It has been 10 years since we last played Manchester United. Gary Neville scored just before the hour mark to secure a 1-0 victory.

Our side featured Ian Walker in goal with Greece international Nikos Dabizas at the back and City legend Muzzy Izzet in the middle of the park.

For United, a young Cristiano Ronaldo was paving the way for a glittering career.

When you look back over the last 10 years, the fortunes of the two sides have been hugely different, and given United's pedigree I suppose that's hardly surprising.

But come Sunday teatime, I wouldn't be at all surprised if City got a victory. Louis van Gaal's new-look Red Devils might be starting to find their feet, but the spirit among our lads is not to be underestimated.

I got to talking to a friend and fellow City fan during the week about our future in the coming years.

We agreed that our lads seem to have more than enough to steer clear of danger this season, and the hypotheticals of the seasons to come were on the table for debate.

Our owners seem intent on allowing Nigel Pearson and his staff to build a side capable of competing for a top-half place organically, and we both agreed that this approach very much suited Pearson's ethics.

So five years on just where will we be? We both agreed that if Pearson is still at the club it will be a stronger, more progressive club moving forward.

As a City fan, there has rarely been a more exciting time to get into the ground and see what unfolds. I think we can all agree we should all feel very lucky to be enjoying this special era.

I was lucky enough this week to wander through the players' entrance, and along the corridor that leads to the dressing rooms and that famous 'Foxes Never Quit' sign and out on to the edge of the pitch.

It struck me just how much has changed since the last time I was fortunate enough to visit there a couple of years ago.

the King Power Stadium is quickly being turned into a true temple of football. The corridors are adorned with huge montages of last season's title-winning celebrations illuminated by vibrant blue LED lights.

All around the place, workmen were beavering away. The improvements are constant and ongoing. In the reception, many of you may have seen the Football League trophy has pride of place, draped in blue ribbons.

I stopped for a while and looked at that famous old trophy, and remembered all the famous players of the past who have proudly lifted it down the years.

For the younger City fans, it's the Premier League trophy that inspires the imagination, but that Football League trophy for us older fans is steeped in history, and we should be so proud it belongs to us for this season.

How are you enjoying singing the new chants for Leonardo Ulloa and Esteban Cambiasso?

The atmosphere at the King Power Stadium this season has been loud, proud, enthusiastic and hugely supportive.

The increased number of visiting supporters must be having a positive effect too, and so far having mixed and spoken with a few (both before and after matches) they have been a friendly bunch, happy to chat on each other team's fortunes with warm passion.

Being part of the Premier League delivers many things to our club, and the huge injection of cash is not to be underestimated, but seeing the magical look on the faces of our kids as they arrive at the King Power Stadium to see their side take on Arsenal, United or Chelsea is something that no money can buy.

I know that my son will always remember the days his Dad took him along to see Wayne Rooney, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil, Esteban Cambiasso, Danny Drinkwater, Kasper Schmeichel and David Nugent.

I hope when he is older, City are in good health and he can experience the same pride as a father that I do now.

Simon Mack is chief writer for www.100lcfc.com

A hairdresser became a celebrity stylist for the evening when she was asked to prepare the hair of two Downton Abbey stars ready for the red carpet.

Emily Finch, of Glen Parva, was given the opportunity to style the hair of two actresses from the ITV drama ready for the series premiere.

Emily, 21, got the chance to meet and pamper Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith and Lesley Nicol, who plays Mrs Patmore, on Wednesday night.

"It was amazing, the best thing ever," said Emily, who admitted she was a little star struck.

"And the women were so nice, they were lovely."

The opportunity came after Emily won a place on the national Clynol Protégé Team for 2014 - a programme which provides training for up-and-coming hairdressers.

Emily, who works at Louise Faye Hairdressing, in Kibworth, secured the spot in January after winning a competition.

"Styling Laura and Lesley's hair was the first time I had done a celebrity's hair.

"It's great exposure for me and hopefully will provide me with future opportunities.

"It's all about getting my face out there and making a good impression.

"I absolutely loved it though and if the chance came again to style a celebrity's hair, I would jump at it - I think it's what I want to do in the future."

However, Emily said the experience was quite different to working in a salon.

"There was so much pressure surrounding me, I knew both women had to look great for the red carpet - it was all about them.

"Plus, they were putting on their make-up at the same time, which was different to when I'm working in a salon."

Emily, who has been building her career in hairdressing for the past five years, said she had quite a lot of input into the women's hair styles, as well as actually doing them.

"I wasn't nervous at all," she said.

"Lady Edith wanted something a bit casual and wavy. And Mrs Patmore had already had half of her's done, so I just had to finish it off because it had gone a bit frizzy."

