Hours after the Leicester City football club officially confirmed that Thai billionaire boss Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people killed in the helicopter crash at the team King’s Power stadium, condolences have been steadily pouring in on social media from football fans around the world.
With an attached photo from a tribute to Vichai outside the club’s King Power stadium, grieving Twitter user, Si Hill, described how the industry has come together during this turbulent time despite what team they’re rooting for.
‘Divided by colours, United by grief’ #LeicesterCity#wwfcpic.twitter.com/RlsIiqnfEr
— si hill (@sifuckinhill) October 28, 2018
These sentiments seem to be shared all around the board, even by a rival team, Arsenal FC.
We’re thinking of you, @LCFC ❤
Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and everyone at #LCFC
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 28, 2018
A Leicester City fan posted another picture from the heartbreakingly colorful shrine, adorned by flower and wreaths, claiming to have been rendered “speechless” from the news.
There really are no words. #LCFC #VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha pic.twitter.com/OGWMOuy2Jt
— Tim Roberts (@TimCRoberts) October 28, 2018
Vichai purchased English Football League Championship club, Leicester City, in 2010. In 2016, the team won the Premier League title despite staggering 5,000-to-1 odds before a season began — for many a historical, unifying and celebratory moment in football history.
The peak of Leicester was the year they won the title. The one season that won’t ever be forgotten. It was beautiful. It got the whole city together.
Also the only owner in the top few leagues that makes nearly every home game. It’s a sad day. #VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha— Smokey (@UzairPD) October 28, 2018
Some would even call Leicester City’s journey a story, a fairytale. (Ed: Spell checks and all aside)
In My Lifetime I Doubt I’ll Ever See A Fairytail Story Like Leicesters.
RIP, Football Will Always Remember What You Achieved. Here’s To You #VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha pic.twitter.com/qz4dmf1qSy
— #YoPierre (@YoPierreAFC) October 28, 2018
But Vichai had an impact far beyond championships and scoring. In a photo of an attached smartphone “note,” Leicester native Ethan Lewis explains how Vichai contributed to his community.
My thoughts are with everyone onboard that helicopter, other people onboard like the pilots names should have the same love as Vichai’s, but to everyone who doesn’t understand why our owner means so much to a Leicester fan… #LeicesterCity #VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha #lcfcfamily pic.twitter.com/rAAbGlMAw4
— Ethan Lewis (@Ethan_TB22) October 28, 2018
Even in his death, he brought people from all walks of life together as “one family.”
A weaver of dreams, a visionary. We thank you #VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha for the love & generosity, in what you did for both our football club #LCFC & our city #Leicester. We are all one family, one club, one city. We’ll sing your song forever! #Vichai #LCFCFamily #FoxesNeverQuit pic.twitter.com/h6LP60YtXJ
— Kosh (@donkoshino) October 29, 2018
Thais, too, are mourning over the loss of the man.
Thailand International Academy paying tribute to the man they say ‘is everything’. #VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha #LeicesterCity pic.twitter.com/6Yv0pUeqCm
— Sima Kotecha (@sima_kotecha) October 28, 2018
While Foxes are crying all around the world over Vichai’s short life, there’s no doubt that his legacy will live on with Leicester fans.
Free pints, free pies, free t-shirts; They are not what is important.
He chose Leicester, their club, their team, their city.
He gave Leicester City the time of their lives.
In today’s game, money couldn’t buy him – he was a gifted individual. #LCFC #VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha pic.twitter.com/DrCCSTj0ga— ♥ (@MissYjw1) October 28, 2018
Reader Interactions