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One person taken to hospital after car overturns in Bushby

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Fire crews were called out to an overturned car on the A47 in Bushby last night. Four crews, from eastern, Wigston and southern fire stations responded to the initial call saying several people were trapped in the incident near Dalby Avenue at 9.49pm. When the first crew arrived they discovered no-one was trapped in the vehicle and the other crews were stood down. One casualty was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary by East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Moped burned out in arson attack in Ainsdale Road, Leicester

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A fire crew was called to a moped which was deliberately set on fire in Ainsdale Road, off Hinckley Road, Leicester early this morning. The crew from Leicester's western fire station were called to the incident, in which the moped was destroyed, at 12.39am.

Victory for county cyclist Lucy Garner in Holland

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Cosby cyclist Lucy Garner picked up her first win of the year when she was first home in the Criterium Zeilberg in the Netherlands. The Team Giant-Shimano sprinter initiated an early break in the 67km circuit race and then outsprinted Vera Koedooder (Bigla) to take victory, the pair having been clear for 56km. The 19-year-old, who has just been selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Games this summer, has had a string of encouraging results this season. Prior to Zeilberg she had five podium places to her name and had also finished top British rider in the Women's Tour last month. The victory in Holland might not have come in the most prestigious race Garner takes part in this year but her performance can only boost her confidence with the National championships and the Games in Glasgow ahead of her.

Chartered accountant jailed after "savagely" punching a stranger in the street, breaking his nose and eye-socket

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A chartered accountant who "savagely" punched a stranger in the street, breaking his nose and eye socket, has been jailed for 16 months. Daniel Bowes (29) was fuelled by alcohol and cocaine when he felled the victim with a forceful blow, knocking him unconscious before he hit the ground. The man was chatting to friends outside McDonalds in Loughborough's High Street, in the early hours of Saturday, February 8. Alan Murphy, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court both men had been in the fast food outlet without any problems. Bowes had come out and walked across the road to Market Place. Mr Murphy said: "CCTV footage shows the defendant walking back across the road and bumping shoulders with the victim for no reason whatsoever. "He hit him a very fierce punch knocking him to the floor and he lost consciousness in mid-air." He hit his head on the pavement and lay in a pool of blood without moving for more than a minute. The victim underwent operations to insert a titanium plate in his eye socket and have his nose re-set. "He couldn't see anything out of his eye initially and he's not able to breathe properly through his nose, and may require further treatment," said Mr Murphy. Bowes, who has previous convictions for violence, left in a taxi, but was recognised on CCTV film of the incident by a police officer, resulting in him handing himself in on February 10. He said he had drunk about eight pints of beer and initially sought to blame the victim, before being shown the footage - when he accepted his actions were unjustified. Defence barrister, Timothy Bowden, said Bowes had also taken cocaine. Bowes, of Blackbrook Road, Loughborough, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm outside McDonald's. In 2006, when he was a university student, he was prosecuted for inflicting grievous bodily harm by throwing a glass at a female, who sustained broken teeth. He was given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay £10,000 compensation. In 2005, he was dealt with for common assault during an altercation between two groups of males in Melton. Sentencing, Judge John Pini QC said: "You're a professional and an educated man, a chartered accountant who has been to university – and it's the third time you're before a court for violence. "The complainant went out with friends and was minding his own business outside McDonald's. "You walked up to him and, with gratuitous unprovoked savagery, punched him straight to the face with such force he lost consciousness mid-air and fell flat on his back. "It was administered with such ferocity there were two fractures from one blow, and could easily have resulted in a manslaughter charge." He told Bowes: "You're a well-built man and bigger than him. "He had operations including having his broken nose re-set and he'll never have the same appearance. "He says it's something he'll have to live with for the rest of his life. "You're an educated man and if ever anyone should have known better it was you." He said Bowes had ruined his career and added: "It's entirely your own fault. "Actions have consequences." Mr Bowden, mitigating, said: "For eight years he's avoided committing offences. "He worked hard for his degree, an upper second class honours in accounting, and this offence may mean he's expelled as a chartered accountant. "He will in due course be dealt with by his regulator. "Immediate custody makes it almost inevitable it would mark the end of his career. "Years and years of hard work will be thrown away for a moment of relative stupidity. A prison sentence would cause him to lose his £35,000-a-year management accountant's post for a logistics company. Mr Bowden said: "He regrets what he did and the impact upon the complainant. "It happened after a recent relationship breakdown and he'd been to a funeral that day. "He'd been drinking alcohol and taken cocaine. "He's ashamed and disgusted with himself and says his actions scared him. "He wants to apologise to his victim."