Emily was preparing Laura and Lesley for the crowds and paparazzi at the launch of Downtown Abbey, which is now in it's fifth series.

She travelled down to London and styled their hair at the Café Royal Hotel, in Regent Street, with the launch taking place at the Empire cinema, in Leicester Square.

"I hadn't watched the show before, I must admit - but I will do from now on, definitely," said Emily, who stayed to watch the premiere of the show.

The first episode of this series, will be broadcast on Sunday, at 9pm on ITV.

A controlled pedestrian crossing will be built at Longshoot junction on the A5.

The work will take place on weekdays during the day between 6am and 8pm. There will be narrow lanes during these times and a 30mph and night but some occasional weekend work may be needed.

Subject to weather conditions the scheme is expected to be completed by March 2015.

The works are part of a £317 million 'pinch point' improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network.

The programme is part of the UK Government's growth initiative, outlined during the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in November 2011.

The aim is to provide small scale improvements that deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters, to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.

Kevin Harvey, project manager for the scheme, said: "This scheme has been carefully designed to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians.

"By increasing capacity at the approaches and exit roads, more vehicles will be able to enter and exit the roundabout and the new traffic lights will help traffic flow. Pedestrians too will be able to cross safely at the Longshoot junction.

"While the work is ongoing we ask people to comply with the traffic management which is necessary for the safety of our road workers and road users. We also advise motorists to plan their journeys, leaving extra time if necessary."

Some closures on the approaches and exit roads from the roundabout as well as Longshoot junction are expected and dates are yet to be confirmed but the closures and diversions will be clearly signposted in advance.

Kasper Schmeichel is fit to face Manchester United on Sunday.

The Leicester City keeper has recovered from a knee injury which forced him to miss last week's victory at Stoke.

Schmeichel had previously started 141 consecutive league games since joining the club from Leeds more than three years ago, and is in line to return to face United.

Matty James is also back in the squad after recovering from a knee injury, and City's only injury absentees are Matt Upson (foot) and Zoumana Bakayogo (knee).

A scan has revealed Bakayogo has suffered a recurrence of the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury that had kept him out for eight months, and he faces another lengthy spell out of the game.

"We have plenty of options for Sunday and it is a good situation to have," said City boss Nigel Pearson.

"Kasper is available and, as ever, I will pick the side I feel gives us the best chance to win the game on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, Zoumana has suffered a recurrence of the injury and it is a big blow for him as he was just getting back into match action after a lengthy spell out of the game.

"It is possibly the worst scenario a player can experience."

Three fire crews were called to a house fire in Leire Street, Belgrave, Leicester, in the early hours today.

Crews from the city's eastern and central fire stations were called to the blaze in the two-storey terrace at 2.18am.

No-one was injured in the fire which severely damaged a front room on the ground floor.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Mallory Park Motorsport has been fined £1,000 by magistrates over an incident in which a spectator suffered a serious eye injury.

David Matthews, 56, was at the track near Hinckley with his mother and brother when a car kicked up debris from the track that struck him in the eye.

The incident happened on August 8, 2010, and Mr Matthews still has no sight in the eye, despite 15 operations.

On Monday Mallory Park Motorsport, which had previously admitted breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act, was fined at Leicester Magistrates' Court.

An investigation by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's environmental health team had found that the loose track had been constructed much closer to the spectators' area than the normal racing circuit.

The prosecutor said no account had been taken by the company of the likelihood of debris being thrown up by vehicles or that the separation distance between racing vehicles and spectators had been reduced.

In sentencing, District Judge John Temperley imposed a £1,000 fine on the company, saying that the size of the fine reflected the fact that Mallory Park Motorsport was in liquidation and not the seriousness of Mr Matthews' injury.

David Gould of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said: "This result demonstrates that when it comes to serious breaches of health and safety rules, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council takes appropriate action to ensure that companies are held accountable even when this involves difficult and lengthy investigations, as in this case." 

Ten-year-old Abigail Herus is back home after a life saving heart transplant operation.

Mum and dad Marci and Mark Herus, from Syston , have spoken of the moment they got "the call" they had been waiting for.

They always knew their daughter would one day need a transplant but they were not expecting it to happen so soon.

Mr Herus said: "We had been told she would need a transplant by she was 16 and we just got on with life.

"Somehow we never thought it would be so soon."

Abigail was born with a serious heart condition - dilated cardiomyopathy - which meant her heart muscle was stretched and thin and could not pump blood round the body efficiently.

Although doctors at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital had kept Abigail on track with medication her health began to go downhill towards the end of last year.

Mrs Herus, 38, said: "Last November I noticed that Abigail was slowing down.

