davieG

RIP Robbo.

lcfc78lee @lee1978lcfc A QPR's fans view of Leicester City Football Club. #lcfc 💙🦊

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1j914rj64do Bet365 boss pay package rises to £280m Denise Coates, the founder of Bet365, is pictured standing against a grey wall wearing a wide-collared shirt beneath a black suit jacket. Image source,PA Media ByArchie Mitchell Business reporter Denise Coates, the founder and chief executive of Bet365, received a pay package of at least £280m in 2025, marking another year as one of Britain's highest-paid bosses. Her total earnings jumped by more than two thirds from almost £158m a year earlier, despite profits at the gambling firm tumbling. Ms Coates was awarded £104m in salary in the year to March 2025, Companies House filings show. In addition, as a majority shareholder in Bet365, she was entitled to at least half of the £354m dividend payment declared by the firm for the year. The £280m package means she has earned more than £2bn from Bet365 over the past decade. Campaign group the High Pay Centre condemned Ms Coates's pay as too high. Director Andrew Speke said: "Denise Coates is well-liked in Stoke for being self-made and giving back to her community. "But the eye-watering sums she earns go far beyond what anyone needs for a life of luxury - and her fortune comes from an industry that has caused real harm to too many people." Bet365 has been approached for comment. Her latest pay deal came as Bet365's pre-tax profit fell to £339m for the year, from £596m previously. Overall revenue rose by 9%, from £3.7bn a year earlier to £4bn. Ms Coates founded Bet365 in a portable building in a Stoke-on-Trent car park more than 20 years ago. It is now the biggest private sector employer in the city and offers sports betting, poker, casino games and bingo online to millions of customers worldwide. She is one of Britain's richest women and among the world's highest-paid executives. After training as an accountant, Ms Coates helped build Bet365 into one of the biggest online gambling companies from her father's bookmaking business. Her brother, John Coates, is a co-chief executive of the company. As well as being one of the UK's best-paid bosses, Ms Coates is reportedly among the country's biggest taxpayers, external. Her £104m salary would see her pay tens of millions in income tax and national insurance. Bet365 also said the company paid £482m of tax in the year to March, up from £364m a year earlier, including tax on dividend payments. During the year, Bet365 donated £130m to the Denise Coates Foundation, which donates to charities covering education, arts and culture and health.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/entire-leicester-bus-network-set-10721006#comments-wrapper Entire Leicester bus network set to be fully electric by 2027 as new investment unveiled An increase in zero emission buses is coming to the city News Tom Mack Senior Reporter 14:06, 23 Dec 2025 An extra £8 million of government funding has been agreed to provide Leicester with enough electric buses to cover the city's entire network. An extra 60 electric buses will be brought into use between September 2026 and March 2027, taking the total number to 240. While the electricity used for the buses might be generated using fossil fuels, the electric buses themselves produce no harmful emissions, which means they don't add to air pollution on their routes. Services in the city are run by Leicester City Council in partnership with bus companies Arriva and Centrebus. The two companies will contribute £18 million between them to pay the rest of the cost of the 60 new buses. Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for transport and climate, said all the new funding meant the total investment made in Leicester’s electric bus fleet over the past four years is now £100 million. He said: “Providing zero emission buses across our whole city network is a huge achievement, made possible by the excellent work being done by the Leicester Buses Partnership. “The bus companies have made a huge commitment to cleaner, greener travel in Leicester, and the council has had great success in securing additional funds from the Department for Transport, which has been very supportive of Leicester’s aims. “Together, we are bringing to life our ambitious 10-year plan to improve services, vehicles and routes across Leicester, and encourage more people to use the city’s public transport network.” The 60 new buses will include four vehicles run by Centrebus and the rest will be run by Arriva, which is providing about £17 million of the £18 million. Toby France of Arriva Midlands said: “This investment by Arriva in a further 56 UK-built, electric buses will more than double our zero-emission fleet in Leicester, and helps shape a future where people choose to leave their cars at home with less congestion on our roads, and cleaner air for the next generation.” David Brookes, Centrebus managing director, said: “We share the council’s commitment to cleaner, greener travel and we’re pleased to contribute to reducing emissions and improving journeys for local residents.” It is estimated that the new zero emission buses will help reduce the city’s carbon dioxide by 3,000 tonnes per year. Carbon dioxide is harmless to humans but adds to the greenhouse effect. And the new buses will reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions by more than a tonne. Nitrogen dioxide is a toxic gas that can cause respiratory problems. Roads and buses minister Simon Lightwood said: “Electric buses offer smoother, quieter and greener journeys for people across the country, so I’m delighted to see that Leicester City Council, backed by £8 million in government funding, is continuing their tremendous work and rolling them out across the whole of their network.”

