Leicester City FC have just won the English Barclays Premier League title for the 2015/2016 season following Tottenham Hotspurs' inability to beat Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge. It was unexpected and inconceivable at the start of the season that this would or could ever happen; yet a bunch of players who were never rated as champion material did the unimaginable! They succeeded Chelsea as champions of England and denied the so-called Top 4 from getting their hands on the trophy. They were a team of cast-offs and bargain buys written off before the season had even started, and led by a manager who had been sacked in five of his previous jobs!
But what was so special about this team anyway?
1. Never seen as possible threats to the more established teams in the Premier League, not much attention was paid to them. While other teams were willing to grind themselves to the ground when playing against the big teams like Chelsea, the Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Liverpool and the rest, nobody took them seriously until it was too late.
2. The players all played for each other. No egos, no seeming stars with cockiness on their shoulders, just a bunch of guys who only wanted to play football to their hearts' content. And, boy! how they did! From the skipper Wes Morgan to Kante, Robert Huth, Jamie Vardy, Mahrez, Okazaki, Ulloa, Schlopp, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Simpson, King, and the rest of the squad....everyone just put in a shift that was selfless and plain admirable.
3. They had a Manager in Claudio Ranieri who was a massive calming influence to the team. His strategies just seemed to click in every game. So far, with two games still remaining, they've lost only three. And even if they go on to lose the remaining two, it still won't matter none. While everyone else hardly gave his team a peek, Ranieri steered his wards brilliantly all the way to the top. With the right game plans and team talks he kept his boys grounded and they just kept shocking the Premier League week after week!
4. Their fans were just terrific all season. Never mind the narrow escape from the jaws of relegation the season before, they were still as passionate, committed and loyal to their darling team as they'd always been. Through thick and thin they stuck with them, and what a reward they got this season! Every Leicester City fan will probably not sleep for days to come and their die-hard support for their favourite team has definitely adorned their passionate hearts with pride.
Undoubtedly, this is a team of heroes. A true testament to what a true team means, togetherness, selflessness and commitment. These qualities could help bring out the excellence in a group of people. And it is also proof that money doesn't necessarily buy true success.
Let's give it to the new Champions of England! Leicester City! A team of heroes!
Where are the Hollywood movie producers?
