A Legacy For Khun Vichai | Tribute Documentary

Leicester City
27 Oct 202333:30

Summary

TLDRThe video script pays tribute to Khun Vichai, the late Chairman of Leicester City Football Club, celebrating his transformative impact on the club and community. It highlights his vision, generosity, and the deep emotional connection he fostered, leading to historic achievements like the Premier League win. The script also underscores his philanthropy and the legacy he left behind, including the club's rise to prominence and his son's continuation of his mission, inspiring a city and a fanbase to believe in the impossible.

Takeaways

  • 🏆 The script highlights the incredible underdog story of Leicester City winning the Premier League, a moment that brought immense joy and pride to the fans and the city.
  • 👑 It emphasizes the significant role of Khun Vichai, the Chairman and owner, in transforming the club into a united and successful entity, turning dreams into reality through his leadership and generosity.
  • 🤝 The sense of family and community within Leicester City is underscored, with Khun Vichai fostering an interconnected and supportive environment both within the club and towards the fans.
  • 🕊️ The script pays tribute to Khun Vichai's legacy, which includes not only the club's achievements but also his philanthropic work in the community, such as donations to hospitals and support for various charities.
  • 🎉 The emotional connection between Khun Vichai and the fans is evident, with the club's success and his personal touch creating a bond that transcends the sport.
  • 👨‍👧‍👦 Khun Vichai's family-oriented approach is highlighted, showing how he involved himself with every level of the club, from players to staff, making everyone feel valued and part of the club's family.
  • 🙏 The tragedy of Khun Vichai's death in a helicopter crash is deeply felt, with the script detailing the outpouring of grief from the football community and the impact his loss had on the city of Leicester.
  • 💐 The script describes the global sympathy and respect for Khun Vichai, with tributes and messages of support coming from fans, clubs, and even royalty, showing his far-reaching influence.
  • 🌟 The story of Leicester City's success serves as an inspiration for the future, with Khun Vichai's vision and legacy continuing to motivate the club to strive for excellence.
  • 🏥 Khun Vichai's commitment to improving local facilities is noted, with significant financial contributions to hospitals and community programs, enhancing the quality of life for residents.
  • 🏛️ The script also touches on Khun Vichai's contributions to cultural and historical events, such as the reburial of Richard III, demonstrating his support for the broader Leicester community.

Q & A

  • What significant event did Leicester City supporters anticipate in the transcript?

    -The significant event that Leicester City supporters were anticipating was the moment of gathering around the trophy, indicating a major victory or achievement for the club.

  • What impact did Khun Vichai's leadership have on Leicester City according to the script?

    -Khun Vichai's leadership had an incredible impact on Leicester City, instilling an ethos of generosity, unity, and a family-like atmosphere within the club.

  • How did the tragic helicopter crash at King Power Stadium affect the city of Leicester?

    -The helicopter crash at King Power Stadium, which is believed to have involved the Chairman and owner of the Foxes, devastated the city of Leicester and deeply affected the football community.

  • What was the reaction of fans and the football community to Vichai's death?

    -Vichai's death touched the entire football community, garnering sympathy from fans all over the country and the world, as evidenced by the flowers left behind in his memory.

  • What did the speaker mean when they said 'I've never seen a club owner loved and adored the way he has been'?

    -The speaker was referring to the unique and deep affection that the fans and the community had for Vichai, highlighting his popularity and the strong emotional connection he had with them.

  • How did the tragedy of Vichai's death bring the city together?

    -The tragedy of Vichai's death brought the city together afresh, as people from different clubs and backgrounds came out to mourn his loss and express their compassion.

  • What role did Khun Vichai play in the community outside of the football club?

    -Khun Vichai played a significant role in the community by giving donations to local hospitals, supporting various charities, and contributing to the building of essential facilities like a new intensive care unit for children.

  • What was the significance of Khun Vichai's investment in the team and the club?

    -Khun Vichai's investment in the team and the club was significant as it led to the club's historic Premier League win, participation in the Champions League, and the building of state-of-the-art facilities that have become a lasting legacy.

  • How did Khun Vichai's involvement with the team affect the players and staff?

    -Khun Vichai's involvement with the team made the players and staff feel like they were part of a family. His personal interest, encouragement, and generosity inspired them to work hard and achieve success.

  • What was the emotional impact of Leicester City's Premier League win on Khun Vichai?

    -The emotional impact of Leicester City's Premier League win on Khun Vichai was profound, as evidenced by his teary-eyed reaction and the immense joy he displayed, showing how much the achievement meant to him.

  • How did Khun Vichai's legacy continue through his son, Khun Top?

    -Khun Vichai's legacy continues through his son, Khun Top, who has taken over his father's role, maintaining the same level of generosity, involvement, and commitment to the club and the community.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Legacy of Unity and Triumph

The script opens with a reflection on the character of a man who embodied dreams and hard work, leading to the Leicester City Football Club's historic Premier League win. The narrative captures the essence of the club's ethos under Khun Vichai's leadership, characterized by generosity, community, and a deep connection with fans. The tragedy of Khun Vichai's death in a helicopter crash is deeply felt, but his legacy is celebrated through the unity and strength it inspired in the club and city. The script also highlights the global impact of his passing, with tributes from fans and figures of influence, showcasing the compassion and inspiration drawn from his life and leadership.

