CITY GETS BEHIND FOXES
BIG SHOW OF SUPPORT AS LEICESTER CITY PREPARE FOR FA CUP FINAL
TODAY is FA Cup final day, with Leicester City hoping to win the venerable trophy for the first time in their history.
And although the attendance at Wembley will be restricted to 22,000, Brendan Rodgers’ side will not be short of support as they take on Chelsea.
As the club prepares to make its first appearance in an FA Cup final for 52 years, some of the city’s sporting greats have offered their encouragement.
In a BBC video, Leicester City hero Gary Lineker said: “Let’s do it. It’s been too long”, while former City and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey said: “Go and do it, lads.”
Another homegrown sporting hero, World snooker champion Mark Selby, said: “I’d like to wish Brendan Rodgers and all the boys at Leicester City FC all the very best. We’re all behind you.”
Bobby Roberts, a member of the team that lost out to Manchester City in the 1969 final, urged the team to finally bring the FA Cup to Leicester, while Leicester Riders basketball coach Rob Paternostro said: “Go Foxes, we’re all behind you.”
Away from the sporting arena, X Factor’s 2013 winner Sam Bailey is an avid LCFC fan and is travelling to Wembley to cheer on the team.
She told the Mercury: “With the way we’ve been playing so far, and the way Chelsea have been playing, it’s anyone’s game, really.
“If we go there, keep our heads down and keep focus, we’ll be just fine. I’m just proud we’ve got to the final, so a win is a bonus!
Some of the city’s sporting greats have offered their encouragement to Brendan Rodgers’ team
“I’m travelling to London to watch the game with my 16-year-old daughter. We’re leaving the hubby at home; he just can’t take the pressure, and worst case he can drown his sorrows in our pub in the back garden!”
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “The whole city is behind them, wishing them the very best of luck. Honestly, I am feeling very confident given
their form has been absolutely brilliant recently. If they can carry that into the final it is there to be won.
“Leicester has had such a difficult year and the team has already lifted us all by reaching the final. To lift the cup would be something that helps put smiles back on our faces.”
Drivers and staff at transport company First Bus have their footy shirts on and are raring to go.
A spokesman said: “The drivers and staff are wishing Leicester City good luck.”
Staff at the Phoenix cinema said they were rooting for the Foxes, adding: “Cinema is about storytelling and there would be no better ending to a Jamie Vardy film than him scoring the FA Cup final winner this weekend. Come on, Leicester!”
Leicester shoe shop Tin Fish has decorated its windows to show its commitment to the team.
Owner Pete Mellor, a lifelong City fan, said: “We wanted to put something in our shop window to brighten people’s day and get a bit of a buzz going.
“Due to coronavirus, the city doesn’t feel as lively as I’m sure it would have done if we were not in lockdown.”
The design was hand-painted by artist Johanna Kugler, who works at Pete’s wife’s cafe, In Hauss.
Pete added: “I am so thrilled we’ve got to the final, it’s the first time it’s ever happened in my lifetime and I’ll be showing them by full support.”
A couple who have built a Leicester City-themed pub in their back garden say they will cheering them on with a drink in hand.
Adrian Morgan, from Barwell, who helped build the bar, said: “We are the biggest Leicester City fans and that’s why dedicated the pub to them. We can’t wait to watch the match and have a barbecue with our family to support the team.”
AgeUK Leicester is also cheering on the team.
Executive director Tony Donovan said: “I’m absolutely delighted Leicester City FC have made the final – they thoroughly deserve to be rewarded for their ongoing support of the local Leicestershire community.”