Leicester City gained promotion in to the premiership at the end of the 1993 – 1994 season and they could not manage to remain in the top flight for any more than one season as they finished off the 1994 -1 995 campaign in a disappointing 21st position.
The 1995 -1996 season saw a rejuvenated Leicester City side, with Martin O’Neill as the new manager in charge at the club climb up the table in the first division, in March 1996, O’Neill purchased Steve Claridge and this proved to be a huge signing for the club. Claridge performed heroics in the play off final as he scored a stunning winning goal in the last minute of extra time to gain Leicester City promotion back in to the elusive premiership.
The 1996 – 1997 campaign was a great one for Martin O’Neill and Leicester city as they enjoyed a great season back in the premiership, finishing the campaign off in ninth position, establishing themselves as a premiership outfit again. They enjoyed a great run in the league cup that saw them reach the final of the cup competition, meeting Middlesbrough in the final. It was Steve Claridge who once again proved to be a hero at Leicester City as he score the winning goal in the final to hand Leicester City the league cup trophy.