Reuters
Leicester, April 30: When King Richard III was reinterred in Leicester in March last year 500 years after his death, fans of the English city’s unheralded soccer club might have thought it too was dead and buried.
Richard’s remains had been found beneath a municipal car park. Leicester City were also at a low point, bottom of the Premier League table having won just six games all season. Then they embarked on an incredible run, winning seven of their last nine matches to comfortably avoid relegation.
Now are on the brink of becoming league champions for the first time in their 132-year history, with just three defeats all season. Their exploits have thrust the provincial city into the global spotlight once again.
Bunting with the club crest flutters from poles in the main shopping thoroughfares and shop windows are adorned with huge Leicester flags and blue and white balloons. In a league dominated for the last 25 years by a select few rich, glamour clubs such as Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal, neutrals and supporters from other clubs are also rooting for Leicester, said shop-worker Derry.
The highest Leicester have previously finished was second, way back in 1928-29. The club has also been FA Cup runners-up four times but never triumphed, although it has won the less prestigious League Cup three times. Just eight years ago, it was languishing in the third tier of English football.
Resident’s believe the club’s success will have a far greater impact, with English soccer avidly followed by millions of fans across the globe and the team certain to play in Europe’s most prestigious competition, the Champions League.
