A former Leicester City has now been credited with the creation of an iconic footballing phrase.
Football has and always will be a pretty reactionary sport that sees fans, players and pundits alike share some interesting thoughts right after and during games.
This has led to some iconic phrases being created over the years by fans and players alike.
One of the newer phrases adopted by the younger generation in recent times is ‘leave the football before the football leaves you’.
Now, it has been revealed that a former Leicester City, who is now a club legend, coined a well-known phrase fans still use today.
The man in question is Alan Birchenall, who joined the Foxes in 1971 and spent six years with the club.
The now 79-year-old scored 12 goals in 163 matches during his time at the King Power Stadium.
A former attacking midfielder, Leicester paid just £80,000 for Birchenall, who has now cemented his name in the history books.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
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Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall coined well-used football phrase
Back in in October 1994, Leicester and Coventry City drew 2-2 on Sky’s Monday Night Football.
The game saw Foxes star Jimmy Willis shown a straight red car for an elbow.
However, it is fair to say that Birchenall, who held an on-pitch presentation at half-time in his role as public relations officer, was not happy with the decision.
And with a mic in his hand, he decided to offer some impromptu punditry, creating, as per The Guardian, the first known use of the phrase ‘the game’s gone’.
He said: “It’s a bloody joke. The game’s gone. We’ll end up with four players on each side. It’s about contact, for Christ’s sake.”
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
What does Alan Birchenall do now
Birchenall remains a club ambassador for Leicester to this day, which includes the role of pre-match and half-time host.
He also ran a footwear company and The Griffin Inn in Swithland in Charnwood and is a patron of PROSTaid, a prostate cancer charity.
Back in 2002, Birchenall was awarded an MBE for his charity work, while Leicester City Council announced in 2009 that he was to be given the Honorary Freedom of Leicester.