"On the school run to St Peter's and St Paul's Primary School I could see she was lagging behind and when she began to ask for the wheelchair I knew she must be feeling poorly."

Over the coming months her family watched her going downhill.

Mrs Herus, said: "We just watched her getting worse and worse.

"She spent most of her time curled up in agony.

"We tried to keep her positive and the doctors were saying that at some point her heart was just going to give up."

Mr Herus added: "They were talking to doctors in Newcastle as to whether she would be suitable to have a special device fitted to help pump her blood."

She was transferred to the Freeman Hospital on July 7 and had the operation but was again beginning to become unwell.

About 10 days later everything changed.

Mr Herus said: "It was 11pm when the hospital called.

"I wondered what they were going to do to Abigail next but then they said they had a potential donor heart.

"You immediately start thinking about the donor."

Mrs Herus added: "This great Italian doctor said 'she'll be fine, she'll be ok' - we felt so positive, we just felt it was going to be all right.

"The operation began about 3.20pm by the time all the matching tests were done and Abigail was back at about 10.30pm.

"I couldn't believe she turned to wave to us. It was more like she had had her appendix out and not a heart transplant."

The transformation was staggering.

Mrs Herus said: "The colour in her face was absolutely amazing.

"I couldn't believe how well she looked and she was sitting up talking and asking for food.

"One of the first things she said was 'it was sad someone had to die'."

She added: "The one thing that made me guilty about feeling elated about the transplant was the donor but the hospital chaplain said it was something that family had chosen to do. That was some comfort."

It is now two weeks since Abigail was discharged.

Mr Herus said: "She is gradually getting stronger."

Mrs Herus added: "Abigail is a lot happier and it all seems rather surreal, something you can't quite process has happened."

Time will now be spent catching up with her older sister Caitlin, 12, and younger brothers William, five, and Samuel, seven months.

Mrs Herus said: "Abigail never wanted people to know there was anything wrong with her.

"She tried to pretend there was nothing wrong with her."

Mourners wore splashes of purple as they paid their respects to road crash victim Harjit Singh Thaliwal.

More than 300 people turned up at Gilroes Crematorium for the funeral of Harjit Singh Thaliwal, who died after a collision on Saturday, September 6, on the A6, near Mountsorrel.

Men wore purple handkerchiefs on their heads, women wore purple headscarves and many young people wore T-shirts bearing the logo of one of Mr Thaliwal's companies - Hunt or Dye.

There were so many people at the service that some had to stand outside the West Chapel and side room as the 30-minute service was held.

Friends made readings on behalf of members of Mr Thaliwal's family during the blessing.

Floral tributes adorned the coffin of Mr Thaliwal, who had recently moved from Oadby to Quorn with his family.

One tribute had a card that read: "You will always be in our hearts. Love Nijjar family xxx"

Another said: "For my best friend. I will love you always. Love from Rach, Leo and Charlie x."

Another card with another floral tribute said: "Gone but never forgotten. Good memeories of a true friend. Shine bright Junior. Kris and Gemma x"

There was purple floral wreath spelling "Junior " - the nickname the family had for Mr Thaliwal.

After the blessing the mourners and family went to the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, in East Park Road, Evington, Leicester, for prayers.

People wore purple after the family had asked mourners to wear the colour as it was Mr Thaliwal's favourite.

His sister Manpreet Thaliwal, 25, said: "I think my brother would have appreciated that.

"Purple was my brother's favourite colour and we think he would like it if people wore a splash of that instead of just all black."

Manpreet, known as Mamps to her family and friends, said she and her family had been amazed by the number of messages of condolence they have received since 27-year-old Harjit died.

She said: "We have been overwhelmed by the incredibly touching response from so many people.

"We knew Harjit was special to us but this just shows he was special to a lot of other people, too."

Police are still appealing for any witnesses to the fatal crash to come forward.

They said a VW Scirocco was also involved in the collision with Mr Thaliwal's BMW X6, which happened at about 7.20pm.

Both cars were travelling towards Leicester when the crash happened, about half a mile south of the Rothley and Mountsorrel exit.

The driver of the Volkswagen and a passenger were discharged from hospital after being treated for their injuries.

Another passenger was released from hospital on Sunday.

A 27-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police are appealing for anyone who has information about the incident to call them on 101.

A funeral director is raising money for charity by hosting a number of coffee mornings.

Dignity Caring Funerals is taking part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care.

Coffee, tea and a range of biscuits and cakes will be available for a donation to the charity.

The aim of Macmillan Cancer Care is to improve the lives of those living with cancer and their families and carers.

Nicola Brookes, funeral director said: "We always have a really good turn out from the local community for any charity event that we host. I hope that local people will come and join us for a coffee this year and help to raise funds for this worthy cause."

