Foxes pay tributes to Vichai and recall his contribution
published : 30 Oct 2022 at 06:40
newspaper section: Sports
Leicester City players and staff gathered at the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden on Thursday to remember those who tragically passed away four years ago on that site at King Power Stadium.
On Oct 27, 2018, then club chairman Vichai from Thailand, staff members Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, and pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz, lost their lives in a helicopter accident on Filbert Way.
Led by chief executive Susan Whelan, Leicester City officials, players and manager Brendan Rodgers attended a service of remembrance which paid tribute to the five people.
Club captain Jonny Evans and vice-captain Marc Albrighton were joined by Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans, James Maddison and Wilfred Ndidi at the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden.
Four years ago, Leicester City lost Vichai, the man who inspired the greatest era of success and prosperity in the club’s history.
During his chairmanship, the Foxes won the Premier League title in 2016 despite unthinkable odds.
The fairy tale continued with a heroic run in the Uefa Champions League and, under the leadership of current chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Vichai’s son, the Foxes won the FA Cup in 2021 for the first time in the club’s history.
During Vichai’s chairmanship, he pledged £4 million in personal donations to help local charities better the lives of local people.
His family has a unique bond with the Foxes faithful which is a central pillar of the Foxes’ incredible success.
