<P> Frank McLintock, a noted player for seven years for Leicester successful period from the late Fifties to the mid Sixties, succeeded Jimmy Bloomfield in 1977 . Due to City's relegation in at the end of the 1977--78 season and McClintock's subsequent resignation, he is regarded as one of Leicester's worst managers . Jock Wallace resumed the tradition of successful Scottish managers (after Peter Hodge and Matt Gillies) by steering Leicester to the Division Two championship in 1980 . Unfortunately, Wallace was not able to keep Leicester in Division One, but they reached the FA Cup semi-final for the last time to date in 1982 . Under Wallace, one of City's most famous homegrown players, Gary Lineker, emerged into the first team squad . Leicester's next manager was Gordon Milne, who achieved promotion in 1983 . Lineker helped Leicester maintain their place in the First Division but was sold to Everton in 1985 and two years later Leicester went down, having failed to find a suitable replacement . Milne had left in 1986 and was replaced by in 1987 David Pleat, who oversaw one of the club's most unsuccessful periods in its history . He was sacked in January 1991 after a defeat that left City fourth from bottom . Gordon Lee was put in charge of the club until the end of the season . Leicester won their final game of the season which guided them clear of relegation to the third tier of the football league . </P> <P> Brian Little, who had just taken Darlington from the Conference to the Third Division with successive promotions, was given the manager's job at Leicester and in his first season they qualified for the promotion playoffs . Leicester beat Cambridge United 6--1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, but lost out on a place in the new Premier League after a 1--0 defeat in the playoff final to Blackburn Rovers--the only goal of the game was scored by Blackburn's Mike Newell, a former Leicester player . The goal, a penalty, came after a much disputed foul by Steve Walsh on David Speedie . Speedie became the subject of much hatred amongst Leicester City supporters, but signed for the club a year later . </P> <P> Leicester suffered another playoff final defeat at the end of the 1992--93 Division One campaign . They managed to draw level with Swindon in the second half after trailing 3--0, only to concede another controversial penalty . In 1993--1994 it was third time lucky for Leicester as they beat East Midlands rivals Derby County 2--1 in the final to secure promotion to the Premiership after seven years outside the top division . Striker David Speedie was suspended in the final, having been sent off in the semi-final . </P> <P> Brian Little quit as Leicester manager the following November to take charge at Aston Villa, and his successor, Mark McGhee, was unable to save Leicester from finishing second from bottom in the 1994--95 Premiership campaign with just six wins from 42 league games . Leicester were flying high at the top of Division One when McGhee left the club unexpectedly in December 1995 to take charge at Wolverhampton Wanderers . </P>

When was leicester city promoted to premier league