WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
Leicester pull off greatest fairytale in football history
THERE were wild scenes of cele- brations last night as Leicester City were sensationally crowned Premier League champions.
Jubilant supporters were dancing in the streets of the East Midlands city, which had turned into a sea of blue, after their team pulled off the most unlikely title triumph in the history of football.
The club, nicknamed The Foxes, were proclaimed champions after Tottenham Hotspur, the only team that could catch them, failed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Leicester’s astonishing season has become one of the most talked about events in world sport.
The fairytale story has captured more global headlines even than the discovery of the remains of Richard III beneath a Leicester car park in 2012.
This multi- cultural city has waited 132 years to secure the top prize in English football.
As excitement built up local butchers even began selling blue sausages, the colour of the team’s shirts. Brewers produced barrels of Vardy’s Volley as a tribute to star striker Jamie Vardy, 29.
Cocktails named Vardy Bombs – a mixture of Blue WKD and Jagermeister – also went on sale.
Now Vardy and previously unsung heroes including Riyad Mahrez, 25, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 29, midfi elder Danny Drinkwater , 26, and manager Claudio Ranieri, 64, look set to be immortalised.
Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has vowed to re- name streets Mahrez Mews, Vardy Vale, Schmeichel Street, Drinkwater Drive and Ranieri Road.
Landmark buildings including the town hall, Leicester Cathedral and the De Montfort University buildings were dramatically bathed in blue light last night.
For the second day running, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in the city were packed with fans preparing for the celebration of a lifetime. Leicester drew 1- 1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, meaning the champagne was put on ice.
But last night the party was in full swing as fans young and old, and of all faiths, were united in joy.
Lifelong supporter Jo Stevens said: “You can’t help being swept along with the tidal wave of pride and emotion. It’s a dream come true and the city’s buzzing.”
Big screens showed the drama unfold at Stamford Bridge. After the final whistle, student Walid Alakkad, 26, said: “It’s a miracle, they’ve done it. It’s wicked!”
Mark Roberts, 55, a factory worker, said: “This is the best moment of my life.”
Leicester’s squad were also celebrating and so were their WAGs – including defender Danny Simpson’s glamorous new girlfriend, former On the Beach star Ashleigh Defty, 21.
In the run up to the title, the pitch at Leicester’s King Power Stadium was blessed by Buddhist monks fl own in by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 57, the club’s Thai owner. Former England and Leices- ter striker Gary Lineker had pledged to present his Match Of The Day show in his underpants if his home city team won the title.
Just over 12 months ago, Leicester were at the foot table and facing relegation before being rescued by a late run of form.
The giant- killing team was put together for a mere £ 25million and at the start of the season there were better odds on finding the Loch Ness Monster than Leicester winning the title.
Former Chelsea boss Ranieri missed the nail- biting drama last night as he was fl ying back from his native Italy after visiting his 96- year- old mother.
The Foxes began the season as 5,000- 1 outsiders and last night bookmakers were facing a £ 15million payout – the biggest in Premier League history.
Joe Crilly of William Hill said: “In 82 years we have never paid out on a 5000- 1 shot. It may be another 82 years until we see another. It’s an incredible story.”
HOORAY for Leicester! Even those who have no interest in football in general or Leicester City in particular have been gripped by the club’s progress ( it once seemed highly unlikely) towards winning the Premier League which they secured last night following the Chelsea v Spurs result. Congratulations to all.