05:02

💐 A Community in Mourning

This paragraph delves into the profound grief experienced by the city of Leicester following the untimely death of Khun Vichai, the Chairman and owner of Leicester City Football Club. It describes the outpouring of tributes, including visits from royalty and heartfelt messages, acknowledging the deep connection Vichai had with his community and the football world. The script emphasizes the unity and strength demonstrated by the club and its fans during this difficult time, as well as the personal impact of Vichai's loss on the players and staff. The narrative also touches on the collective desire to continue Vichai's legacy and the profound sense of community that he nurtured within the club.

10:02

🤝 The Bond Between Owner and Community

The script highlights the personal relationship Vichai had with his players, fans, and the broader community. It portrays him as a man of wealth who remained grounded and committed to giving back, fostering a culture of unity and generosity within the club. The narrative shares anecdotes from players about Vichai's personal involvement and the sense of family he created at Leicester City. It also touches on the collective determination to honor his vision and continue his work, both within the club and in the community, reflecting the deep respect and admiration for Vichai's leadership and character.

15:03

🎖 The Impossible Dream

This paragraph recounts the journey of Leicester City Football Club under Vichai's leadership, from a Championship team to Premier League champions, a feat that seemed impossible. It emphasizes the belief and determination instilled by Vichai, who encouraged players to strive for greatness and achieve their dreams. The script details the pivotal moments of the championship win, the emotional impact on the players and staff, and the collective pride in overcoming the odds. The narrative also underscores the importance of Vichai's support and belief in the team's potential, which was crucial to their success.

20:04

🤱🏻 A Visionary Leader's Impact

The script celebrates Vichai's vision and leadership, highlighting his commitment to investing in the club and the community. It discusses his role in the development of a state-of-the-art training complex and the positive impact on the club's performance and reputation. The narrative also touches on Vichai's philanthropic efforts, such as funding for local hospitals and community projects, demonstrating his generosity and the lasting legacy he has left behind in Leicester.

25:05

🤴🏻 Honoring a King and His Generosity

This paragraph focuses on Vichai's contributions to the city of Leicester beyond the football club, including significant financial support for various causes such as the reburial of Richard III, the establishment of a children's hospital, and improvements to healthcare facilities. The script portrays Vichai as a figure who transcended his role as a football club owner, becoming a benefactor and a pillar of the community, whose generosity and vision have left a lasting impact on the city and its people.

30:08

🏡 The New Era of Excellence

The script discusses the transformation of Leicester City Football Club under Vichai's leadership, culminating in the construction of a world-class training facility and the club's continued success. It emphasizes the club's growth from a modest setup to a symbol of excellence, reflecting Vichai's vision and commitment to providing the best for the team and the community. The narrative also highlights the ongoing impact of Vichai's legacy, as his son Khun Top continues to uphold the values and aspirations that defined his father's leadership.

🎉 A Lasting Legacy of Dreams and Success

The final paragraph encapsulates the enduring legacy of Khun Vichai, emphasizing his emotional investment in the dreams and aspirations of the players, staff, and fans of Leicester City. It highlights the club's achievements, such as winning the FA Cup, and attributes these successes to Vichai's belief in the team's potential. The script concludes with a tribute to Vichai's impact on the club and the community, and the continued reverence and respect he commands from fans and players alike.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Leicester City

Leicester City refers to Leicester City Football Club, an English professional football club based in Leicester. The club is a central focus of the video script, highlighting its transformation under the leadership of Khun Vichai. The script mentions the club's historic Premier League win and its community impact, illustrating the deep connection between the club, its owner, and the city of Leicester.

💡Khun Vichai

Khun Vichai, or Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was the Thai owner of Leicester City Football Club. His influence and legacy are the main themes of the script. He is portrayed as a transformative figure who not only brought success to the club but also deeply cared for the community, leaving a lasting impact through his generosity and vision.

💡Premier League

The Premier League is the top level of the English football league system. The script emphasizes Leicester City's unexpected victory in the Premier League, which is described as a moment of glory and unity for the club and its supporters. This achievement is a testament to the club's rise under Khun Vichai's leadership.

💡Community

Community is a recurring concept in the script, highlighting the close-knit relationship between Leicester City Football Club and the city of Leicester. The term is used to describe the collective spirit and support among fans, as well as the club's role in giving back to local causes and initiatives, reflecting Khun Vichai's ethos of generosity.

💡Legacy

Legacy is a key term in the script, referring to the enduring impact and influence of Khun Vichai on Leicester City and its community. His legacy is characterized by the club's success, the infrastructure developments like the training complex, and the emotional and financial investments in the club and local causes.

💡Dreams

Dreams are frequently mentioned in the context of aspirations and ambitions, particularly relating to Leicester City's achievements and the personal goals of its players and staff. The script suggests that Khun Vichai played a pivotal role in making these dreams a reality, both on and off the field.

💡Supporters

Supporters in the script represent the fans of Leicester City, who are depicted as an integral part of the club's identity and success. Their unwavering loyalty and emotional connection to the club and its owner are highlighted, especially in the aftermath of Khun Vichai's tragic death.

