completed 93% of his passes at the King Power.
He spent the latter half of last term on loan at Reading but could not save them from the drop. His form with the Royals earned Casadei a well-deserved move to the Championship favourites.
The manager addressed the Italian’s talents post-match. Speaking to the club, he stated: “I said since day one that my midfielders need to arrive in the box. It’s the only solution to score a goal. One of Casadei’s strengths is to be present in the box, and today he scored.”
Wanya Marcal-Madivadua opened the scoring against Cardiff, his first for the club, and proved to be a potent threat throughout.
The 20-year-old is a graduate of Leicester’s academy, who has been thrust into the first team setup since relegation to the Championship.
His maiden start this campaign came at the Pirelli Stadium in the opening round of the EFL Cup. A deserved league start was then gifted to the Portuguese winger at Huddersfield Town, and his place was retained this weekend.
A day to remember for the young livewire ended after 87 minutes, as he was replaced by Marc Albrighton. He is certainly one to watch this season.
The Foxes managed to emerge triumphant but have looked beatable so far this term, despite boasting a perfect record.
The title favourites have certainly looked like one of the league’s elites, but they will be dealt blows and will taste defeat on numerous occasions over the coming months.
Their two victories at home have seen Coventry take the lead, and Cardiff equalise. On both occasions, reliance was placed upon late strikes, and opportunities that will not always arise.
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