Author: nigelfreestone1960

In 1938, the Leicester Mail captivated its readers with a series of talent competitions, one of the most popular being a challenge to select Leicester City’s most ‘skillful’ XI. Readers…

Without doubt, the most successful footballer ever to have come from the Coalville District was Joe Bradford, a man who didn’t just play football, he defined it. Born on January…

The piercing alarm that shattered the pre-dawn quiet of north west Leicestershire on Tuesday, April 19, 1898, heralded one of Leicestershire’s most devastating industrial tragedies: a raging “gob fire” deep…

Jim Mitchell, also known as Fred, who died 50 years ago (May 1975) holds a unique place in footballing history as the last man to play for England in a…

On Sunday, February 8, 1959, thousands of cheering fans gathered at Leicester Stadium for the “Showbiz” charity football match. The event featured comedienne Beryl kicking off the game and two…

Friar Lane Old Boys football club members preparing to travel to Lincoln United for an FA Vase quarter-final in the 1974-75 season The players featured in the photo are, from…

Did those lucky Leicester lads unwrapping ‘Dan Dare football boots’ on Christmas morning in the 1950s know their prized kicks were made just up the road in Anstey, Leicestershire? It…

“Did Fred enjoy his football game yesterday?” “You bet he did! This morning he can’t see with one eye, and three of his ribs are broken!” CAUGHT It was nearly…

Leicester staged the FA Amateur Cup Final for the first time on Saturday 28 March 1896 on the Walnut Street (aka Filbert Street) ground, between Bishop Auckland overcame Sheffield, Ipswich,…

Suffragette Nettie Honeyball and manager Alfred Hewitt Smit founded the British Ladies’ Football Club or the Lady Footballers, who arranged tours usually as North v South or Reds v Blues…