Anniversary To Be Marked At Sunderland Fixture

[FoyleFox]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/3743819/anniversary-to-be-marked-at-sunderland-fixture

 

As we approach the anniversary of a tragedy that will live with our supporters forever, five loved members of the Leicester City family will be remembered on Tuesday night (24 October) at our Sky Bet Championship fixture against Sunderland at King Power Stadium (KO 8pm).

Friday 27 October will mark five years since the helicopter accident that claimed the lives of our late Chairman, Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha; staff members Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai; and pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz, as they departed King Power Stadium following a home game against West Ham United.

As our closest home fixture to the anniversary, Tuesday night’s game will see supporters invited to join together for a moment of reflection ahead of kick-off, to remember the five lives lost and to celebrate Khun Vichai’s enduring legacy.

Prior to the match, fans are invited to pay their respects at the VS Memorial Garden, which will be open from 10am until full-time. The garden, located at the scene of the accident in the stadium site’s south-east corner, is a tranquil spot dedicated to reflection and includes a display of personal tributes left by supporters in the days that followed the tragedy. Its planting scheme has been fed by floral tributes left over the last five years, including those that carpeted the stadium site with love in October 2018.

Shortly before kick-off, both sets of supporters will be invited to take part in a minute’s applause, which represents an opportunity for the Leicester City family to show its appreciation and respect. A special clap banner has also been designed for the occasion and will be available from collection points throughout the stadium, with further tributes to be included in the fixture’s Matchday Programme.

Fans will have the opportunity to support the Club’s ongoing charitable work in Khun Vichai’s name, with a limited range of products on-sale from the Foxes Fanstore, net proceeds from the sale of which will be donated in full to the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation.

The charitable foundation, renamed in our late Chairman's honour following his passing, continues to embody his spirit by funding various community projects that make a tangible difference in the lives of people in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The Foxes Fanstore will be open from 10am until kick-off and then for 45 minutes after the final whistle on the matchday.

[Unabomber]

What a man and still sorely missed. What he did for our city as a football club owner is unheard of. RIP boss 

[Danizen]

Going to be an emotional one.

 

Am I the only one who prefers one minute silence's over applause? They just seen more poignant. 

[purpleronnie]

1 minute ago, Danizen said:

Going to be an emotional one.

 

Am I the only one who prefers one minute silence's over applause? They just seen more poignant. 

I like the applause, celebrating a life, plus cuts out the chance of it being ruined by morons.

[Spudulike]

 

 

 

[MattFox]

Can’t believe it’s 5 years tbh

 

Can remember the whole day like yesterday

[Walshy5]

1 hour ago, purpleronnie said:

I like the applause, celebrating a life, plus cuts out the chance of it being ruined by morons.

Unfortunately I think that's the reason why clubs choose to do the applause rather than silence, which I find quite sad really that some people are that disgusting that they can't show any respect and stay quiet for just one minute!

Edited 22 October 2023 by Walshy5

[Vestan Pance]

1 hour ago, Spudulike said:

 

 

 

I'll be bringing mine.

[fox_up_north]

Wow. I still remember the day and the time after. Can imagine the Sunderland fans will be respectful. 

[jayfox26]

Still upsets me 5 years on. Feeling loss and sadness to someone I never even met feels very strange but I'm sure many others feel the same. 

[MPH]

Got a lump in my throat just seeing his face again. How bad is that?

 

 

 

 

Also, nailed on win. It’s not like we needed the encouragement/help but it’s for sure now as it’s going to be an emotionally charged game..

[Spudulike]

Tme to name a stand after Vichai. 

 

@Foxes_Trust

[Corky]

Enzo mentioned he was West Ham assistant on the day. Must have resonated with him, too.

 

Will be emotional.

[CrazyKopCorner]

I don't think this will ever not resonate. Still absolutely heart breaking 

 

What a man he was - A true visionary 

 

Thinking of the other people who perished too RIP 

 

 

Edited 23 October 2023 by CrazyKopCorner

[Union FS]

 

[davieG]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/3749605/maresca-proud-to-work-towards-khun-vichais-vision?fbclid=IwAR2TjO58RSkt_K5k9l3diT8t8aQKPQXcEnUWNTnJquriekQLii2YiF6N7ZI&lang=en

 

“First of all, every time something like this happens, it’s always sad,” Maresca told reporters. “My memory about this, probably you don’t know, but that night I was at the stadium. I was working with West Ham on the bench that night, so I remember it perfectly. 

“This kind of thing has no colours, or teams. When something like this happens, it doesn’t matter where it happens, it’s always bad news, always sad. My memories are about sadness.”

Enzo Maresca was in the away dugout on the night of 27 October, 2018.

The former Parma manager says it is a privilege to be entrusted with leading the Foxes into the future, with Khun Vichai’s vision remaining a key cornerstone of the Club’s strategy. Led by Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester City are committed to protecting his father’s legacy and forging a future which will bring pride and distinction to King Power Stadium for years to come. 

“The legacy they are showing as a family, for the Club, is unbelievable,” he added. “You can see it clearly here. We went for pre-season in Thailand and, out there also, it’s unbelievable. I feel very proud to be a part of this rebuilding. The legacy is unbelievable, the way they continue to try to do things. All the Leicester fans have to be proud about this. It’s not easy to find people who want to invest and to continue the legacy in the way they are doing.”

[Wymsey]

Sing the Vichai song loud in the 65th minute?..

[Illusion35]

My son (who was 14 at the time) and I went to Nando’s after the game and were walking back to the car along Aylestone Road when we saw the helicopter spinning out of control and then crash right in front of us. I called 999. A day neither of us will ever forget. Will visit the memorial garden tomorrow and bring my scarf for when you’re smiling. 

[Arkie Bennett]

1 hour ago, Wymsey said:

Sing the Vichai song loud in the 65th minute?..

Then and all through the match.