We’ll pay respects to Vichai, vows boss of Clarets
BURNLEY PLEDGE SUPPORT
BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche has vowed the Clarets will do whatever Leicester City want them to do to pay their respects to late chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his family today.
Dyche, who grew up in nearby Northamptonshire, said he had contacted City’s director of football Jon Rudkin to offer his condolences and pledge Burnley’s support as City pay tribute to their owner during an emotional afternoon at the King Power Stadium.
Dyche, who was at the West Ham United game but had left before Khun Vichai’s helicopter crashed shortly after take off, believes the tributes City have planned will be well deserved for a man who transformed the club after taking over in 2010.
He turned City from the club Dyche knew growing up in Kettering into Premier League champions, and he said Burnley will also pay their respects.
“We have made the players aware that we will do everything we can to play our part, if needed, with the respect it deserves,” Dyche said.
“I spoke to – just by text because people at Leicester have enough on their plates – Jon Rudkin because he is someone I know and class as a friend in football and a really good guy.
“I said if there was anything we could do at all or any way we could play a part then we would certainly do that.
“I think it has touched everyone with what happened.
“I was actually at the game, me and my staff, and we left earlier, but I think the connection the owner and his family have with the club, the way they have helped develop the club, and very authentically it seems to me.
“I am from Kettering originally and grew up around the idea of Leicester City Football Club, and what it was and what it is now are two radically different things.
“They have played such a huge part in that.
“All the respect shown is valid and authentic because I think there was a real connection there, and there still will be with the family moving forward.
“It was a really shocking thing to happen, that’s for sure.”