Leicester Tigers History
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Leicester Football Club, founded 1880. Death or Glory Boys to Tigers. Twice European champions. 11 times English champions.
TIGERS WOMEN v SARACENS
Sarries are the most successful side in the PWR; 14 times national champions.
First Game: 16 Dec 2023 (h) lost 17-60
Most Recent: 21 Sept 2025 (a) lost 7-68
Overall: P5 W0 D0 L5
League: P4 W0 D0 L4
Domestic Cups: P1 W0 D0 L1
Sarries are the most successful side in the PWR; 14 times national champions.
First Game: 16 Dec 2023 (h) lost 17-60
Most Recent: 21 Sept 2025 (a) lost 7-68
Overall: P5 W0 D0 L5
League: P4 W0 D0 L4
Domestic Cups: P1 W0 D0 L1
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
TIGERS WOMEN v SARACENS
Sarries are the most successful side in the PWR; 14 times national champions.
First Game: 16 Dec 2023 (h) lost 17-60
Most Recent: 21 Sept 2025 (a) lost 7-68
Overall: P5 W0 D0 L5
League: P4 W0 D0 L4
Domestic Cups: P1 W0 D0 L1
Sarries are the most successful side in the PWR; 14 times national champions.
First Game: 16 Dec 2023 (h) lost 17-60
Most Recent: 21 Sept 2025 (a) lost 7-68
Overall: P5 W0 D0 L5
League: P4 W0 D0 L4
Domestic Cups: P1 W0 D0 L1
OTD: COURAGE LEAGUE 1987
Nottingham 13
Tigers 22 (Richards 1t, Hare 5c 1d)
Beeston, 14 November
The first league season saw games slotted into existing fixture lists. Hence a table taking a while to accurately reflect form. Tigers would top it by the end.
Nottingham 13
Tigers 22 (Richards 1t, Hare 5c 1d)
Beeston, 14 November
The first league season saw games slotted into existing fixture lists. Hence a table taking a while to accurately reflect form. Tigers would top it by the end.
November 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
OTD: COURAGE LEAGUE 1987
Nottingham 13
Tigers 22 (Richards 1t, Hare 5c 1d)
Beeston, 14 November
The first league season saw games slotted into existing fixture lists. Hence a table taking a while to accurately reflect form. Tigers would top it by the end.
Nottingham 13
Tigers 22 (Richards 1t, Hare 5c 1d)
Beeston, 14 November
The first league season saw games slotted into existing fixture lists. Hence a table taking a while to accurately reflect form. Tigers would top it by the end.
OTD: 1931
Leicestershire and East Midlands 30
South Africa 21
Welford Road, 14 November
25,000 saw seven Tigers play in the only team to beat the Springbok tourists. Doug Norman is pictured with a souvenir.
Leicestershire and East Midlands 30
South Africa 21
Welford Road, 14 November
25,000 saw seven Tigers play in the only team to beat the Springbok tourists. Doug Norman is pictured with a souvenir.
November 14, 2025 at 12:07 PM
OTD: 1931
Leicestershire and East Midlands 30
South Africa 21
Welford Road, 14 November
25,000 saw seven Tigers play in the only team to beat the Springbok tourists. Doug Norman is pictured with a souvenir.
Leicestershire and East Midlands 30
South Africa 21
Welford Road, 14 November
25,000 saw seven Tigers play in the only team to beat the Springbok tourists. Doug Norman is pictured with a souvenir.
OTD: CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER CUP 1997
Tigers 60 (Hamilton 1t, Stransky 1t 7c 2p, West 1t, Potter 1t, Malone 1t, Ezulike 2t, Barlow 1t)
Rotherham 19
Welford Road, 14 November
Ah, the glamour of the C&G Cup. The short-lived League Cup of rugby. Tigers would reach the semi-finals.
