Leicestershire was consumed by grief in the days following the passing of Khun Vichai and of those who died alongside him in a helicopter crash at King Power Stadium. The Blue Army received the support of the global football family as they mourned the loss of a man who had turned the club’s fortunes around and delivered their wildest dream – the Premier League title in 2016.
Thousands of floral tributes were left outside the King Power Stadium and fans and well-wishers – including players and people from the club’s past including title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri – filed past the tributes to pay their respects. The tributes remained in place for days because of the number of people who wanted to visit.
Leicester City great Gary Lineker described Khun Vichai as “a quiet, unassuming man who will always be remembered with great fondness and respect”, adding: “He also helped to bring the most magical, miraculous title win in the history of football. Thank you, Chairman for all you did for our football club.”
READ MORE Leicester City’s helicopter tragedy
Prince William, who was president of the FA at the time, said he was “lucky” to have known the City chairman. In a statement issued by Kensington Palace, the then Duke of Cambridge said: “My thoughts today are with the family and friends of the terrible crash at Leicester City Football Club.
“I was lucky to have known Vichai for several years. He was a business man of strong values who was dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charitable causes.
“He made such a big contribution to football, not least through Leicester City’s magical 2016 season that captured the imagination of the world. He will be missed by fans of the sport and everyone lucky enough to have known him.”
When City returned to the King Power Stadium on Saturday, November 10, for their first match since the tragedy, an estimated 50,000 fans walked to the ground from the city centre. The vast majority were Foxes fans. However, they were also joined by the visiting Burnley supporters as well as fans of Liverpool, Manchester City, Doncaster, Coventry City, Leeds, Lincoln City and Sheffield United.
The 5,000-to-1 march, named after the odds bookmakers gave City of winning the Premier League in 2016, was organised to remember Khun Vichai and to thank him for stewardship of the club. Players including Harry Maguire and James Maddison, Andy King, Hamza Choudhury and Matty James also joined the 35-minute march as it wound its way from Jubilee Square to the ground before kick off.
The walk was the idea of two young Foxes fans Megan Elliott and her sister Casey, then aged 14 and 11. They initially hoped 5,000 fans would take part in the march but it far exceeded their hopes.
Megan told LeicestershireLive on the day: “I never thought it would end up this big. When we met Vichai in Madrid [during a tie against Atletico Madrid] he was lovely, cheerful and happy.
“Today shows how loved and respected he was. Not just by the club but by the entire community.”
We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first