How Leicester City became the fans’ club

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, AKCJ said:

It comes off of next season's ticket and guarantees you keep your seat.

 

Hardly being "robbed".

It took significant fan pressure to get that. 

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, Kevin Russell said:

Our owners need to be business savvy and look after the financial interests of the club. They would win no admirers by making profligate decisions and being wasteful of resources. We have to compete with a number of clubs with greater revenue generating capabilities than us. We manage to do this and the owners have also been on the fans’ side in the recent PPV and ‘Big Picture’ debates. We are incredibly lucky to have them and I hope they continue to run the club commercially and ethically. Asking for fan involvement is a recipe for big gestures that have grave financial consequences. If we want to continue punching above our weight we need to continue as we are. 

 

 

Really? You've taken the wrong stick of what I am getting at. Ask fans their opinions on shirt designs, media campaigns, ticket pricing, food outlets, concourse concessions. There's a quarterly meeting which is poorly reported and poorly recorded, that's the extent of consultation. The SLO at LCFC is someone whose been employed by the club for 25 years - he's a hard working bloke but he's nowhere near the 'pulse' of what football fans think/want. 

 

 

Edited 17 November 2020 by Cardiff_Fox

[Kevin Russell]

57 minutes ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

 

Really? You've taken the wrong stick of what I am getting at. Ask fans their opinions on shirt designs, media campaigns, ticket pricing, food outlets, concourse concessions. There's a quarterly meeting which is poorly reported and poorly recorded, that's the extent of consultation. The SLO at LCFC is someone whose been employed by the club for 25 years - he's a hard working bloke but he's nowhere near the 'pulse' of what football fans think/want. 

 

 

I think the point I was making is that whilst I acknowledge the club is not run perfectly. It is run far better than most. Fan involvement often comes down to the vocal minority who make most noise, rather than a genuine reflection of what the overall support base thinks.

 

We have FANTASTIC owners. We are very lucky to have them and they have delivered the longest spell in the top flight in my 43 year life. They run the club well and show real class in their stance on PPV etc. I am 100 per cent behind them.

[gw_leics772]

9 hours ago, urban.spaceman said:

https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/leicester-city-a-club-thats-truly-in-touch-with-its-fanbase/

 

The only team to vote against PPV: How Leicester City became the fans’ club

November 3, 2018, was an incredibly emotional day for Leicester City, as they played their first match since the death of their chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Before kick-off, it wasn’t just the starting XI who stood around the centre circle, they were joined by the club’s entire playing and coaching staff.

The fans, who were occupying one corner of the Cardiff City Stadium, stood in solidarity behind them, wearing shirts and scarves bearing Vichai’s face or messages about the man they had come to love so dearly.

When Demarai Gray scored the game’s only goal he ripped off his shirt to reveal a message that read ‘For Khun Vichai’ before running to the supporters.

After the game, by which time all of the Cardiff fans had left, was when the club’s bond with its supporters became apparent for all to see. The players applauded those in the stands, who sang songs in memory of the man who had bought their club in 2010.

This is not an article about Vichai, but it is impossible to look at the bond Leicester as a club has with their fans without honing in on the man who was so central to establishing the Foxes in their current form.

Leicester and their supporters have had a lot to endure and enjoy in recent years: relegation to the third tier in 2008, going straight back up the season after, Yann Kermorgant’s failed Panenka getting them knocked out of the play-offs in 2010, the madness of Anthony Knockaert and Troy Deeney in 2012, promotion the following year, the great escape, the Premier League’s most incredible title win and the European adventures that followed.

• • • •

READ: Where are they now? Leicester’s XI relegated to League One in 2008

• • • •

These on-pitch events make it inevitable that fans will constantly be on tenterhooks, but David Bevan, author of The Unbelievables: The remarkable rise of Leicester City, suggests how important Vichai has been for the feel of the club.

“It was the close bond that he formed with individual fans like myself and the city of Leicester as a whole, not just through his character or the way he treated the football club,” Bevan says.

“A lot of it was the effort he made to donate large amounts of money to the university and the hospital in Leicester.”

There has also been investment in the Foxes Foundation, which was named after Vichai following his death, and club’s community projects reflect a desire to make a real difference to the local area. Vichai, followed by his son Top, have also made smaller gestures that make a big impact.

“On Christmas, they buy every single fan in the ground a mince pie, they get every single fan a pint before the game, they get every single fan a doughnut, they get us a Christmas hat,” says journalist Charlie Carmichael, also a Leicester fan.

