Maresca: An Emotional Morning

On the five-year anniversary of the helicopter accident outside King Power Stadium, which occurred following Leicester’s Premier League match against West Ham United on 27 October, 2018, a private service was held in the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden.

The ceremony, led by Buddhist monks, was attended by Maresca and the Men’s First Team squad, as well as representatives from LCFC Women, as the Leicester City family came together to pay their respects and reflect and honour the immense legacy bestowed upon the Club by Khun Vichai.

Following the ceremony, Maresca spoke of the importance of marking the anniversary, both today and during Tuesday’s match with Sunderland at King Power Stadium, feeling proud to have joined the LCFC family that was built up by the Club’s beloved late Chairman and remains in place to this day.

It was an emotional tribute to Khun Vichai, Kaveporn, Nusara, Eric and Izabela, who will never be forgotten at Leicester City Football Club.

“For sure, it has been an emotional morning,” the Manager commented. “But at the same time, it has been nice to remember all of them. As I said before the Sunderland game, the legacy that they show and they continue after the tragedy is very important and something that in football is not easy to find. 

“First of all, we have to be proud of that and also we need to protect it because it’s huge and something unbelievable.”

Maresca also outlined his feelings of responsibility to ensure that the team are striving to reach the extraordinary heights seen under Khun Vichai’s ownership, lifting the Premier League title in a feat unmatched before or since. 

The Italian added: “To be honest, this morning when we were there at the ceremony with people talking or watching videos, you realise how important he is to this Club and how important it is to bring this Club back to where they belong. Then we can feel better.”

A calming space to reflect, the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden will be open for visitors from 4pm today (Friday) for those wishing to pay their respects ahead of tonight’s Lionesses fixture at King Power Stadium.