Belvoir Drive
From 1884 to Premier League champions: Leicester City's remarkable journey.
Leicester City Football Club is a professional football club based in Leicester, East Midlands, England. The club competes in the third tier of English football.
- Function
- First Team Training Facility (Historical for Men; Full-time Base for Women)
- Affiliation
- Leicester City FC Infrastructure
- Access
- Restricted/Private to Club Personnel
- Status
- Former Primary Training Base for Men's Team; Current Full-Time Base for Women's
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The club was founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse F.C., before becoming Leicester City in 1919. They moved to Filbert Street in 1891, were elected to the Football League in 1894, and moved to the King Power Stadium in 2002 (renamed in 2011). Leicester have won seven major trophies: one Premier League, one FA Cup, three League Cups, and two FA Community Shields. Their 2015–16 Premier League title win attracted global attention. The club's longest top-level spell was 1957–1969, during which they reached three FA Cup finals and competed in Europe for the first time. They have since participated in six more European campaigns, reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2016–17, winning the FA Cup in 2021, and reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals in 2021–22.
In Their Own Story
The turning point arrived in January 2021 when the men's squad departed Belvoir Drive for their new facilities. In that same month, the former Premier League team's facility was handed over to the women's teams for full-time use. This handover coincided with a period of rapid growth for Leicester City Women, who had just secured promotion to the FA Women's Super League in April 2021. The site supported the squad as they navigated their debut top-flight campaign later that year, including their first WSL victory on 19 December 2021 against Birmingham City. While the men moved forward to new grounds, Belvoir Drive remained a critical asset, providing the necessary infrastructure for the women's development centre and reserves.
Reader's Guide
Leicester City's home matches are played at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. The club's history includes founding as Leicester Fosse in 1884, name change in 1919, and major successes including the 2015–16 Premier League title. Key periods include the 1920s under Peter Hodge, the 1957–1969 top-flight era under Matt Gillies, and the Martin O'Neill era in the late 1990s. The club has won the League Cup in 1964, 1997, and 2000.
Did You Know?
- Leicester City were founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse F.C.
- The club's record win is 13–0 against Notts Olympic in an FA Cup qualifying match.
- Leicester's record defeat is 0–12 against Nottingham Forest.
- The club's highest league finish before 2015–16 was second place in 1928–29.
- Leicester won the FA Charity Shield in 1971 as Second Division champions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Belvoir Drive?
Belvoir Drive was Leicester City's historic primary training ground located in Oadby, serving as the club's main preparation base for decades before newer facilities were built. Unlike public stadiums such as Filbert Street or the King Power Stadium, it functioned strictly as a private infrastructure hub for first-team squads.
Who has access to Belvoir Drive?
Access to this facility is entirely restricted to Leicester City club personnel and players, meaning it was never open to the general public or matchday fans. It operated behind closed doors as a secure environment dedicated solely to team training and development.
Why is Belvoir Drive important to the club's culture?
It represents the unseen 'quiet forge' where countless Foxes legends honed their skills away from the crowds, forming the backbone of the club's historical success. Its legacy lies in being the essential, hidden foundation that supported the team's on-pitch glory for generations.
Is Belvoir Drive still used as a training ground?
No, it is now a former primary training base after the club relocated its operations to newer complexes situated adjacent to the current King Power Stadium. While no longer the active headquarters, it remains a significant part of Leicester City's historical infrastructure in Oadby.
Where exactly was Belvoir Drive located?
The facility was situated in Oadby, Leicestershire, serving as the dedicated off-site home for the first team long before the club established its modern training village. This location allowed the squad to train privately without the distractions of public match venues.
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