‘Top’ took the FA Cup home with him after the party...
‘CITY CHAIRMAN LOVED BY BOSS, PLAYERS AND THE BLUE ARMY’
THERE was envy from around the country on Saturday when Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha was welcomed down from the stands to celebrate the FA Cup triumph with the players and staff.
Top even got to take the trophy home with him later that evening.
Amid discontent over the disconnect between supporters and owners at other clubs, City are in a unique situation.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said it is Top’s care for supporters and for people at the club that makes him so well-liked, with his appreciation rewarded through a squad that, in turn, is even more committed.
“Top was able to take (the FA Cup) away and spend the night with it,” Rodgers said. “I’m not sure when it will return but it will return at some stage.
“He has a genuine care for people. The family, in my time here, they’ve been givers. They want to give.
“They are a successful family which has done incredibly well financially, but they want to share joy and happiness with other people and everyone here recognises that.
“Throughout the city, it’s about what they’ve given the club, local hospitals, other charities.
“The kindness is genuine and the players feel that as well.
“How the club has progressed is down to their ambition and the players and their careers benefit from that.
“They’re really decent people. They care, and they get that back because the players give everything for them.”
Much like managers have to get the balance right with their squad, putting an arm on their shoulder, but also holding their respect as an authority figure, it is similar for the chairman – who can’t be too aloof but neither meddling in team affairs.
Rodgers says Top does it easily.
“I’m sure it is difficult because if you’re a billionaire and you can influence many things in your life, to be able to respect other people in their work and the position you put them I’m sure is difficult,” said the City boss. But for Khun Vichai by all accounts and Khun Top being his side, it’s very easy for them.
“They are extremely successful in business but they also understand it’s about people and they have a care for people.
“When people do the work and do it well they want to look after them, and always with real respect.
“The kindness, the humility they have shown, the faith they have and that respect they give everyone, that’s why they get so much love and appreciation from the people of Leicester, and it’s why the family and the dreams they have created here will never be forgotten.
“He delivers it from a really great place.
“As a manager it’s great to be part of.”