EXCLUSIVE: Nintendo Life’s Damien McFerran talks all-things Leicester City

Leicester City aren’t just an ordinary name these days – they are English Football’s famous darlings, the orchestrators of perhaps the most famous footballing fairytale, and a club that has famously formed a reputation for thriving in the toughest of situations.

However, it wasn’t always the same for the Foxes, who have had quite a journey from Filbert Street to Walkers Stadium to the King Power Stadium, and there are few fans who can boast their status of being witnesses to all of these eras. Nintendo Life’s Editorial Director Damien Mcferran remains one such fan, who has been fortunate enough to have seen it all from David Lowe’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur and Emile Heskey’s headers to Jamie Vardy’s heroics in the Premier League triumph in 2015/16.

Talking exclusively to Foxes of Leicester, Damien shared his experiences from the past and present, while also offering his own thoughts about the ongoings at Leicester City, who have now won three games in a row.

Speaking of the current surge of form, Damien McFerran said:

"It’s refreshing after last season, which seemed to be karmically balancing out the success of the season before that! It was a bit humbling to see us go from league champions to whipping-boys in such a short space of time, and while I think the owners should have perhaps given Shakespeare a little more time to steady the ship, Puel seems to have really reinvigorated the squad this season and his record (so far) speaks for itself. It’s great to finally be looking at breaking into the top half of the table and maintaining that position again. Last season was a lot of doom and gloom, despite the amazing run in the Champions League. I’m still sad about seeing Ranieri go, however; the man is a hero and I had hoped he would be in the manager’s seat for many years after giving us such an amazing gift."

Claude Puel’s appointment has so far worked well for Leicester, with the players responding well to the Frenchman’s ways. However, Damien is in no mood to pass quick judgements, as he has seen it all with Claudio Ranieri and Craig Shakespeare, two men who he didn’t want to see go.

"I think so far you’ve got to be pleased what what he’s achieved and how the team have reacted to his arrival, but as we saw under Craig Shakespeare, sometimes that initial surge of confidence can dissolve quite quickly, especially if the players aren’t behind the gaffer. I think Puel seems to have the respect of the squad and he’s made some changes which, up until now at least, have paid off. Hopefully once he has the chance to bring in players of his own choosing we’ll see him build on the solid foundation he’s been given."

Leicester and big things are often talked about in one sentence these days, but that doesn’t mean that the fans get too much ahead of themselves, at least not Damien. The Nintendo Life genius knows that the Foxes faithful are all prepared to see anything and everything at the club, even something as extreme as relegation.

"I think it’s almost inevitable that we may find City languishing in the Championship in the not-too-distant future; every City fan is realistic enough to know that we’re something of a yo-yo club and always have been. In many ways that makes being a City supporter all the more interesting; we’ve experienced the highs and the lows, as it were, and that means we appreciate the highs that much more! Having said that, I think the current owners of the club are prepared to spend to avoid seeing City drop below the Premier League so one would hope we’ll remain a solid top-flight team for a good few years yet; the longer we maintain that position the less likely it is we’ll slide, at least that’s what I hope!"

Mentality is something that we often talk about in football for obvious reasons. The way a club’s fans and players think is one thing that will always have a bearing on the on-field doings, and Leicester City are no exception. While the general opinion is that the Leicester fans and players have both had a change of mentality since the Premiership victory, Damien isn’t convinced the fans think any differently than before, especially those who have supported the club since the 80s.

"Ironically I don’t think winning the Premiership has really changed the way the average City fan thinks, although I dare say it has resulted in a lot more people supporting the team who perhaps expect success from this point onwards. As I said before, City fans are accustomed to a rollercoaster of emotions and many of those who cheered on the team in 15/16 will remember relegation to League One a few years before that. As for the players, I can’t really speak for them but I guess with the exception of Andy King many of them will be used to top-flight football at the very least, and some of the newer recruits will have joined a championship-winning side with hopes based on that success, so perhaps their expectations are going to be higher than your average long-suffering fan – that’s a good thing, though! We want players who are aiming for the top."

Leicester City may not have always had the status of the club that they currently are, but they’ve always had some fine players in their side, who firmly remain in Damien’s memory, including cult hero Emile Heskey.

"My golden era was most definitely the Martin O’Neill period, so yes, Heskey remains one of my favourites. The teams of the early ’90s always stick in my memory; players like David Lowe (whose goal against Tottenham at Filbert Street when we won 3-1 remains one of my all-time favourites), Steve Walsh, Julian Joachim, Iwan Roberts, Matt Elliott, David Speedie, Garry Parker, Neil Lennon, Muzzy Izzet, Robbie Savage, Kasey Keller, Mark Robins, Ian Marshall, Steve Claridge, Kevin Poole and so on. Given the recent upturn in form these might not be the best players to ever have pulled on a Leicester shirt, but they are the ones I followed around the country during that period so they are firmly lodged in my memory. I was so overawed by Gavin Ward I was too scared to ask for his autograph at the Fosse Park Asda back in the day!"

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are the standard heroes of the modern-day Leicester City fans, particularly those who have only recently started to support the 2015/16 champions. Damien, however, has his own preferences when it comes to heroes.

"I think it would have to be Walshie. I started supporting City during the early ’90s when Walsh seemed to typify the team itself; a bit scruffy, not especially pretty to watch but full of heart and passion when it mattered. His scrappy goal against Derby in the 1994 play-offs summed up City in so many ways; we’re never going to be Real Madrid but when push comes to shove, we often get the job done. I loved the fact that Walsh was able to make a meaningful contribution to the team throughout the rest of the ’90s and that he continues to be involved even today. He’s Mr. Leicester in so many ways! A close second would be Alan Birchenall, even though his playing days at City were way before my time. At my first ever match – home against Portsmouth, 1991 – Birchenall took me on a stadium tour and I had a photo taken with him in old the main stand before the game. I can still recall his infectious enthusiasm today, even though I was only about 10 at the time. Again, he’s someone who seems to sum up Leicester perfectly."

Leicester City lifting the Premier League trophy seems to be the the pick of the memories for most Leicester City fans, but that doesn’t mean they were short of some truly magical moments before that. When asked, here’s what Damien had to say about his favourite memory.

"It’s hard to pick just one single memory, if I’m honest. I’ve watched us gain promotion and win the League Cup twice (the replay against Middlesbrough at Hillsborough was one of the most incredible matches I’ve ever attended) and been in the crowd to see us beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, when Tony Cottee silenced the home support with a trademark poacher’s goal (back when winning at Old Trafford actually meant something!) Because I’ve not been able to attend any matches in recent years (having a family has put paid to that!) these memories stick in my mind perhaps more so than City’s recent triumphs."

Of course, it’s imperative for a Leicester City supporter to have a special something for Derby County, who they’ve always had a special relationship with, though for Damien, it’s the rivalry with Nottingham Forest that is of more significance to him because of a certain reason.

"When it comes to rivalries I actually think the Forest one is more vivid for me, largely because one of my old school friends supported them and never wasted any opportunity to rub it in my face at how terrible Leicester were back in those days – at least when compared to the Forest side of the time! However, watching City go 4-0 up against Derby back in the ’90s – at their stadium, to boot – remains a highlight. It’s nice to be the biggest team in the midlands these days, which is amazing when you consider the competition."

Finally, we asked Damien as to what Walkers Crisps flavour does he prefer. It was a simple choice for him.

"Salt and Vinegar, but I’ve always carried a torch for the Worcester Sauce flavour."