Major £50 million boost for Leicester's hospitals to create new urgent care centre The country's busiest A&E is set to get a £12.8 million new treatment centre Dylan Hayward Reporter 18:50, 22 Dec 2025 Updated 09:17, 23 Dec 2025 An artist's impression of the new urgent care centre (Image: UHL) Leicester's three hospitals are set for a major transformation after more than £50 million in funding was approved. The money will pay for a new £12.8 million urgent care centre at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) and a £39 million overhaul of facilities across the city's hospital sites. NHS England has given the green light for the Urgent Treatment Centre at the LRI, which has the busiest Emergency Department in the country. A further £39 million has been approved for enabling works across the three sites by the national New Hospital Programme (NHP), which is the biggest hospital building programme in a generation, according to NHS England. The enabling works will begin in early 2026 and finish in early 2028, paving the way for the main construction phase of the New Hospital Programme in 2032. Construction on the new urgent care centre is expected to start in the first quarter of 2026 ahead of a 2027 opening. The new Urgent Treatment Centre will replace the current MIaMI (Minor Injuries and Minor Illnesses) service and will be located next to the Medical Same Day Emergency Care unit, according to University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL). The purpose-built facility will provide larger clinical rooms, diagnostic testing and appropriate facilities for both adults and children, with a second storey constructed for the future expansion of theatres. Dr Saad Jawaid, Consultant in Emergency and Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine, said: "We're excited to have had this funding approved by NHS England to create a purpose-built Urgent Treatment Centre to help further improve the experiences of patients who require urgent care but do not need the services of our Emergency Department." The investment follows on other recent expansions, such as the East Midlands Planned Care Centre and Endoscopy Unit at Leicester General Hospital, the Preston Lodge rehabilitation unit in North Evington, and the Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre, all of which have been developed as part of the Government's 10-year plan. The new enabling works will include major changes at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, where services will be relocated from Knighton Street, the trust said. A six-storey extension to the Windsor Building and refurbishment of space in the Victoria and Jarvis Buildings will create modern training facilities, laboratories for Immunology and Cytogenetics - the study of chromosomes, and expanded Pharmacy services. Plans include a six-storey extension to the Windsor Building and refurbishment of space in the Victoria and Jarvis Buildings at Leicester Royal Infirmary At Leicester General Hospital, the Hearing and Balance service will move to a purpose-built home in the refurbished East Midlands Planned Care Centre, while Occupational Health teams currently based at the LRI will relocate to a refurbished Baldwin Lodge at Glenfield Hospital. Richard Mitchell, UHL chief executive, said: "These two funding announcements are a fantastic Christmas present for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and they are welcome news for colleagues. The new Urgent Treatment Centre will make it easier for patients to access the right care quickly, reducing waiting times and improving their experience. "The enabling works will mean we can move services and teams into purpose-built facilities and pave the way for the main construction phase of the NHP in 2032. Securing this funding is good news for everyone – colleagues, patients and partners – and is a big step forward in delivering our long-term vision to be leading in healthcare, trusted in communities." Natalie Forrest, Chief Operating Officer at the national New Hospital Programme, said: "This is very welcome news for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. This investment will allow University Hospitals of Leicester to begin vital enabling works across its hospital sites, laying the foundations for modern, high-quality facilities in the years ahead.

So many barriers today

Victorian Britain · Follow It does look like a stadium — and you’re right to wonder What you’re seeing is almost certainly a football ground turnstile, likely from late-1960s or 1970s Britain. The giveaway is painted right above the doorway: “JUNIORS 20p.” That was the price for kids. Loose change in a pocket. No tickets in advance. You queued up, paid at the door, and disappeared straight into the terraces. The entrance is narrow, brick-built, and cramped — exactly how old football grounds were designed. Fans pressed in shoulder to shoulder. Kids mixed freely with adults. No barriers. No stewards in bright jackets. Just the crush of bodies and the smell of damp coats. And that’s the thing — this isn’t one famous stadium. Entrances like this existed all over Britain. North, South, Midlands, London. Big clubs. Small clubs. That’s why the image feels so familiar. It isn’t about where it was taken. It’s about when. A time when football was cheap, local, and raw. When kids lined up with men twice their size. When 20p bought you noise, cold concrete, and memories that lasted a lifetime. Before football became business — it was ritual. Post 71 assuming it's not been doctored with the price

They're happy to show the goals why aren't they prepared to show the whole games

Tourist tat although I assume that source is disappearing fast.

I was the luckiest Leicester Fan as my viewing option failed, MrsG was listening to it on the radio and as the goals tally went up I gave up looking for an alternative.

They're not going to employ a stronger manager they'll be a yes man coming here for the the money.

