davieG

https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/article304648451.html A Butterfly Flapped its Wings, and Leicester were Relegated By Crispin Leyser Athlon Sports Updated April 20, 2025 8:53 PM Leicester were relegated today, their loss to Liverpool hardly a surprise coming off the back of a truly dismal run of results. Lest we forget Leicester were in 16th place and above the relegation zone, when Steve Cooper was harshly sacked. Enter Ruud Van Nistelrooy who amongst other things oversaw a run of eight consecutive home losses without scoring. But it's a cruel twist of quantum mechanical fate that got us here. Remember Erik ten Hag? The Manchester United manager who was definitely getting fired in the summer yet somehow hung on to guide the team to further mediocrity in the early part of the season? Finally the board acted, ten Hag was shown the door, only this time he actually exited through it. Enter, as temporary savior, Ruud Van Nistelrooy. There are shades of what happened when José Mourinho was sacked and another former United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær took over. Both times, the Man Utd players were seemingly liberated from whatever tactical and/or emotional shackles had been placed on them by the former boss. And just like that, Utd start winning again. After Mourinho, the board stuck with Solskjær but the uptick in form turned out to be temporary and Utd began a slow and painful decline. Solskjær looked like a lost boy on the touchline and his exit was confirmed in November 2021. After a brief Ralf Rangnick stint in the hot seat (surely the answer to a difficult trivia question one day), enter ten Hag. Exit ten Hag on October 28th 2024. Enter Ruud. Not wanting to repeat the Solskjær mistake, Nistelrooy's reign at Man Utd was always going to be temporary, especially with Ruben Amorim available. Nistelrooy oversaw just 4 games, of which they won 3 and drew 1. Can you see the butterfly flapping its wings? Can you line up the dates? Leicester needed a new manager just as Van Nistelrooy was seemingly performing miracles in Manchester. "We'll have a bit of that", said the very short-sighted Leicester Board. And so it was that Ruud Van Nistelrooy, a man with almost no EPL managerial experience, became manager of Leicester. In 20 games in charge, Leicester have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 15. An extraordinary number of things had to line up perfectly for Van Nistelrooy and Leicester to be in this position. Maybe butterflies just don't like Leicester. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved Read more at: https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/article304648451.html#storylink=cpy

