Victory -for the fans of football

A magnificent –unbelievable- but totally deserved triumph- and a victory also for real honest to goodness football fans everywhere. From the extremes of Accrington to the Emirates there are fans who turn out –week after week- in all weathers –sometimes in small numbers as maybe fortunes of their club recede- but somehow keep the faith and their season ticket.

Ordinary every day people who also make long journeys to away matches –sometimes hostile territory!- not because their team can win anything that particular season- but because football and their club is in their blood.

A pie and a pint and hope to avoid any trouble. And sometimes meeting some local supporters – who take you under their wing and show you a friendly pub-and you find there is just a common bond between real fans.

I well remember a cold wet Wednesday at the old Ninian Park and a warm welcoming drink with some local fans after the game – when the reputations there were fearsome.

That is what Leicester City winning the title is about – victory for people –who although common sense told them their particular team could not either… get in Football league from non-league: win League 2 : win League 1: the Championship : the Premier League (no bloody chance)- fans nursed a quiet inner belief that somehow –maybe … next season perhaps a miracle might just happen.
So this morning –nursing a hangover- I salute my team of course – but also the honest to goodness supporter – sometimes lost in this world of corporate seats and sponsored boxes… who make this game the spectacle and theatre of dreams that it is.

It is somehow fitting that Leicester City – in some ways an ordinary club – but massively important to us in the area- should win the title at the same time as those 96 victims of Hillsborough finally achieve some justice. It took great resolve and determination to overcome impossible odds on part of Leicester City to succeed and this was also a feature of the fight for justice of the families in Liverpool.

The victims were of course –what this article is about …. Ordinary –loyal – salt of the earth football supporters.

So maybe Saturday at the Everton match –when we celebrate in the carnival atmosphere –what a day it is going to be- maybe also cast a thought for the Everton supporter who was struck and killed by flying debris in high winds before a match at King Power a few years ago

Finally we also achieved this title –with a touch of class – epitomised by our manager Claudio Ranieri- who never lost his humour and dignity – did not need ever to denigrate opponents or referees- just a class act. The acceptable face of football
Supported by totally dedicated owners –not only to the club –but to the area –
We are a special club … we will enjoy Europe ..and maybe they will enjoy us.. We are Premier League Champions…..

And we are not going away…..