Leicester's fall from grace

In November 1998, a statue was unveiled in Leicester to commemorate the city's position as one of the country's hotbeds of sporting achievement.

If the structure has lost some of its sheen in the intervening four years, it would be somewhat appropriate given the current state of Leicester's major sporting powers.

BBC Sport Online spoke to BBC Radio Leicester's sports reporter John Sinclair about the problems facing Leicester's football, rugby and cricket clubs.

Leicester City FC
Then: Tenth in the Premiership, Worthington Cup finalists, narrowly beaten by Atletico Madrid in Uefa Cup
Now: Third in Division One, while the club hopes a consortium led by Gary Lineker can raise enough money to save the cash-strapped Foxes.

Lineker unveils Foxes rescue bid

It is not just a question of whether Leicester are promoted this season - they have got to go up this season.

Leicester have suffered relegation since 1998

That is the only way there is any hope of solving the financial problems.

But the general view in the town is one of cautious optimism - the team have a good manager and several decent players.

There is always the worry that a new board could want to appoint their own manager but as long as the club keep hold of Micky Adams and do not have to sell players, Leicester will survive.

Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Then: County Champions
Now: Club in turmoil following the resignation of secretary-manager James Whitaker midway through last season

Leicestershire have just appointed a new general manager in Kevin Hill and he has already said that he will carry out an independent review of the club's management structure.

Leicestershire appoint Hill

Like the football club, the finances have been the real problem on the field and as a consequence they have lost some good players who have gone to clubs where they will receive better salaries.

Barry Pierpoint, who used to be the marketing director of the Leicester City, now has the same position at the cricket club and he will be charged with finding new ways of making money.

The fans are very confused by what is going on and they have not had the best of times recently.

But Leicestershire is still one of only a few clubs to stay in the first division of each league so I don't think the picture is as bleak as it appears."

Leicester Tigers
Then: Pilkington Cup champions in 1997 before winning the Zurich Premiership four times in a row
Now: Club are fifth in the Premiership, having lost three out of their first seven games

The Tigers have won only once away this season

The Tigers have started slowly but Dean Richards would point to the number of players he is missing through injury.

They have now won their first game away from home so I think you can more realistically describe it as hiccup than a crisis.

Tigers halt away run

At home they haven't lost in the league since 1997 but it's always going to be more difficult on the road and it is simply the case that other teams have got better.