From Leicester City to Leicester City ‘United’ for Vichai
It was a temporary change of name from Leicester City to Leicester City United on Saturday as thousands of club fans trooped out for a stunning tribute to “The Boss” Vichai outside the King Power Stadium .
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, known around the club simply as ‘The Boss,’ was killed along with four others after his helicopter lost control taking off from the stadium after Premier League home game against West Ham.
The car park outside the stadium where those on board the helicopter came to a fateful end was transformed into a sea of flowers, Leicester shirts and decorative tribute.
At the centre a large photograph of Vichai can be seen, atop a wreath reading ‘The Boss’ – the nickname everyone around the club referred to the Thai businessman as.
A book of condolence was opened by the club in the aftermath of the tragic event, and remains available for fans attending the home fixture with Burnley to sign.
Supporters could be seen making the trip to the King Power much earlier than usual on Saturday, in order to stand quietly by the tribute site and pay respects before heading to add their own personal messages to the book.
Players joined supporters making the early trip to the stadium, with defender Ben Chilwell helping to place flowers down for Vichai before paying his own respects.
‘Going to be an emotional day but can’t wait to hear the atmosphere,’ the England international wrote on Instagram.
Joining in with the efforts, Danny Simpson thanked supporters and club staff for going out of their way to make the tribute site so beautiful.
‘Can’t give enough credit to what the staff, the fans, the public and the city as a whole who have been helping out at the stadium,’ the defender wrote on social media.
‘It just shows how much love, respect and appreciation we all had for The Boss. The atmosphere today is going to be unbelievable. Let’s go again boys.’
Leicester confirmed on Friday that a lasting tribute for Vichai will be placed outside the stadium, in the form of a statue of the 60-year-old. Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi’s tribute to the fallen boss shortly after the mishap remains apt and fitted perfected into Saturday’s event.
Ndidi who will be missing AFCON game against South Africa following a game had tweeted a tribute on October 28th saying”
You were far too kind and supportive. Thank you for all you did for the club, for always encouraging the team and coming all the way to watch me play at the world cup. Rest on sir #theboss💔😢