Chartered accountant jailed after

World Cup 2014: Gary Lineker and Leicester fans remaining optimistic following 2 - 1 defeat against Italy

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England's World Cup campaign started with a 2-1 defeat against Italy last night. But fans were remaining optimistic despite the disappointing start. Former Leicester City and England star Gary Lineker said he thought England would still make it through the group stage. The Match of the Day presenter posted on Twitter after the game: "For what it's worth I think England will go through!" This morning, he posted some stats, obtained from sports data company Opta, about the World Cup matches so far. "Of the 14 teams we have seen so far, England had more shots on goal than any of them. Needless to say, conversion rate was not in the top 10," he said. "Even more stunning is that England's passing accuracy ranks 2nd, just behind Italy, but ahead of Spain, Holland and Brazil. Go boys!" Lineker then added: "Here's another beauty. For passing accuracy in the opposition's half, England come out on top. Stats exclude crosses where England are last. "Whilst the final score is the stat that counts these are enormously encouraging figures in terms of our long term progress." John Hoolahan, 30, of Birstall, was watching the match in Brazil. He said: "Obviously a disappointing result but we had a go and there were some positives to take. Some great play between the front players, and a good move for our goal and we created enough chances." However, John said he thought the two goals were conceded too easily and said the England boys "lost shape and composure in the second half and look tired." He added: "Saw lots of LCFC in the centre and at the ground and the atmosphere in general was very loud from the travelling England fans." Fans commenting on the Mercury's Facebook page were also staying positive. Simon Ross said: "Young three lions played well! No-one should feel let down, this was a good performance. "Fingers crossed we will qualify." Dan Roberts posted: "We can do it." Josh Tebbutt said: "The group is wide open." Mark Mahabir said: "Good performance, surprising under Hodgson! Need to take those chances, though."

World Cup 2014: Gary Lineker and Leicester fans remaining optimistic following 2 - 1 defeat against Italy

Download 2014 Saturday review - including Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy and Bowling For Soup

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If Friday seemed busy at Download festival, Saturday completely knocked it on its head. With acts including everyone from pop-punk stars Fall Out Boy to '70s rockers Twisted Sister, there was a wide selection of bands for everyone. While She Sleeps made sure that the death-metal association with Download remained alive with screaming and thrashing guitars. Dave McPherson, lead singer with 90s grunge band InMe, drew large numbers over to the modest Jagermeister stage, providing listeners with everything from heartfelt tunes to a breakdown of Will Smith's '90s hit 'Boom! Shake the Room.' American pop-punk stars Bowling For Soup kept spirits high during the dip in bad weather by churning out hits including as 'Punk Rock 101', 'Girl All The Bad Guys Want' and '1985'. Their set list was laced with tongue-in-cheek humour and a photo opportunity moment with the 10,000-strong crowd members. They also encouraged two Sesame Street characters in fancy dress to have a dance. Lonely the Brave proved popular, with their haunting yet rough vocals reminiscent of Biffy Clyro, while Anathema treated fans to a stripped-down set following their bustling performance yesterday on the Pepsi Max stage. Fall Out Boy proved their 2013 comeback was worth the wait. New and old hits such as 'Sugar We're Going Down,' 'This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race' and 'My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)' got everyone up and dancing along. Highly anticipated headliners Linkin Park rounded off the electric day with a choc-a-block setlist, which celebrated the 14th anniversary of their debut album, Hybrid Theory. "I put my trust in you," sang 100,000 people, and judging from the performance, they were right to do so.

Download 2014 Saturday review - including Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy and Bowling For Soup

Leicestershire edge opening day against Worcestershire

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Leicestershire's bowlers helped their side shade the honours on the opening day of their LV County Championship match with second division leaders Worcestershire at Grace Road. After putting their opponents in to bat on a cloudy morning Leicestershire bowled out their rivals for 237, reaching 58-2 in reply by the close. Charlie Shreck was the leading County wicket-taker with 3-65, while Nathan Buck, Ben Raine and Richard Jones all claimed two apiece. Leicestershire would have had hopes of taking a real grip on the game in mid-afternoon when they had Worcestershire toiling on 167-7. However, they were kept in check by a gutsy century from Alexei Kervezee which helped his side get past the 200 mark. The County made four changes to the side which lost to Derbyshire last time out in the Championship. Dan Redfern came in for his County debut, while Shreck and Buck returned from injury. Jones, who has been signed on loan for a month from Warwickshire, also stepped in having impressed with a five-wicket haul in the T20 game against Lancashire on Friday.