Tigers 60 (Hamilton 1t, Stransky 1t 7c 2p, West 1t, Potter 1t, Malone 1t, Ezulike 2t, Barlow 1t)
Rotherham 19
Welford Road, 14 November
Ah, the glamour of the C&G Cup. The short-lived League Cup of rugby. Tigers would reach the semi-finals.
November 14, 2025 at 10:07 AM
OTD: CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER CUP 1997
Tigers 60 (Hamilton 1t, Stransky 1t 7c 2p, West 1t, Potter 1t, Malone 1t, Ezulike 2t, Barlow 1t)
Rotherham 19
Welford Road, 14 November
Ah, the glamour of the C&G Cup. The short-lived League Cup of rugby. Tigers would reach the semi-finals.
Tigers 60 (Hamilton 1t, Stransky 1t 7c 2p, West 1t, Potter 1t, Malone 1t, Ezulike 2t, Barlow 1t)
Rotherham 19
Welford Road, 14 November
Ah, the glamour of the C&G Cup. The short-lived League Cup of rugby. Tigers would reach the semi-finals.
PATRICK WILLIAM HOWARD
Australian international and at various points Leicester centre, fly-half, backs coach and head coach between 1998 and 2007, Pat Howard was born on 14 November 1974.
Australian international and at various points Leicester centre, fly-half, backs coach and head coach between 1998 and 2007, Pat Howard was born on 14 November 1974.
November 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM
PATRICK WILLIAM HOWARD
Australian international and at various points Leicester centre, fly-half, backs coach and head coach between 1998 and 2007, Pat Howard was born on 14 November 1974.
Australian international and at various points Leicester centre, fly-half, backs coach and head coach between 1998 and 2007, Pat Howard was born on 14 November 1974.
OTD: 2012
Tigers 32 (Morris 1t, Thompstone 1t, Ford 2c 6p)
Māori All Blacks 24
Welford Road, 13 November
17,206 see the most recent visit of a senior New Zealand side, and with no competition regulations getting in the way of wearing letters.
Tigers 32 (Morris 1t, Thompstone 1t, Ford 2c 6p)
Māori All Blacks 24
Welford Road, 13 November
17,206 see the most recent visit of a senior New Zealand side, and with no competition regulations getting in the way of wearing letters.
November 13, 2025 at 6:08 PM
OTD: 2012
Tigers 32 (Morris 1t, Thompstone 1t, Ford 2c 6p)
Māori All Blacks 24
Welford Road, 13 November
17,206 see the most recent visit of a senior New Zealand side, and with no competition regulations getting in the way of wearing letters.
Tigers 32 (Morris 1t, Thompstone 1t, Ford 2c 6p)
Māori All Blacks 24
Welford Road, 13 November
17,206 see the most recent visit of a senior New Zealand side, and with no competition regulations getting in the way of wearing letters.
OTD: 1992
Tigers 28 (Bates 1t, Hackney 1t, Poole 1t, Liley 2c 3p)
Northampton 3
Welford Road, 13 November
Before 1993-94 teams would play each other only once in the league, so space remained for regular ‘club matches’ against traditional opponents.
Tigers 28 (Bates 1t, Hackney 1t, Poole 1t, Liley 2c 3p)
Northampton 3
Welford Road, 13 November
Before 1993-94 teams would play each other only once in the league, so space remained for regular ‘club matches’ against traditional opponents.
November 13, 2025 at 9:57 AM
OTD: 1992
Tigers 28 (Bates 1t, Hackney 1t, Poole 1t, Liley 2c 3p)
Northampton 3
Welford Road, 13 November
Before 1993-94 teams would play each other only once in the league, so space remained for regular ‘club matches’ against traditional opponents.
Tigers 28 (Bates 1t, Hackney 1t, Poole 1t, Liley 2c 3p)
Northampton 3
Welford Road, 13 November
Before 1993-94 teams would play each other only once in the league, so space remained for regular ‘club matches’ against traditional opponents.