💡Unity

Unity is a concept that emerges through the script's discussion of the club's journey and the collective spirit fostered by Khun Vichai. It is exemplified by the club's performance on the field, the fans' solidarity, and the community's response to tragedy, showcasing a united front in the face of adversity.

💡Generosity

Generosity is a defining trait of Khun Vichai, as described in the script. It is evident in his financial contributions to the club, local hospitals, and charities, as well as his personal engagement with fans and community members. His acts of kindness and giving back are a cornerstone of his legacy.

💡Belief

Belief is a central theme in the script, illustrating the confidence and encouragement Khun Vichai instilled in the players, staff, and fans. It is through this belief that the seemingly impossible feats, such as winning the Premier League, were achieved, embodying the 'Possible Man' concept associated with Khun Vichai.

💡Emotional Investment

Emotional investment is highlighted as a significant aspect of Khun Vichai's contribution to Leicester City. It goes beyond financial support, reflecting his personal connection to the club, players, and fans. The script conveys how this emotional investment fostered a sense of family and loyalty among all stakeholders.

Highlights

The character and impact of the owner, as well as the club's unity and community spirit.

The inspirational belief in possibility and achievement instilled by the club's leadership.

The historic Premier League win and its emotional significance for the club and city.

The deep connection and love for the chairman, evident in the community's reaction to his tragic death.

The global sympathy and respect garnered by the chairman's personality and contributions.

The unique interconnection and familial atmosphere within Leicester City.

The chairman's vision and its profound effect on the club's pride and identity.

The enduring legacy of Khun Vichai and its indelible mark on the club's history.

The collective grief and the communal response to the tragic helicopter crash.

The chairman's love for football and its unifying power, as recognized by the royal tribute.

The emotional connection between the players and the chairman, fostering a drive for success.

The chairman's personal involvement and the rapport he built with the players and staff.

The chairman's ambitious vision for the club's success, including a Champions League spot.

The collective emotion and unity displayed by the team and staff during a memorial event.

The chairman's influence on the club's culture and its reflection in the team's performance.

The impact of the chairman's philanthropy on the local community and beyond.

The chairman's vision for the club's infrastructure, leading to state-of-the-art facilities.

The chairman's role in the club's historic FA Cup win and its significance.

The ongoing commitment to the chairman's legacy by his son, ensuring continuity.

The emotional and financial investment made by the chairman, fostering a sense of belief and support.

Transcripts

00:09

you know, really sums up his character.

00:12

Did they have to do it? No.

00:13

But that just shows what type of people they are.

00:17

It was the fact that they wanted to.

00:18

I suppose he had his dreams himself and

00:22

he worked hard to achieve them

00:24

and that's exactly what he did.

00:27

The moment every Leicester City supporter has been looking forward to.

00:31

If I could ask the Captain, the Manager, the Vice

00:34

Chairman and the Chairman to gather

00:36

round the trophy... They were always getting across

00:39

that it didn't matter what it was,

00:41

that anything was actually possible.

00:44

We rebury a King, King Power, and then what happens?

00:50

The Football Club win the Premier League!

00:52

And it was a great story that brought a huge smile

00:55

to many peoples' faces. The day that they came through those gates of Belvoir

01:00

Drive was the day our Club changed

01:03

massively for the better.

01:10

The ethos of Khun Vichai,

01:13

the giving nature, the generosity

01:15

that pervades the whole Club thanks to his leadership was absolutely incredible.

01:20

Khun Vichai should be remembered as one of the favourite sons of Leicester.

01:25

You know it was run with a lot of love, a lot of care.

01:28

I've never experienced a club so interconnected as Leicester,

01:33

a club that was very, very united, a club that's like a family.

01:38

It was about the glory.

01:39

It was about community.

01:40

It was about the fans feeling the pride in their city,

01:44

in their club, in their team, and he absolutely brought that in.

01:48

His legacy will live on for forever and no one will

01:52

ever, ever be able to take that away and rightly so as well.

02:09

Fans say the city of Leicester is devastated by the helicopter crash at King Power Stadium.

02:14

It is believed the Chairman and owner of the Foxes was among those

02:17

on board when it came down in a car park shortly after last night's game.

02:22

The helicopter took off about an hour after the final whistle of the game against

02:26

West Ham, but minutes later, crashed in the car park outside...

02:29

the saddest day in their Club's history as fans came

02:33

in their thousands to pay their respects after yesterday's helicopter crash.

02:39

Vichai's death really touched a whole footballing community.

02:43

When that happened, you could see the sympathy from

02:48

all fans from all over the country, even from all

02:52

over the world. The flowers that were left behind really shows

02:56

how much impact Vichai had

02:59

on the whole footballing community.

03:01

And it was fantastic

03:04

to see and really, really touching to look

03:08

back and relive those memories.

03:11

Witnessing the event and being so close to the event, right at the beginning, I didn't really process it.

03:14

All this time has passed and

03:16

you realise the impact all over the world

03:20

and the reason for that was his personality.

03:22

I've never seen a club owner

03:25

loved and adored the way he has been.

03:28

But how many people came out from other clubs

03:31

and said how much they wished that he owned their football club?

