R.I.P Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha 1958-2018
First of all I would like to offer my condolences to Leicester City FC and the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident at the King Power Stadium. One of those was Leicester City Owner and Chairman – Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Vichai would travel to and from home games at the King Power Stadium by helicopter from his homes in London/Berkshire.
‘The Boss’ as he is referred to by Leicester players; A quiet, private, unassuming man who has built up his billionaire empire with the King Power Group; A company who hold a monopoly in the duty free market in Thailand – Vichai has always been a football fan.
In the 00’s, Vichai would be a regular VIP guest at Stamford bridge with his Son Aiyawatt; They even sponsored an advertising board to market his King Power Brand. In 2005 things would change however on a Champions League night at the Bridge. Security was strict and they treated him poorly – a metal scanner almost hitting the boss in the face. Vichai was fuming with the treatment he received and his Son whisked him away before things could escalate any further.
Vichai was furious that a VIP who had been going to Stamford Bridge for years could be treated like this; He was even more dismayed when the club didn’t act upon it – He vowed to no longer have anything more to do with Chelsea; No sponsorship and no tickets. He also said to his son “One day we will buy a football club that will be able to beat Chelsea”.
“If you have no experience in the football industry it’s best you stay out of it, you won’t be successful”
In 2007, the King Power Group approached John Madjeski – the chairman of Reading FC. Madjeski showed no interest in Vichai’s offer and said “If you have no experience in the football industry it’s best you stay out of it, you won’t be successful”. 3 years passed and the King Power Group were approached by Leicester City to become their Sponsor. Vichai and his son flew over and this is when his love affair with Leicester started. His son analysed the club and because they were largely unsuccessful; It was decided sponsoring the club would not be a worthwhile investment. Srivaddhanaprabha was already a fan though, he liked the blue kit; There was something about Leicester City so he asked Milan Mandaric if the club was for sale. The answer was yes so £40million pounds later – The King Power Group were the new owners of LCFC.
Leicester were not in great shape when Vichai took the reigns as Chairman; The club couldn’t even afford Milk. The Staff would provide their own! The Father Son duo spent the next 3 years fixing all the issues. They Improved the team and built a culture when they reached the playoffs in 2013. Leicester lost in the semi final thanks to a 97th minute goal from Troy Deeney. This seconds after Anthony Knockaert missed a penalty which would of secured a trip to Wembley. The club was in shock, Morale at a low and “Top” – as Vichai’s son is known, was upset at missing an opportunity to get promoted until Vichai said “This is life, It’s good that it is difficult. So we know what it is like to fail” – The club took this as a lesson.
“Our plan is to be in the top 4 and reach the Champions League in 3 years”
The following season Leicester didn’t need to rely on the playoffs. They won the championship title quite comfortably amassing 102 points! The club were back in the most competitive league in the world and during their championship title celebrations, the Thai owner told the team of his plan. “Our plan is to be in the top 4 and reach the Champions League in 3 years”. Most of the playing squad and backroom staff laughed! Surely it’s not achievable for a team like Leicester City who had just been promoted?! But that was Vichai’s vision, he wasn’t just an owner who ran the club as a business to get returns on his investment. He had ambition, a will to improve and make Leicester the best he could!
2 years on from promotion from the Championship we all know what happened. The fairytale of all fairytales, Leicester City against the odds upset the so called “Big Four”. At odds at the start of the season of 5000-1 they won the Premier League Title!! Ironically The final game of the season was an away game and traditionally, the host has to do a guard of honour. The last game of the season was at Stamford Bridge. 11 years on from when Vichai Promised to buy a club that would be capable of beating Chelsea.
“Champions of England”
Leicester has qualified for the Champions League and the owners dream was realised. The achievement made more impressive because the title wasn’t brought, They didn’t go out and splash £100million pounds. They didn’t go and overhaul their squad. In fact the title winning squad cost a total of £52.8 million pounds and their wage bill was 15th out of all 20 teams at only £80million. I believe strongly that without Vichai and the King Power Group the greatest footballing fairytale would never of happened; You can argue Ranieri picked the team, the coaches worked hard on the counter attacking tactics on the training ground and ordinary players had the seasons of their life; Leicester won the title with Wes Morgan and Robert Huth as the Centre Back pairing. But It was Vichai who sold them his vision, Vichai who made them believe.
In the days after his tragic passing, we have come to realise how much Vichai did for the local community. He would regularly subsidise coaches for fans on away trips. Fans would get free donuts, beer and scarves to celebrate various occasions and Vichai actually gave away 60 free season tickets to celebrate his 60th birthday. Vichai has also donated millions of pound to the Leicester Royal Infirmary hospital and to the University of Leicester – helping the local community where he could. For his players that won the title, he treated them and their families to an all expenses paid holiday to Thailand and a BMW i8 worth £100,000.
Thank You Vichai!!
It is remarkable in this day and age to hear of any owner giving so much to the fans and the community; Football clubs in the current day are run like businesses and owners are motivated more by maximising revenue than on field achievements. Just look at Mike Ashley at Newcastle and Stan Kroenke at Arsenal. This is what stands Vichai out from the rest, he had a genuine love for the club and deep down he was just a fan; He loved it when Leicester won and hated it if they lost.
Vichai was not just an owner, he was much more than that! He made football fans believe again, that their team could win something – The myth that only the Top 4 teams could win anything was broken. Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha showed the world how to run a football club – The Premier League and Footballing world will be a poorer place without him.
He may no longer be with us in presence, but his legacy will live on.
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