The return of Leicester’s roar hopefully soon to come
It has almost been a year since the voice of Leicester City’s fans echoed under the roof of King Power Stadium. The sound of Foxes fans is a huge miss in every clash whether Leicester plays home or away.
Everything was fine until March 2020, when a wave of rising Covid-19 cases engulfed the joy of watching sports. Football is not just about 22 players kicking the ball around, but it is a person driving hundreds of miles, just to watch his team play makes the real essence of football. Now, it is mainly “sofa watching”, rather than the chants and the sounds of clappers in stadiums. Government did allow supporters in certain stadiums on the basis of their respective tiers; yet the constant surge in cases decimated all the enjoyment again.
However, as it is said, every dark night sky is followed by the brightest of sunshine – the same is the case for football. While the peak of Covid-19 cases in January is subsiding, where almost 50,000 cases averaged a week, the downfall has begun. Statistics show considerable improvement, as cases almost stand at 11,000; depicting almost a five time decrease in cases and also in mortality rates.
Leicester Mercury have reported on the latest of interview Premier League CEO, Richard Masters, who said:
"“This pandemic has a way of surprising you, as it did over Christmas,” speaking at the Financial Times’ Business of Football summit. “We haven’t lost hope that we might see a few fans back even this season, depending on what happens, the direction of the numbers and Government decisions.”– Richard Masters"
Safety concerns regarding faithfuls entering the stadiums are a major one: whether their return would shoot up the cases for the worst. There are high chances that only a certain amount of supporters would be allowed at first, then followed hopefully by a full capacity. LCFC have already lost at home as many times as they did last season – highlighting the importance of the roar of a crowd. When the fans are at the KPS cheering their team, Foxes are a different team to compete with.
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With the season nearing it’s end soon and the east Midlands side pushing for a Champions League place, incoming support could be the missing piece in the puzzle which resulted in the fallout last year. Hopes are sky-rocketing this season and it would be sublime to taste the success if Leicester’s 12th man is present in the stadium singing their hearts out. Prime minister Boris Johnson is set to announce an easing of restrictions on general Monday.