OTD: ANGLO-WELSH CUP 2016
Tigers 42 (O Williams 1t, Thompstone 1t, Bateman 1t, Genge 1t, Roberts 1t, Burns 1t 2c 2p, Worth 1c)
Newport Gwent Dragons 3
Welford Road, 12 November
A second win, as Tigers top the pool in the run to Leicester’s most recent cup triumph.
Tigers 42 (O Williams 1t, Thompstone 1t, Bateman 1t, Genge 1t, Roberts 1t, Burns 1t 2c 2p, Worth 1c)
Newport Gwent Dragons 3
Welford Road, 12 November
A second win, as Tigers top the pool in the run to Leicester’s most recent cup triumph.
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
OTD: ANGLO-WELSH CUP 2016
Tigers 42 (O Williams 1t, Thompstone 1t, Bateman 1t, Genge 1t, Roberts 1t, Burns 1t 2c 2p, Worth 1c)
Newport Gwent Dragons 3
Welford Road, 12 November
A second win, as Tigers top the pool in the run to Leicester’s most recent cup triumph.
Tigers 42 (O Williams 1t, Thompstone 1t, Bateman 1t, Genge 1t, Roberts 1t, Burns 1t 2c 2p, Worth 1c)
Newport Gwent Dragons 3
Welford Road, 12 November
A second win, as Tigers top the pool in the run to Leicester’s most recent cup triumph.
OTD: GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP 2005
Tigers 25 (Holford 1t, Varndell 2t, Goode 2c 5p)
Gloucester 20
Welford Road, 12 November
Anthony Allen (Tigers 2009-15, 169 apps, 36 tries) scores for Gloucester in front of 16,815 attendees. But he will have happier days at the ground.
Tigers 25 (Holford 1t, Varndell 2t, Goode 2c 5p)
Gloucester 20
Welford Road, 12 November
Anthony Allen (Tigers 2009-15, 169 apps, 36 tries) scores for Gloucester in front of 16,815 attendees. But he will have happier days at the ground.
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 AM
OTD: GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP 2005
Tigers 25 (Holford 1t, Varndell 2t, Goode 2c 5p)
Gloucester 20
Welford Road, 12 November
Anthony Allen (Tigers 2009-15, 169 apps, 36 tries) scores for Gloucester in front of 16,815 attendees. But he will have happier days at the ground.
Tigers 25 (Holford 1t, Varndell 2t, Goode 2c 5p)
Gloucester 20
Welford Road, 12 November
Anthony Allen (Tigers 2009-15, 169 apps, 36 tries) scores for Gloucester in front of 16,815 attendees. But he will have happier days at the ground.
HE’S OFF!
On 11 November 1899 Tigers played Keighley at Welford Road. Monty Whitehead (1895-1901, 146 games, 20 tries) became the first Leicester player to be sent off. Unlike in later years he was back for the next match and played 23 games that season.
On 11 November 1899 Tigers played Keighley at Welford Road. Monty Whitehead (1895-1901, 146 games, 20 tries) became the first Leicester player to be sent off. Unlike in later years he was back for the next match and played 23 games that season.
November 11, 2025 at 12:07 PM
HE’S OFF!
On 11 November 1899 Tigers played Keighley at Welford Road. Monty Whitehead (1895-1901, 146 games, 20 tries) became the first Leicester player to be sent off. Unlike in later years he was back for the next match and played 23 games that season.
On 11 November 1899 Tigers played Keighley at Welford Road. Monty Whitehead (1895-1901, 146 games, 20 tries) became the first Leicester player to be sent off. Unlike in later years he was back for the next match and played 23 games that season.
STUART POTTER
Born on 11 November 1967, Leicester and England centre Stuart Potter.
Born on 11 November 1967, Leicester and England centre Stuart Potter.
November 11, 2025 at 10:19 AM
STUART POTTER
Born on 11 November 1967, Leicester and England centre Stuart Potter.
Born on 11 November 1967, Leicester and England centre Stuart Potter.
OTD: 1984
Tigers 33 (Wells 3t, Afflick 1t, Stuart Redfern 1t, Harris 2c 2p 1d)
Cambridge University 9
Welford Road, 10 November
The students field a team of youngsters that a few years later could quite easily be confused for a Barbarians XV.
Tigers 33 (Wells 3t, Afflick 1t, Stuart Redfern 1t, Harris 2c 2p 1d)
Cambridge University 9
Welford Road, 10 November
The students field a team of youngsters that a few years later could quite easily be confused for a Barbarians XV.
November 10, 2025 at 12:48 PM
OTD: 1984
Tigers 33 (Wells 3t, Afflick 1t, Stuart Redfern 1t, Harris 2c 2p 1d)
Cambridge University 9
Welford Road, 10 November
The students field a team of youngsters that a few years later could quite easily be confused for a Barbarians XV.
Tigers 33 (Wells 3t, Afflick 1t, Stuart Redfern 1t, Harris 2c 2p 1d)
Cambridge University 9
Welford Road, 10 November
The students field a team of youngsters that a few years later could quite easily be confused for a Barbarians XV.
Pedlar Wood played the first of his 388 Leicester games against Newport in a 3-3 draw on 10 November 1906. bsky.app/profile/hist...
GEORGE WILLIAM WOOD
Born on 5 February 1886, ‘Pedlar’ Wood would make 388 Leicester appearances over a 16 year period.
Born on 5 February 1886, ‘Pedlar’ Wood would make 388 Leicester appearances over a 16 year period.
November 10, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Pedlar Wood played the first of his 388 Leicester games against Newport in a 3-3 draw on 10 November 1906. bsky.app/profile/hist...
JOHNE MURPHY
Leicester wing and occasional fullback Johne Murphy was born on 10 November 1984.
Leicester wing and occasional fullback Johne Murphy was born on 10 November 1984.
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
JOHNE MURPHY
Leicester wing and occasional fullback Johne Murphy was born on 10 November 1984.
Leicester wing and occasional fullback Johne Murphy was born on 10 November 1984.
Olly Cracknell becomes the sixth Tiger to represent Wales.
November 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Olly Cracknell becomes the sixth Tiger to represent Wales.
OTD: ZURICH PREMIERSHIP 2002
Northampton Saints 3
Tigers 16 (Kronfeld 1t, Murphy 1c 3p)
Franklin’s Gardens, 9 November
Tigers earn the bragging rights, but only for three weeks, as the return fixture is bizarrely scheduled for the end of November.
Northampton Saints 3
Tigers 16 (Kronfeld 1t, Murphy 1c 3p)
Franklin’s Gardens, 9 November
Tigers earn the bragging rights, but only for three weeks, as the return fixture is bizarrely scheduled for the end of November.
November 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
OTD: ZURICH PREMIERSHIP 2002
Northampton Saints 3
Tigers 16 (Kronfeld 1t, Murphy 1c 3p)
Franklin’s Gardens, 9 November
Tigers earn the bragging rights, but only for three weeks, as the return fixture is bizarrely scheduled for the end of November.
Northampton Saints 3
Tigers 16 (Kronfeld 1t, Murphy 1c 3p)
Franklin’s Gardens, 9 November
Tigers earn the bragging rights, but only for three weeks, as the return fixture is bizarrely scheduled for the end of November.
OTD: HEINEKEN CUP 1997
Pau 35
Tigers 18 (Back 1t, Serevi 1t, Stransky 1c 2p)
Quarter-final
Stade du Hameau, 9 November
Second place in the pool to Toulouse would lead to a too tough away draw at the foot of the Pyrenees.
Pau 35
Tigers 18 (Back 1t, Serevi 1t, Stransky 1c 2p)
Quarter-final
Stade du Hameau, 9 November
Second place in the pool to Toulouse would lead to a too tough away draw at the foot of the Pyrenees.
