Leicester are the model club outshining greedy 'Big Six' and rest of Premier League.

[purpleronnie]

Brian Reade Article from todays Mirror.

 

In times of breakaway Super League plans, the Covid-19 pandemic, staff being furloughed, and rising greed, Leicester have been the standout example of how a football club should operate.

 

 

This is the time of year when we look back at those who shone and dish out awards.

Few agree on who was the best at their job, not just because it's a game of opinions, Harry, but because there is no set criterion.

 

If you judge a manager on how he optimises his budget how can you look past Sean Dyche? If it's about glory and silverware Pep Guardiola is this season's top man, with Thomas Tuchel making a late run on the rails.

But what about the clubs? If we look back over the most difficult of years for football, when schemes were hatched to fill holes in battered finances, which Premier League club best resisted temptation and did the right thing by its fans?

There is one outstanding candidate.

 

Obviously we can discount the Greedy Six of Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal, who wanted to fill their boots at the expense of others via the European Super League and Project Big Picture. Which far from making them look super and big left them looking cheap and small.

There was the decision of Premier League clubs, after spending £1.24 billion in the summer transfer window, to charge fans who were already paying hefty subscriptions, £14.95 for the games that Sky and BT didn't want to show. Well, a decision by 19 clubs. One actually had the decency to go out on a limb and vote against it.

The same club which, unlike Newcastle, Norwich and Brighton (and initially Liverpool Spurs and Bournemouth) refused to grab taxpayer cash to pay workers during the covid pandemic.

A club which, instead of taking advantage of the furlough scheme, paid the wages of its casual staff even though they weren't needed, and announced a charity initiative, involving every employee, which supported its local NHS hospitals and Age UK. And whose owner launched a programme offering grants to community groups who were working to help those affected by the virus.

 

 

That club was Leicester City, described by manager Brendan Rodgers at the time as “a club with a strong set of values that behaves like a family. In times of crisis, your first instinct is to protect your family and that’s the response I’ve seen.”

What they have done since winning promotion back to the top flight in 2014 is remarkable. The fact they sit comfortably in the top four while going into Saturday's FA Cup final with the size of their squad and the injuries they have had, says much about their spirit and togetherness.

 

There is a general consensus that Brendan Rodgers' side denying Chelsea the Cup at Wembley would be a universally welcomed two fingers to the self-styled Big Six. Especially when the Foxes could argue that currently they have as much of a right to be counted in that top six as the two North London clubs.

But I doubt there would have been a neutral to be found who didn't want them to beat Chelsea and win the cup for the first time in their history, anyway.

 

Because they have shown themselves in recent years to be as close to a model Premier League club as you can get. From the generosity of their owners, their inclusion of the fans and embracing of the community to their promotion of youth and superb recruitment policy, they are set up to succeed in the best possible way.

 

 

Regardless of what happens over the coming weeks Leicester have once again forced clubs who believe elite status is theirs by right to question such arrogant garbage.

Which is why I hope, when Rodgers said he wasn't interested in the vacant Spurs job because “I’m in a really, really happy place in my life,” that he meant it.

Because English football has never needed its Leicesters so badly.

 

 

[Jakemoore]

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

 

Leicester ‘Till I Die! Could not be more proud of our club! 

[SixtiesFox]

How lucky we all are to be part of this incredible extended Leicester City family. Even if we were to lose in the FA Cup Final and get pipped by Liverpool on goal difference for CL there is no club I'd rather be a lifelong supporter of! LCFC proud!

[Fox92]

1 hour ago, SixtiesFox said:

How lucky we all are to be part of this incredible extended Leicester City family. Even if we were to lose in the FA Cup Final and get pipped by Liverpool on goal difference for CL there is no club I'd rather be a lifelong supporter of! LCFC proud!

I've always been proud to support the club really. Mid sized club, decent history, mainly played between tiers 1 and 2 only and have had some of the Country's greatest players (Lineker, Shilton, Banks..). It could be much worse. But now we've got bigger; a regular top flight club pushing the top 6, having won the top flight and played in the CL, and set to play in our 5th FA Cup final.

 

If we did lose the Cup final, and not make the CL, then it doesn't make a difference to how we support. We're not here for glory hunting are we.

 

Edited 13 May 2021 by Fox92

[murphy]

I didn't know much of that.  Brilliant stuff.  

[cruzFOX]

So proud to be a Foxes and fan and even prouder to have been born an raised in Belgrave, Leicester! Still remember the players changing room on a school trip back in the 70's and looking up at Lineker's jersey with amazement. So many memories from being at Filbert Street and the KP. Shame I live so far away now having to watch our team lift the premier trophy and now hopefully god willing the FA cup but my heart will always be in Leicester till I die! COYF lets make history again  

[SkidsFox]

Let's enjoy the ride and stay loyal to our club. We don't need this posturing as a "model club", as we could end up looking like those Barcelona frauds "more than a club". If we had been invited initially to that ESL group, we may have let it go to our heads and accept it. 

We're doing great compared to many seasons of our existence. Let's keep competing and hopefully win more trophies. It's not for us to start boasting of being a "model club". That's for the history books.

[Hollyfox]

Although there's been a few ups and downs, it's never been dull and our owners have proven to be the best in the game. 

 

Pure class

 

Very proud 💙