03:35

I think the tragedy of his death and the manner

03:38

of it actually brought the city together

03:42

afresh. I went

03:45

to visit at the stadium

03:47

on a number of occasions, watching people

03:50

lay the flowers and they were there to remember him,

03:53

but actually what I was witnessing was a huge sense of compassion

03:58

been evoked in one another,

04:01

which wasn't just about his death, but was about other

04:05

things in these people's lives, the sense of actually holding one another,

04:09

and I think that's part of the legacy for the future

04:12

and it's a quite a tall order to live out of that legacy.

04:15

But it's inspiration for the future. And it wasn't simply

04:19

here, the grief that was felt across the game...

04:23

Leicester had lost one of their own, but I think

04:25

you got the impression that football had lost one of their own.

04:28

He loved the sport.

04:29

He loved the possibility of sport.

04:31

He loved the camaraderie, he loved

04:32

the joy that sport and football in particular

04:36

could bring. Royalty turned up.

04:38

I think Kate and Will left a very moving message and paid their respects.

04:43

Obviously William is a football fan, but also

04:47

he understood that the country had lost someone very, very special.

04:51

Catherine and I wanted to visit Leicester

04:55

to pay tribute to a man that we knew,

04:58

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha,

05:01

and those who died alongside him in October.

05:05

We knew Vichai as a man who cared deeply

05:07

about his family and also his community.

05:11

He, of course, was a man of wealth,

05:14

but that wealth did not leave him disconnected from those around him.

05:18

He believed in giving back. Catherine and

05:22

I also wanted to come to Leicester because of what the people of

05:26

this city and fans of this Club have shown us all over the last few weeks.

05:30

You were paying tribute to Vichai, Kaveporn, Nusara,

05:35

Izabela and a man I had the privilege to fly with in the past, Eric Swaffer.

05:41

And when the man that led this Club to victory died

05:44

so tragically, the people of this city revealed

05:48

with their outpouring of admiration that they, too, shared

05:52

much of the character that was so central to who Vichai was.

05:59

In a time when our football clubs have become huge global enterprises,

06:03

you came out to thank Vichai for making the fans

06:07

the true owners of this Club. Right before the game,

06:12

we made the decision that we weren't just going to be the starting XI.

06:17

We were going to be everybody,

06:18

so the whole team behind the team, all the staff, all the substitutes,

06:22

everyone was going to be in the centre circle.

06:25

I couldn't really contain my emotions at the time.

06:27

It was such a profound moment.

06:29

But I remember thinking, looking up at one point, looking at them,

06:33

looking at us, thinking they can't win.

06:36

There's nothing they can do today to beat us.

07:01

Sometimes in this job, you have to cover things and you're not really just covering them

07:05

As a journalist, you can't be a dispassionate observer

07:08

because you get to know the players and the supporters

07:11

and the management and everyone around this great Club.

07:14

Going to Cardiff and just seeing the fans there,

07:17

they were heartbroken.

07:19

They'd lost a member of their family.

07:20

The Leicester City song...

07:23

this great man who 'came from Thailand, and now he's one of our own'...

07:27

that is the greatest compliment a football fan can pay to someone who comes in from the outside.

07:31

'You're now one of our own', because everyone realised what

07:34

an amazing man Khun Vichai was

07:37

and what an amazing owner, and then the scenes here...

07:40

for the Burnley game, again,

07:42

it was just incredibly powerful.

07:45

The grief, but also that pride

07:49

that Khun Vichai had been here...

07:51

their desire to show their support

07:54

and their love for Top and his family

07:57

and also their huge desire

07:59

for Top to stay on, to continue his father's legacy...

08:05

We still feel it to this day.

08:07

We always,

08:10

around the time of his death, go for a memorial service

08:13

and just remember the good times because he was the type of guy that always

08:18

had a smile on his face, he wanted people to be happy,

08:21

and wanted to give back.

08:23

They're the key memories we have of him.

08:26

We do things professionally and with pride and dignity,

08:32

that was the same back then, and

08:33

I feel like since the tragedy,

08:36

that's continued to happen. When the tragedy happened,

08:39

everything was done right at the time, as tough as

08:42

it was and as tough as that period of life was,

08:46

especially at this Football Club.

08:48

So the garden, people have got that place where they can go and show their respect.

08:53

I think that's a lot to do with the culture that he created

08:57

and the things he put in place here, Personally, he was

09:03

everything. Obviously when I came, he was always

09:07

around the lads, always at the training ground, wanting

09:11

to be involved as much as he can.

09:13

I don't think you get that a lot

09:16

with any chairman,

09:18

if I'm honest. That's the main thing with obviously the Club as well,

09:21

that's how he wants it to be.

09:23

He doesn't want you to look at him as: 'Oh yes, the owner's here'.

09:27

He wants you to have chats with him.

09:31

He wants every single person involved

09:34

when he's coming in, and that's not just the players.

09:37

That's everyone from top to bottom at the Club.

09:41

The Boss came to Belvoir Drive, or on matchdays, and we would

09:45

always have a hug instead of a shake of the hand, that's what it was.

09:49

You could hug the Chairman!

09:52

I never did that before and

09:54

that's the way it was. We had a great rapport.

09:57

It was good, along now with his son Top doing that as well.

10:02

He's just taking his father's role.

