O’NEILL TRIBUTE TO FOXES OWNER
»»Owner’s widow and son lay wreath at centre spot »»Players weep for the victims killed in horror helicopter crash
FANS, family and players stood united in their grief at the Leicester City ground, mourning the club’s owner and the four others killed in Saturday’s horrific helicopter crash.
Jamie Vardy stared bemused at the growing shrine of flowers, football shirts and scarves, while Kasper Schmeichel crumpled, covering his mouth to stifle sobs, as they stood with Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s heartbroken son.
Aiyawatt, 33, also known as Top, and Thai magnate Vichai’s widow Aimon had placed a wreath of white roses at the shrine after travelling overnight from Bangkok.
Vichai, 61, died along with two assistants, Nusara Suknamai, 33, and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer, 53, and his girlfriend and co-pilot Izabela Lechowicz, 46.
Inside the stadium, Top laid a wreath on the centre spot, where his father’s doomed flight had off. His mother Aimon hugged each of the players who stood, heads bowed, around the centre spot.
Top then joined the first team squad, all dressed in black tracksuits, many of them in tears, at the shrine. He sobbed and shook his head as he viewed the shirts and scarves left by distraught fans.
There was a minute’s silence before the supporters broke out into a round of applause.
The eight-seater helicopter plunged to the ground seconds after taking off from the King Power stadium following Leicester’s 1-1 draw against West Ham.
Pilot Eric had steered towards an empty car park, avoiding further loss of life.
FA President Prince William led the tributes to Vichai, praising his “big contribution to football”.
He said: “I was lucky to have known Vichai for several years. He was a busitaken nessman of strong values who was dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charitable causes.
“He made 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 all fans of the sport and everyone lucky enough to have known him.”
Crash investigators have recovered the data recorder from the doomed Westland AW169. Leicestershire Police dismissed rumours that one of their drones brought down the helicopter.
Vichai’s family were joined at the Leicester ground by Somyot Poompanmoung, president of the Thai FA, and his wife Potjaman.
Tom Meighan, 37, lead singer of Leicester rock band Kasabian was among the fans there to pay their respects. He said: “At the
minute I’m feeling pretty numb. The football world is numb, not just Leicester City. I was fortunate to meet Vichai a few times as we’ve played at the stadium.
“He was a lovely guy. It’s just like your worst nightmare – it’s like losing a member of your family.”
Gary Lineker said Vichai was “a quiet, unassuming man who will always be remembered with great fondness and respect”.
Talking of the 2016 season, when Leicester won the Premier League, he added: “He also helped to bring the most magical, miraculous title win in the history of football.”
Former Leicester City player and club ambassador Alan Birchenall said: “The tributes will be round the stadium by the end of the week.
“This is how we felt about our chairman. When he came here eight years ago we had only just come out of administration.
“These men turn up from Thailand and I thought it was going to
Eric in selfie with the Dalai Lama, and co-pilot and lover Izabela be a five-minute wonder, but how wrong was I. It’s just incredible what they’ve done.
“Today is a lovely, beautiful, sunny day, but it’s probably the worst day in our history. But we’ll carry on, we’ll go on.” Birchenall, 73, also paid tribute to pilots Eric and Izabela and revealed they were close to the staff.
He said: “They used to have lunch with us at the ground. I feel for them and their families as well.”
As we reported yesterday, Eric, of Camberley, Surrey, saved hundreds of lives by steering the aircraft away from fans on the ground. His friend Lucie Morris-marr said: “He would have done all he could to save lives.
“He seemed to be living the dream, flying with his girlfriend, which is why their sudden passing in this tragedy is so terribly, terribly sad. It was an aviation love story.
“Not many people get to work and travel with their soulmate.”
Thai sources say King Power bosses plan to re-name the ground the Khun Vichai Stadium.
A book of condolence will open there today.