All coffee mornings will be held between 10am and 2pm.

If you would like to go along the addresses and dates are:

Wednesday, September 24 at W Heighton & Sons, 25 Blaby Road, South Wigston.

Thursday, September 25  at Joseph Swift & Asian Funeral, 209 Uppingham Road, Leicester; W Heighton & Son, 10 Cosby Road, Littlethorpe and W Heighton & Son, 2 Chapel Street, Oadby.

Friday, September 26 at Ginns & Gutteridge Funeral Directors, St Nicholas House, 51 Vaughn Way, Leicester; FL Mildred & Sons, 129 Leicester Road, Wigston Magna; Ginns & Gutteridge Funeral Directors, 5 The Bank, Countesthorpe and Daisy Funeral Directors, 158 Melton Road, Leicester.

Anyone wanting to make a donation, or for further information on the coffee morning should contact Tracy Devereux on 01283 240555.

Politicians and business leaders 220 miles south of the Scottish border have welcomed the result of the country's historic independence vote.

People across the British Isles and the world, including Leicestershire, looked on helplessly as the Scots decided whether to stay in the United Kingdom.

But after a madcap final few weeks of the election campaign, their decision was announced this morning, with voters decisively rejecting independence.

In the final count, the acute concern prompted by narrowing opinion polls proved unfounded, with the "No" campaign winning 2,001,926 votes to the "Yes" side's 1,617,989 – a winning margin of 10 per cent.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby expressed his pleasure at the election result.

He said: "I am very pleased with the outcome, and that the Scots have chosen to remain a part of a strong United Kingdom.

"I think we (the English) need them at least as much as they need us.

"We are so much stronger, and have so much more potential, together, than we would ever be going our separate ways."

John Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, said: "I'm a strong believer in solidarity, so I wanted Scotland to vote to stay with us."

He added: "I'd have been hugely disappointed if the vote had gone the other way.

"At the end of the day, I believe nationalism is never the answer to the problems people are facing.

"The people of Leicestershire will have everyday concerns very similar to the people of Lanarkshire, for example, but I believe those problems can best be resolved by working together, rather than splitting apart."

Andrew Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire, said his reaction to the result was one of "relief".

He said: "I am extremely relieved that the Union is going to continue and that we are a United Kingdom, not only with a great past but a great future ahead of us."

Alex Salmond announced he is to step down as Scottish First Minister of Scotland following the vote, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying it was time for millions of voices in England, Wales and Northern Ireland now to be heard.

Sir Peter believes the referendum result presents the UK with a "unique opportunity".

He said: "The challenge now for us is getting power out of Westminster and into the cities and regions of England.

"The changes, including further devolution, th e main political parties have committed to Scotland also gives us an opportunity to talk about the way in which we get away from the state of affairs where all decisions are made in London."

He added: "We are certainly one of the most centralised countries in the world, and far too many decisions are made in our capital.

"This is a brilliant opportunity to give more decision-making power back to local people and out of London."

Mr Bridgen said: "It is clear we need a new democratic settlement for all four countries in the United Kingdom."

He added: "We also need to work hard to reconnect and rebuild trust with the electorate in parts of our countries where people have become disconnected from – and mistrust – Westminster politics."

George Cowcher, chief executive of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "This was a decision for the people of Scotland to make and although they have voted against independence, there is no question that this decision will be a catalyst for fundamental change.

"Business realises that the referendum would be the start, not the end, of a process of change and will now expect Westminster and Holyrood to reach a devolution settlement that is clear, fair to both sides and swiftly executed."

He added: "Any devolution deal for Scotland should trigger a new debate on localised autonomy in England.

"Businesses across Leicestershire want greater influence over how their taxes are spent and deserve a say in how a new, less centralised UK is governed in future."

Shoppers are being invited to learn vital life saving skills at Beaumont Shopping Centre on Saturday 20 September.

More than 1,000 people have already learnt essential first aid skills at the Highcross Centre as part of St John Ambulance's Save a Life September campaign.

Recent research by the nation's leading first aid charity showed that 97% of people believe that learning first aid is important and yet, astonishingly, just 10% of people in the UK have taken steps to learn first aid in the last three years.

St John Ambulance is determined to bridge that gap and will once again be offering free first aid demonstrations across the country. Now in its fourth year, and set to be the biggest and best yet, the charity's Save a Life September campaign is designed to offer simple yet life saving first aid tips to thousands of members of the public.

At the events, volunteers will demonstrate five easy to follow techniques that could potentially save a life. They will also give out pocket first aid guides, as well as information on where to go for more tips and first aid advice.