One man killed and another seriously injured after car hits tree in Welford Road, Leicester

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One man was killed and another was seriously injured in a car crash in Welford Road, Leicester in the early hours of this morning. A silver Ford Focus left the road and hit a tree at 2.57am near the junction with Knighton Lane East. A 39-year-old man in the car died. A 33-year-old man who was also in the car, was taken to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham where his condition is described as serious. It's believed that in the vicinity of the Ford Focus at the time of the collision was a Black BMW one series car. Leicestershire Police are particularly interested to talk to anyone who may have seen either car around this time. A 46 year old man has been arrested in connection with the collision. DC Seamus Burns, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said; "We'd like to talk to anyone who may have been in area of Welford Road at about three o'clock this morning and may have seen either the Ford Focus or a black BMW one series travelling out of the city." Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

One man killed and another seriously injured after car hits tree in Welford Road, Leicester


Kasabian score fourth consecutive number one album with 48:13

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Kasabian have scored their fourth number one album. "What a way to kick off the biggest three weeks of our lives," the band said in a statement, after discovering their fifth album, 48:13, had charted at number one. The critically acclaimed album, which takes its name from its running time, follows in the footsteps of the band's last three records - Empire in 2006, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum in 2009 and Velociraptor in 2011. It means the album will be number one as the band take to the stage at Victoria Park for their huge homecoming Leicester gig on Saturday. That show will be followed by a headline slot at Glastonbury the following weekend. Songwriter and guitarist Serge Pizzorno said: "What a way to kick off the biggest three weeks of our lives - achieving our fourth consecutive Number 1 album, followed by a 50,000-strong crowd at our Leicester homecoming gig and the pinnacle - headlining Glastonbury." 48:13 sold more than 70,000 copies following its released last Monday, according to the Official Charts Company's sales figures. Coldplay were at number two for a third week yesterday with Ghost Stories, while Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour was knocked off the top spot and down two to number three . Former White Stripes frontman Jack White was new in at number four with his second solo album, Lazaretto, while Brighton-based singer-songwriter Passenger debuted at Number 5. Dolly Parton, who is also due to perform at this year's Glastonbury festival, entered the charts at number six with her new Best Of collection, Blue Smoke.

Kasabian score fourth consecutive number one album with 48:13

Pair jailed after street attack left soldier blind in one eye

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Two men have been jailed following an unprovoked attack which left a young soldier blind in one eye and his friend with permanent scarring to his face.

Alan Stafford and his step-brother, Lee, confronted soldier Charlie McAteer and his friends as they were enjoying a night out in the city centre while he was on leave.

Alan Stafford (26), of Overpark Avenue, Braunstone, Leicester, "floored" Mr McAteer with a punch, leaving him with a fractured jaw and eye socket.

He was jailed for 23 months after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Leicester Crown Court heard the 20-year-old victim, who had a promising military career ahead of him, has been left blind in one eye and is to be medically discharged from the Royal Engineers.

Lee Stafford (31), of Penney Close, Wigston, punched Mr McAteer's friend, causing a cut eyebrow which has left permanent scarring. He was jailed for 12 months after admitting actual bodily harm.

Judge John Pini told Alan Stafford: "It was unprovoked violence that was catastrophic for Charles McAteer.

"He's got permanent impairment of vision and it's unlikely he will ever recover reading vision in that eye.

"He's had three operations and had to have a needle, extremely painfully, inserted into an eyeball in the course of his treatment.

"He joined the Army hoping for a long career and is now to be discharged. He's lost his employment, all because of what you did to him. He says it has totally ruined his life."

The judge told Lee Stafford the attack on Mr McAteer's friend had had devastating psychological effects on his victim, worsening his anxiety problems.

Judge Pini said: "This highlights the prevalence of late- night drunken violence on the streets of our cities.

"You were given a warning by the police before this, which you ignored."

