Leicester

Leicester (pronounced {{IPA|}}) is a city in the English East Midlands, on the River Soar. It is the traditional county town of Leicestershire, and since 1997 has been a self-governing unitary authority. It lies on the edge of the National Forest. In 2002 the population of the city proper was estimated at 283,578, with 330,574 living in the urban area. Technically is is the most populous city in the East Midlands, but Nottingham's urban area is much larger.

Sport in Leicester

Sports teams include Leicester City F.C. (football), Leicester Tigers (rugby union), Leicester Riders (basketball), and the Leicestershire County Cricket Club. The city has also hosted British and World track cycling championships at its Saffron Lane velodrome. Leicester is now sometimes regarded (by its inhabitants at least) as the sporting capital of the UK.

Related Topics:
Leicester City F.C. - Leicester Tigers - Leicester Riders - Leicestershire County Cricket Club - Track cycling - Velodrome

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Recent titles won by local teams

• 1996 County Cricket Championship
• 1997 League Cup
• 1998 County Cricket Championship, Zurich Premiership
• 1999 Zurich Premiership
• 2000 Zurich Premiership, League Cup
• 2001 Zurich Premiership, Zurich Championship, Heineken Cup
• 2002 Zurich Premiership, Heineken Cup
• 2004 Twenty20 Cup

To celeberate the successes of 1997-98, the Leicester Mercury organised the placement of a statue portraying a cricketer, a footballer, and a rugby-player on Gallowtree Gate, not far from the Clock Tower at the heart of the city.

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