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manager-talks-wage-cuts-player-10120485 Manager talks, wage cuts and player sales claimed amid fallout from Leicester City relegation Leicester City were relegated from the Premier League for the second time in three seasons when they lost 1-0 to Liverpool ByKeith WalesCVS Editor - Midland Sport 19:21, 20 APR 2025Updated20:03, 20 APR 2025 Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is said to face ‘crunch talks’ over his future next week after relegation was confirmed this afternoon. A 1-0 defeat by champions-elect Liverpool at the King Power Stadium was enough to condemn City to a second relegation in three seasons - just nine years after they stunned football by winning the Premier League title. All that seemed a million miles away this afternoon when City fought gamely but did not have enough to claim the victory they needed to avoid the drop for at least one more week. But in a hard-hitting review of Leicester’s abject season, John Percy of The Telegraph claims Van Nistelrooy is set for talks over his future, Leicester’s players face pay cuts of at least 35 per cent, Jannik Vestergaard has been excluded in another commuting row, while goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and youngster Bilal El Khannouss could be sold as the club battles to comply with playing spending rules. Percy writes: “Last season’s Championship winners, Leicester were always likely to face a tough season but this latest relegation feels self-inflicted. “Once again, chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha and Jon Rudkin, the director of football, are under intense scrutiny. “Though King Power’s investment cannot be in question, the past few years have been littered with mistakes.” According to the Telegraph report, a perceived lack of transparency by the owners has angered fans, but Rudkin is the focus of their discontent. It adds: “The focus also has to be on the players. They are facing wage reductions of a minimum 35 per cent after relegation. Salaries are further reduced if the club spend more seasons outside the Premier League.” Percy claims that offers will be considered for most of the squad in the summer as the club seek to comply with top-flight spending rules that have long been a thorn in their side. Main targets for rival clubs are likely to be Hermansen, the club’s Danish goalkeeper, El Khannouss, a £19m arrival from Genk last summer, and academy product Kasey McAteer. He adds: “Many others, however, are on high salaries even in the Championship and their ages will make them difficult to shift.” As for the manager, there is said to be some sympathy for van Nistelrooy in the boardroom, particularly over players said to have performed poorly, but the likes of sacked Southampton boss Russell Martin, Sheffield Wednesday chief Danny Röhl and former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, in charge at Serie A club Como, are also admired. Although there is no break clause in his current deal, which has another two years to run, Percy reports that the Dutchman’s future is uncertain ahead of next week’s talks.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-two-punchy-leicester-city-10120601 What two punchy Leicester City statements should trigger as club hide behind convenient excuse Talking points from Leicester City's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool as their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, looking at where it's gone wrong and what happens next ByJordan Blackwell 08:00, 21 APR 2025 And so begins a second relegation inquest before it’s known if the first was ever concluded. Given it’s the second time in three years that Leicester City are heading down to the Championship, it would suggest that the supposed internal review never happened. If it did, lessons haven’t been learned. New solutions are required but to produce them it must first be determined where this season went quite so wrong. In Ruud van Nistelrooy’s press conference after the official confirmation of City’s demise on Sunday, it was the first true chance to ask the manager to reflect on the problems that had led the club back to the second tier. “Over 33 games, the gap between the three promoted sides has been too big compared to the other 17 teams,” van Nistelrooy said. “It’s clear that the difference in quality is there. “Two teams have been relegated already and the other one is 15 points behind with five games to go. “The gap is big between the promoted sides and the rest. That’s the first conclusion and the most important one.” When pushed on whether there were any issues specific to City besides the struggles of all three promoted clubs, van Nistelrooy didn’t budge. He said: “It’s the same answer I just gave you.” Maybe he was not ready, an hour after the full-time whistle, to be introspective on where he’d perhaps misjudged matters through the past five months. Perhaps he needs more time to formulate a considered answer on the club’s faults, and where the hierarchy and/or players made mistakes. But that initial answer must not be “the most important conclusion”. It’s a convenient excuse to hide behind because Ipswich and Southampton have had miserable seasons too. Prior to last term, there had been no trend to suggest the gap in quality between the divisions was getting wider. If it is now a trend, it’s at the very start of it. If Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United get promoted and then go straight back down, the evidence would be beginning to show and maybe it would be an issue the Premier League need to assess. But for now, it cannot be something City pin the blame on. For a start, they are only in this position as one of the promoted clubs because they messed it up so badly to get relegated in the first place, managing to do so after nine straight seasons in the top flight. They need to get their own house in order before they start attributing blame to uncontrollable factors. If the growing gap between England's top two divisions is an obstacle they need to overcome, they have not come close to hurdling it. They need to buck up their ideas. They need to be smarter. And so everything must be under review. Recruitment, managerial appointments, boardroom organisation, communication lines – it all needs looking at to determine where the issues lie and how they can improve. When a season has been this poor, they need to look inward before throwing the blame around. Liverpool loss way down on list of significant games But, ironically, they were relegated after a defeat in which the difference in quality between the top and bottom of the Premier League was a deciding factor. It’s a rarity given how some of the more recent losses have panned out, but this felt like a reasonable display, one where they defended pretty well against an excellent side and showed they had ideas about how to threaten them. Maybe that is generous. Maybe the expectations are so low now that flashes of diligence and heart and intent make for a good showing. Because Liverpool were dominant. They had 28 shots and could have won by three. City perhaps didn’t capitulate like they have in recent months because the early goal they usually concede was this time kept out by the two posts. But maybe they were also due a slice of luck. They made a decent fist of the game thereafter and were perhaps unlucky not to break their home duck, Conor Coady’s header ruled out seemingly because Patson Daka looked at Alisson. Never mind physical contact, it seems eye contact is punishable too nowadays. Although this was the match in which City’s relegation was finalised, it is way down the list of the fixtures that led to it. Manager decision first up with no time to waste The most optimistic view of City’s early relegation is that it gives them a bonus month and bonus five games in which to prepare for the Championship. As van Nistelrooy said, there’s no time to waste. First, the manager. Do the hierarchy want van Nistelrooy in charge next season? If not, they need to part ways with him now. There’s little point in him sticking around otherwise. If they do see him in charge next term, then he needs to be informed. Take away the uncertainty from his future and let him start to assess and shape the squad. If van Nistelrooy’s future is dependent on how these next five games go, then that message likely needs conveying too. How he and the squad respond may give City their answer. Then they need to think about the players. Who’s staying and who’s going? As much as it’s fun to watch Facundo Buonanotte at times, he probably shouldn’t play again as he’s one of the very few who definitely won’t be around next term. If City are serious about sorting their problems, they need to act immediately. The change that two punchy statements should trigger There’s a level of apathy around City’s relegation, hence the empty seats at the King Power Stadium over the past couple of matches. But there is still anger there too. Two banners expressed that discontent. The first, flown overhead, read: “King Power clueless. Sack the board.” The second, held aloft in the Kop at full-time, read: “3 years, £200m lost, 2 relegations.” Both are punchy and unforgiving. But will they force change? Based on previous evidence, most likely not. Previous shows of discontent have not led to any changes within the hierarchy, nor really in how it operates. Frustratingly, communication between chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha and the fans is limited to club statements and programme notes. Director of football Jon Rudkin never comments. If they’re not willing to answer questions to let themselves be held accountable by supporters or the media, it only leads to doubts over whether they’re holding each other to account behind the scenes too. That must change. There at least needs to be transparency and engagement with supporters. But if protests are not forcing change, what will? Maybe it will be the apathy. If fans simply stop turning up, then they’ll know there are serious problems. City step into unknown – but more difficult season probable There is plenty that City can control as they head into the Championship, but there are unknowns too. Can the EFL punish them over profit and sustainability rules and, if so, what might that punishment look like? How many players will fetch interest in the summer and be willing to depart? How much revenue can be generated from player sales? There’s not quite so many obvious money-spinners this time. It’s something to cling to that the last time City were in this position, they got enough right to get promoted and give fans plenty of memorable afternoons and evenings. But having failed to get enough right to even put up a fight in the Premier League, they're heading back down and it feels like it’s going to be a lot tougher in the Championship this time around.