Leicester Crown Court heard the step-brothers were seeking trouble on the night of the attack, which happened at 3am on November 2.

Both were overheard drunkenly planning a random attack and the police gave them a dispersal notice.

Abigail Joyce, prosecuting, said Lee Stafford, who has numerous previous convictions for assaults, gave the police a false name when given a dispersal notice – and shoved it down a drain.

The two groups encountered each other in High Street, as Mr McAteer and his friends were in high spirits, play-fighting in the street, with "nothing untoward" going on, Miss Joyce told the court.

She said Mr McAteer, 20, joined the Army at 17 and now faces leaving it partially sighted.

"He doesn't know when he'll be discharged, but he knows it's coming and he doesn't know if his right eye will ever be of any use," she said.

David Lee, mitigating for Alan Stafford, an unemployed carpenter, said: "The serious injury wasn't intended. It had far greater consequences than anyone thought."

Daniel Hallworth, representing Lee Stafford, said: "He reacted impulsively and has written a letter saying he's deeply sorry. Alcohol clearly played a part."

Family's anguish: 'Charlie will suffer the consequences for the rest of his life'

Charlie McAteer's mother, Carole, released this statement after the sentencing:

Whilst we, as a family, are grateful to the criminal justice system which has ensured that Alan Stafford is currently serving a prison sentence, we are disappointed that the term in no way reflects his actions or the consequences of those actions.

Charlie has not only suffered several injuries, many medical examinations in London, Birmingham and Germany, three eye operations and at least two more yet to be undergone, but also the loss of a career and the job he loves.

Currently facing medical discharge from the Royal Engineers due to the loss of sight in his right eye, Charlie now has to complete further training and secure alternative employment, all due to the drunken actions of a thug. Charlie will suffer the consequences for the rest of his life whilst Stafford is likely to serve less than one year in prison and this is wholly inadequate as a punishment for his crime.

I sincerely hope Stafford uses this time to reflect upon his actions and to determine to change his ways for the better. Should he not choose this path, then he will remain the poorer person.

Pair jailed after street attack  left  soldier blind in one eye

Passport backlog: Home Office phone call saves Leicester woman's Ibiza holiday

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A woman's first holiday abroad has been saved following a last-minute intervention by a top Government official.

Shannon Johnstone, of Prospect Hill, Highfields, Leicester, was caught up in the passport chaos that has seen a backlog of almost 100,000 applications across the country.

The 20-year-old, who applied for her first passport eight weeks ago in readiness for a trip to Ibiza with three friends today, encountered a series of last minute delays which put the longed-for trip in severe doubt.

But a call to MP Keith Vaz's Leicester East constituency office on Saturday – as she waited in vain in Durham for her passport to be printed – saved the day.

Mr Vaz, who is chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, called Home Secretary Theresa May's office.

Her private secretary then called the passport office in Durham and Shannon's passport was issued – with an apology – shortly afterwards.

Shannon's mum, Betty, said: "Shannon was on the phone to me from Durham and was very upset about what was going on. She had gone back to the office several times, but it still wasn't ready.

"She had worked from 11.30 on Friday night until 4.30 on Saturday morning and then had to get a train she couldn't afford to Durham, only to find her passport wasn't ready as promised.

"I called Mr Vaz's emergency contact number. Mr Vaz rang her and told her he had spoken to the Home Secretary's office and she was called by the passport office saying she would get her passport that day after all."

Shannon, who works at a city centre nightclub, had previously called the passport office when her passport failed to materialise – even though she had paid extra for a faster return service.

She was told she would need to go for an identification interview in Derby just five days before her week-long trip.

But there she was told her passport still was not ready, and was then advised to travel to an office in Durham to pick it up on Saturday.

Patsy McKnight, grandmother of 20-year-old Charlotte McKnight, who is also going on the trip, said: "When she went for her interview, the computers were down.

"She was told she would have to ring the Glasgow office and they told her it would be printed and available for collection in Durham.

"It was too late to get there on Friday so she went on Saturday. They told her at 1pm it wouldn't be ready that day."

Mr Vaz is now set to raise Shannon's case with Paul Pugh, the head of the passport office, who will appear before his committee tomorrow to explain delays which have seen thousands of people's holiday and other travel plans put in jeopardy.

Mr Vaz said: "I spoke to Shannon, who was standing outside the passport office in Durham saying she had been told to go there to collect her passport but had been turned away.