10:04

The likes of me,

10:04

Kasper [Schmeichel], Vards (Jamie Vardy),

10:05

Riyad [Mahrez] were there from the beginning and for a long, long time,

10:10

so we knew him very, very well.

10:12

But even the new guys, he would make a big effort to

10:17

make them feel welcome,

10:19

get them to interact, buy into the way, the culture,

10:23

of Leicester, which served us so well.

10:27

When I signed for the Club, he said we'd

10:30

be in the Champions League within six years and we're in the Championship at this time.

10:35

And then I was kind of thinking: 'Yes, okay.'

10:40

I've heard this kind of thing before,

10:43

very ambitious, all this kind of stuff,

10:45

but he kind of looked at me and repeated it and said: 'No,

10:48

we are going to be in the Champions League within six years'.

10:51

I've got to be honest with you,

10:52

when I signed for the Football Club, that wasn't my

10:55

first thought, I'll be honest with you there.

10:57

As I got to know people in the Club and got

11:01

to know Vichai himself and the players

11:04

that we had... yes, probably I still didn't think it was realistic,

11:08

but I didn't think it was a million miles off.

11:10

I certainly didn't think it was as close

11:11

as what it

11:12

was

11:13

going to

11:13

be.

11:19

Marc Albrighton scores now in the scorching sun on the opening day! Leicester have been hot, hot, hot!

11:26

He looked at life thinking that anything was possible.

11:30

I know that they call him the Possible Man.

11:32

I feel like that's the way he lived, in which nothing

11:35

was impossible. The ball in behind Darmian... Vardy! It's 11, it's heaven for Jamie Vardy!

11:45

People look at the players on the pitch and a lot gets made of the players on the pitch that year,

11:49

but without him,

11:53

not a single bit of that would have been achieved. The ball through towards Mahrez...

11:57

he's got clear of Otamendi...

11:59

Riyad Mahrez!

12:02

Wow, well... where is this going?!

12:07

They were very much people that put

12:09

something inside of you that made you want to

12:13

just go that extra yard for them. Morgan going in...

12:16

and Wes Morgan heads it in!

12:18

Leicester hit back like champions!

12:22

I didn't just want to do it for myself.

12:23

I didn't just want to do it for my family.

12:25

I didn't

12:25

just want to do it for my friends, the Football Club,

12:28

I wanted to do it for people like Khun Vichai, who gave me that platform

12:32

and I felt like I owed something to him.

12:34

When people give you that feeling, it's a whole lot easier to do.

12:39

I had a good playing career at the highest

12:42

level at the time, which was the old First Division, now the Premier League, of course.

12:46

But for me, the day that really

12:49

blew me away was the day I was asked to walk

12:51

out with the Premier League trophy.

12:54

I couldn't...

12:55

I was shaking.

12:56

I'm shaking now, just thinking about that day, a special day.

13:00

I'm representing the Club that I love

13:03

and probably having the highest accolade

13:05

that I can do as a non-player,

13:08

to walk out with the Premier League

13:12

trophy, which by all accounts, in all my time around the place,

13:16

I would never think that we would do it, honestly, and I don't think half the world did,

13:21

but we did it.

13:22

I can't believe I got to have done

13:25

that for your Football Club...

13:28

I don't want to get too emotional...

13:30

I am.

13:31

But it was fantastic and I walked past the Boss and Top

13:35

and I looked back and, for that second, I thought it shouldn't be me doing this...

13:38

It should be them because they were

13:41

the people that really turned this Club around.

13:45

They have blown their rivals away.

13:49

They have blown us all away,

13:51

in truth... Premier League champions, 2016...

13:56

the amazing Leicester City!

14:04

You saw the lap of honour after we lifted the trophy... Khun Vichai and

14:09

Top had the trophy themselves and the amount of admiration they were getting off the fans as well,

14:14

it just shows that, like I said, everyone bought into it and everyone can see exactly what

14:19

they were doing on a personal level to help the Club.

14:23

I remember when we won the league

14:25

and he first flew into the training ground and

14:28

you could see the emotion on his face, how

14:31

much it meant to him. His eyes were almost

14:34

tearing up, and I think one of his biggest goals and dreams was

14:39

for Leicester to, beyond all our imaginations, to win the league.

14:44

And it's all right saying that, but for us to do it

14:47

and to see how much it meant to him on his face,

14:50

that's one thing that really sticks

14:53

in my mind. That first time seeing

14:56

him after it was confirmed [we were] champions and the joy

14:59

he had on his face, you can tell it really, really meant so much to him.

15:03

He had a clear idea of how he wanted to do things and

15:06

how he wanted to run the Football Club. To win the Premier League was, I think, was something

15:11

he was incredibly proud of. The respect

15:13

and adulation he received in Thailand... and

15:17

for him, I think the pride was bringing

15:21

the trophy home to Thailand, for him to

15:24

to kind of show the country that a Thai-owned

15:27

team could win the Premier League, to give inspiration to them...

15:31

I think that was probably what meant more to him than anything.

15:34

It would have meant everything to him.

15:37

It really will have, the fact that

15:41

on one hand, he said what he wanted and it happened,

15:45

but then obviously to get to play

15:48

in the Champions League and stuff that the Club have not done...