“Whatever it was, there are little token gestures that really show you that they genuinely care about the fans and we’re a big part of the club.”

The difference between the Foxes’ attitude and those of other Premier League clubs was there for all to see when Leicester took a solitary stand against the controversial introduction of pay-per-view fixtures this season, which has subsequently been scrapped following an angry backlash. Leicester had been originally outvoted 19-1.

“Things like that show the club’s hierarchy want to do things the right way and they have got the fans in mind as well,” Bevan says. “They’ve got a certain kind of classiness in the way they do things.”

Carmichael also nods to Arsenal making 55 non-playing staff redundant before spending big to bring in Thomas Partey and keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Liverpool were ready to furlough their staff but then paid £41million to sign Diogo Jota from Wolves.

“In those situations, the sentiment kind of loses any sense of feeling and emotion when you see the actions speaking louder than the words,” Bevan says. “Whereas with Leicester you really do feel like when they say something they mean it, and they back that up continually with actions.”

• • • •

READ: A celebration of the five bargain buys that helped win Leicester City the title

• • • •

Signs suggest Top is doing all he can to continue his dad’s legacy, which is further accentuated by the £100million training centre Brendan Rodgers’ side will soon be moving into.

With those behind the scenes playing their part to keep the fans on board, it is important that those on the pitch also do their job; no amount of doughnuts or kind gestures can make up for a team that loses every week.

Despite a loss of form towards the end of last season, the Foxes secured Europa League football and now sit top of the Premier League table during the international break.

To add the cherry on the cake, not only is Leicester’s squad full of high-quality players, plenty are extremely likeable and relatable for supporters.

This often comes easily with academy products, with the likes of Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury and Luke Thomas all thriving, but there are many other popular players, with Jamie Vardy perhaps the best example of them all.

“Vardy is the embodiment of a fan on the pitch when he goes on,” Bevan says. “He plays with a certain amount more quality, but the same kind of enthusiasm that you would want to put in if you suddenly got the chance to run out there yourself.”

James Maddison is another who has earned a place in the hearts of supporters and has shown plenty of affection in return.

Given the way of the world in 2020, it would be easy for fans to feel completely disconnected to their club, especially for those who are regular match-goers.

That feeling is inevitable as packed out stadiums are replaced by a television screen in the living room with relatives, housemates, your partner or even on your own.

“The owners have done what they can,” Carmichael says. “They’ve obviously put on games where possible, they’ve still encouraged fans to get behind the team through their email marketing and stuff like that, to watch and to be very active on social media.

“As much as you can really be involved in the current climate they’ve tried to encourage that.”

While the bond between club and fans is clearly secure, there is always something that can be improved. Yet the fact both Carmichael and Bevan both need a long think before they are able to come up with any answer at all about what should be done next is a sign that the owners, staff and players are on the right track.

Finally, Carmichael suggests improvements which come as a continuation of what is already being done: potentially offering deals on shirts around Christmas and eventually building on the consultancy that is already done to reach the point where supporters can have an active say in measures taken.

Bevan sums up the feeling pretty well: “The connection between the owners and the fans is on the whole really good, we’re playing well, we’ve recruited well recently.

“I don’t think you’d find many Leicester fans who would be asking for huge amounts more from the owners. We’re pretty happy with our lot and grateful.”

As football fans in 2020 go, that’s a good place to be.

By Danny Lewis

 

That's is an excellent hairs on the back of the neck type read. 

 

Thanks for posting. Just a shame that our vocal minority have been through this with a fine tooth comb, looking for holes, and found the sum total of one real issue which has been reversed, and they think Bob from Mel-hun should be representing us at board level and telling them there is too much gold in the home kit and he doesn't like pink cos he's a proper bloke ain't he. Grrr. 

 

Its the ft equivalent of talksport. Take a recognised fact and spout the opposite for a response. 

 

Good work fellas.

Edited 17 November 2020 by gw_leics772

[gw_leics772]

9 hours ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

Aye no mention of that £70 what looks a ****ing waste of money. 
 

We are better than most - but tad sour given the summer profiteering. 

