Dave Webb was one of a number of signings done by Frank McLintock in his only top flight season as manager in football, taking Leicester down to tier two in the 1977/78 season, being a struggle from day one. Webb himself had a great career behind, especially in his years at Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.
He was at the time of his arrival 31 years of age, but the fact that he was given a chance to leave, to join his former partner in the QPR defence, should have been a warning signal.
Leicester had a number of good central defenders at the club. Alan Woollett and Jeff Blockley both very experienced and with a long and proper career in the top flight, Steve Sims coming through and playing at England u.21 level, and also having a young Larry May to call if and when injury striked.
Webb was a previous FA Cup and European Cup winners Cup winner. Also ending runners-up in the league with QPR, as well as ending runners up in the League Cup with Chelsea. He signed for Leicester in September 1977, taking a place in the central defence, but still could not help out the way Frank McLintock had foreseen.
Webb, having such great impact at his previous clubs, never managed to build on that experience when joining Leicester as the team got relegated. Jock Wallace, the new manager coming in, gave Webb a number of games before he decided on a sale to Derby in December 1978. Webb played 33 league games for Leicester and his stay never mirrored anything of what he experienced at Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.
FACTFILE
- Full Name: David James Webb
- Position: Defender
- Date of Birth: 09.04.1946
- Birthplace: Stratford, Essex
- Nation: England
- Caps / Goals: – / –
- Major Career:
- 1963-66, Leyton Orient (62/3)
- 1966-68, Southampton (75/2)
- 1968-74, Chelsea (230/21)
- 1974-77, Queens Park Rangers (116/7)
- 1977-78, Leicester City (33/0)
- 1978-80, Derby County (26/1)
- Links: Wikipedia