Chris Thornton, Regional Director for St John Ambulance in the East Midlands, said: 'Learning first aid is one of the single most important things you can do in your life - and it's so easy to learn. In the time it takes to do your weekly shop you could learn how to stop a friend choking or keep a loved one alive until an ambulance arrives.'

'By holding free first aid demonstrations across the country, we want to reach as many people as possible, so that more people are equipped with the skills to save a life. Anyone who needs first aid should get it - and the more of us that can help in an emergency, the better. No one should die for a lack of first aid.'

Visit Beaumont Shopping Centre from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 20  September, or visit www.sja.org.uk/sals for more information.

The weekend weather forecast for Leicestershire provided by the Met Office;

Today;

Beginning grey with mist and some patchy rain, perhaps locally heavy at first. Some bright spells may form late in the day as conditions slowly become drier. Freshening northerly breeze. Maximum Temperature 20C.

Tonight:

Mainly dry with clear spells. Some mist patches will reform. Minimum Temperature 10C.

Sunday:

Mainly dry on Sunday with some good sunny spells. Fresh feeling northerly breeze. Maximum Temperature 17C.

The seven ages of Kylie, according to a 2008 essay by Dr Lee Barron of Northumbria University: Cute Kylie, Sex Kylie, Dance Kylie, Gothic Kylie, Indie Kylie, Camp Kylie, Cyber Kylie.

Perhaps it's time to add an eighth: Uber Kylie.

The 46-year-old is about to go on tour – the first time she's roadtested songs from Kiss Me Once, the album she released in March this year, with a full live band,

There'll be six songs from Kiss Me Once, plus a further 18 from the remainder of her career, including a medley or two ("I do love a medley"), a couple of unexpected covers and, perhaps most exciting for pop fans, a full section of her Eighties hits.

"We've got access to the actual PWL sounds," Kylie reveals, referring to – for those not up on their Eighties pop – Pete Waterman Ltd, home to artists in the Stock, Aitken and Waterman songwriting and production stable.

"We've worked closely with them to get the recordings, and it's just brilliant," she says. "You're going to hear sounds that you haven't heard since the Eighties. They're not all in the same key, though," she adds, noting that she can't quite hit the high notes of I Should Be So Lucky any more.

"Better The Devil You Know comes down a semitone, too. If I was doing it once, it'd be fine, but night after night, it's a lot of strain to get up there. To almost all ears, they will sound the same."

It's interesting to see her fully embracing her past. During the Nineties, she went to great lengths to distance herself from the created image of soap star-turned-pop puppet.

There was, of course, the duet with Nick Cave, Where The Wild Roses Grow, taken from his 1996 album Murder Ballads. It's often cited among Kylie's career-best moments, and gave her a much-needed credibility boost with 'serious' music fans who may have written her off beforehand.

The album that followed that unlikely about-face, Impossible Princess, further cemented her position as a versatile artist, and saw collaborations with the likes of Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield, and dabbled with techno, indie and jazz. There was also the subject matter, which is among the most personal the famously secretive singer has written.

She promises the tour will feature songs from every era of her career, although it's highly likely most will be post-2000, the year she returned and completely reinvented herself once again, with her Light Years album and Spinning Around single.

She says Fever, her eighth studio album released in 2001 – shortly after her worldwide hit single Can't Get You Out Of My Head – was when she really felt she'd hit her stride, and began to feel properly confident.

"It takes time," Kylie reflects. "I still worry about a lot of things, and my anxiety levels can go through the roof, especially on tour, although I don't think they're as bad as they used to be. I trust my team, and new people are brought in because they bring something fresh and a new energy.

"Some things feel different this time around, with this tour," she adds. "It's hard to put my finger on what, but there is a different energy. I've got I-don't-know-how-many tours under my belt now, but the excitement doesn't diminish at all.

"We're all amped, chomping at the bit.

"There are so many decisions to be made, so much information to absorb and so on, but it's a very, very exciting time."

Being on tour creates a "bubble", she admits, insulating her and the rest of the crew from the outside world. The build-up can be a confusing time, because she has one foot in her real life, the other in tour-mode.

"It's a bit odd, but when we're fully on the road, you can't really think about anything else, and the crew becomes family. If someone needs a hand or is having an off day, everyone else just rallies around to pick up the slack and helps out where they can. It's an incredible thing."

She gears up for life on the road by carefully packing a few home comforts. She's taking her own bed linen this time, and a few DVDs, although she does like to make the most of any peace and quiet if she can get it.

Even after all these years, she says the hardest thing about touring is adjusting to life afterwards.

"It can be tough," she says, "and I believe there's a recognised condition of post-tour depression. When you've been away on a tour like this, or any sort of tour where your adrenalin is going every day, it can happen.