There's simply no point in changing anything to do with the players, coaches, manager or TD because Top and Rudkin aren't capable of putting the right people in they'll just be sycophants. New owners or a new board /chairman needs to be the the first priority otherwise we'll continue to throw money we haven't got on a bonfire of LCFC

Team Vichai and Whelan = Unprecedented success from a position abject failure Team Aiyawatt and Rudkin = Abject failure from a position of unprecedented success

Clearer video from sky https://www.skysports.com/football/video/30998/13486142/leicester-loanee-sammy-braybrooke-scores-incredible-goal-from-inside-his-own-half-for-newport-against-colchester

BBC replaced by TNT Sports as Commonwealth Games live broadcaster Paul O'Hare BBC Scotland Published 19 December 2025, 12:05 GMT Updated 11 minutes ago The BBC has been replaced by TNT Sports as live UK broadcast partner for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The subscription channel outbid the BBC, which had been the main partner and provided free-to-air coverage since 1954 for 18 games in a row. TNT Sports is part of Warner Bros Discovery and is best known for screening Uefa Champions League matches as well as selected English Premier League fixtures. The BBC said it was "unable to match" TNT's bid to screen the games, which will take place from 23 July to 2 August. TNT Sports said it would show more than 600 hours of live coverage in a "re-imagining" of the games, which will feature 10 sports and six para sports. The broadcaster said every event would be streamed on HBO Max, which is due to launch in the UK and Ireland in March. A monthly subscription to TNT Sports, ordered online, currently costs £30.99 a month. But cheaper deals are available as add-ons through providers such as Sky, Virgin Media, BT and EE. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yj9pnl5n4o

History of Leicestershire in Images Anne Lee Thought this might be of interest?

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent Spinney Hill in 1981 — a perfect snapshot of how Leicester grew. Endless rows of terraced housing wrapped around vital green spaces. Abbey, Fosse Road, Spinney Hill, Humberstone, Victoria, Western — parks that gave the city room to breathe even as density increased. Urban planning at its most human.

Change Zip to Skipp just sing the first verse unless you can think of an alternative to Mister Bluebird (Cardiff City) Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay My, oh, my, what a wonderful day Plenty of sunshine headin' my way Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay! Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder It's the truth, it's "actch'll" Everything is "satisfactch'll." Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay Wonderful feeling, wonderful day! Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay My, oh, my, what a wonderful day Plenty of sunshine headin' my way Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay! Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder It's the truth, it's "actch'll" Everything is "satisfactch'll." Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay Wonderful feeling, feeling this way! Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder It's the truth, it's "actch'll" Everything is "satisfactch'll." Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!

For now.

Looks like he's staying https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/marti-cifuentes-drops-sammy-braybrooke-10706388 However, Cifuentes has cast doubt over the idea of bringing Braybrooke into his squad, with his long-term development at the forefront of the club’s thinking. The 21-year-old is playing 90 minutes every week for Christian Fuchs’ Exiles, his first significant run of football since his ACL tear. Back at City, he’d likely only be used as a rotation option. “We have always conversations with his current club and (internally) what we think,” Cifuentes said. “The most important thing for me for Sammy, especially after the last years with an important injury, is now he’s getting continuity and doing well. That’s positive. “I’m sure Christian is happy with him. We will always work together with the player and in this case Newport to understand the best for all of the parties. Sammy’s doing well. “I think we look at the whole picture and if we think that (a recall) is a good solution for us, definitely we could do it. “But at the same time, we try to look for the long term and the development of the player. It’s always a balance between those.” Braybrooke himself has said he wants his stay at Newport to be extended so he can continue to fight to keep them in the EFL. The Welsh side have won just three of their 20 league fixtures so far this campaign and are four points from safety. Braybrooke told the BBC: “I'd love to stay. It's a good environment to be in and all I really want to do is play games and enjoy my football, which is what I am doing. “I love it here. I am playing a lot of games – way more than I am used to – and the fans have welcomed me in along with the other players and staff from day one. “I am enjoying my football again and that's reflected on the pitch. I was out for a long time and when you come back it is tough to find the rhythm again. “You are trying to find your flow and can't really remember what it used to be like. I would say this is the first time that I am back to being me.”

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent The Empire – Fosse Road North Once a lively local known as The Empire, this pub stood proudly on Fosse Road North before being demolished to make way for the Lidl that now occupies the site. From pints and chatter to shopping trolleys and bargains — times really do change. Who remembers a drink in The Empire? Was it your local? #LostLeicester #TheEmpirePub #FosseRoadNorth #LeicesterHistory #PubChronicles

Growing up in my Britain was GREAT

School Yard Scraps Babies in Prams Frozen Washing Frozen Milk - School milk in the winter was often like that