History of Leicestershire in Images John Finch · The Freeman, Hardy and Willis factory in the city centre after it was destroyed by a German bomb during the Second World War.. Photo : Leicester Mercury.

Some facts about bamboo: 1.Fast Growth: Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. It has been recorded at growing 47.6 inches in 24 hours. Some species can even grow over a meter per day under optimal conditions. A new bamboo shoot reaches its full height in less than a year. 2. Oxygen Release: A grove of bamboo releases 35% more oxygen than any other tree out there. 3. Carbon Dioxide Absorption: Bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate of 17 tons per hectare every year. It can act as a valuable carbon sink given how fast the plant grows. 4. No Fertilizer Required: Bamboo doesn’t need fertilizer to grow. It can self-mulch by dropping its leaves and use the nutrients to grow. 5. Drought Resistance: Bamboos are drought-tolerant plants. They can grow in the desert. 6. Wood Replacement: Bamboos can be harvested in 3-5 years compared to the 20-30 years of most softwood trees. 7. Building Material: Bamboo is incredibly strong and sturdy. It has been used as support for concrete as well as scaffolding, bridges, and houses. 8. Soil Stability: Bamboo has a wide network of underground roots and rhizomes that prevent soil erosion. 9. Natural Air Conditioner: Bamboo cools the air surrounding it by up to 8 degrees in the summer. 10. Invasiveness: Some species of bamboo, especially ‘running’ bamboos, can be invasive due to their extensive root systems, which allow them to spread rapidly. However, not all species are invasive, and with proper management, the environmental impact can be minimized. Organizer Bamboo Nursery I've just bought some bamboo socks.

Former Leeds United defender Patrick Kisnorbo has been appointed interim manager of Japanese outfit Yokohama F. Marinos. The 44-year-old was a revered figure at Elland Road in his playing days, having endeared himself to supporters with his full-blooded approach. Injury limited him to 58 appearances for the Whites, but he played a key role in the club’s League One promotion-winning 2009/10 campaign. He also starred as the Whites knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup in January 2010.

Leicester City defender says the club being on the brink of a second relegation in three seasons is "not good enough" and has left him "devastated". It is possible the Foxes' fate could have been sealed before they kick off against Liverpool on Sunday, if results go against them. "We can't look too far ahead because we are not in a situation where we can affect anything. We are nowhere near good enough to the teams above us. We can't look at that," said Coady. "Just show yourself, give the best to yourself every single day. And no matter what happens, we go in the summer and put this club in the best place it can be. "I never had a relegation in my career. This club is on the verge of having two in three years. It's not good enough. I am absolutely devastated and it's not something I've ever wanted for this club or in my career." Coady also said the players should make the most of Sunday's opportunity to face Liverpool, who are a maximum of six points away from sealing the title. "These games don't come around too often," he added. "Given the situation we are in now, we might never get these games again. "Go and enjoy them. Go and enjoy playing at King Power Stadium against a world-class team on the verge of winning the Premier League title."

Made In Leicester Rob Hubble · High Street 1900s.

