An Inexplicable Explanation

[Freeman's Wharfer]

I'm sure we've all faced the same problem over the last few weeks and months, being Leicester fans and everyone who wants a piece of the Leicester City story wanting to know how it feels. I know that I've struggled to adequately explain so I thought I should try and give a glimpse into what it would mean if we won the league at Old Trafford in another blog.

 

Feel free to read either through the link or in the text below...

 

 

http://theposthorngallop.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/an-inexplicable-explanation.html 

 

It’s July 2011. The summer after I had returned from four months of travelling in The Americas, aged 22, I’m unsure of my next steps but certain they won’t be nearly as adventurous as those taken during the preceding four months. I create a list.

 

To this day, on my computer, resides that list. Titled ’50 things to do before I die’ - and probably an attempt to reassure myself that I wasn’t about to embark to on a monotonous grind until retirement - I remember little about what prompted me to put that list together but vividly actually doing so.

 

I never made it to 50 things and to this day the list stands untouched at 29. Somewhere amongst the 29 reads ‘see Leicester City win the FA Cup’. Some things have been accomplished, others retain that aspect of ‘to do’ about them. Including that elusive FA Cup.

 

With fresh perspective, that FA Cup doesn’t seem so important right now. Because on Sunday afternoon Leicester City have the chance to win The Premier League at Old Trafford in a tale that for me - and almost every other Leicester City fan - seemed so wildly incomprehensible that it was never even close to contemplation. Let alone bucket lists.

The clichés have been done to death. A fairytale, a great story, a miracle. But with any tale there’s a structure. A rhyme and reason. An element of expectation, good or bad.

Nobody saw this coming.

 

Being a Leicester City fan hasn’t always been easy. Put together a list of things that can happen to a football club and Leicester City have been through most in the last 20 years; promotions, relegations, administration, a ground move, cup wins, takeovers, La Manga sex scandals, play-off heartbreaks, the greatest of great escapes and a string of managers.

Boring it certainly is not.

 

This is not intended to be a sob story. More an explanation of why an explanation does not come easy. Because in the past few weeks and months people have asked me about what could be about to happen (the pessimist in me still can’t bring myself to say it will) and often I’ve not entertained the question. I’ll shake my head in disbelief and say ‘crazy’ or puff my cheeks and exclaim ‘insane’. I do this because this has a meaning rooted far deeper than something I’m able to encapsulate amidst small talk.

 

I’ve followed Leicester City since 1997. If I added up the money I have spent on doing so it would probably be the biggest expenditure in my life alongside food and drink. If I added up the time that I have spent watching Leicester it would probably equate to more than that which I have spent in the company of people I consider good friends. If I could summon up the energy I have put into watching Leicester City over the years into one collective effort then I single-handedly could achieve something unknown to man.

 

The truth is that Leicester City is part of my identity. Following them has taken me to the deepest darkest corners of England but simultaneously to the top of the world.

 

I will never forget walking away from Vicarage Road after that Deeney moment as ‘Yellow’ by Colplay blared out over the tannoy and Watford fans celebrated on the pitch – I barely spoke on the journey home. Standing in disbelief in Stoke as time ebbed away and relegation to the lowest point in the club’s entire history was confirmed. Just knowing, as Kermorgant stepped up on a cold Tuesday play-off semi-final night in Cardiff, that another entry on the list – seeing Leicester play at the new Wembley – would have to wait a little longer. Filling out a membership form to join a Supporters’ Trust in order to try and help save the club from extinction and dropping coins in a bucket to the same effect. Weaving through hordes of taunting Wolves supporters having just lost a crucial relegation six-pointer where we were 3-0 up at half time only to go on to lose 4-3. Manchester United fans counting down the time that we had left in The Premier League as the minutes on the old scoreboard at Filbert Street ticked by and (what we thought were) our halcyon days were ending. The numerous days or evenings where I sat in a car for hours on end only to see guys who were paid more in a month than I earn in a year fail to show even a hint of caring half as much as I did.

 

They say that the bad times make the good ones better but you don’t embark on a lifetime supporting Leicester City in expectation of the reward of those good times. The victory and the glory is only ever secondary.

 

It’s mad, but Leicester City can change my mood. They can ruin an otherwise good day and brighten an otherwise sullen one. People who do not follow a football team often fail to understand that hold football has on people. Challenge them to spend so much time and effort on something and they’ll find it impossible not to care too. I’ve tried, in times of footballing despair, to vow that I’ll never again care about it so much.

 

But then it gets me. Years pass and once more; knots in the stomach, a shaking hand, a resting heart beat anything but restful. Leicester City can affect me physically.