15:52

And again Khun Vichai and the family travelling

15:56

to every single game

15:58

to make sure that they could watch and be in

16:00

around the lads during the experience just made it even better.

16:04

What Khun Vichai has also done is just giving these amazing memories of Europe.

16:08

I went on a lot of the trips and Bruges,

16:12

the game, the night out... there was Seville, Madrid...

16:16

There was all these great, great memories. Copenhagen as well.

16:19

First they're great cities to go to, but Khun Vichai, because of

16:24

the investment in the team, because of the title,

16:27

just to actually go and do that, to have those memories for life...

16:31

I can remember we we're in a bar in Seville after the game -

16:33

unlike a journalist to be in a bar in Seville - and just talking

16:37

about memories and just seeing the smiles on all the fans' faces and how much that meant.

16:42

Getting to the Champions League was a big deal for a club like

16:47

Leicester and having never been in the Champions League and to have the run that we did,

16:52

there was a feeling that we could actually go

16:54

and win this. He was there with us for the games.

16:58

He was there for the training sessions the day before, on the pitch,

17:01

experiencing these things, because they're massive experiences.

17:05

For me, it's the only time in my career I ever played in the Champions League.

17:08

It is just something special and

17:09

I knew it was something special to him as well, because

17:12

the Champions League is the stage that everyone sees

17:16

and here was a club

17:18

that was owned by a man from Thailand who

17:22

went and did the impossible, won the Premier League, and now

17:25

going and mixing it with the best in the world in the Champions League.

17:29

Kasper Schmeichel... he saved the penalty from Joaquin Correa in the first leg,

17:34

but it is Steven Nzonzi who comes up... Nzonzi...

17:37

it's saved again by

17:39

Schmeichel! That is

17:41

massive from Kasper Schmeichel!

17:44

Vardy says: 'Run to the corner flag!'

17:46

There is the full-time whistle! Leicester

17:50

City write another remarkable chapter!

18:00

He wanted to treat everyone exactly the same.

18:05

It didn't matter who you were.

18:07

He didn't even have to know people,

18:09

he was giving donations to local hospitals,

18:13

trying to make the community even better than what it is.

18:16

That was just him as a person,

18:20

he loved to give and seeing that it made a difference.

18:23

So after the Foxes Foundation

18:25

and the tragedy, it became

18:27

the VS Foundation, which raised

18:32

unlimited amounts around the county and the city for various charities.

18:36

I have been around for about 30-odd years,

18:40

I think, doing the runs,

18:41

and then the Boss came in and just put it on a different level for me.

18:44

There was a big change.

18:47

I remember starting the runs off, the Boss and

18:50

then Top would do a lap or a couple of laps as well.

18:53

Just little things like that made a difference.

18:56

You can see his mark all over the place, the Club's

18:59

mark, but basically it's what the Boss contributed to as well.

19:03

He's put his stamp on this city.

19:08

It will always be there forever.

19:10

It's a great tribute to him.

19:12

When we started Heartwize in 2014, we

19:16

were looking at ways of gaining a bit of recognition, a bit of publicity,

19:21

and one of the targets was the major sports clubs

19:25

and Leicester City Football Club were incredibly generous.

19:29

The Chief Executive, Susan Whelan, and the Chairman were very supportive

19:34

over the coming years. We had supplied

19:37

defibrillators in all the schools, raised a training

19:41

force of volunteers, and we were going out to schools,

19:44

as we are today, to deliver training to the younger generation.

19:48

He made an impact in the city

19:51

that I think is widely recognised.

19:54

I found myself being responsible for the reburial of Richard III, and

19:58

I had to raise a large sum

20:00

of money in a very short period of time, and

20:03

that money was for the reburial and for all the events around Richard III.

20:09

Khun Vichai was one of the people who stepped up to the mark.

20:14

We asked and he responded.

20:17

It was as simple as that, really.

20:19

And so it's a six-figure sum which helped us to do what we needed to do

20:23

and without people like him, Richard III would not have been buried with dignity and honour.

20:29

The reburial of a medieval King isn't just a moment in time.

20:32

It's about changing a whole story for generations to come.

20:37

Everybody from now on will associate very

20:40

clearly Richard III and Leicester and Khun Vichai's

20:44

response and contribution to that

20:47

means that he's not only changed a moment

20:50

in history, but actually

20:52

has changed things forever in this place.

20:56

Obviously, Vichai, a Buddhist, giving money to a Christian church

21:00

but in the spirit of huge generosity and recognising

21:03

the Cathedral's role in this

21:05

local society and its role

21:08

in providing a place of sanctuary for so

21:10

many people from all over the world,

21:13

embodying what Leicester does really well,

21:16

being a city for all nations.

21:18

In 2012, we requested

21:21

help to build a new teenage cancer

21:23

unit, Our Space, and that was very forthcoming.

21:26

Subsequently, children's outpatients...

21:29

and then the absolutely incredible £2M donation

21:32

after the historic Premier League win.

21:35

The £2M was earmarked to build a brand new

21:39

intensive care unit where we look after critically ill children

21:42

and that is the bedrock and the foundation of any children's hospital.

21:46

With this incredibly deep and profound partnership,

21:50

we're very confident, with the ongoing support of Leicester City Football Club,

21:56

thanks to Khun Vichai's vision, we will deliver

21:58

a children's hospital fit for the 21st century.

