‘For generations to come, people will stand in this place and tell stories of The Possible Man...’
STATUE TO KHUN VICHAI TAKES PRIDE OF PLACE AT KING POWER
LEICESTER City have unveiled a statue of late chairman Vichai Sr iv add ha nap rabhai na ceremony outside the King Power Stadium.
On what would have been Khun Vichai’s 64th birthday, City welcomed his family, including current club chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanapraba, for the inauguration of the statue, built in tribute following the helicopter crash in 2018 that claimed his life.
Four others also died in the crash: staff members Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, and pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz.
City boss Brendan Rodgers and the current first-team squad were present for the unveiling ceremony, which was led by Buddhist monks who had travelled from Thailand.
Former managers Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare, and Nigel Pearson also attended, along with members of the title-winning squad, including Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs, Danny Simpson, Robert Huth, Andy King and Matty James.
They were joined by dignitaries from the city as well as representatives from the police, firefighters and East Midlands Ambulance Service, recognising their roles in the response to the accident.
Top had made a commitment to honour his father’s legacy with a statue. The club first proposed plans in 2020.
A new application with an altered design was submitted to Leicester City Council earlier this year and the club quickly got to work after they were given the green light.
Situated at the north-west corner of the ground, it stands at 5.2m tall, comprising a 2.5m blue marble plinth, with the statue itself 2.7m.
The VS symbol used by the foundation set up in the chairman’s name is engraved on to the marble, along with the words “The Boss”, his nickname among the players.
The plaque on the plinth reads: “Khun Vichai led Leicester City’s improbable ascent to the summit of English football, giving supporters of every club the right to dream.
“A major benefactor to his adopted city of Leicester and a man under whose vision our communities came together.”
Club chief executive Susan Whelan said: “Khun Vichai loved this city.
“He greatly appreciated the affection shown by the people of Leicester and recognised how this community believed in his vision.
“Today, his contribution to the club and to the city is made eternal.
“For generations to come, people will stand in this place and tell stories of The Possible Man.
“They will speak of his leadership and ambition, but also of his generosity and kindness.
“However this site changes, in all the moments we will experience together, his presence will be permanent.”
The statue will be visible to the public from today and fans will also be able to see it at the club’s next home game, which is against PSV Eindhoven in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening.