There’s no greater story in sport than that of Leicester City. A team that should have been relegated last season, but now lifts the Premier League trophy.
A team that no one believed in, even when they led the league at Christmas or with just a handful of games to go.
It couldn’t happen. Surely, reality would kick in soon. But the reality is that Leicester are champions!
I’ve watched every minute of their title bid since January, my father and I staying up through the early hours of the morning in Australia, cheering them on.
Now, that might sound strange given I’m a 29-year old man, but it’s something I haven’t been able to do for a while.
It’s only a short term arrangement, and their probably won’t be another season where we watch the important moments together. But it was a cool thing to experience together, a reminder of years gone by.
Now, usually I despise those who jump on the bandwagon of teams that become successful, such as Chelsea and Manchester City, but this was different.
We still have our own teams that we support, but you couldn’t help but cheer Leicester on.
Leicester has shown that hard work, unity and belief can prevail over millions. It’s a lesson football badly needed.
It gives belief to supporters like me that maybe my teams can one day be successful again.
I support AC Milan and Leeds United. Both were once great, now they are a shell or their former selves.
Big spending has seen these two clubs plummet.
AC Milan were the kings of Europe. When I was young and first handed a Milan kit on a family holiday in Italy, their side was star studded. Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Franco Baresi were just some of the names.
Through the 90s they were formidable, winning the European Cup multiple times. In 1994 they beat Barcelona 4-0, in 2003 they beat Juventus on penalties. In 2005 they fell to Liverpool after leading 3-0, but got redemption in 2007 against the Reds.
From there, it’s been a steady decline. They haven’t featured in the Champions League for the past two campaigns and won’t again next year.
In 2015 they reported a loss of 91.4 million euro for the previous financial year, in a season that saw the club finish 10th.
My other side is Leeds United. It’s the side my father supported and I declared loyalty to at a young age, helped by the fact that they had a heavy Australian contingent, including Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.
In 2001 Leeds were in the semi-finals of the Champions League. They saw off Barcelona, AC Milan (awkward), Real Madrid, Lazio and Deportivo on the way.
Three years later they’d be relegated from the Premier League. Ironically, Leicester City were one of the teams joining them in going down.
Two years after that, Leeds would be sent down a further tier to League One, after losing ten points for going into administration.
It would take them three seasons to climb back up to The Championship, where they’ve remained ever since.
The club no longer owns its stadium, Elland Road, its training base, or its Academy. At one point it was haemorrhaging $100,000 a week.
The debts have diminished in size year on year, but so too has the activity in the transfer market.
The best players are routinely sold, the transfer fee generally not used to find a replacement either.
But what will warm the hearts is the fact Leicester City were in a similar position only a few seasons ago.
The club reported $52.5 million losses for the three seasons before they rejoined the Premier League in 2014.
Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha wrote off the clubs debts of $103 million, swapping the huge liabilities for shares in the club.
They were debt-free for the first time in two decades, and set about rebuilding the club with smart investment.
They found Jamie Vardy in non-league football for $1 million. Ngolo Kante was more a extravagant purchase, costing $4.6 million.
Riyad Mahrez cost just $400,000 and last week was crowned the Premier League’s Player of the Season.
In total Leicester spent just shy of $50 million this season, while Manchester United spent three times as much. Juan Mata, a substitute in Sunday’s clash between the two sides, cost more than Leicester’s squad combined.
Leicester’s financial return and unbelievable success gives hope for supporters like me. Our club may rise again.
The Foxes have inspired us all and there are feel good stories everywhere you look. From Vardy to Ranieri to those fans who never would have ever dreamed of this day.
Supporters have been used to going into Premier League seasons, hoping for survival, a mid table finish or perhaps a decent cup run.
Now fans can dream about taking it to the best, and perhaps ‘doing a Leicester’.
Leicester City has shown money isn’t everything.
Desire, commitment, unity, togetherness – are items you cannot buy.
Thank you Leicester.
You’ve shown why football is the greatest sport in the world. We can all believe again.
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