"I have friends who say they look forward to doing nothing after a tour, but I always tell them that's the worst thing you can do. Your adrenal glands are screaming, ready to go, so you have to keep active. Whenever I get off tour, I make sure I see all my friends to find out what they've been doing. It's like, 'Enough about me, what have you been doing?' It's very easy to get out of the loop, so it's great catching up."

It's too early to really start thinking about what she might do next year, she says, or when she might record another album; aside from a trip to her native Australia to perform there, she has no other plans.

"My friends all laugh when I tell them I'm having 2015 off, because they know it'll soon be filled with things to do. But I can't really concentrate on that now, because all my focus is on the tour.

"If I'm honest, I don't know the cities I'm playing in that well, but I do have very specific memories of each of the venues we're going to, and what the crowds have been like in each before.

"I'm very pleased we're starting the tour up north, because the crowds there can be the loudest and most-vocal," Kylie adds. "Raucous even, and I can't wait for everyone to see what I've got in store."

Kylie's 12th album, Kiss Me Once, is out now. She's touring the UK and Ireland from September 24, stopping off at Nottingham Arena on October 4 and 5 and Birmingham NIA on October 7.

Sven Fasel, 25, and Lucca Zarcone, 23, live in Strasbourg, France. They met eight years ago during a football tournament in Strasbourg, Leicester's twin town. 

Lucca was playing for Leicester Ladies. Sven refereed their first game. He booked Lucca, the team captain, for tackling an opponent from behind. It was the unlikely start of a beautiful relationship

Sven

We met in August, 2006. There was a big football tournament in Strasbourg. Teams from all over were there to play football. I was a ref. I usually refereed men's games but, somehow, I'd been dragged in to do this one. One of the first games was Leicester Ladies Under-16s and a team from Germany.

Lucca was the Leicester captain. Late on in the game, she tackled her opponent from behind. It was late. It was a foul. I called her over, put her name in the book and gave her a yellow card. I don't think she was very happy about, but it was deserved. It was a bad foul.

The day continued. There were games all day. Everyone stayed behind and had a few drinks at the club house.

She came over to me, I remember. I am older than her but she wasn't intimidated. She was very forward.

I didn't speak much English back then. I was 17. Lucca was 15. We talked and talked and I thought she was nice.

When they went to go back to the hotel, I asked what room she was staying in. She told me. I got there later. I rang her room and a woman answered. She spoke to me in English.

She spoke so quickly, I couldn't tell what she was saying. I asked if I could come up and see Lucca. She said no. I said "why not''.

She said: "I am Lucca's mum.'' I don't think she was very impressed.

But the next day, all the teams gathered at the ground. Everyone was there to say goodbye. I saw Lucca again and we chatted. We swapped e-mail addresses. And that was that. I didn't know what would happen. I hoped something might happen but we were young. We lived in different countries. It was difficult.

I sent her an e-mail that afternoon. She got home that night and replied. That was it. We were off. We would talk on e-mail, MSN, Facebook every day, every night.

We had lots in common and we would just talk and talk and talk. I think by the end of August – we had only known each other a month – I was in love with her. We decided we would be a couple. Boyfriend and girlfriend.

What did I like about her? I liked everything. The way she looked, the things she said, the way she played football and loved football.

In November, she came over to see me in Strasbourg. It was my 18th birthday. She was meant to come with her parents, but her dad had a heart attack. He couldn't come over. So, even though she was 16, she came by herself. We had a great weekend.

I went over to England for Christmas. From then on, we tried to see each other every two months. It was difficult. It was expensive and the flights from Strasbourg went first to Amsterdam, then to Birmingham. It took five hours. Then we found a flight from Strasbourg to Stansted, then a train to Leicester. It still took about four hours – but it was a bit cheaper.

I tried to study in England but it didn't work out, but we knew that one day, we would be together.

We got married on August 23, 2014. We had been engaged for three years, so it was time, I think.

We got married in the Town Hall, in Strasbourg, then the church. That's how you do it over here. It was a nice wedding. Traditional, simple.

Lots of people from Leicester – Lucca's friends and family – came over. It was nice for our two families to meet. They seemed to get on okay, too. That was good.

Lucca is the woman of my life. She makes me the way I am. She is the most beautiful woman on Earth. I feel so happy.

I am 25 now. She is 24 on October 11. I am working and studying and Lucca is working and studying. I hope to be a GP one day, while Lucca wants to be a criminologist or work in the police force.

We also hope that, one day, we will have children and a family.

Here or in Leicester? I don't know. I love Leicester. But Lucca loves Strasbourg. We will have to see, see what is best for the children.

Lucca

Sven remembers the tackle and the booking, but I noticed him before that. We were all sitting on the bench, all the girls, all the members of the team, and my friend nudged me and pointed to Sven. "He's nice isn't he?" she said, and I nodded.

