- Claudio Ranieri officially opened Forest Lodge Primary at a special ceremony in Leicester on Thursday afternoon
- The Leicester City manager unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion at the grand opening in New Parks
- A crowd including local MPs anddignitaries were present for the event with pupils having the chance to meet Filbert Fox
- Ranieri took the Premier League trophy with him and wished the children well at their new, state-of-the-art facilities
The pupils of Forest Lodge Primary in New Parks were paid a special visit by Claudio Ranieri on Thursday afternoon at the official grand opening of their new state-of-the-art school premises.The Leicester City manager, who takes his side to Derby County in the Emirates FA Cup on Friday night, took time out from his busy schedule to unveil a commemorative plaque in front of an audience including Leicester West MP Liz Kendall and city councillor Sarah Russell.
Ranieri, the architect of City’s historic Premier League title triumph during the 2015/16 campaign, had Filbert Fox for company and posed for photographs with the children before meeting the teachers and enjoying a brief tour of the new facilities.
The premises, funded by the government and Leicester City Council, include two halls for sport and community activities along with other rooms focussing more specifically on music, dance and social interaction.
Ranieri handed out clap banners, a distinguishing feature of matchdays at King Power Stadium, and signed autographs for the pupils before addressing the packed assembly room in Leicester city centre.
Speaking to the congregation in the main hall alongside the Premier League trophy the Foxes boss, visiting in coordination with the LCFC Community Trust, said: “I wish that all of your dreams can come true here.”