I think given the rest of the article/facts, and the fact they reversed it, my answer would be "get over it" 

 

They are not infallible but if that is the first thing that springs to mind, in the words of the great moral compass of my childhood 

 

Edited 17 November 2020 by gw_leics772

[Richard]

I'm surprised more hasn't been made of the idea that we voted against project big picture because we weren't one of the 'top 6' clubs who it benefits rather than because of some selfless vote against the powers that be

[Kevin Russell]

2 minutes ago, Richard said:

I'm surprised more hasn't been made of the idea that we voted against project big picture because we weren't one of the 'top 6' clubs who it benefits rather than because of some selfless vote against the powers that be

We were the only club 1 out of 20 to vote against PPV. That is the big one?

[CosbehFox]

58 minutes ago, Kevin Russell said:

I think the point I was making is that whilst I acknowledge the club is not run perfectly. It is run far better than most. Fan involvement often comes down to the vocal minority who make most noise, rather than a genuine reflection of what the overall support base thinks.

 

We have FANTASTIC owners. We are very lucky to have them and they have delivered the longest spell in the top flight in my 43 year life. They run the club well and show real class in their stance on PPV etc. I am 100 per cent behind them.

Haven’t said a word about the owners. 
 

As for the vocal minority comments, that’s why you have diplomatic elections or nominations to such a role. As it stands the only engagement meetings are selected if you ask or put yourself forward 

Edited 17 November 2020 by Cardiff_Fox

[CosbehFox]

 

47 minutes ago, gw_leics772 said:

That's is an excellent hairs on the back of the neck type read. 

 

Thanks for posting. Just a shame that our vocal minority have been through this with a fine tooth comb, looking for holes, and found the sum total of one real issue which has been reversed, and they think Bob from Mel-hun should be representing us at board level and telling them there is too much gold in the home kit and he doesn't like pink cos he's a proper bloke ain't he. Grrr. 

 

Its the ft equivalent of talksport. Take a recognised fact and spout the opposite for a response. 

 

Good work fellas.

I’d just like us to be the best at it rather than ‘better than most’. Few tweaks here and there with an eye to engaging supporters like Bundesliga clubs have and we’d truly have something unrivalled in the UK. 
 

Nuance and argument isn’t simply black and white 

Edited 17 November 2020 by Cardiff_Fox

[Voll Blau]

3 hours ago, AKCJ said:

It comes off of next season's ticket and guarantees you keep your seat.

 

Hardly being "robbed".

 

3 hours ago, AKCJ said:

So what's the problem?

As others have mentioned, I was on about when it was first announced. That's exactly why people were moaning.

 

My point though was about when people think we as fans have to agree everything is brilliantly run off the pitch all the time just because we were dog muck on the pitch 10-15 years ago. It's a tired and ridiculous argument.

[Guest Markyblue]

45 minutes ago, Richard said:

I'm surprised more hasn't been made of the idea that we voted against project big picture because we weren't one of the 'top 6' clubs who it benefits rather than because of some selfless vote against the powers that be

Rubbish. 

[AKCJ]

42 minutes ago, Voll Blau said:

 

As others have mentioned, I was on about when it was first announced. That's exactly why people were moaning.

 

My point though was about when people think we as fans have to agree everything is brilliantly run off the pitch all the time just because we were dog muck on the pitch 10-15 years ago. It's a tired and ridiculous argument.

I don't think everything off the pitch is run perfectly.

 

But I do think we're in the top 1% of football clubs. Every other club wishes they were us.

[Oxfordfox83]

12 hours ago, Voll Blau said:

My point though was about when people think we as fans have to agree everything is brilliantly run off the pitch all the time just because we were dog muck on the pitch 10-15 years ago. It's a tired and ridiculous argument.

I think the main reason people think we’re brilliantly run off the pitch is that we’re brilliantly run off the pitch.
 

The fact we’re also performing at a better level than we ever had as a club is a very happy consequence...

[Jimbo]

The very 1st email I got regarding the £70 always said that if we were not allowed to attend this season, or until later on in the season, then the price would be taken off the amount owed. At worse I was going to pay £70 less for my season ticket next season. 

I don't remember any amendments to that system. 

Yes I was a little miffed at paying £70 for nothing at the time, buy always knew that it would be "refunded" in some kind of way. 

From a business point of view the club had to look at numerous ways that the future could go. If fans were allowed in the ground, and at the time we were supposed to be allowed with reduced capacity, then the club had to look at ways to make it fair, season ticket holders would have been at the top of the list for any tickets available. To do that they'd need to know who was renewing and who wasn't. The charge could have been lower, but £70 these days is the cost of 2 or 3 match tickets. 

