How Foxes Fans Responded To Sunday’s King Power Stadium Return

Fans
25 May 2021
3 Minutes
Leicester City welcomed back supporters for the first time since March 2020 for the final Premier League fixture of the 2020/21 campaign.

When the turnstiles reopened on Sunday 23 May and 8,000 City fans headed back into King Power Stadium, it brought back many happy memories from seasons gone by and sparked emotions of previous triumphs.

Fans began to gather outside, socially distanced, as the afternoon moved on, taking in the pre-match build-up and soaking up the atmosphere, a sight long yearned for in the months of behind-closed-doors fixtures.

Even the impending rain could not dampen the spirits of many, who were eager to get their first glimpses of the players and staff.

Supporters came back through the King Power Stadium turnstiles for the first time in over a year.

Applause greeted manager Brendan Rodgers as he came out of the tunnel, albeit briefly, to conduct his pre-match press duties pitchside.

And then, at approximately 3:15pm, when the players emerged from the dressing room for their warm-up, a huge roar reverberated around the stadium.

You could be forgiven for thinking there was a full house present on Filbert Way, such was the noise generated even before the match got underway.

The iconic videos shown in the lead up to kick-off, a fitting tribute to the Club’s past honours and successful season, inspired the crowd to crank up the volume even further around King Power Stadium.

Although the result did not go City’s way, there was a magnificent post-match reception for the players, who returned to the field for the traditional end of season lap of appreciation. This, however, was a special day for many reasons.

Youri Tielemans was presented with his End of Season Awards double by Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, while Alan ‘The Birch’ Birchenall spoke to retiring Club legends Wes Morgan and Christian Fuchs.

Supporters in the stands celebrated the team's FA Cup achievement as the trophy was paraded around the pitch.

It was an emotional farewell for the pair, who soon took the Emirates FA Cup trophy - brought out onto the pitch by Rodgers to great acclaim - on a parade around the ground.

There had also been plenty to celebrate at half-time, too, as recently crowned FA Women’s Championship champions LCFC Women took their league trophy on a tour across the stadium, greeted by a very warm welcome from the Blue Army.

Here's how City's players and the supporters responded to returning home...

From the dressing room

The Blue Army