VARDY’SVOW: IT’S SO HARD, BUT WE WILL MAKE VICHAI PROUDTODAY
JAMIE VARDY is set for an emotional recall today as he aims to honour the memory of Leicester’s chairman.
The striker is forever indebted to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who tragically died in a helicopter crash last Saturday.
He plucked Vardy from non-league obscurity in 2012 and the forward bagged 24 goals as the Foxes’ talisman in their incredible Premier League title-winning campaign in 2016.
And Srivaddhanaprabha rewarded Vardy, 31, with numerous lucrative new deals as he snubbed Arsenal to stay at the club and they became close friends.
The Foxes chairman was a special guest at Vardy’s wedding in 2016 and he has been seen in tears since Srivaddhanaprabha died.
Vardy admitted: “It’s been the hardest week of everyone’s lives. He wasn’t just a chairman, he literally was part of your extended family.
“He was always smiling. They are the things you will never forget and will always be engraved on your mind.
“From day one up to now he has always been very friendly, always wanted to be involved. He wasn’t just a understand the different feelings of my players – perhaps even on the day of the game. For me, it is open.”
Puel insisted: “I don’t want to manipulate something or the emotions to play football.
“I don’t want to use this event to find a victory or solidarity to win the games. I chairman, he was part of the squad. He was always giving you encouragement wanting to be involved with the lads.”
Vardy and the Leicester squad intend to travel to Srivaddhanaprabha’s native Thailand after today’s game for the funeral.
But first they are determined to put in a positive return to action at Cardiff in the Premier League, after Tuesday’s League Cup tie was postponed. Vardy just want us to have the capacity to give our best to honour the chairman and to remember what he brought for all people in the club and for the fans – just this.”
Leicester fans will receive a free breakfast at the King Power before travelling and a special tribute T-shirt on arrival at the Cardiff ground. added: “We all spoke about it, about obviously wanting to play, it’s what Vichai would have wanted. We have to go out there and honour his name and put in a performance which will hopefully get us the win.
“It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be very emotional, but we’ve all had a chat and the one thing we wanted to do was play this game and Jamie Vardy to score first honour the man. The important thing is that we all come together even stronger, making sure that we do Vichai proud.”
Vardy was surprised and frustrated not to start Leicester’s previous match at home to West Ham on the day of the helicopter disaster at the King Power Stadium.
He only came on at the break against the Hammers after coming off sick against Arsenal in the closing stages of City’s previous game.
But Foxes boss Claude Puel confirmed the striker is fully fit and fired up to do well in the chairman’s memory. He said: “Jamie and some other players know the chairman from six-seven years. It was a fantastic journey for these players and staff. I think Jamie is ready.”
All 27 members of his squad returned to training on Tuesday at their own request.