THROWBACK THURSDAY | Stuart Campbell Makes Professional Debut For Leicester City

The Tampa Bay Rowdies were in England for a preseason tour and played three matches, including one against Premier League side Stoke City. Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell was able to get back to his roots after first cutting his teeth as a professional in England’s top division.

Campbell made his debut for the current Premier League leaders Leicester City when he was an 18-year-old. It’s a day he won’t soon forget, recalling the moment when manager Martin O’Neill told him he’d make his debut against Manchester United.

“I think he knew I was a Manchester United fan because he said, ‘You’ve been in this stadium before, haven’t you?’” Campebell told NASL.com. “And I said, ‘Yes, gaffer I have.’ That was kind of the respect you had for him, only spoke when spoken to.

“He said, ‘I bet you’d love to play today, wouldn’t you?’ And I said, ‘Yes, gaffer I would.’ So he said, ‘OK, you can play.’ I think some of the older guys knew because they burst out laughing. My face was quite a picture and I was surprised to get that opportunity.”

Campbell added: “It was a tremendous debut. It’s the day you always dream about. I made it against the club I supported, Manchester United. It was the stuff dreams were made of. It was my first professional game against Manchester United at Old Trafford. I don’t think it could’ve been any better for me – actually the result could’ve been better. We lost, 3-1.” 

Campbell playing against David Beckham, Manchester United. Photo credit: Tampa Bay Rowdies

During his time at the club, Leicester was entrenched as a mid-table side, but were strong in cup competitions. The Foxes won the League Cup twice and also finished as runners-up.

“We were an established Premier League club,” Campbell said. “We had great success in cup competitions. We won the League Cup two times and qualified for the UEFA Cup which is now the Europa League.”

As a teenager, Campbell was certainly impressionable and his career and life has been changed by playing for O’Neill.

“When you play for a manager like Martin O’Neill I think he leaves a lasting impression on you and lands you in good stead not just for your playing career or coaching career, but the rest of your life,” Campbell said. “He’s that influential.”

While a member of Leicester City, though, Campbell feared the well-respected coach noting “at the time I was petrified of him.”

Campbell also played with several notable players including former England international Emile Heskey, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon as well as Steve Guppy, who recently coached in the NASL and is O’Neill’s assistant for the Republic of Ireland national team. Campbell also played with former U.S. international goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

“Kasey was brilliant,” Campbell said. “He was an experienced goalkeeper when he came in. I was a young guy and I think it was my first year when he came in. He was great for me. He looked out for me, gave me words of advice.”

Campbell watched Leicester's recent win. Photo credit: Tampa Bay Rowdies

With the Rowdies in England for preseason, Campbell was able to watch Leicester City play and defeat Newcastle United, 1-0, as Shinji Okazaki scored on a neat overhead kick. The Foxes are still fighting to win the Premier League crown and, in the process, the club can stun England with a fairytale title. 

“I’m delighted for them and hope it continues and they get over the finish line,” Campbell said. “For them to be Premier League Champions, that would be absolutely remarkable.”