Why I Love... Leicester City

Gary Lineker tells BBC Sport Online's Chris Charles that his passion for Leicester City is still burning strong. But he's not too keen on his eldest son supporting Manchester United.

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What are your earliest memories of Leicester City?

I went to see Leicester for the first time when I was seven or eight, against Manchester United. I seem to remember it was 2-1 to United and Best and Charlton scored.

My second memory is going to the FA Cup final in 1969, watching Leicester lose to Manchester City 1-0. I cried all the way home.

Could you see Leicester getting to an FA Cup final again?

Oh definitely - this year! Well, we're in the last 16 and we've got a draw at home to Bristol City or Kingstonian. Draws don't come any better than that in the fifth round.

The weird thing is, I retired and Peter Shilton was still playing!

  Gary Lineker

They seem to have found their form again, with the win against Chelsea and at Villa in the Cup, so you never know.

Which player did you pretend to be in the school playground?

I was always Frank Worthington, because he was my hero. But when I played at home with my brother I was always the goalie - which may surprise a few people - and I was Peter Shilton.

Shilton actually played in that Cup final when we lost 1-0. I later played with him for England for eight years and he was my room-mate for four or five years.

The weird thing is, I retired and he was still playing!

Were you ever tempted to support one of the bigger clubs?

No. My brother always supported Liverpool, because they were the best team of that time, but he eventually came back to Leicester.

I was always a Leicester fan. I used to watch all the home games and most of the away games, travelling with the other fans. It was one of the great loves of my life.

But when I left Leicester after eight years for Everton, my allegiance changed. I still wanted them to do well, but my passion for them as a club sort of drifted away.

I went to Barcelona for three years, then Spurs and Japan and even though I always looked out for Leicester's result, in all honesty I wasn't that fussed.

But since I stopped playing, my enthusiasm and fanaticism for the club has gradually returned. I jump out and shout and everything else. I think part of it is to do with having kids.

But one of your kids is a Manchester United fan - what do you think about that?

That was my fault. I made a tactical error!

A youthful Gary Lineker in his Leicester days

George, my eldest, who's nine, is a very contrary child. When he was about four he came home from school and said 'Dad, I'm going to be like my friend John and support Manchester United'.

I immediately said 'No you're not!' and he spotted a weakness. I didn't make that mistake with my second child, Harry, who's a Leicester fan - although I think George enjoys supporting his team more!

Did you take any stick when you left Leicester for Everton?

I did a little bit for the first game, but only tongue in cheek.

My first game for Everton was actually at Filbert Street. Leicester won 3-1 and my replacement, Mark Bright, scored two fantastic goals, so I got all the 'What a waste of money' chants from the home crowd.

I got slaughtered when I got home to the in-laws, who were all Leicester fans!

What was the best/most important goal you scored for Leicester?

I don't score great goals, you know that! But my first ever goal for Leicester was vitally important.

It was at Notts County a few games from the end of the season and pretty much clinched our survival in the old Second Division.

Who were the most difficult players you faced early in your career?

There were Terry Butcher and Russell Osman at Ipswich and Des Walker was always a great adversary.

I played at Liverpool as well a couple of times against Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson (Gary's Match of the Day colleagues), who were fantastic players.

Hopefully they won't listen to this, so I think I can get away with that!

Is there any rivalry in the Match of the Day studio when your teams are playing each other?

Rivaldo would be a welcome addition at Filbert Street

Oh yeah, very much so. You always talk of the BBC having no bias, but I think when you've had an association with a club like Alan and Mark with Liverpool, me with Leicester and Trevor, certainly, with West Ham, I don't think there's any point trying to disguise the fact that you want them to do well.

I think people are happy with that as long as you're up front about it.

If money was no object, which player would you like Peter Taylor to sign for Leicester

We'd have to be talking super-hypothetical here - so let's do that!

It would have to be someone like Rivaldo, David Beckham or Luis Figo - one of those three would do.

Mind you, get all three and we'd have half a chance of qualifying for Europe!