Only one Bristol City player has scored more goals in a season than Leroy Lita since the 1960s and the halcyon days of John Atyeo.
While Bob Taylor’s 34 strikes in the promotion season of 1989-90 are often recalled, less is said or written about the campaign of 2004-05 when Lita, who began it still a teenager, ran riot in what is now League One. The muscular little striker netted 29 times in all competitions to earn a £1 million move to Reading the following summer.
A product of the Chelsea youth system, Congo-born Lita arrived at Ashton Gate in 2002, having been scouted by City, and made his debut as a substitute against Blackpool at Ashton Gate that August.
When the club reached the Second Division Play-off final against Brighton in May 2004, Leroy was still struggling to establish himself as a first-team regular.
Even so, many fans were astonished by Danny Wilson’s decision to leave him out of the squad for the big game at the Millenium Stadium where a 1-0 defeat saw the manager lose his job after four years in charge.
Wilson’s replacement, Brian Tinnion, had no doubt about the youngster’s talents and harnessed him with Paul Heffernan and Scott Murray in a three-pronged attack for the opening game of the following season at home to Torquay United.
Lita scored in that 1-1 draw and in three of the next four games to repay Tinnion’s faith and send his popularity rating with supporters soaring.
Despite his efforts, City won only one of their first six games. But a 4-1 thrashing of Brentford at Ashton Gate lifted spirits ahead of a visit to this weekend’s opponents Peterborough United on September 4, 2004.
Heffernan had been dropped to the bench and Murray, who scored twice against Brentford, restored to the right-wing in a 4-4-2 formation.
Christian Roberts lined up alongside Lita at London Road, with player-boss Tinnion operating in a midfield that also comprised Murray, Luke Wilkshire and Bradley Orr, a late replacement for injured skipper Tommy Doherty.
Steve Phillips was to enjoy a memorable afternoon in goal, protected by a back-four of Jamie Smith, Tony Butler, Danny Coles and Matt Hill.
Peterborough had won two of their three home games, playing direct football under long-serving boss Barry Fry, with a 6ft 4ins target-man in Clive Platt.
His presence ensured a busy game for City centre-backs Butler and Coles, who were called upon to deal with a barrage of high balls into the box.
Both rose to the task, but Phillips still had to produce the first testing save of a poor first half, palming away a Curtis Woodhouse free kick.
Platt fired high and wide from a good opening, while at the other end Orr had an effort cleared off the line by new Posh signing Chris Plummer.
It looked as though Peterborough would take a lead into the break when Smith was penalised for a 44th-minute challenge on Leon Constantine inside the box and referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot.
Tinnion was booked for dissent, but played his part in ensuring that Phillips was well-prepared to face Woodhouse from 12 yards.
The goalkeeper pounced to his left to block the shot and later revealed: “I ran over to Keith Millen (assistant-manager) before the penalty was taken and both he and Brian informed me they’d seen Woodhouse put the ball that side of the goal recently.
“I sold him a dummy in any case by stepping first to my right, then going left, and luckily that was the way he chose to put it.”
Not so helpful was the bloodied nose Phillips received from a collision with Orr in the exuberant celebrations that followed his vital contribution.
Having escaped that setback, City played with more freedom in the second half. Lita and Roberts had shots blocked, while the latter also forced a good save from Mark Tyler.
The decisive moment came on 72 minutes. With Posh on the attack, David Farrell gave away possession on the edge of City’s box and Tinnion’s men produced a slick break.
The manager combined with Australia international Wilkshire to put Lita clear and he picked out the far corner of the net with a clinical finish.
At 19, Leroy was starting to attract attention from clubs in the higher divisions. Leicester City boss Micky Adams was among those who witnessed his coolness in front of goal before vacating his seat seconds later.
But even his greatest admirers could not have imagined the season that lay ahead for Lita, who went on to net a hat-trick against Torquay at Plainmoor and doubles against Stockport County, Walsall, MK Dons twice and Oldham Athletic.
Despite missing the last two games and only just having turned 20, Leroy ended the campaign with 24 Football League goals, two in the League Cup, one in the FA Cup and two in the LDV Vans Trophy.
Even so, City missed out on the play-offs by one position and a single point, finishing a disappointing seventh.
Like so many of the Robins’ top scorers over the years, Lita departed all too soon. He went on to net 20 goals in 83 League games for Reading before becoming a soccer nomad. Including loan spells, he represented Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Middlesbrough, Swansea City, Birmingham City, Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton, Barnsley and Notts County.
Still only 37, Leroy has also played non-League football for numerous clubs, Yeovil Town among them, as well as having spells playing in Greece and Thailand.
This year he signed for Southern League Central club Hednesford Town and played in their most recent game.
Peterborough United: Tyler; Plummer, Rea, Ireland; Newton, Legg, Woodhouse, Jelleyman; Constantine (Logan 46 mins), Platt, (Clarke 70 mins) Kennedy (Farrell 57 mins).
Subs not used: St Leger, Thomson.
Bristol City: Phillips; Smith, Butler, Coles, Hill; Murray, Orr, Tinnion (Fortune 88 mins), Wilkshire; Roberts (Miller 82 mins), Lita.
Subs not used: Heffernan, Woodman, Gillespie.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
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