An historic day on Filbert Way, which began with the unveiling of a statue in tribute to beloved late Chairman Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, culminated in a civic reception hosting distinguished guests from Leicester City Council and prominent figures from across the city.
Following a vote by City Councillors this year, the Honorary Freedom of the City was conferred upon the Club, marking Leicester City’s wide-reaching, positive impact on the city of Leicester, while Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and his late father, Khun Vichai, were also decorated by the city.
Proceedings began in King Power Stadium’s Walkers Hall with the inaugural City of Leicester Award being presented to Leicester City Chairman Khun Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and, posthumously, to his father Khun Vichai, by Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Deepak Bajaj.
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City Councillors gave their unanimous backing to the introduction of the new civic honour – and to making Khun Vichai and Khun Top its first recipients – in February. The City of Leicester Award will recognise individuals whose outstanding achievements have had a positive and wide-reaching impact on the city, and who have been a source of inspiration to its residents.
My father believed in the people of Leicester. He gave his heart to them because he saw the strength of this city when its people came together and how we could all help each other. It makes me so proud, that we continue to come together to fulfil that vision in his name. I will, with all my strength, continue to do my best for Leicester and its people, to remain deserving of this prestigious award that has been given to me and my late father.
Accepting the inaugural City of Leicester Award, Khun Aiyawatt said: “From the moment we arrived in Leicester 12 years ago, we felt the support of this city. Its people have been with us during the best of times and during the most difficult of times. It has forged a bond between us that can never be broken.
“My father believed in the people of Leicester. He gave his heart to them because he saw the strength of this city when its people came together and how we could all help each other. It makes me so proud, that we continue to come together to fulfil that vision in his name.
“I will, with all my strength, continue to do my best for Leicester and its people, to remain deserving of this prestigious award that has been given to me and my late father.”
Between his arrival in Leicester in August 2010 and his untimely passing eight years later, Khun Vichai gifted in excess of £4M in personal donations to people in need in Leicester. That work continues today through the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation.
Away from that enormous philanthropic effort, the Foxes also embarked on their greatest-ever era, investing in world-leading facilities, restoring the Club’s status in the Premier League and eventually even lifting the most famous divisional title in football despite colossal odds.
In 2019, Khun Top succeeded his much-loved father as Chairman at Leicester City and has overseen another vintage era for Foxes supporters.
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The Club’s recent growth, leading to consecutive campaigns in European football and a maiden FA Cup triumph in 2021, has also involved several significant infrastructural developments. Through the development of LCFC Women, the Club introduced professional women’s football to the city in 2020, securing promotion to the top division, the FA Women’s Super League, in the team’s first season.
Such achievements and commitment to the Leicester community were formally acknowledged by Leicester City Council on Monday, through the conferring of the Honorary Freedom of the City on the Club.
The Club’s proud representation of Leicester pre-dates all of us in this room today, and while our recent achievements have clearly been significant in bringing distinction and pride to the city, those triumphs are built on foundations placed deep in the heart of Leicester by generations before us.
Presented following the reading of oaths by City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan, Honorary Freedom of the City is the highest civic honour the council can bestow and recognises the contribution that recipients have made to the City of Leicester. Past recipients include Leicester City’s own Gary Lineker and Alan ‘The Birch’ Birchenall, along with David and Richard Attenborough.
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Susan went on to receive the Illuminated Certificate of Admission and Casket from the Lord Mayor, after signing the Roll, on behalf of the Club.
Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan said: “The Club’s proud representation of Leicester pre-dates all of us in this room, and while our recent achievements have clearly been significant in bringing distinction and pride to the city, those triumphs are built on foundations placed deep in the heart of Leicester by generations before us. We accept this honour today on behalf of every player, member of staff and supporter that has fought for the honour of our Club, and therefore our city, in Leicester City’s 138-year history.