22:02

This room we're sitting in is a postnatal room

22:04

sadly for a family whose baby has died.

22:08

Initially, when we started the appeal, I was overwhelmed.

22:11

I thought we'll never manage,

22:12

we'll never do it.

22:13

And so when money came in, it was just a relief

22:16

to know that people out there were rooting for us and were going to support us.

22:20

I struggle to remember what it was like.

22:22

I just know it was bad. We had women delivering

22:25

a stillborn baby that obviously doesn't cry in a very sad time,

22:30

in the middle of a crazy busy delivery suite...

22:32

just wrong, just wrong on every level.

22:35

Those times were really hard.

22:37

He was a gentleman of sport, wasn't he?

22:39

But he remembered women of Leicester needed something

22:41

and that just means everything to us.

22:44

And do you know what one of the midwives said to me after we had these rooms made?

22:47

She said: 'I'm not embarrassed anymore - and

22:49

now I'm very proud what we can offer, even someone in a very sad time'.

22:54

I think he's probably the most generous man I've ever come across.

22:58

When I say generous, it is

23:01

generous with his time and what he invested in people.

23:05

He loved nothing more than to see people flourishing

23:08

and you could always look over to where

23:10

he was sitting and he'd have a big smile on his face and

23:13

you could see that it gave

23:16

him something, definitely, to see other people enjoying themselves.

23:20

His passion, his belief, his crucial

23:24

investment into the Club, not just

23:26

financially, but personal time, effort...

23:29

all of that has assured a place for Leicester City

23:34

and Leicester City Football Club in history books.

23:36

So I think Khun Vichai

23:39

is actually a true son of Leicester.

23:42

Our Football Club went from a football club

23:44

into an institution where so

23:47

many different charities benefitted from

23:50

the Boss and the Foundation and everything.

23:53

You can't overemphasise it,

23:55

the change in our Football Club when the family came. If you come through

23:58

the car park on a matchday and stuff like that,

24:02

and there was a mum and dad there with a little kid,

24:05

he didn't breeze by and get into the directors' or in his room,

24:09

he'd stop and have pictures taken and be there.

24:12

That was the person he was. I can't emphasise [enough].

24:15

It was a very, very sad day for our Football Club when

24:20

the Boss left us. The generosity for the local hospital

24:25

here, I think he gave them £2M... the University, £1M as well.

24:30

That is just huge money.

24:31

But also I think the legacy is in another way which people haven't realised.

24:35

When the monks came here, I just thought that was,

24:40

in a world where people sort of question religions

24:42

and faiths, to actually just to see that

24:46

and see that as part of someone's culture and, for it to become accepted and respected,

24:51

I think that was quite a huge moment.

24:53

I think it's the little things.

24:56

When it'll be an occasion, like his birthday, and everyone gets a free pie and a free beer,

25:00

he's always trying to find ways to give

25:04

back to the fans, give back to the community, to the players, but to everyone.

25:09

You don't have to do that.

25:11

But that's

25:12

his nature

25:13

and that's his generosity.

25:14

Well, you can see, right now, we're sat in a multi-million

25:18

pound training complex, which is all down to him and his vision.

25:23

It was one of his dreams to build this training facility.

25:28

He wanted the best facility in the world

25:30

and he got it. Like with everything else, he made it happen.

25:34

It just oozes class.

25:35

It oozes everything that he was about.

25:37

He wanted the best of the best.

25:39

You walk through the doors and it kind of takes your breath away, the first time.

25:44

You're like: 'Wow, this is incredible.

25:47

This is for real.'

25:48

For Leicester City,

25:49

going from Belvoir Drive

25:51

to Seagrave... it is just extraordinary,

25:55

the gear change and, in a way, reflected what

25:58

Leicester had become under Khun Vichai and Khun Top.

26:01

What is wonderful is when you arrive at Seagrave, you see all these kids playing.

26:06

You see all the Academy kids coming through and then you go on and you go

26:10

into the First Team area and you see the facilities there. At a time when we worry

26:15

about kids' mental health, their physical health, post-COVID, to have that,

26:20

to have the lungs, that space,

26:22

for kids to run around and develop young

26:25

[Kiernan] Dewsbury-Halls of the future potentially coming through there,

26:29

but also what that means to the community is just as important a legacy

26:34

from Khun Vichai as the title.

26:37

You walk around this place, this is all him.

26:40

It was me nine years ago.

26:42

He's giving other players platforms to achieve anything they want

26:46

basically. The young players coming in now have got

26:49

an incredible opportunity and it's down to him building

26:52

this special training ground, putting the platform in place.

26:55

I think obviously, with the FA Cup win as well,

26:58

that was obviously huge and, for Khun Top, it was very special.

27:03

It was special for all of us.

27:04

I think for Khun Top, it was extra special.

27:07

He felt like his

27:08

father was there that day and I felt like

27:11

he'll feel proud in the fact that he feels like he's done that for his dad

27:14

and that's a special moment.

27:16

I think his legacy will live on forever

27:20

and Leicester City will always be known as his club, especially this period now...

27:24

it will always be known as his club.