Why? Because Leicester is my city. This is my cause. Football is not a matter of life and death but by the very same measure it’s more than just a game. Football clubs are rooted in communities, passed through bloodlines and markers in otherwise ordinary lives. I wouldn’t change any of those moments because, throughout it all, the one constant in every time good or bad? People who feel exactly the same, stood next to me sharing in it all. My dad, stood next to me sharing in it all.

 

Leicester City stand on the brink of sporting greatness. They could be about to achieve something that will see me die a happy Leicester City fan at a stage of life where I hope I have decades more to live. If we win The Premier League, what happens from here matters not. Those who do not support Leicester City are misguided with the misconception that a return to what we know as normality is the worst that it can get.

 

The Twitter war of words, the ‘banter’, the pundits. Everyone wants a piece of this Leicester City story. In a world where hashtags are used to quickly summarise meaning of something, for this story there are none that fit. This is a story with a global appeal, but it is not one with global meaning.

 

As Leicester City fans, this is our experience and attached to it is our meaning. It’s the dream that they never would have marketed to us because no Leicester City fan would ever have bought it. It’s real and it’s magical. But not for the 35 games that have gone before, for the lifetimes that have gone before.

 

We say we’re Leicester til we die. Make us immortal, lads.

[mancunianfox]

Good post. You might be able to cross Wembley off the bucket list in August too  

[davieG]

I've been through all that and for longer but after so many ups and downs with more downs than ups I've had to convince myself that it was 'just a game' and it's worked. Sure I still get nervous sometimes around game time but I've conditioned myself to never let it disappoint me too much like wise never to get too excited when something good happens.

 

If we win this league it will take me sometime to get to a state of enjoying it fully because that emotion has been buried for so long I'm not sure where or even if it's still capable of being awoken.

[Guest BlueBrett]

haha 43 thousand posts on a Leicester City forum but Davie doesn't really give a shit

[davieG]

haha 43 thousand posts on a Leicester City forum but Davie doesn't really give a shit

Mandaric, Holloway and relegation to the 3rd tier did for me and I vowed never to let it get to me as I could never ever see us winning the FA Cup which was always the limit of my dreams.

 

So yes I do give a shit and I hurt when we lose but it's a very tempered hurt, I don't kick the tv, punch the wall, shout obscenities or cry but I feel it very deep down and hidden.

[mancunianfox]

Mandaric, Holloway and relegation to the 3rd tier did for me and I vowed never to let it get to me as I could never ever see us winning the FA Cup which was always the limit of my dreams.

 

 

Even the mention of Mandaric and Holloway makes me shudder.

 

The first half of Leicester 1 Stoke 1 under Megson is still the worst half of football I have ever seen.

 

Looking back at the team we put out we had three fullbacks (Stearman, Mattock, Chambers), three centre halves (N'Gotty, Kisnorbo, Mcauley), one midfielder (Clemence) and a front three of Campbell, Cort and De Vries. For some reason Campbell lined up in the middle with the other two on the flanks. The game was like American Football as both teams seemed to advance down the pitch through throw ins. Ricardo Fuller was our nemesis back then too.

 

We averaged 23,500 that season and 31,900 turned out to the last home game of the season to see us get beat by Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 which pretty much relegated us. We have come so far since those dark days, that season was just horrific.

[davieG]

 

Even the mention of Mandaric and Holloway makes me shudder.

 

The first half of Leicester 1 Stoke 1 under Megson is still the worst half of football I have ever seen.

 

Looking back at the team we put out we had three fullbacks (Stearman, Mattock, Chambers), three centre halves (N'Gotty, Kisnorbo, Mcauley), one midfielder (Clemence) and a front three of Campbell, Cort and De Vries. For some reason Campbell lined up in the middle with the other two on the flanks. The game was like American Football as both teams seemed to advance down the pitch through throw ins. Ricardo Fuller was our nemesis back then too.

 

We averaged 23,500 that season and 31,900 turned out to the last home game of the season to see us get beat by Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 which pretty much relegated us. We have come so far since those dark days, that season was just horrific.

 

...... and inexcusable considering Holloway spent £2m on Howard & Oakley

[Kitchandro]

 

Because in the past few weeks and months people have asked me about what could be about to happen (the pessimist in me still can’t bring myself to say it will) and often I’ve not entertained the question. I’ll shake my head in disbelief and say ‘crazy’ or puff my cheeks and exclaim ‘insane’. I do this because this has a meaning rooted far deeper than something I’m able to encapsulate amidst small talk.

 

This is my favourite part. I think a lot of us can relate to this.

