Goal Records, Winning O’Neill Over & Lifting A Cup – Cottee’s In-Depth Interview – Leicester City
However, as we talk in the garage he’s recently converted into a bar at his home in Southend, Essex, there’s a framed Foxes shirt on the wall, next to a photograph of the now-56-year-old lifting the League Cup a year later – the only major trophy of his professional career.
It was an achievement which cemented Tony’s status as a Leicester legend, but it was also one of the major plot twists of a story which spanned well over the 19 years he spent playing football in English footbal…….
However, as we talk in the garage he’s recently converted into a bar at his home in Southend, Essex, there’s a framed Foxes shirt on the wall, next to a photograph of the now-56-year-old lifting the League Cup a year later – the only major trophy of his professional career.
It was an achievement which cemented Tony’s status as a Leicester legend, but it was also one of the major plot twists of a story which spanned well over the 19 years he spent playing football in English football. It includes chapters in the east end of London and Merseyside too.
“I’ve got three great former clubs,” he says. “I think the fans appreciate that I always gave 100 per cent. I didn’t always play well, but I always tried.
“If it doesn’t happen, you’re still trying. On the flip side, when you do get it right and you’re scoring goals, the fans always look up to their goalscorers for obvious reasons. You can’t get away from that fact. If you’re a goalscorer, the fans love you. I scored goals for all three clubs and it’s lovely for me.
“I go back to all three grounds and I get welcomed. The fans are brilliant with me. There can’t be that many players who get a good reception at all the clubs they played for. You might get it at one or two, but to get it at three clubs is special for me.
“I had wonderful times and different emotions at all the clubs. I absolutely loved playing for West Ham, Everton and Leicester City. In the main, all clubs have done well since I left. They were all in the top-10 last season and it’s nice to see. Being a part of the Leicester story last season, covering the cup final, and what they’ve achieved recently, it’s been brilliant. They’re a real example for every club to follow on and off the field.”
Since 1970, only two players have scored more goals in England’s top flight than Cottee – Alan Shearer and Ian Rush. Although Cottee’s goal haul stands at 214 in total, it is just 78 in the Premier League.
The Premier …….
