Blue Army Out In Force For Signing Session

Community
18 Oct 2017
3 Minutes
Thousands of Leicester City supporters descended on King Power Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for the opportunity to meet some of the Club’s new signings.

- The Blue Army came to King Power Stadium on Tuesday to meet Leicester City stars
- Six of the Club's new signings appeared for the signing session in the City Fanstore
- Alan 'The Birch' Birchenall was also hand to sign autographs for the Foxes fans

Summer recruits Kelechi Iheanacho, Harry Maguire, Vicente Iborra, Eldin Jakupović, Aleksandar Dragović and George Thomas appeared on Filbert Way to introduce themselves to the Blue Army.

Taking place during the October half-time school break, it was also a chance for the Club’s youngest supporters to welcome City’s new stars while getting their Foxes shirts signed.

“It is always privilege to meet all the fans, they have come in numbers and there are lots of kids," Maguire said. "It’s special to give something back to them, especially when they support us all season.”

On the chant City fans sing in his honour, the England defender added: “It’s a great chant. When they sing your name, it always gives you that extra motivation to do well and perform for the team.

“The fans have been brilliant, they went in numbers to Hong Kong too. Since pre-season, they have packed out King Power Stadium, it’s always a full house and the atmosphere is brilliant.

“They are the 12th man and you saw it helped us to get back into the game against West Brom.”

Jakupović takes a selfie with Maguire and Dragović.

Iheanacho, who started City’s 1-1 draw with the Baggies on Monday night, was also thrilled to greet the Blue Army and says it was an invaluable experience to help build a personal relationship with the fans.

He said: “It was cool meeting the fans. We want to sign more. We love it and are happy to see the fans and get to know people in Leicester more.

“It is good to know people in the community and know more of the fans. The atmosphere is really good, they always cheer in the games, it is brilliant.”

They are queuing around the stadium and it just shows how this football club has grown in popularity. Over the years I have seen it grow and grow to what we have now.

The Birch

Club Ambassador and former Foxes star, Alan ‘The Birch’ Birchenall, a regular feature at signing sessions through the years, was also on hand to sign autographs and take selfies.

The latest gathering, Birchenall says, was one of the biggest yet and shows just how far the Club has grown in past seasons.

“It never ceases to amaze me,” he said. “Whether it’s Christmas, Easter or a half-term break, the Blue Army always turn out.

Thomas joined Maguire for the session on Filbert Way.

“It’s fantastic. They seem to be getting younger every year and it’s great because they are the future of the Football Club.

“There is a mixture of City fans, young and old.

“They are queuing around the stadium and it just shows how the Football Club has grown in popularity. Over the years I have seen it grow and grow to what we have now.

“It’s the first opportunity for the new boys. It’s great that they can understand the passion of the Blue Army because we need to introduce them to feel part of the Club.”