I don't see a problem with the £70 charge at all. Yes I've paid £70 for nothing right now, but if we're allowed back next year I pay £70 less than I would have done, and as I say, the way I read the communication from the club when it was sent through, that has always been the case

[Strokes]

14 hours ago, Richard said:

I'm surprised more hasn't been made of the idea that we voted against project big picture because we weren't one of the 'top 6' clubs who it benefits rather than because of some selfless vote against the powers that be

Pretty sure project big picture was a unanimous no, even those proposing it said no. 

[Voll Blau]

42 minutes ago, Oxfordfox83 said:

I think the main reason people think we’re brilliantly run off the pitch is that we’re brilliantly run off the pitch.
 

The fact we’re also performing at a better level than we ever had as a club is a very happy consequence...

Then why are constant "look at where we were" comparisons brought up by some? That's what I'm sick of. It's fine to say we're a well-run club because it's true, but the club do get things wrong occasionally. And when they do, just saying "well, don't you remember the bad old days?" is a terrible defence.

[Oxfordfox83]

On 18/11/2020 at 09:43, Voll Blau said:

Then why are constant "look at where we were" comparisons brought up by some? That's what I'm sick of. It's fine to say we're a well-run club because it's true, but the club do get things wrong occasionally. And when they do, just saying "well, don't you remember the bad old days?" is a terrible defence.

I don’t think anyone is saying that.

 

They might be saying the owners had the nous to bring Pearson back, to invest in the Sports science, to clear the debts on the ground, to invest in the training ground, rather than Vincent Tan their way to a red kit and big names who didn’t deliver. And that as a result we’re top 6 rather than mid table championship. But success is not enough, and good stewardship off the pitch is not enough. 
 

Vichai, Top, Susan Wheeler, etc have generally looked after fans and spent money on the long term success of the club. They have managed it, from inside and out and in the glare of PL scrutiny, brilliantly. That’s why they’re getting the praise.

[yorkie1999]

On 18/11/2020 at 09:04, Jimbo said:

The very 1st email I got regarding the £70 always said that if we were not allowed to attend this season, or until later on in the season, then the price would be taken off the amount owed. At worse I was going to pay £70 less for my season ticket next season. 

I don't remember any amendments to that system. 

Yes I was a little miffed at paying £70 for nothing at the time, buy always knew that it would be "refunded" in some kind of way. 

From a business point of view the club had to look at numerous ways that the future could go. If fans were allowed in the ground, and at the time we were supposed to be allowed with reduced capacity, then the club had to look at ways to make it fair, season ticket holders would have been at the top of the list for any tickets available. To do that they'd need to know who was renewing and who wasn't. The charge could have been lower, but £70 these days is the cost of 2 or 3 match tickets. 

I don't see a problem with the £70 charge at all. Yes I've paid £70 for nothing right now, but if we're allowed back next year I pay £70 less than I would have done, and as I say, the way I read the communication from the club when it was sent through, that has always been the case

I thought that as well, i don't know where this pressure from the fans stuff comes from! 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

1 hour ago, yorkie1999 said:

I thought that as well, i don't know where this pressure from the fans stuff comes from! 

Probably from the people who actually read and understood what was going on at the time. 

 

It's as simple as this, the £70 was NEVER originally going to be re-funded no mater what happened this season, people got together and pressured the club, and now the £70 WILL be credited off of next season's ST price in the very likely eventuality that there are no full capacity games this season. It's literally in black and white. 

 

The "moaners" probably saved the collective fan base north of a million quid. 

[Guest Markyblue]

2 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Probably from the people who actually read and understood what was going on at the time. 

 

It's as simple as this, the £70 was NEVER originally going to be re-funded no mater what happened this season, people got together and pressured the club, and now the £70 WILL be credited off of next season's ST price in the very likely eventuality that there are no full capacity games this season. It's literally in black and white. 

 

The "moaners" probably saved the collective fan base north of a million quid. 

Love the owners, they have given us the greatest period of our entire history but that doesn't mean mistakes are not made and the 70 pound season ticket thing was and people's attempts to air brush it out are strange. 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

2 minutes ago, Markyblue said:

Love the owners, they have given us the greatest period of our entire history but that doesn't mean mistakes are not made and the 70 pound season ticket thing was and people's attempts to air brush it out are strange. 

As a fanbase we're very defensive of "the owners" and rightly so given how the club has progressed under their stewardship, but it doesn't mean that decisions made by suits at the club are given carte blanche. So much stuff gets lumped until the umbrella of "the owners" when in reality they're decisions made by various levels of marketing/ops staff that won't go anywhere near Top's desk.