The Spectacled Stopper
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…
Charity Match Creates Controversey
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’ FA Vase Glory Years (1974-76)
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…
Anstey’s Dan Dare
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…
Victorian Football Jokes
“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 Hosts 1896 FA Amateur Cup Final
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,…
Leicestershire’s First Ladies Football Match
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…
A Bonfire Night Tragedy
On Saturday, 5 November 1892, a tragic accident occurred in Barrow, Leicestershire, resulting in the death of William Charles Palmer (36), a labourer from Woodhouse Eaves. Palmer was driving a…
Coalville FC’s First-Ever Game – February 1876
Leicester Chronicle – Saturday 26 February 1876
Football Crimes, Fines & Misdemeanours 1895-96
Leicestershire Football Association ruled football in the county with a rod of iron. Crimes and misdemeanours by players, officials and clubs were severely dealt with. A small selection of the…