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LEICESTER, England – Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha achieved what seemed impossible in modern soccer: Gaining promotion with a modest club and winning the English Premier League title within two years.
Bankrolling Leicester City The largest billionaire billionaires, the billionaire oversaw one of the greatest underdog in the 5000-1 outsiders won in 2016.
In an era of often-absentee foreign owners in the Premier League, Vichai also broke the mold by forging relations with supporters and the local community.
While Vichai did not seek the limelight and was far flamboyant, the wealthy entrepreneur's grandiose mode of transportation of the King's power stadium named after his duty-free empire became symbolic of the club's newfound status in the game. A helicopter would land on the field after the games and whisk away the owner.
Saturday night was the last journey for Vichai.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was seen at the fireball in a carpark outside the stadium around an hour after a draw with West Ham. Moments earlier, the AgustaWestland AW169 had an adjacent carpark in flames.
The 60-year-old Vichai and the other people on board did not survive the inferno, Leicester announced Sunday.
"I am so totally devastated. I just can not believe what I saw last night, "Schmeichel said. In an emotional tribute to Vichai, the seven-year veteran of the club said: "You changed football. Forever. You've got hope that you've been able to do it, not just to our fans but to all fans of the sport. "
On the spot where fans came to life after the improbable title victory two years ago, people gathered through the day to mourn. Hours before the Sunday night confirmation that Vichai did not survive the crash, scarves, jerseys and flowers were ugly in an ever-expanding memorial in front of the stadium.
"Without you," read one message on a club flag, "the dream would not have become reality."
Leicester's next game, which had been scheduled for Tuesday against Southampton in the League Cup, has been postponed.
Schmeichel said, "We have a responsibility as a club, as players and fans to honor you.
Two members of Vichai's staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, also died along with pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz. Fears that family members were on board, with his Vichai's son, Aiyawatt, now in line to step up from his role as vice chairman.
"The world has lost a great man," the Leicester club said in a statement. "A man of kindness, of generosity, and a man whose life is defined by the love of his family.
Vichai, who started Thailand's massive King's Power-free-duty chain, bought Leicester for 39 million pounds ($ 50 million) in 2010 when it was in the second-tier competition. Avoiding relegation in its first season in the Premier League was remarkable enough in 2015 after spending much time in last place. But that was eclipsed in 2016 by the team winning the top-flight title for the first time being founded in 1884.
"I always believe in the power of our spirit," Vichai said at the time. "It is important for us to reach the Premier League, it gives us the strength to stay in the Premier League, and we have the Premier League.
"It is a spirit that has spread beyond Leicester, taking our story to the hearts of the world. Our spirit exists because of the love we share for the sake of energy, it helps us to create, both on and off the pitch, and in the years to come, it will continue to be our greatest asset. "
Vichai was ridiculed for hiring the manager who masterminded the title success. Claudio Ranieri had been out of work since being weakened by the weak national team and his only job in the Premier League at Chelsea ended 11 years earlier. But it proved to be an inspired recruitment, helping to turn the world upside down and modestly paid for by being overpowered by the mega-rich giants of the Premier League.
"That was a dream," life-long supporter Ian Hubber said outside the stadium on Sunday. "This is a nightmare."
The outpouring of emotion at the stadium on Sunday is considered to be highly regarded by the professional soccer team. Vichai has formed a close bond with the fans, sometimes mingling with them at games.
Vichai has been praised for his charity work, donating 2 million pounds ($ 2.5 million) towards a new local children's hospital, and he often provides free beer and food for fans outside games.
"He's an owner who's actually about a club," 19-year-old fan Rikesh Vaja said. "It's not just the club. He impacted the entire city. "
He also won for the new club in Thailand, where they mourned Vichai's sudden death.
"It's Thailand's team," Chatworachet fan soccer Sae-Kow said in Bangkok. "It brought fame to Thailand when they won (the title). He has the Thai flag with him and makes people know more about Thailand. "
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