Hundreds of devastated Leicester City supporters have laid flowers outside the King Power Stadium after the horror crash last night
WEEPING Leicester City fans yesterday gathered at the King Power Stadium to mourn owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha — as one said: “It feels like our king is dead.”
They laid a carpet of floral tributes and football shirts at the spot where in 2016 they celebrated the club’s amazing Premier League triumph under Vichai.
And they shared their feelings of grief and disbelief after the Thai billionaire’s helicopter crashed and exploded in flames just outside the stadium on Saturday evening.
Players also expressed their shock and sadness last night.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy posted a picture of himself with Vichai on Instagram and wrote: “Struggling to find the right words... but to me you are legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club.
“Thank you for everything you did for me, my family and our club. I will truly miss you... may you rest in peace... #theboss”
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel wrote on Instagram: “I am so totally devastated and heartbroken. I cannot believe what I saw last night.”
In a reference to Leicester City’s Premier League title win, he added: “You changed football. Forever!
“You gave hope to everyone that the impossible was possible, not just to our fans but to fans all over the world in any sport.”
Vichai, 60, and four others on board were killed.
Luke Sutton, 33, a lifelong City fan said: “I had to come here and pay my respects.
“Not only was he a great owner, but he was a top bloke who did so much for the fans and club. I was here two years ago after we won the title. It’s a very different feeling today. Just so sad.”
Victoria Brookes, 34, laid flowers with her son Rowdy, five, on what was described as the club’s “darkest day”. She said: “He wasn’t just an owner, he was so much more.”
VICHAI Srivaddhanaprabha had become one of the most popular owners in football.
Not only did his stewardship help 5,000-1 shots Leicester win the Premier League in 2016, he won over fans with his generosity.
He celebrated his birthday by buying supporters beer and donuts and he gave millions to city medics.
Born Vichai Raksriaksorn, his charity had already led the King of Thailand to bestow a new surname, which means “light of progressive glory”.
He began with a duty-free shop in Bangkok in 1989 but the success of his King Power company made a £3.8billion fortune.
In 2005 he was president of the Thailand Polo Association when he met Prince Charles in Richmond, South West London.
The football fan’s son suggested he invest in Leicester City and, after a shirt sponsorship deal, he headed a £39million takeover in 2010.
Joe Wood, 43, added: “He was a different sort of owner, he cared about the fans. “You couldn’t wish for a nicer man. I can’t believe he’s gone. It’s so cruel.”
David Matthews, 43, said: “No one can believe what’s happened. This man changed everything for us. Vichai was our king. But now it feels like our king is dead. That’s why you’re seeing all of this grief.”
The helicopter crashed at around 8.30pm after taking off from the stadium. An hour earlier Leicester’s match with West Ham ended in a 1-1 draw.
David Pye, 62, was at the game — after flying from Australia specifically to see his Foxes heroes play. He blinked back tears as he said: “I was born in Leicester and I’ve always supported the team. We were in the Legends Lounge at the club last night for the game.
THE £6million helicopter involved in the tragedy had been blessed by Buddhist monks so it could “safely sail the skies”.
Pilot Philip Amadeus tweeted a picture, inset, of the ceremony in 2016, the year the chopper carried the Premier League trophy to Leicester’s victory parade.
“We did not hear a crash but when we got outside there were lots of police everywhere. It was awful.
“We have suitcases packed ready to go home tomorrow. But we had to come down to pay our respects.”
David’s partner Sue Rixon said: “I’m still in shock. He’s done so much for the club. I feel so sad.” A group of Thai youngsters who were on a Leicester City scholarship funded by Vichai paid a poignant tribute at the makeshift shrine.
The boys, all wearing Leicester kits, solemnly approached the sea of flowers before kneeling down and clasping their hands in prayer.
Watching fans hugged each other and wept before breaking into spontaneous applause.
The boys’ coach said: “We were saying thank you to the chairman for all he had done.
“It was his dream to introduce football in Thailand and one day to compete in the World Cup.”
There was more applause when fans released more than a dozen blue, white and red balloons.
Fans of rival teams also paid their respects — with messages coming from as far afield as Italy’s Inter Milan. One Wolves fan left his club’s shirt with a message that read: “Divided by colours, united by grief.”
West Ham supporters left a message that read: “Condolences. RIP from the West Ham family.” Shirts and scarves from clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United were also laid among the flowers.
By yesterday afternoon the tributes created a 65ft deep multi-coloured carpet. Many Foxes fans sobbed as they read messages.
Self-made billionaire Vichai, who made his fortune from King Power duty free shops, was loved in Leicester not only for what he did for the club — but for his generosity towards the city.
IT has been a sad weekend in football.
Immensely popular Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died alongside four others in a helicopter crash on Saturday night.
The Thai billionaire bankrolled their 2016 title-winning season, one of the beautiful game’s greatest fairytales.
The immense outpouring of grief from Foxes supporters showed how loved he was, while fans from teams as far afield as Inter Milan paid their respects alongside them on what is being described as the “darkest day” in Leicester’s history.
RIP, Vichai.
Meanwhile, former England star and ex-gaffer Glenn Hoddle is recovering in hospital after collapsing on TV.
The reaction of footie fans and stars he played alongside, against and managed shows how well regarded he is.
Get well soon, Glenn.
He donated £2million to a new children’s hospital and was known for giving free pints and mince pies to fans.
Angela Reilly, 34, said: “I don’t actually watch football but felt I had to come and pay my respects because he’s done so much for the city.”
Thailand was also in mourning. Political leader Anutin Charnvirakul said: “We just lost someone who made big contributions to the public. His legacy will live on.”
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