27:26

I can remember walking up Wembley Way and bumping into a couple

27:29

of fans and they introduced me to their kids. The

27:32

parents were speechless that they were there

27:35

on Wembley Way, heading into

27:39

the FA Cup, which Youri Tielemans then went and won...

27:42

Kasper Schmeichel made that great save... and

27:45

again Khun Vichai

27:48

was behind that, and that is a legacy

27:51

that just changes and fills so many lives

27:55

even though he's gone.

27:56

History makers! One hundred and thirty seven

28:00

years in the making!

28:02

Leicester City have finally won the FA Cup!

28:07

Obviously, with COVID, it was only half full, the stadium, so

28:10

the top of the stands were were filled

28:13

with banners and one of them was a massive picture of Khun Vichai

28:17

looking down on the pitch and there was, again,

28:20

just this feeling that they're not going to be able to beat us.

28:23

It was a big deal to go and win the FA Cup.

28:25

I knew it was something that Khun Vichai had talked about, had wanted.

28:30

The Club, as a whole, had never won the FA Cup

28:33

and it was in typical Leicester fashion...

28:36

our mentality was: 'Well, why not us?'

28:45

For him to take over like he has done,

28:49

it shows that

28:51

Khun Vichai probably prepared

28:54

Top to eventually take over anyway.

28:56

It's as if it's been instilled in him since

28:59

obviously they were

29:00

little and he's carried it on.

29:04

He's been exactly the same.

29:06

We've seen him when he comes to the games, he's always talking to the fans,

29:10

it doesn't matter, like I say, who you are, you get the same respect from them.

29:16

He's got a lot of similar traits, Khun Top,

29:18

to his father, whether that be the generosity

29:22

the having time for people, being easy to speak

29:25

to, being easy to get along with, feel comfortable around,

29:29

he's raised him into giving him those skills as a person.

29:33

I think everybody that meets him will say the same and they go a long way, those traits.

29:37

Some of the boys have left now, but we

29:39

still come back and we still see what's happening, and we always try to catch up when we can.

29:44

He is always talking about the next thing that's going to happen, which

29:47

is great to hear, and it's fantastic to see how he's followed in his footsteps.

29:50

It's really pleasing to see him continue the good work of what they do.

29:54

In the years where I've grown

29:58

from a young boy to a grown man, I feel like he set

30:02

the platform and created a platform

30:04

for me to be able to do that and achieve my dreams,

30:08

deal with tough times, everything was in place to be able

30:11

to deal with these things, the good and the bad.

30:14

He was so involved with the team, it made you really feel like family.

30:19

If you win the next three games, maybe a night out,

30:21

or a treat somewhere, and I think he loved that

30:25

back and forth banter. Us

30:28

trying to negotiate with him, him negotiating back with us...

30:31

I think that brought so much to the team, and he

30:34

enjoyed it. With everything that they've done for the Club, the investment

30:38

and obviously the success that we have had,

30:42

I think every fan, there's only one thing they can do, and that's absolutely respect it.

30:46

The amount that they actually did to try and make a difference,

30:51

but it actually did make a difference, is the main thing,

30:54

and you cannot fault them one bit.

30:57

The word about Leicester is always fearless.

31:00

His legacy is that he made the impossible possible.

31:04

To bring a club like Leicester from the Championship to the heights

31:09

that it reached, to the infrastructure

31:12

and the future that the Club is in for,

31:15

that's all down to him.

31:16

That's his legacy.

31:17

Leicester has been through hell and back many times.

31:22

I say 'we' because it is, for me, still 'we'.

31:23

We do things differently there. Yes, we fall,

31:28

but we always rise again.

31:30

I think that will be his legacy.

31:32

What Khun Vichai's legacy means to me

31:38

and our Football Club, you only have to see

31:41

everything was first class.

31:44

Everything that he did, Khun Vichai,

31:47

it's never been done before, and it probably won't be done again.

31:51

What he meant to the Club and the community...

31:54

onwards and upwards and the family stays with it.

31:57

He's a massive miss,

31:59

we all know that. You can hear our crowd sing

32:03

every matchday and I look at Top in front of me,

32:06

and I know he's so proud that our fans

32:09

still and always will acknowledge his father

32:12

for setting the standards that he has at our Football Club at Leicester

32:16

City Football Club and Top is carrying it on.

32:19

But it relates right back to the day

32:23

that Khun Vichai joined our Football Club.

32:26

Khun Vichai's

32:26

legacy is about dreams and it's about the realisation of dreams.

32:29

And it's about financial investment, yes,

32:31

in those dreams,

32:32

but mainly it's about emotional investment.

32:34

It's supporting, telling Jamie Vardy:

32:36

'Yes, you can go and do that'. Telling Kasper Schmeichel:

32:40

'You can be a great goalkeeper'.

32:42

Just spreading belief, spreading love and making supporters' dreams [come true]

32:47

and that is Khun Vichai's greatest legacy.

32:49

And if I talk to supporters of other clubs

32:52

when Khun Vichai was alive and what he was doing

32:55

with just making these dreams come true,

32:58

all those supporters said: 'I wish our owner was like that'.

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Связанные теги
Leicester CityKhun VichaiFootball ClubCommunity ImpactLegacy TributePremier LeagueFA CupCharitable GivingInspirational LeadershipCultural Integration
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