Why I feel so emotional over Leicester City winning the FA Cup even though I don't watch football

Football is one of the few sports that can unite people around the world, including those like me who don't watch the game. Who would have thought that I'd get a bit emotional yesterday when Leicester City won the FA Cup.

_{Source https://www.france24.com}

Like previous years, I hadn't paid much attention to the final. They come and go every year. Although hubby is a footy fan, he didn't have much expectation of the game and only tuned in for the second half. Apparently, no goal was scored during the first half, so he didn't miss much. Leicester's opponent was Chelsea, they had won the FA Cup 8 times already. Leicester had won zero times and were considered the underdog.

At the 63rd minute, Leicester scored the first goal of the game. It looked as though it wasn't impossible for them to break the record. A few moments later, Chelsea scored an equalizer, only to be disallowed by VAR for being offside. Talk of a yo yo. I think even the crypto world doesn't change that quick.

Me being emotional over all this, is not because Leicester won over Chelsea. I'm indifferent between the two and frankly speaking, couldn't care less if my local football club who are buried way down the bottom of the league table won. My emotion is over the club, despite having no affection towards it. Where they've come from, what they went through, and where they are now.

---

Winning the Premier League

Fairy tales happen, perhaps once in a blue moon. Leicester's blue moon was 5 years ago when they beat all odds and won the Premier League title in 2015. There's always a feel good factor when an underdog comes through amongst all the big players in the game. Most big clubs in England build themselves with money, buying expensive/famous players and managers. The notion that you can buy your way to silverware seems to be firmly ingrained in the club owners mind. The Foxes didn't have this luxury nor mentality back in 2015. Them winning the Premier League proved that having a few expensive players in your squad doesn't mean anything.

Respect for the players

Fame can make a lot of people greedy and become big headed. After winning the title, some players moved onto bigger and greater things. Afterall, Leicester was never considered as one of the big names in football. My respect goes out to Vardy. He could have easily moved onto another bigger club. In fact, he turned down a £22m deal from Arsenal in 2016 over differences in how the two clubs played. Also, Arsenal couldn't guarantee he would play his normal position. A footballer can pocket the lucrative wages every week, but what's the point if you're sitting on the bench or not playing to your strengths?

Drinkwater probably didn't get the memo. In 2017, he transferred to Chelsea for £35m. He was on the bench the next season, on loan to Burnley and Aston Villa the next two season, and didn't make it on the Chelse squad in the latest season. He now plays in Turkey.

---

Respect for the club owner

The relationship, particularly for the major English clubs, between the club owners and the club have always been tricky. Club owners can financially and legally own the club and pretty much do what they want. However the 'club' is more than the assets they own. A club is nothing without the fans and it is this group of people that other club owners often neglect. To say no love is lost between English club owners and their fans is not untrue.

Leicester City being the exception.

The Foxes is owned by the Thai businessman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha "Khun Vichai". He died in 2018 when his helicopter crashed outside of the King Power Stadium after he left watching his team play. The baton is now passed to his son Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha "Khun Top" who was at the game yesterday. When the camera panned towards Khum Top, it seemed like he was sitting there all by himself. A bit further up the empty seats in Wembley Stadium was a massive banner paying tribute to Khum Vachai. Some of the fans were holding scarves which said The Boss, or Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.

Gone but not forgotten. It all looked so sad.

_{Source https://talksport.com}

As the team were celebrating on the pitch, Khun Top remained quietly in his seat, sending thoughts to his late father no doubt. The glory belonged to the squad and they deserved every drop of the spotlight to themselves.

After a while, Khun Top made his way down to the pitch. No one noticed him at first. Everyone were still engulfed in their joy and frenzy. Then Kasper Schmeichel saw him, and led him towards the squad to join in the celebrations. You can tell it was a genuine invitation and not "I'd better invite him coz he's the boss". The entire team embraced Khun Top as one of their own team mates, and not a faceless rich guy who had money to spend on some expensive toy. The feeling was mutual and sincere.

When Schmeichel handed Khun Top the trophy, the entire team celebrated with him. You'll see these beautiful moments in the video below from BT Sports, and how the commentators envy the relationship between the owner, the players and the fans.

If there is one club in unity, it is The Foxes.