MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 19:39:38| >> :120:13165:13165:

Leicester chairman thanks fans for tributes on anniversary of father's death

The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden opened on Sunday.

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has thanked fans for their tributes after the first anniversary of his father's death.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others lost their lives in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium in October 2018.

Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare and two pilots Izabela Lechowicz and Eric Swaffer died in the accident after the Foxes' 1-1 draw with West Ham last year.

The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden was opened on the crash site outside the stadium on Sunday, two days after Leicester's record breaking 9-0 away win at Southampton in the Premier League.

"I want to say thank you to the Leicester City family – our supporters and our community – for your love and support this weekend. It means so much to me and to my family," wrote Aiyawatt, who succeeded his father as chairman, on the club's website.

"I watched the game at Southampton from Thailand at 2am and it was perfect.

"Not just the win and not just the score, but the whole night. Before, during and after the game, our fans were singing. Our fans behind the goal and our players on the pitch – we kept going, we did not stop.

"My father always taught me to fight for what is important, to keep going and he always wanted Leicester to do the same.

"It was the only thing he ever asked for – that we fight together and give our best until the very last minute. I was watching with so much pride in my heart.

"On Sunday, my family and I paid our respects to my father and all those we lost a year ago. After, I received photographs and videos from the memorial garden in Leicester and read so many messages and tributes.

"It is a garden my father would have loved and I am looking forward to seeing it when I come for the Arsenal match next month.

"My father meant so much to so many people and I hope the garden can be a place where everyone can find some peace. Thank you so much for your respect, kindness and dignity during the anniversary weekend.

"The anniversary was an important time for everyone, but our work to build on my father's legacy will continue for a long time. He always wanted to do everything he could to make his Leicester City family better and better, and I want to follow his example.

"I want to share my love and care for everyone, like he always did, to make the Leicester family stronger and to bring success. Nothing comes easy, but we will keep going, continue to fight.

"Our season has only just started and we have a long way to go, so we will fight together until the very last minute. I am sure he is still watching us, so let's make him proud together."

ID:376711: cacheID:376711:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3980:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jamie Vardy celebrates with Ayoze Perez after scoring for Leicester City on October 25, 2019
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Vardy, Perez, Pulisic
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!