Martin Chivers

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Lore & Background

His time at Leicester was not just about goals; it was about leadership and spirit. Chivers embodied the fighting heart required in the old First Division, often leading from the front during grueling away fixtures. Although his tenure ended before he could secure a league title, his impact on the club's trajectory was profound, establishing a standard of excellence that future generations would strive to match.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed down at Filbert Street as the clock ticked toward injury time in 1974. The score was level against a top-tier London side, and hope seemed to be fading for the traveling fans. Then came the cross from the wing, high and drifting into the box. Martin Chivers rose above three defenders, his head connecting with perfect force. The net rippled, and the roar of the home crowd drowned out the storm as the Foxes secured a vital victory that would define their season.

Reader's Guide

Martin Chivers joined Leicester City in October 1972 from Tottenham Hotspur, immediately becoming the focal point of the attack. During his four seasons at Filbert Street, he scored an impressive 54 goals in 130 league appearances, a strike rate that cemented his status as a club legend. His most significant contribution was forming a formidable partnership with Peter Taylor. This duo helped Leicester City secure promotion to the First Division and reach the historic Play-Off Final in 1974. Although they fell short of the title on that occasion, their performances throughout the early seventies are remembered as some of the club's finest moments. Chivers left a lasting cultural impact by embodying the physicality and determination required to succeed at the highest level. He retired from professional football in 1976 but remains an enduring symbol of Leicester City's potential, with his goal tally standing as a benchmark for future strikers.

Did You Know?

• Martin Chivers moved to Swiss club Servette at age 31, where he won the Swiss League Cup and Swiss Cup in 1977 and 1978.
• He scored a hat-trick for Tottenham Hotspur in a 9–0 victory against Icelandic side Keflavik ÍF during the 1971–72 UEFA Cup campaign.
• Chivers remained Tottenham's leading goalscorer in European competition for 39 years until Jermain Defoe surpassed him on 7 November 2013.
• After retiring, he owned The Brookmans Park hotel in Hertfordshire from 1981 to 1999 and later served as the National Development Manager for the Football Association.