Winning the Premier League could herald start of Leicester City's fourth golden era

They came within one point of winning the title in 1929 and the Ice Kings of 1963 were contenders for the double - and if Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) win the 2016 Premier League they could be on the threshold of a new golden age.

This time last season the Foxes were languishing at the bottom of the table seven points adrift with nine games to go. Then the Great Escape saw them win seven and draw one to finish 14th.

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City's Frank Worthington evades a flying tackle from Luton's John Ryan in 1974

Now Foxes are guaranteed to be top of the Premier League until 1 May and the club's Historian and Archivist John Hutchinson says it could be the start of new golden age.

John, who has supported the team for more than half a century, said: "The first golden age was 1928-29, when LCFC came within one point of winning the title. The season before they finished third. They had England internationals such as Hugh Adcock and Ernie Hine and were a really good side.

"The next golden age was the 1960s. Under manager Matt Gillies the club consistently attained good positions in the top flight."

This was the era of the Ice Kings. John said: "In the 1962/63 season they were top of the table with five games to go and favourites to win the FA Cup. It had been a vicious winter, the coldest of the century. They managed to keep playing because of a chemical concoction that kept the pitch softer and warmer, along with other measures.

"We had 10 successive wins - a club record - but unfortunately lost four and drew one of the last five games and finished fourth."

Key players included Gordon Banks, David Gibson and Mike Stringfellow and the team were unchanged all season.

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They reached three FA Cup Finals to add to their 1949 appearance and two League Cup Finals, winning the League Cup in 1964. They also competed in Europe.

The 1970s saw City put out their most entertaining side - a team firmly planted in the top half of the league without bringing home any silverware.

John, a former head teacher, said: "They were flamboyant and skilful. England international Peter Shilton, Steve Whitworth, Keith Weller, Frank Worthington and Alan Birchenall were among the players."

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Leicester City's goalkeeper Peter Shilton in action in 1970

It was under Martin O'Neill, in the second half of the 1990s, that City enjoyed their third golden age. John said: "They won the play-off final, had four successive top-half finishes and three league finals at Wembley, winning two. They got into the UEFA Cup and played in Europe for two seasons."

A new century saw the club relegated and in administration. "They were hard times," said John, whose first degree is in history. "We dropped to the third division, or League One, in 2008 for first time in club's history."

Back into the Championship in 2009, they finally got promoted in 2014 under Nigel Pearson. The play-off semi-final defeat by Watford the year before had seen current stars Danny Drinkwater, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy on the subs bench.

John, who credits the time, effort and money invested by the owners as being a key factor in this season's results, added: "They haven't won anything yet and still have games to go but it's got to be up there.

"We should be in the top four regardless, which is a huge achievement."