The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Incident revives memory of tragedy 22 years ago
The crash of the helicopter often used by Leicester City’s owner may bring back chilling memories for Chelsea football fans whose vice-chairman Matthew Harding was killed in 1996.
Last week – October 22 – marked 22 years since Mr Harding died when his helicopter crashed as he travelled back from a League Cup tie at Bolton. Friends and fellow supporters Ray Deane, Tony Burridge, John Bauldie and Mick Goss were also killed.
Mr Harding was a Chelsea fan from childhood and was such a passionate supporter of the club that his arrival on the board in 1994 saw him make millions of pounds available to the building of a new stand and for player recruitment.
Chelsea FC tweeted: “The thoughts of everyone at Chelsea Football Club are with @LCFC and all those affected by this evening’s terrible accident.”
A Chelsea FC statement, marking the anniversary of Mr Harding’s death, said: “His enthusiasm for the team was clear to all.
“Tragically, he was denied the opportunity of witnessing the investment coming to fruition just a few months after the accident, when the team won our first major silverware for a generation, the 1997 FA Cup.”
The first new stand at Stamford Bridge in more than 20 years was renamed after Mr Harding soon after the tragedy.
In a short space of time, having bought Leicester in 2010, Leicester fans had taken Vichai Srivaddhanaprabhato their hearts.
Thailand-born Mr Vichai, a passionate fan, has enjoyed seeing his beloved team’s Premier League triumph.
Leicester started the 2015-16 campaign as 5,0001 outsiders for the title after almost being relegated in 2014-15.