"I rang the Home Secretary and spoke to her private secretary to tell them about Shannon's problem. The private secretary rang me back to let me know there had been a mistake and that Shannon had been given her passport, which was very good of them.

"I am extremely grateful to the Home Office for turning this round so quickly, but I am concerned there may be many other people not able to get their passports. I am planning to raise this case at the meeting with the head of passport office on Tuesday.

"I am very pleased to have helped and I hope she has an enjoyable holiday. Her plight has enabled us to look at the system, which is clearly not working."

Prime Minister David Cameron apologised for the shambles on Thursday as emergency measures were brought in to tackle the backlog, thought to have affected up to 100,000 people.

Passport backlog: Home Office phone call saves Leicester woman's Ibiza holiday

Leicester City: The Turk's Head was the inn place to be...

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Leicester City's official historian John Hutchinson continues his series revisiting those sites in Leicester which were significant in the history of the club. Today, as we walk past these sites, we are often unaware of the part these places played in the history of the club.

The Turk's Head

For well over 30 years, the Turk's Head (picture 1), opposite the prison gates, was the best known sports bar in Leicester.

Its landlord was Johnny Duncan (picture 2), Leicester City's captain in the glorious 1920s and the club's manager for the 1949 FA Cup final.

Taking over the pub in 1930 prematurely ended Johnny's distinguished playing career – the club refused him permission to be a publican.

When he ignored them, the directors prevented him from playing football for anyone else.

Johnny's daughter, Jenny Blackhurst, told me that she remembers serving drinks to City, Tigers and County players.

The pub was also popular with local bookies and with media people such as John Arlott, David Coleman and Jimmy Hill.

Matt Busby and the Arsenal legend Alex James (who made his Scottish international debut alongside Johnny in 1925) also drank there.

City directors, like Sid Needham, and ex-players such as Arthur Chandler, were also customers.

All of these contacts meant that Johnny always had FA Cup final tickets.

From 1949 until 1966, it was a Duncan family ritual to travel by car to Wembley, furnished with roast pork rolls and bottles of lager.

The Turk's Head dated from the 1770s. It had a central bar, two smoke rooms and a tap room.

Regulars had their own tankards and seats. The yard at the back had steps down to Infirmary Road.

To the left of these steps were double doors through which barrels were rolled into the cellar along a passage way under the yard.

Just outside the double door, there was an area which had been used for stage coaches in the pub's early days. This is where Johnny used to park his car.

During the war, the cellar had been used as an air raid shelter.

Johnny was unable to get back to the pub on one of the nights that Leicester was bombed, and the customers already in the pub sold the beer for him.

Johnny sadly died in May 1966, not long before the family had decided to leave the pub.

The pub was demolished in the 1970s. A car park for the Infirmary now stands on the site (picture 3).

In 1935, after playing a club record 528 league games for City, war hero Adam Black (picture 4) paid £800 (£40,000 in today's values) for a newsagent and tobacconist shop in Wilberforce Road, which is off Upperton Road, not far from Filbert Street.

Adam's final playing contract had expired on May 4, 1935. He was paid £8 per week for first-team appearances and £6 for the close season.

Adam's grandson, Allister, still possesses a legal document (picture 5) which indicates that Adam paid Philip Matthews £800 for the "business of newsagent... also stock, fixtures, fittings and all moneys owing to me for papers etc at the time of taking over which was May 6, 1935."

A sum of £800 was about two years' wages for Adam, but he had been awarded three benefit games by the club during his career. Allister's brother, Andrew, told me he had lived at the shop with parents until he was about five. The living quarters were separated from the shop by a curtain.

The shop was very traditional, dark and musty. Its catchment area was between Upperton Road and Braunstone Gate.

Many customers were railway men from the nearby Great Central goods depot and engine sheds. One of them, "Uncle Charlie," gave a model Canadian Pacific locomotive to young Andrew.

One of the items sold by Adam (seen in his shop in picture 6) were silk cigarette cards.

Andrew recalled that his father and uncle got into trouble with Adam as youngsters by removing the threads from these cards.

They were caught after Adam had been alerted to this by customers' complaints.

Adam also carried a large stock of fireworks for bonfire night. He stacked them alongside boxes of matches! The family always had the best fireworks in the neighbourhood.

Adam, who was still delivering papers into his seventies, died in 1981. His shop is now a private residence (picture 7). An old Picture Post advert is still visible on the wall.

When Leicester City was re-formed in 1919, following the demise of Leicester Fosse, one of the founder directors of the new club was Arthur Needham.

Whetstone-born Arthur made his money from the boot and shoe industry, which was dominant in Leicester in the early years of the last century.

His business, founded in 1911, was called the Leicester Castor Sole Company Factory. His factory was in Humberstone Gate (picture 8). Both Arthur and his son Sydney, who later ran the firm, were directors at Filbert Street for more than 60 years. The profits generated by the business helped to finance City for several decades.

Arthur's granddaughter, Jane Palmer, possesses a unique set of photographs of the Humberstone Road factory.

These pictures are now in the club's digital archive.

They include images of the workers involved in various manufacturing processes in the factory (picture 9) as well as a grainy picture, taken in the 1920s, of the firm's van outside the factory (picture 10).

Arthur's other business interests included owning the Upperton Road Garage and having a major shareholding in Eatough's Shoe factory at Earl Shilton.

A keen sportsman, Arthur won a medal for shooting at Bisley and was a life member of Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

He was also a patron of boxing. His friend Reggie Meen was British heavyweight champion in 1931-2.

Reggie often trained at Peckleton Manor, the Needham family home.

Arthur died in 1956, by which time his son Sidney was a well-established member of the City board.

Today, the Nottingham Oddfellows Working Men's Club stands on the site (picture 11).

Leicester City: The Turk's Head was the inn place to be...

Leicester City fanzone: What are your best memories from a fantastic season?

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The vacuum created by the summer break can leave us longing for a trip to the King Power Stadium to see our lads take the field. While the World Cup brings some welcome relief, it's not the same as watching the team you love up close and personal. Drinking a quiet coffee in the city centre watching the good people of Leicester go by, I got to thinking about our magical 2013-14 campaign, and some of the highlights from our best season in years. A flash of brilliance! Jamie Vardy's long run from just inside the Millwall half and into the penalty area was a personal favourite. Lions keeper David Forde was left red-faced as Vards hammered the ball between his flailing legs and into the net. Vardy was 'having a party'. I lost count of how many penalties he won with his pacy attacks. Of course, David Nugent was never shy in grabbing hold of the ball to take the spot-kick, and more often than not converted without a hitch. Kasper Schmeichel's goal that was that wasn't ... who remembers that? Was it over the line or not? I know 'officially' it was given to Chris Wood, but it looked in to me. I often sit behind Schmeichel at matches, and you can see him living every kick win lose or draw. His reaction to 'scoring' that night was priceless. For a display of fine football, our performance at Birmingham would take some beating. Nugent's pass to Lloyd Dyer for the opener split the Blues defence clean in two and, despite being the visitors, our peerless pairing of Danny Drinkwater and Matty James controlled the game with imperious authority. Vardy strode into the box and doubled the lead with a low driven rocket into the far corner. It was a record-breaking eighth league win in a row, and an evening to make all others realise we were the real deal. City 4-1 Derby. Ritchie De, Nugent (2) and Vardy – wallop! I don't think we realised at the time just what a fantastic performance that was. Derby produced top-two form under Steve McClaren, and we took them apart that evening in ruthless fashion. 'That' goal from Wood against Burnley at Turf Moor wasn't too shabby either. I can remember being behind the goal to the right... long ball from Anthony Knockaert, Wood, one touch, bang. Like a laser-guided missile. What a goal and what a time to score it. Our main rivals for the title beaten on their own ground! The squirrel at Loftus Road has to be one of the biggest stand out memories! Okay, I know it wasn't strictly football, but watching the little pest hopping around while a hapless referee looked on and did nothing was hilarious. Nuge showed some pretty nifty moves to deal with the little rodent, and taking all three points home from Loftus Road against QPR wasn't too bad either. A clinical finish from Vardy to give us the lead, followed by a textbook away day performance to ensure the victory. So many wonderful memories, and we all have our personal favourites. Last season was packed with so many, far too many to mention them all here. Let's hope for a season full of great new memories in the Premier League next time out. Simon Mack is the chief writer for www.100lcfc.com

Leicester City fanzone: What are your best memories from a fantastic season?

