File photo of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha with the 2016 Premier League trophy. Photograph:( AFP )
The football fraternity have mourned the death of Leicester City FC chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in the helicopter which crashed outside team's stadium shortly after it took off on Saturday.
The fans were in shock when the club confirmed that Srivaddhanaprabha was among those to have tragically lost their lives.
Vichai, a father of four and the founder of duty-free giant King Power International, is a huge favourite with fans after he bought the unfancied side from central England in 2010 and they went on to stun the soccer world by winning the Premier League title in 2016.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the man who put Leicester City on global sporting map
Hundreds of fans lay shirts, scarves and flowers outside the stadium in tribute to the businessman.
Players and other football clubs condoled Srivaddhanaprabha death and shared their thoughts and prayed for the departed souls.
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 28, 2018
Our thoughts are with the whole @lcfc family. Rest in peace https://t.co/1lfHzRrBuP
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2018
Everyone at #MUFC is deeply saddened to learn that the Leicester City chairman and four fellow passengers have lost their lives following last night's tragic incident. Our deepest condolences are with their families, friends and those connected to the club.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 28, 2018
Everybody at Chelsea Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of five people at Leicester City on Saturday, including the club’s chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 28, 2018
Our thoughts at this sad time are with all those affected. https://t.co/bHmIuHgXiS
Sending our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives and to everyone at @LCFC. We are all thinking of you during this difficult time.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@Spurs_India) October 28, 2018
"He's put so much money into the club. He has brought the club up from receivership, put the money in, built the team, won the premiership. The future is looking bright or it obviously, it was looking bright," 68-year-old fan Richard Mobbs told Reuters.
Mobbs met the club's owner watching his polo team. Vichai who is known at the club for his generosity and providing free refreshments for fans on birthdays, bought Mobbs his season ticket at the club after they became friends.
😞😞😞🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/hFfu6Nm1nK
— Ben Chilwell (@BenChilwell) October 28, 2018
— Wes Morgan (@Wes5L1nk) October 28, 2018
Struggling to find the right words....but to me you are legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club. Thank you for everything you did for… https://t.co/FzTaXVejUg
— Jamie Vardy (@vardy7) October 28, 2018
Words can’t describe how I feel. A truly great, kind, loving man who will be missed so much by everyone.
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) October 28, 2018
I will never forget the Chairman’s support, not only during my time @LCFC but also during the World Cup 😢 RIP ❤ #TheBoss pic.twitter.com/66aGjGGwX9
Thank you ❤️ #theboss #lcfc pic.twitter.com/7qLuveBl4s
— Christian Fuchs (@FuchsOfficial) October 28, 2018
Vichai helped steer Leicester back into the top flight in 2014 before they stunned the sport by beating the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea to become champions of England. Fifteen-year-old Jessica Hubbard said his tenure had "created history" at the club.
The helicopter crashed just yards from the pitch in the club's car park after the club's match against West Ham United.
According to witnesses, the helicopter just cleared the top of the stadium before it started to spin. It then plummeted to the ground and burst into flames.
Hundreds of fans lay shirts, scarves and flowers outside the stadium in tribute to the businessman.