November 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM
OTD: HEINEKEN CUP 1997
Pau 35
Tigers 18 (Back 1t, Serevi 1t, Stransky 1c 2p)
Quarter-final
Stade du Hameau, 9 November
Second place in the pool to Toulouse would lead to a too tough away draw at the foot of the Pyrenees.
Pau 35
Tigers 18 (Back 1t, Serevi 1t, Stransky 1c 2p)
Quarter-final
Stade du Hameau, 9 November
Second place in the pool to Toulouse would lead to a too tough away draw at the foot of the Pyrenees.
England, Lions and Tigers captain Bernard Gadney made his first appearance for the club in a 4-3 win at Nuneaton on 9 November 1929. bsky.app/profile/hist...
BERNARD CECIL GADNEY
Born on 16 July 1909, Bernard Gadney was a Leicester, England and Lions captain, and is one of the 15 players included in Leicester’s Team of the Century.
Born on 16 July 1909, Bernard Gadney was a Leicester, England and Lions captain, and is one of the 15 players included in Leicester’s Team of the Century.
November 9, 2025 at 12:11 PM
England, Lions and Tigers captain Bernard Gadney made his first appearance for the club in a 4-3 win at Nuneaton on 9 November 1929. bsky.app/profile/hist...
OTD: 2010
Tigers 15 (Twelvetrees 5p)
Australia 26 (Turner 1t, Higginbotham 1t, Barnes 2c 3p 1d)
Welford Road, 9 November
After the Springboks heroics the previous year, 20,299 see the Wallabies take an early lead before a Tigers fight back, but no double.
Tigers 15 (Twelvetrees 5p)
Australia 26 (Turner 1t, Higginbotham 1t, Barnes 2c 3p 1d)
Welford Road, 9 November
After the Springboks heroics the previous year, 20,299 see the Wallabies take an early lead before a Tigers fight back, but no double.
November 9, 2025 at 10:43 AM
OTD: 2010
Tigers 15 (Twelvetrees 5p)
Australia 26 (Turner 1t, Higginbotham 1t, Barnes 2c 3p 1d)
Welford Road, 9 November
After the Springboks heroics the previous year, 20,299 see the Wallabies take an early lead before a Tigers fight back, but no double.
Tigers 15 (Twelvetrees 5p)
Australia 26 (Turner 1t, Higginbotham 1t, Barnes 2c 3p 1d)
Welford Road, 9 November
After the Springboks heroics the previous year, 20,299 see the Wallabies take an early lead before a Tigers fight back, but no double.
OTD: 1969
Midland Counties East 9
South Africa 11
Welford Road, 8 November
A tour overshadowed by anti-apartheid protests. Including in Leicester during the second game.
Midland Counties East 9
South Africa 11
Welford Road, 8 November
A tour overshadowed by anti-apartheid protests. Including in Leicester during the second game.
November 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
OTD: 1969
Midland Counties East 9
South Africa 11
Welford Road, 8 November
A tour overshadowed by anti-apartheid protests. Including in Leicester during the second game.
Midland Counties East 9
South Africa 11
Welford Road, 8 November
A tour overshadowed by anti-apartheid protests. Including in Leicester during the second game.
OTD: 1958
Tigers 8 (Gavins 1t 1c, Swann 1t)
Cambridge University 3
Welford Road, 8 November
The university sides could call on some big name players during this period. So the Tigers would be pleased to avenge a 3-30 hammering the previous year.
Tigers 8 (Gavins 1t 1c, Swann 1t)
Cambridge University 3
Welford Road, 8 November
The university sides could call on some big name players during this period. So the Tigers would be pleased to avenge a 3-30 hammering the previous year.
November 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM
OTD: 1958
Tigers 8 (Gavins 1t 1c, Swann 1t)
Cambridge University 3
Welford Road, 8 November
The university sides could call on some big name players during this period. So the Tigers would be pleased to avenge a 3-30 hammering the previous year.
