Photo: Arne Müseler
The 91-year-old was a fullback in the Foxes’ promotion-winning team in 1956/57.
Leicester City Football Club is in sorrow today after experienced defender John Ogilvie became the latest victim of coronavirus.
In recent decades, the gregarious Scotsman was one of the most popular footballers of his time and a recognisable presence behind the scenes at Filbert Street and, more recently, King Power Stadium.
Doreen, his wife, contacted LeicestershireLive to report he died on Saturday at Leicester Royal Infirmary, aged 91, after catching COVID-19 at the city care facility where he’d been residing.
Between 1955 and 1960, John made 85 appearances at fullback for the Foxes, scoring two goals. He was a key player of the side that gained promotion to the old First Division in 1956/57.
Alan Birchenall, a Leicester City Ambassador and fellow Foxes veteran who presented John with an autographed ‘Ogilvie 90’ shirt in front of the Blue Army on October 27, 2018, paid homage to his buddy.
“The thoughts of everyone at the football club are with John’s family and friends after learning the sad news of his passing,” he stated.
“He was a fantastic footballer and wonderful personality who left his mark on Leicester City during his time at Filbert Street and in the years since.”
“I personally have some wonderful memories of John from our time working on charity games together and will miss the occasions spent laughing in his company as we reflected on those matches,” he said.
“The club were also delighted to be able to host John and his wife Doreen as regular guests in recent years and we collectively send our deepest condolences during such a difficult time.”
“Leicester City Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player John Ogilvie, who passed away at the Leicester Royal Infirmary on Saturday at the age of 91,” the club stated in a statement.
“The former left-back, who played 85 times for the Foxes between 1955 and 1960, was a key figure at Filbert Street at the time, including as an ever-present in the team that won promotion back to the top flight as Second Division champions in 1957.”
“The thoughts of everybody at Leicester City Football Club are with John’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
John was born on October 28, 1928, in Motherwell, Scotland, and made his name with Hibernian in the Famous Five squad that won three Scottish Championships.
Many admired his efforts, notably then-Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
He was an important member of Hibernian’s winning back line in 1951, but he suffered a career-ending leg break.
