Khun Vichai: The Foxes Family Remembers Four Years On
On 27 October, 2018, the Club’s former Chairman and patriarch, Khun Vichai, staff members Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, and pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz, lost their lives in a helicopter accident on Filbert Way.
Led by Chief Executive Susan Whelan, who was accompanied by other senior members of staff, Leicester City’s leadership group of players attended a dignified service of remembrance which paid tribute to the five people we lost that evening.
Club captain Jonny Evans and vice-captain Marc Albrighton were joined by Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans, James Maddison and Wilfred Ndidi – representing the whole senior men’s playing squad – at The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden.
Manager Brendan Rodgers and his backroom team, plus Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall and Foxes legends Wes Morgan and Robert Huth, were also in attendance.
Four years ago, Leicester City lost a father figure in Khun Vichai – the man who inspired the greatest era of success and prosperity in the Club’s history. During his Chairmanship, the Foxes surged from the Championship, into the Premier League, and lifted the game’s most coveted divisional title despite unthinkable odds.
The fairy-tale continued with a heroic run in the UEFA Champions League and, under the leadership of current Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha – Khun Vichai’s son – the FA Cup was won for the first-ever time in Leicester City’s history in 2021.
A world-class training facility in Seagrave, north Leicestershire, is the realisation of Khun Vichai’s long-term vision for the Club, as will be an extensive redevelopment of the King Power Stadium site and an expansion of the ground itself. It will mark the next phase of King Power’s ambition to build foundations which can establish Leicester City as a force in English football for generations to come.
Khun Vichai is also remembered for the warmth, kindness and humanity which he brought to the city of Leicester. During his Chairmanship, he pledged £4M in personal donations to help local charities better the lives of local people. His family has a unique bond with the Foxes faithful which is a central pillar of the Foxes’ incredible success.
As the Club strives to honour his legacy, The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation – which has raised over £3M for local causes – remains dedicated to a mission to build on that bond in a way which reflects Khun Vichai’s love for the people of Leicester.
Supporters wishing to pay their respects can do so at any time at The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Statue in the north-west corner of the King Power Stadium site, while The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden – on the south-east side – can be accessed during daylight hours.