 

 

[fuchsntf]

I've been through all that and for longer but after so many ups and downs with more downs than ups I've had to convince myself that it was 'just a game' and it's worked. Sure I still get nervous sometimes around game time but I've conditioned myself to never let it disappoint me too much like wise never to get too excited when something good happens.

 

If we win this league it will take me sometime to get to a state of enjoying it fully because that emotion has been buried for so long I'm not sure where or even if it's still capable of being awoken.

Like me mate, sort of throttled excitement/euphoria.

I'll be pulling at the reins, not knowing what the fk to do when they snap..

1960-2016 tension and torque....

Whether the epicenter is OT, or KP the UK and parts of europe are going to

go off the emotional and physical richterscale.

Forget it the Center of the UK the east midlands will spring so high, it will end up

in the pacific.

Its worse than waiting for your wife to give Birth...

so happy, scared, funny,emotional rollercoaster of mix n pick feelings,

Then......., shit davie... its fkkkking happening.

[darko2k7]

That was a Brilliant read that , thank you ! And thank you Leicester city 

 

Not sure when this will all sink in tbh, honestly think i might cry If/when i see that trophy lifted. COYB

[Bristol_foxes]

Excellent post.

 

When trying to explain football obsession, I usually point to Nick Hornby's 'Fever Pitch' - but even that doesn't relate the level of insanity in supporting a club that has no hope of greatness.

 

Yet, here we are...

[trampslikeus]

Good post!

'Inexplicable' is the key word isn't it?

Like all LCFC fans, I've been asked what it now feels like but the uniqueness of what could now easily happen means I'm not articulate enough to really describe it and therefore the conversation ends with them looking at me with an 'ah, bless' expression on their face!!!!

As far as I know, no other fans have ever been on the ride we are currently on so no one else truly understands. I cant even describe how I feel as we reach our conclusion ( a mix of excitement and trepidation)!!

So 'inexplicable' it is!!!!  

[act smiley]

Even the mention of Mandaric and Holloway makes me shudder.

The first half of Leicester 1 Stoke 1 under Megson is still the worst half of football I have ever seen.

Looking back at the team we put out we had three fullbacks (Stearman, Mattock, Chambers), three centre halves (N'Gotty, Kisnorbo, Mcauley), one midfielder (Clemence) and a front three of Campbell, Cort and De Vries. For some reason Campbell lined up in the middle with the other two on the flanks. The game was like American Football as both teams seemed to advance down the pitch through throw ins. Ricardo Fuller was our nemesis back then too.

I dragged a friend to Colchester that season, a terrible 1-1 where we stopped watching the game and started watching a fireworks display that was going on in the park behind the ground. It wasn't the most abject performance we saw that season (Wales 1, Slovakia 5) but just going that far to see an absolute nothing game was crushing. I don't think that friend has forgiven me for those 2 games. I can't remember if it was that season or the one before where we even saw (ankle) score.

[GloverFox]

... Top-drawer post ..... So many emotions, past joy and feelings of 'yes, get in there!' and so many past disappointments; can we really do it!. .... and what happens next?

[kingcarr21]

if we complete this incredible journey and win the league I can see davieG release all his pent up emotion in one go. For years he has controlled it but on Sunday he will just burst and run through the City centre windmilling and humping lamp posts in an uncontrollable way where he will wake up the next day not knowing what's happened the previous 24 hours

[norwichfox]

Good post....proper fan Freeman's Wharfer

[Thracian]

I've never gone along with the :Little Leicester notion and way back have never understood why we shouldn't be every bit as big and exciting as the likes of Manchester United,  Arsenal and Chelsea with the right ambition and management.

 

"I'd take a draw," is a phrase I loathe and there's so many times I've countered with "I'll take a win" against anyone and everyone, home or away. One thing that's changed here over the years is the notion of winning every week wherever we're playing. In modern football with three points at stake it's the only philosophy that makes sense.

 

Mention of Kelly and Holloway are like reminders of a horror story and I remember being snarled at on here when declaring something along the lines that Kelly shouldn't be allowed anywhere near our team even after this first pathetic attempt at managing us and at saying how disgraceful it was the Holloway set up at Burnley with a team all but full of defenders and next to no attacking muscle.        

 

The passion has always raged inside me - the passion of vitriol for those who fail to embrace a winning attitude and desire to score the goals needed to win any match and the expressive passion of being absolutely thrilled by the collective or individual artistry of some of the goals we've scored this season and some of the bravery and determination we've shown in preventing them.