As an investor (ST/Matchday Ticket) I'm entitled to to believe it will be run professionally within budgets and for the betterment of it for me one of it's customers/fans. It's not about winning trophies or staying in the PL (I've seen my fair share of trophies and relegations in 60 years) it's about how the club is managed. Those in charge have mismanaged this club to a point where fans can't see a future, what are they to think? Should they be happy? Certainly not they have a right to be angry with how so much hard earned success (not defined by winning trophies) and entertainment being tossed away seemingly without care and certainly without comment. The Board should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

«When you are dead, you don't know you are dead. It's pain only for others. It's the same thing when you are stupid» — Richard Feynman

Hard to rotate with someone who's not been playing.

Froom the History section at the top of each page https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/history/player_details.php?pid=519 Birthdate 23.06.1962 Birthplace Newcastle-upon-Tyne Position Striker Joined from Loughborough Dynamo Signed by Jock Wallace Nationality England Games 38 (28 starts + 10 subs) Goals 8 Player Profile Buchanan became the youngest ever player to feature for City in both league and FA Cup competitions at the time, making his debut at home against Oldham Athletic on New Year's Day, January 1979 and celebrating his debut with a goal. Buchanan's debut came alongside a certain Gary Lineker, as well as Bobby Smith, as manager Jock Wallace looked towards youth. Buchanan was 16 years and 192 days old on the day of his debut. His youth, as well as his scoring touch, saw him instantly become a fans' favourite at Filbert Street but his jet-heeled progress hit the buffers somewhat when his impatience at regular first-team action saw him request a transfer and then, unfortunately, break an ankle just a couple of days later. He went out on loan to Northampton Town and then secured a permanent move to Peterborough United but he never really captured the form that saw him burst onto the scene in dramatic fashion for the Foxes. He scored eight goals in 28 starts for City.

Up against Hamza

I'll have to read this later my brain could take it straight away after reading the @leicsmac explanation.

Used to go there quite a lot when I lived in Oadby, last time I went it had been neglected quite a bit bit I believe they are planning or have started to restore it it.

Leicester City have won just two of their past 13 Premier League games against Liverpool (D1 L10), with those coming consecutively at home in 2021 (3-1 in February and 1-0 in December). The Foxes are looking to avoid becoming the first side in top-flight history to go nine consecutive home games without scoring a goal. In Football League history, only Mansfield Town in the third tier between August and December 1971 (9) and Wolves in the second tier between December 1984 and April 1985 (10) have achieved this unwanted feat. Mohamed Salah has scored in all five of Liverpool's Premier League games against newly promoted sides this season (seven goals). No player in the competition's history has scored in six separate matches against promoted clubs in one campaign.

Back in my day kids were out all day from dawn to dusk playing footy and probably getting up to mischief like trespassing, scrumping, trainspotting/cabbing. As for sex it never seriously crossed my mind at 14. Maybe I was just naïve, my sexual education of women was developed a little later on from toilet walls where there was some very defined drawings of women plus a lot of homosexual drawings and messages. Mind you quite conflicting when you've seen this on the toilet wall at junior school Put a penny in the slot To see what Marilyn Monroe's got Two big tits and a hairy cock That's what Marilyn Monroe's got

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nervy-six-pointer-awaits-leicester-10116048 Nervy six-pointer awaits Leicester City Women as Ruby Mace update emerges ahead of England visit The latest Leicester City Women news after a heavy defeat to Arsenal and with Women's Super League survival still not secured, setting up a potential nervy encounter ByJordan Blackwell 17:13, 17 APR 2025 Leicester City Women’s joint-heaviest defeat of the season at Arsenal means survival cannot now be achieved until at least next weekend. A 5-1 loss at the Emirates leaves City seven points ahead of bottom side Crystal Palace, and with the Eagles still to play four games. It means that even if Palace lose to unbeaten table-toppers Chelsea next Wednesday, safety won’t be guaranteed for City. So next Sunday is the earliest by which City can achieve survival and they will hope it’s wrapped up that weekend to avoid a nervy finish. City are at home to fourth-placed Manchester City while Palace host mid-table West Ham. If Palace better City's result that weekend, Amandine Miquel's side will still be in the relegation battle by the time they travel to bottom side the following weekend. The results in the second half of the season have changed the mood around the team, and it’s been a case of looking up the table and potentially claiming the club’s best-ever Women’s Super League finish. But even while the buffer of Aston Villa remains between City and the relegation spot, and even with Palace unlikely to pick up enough results based on their form, there’s still a job to be done. They will want to avoid the six-pointer that’s on the horizon. Goal problems exposed by top scorer It shows just how much City have struggled at the top end of the pitch this season that by scoring her third goal of the WSL campaign in what proved to be a consolation at Arsenal, Yuka Momiki is now the club’s joint-top scorer, level with Janice Cayman. City weren’t particularly prolific before, but Jutta Rantala scored six last term and Lena Petterman bagged five, with their season-long injuries making a considerable impact. It’s now 15 goals in 19 matches for Miquel and her players, the joint-fewest in the division. Mace could be involved as Lionesses come to town Just as they did in 2023, City will host the Lionesses at the King Power Stadium in June when they play Jamaica in what will be their final warm-up fixture before the Euros this summer. The game, at 5pm on Sunday, June 29, will give Leicester locals the chance to cheer England on before they fly to Switzerland, and potentially see a City player represent the country. Miquel is not giving too much away on midfielder Ruby Mace and her recovery from a knee injury, but it’s sounding more like she will be able to feature before the campaign is out. “She’s following the expected return time that we plan,” Miquel said. “We have to be cautious because there can be differences and we’ll adapt as we go on. But I hope she will soon be able to play.” Mace may feel she needs to prove her fitness in the WSL in order to clinch a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s squad, and then hopefully feature for England at the King Power. Tickets for the match go on general sale next Thursday, April 24.