Live traffic and travel updates in Leicester and Leicestershire

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1.40pm: The M1 has reopened southbound at junction 22. There is still standing traffic back to junction 23 at Loughborough.11.19am: Delays building on the southbound M1 towards junction 21 where the motorway is now blocked due to the vehicle fire. Although the accident is now clear.10.58am: Heavy traffic on the M1 southbound approaching junction 21, at Leicester, due to a vehicle fire and an accident near junction 21a.10.15am: Queueing traffic on A511 Bardon Road, Coalville, between the B585 Beveridge Lane junction and the B591 Copt Oak Road junction, due to roadworks in the area.9.32am: Area Traffic Control report heavy traffic and congestion on the A453 as the crowds leave the Download festival at Donington Park, especially towards the M1 at junction 23a.9.16am: Traffic is busy but moving in Leicester, between the A594 Waterloo Way at Leicester Train Station and the Humberstone roundabout.8.43am: Motorists are warned to expect heavy traffic around Castle Donington on the A453 later this morning as people make their way home from the weekend's Download music festival.For more local and national travel information and weather updates see the links below:MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE.LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - CLICK HERE.NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE. FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: CLICK HERE.WEATHER: See the latest five-day weather report for Leicester and LeicestershireCONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us @Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Live traffic and travel updates in Leicester and Leicestershire

Rider Jordan McDonald dies after fall at horse trials event

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A rider has died after a fall at a horse trials event in Somerset. Canadian national Jordan McDonald was killed in a fall at Nunney International Horse Trials on Saturday. Mr McDonald, who was based in the East Midlands, died while competing at the Nunney International competition near Frome. McDonald, 30, had been married for just a year to fellow eventer Shandiss McDonald, and was riding on a cross-country course at the Frome event. "It is with the deepest regret that we announce that Mr Jordan McDonald suffered a fatal accident whilst competing at Nunney British Eventing-affiliated one-day event in Somerset," British Eventing said, in a statement. "Jordan's horse, Only Me, a seven-year-old gelding, was not injured. Competition was halted for the day following McDonald's accident, but resumed the following day with many riders wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.

Rider Jordan McDonald  dies after fall at horse trials event


Richard III: New tomb design revealed today

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The Dean of Leicester Cathedral will this morning unveil the latest design for the tomb which will house the remains of King Richard III. The Very Revd David Monteith will give an update about the reinterment plans, scheduled for next spring, at St Martin's at 11am. He will reveal the new tomb design after it was passed by the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE) - which rules on alterations made to Church of England cathedrals. The CFCE did not agree that the first design was in-keeping with the aesthetics of the largely Gothic-style building. The Dean will also discuss the costs related to the ceremony and reveal who will make the royal coffin. It is the first time the cathedral has given information about the plans since the High Court ruled that the University of Leicester's exhumation licence – which states the king's remains should be buried in Leicester – was a valid legal document. A group of 15 people, who claim to be related to Richard III, argued the licence should have been quashed and a public consultation carried out to determine the final resting place of the medieval monarch. However, the High Court did not agree.

Richard III: New tomb design revealed today

Leicester Tigers lock Ed Slater to captain England in New Zealand

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Leicester Tigers lock Ed Slater will captain England against Canterbury Crusaders tomorrow morning. In doing so, he will also earn his first international cap on what is sure to be an emotional day for the 25-year-old. Slater is the only Tigers man involved in the game and is one of four senior debutants in the midweek fixture alongside Alex Waller (Northampton), Henry Trinder (Gloucester) and Anthony Watson (Bath). The fixture against a Crusaders side that has been New Zealand's most consistent and successful provincial outfit over the last decade is the only midweek game of the three-Test tour that concludes in Hamilton on Saturday. England are 2-0 down after losing 28-27 in Dunedin last weekend. Head coach Stuart Lancaster said the fixture was important for the development of the squad with the World Cup on home soil next year. "We wanted this game to test ourselves against a top Super 15 side and, with a large squad out here, we are hoping to create opportunities for everyone to lay down a marker on this tour," he said. "We can see by how they have trained that they can't wait to pull on an England shirt tomorrow. "Ed is a natural leader who has captained Leicester well and I am sure he will do the same with this England side. "We are treating this like an additional Test and I know the Crusaders will be highly motivated to put in a good performance on the back of their Super 15 form." England: Goode, Foden, Trinder, Barritt, Watson; Cipriani, Dickson; Waller, Gray, Thomas, Slater, Attwood, Haskell, Kvesic, Johnson. Reps: Ward, Catt, Sinckler, Paterson, Wigglesworth, Myler, May, Pennell.

