Author: nigelfreestone1960

The violent nature of football in the 1880s attracted the attention of the world-renowned medical journal, The Lancet. In 1885 they published an article entitled “The Perils of Football” which…

The official programme/handbill for the Loughborough v Aston Villa Birmingham Cup match – Saturday 10 March 1894, Athletic Grounds, Loughborough. The fortunes of the professional association football in Loughborough have…

The penalty kick has become an integral part of football since its introduction in 1890. However, the traditional penalty kick that we know and love today, took a long time…

In 1884 Joseph Hudson, an English toolmaker from Birmingham developed the world’s first sports whistle – the ACME Thunderer – and since then has been used globally by football referees…

William Bradshaw, aged 18, a leather worker was charged with the manslaughter of Herbert Dokerty on 28 February 1878. A football match was played at Ashby-de-la-Zouch on 27 February between…

Harry Trainer, 42 King-street, Leicester Fosse’s leading scorer in the 1895-96 season, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language, in Leicester Market-place, on the 19 August…

The following interview with Samuel Sudbury by the Chief Sports writer of the Leicester Mail in November 1947, provides a fascinating insight into the early days of Leicester Fosse.

George Harry Newton (21) clerk, Loughborough, was indicted in 1897 for forging a receipt for the payment of £1 15s., with intent to defraud, and to a second indictment charging…

In total, 22,092 British soldiers were killed, 75,430 returned home sick or wounded and a further 934 missing in the war. Included in that number were Mr. D. D. Stewart,…

‘Lord’ George Sanger, an English showman and circus proprietor, grew up working in travelling peep shows and successfully ran shows and circuses throughout much of the nineteenth century with his…