Shake the hands of the Liverpool fans sitting near you.

Could be people in the club or even players, not exactly unknown. If the club really wanted attack it straight on they'd buy all the tickets for sale then they'll know who sold them on and who's now selling them.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/five-potential-leicester-city-debutants-10114843 Five potential Leicester City debutants as Ruud van Nistelrooy builds new foundations Ruud van Nistelrooy's focus on next season and his commitment to looking to the academy could see a handful of youngsters get their first taste of Premier League football ByJordan Blackwell 13:08, 17 APR 2025 There have been two debutants in the past two games for Leicester City and, judging by the way Ruud van Nistelrooy is speaking, there could be more over the final six matches of the Premier League season. The City boss, despite the uncertainty over his own future, is looking to next season and turning his attention to the academy, believing the best chance of future success is with homegrown players forming the foundations of the squad. Fans will want to see more of Jeremy Monga and Jake Evans over the next six games, but there will be others who will hope to get their first Premier League outing too. Here’s a look at the candidates. Bade Aluko On the bench against Brighton, Aluko has been training regularly alongside City’s seniors for a few weeks. A full-back who can play on both sides, the 18-year-old has quickly risen to prominence, as he was still mostly with the Under-18s until October of this season. He looks to be a good ball carrier and his height means he wouldn’t be out of place physically in the top flight. Jayden Joseph Right-back Joseph has been around the first team for practically the whole season, travelling with the squad to Newcastle in December. He’s been a consistent presence and a consistent performer for the Under-21s, only missing their opening Premier League 2 game of the season, and he’s full of attacking intent, sometimes playing further forward on the wing. Sammy Braybrooke He’s already got his City debut under his belt, but Braybrooke has not yet made his Premier League bow. Spotted in training ahead of Liverpool, the central midfielder has long been in the conversations about City’s best prospects, such is his passing range, his ability to control matches and his bursts forward. A loan to Dundee didn’t go as well as was hoped, but he’s been playing regularly for the Under-21s since his recall and is getting back to where he was prior to his year out with an ACL tear. Henry Cartwright Also involved in training ahead of this weekend’s game is Braybrooke’s partner at the base of the midfielder, Cartwright. On the bench at Newcastle, Cartwright, like Braybrooke, grew up locally and has been with the academy since he was a kid. He seems to have stepped up a level this season, captaining the Under-21s and showing his readiness for senior action with his tough-tackling, committed displays, and some excellent pinpoint passes out to the wings. Michael Golding The £5m man still hasn’t featured for City with injuries preventing the 18-year-old from making an impact in his maiden season at the club. But he looks to have been much more prominent in training of late, and there may be hope of seeing glimpses of the attacking midfielder, one who was rated very highly at Chelsea before his summer switch.

On 17th April 1817, six Luddites were hanged "on the new drop" in Infirmary Square for machine breaking at Heathcote and Boden's factory at Loughborough. The six men, William Withers, Thomas Savage, John Amos, Jos Mitchell, John Crowther and Rodney Towles, went to their deaths. At noon, they were led from Leicester prison, ‘fine looking young men in the prime of life, health and vigor’, according to the Leicester Journal. A sympathetic crowd of 15,000 had gathered to watch the men die, showing their solidarity by singing hymns with them as they walked to the gallows.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-new-stadium-latest-29882161 The thinking behind Birmingham City's new 60k stadium and Sports Centre

We don't want Faeces (sp) playing for us.

Let’s not forget it may be a PL decision but the clubs must have voted for it. Can you ask did LCFC vote for or against it. Let's have the truth on where they stand on this instead of hiding behind the PL excuse.