 

In golf there are times I stand on a tee and reflect that a constrained safe shot might be prudent - and then whack the ball with all my heart and soul and with the philosophy that you'll never get a birdie or eagle by making concessions.

 

And that's the thrill of Leicester today. We don't make concessions of any kind. We attack with imagination and defend like men possessed. There's no half measures in attitude or personnel and I've loved and am loving most every minute.

 

I remember reading a remark of a villa fan when they won a game and he said "They might do a Leicester now and save their season." There was no chance and I told him so - because they didn't have the ingredients to make heroes in that sorry mixture of so-called footballers. Instead they went down in my mind as the most pathetic "defenders" of Premier League status I'd ever witnessed.

 

Football, like life, is all about attitude. We've got it and I've never felt more excited about being part of it. I've never assumed anything and always focused on one game at a time but that doesn't mean I've had any doubts about our ability, having got to the top of the Premiership table, to be there at the end. We've fought for everything we've achieved and I've never seen the slightest signs of that philosophy being compromised by complacency or self-doubt.

 

This is a team of winners and I'm proud of them almost beyond expression.

 

Forty points - we got there.      

 

European football - we got there.

 

Champions League proper - we got there.

 

Why would we ever want to stop?   

[Freeman's Wharfer]

Good post. You might be able to cross Wembley off the bucket list in August too

 

So many little things like this I forgot for getting caught up in what's happening right now. Usually the Vardy record would be the pinnacle of a season for ANY club but it's so far down the radar because of everything else it's unreal!

 

I dragged a friend to Colchester that season, a terrible 1-1 where we stopped watching the game and started watching a fireworks display that was going on in the park behind the ground. It wasn't the most abject performance we saw that season (Wales 1, Slovakia 5) but just going that far to see an absolute nothing game was crushing. I don't think that friend has forgiven me for those 2 games. I can't remember if it was that season or the one before where we even saw (ankle) score.

 

I've a few friends who I dragged along (not even Leicester fans) during the dark days. Oldham away and that last Megson home game (what were Bolton thinking taking him from us?) in particular stand out as ones I wouldn't have wanted to be at had I not been a Leicester fan!

[biggs]

I've never gone along with the :Little Leicester notion and way back have never understood why we shouldn't be every bit as big and exciting as the likes of Manchester United,  Arsenal and Chelsea with the right ambition and management.

 

"I'd take a draw," is a phrase I loathe and there's so many times I've countered with "I'll take a win" against anyone and everyone, home or away. One thing that's changed here over the years is the notion of winning every week wherever we're playing. In modern football with three points at stake it's the only philosophy that makes sense.

 

Mention of Kelly and Holloway are like reminders of a horror story and I remember being snarled at on here when declaring something along the lines that Kelly shouldn't be allowed anywhere near our team even after this first pathetic attempt at managing us and at saying how disgraceful it was the Holloway set up at Burnley with a team all but full of defenders and next to no attacking muscle.        

 

The passion has always raged inside me - the passion of vitriol for those who fail to embrace a winning attitude and desire to score the goals needed to win any match and the expressive passion of being absolutely thrilled by the collective or individual artistry of some of the goals we've scored this season and some of the bravery and determination we've shown in preventing them.

 

In golf there are times I stand on a tee and reflect that a constrained safe shot might be prudent - and then whack the ball with all my heart and soul and with the philosophy that you'll never get a birdie or eagle by making concessions.

 

And that's the thrill of Leicester today. We don't make concessions of any kind. We attack with imagination and defend like men possessed. There's no half measures in attitude or personnel and I've loved and am loving most every minute.

 

I remember reading a remark of a villa fan when they won a game and he said "They might do a Leicester now and save their season." There was no chance and I told him so - because they didn't have the ingredients to make heroes in that sorry mixture of so-called footballers. Instead they went down in my mind as the most pathetic "defenders" of Premier League status I'd ever witnessed.

 

Football, like life, is all about attitude. We've got it and I've never felt more excited about being part of it. I've never assumed anything and always focused on one game at a time but that doesn't mean I've had any doubts about our ability, having got to the top of the Premiership table, to be there at the end. We've fought for everything we've achieved and I've never seen the slightest signs of that philosophy being compromised by complacency or self-doubt.

 

This is a team of winners and I'm proud of them almost beyond expression.

 

Forty points - we got there.      

 

European football - we got there.

 

Champions League proper - we got there.

 

Why would we ever want to stop?   

 

Great Post

Top Notch.....Step on the pitch believing you're going to win and give it your all in the effort

Golf....Never play safe....just who i am and to be fair, I'm pretty decent

I'll take a draw......like you I'll take a win

COYB's