'Please don't invade the pitch, we cant afford the fine!' Sign of the times at Leicester – even after promotion.
Despite the unexpected defeat at the hands of Sheffield United on Monday, there is no mistaking what a great job Micky Adams has done in guiding Leicester back to the Premiership at the first attempt. The achievement is even more remarkable when you consider that just six months ago the club was in administration and its very future in serious doubt.
Gary Lineker, one of the men who helped form the consortium that took control of the club, is in no doubt just how dire the club's predicament was. "I am convinced that the club would have gone to the wall had any more obstacles been placed in our way," said the former Leicester striker who is again a Foxes' hero.
Next season, the impressive Walkers Stadium will become a Premiership venue for the first time. However, it was the decision to make the £35 million ground move from Filbert Street that was the root of so many of Leicester's financial problems. The club are massively in debt and still owe over £3 million to the Inland Revenue alone. Very little of the £15 million the club is guaranteed from television money next season will be allocated to Adams to improve his playing squad.
"Everyone at the club is aware that we need to find some fresh talent from somewhere and that buying it is not a realistic option," said Lineker. "Mere survival will be a lot to ask for Adams, since the playing staff is more or less the same as that with which Leicester went down last season - pretty much without a fight.
"It would be marvellous if we could unearth a few gems. Martin O'Neill did when signing the likes of Neil Lennon, Steve Guppy, Matt Elliott and Muzzy Izett, but no-one is expecting any miracles."
Adams and his coaching staff deserve immense credit for the success they have achieved against a backdrop of such uncertainty and turmoil. While other clubs have spent millions of pounds trying to reach the Promised Land that is the Premiership, Adams had done it without being allowed make any additions to his squad because of the constraints of a transfer embargo that was imposed for much of this season.
With that in mind, Adams' CV is looking mighty impressive and he is reported to be attracting the interest of both Leeds and Fulham. Before committing his future to the Foxes, Adams will no doubt want to know how much money the new owners of the club are prepared to invest in new players. "It is all about investing wisely in quality players because I don't want to be in charge of a team going back down," said Adams.
Even during the celebrations and euphoria that marked Saturday's promotion clinching win against Brighton, the club's financial problems still hang over the Walkers Stadium like a big black cloud. As the over-excited Foxes fans prepared to invade the pitch to salute their heroes a poignant announcement was delivered to the supporters by the club's announcer.
"Please don't come on the pitch after the match. We'll only get a fine and we can't afford to pay it!" He wasn't joking either!