Leicester Tigers lock Ed Slater to captain England in New Zealand

Man still seriously ill after car crash in Welford Road, Leicester, in which another man died

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A man remains seriously ill in hospital after a collision in Leicester's Welford Road in which another man died. The silver Ford Focus the men were in left the road and hit a tree near the junction with Knighton Lane East and Chapel Lane at 2.57am yesterday. A 39-year-old man died in the incident. A 33-year-old man was taken to the Queen's Medical centre, in Nottingham, where his condition is still described as serious. Police believe a black BMW was in the vicinity of the Ford Focus at the time of the crash. They would like to speak to anyone who saw either car. A 46 year old man arrested in connection with the collision has been released on police bail. Anyone with information is asked to call Leicestershire Police on 101.

Man still seriously ill after car crash in Welford Road, Leicester, in which another man died

Rob Tanner's Blog: England boss Roy Hodgson has some big decisions to make

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The World Cup has started with a bang and so far the football has matched all expectation. This is only day five of the competition but so far every game has been entertaining to watch and if it continues in the same vein then Brazil 2014 could be one of the classics. The World Cup is the biggest stage in football and so far all the big hitters have embraced the spotlight. Neymar, Lionel Messi, Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Benzema have started the tournament in sparkling form and that is exactly what any World Cup needs. From an English perspective, no matter how good the football is a World Cup is only considered a classic if England perform well and although they lost their opening fixture against Italy on Saturday there was plenty of promising aspects to England's play which still provide hope of progression. As of this morning, the Opta stats of the highest percentage of completed passes in the opposition's half of the field has England top with 89.5 percent. Roy Hodgson's men attempted more passes and completed a higher ratio of passes in Italy's half than Brazil did against Croatia. Of course the only stat that really matters was the result and while there was so much to enjoy from England's exciting attacking play, especially from Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, there are still some issues Hodgson must resolve. England have to improve defensively. The warning signs were there during their World Cup warm up games in Miami that they are vulnerable to crosses and don't work hard enough to stop the delivery, and that ultimately cost them again against the Italians. The decision to play Wayne Rooney wide on the left certainly left England suspect down that flank in the friendly against Ecuador and it was noted by the Italians who exploited Hodgson's failure to rectify that with great effect. Darmian and Candreva were able to double up on Leighton Baines and the Everton man had a torrid time. With Hodgson unlikely to change his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, it leaves the big question of what to do with Rooney? After Sterling's performance behind Sturridge, it seems unlikely Hodgson will move Rooney back into the number 10 role, and while he did provide an exquisite cross from the left for Sturridge's strike Rooney wasn't effective enough in his wide berth. Hodgson has a reputation for playing safe, although he was applauded for throwing Sterling into a role which carries so much responsibility. But will Hodgson make the bravest decision of all in dropping Rooney in preference to Adam Lallana, a player much more naturally suited to a wide role, for the must-win game against Uruguay on Thursday? Rooney has often been touted as England's best player, their talisman figure, but for the sake of the balance of the side he may have to be sacrificed.

Rob Tanner's Blog: England boss Roy Hodgson has some big decisions to make

Wickets tumble as Leicestershire's clash with Worcestershire hangs in the balance

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Leicestershire took a handy first innings lead on the second day of their LV County Championship match against Worcestershire at Grace Road. Replying to the visitors total of 237 the County were dismissed for 278, an advantage of 41. However, Worcestershire closed at 76-1 in their second innings and were ahead by 35 heading into day three. At one stage it looked as though the County might have built a more substantial lead having reached 156-3 at lunch with Ramnaresh Sarwan and Josh Cobb seemingly in control of matters. But having added 102 for the fourth wicket the pair departed in consecutive overs with the total on 162. Cobb top-scored with 63, Sarwan making 46. Niall O'Brien (29) and Dan Redfern (21) put on 56 for the sixth wicket but the County batting fell away during the afternoon until Nathan Buck and Charlie Shreck combined to smack 38 in six overs for the last wicket. Buck then removed Worcester opener Matthew Pardoe in the evening session but Daryl Mitchell and Tom Fell prevented Leicestershire adding to that success.
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