Leicester Tigers Heritage
Leicester Tigers are the most successful team in English Rugby, and have the biggest crowds of any team in the UK. From our foundation in 1880, through the era of lettered shirted amateurs, to becoming the most consistent and trophy laden team in the professional era Tigers boast an unrivalled heritage.
Our history is littered with heroes and personalities, and these are not just limited to the pitch. Forward thinking administrators, innovative coaches, and characterful supporters, Leicester Tigers history at the heart of the Leicester and wider Tigers Family Land community is something that needs to be recorded, secured and displayed.
Leicester Tigers Foundation are working towards making a visitor attraction from our rich past to add to Leicester's place as an ever more exciting tourist destination, and we intend to use our history to be a living inspiration for our projects of the future.
To succeed in this goal we will need the support of the Tigers Family, please help us to grow our community activities and cement Leicester Tigers culture.
Foundation Monument
Our first project is an ambitious one, and recognises the formation of Leicester Tigers. Running through all our heritage projects will be the support of our Foundations' other key goals of disability sports, education and inclusion.
In 1880 Leicester Football Club was formed at the George Hotel in Leicester, and almost since inception has been known as The Tigers, with the first reference from The Leicester Post in February 1885 stating that the "Tigers stripes were keeping well together" in their match against Bedford School.
The Tigers name came from our chocolate and orange kit from those formative years, with both being influenced by the close links between the Royal Leicestershire Regiment and the club. The first squad from 1880 included a number of officers from the Regiment and throughout the history of Leicester Tigers men from the regiment have been involved in the team and administration of what has become perhaps the world's largest rugby club.
The Leicester Tigers Foundation Monument, which was designed by Harvey Gardiner is due to be unveiled in September 2022 and will set pride of place in the main plaza, between Mattioli Woods Welford Road and the new Hotel complex. The unique Tigers head design will sit pride of place some 18 feet high, with 5 separate plaques below. Plaque one will show soldiers who sadly fell within conflict, who represented both the Leicester Tigers and Leicestershire regiment, alongside a mission statement from The Leicester Tigers Foundation. Plaques two and three will show soldiers who sadly fell within conflict, who represented the Leicester Tigers but were not part of the Leicestershire Regiment. Plaque four will honour those who served in the world wars and also represented Leicester Tigers and Plaque five will show a list of names, who have kindly made this project a reality, with their kind donations through the Foundation crown.
The Leicester Tigers Foundation hope that this monument will not only honour those great servants who went before us but offer inspiration and guidance for those who want to make a positive difference to those in their local communities and beyond.
For more information on the continued development of the Leicester Tigers Foundation Monument or to see how you can support the project, please contact Sam Swift – [email protected]