I played left midfield for Leicester Ladies. I liked to push forward and then cut in and shoot. I'm a Leicester City fan. I liked Muzzy Izzet, Neil Lennon, Matty Elliot – all the players from the Martin O'Neill era.

The tournament was a really big thing at the time. There were teams from all over Europe. We came because Leicester is Strasbourg's twin city.

Strasbourg is such a beautiful place. I prefer it to London, Paris, any of these bigger and supposedly more cosmopolitan cities. It's so pretty and there's so much history.

When the tournament started, our first game was against a German team. I was the team captain. Sven was the referee. He called me over. He was miming throwing a coin in the air. He wanted to know what the English was for head or tails. I told him. I thought that was funny. I have a photo of the two teams lining up, Sven in the middle. It's funny to think that was the moment we met.

The games were short, 10 minutes, or something like that. Towards the end, I tackled one of their players from behind. The ref blew the whistle and called me over and showed me the yellow card. They got a free kick and they scored from it. It was the deciding goal. We lost the game.

Did I complain when he booked me? I'm sure I did. I hate getting booked. He was probably right, though. I fancied him a bit, too, so I don't think I would have said anything too harsh!

I think we played six games. We came third. There was a huge party at the clubhouse and you know what they're like in France – they're really not very stringent about the under-age alcohol laws over there. They served all of us beers – and with a shot of picot, an orange liquor, in every one.

I don't think I'd ever drunk so much. My mum and dad were there, but they were at the other end of the bar. They didn't realise, I don't think, until I was drunk. We were all drunk. We were only 15. Hahahaha.

So, fuelled by all this beer and Dutch courage, I found Sven and started talking to him. I remember asking him if he had a six-pack. I lifted his shirt to have a peek. What did he do? He just laughed.

We'd only been talking for about half-an-hour when my mate grabbed us both, marched us round the back of the building and said: "You two – just kiss!"

We did kiss. It was nice. Then we walked back – and the first people we saw were my mum and dad. My mum gave me the death look. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to.

What was my first impression of him?

I thought he was handsome. He dressed nicely. He looked good. And he was trying so hard to communicate. I thought that was nice.

It wasn't, really, until the next day, Sunday, the last day, that we got to know each other.

I was in two minds about it all, really. I'd met a really nice foreign boy and I liked him, a lot, and we'd had a great time.

But I was 15. I lived in Leicester. He lived in Strasbourg. How would that work? I hoped we would keep in touch – but I didn't know if we would.

I got home on Sunday night and he'd already sent me a lovely e-mail.

And then we got to know each other all over again. We would talk, via our computers, every day. It felt so good, and so intense.

My feelings towards him were getting stronger. Every day, I would count down the hours until I could sit down and chat to him. By the end of the month, I was in love with him.

We started to call each other. His English improved. He is so clever, so bright. He picks things up really quickly. It's funny to hear him speak English. He speaks English with a Leicester accent. Yeah, I guess he's got that from me.

A month after my 18th birthday, I moved to Strasbourg. He'd been to Leicester and he liked it – especially the pubs and Frankie and Benny's – but I loved Strasbourg more, so it seemed to be the best thing to do, really.

It was a big move – leaving all my family and friends, settling in a foreign country – but I loved him. I wanted to be with him.

Were my mum and dad worried? I'm sure they were, but they never showed it. They've been so supportive. They knew how much I liked him. They did everything to make it happen.

We were on holiday in Fuerteventura when Sven proposed. He told me to go the room, he had to ask reception for something. Then he turned up with two glasses of Champagne. He put some music on and he asked me to marry him. I said yes and then I cried, and then he cried.

We've been together for five years now. It's been good. I know how much he loves me. We had a difficult time when he was studying and doing his exams and I didn't get to see him as much. I missed him.

He's a good man. He can be really sensible and clever one minute and then utterly daft the next. He's passionate about so many things. He's very determined. He gets things done.

Where will we end up living? I don't know. When he's finished his studies, we're going to sit down and have a real heart to heart about it: what's best for him, best for me – best for our children, when we have some.

People have asked us: "Oh, how did you two get together?''

And I say: "Well, he gave me a yellow card on the football field,'' and it always gets a reaction. I imagine we'll be telling that story for years to come.

Super striker Leonardo Ulloa has thanked the Leicester City fans for bursting into song to show him their support.

The £8m record signing, who has bagged three goals in four Premier League starts for the Foxes, smiled when he was asked about the song about him which has become an internet hit.

The song, 'Oh his name is Leonardo', is sung by fans at games and videos of supporters belting out the ditty on You Tube have had thousands of views in days.