Tigers 8 (Gavins 1t 1c, Swann 1t)
Cambridge University 3
Welford Road, 8 November
The university sides could call on some big name players during this period. So the Tigers would be pleased to avenge a 3-30 hammering the previous year.
OTD: 1983
Midlands 19
New Zealand 13
Welford Road, 8 November
The Midlands Division make it a hat-trick after beating Australia in 1981 and Fiji in 1982. A long Dusty Hare drop goal sealed it.
Midlands 19
New Zealand 13
Welford Road, 8 November
The Midlands Division make it a hat-trick after beating Australia in 1981 and Fiji in 1982. A long Dusty Hare drop goal sealed it.
November 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
OTD: 1983
Midlands 19
New Zealand 13
Welford Road, 8 November
The Midlands Division make it a hat-trick after beating Australia in 1981 and Fiji in 1982. A long Dusty Hare drop goal sealed it.
Midlands 19
New Zealand 13
Welford Road, 8 November
The Midlands Division make it a hat-trick after beating Australia in 1981 and Fiji in 1982. A long Dusty Hare drop goal sealed it.
TIGER CUB
On 8 November 2009 George Ford became the youngest Leicester first team player in a competitive fixture at 16 years and 237 days. He made his debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup tie at Leeds Carnegie, scoring two conversions and a penalty in a 17-28 defeat. bsky.app/profile/hist...
On 8 November 2009 George Ford became the youngest Leicester first team player in a competitive fixture at 16 years and 237 days. He made his debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup tie at Leeds Carnegie, scoring two conversions and a penalty in a 17-28 defeat. bsky.app/profile/hist...
November 8, 2025 at 8:06 AM
TIGER CUB
On 8 November 2009 George Ford became the youngest Leicester first team player in a competitive fixture at 16 years and 237 days. He made his debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup tie at Leeds Carnegie, scoring two conversions and a penalty in a 17-28 defeat. bsky.app/profile/hist...
On 8 November 2009 George Ford became the youngest Leicester first team player in a competitive fixture at 16 years and 237 days. He made his debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup tie at Leeds Carnegie, scoring two conversions and a penalty in a 17-28 defeat. bsky.app/profile/hist...
OTD: 1970
Midland Counties East 14
Fiji 24
Welford Road, 7 November
The first Fijian visit to Leicester. The tourists would finish their trip with a 29-9 win over the Barbarians. They would return for a game against the Tigers in 1973.
Midland Counties East 14
Fiji 24
Welford Road, 7 November
The first Fijian visit to Leicester. The tourists would finish their trip with a 29-9 win over the Barbarians. They would return for a game against the Tigers in 1973.
November 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
OTD: 1970
Midland Counties East 14
Fiji 24
Welford Road, 7 November
The first Fijian visit to Leicester. The tourists would finish their trip with a 29-9 win over the Barbarians. They would return for a game against the Tigers in 1973.
Midland Counties East 14
Fiji 24
Welford Road, 7 November
The first Fijian visit to Leicester. The tourists would finish their trip with a 29-9 win over the Barbarians. They would return for a game against the Tigers in 1973.
OTD: 1981
Tigers 9 (Hare 3p)
Gloucester 12
Welford Road, 7 November
The customary 1980s arm wrestle with the Cherry and Whites. Often a quiet afternoon for wingers.
Tigers 9 (Hare 3p)
Gloucester 12
Welford Road, 7 November
The customary 1980s arm wrestle with the Cherry and Whites. Often a quiet afternoon for wingers.
November 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
OTD: 1981
Tigers 9 (Hare 3p)
Gloucester 12
Welford Road, 7 November
The customary 1980s arm wrestle with the Cherry and Whites. Often a quiet afternoon for wingers.
Tigers 9 (Hare 3p)
Gloucester 12
Welford Road, 7 November
The customary 1980s arm wrestle with the Cherry and Whites. Often a quiet afternoon for wingers.