Leicester Fosse’s first game on 1 November 1884 against Syston Fosse was played on a field close to where the Midland Railway’s Leicester to Burton line crossed, what is now Fosse Road South, where it meets Westleigh Road. It was the only game that the new club played on the field now covered by Westleigh Avenue. For the rest of that season, and for two seasons after that, Leicester Fosse played their home games on Victoria Park, before moving to the Belgrave Road Cycle and Cricket Ground in 1887-88, back to Victoria Park in 1888-89, then to Mill Lane between 1889 and 1891. After a brief spell at Grace Road Cricket Ground, the Club finally moved to Filbert Street in 1891-92 where they stayed until relocating 300 yards to the King Power Stadium in 2002.
Fosse’s first home ground was close to where most of the team, all aged around 16-17 lived. Members paid nine pence (9d) each towards a ball and the same amount as subscriptions. A carpenter was paid 14s for a set of roughly-finished goals and side posts that were gaily decorated in amber and black colours. Fosse led by captain W Johnstone wore black jerseys with a blue diagonal sash. This has since been confirmed in a letter Leicester City archivist John Hutchinson came across several years ago written by a lady called Gillian Ashby, granddaughter of Arthur Douglas-Ashby, one of the members of that first Fosse team. Her grandmother kept Arthur’s shirt from that first game, using it as a duster for 40 years! Fosse won the match 5-0 with goals from Hilton Johnson (2), Arthur West (2) and Sam Dingley. Although the match was not reported in Leicester newspapers, the Melton Mercury Oakham and Uppingham News (6 November 1884) covered the game.
Several historical pieces written about Fosse’s first-ever game state the game against Syston Fosse was a 12-a-side affair. This information has since been repeated many times, but the newspaper report clearly indicates that it was, in fact, an 11 a side game. The published positions of the players illustrate the influence of rugby on team formation and tactics. It is likely that a rope was stretched between the goalposts which acted as a cross bar.
What do we know about the first Leicester Fosse side? Research undertaken by John Hutchinson, from a range of online sources, we know that goalkeeper E. Smith and left winger Dingley both lived on Norfolk Street, just behind Fosse Road. Both of these houses have been demolished as has the house on nearby Noble Street, where half- back F. Burdett lived. West, the son of a boot and shoe manufacturer and A. Ashby, whose garden shed was where the Club was born, lived on Fosse Road itself, as did the three Johnson brothers whose father was the well-known women’s and children’s footwear manufacturer Joseph Johnson, who served as the club’s treasurer until he resigned due to “failing health” in 1892. Joseph “provided funds for the club’s requirements”. Forwards F. Bromwich and B. Lewitt, two more of the original team, lived on King Richard’s Road, close to its junction with Fosse Road. Half-back Frank Gardner lived on Hinckley Road. The house has been demolished and is now the site of the Chef and Spice Restaurant. In addition to playing in Fosse’s first match, Frank also held the vital post of Secretary for eight years. In this role he guided the Club through its crucial formative years, taking it from a small Club playing friendly games on Victoria Park to a Club on the verge of joining the Football League.