An Unforgettable Week In New York Comes To A Close
Over the course of the past week, representatives from the Club’s Supporter Engagement team, Commercial department and the LCFC Community Trust have joined the former Foxes skippers – and Filbert – for an unforgettable stay at the heart of daily life in the Big Apple.
Last Thursday, their trip began with the US launch of Premier League Primary Stars at The Dag Hammarskjold School in Brooklyn before heading over to Citi Field in Queens, the iconic home of MLB side New York Mets, as Filbert linked up with world-famous mascot Mr Met.
In the Club’s fourth year of partnership with DHL, Leicester City’s Official Logistics Partner, Walsh, Elliott and Filbert then headed over to the company’s New York Hub near JFK Airport for breakfast on Friday morning.
Later on in the day, there was the opportunity for two of the Club’s most iconic captains to see the sights, taking a ferry across the Hudson River to check out the spectacular Statue of Liberty.
With breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan’s towering skyline, Walsh and Elliott seized the LCFC TV mic to provide their own unique perspective on the city that never sleeps.
Of course, the main business was still to come, however, as the Premier League Mornings Live fan festival opened early on Saturday morning on the banks of the Hudson.
With thousands of supporters of all Premier League clubs in attendance, the Club handed out gifts, including specially-designed pin badges and USA flags, before sitting down to join the stateside Blue Army in watching Claude Puel’s men face Tottenham Hotspur on big screens.
A day to remember ended with a short commute into the centre of Manhattan to watch the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden – where Walsh and Elliott met up with two-time NBA All-Star icon Larry Johnson, heading courtside to shoot hoops of their own.
With all involved determined to make the most of their stay in the US, it was another early start on Sunday as the Club organised a five-a-side football tournament at the SoFive Soccer Centre, Brooklyn.
With many of those who were playing also being supporters who have followed City’s fortunes since the early 1990s, the opportunity to play with – or against – two of the Club’s most successful players from that era ensured it became a memorable occasion for everyone.
SoFive staff, meanwhile, were presented with a personalised shirt, emblazoned with their venue’s name, and invited to the evening’s exclusive Q&A session at the Football Factory in Manhattan.
Munir Qaddourah, the centre’s manager, said: “It’s been incredible, I’ve been a soccer fan my whole life, but I’ve never really had a team in the Premier League. To be able to host you guys was incredible and I honestly feel like I’ve been a lifelong fan, meeting you guys, just the whole experience, it’s absolutely incredible.
“You guys came and were super generous, I got this nice jersey from you guys… I got invited out here to spend some time with you guys, I got in the picture with the Premier League trophy, it’s just felt like, honestly, I was part of a Leicester City family.”
There was just about time to hop by Central Park and Times Square, locations for some of the most successful and adored Hollywood movies of all time, as Elliott and Walsh took to the mic once more.
Television duties completed, they arrived at the Football Factory, the venue of choice for the New York Foxes to watch City in action every weekend, to sit down and talk football with a large crowd.
Sharing memories of their playing days, a combined period of almost 20 years, the two ex-captains stayed in the downstairs function room for hours, taking the time to answer any questions and listening to the supporters’ own tales of their experience of supporting Leicester City.
Catching up with LCFC TV, Elliott said: “Everyone’s getting on together at the same level, whether it’s socialising, whether it’s playing football in the tournament earlier, or whether it’s supporting Leicester City when they’re playing games, it’s fantastic.
“We’ve spoken about it before, but it’s incredible really – the enthusiasm but also the knowledge. They know things about well before I played and know every little detail about every player in the current day. It’s mind-blowing because we’re all the way over in New York City and the enthusiasm – which they’re definitely not lacking as you can hear!”
Following a hugely enjoyable week spent in the company of old and new members of the Leicester City family, the Club’s staff – including Walsh, Elliott and Filbert – returned to England on Tuesday safe in the knowledge that City’s support in New York is as healthy and dedicated as ever.
#FoxesInNYC