This is a marvellous day
FOR THE FANS GATHERED IN PUBS, THERE WAS EUPHORIA, GRATITUDE TO CITY’S OWNERS, A SENSE OF HISTORY MADE
IT was tight and nervy, but the unbearable tension of the FA Cup final finally gave way to a wave of euphoria for the Leicester City fans who got to watch the match in their local.
The Salmon, off Church Gate in Leicester, was able to welcome a controlled number of its regulars to witness history being made.
The pandemic had kept some old friends apart for more than a year.
As the final whistle got closer, every tackle and every clearance got the 30-or-so supporters on their feet, cheering as loudly as their lungs would allow.
Every time the television cameras picked out City owner and chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha – known as Top – a round of respectful applause would break out.
They were all on their feet when referee Michael Oliver blew for full-time.
Orest Hrywnak, 65, from Groby, who saw City lose in the FA Cup semi-finals in 1974 and 1982, said his overwhelming emotion at the end was “euphoria”.
He said: “It’s been a remarkable day. Before these owners I never expected us to win the FA Cup, now I expect us to win everything.
“We have the best owners in football, full stop. They are wonderful people and they have made this possible.
“Brendan Rodgers and the players have been brilliant.
“After everything we’ve all been through over the past year, I’ve seen Leicester City win the FA Cup and I’ve seen it with friends in a wonderful atmosphere.”
Orest’s son-in-law, 39-year-old Mike Howard, said: “What a goal to win the FA Cup. We’ve been brilliant today.
“This is all part of the jigsaw after we stayed up and went on to win the league. Now we’ve got the FA Cup, too.
“Now everyone is looking forward to getting back into the King Power Stadium.”
Nick Muszynskj, 53, from Western Park, Leicester, said: “At half-time, I thought the City players looked upbeat and the Chelsea players looked down.
“We came out in the second half and did it it. It’s a wonderful achievement for a wonderful club.”
Another group of friends met at The Salmon after they had been largely kept apart by the pandemic.
Stan Grant, 70, from Mowmacre, Leicester, said: “Today ranks alongside winning the Premier League.
“I have been following Leicester City since I was a boy and this has been a fantastic day and a great performance by the team. And the goal was a worthy winner.”
Michael Darby, 61, from Scraptoft, said: “My first game was at Filbert Street in 1963. It was against Stoke and I still have the programme.
“I must have been about three years old and probably had to sit on my dad’s shoulders.
“This is a marvelous day, the kind of lift that people needed after a bad year.
“Winning the FA Cup today has reaffirmed what we all know about Leicester – this city is the king of sport.
“We must remember what our owners have done for Leicester City and the city itself. What this family has done for us all is incredible.”
Rob Ford, 73, said: “I live in Cromer now but I couldn’t just sit at home and watch this match on television, so I got in the car and came to Leicester so I could watch it with my friends.
“I know I’m in the last years of my life now and I have seen City make history today.”
Some fans can see the famous trophy when Spurs come to the King Power Stadium on the final day of the season, Sunday, May 23.
A lucky 6,000 supporters are expected to be allowed into the ground.
Stan said: “I’m going to the Spurs game and I will see the trophy in person. That will be a wonderful way to end the season.”
Sisters Sally and Linda Bull, from Syston, nipped into town before the game.
Sally said: “We’ve been looking forward to this for weeks. The past few years for Leicester City have been ace.”
Linda said: “It’s brilliant there will be fans there. I don’t go regularly now but I’m hoping we’ll be back in the King Power Stadium next season.”