The 28-year-old striker, in his first season with the Foxes, said: "The first time I felt the people with me it was really good. I am really happy.

"It is difficult to come as a record signing and to start well was important.

"But the fans have supported me a lot and they have made me very happy."

Foxes fan Asa McCoy, who is studying sports journalism at Southampton University, wrote the song and is amazed it has gone viral.

The 19-year-old said: "I can't believe how the fans have taken to it. It's brilliant."

Asa said he penned the ode to Ulloa during pre-season after it was revealed that City had broken the club transfer record to sign the Argentinian.

He said: "I thought if the club was going to spend so much money on a player we ought to have a song to celebrate that.

"I wanted it to be different from anything else other clubs in the Premier League might be singing.

"I had seen a video on YouTube of Argentinian fans singing about how Maradona was better than Pele to Brazil fans and I liked that."

He said the song was loosely based on the tune of Bad Moon Rising, by Credence Clearwater Revival.

Asa said it took him a few minutes to pen the song, which he wanted to keep short and simple.

He said: "I posted it on Twitter and people reacted well to it. A couple of City fan sites also told me they like it so I hoped the fans might take it on."

Asa said his dream was realised when he went to see City play Arsenal on August 31.

He said: "I thought I was hearing things, but it was my song being sung by the fans after Ulloa scored. It didn't really take off, but it was there.

"But at the Stoke City game it really took off. The fans were singing it out loud and proud.

"One person I admire is Noel Gallagher and I felt like he must have felt at Knebworth with Oasis!"

Vodafone UK has reached an agreement with the administrators of Phones 4U to take over 140 of the outlets run by the phone company that collapsed earlier this week.

Administrators PwC said 887 jobs for shop employees across the UK would be preserved.

It's not known if any of the 14 shops in Leicestershire, employing 100 people,will be among those to be saved.

The stores will be rebranded as Vodafone stores over the coming weeks.

Dixons Carphone has already agreed to take over more than 800 staff working at Phones 4U concessions within their Currys and PC World outlets.

PwC said the deal with Vodafone represents value for Phones 4U's creditors.

"We have worked rapidly over the course of the week following our appointment to explore interest in the Phones 4U business and we are very pleased to secure a future for a significant number of stores and continued employment for 887 of the Phones 4U people," said Mr Hunt.

The deal with Vodafone is subject to court approval. PwC said there would not be an announcement of which stores were being transferred until after the court process which is scheduled for Monday. 

Do you remember the days when footballers were actually allowed to tackle each other?

The Mercury turns back the clock to pick a 'hardman eleven' which could play football but could also mix it with the best, if needed.

We picked former Leicester City midfielder Robbie Savage in the team.

1. Bert Trautmann (Man City)

Former German paratrooper, he fought on the Eastern Front for three years, earning five medals, including an Iron Cross.

Broke his neck in 1956 FA Cup final and played on. Nuff said.

2. Norman Hunter (Leeds United)

Nicknamed 'bite yer legs'. He favoured the no-nonsense approach. Remembered for trading punches with Francis Lee.

3. Mike Pejic (Stoke City)

Uncompromising left back who left nothing back when he clattered into wingers seeking to get to the byline.

4. Ron 'Chopper' Harris (Chelsea)

Big mistake to try to run past this chap with the ball. He did not get his nickname because he owned a helicopter but many of his opponents were left needing the services of an air ambulance.

5. Dave Mackay. (Spurs)

Big man, big voice, big fists. Iconic picture of him explaining the intricacies of the offside rule to Billy Bremner by holding him close.

6. Tommy Smith (Liverpool)

His face went as red as his shirt when he blew a gasket on the pitch. Proponent of the hit first talk later ethos.

7. Roy Keane (Manchester United)

The Irishman not known for his soft aside - don't think he had one. Was sometimes as hard on team mates as on opposition - apart from Alfie Haaland that is.

8. Robbie Savage (Leicester City)

We had to put a Leicester City player ins so here goes.. good surname too.

9. Joe Jordan (Leeds United)

Fearsome with his teeth in. Terrifying with his teeth out.

10. Jonny Giles. (Leeds United)

Small in stature but hard as nails. Could knock a ball 60 yards onto a sixpence but could also put you in hospital.

11. Graeme Souness (Liverpool)

Put himself about the park and left his mark on more than few opponents. Do not be fooled by his fluffy poodle-like barnet.

subs. (but don't tell them they have not picked)

12. Duncan Ferguson (Everton)

A whole lot of trouble. Red mist known to descend at drop of a hat or blow of ref's whistle.

13. Stuart Pearce (Nottingham Forest)

Known to his friends as 'psycho' and his enemies as 'psycho'.