Disconnect, disillusionment and disenchantment. Three words that can describe the mood of Leicester City fans after a torrid season. For some fans, this is something they are used to. For others like myself, this is the first relegation in 14 years as an LCFC supporter. Regardless of which camp you are in, no one can deny that relegation is a deeply unpleasant experience. For some, it has had an adverse impact on their health, for others, the scenario just feels terrible. More widely the fall-out of this has exposed glaring fractures within the fanbase and the club itself.
A divided fanbase
Football at the best of times remains a tribal sport, and tribalism often becomes endemic within fanbases themselves. As such, Foxes supporters are no different but the levels of division have only increased as the club’s predicament has worsened. Places such as Twitter have often been a place where like-minded individuals can engage in ‘conversation’ or gather in the aftermath of defeats.
Nevertheless, one only needs to look as far as Twitter to see the gaping divide between different factions. Such divides are inevitably exacerbated in hard times, but it is impossible to ignore the increasing toxicity. There are also certain fans who feel the need to constantly disagree with everything. Others see that because they have supported the club through several relegations, they are automatically a ‘better fan’. Undoubtedly, this remains a vocal minority, but it is increasingly noticeable.
Such division is also evident in-person. Most of the stadium is often radio silent, except L1 and the singing section. Yet people have had the temerity to complain about the singing section for ‘not being loud enough’ as the club feedback found. It is not a requirement for everyone to sing for 90 mins, yet surely more people realise that their role as fans is to support the team. To drive the team forward involves making noise. You only need to look as far as Nottingham to illustrate this. Perhaps, this explains our terrible home record this season.
The final day at West Ham highlighted the divide in the stadium. Whilst some fans clapped, others booed and were given daggers by other supporters. Given the failure of the season, you would have expected a reaction to match. Yet, without any context, you wouldn’t have known we were relegated. The reaction to the game was little different to any other dead-rubber end-of-season affair that has been served up in past seasons. Perhaps, the reason why the club has failed to enact changes sooner is because only a small minority are willing to stick their neck out to bring this about.
A broken relationship
It wasn’t that long ago that LCFC were lauded as one of the most well-run clubs in the country, with other clubs keen to emulate the Foxes’ business model. Now, the east Midlanders are perhaps the opposite example of how not to run a football club. The dramatic fall from grace has been largely the result of two years of steady decline.
One could date back the rot as far back as the FA Cup final. Despite the memories that will never leave the hearts of the faithful, that victory unwittingly gave Rodgers immense credit in the bank. Perhaps, if we had lost, the trigger may have been pulled earlier.
Nevertheless, there were umpteen moments where decisive change was needed and all that occurred was vacillation followed by a panicked pushing of the red button. Something that illustrates the scale of the decline is highlighted by Tom Collomoose. According to his article in the Daily Mail, the club held a meeting with Rodgers as early as January 2022. The outcome of this was to either rebuild the squad or replace the manager.
This mentality of “too good to go down” is something that has pervaded the club throughout the whole season. James Maddison’s infamous “We’ll be fine” tweet immediately springs to mind. Yet, this mentality was something that had infected the whole squad. Otherwise, things would certainly have been done before it was too late.
It is well-known that the board was highly culpable for failing to act, but the club’s relationship with the fanbase has also starkly declined. From confiscating children’s drinks at the first (extremely warm) game of the season the club has increasingly made a mockery of its reputation as a ‘family-orientated organisation’.
More recent incidents include the jobsworth attitude of club staff, especially around the enforcement of away ticket ID checks. One fan was unable to get a refund for a match ticket, even though it was because the owner had died shortly before the match. The lack of compassion and understanding is something that has characterised every aspect of the club.
Whilst the singing section has been a beacon of hope, the club also felt the need to police it like an away section. Such draconian policies have extended to social media with Twitter being policed like Chinese social media. From this, several fans have been banned for comments made on Twitter. It seems that City are increasingly ignorant and unwilling to accept criticism, and will go to extreme lengths to keep it this way. One could even compare LCFC with elements of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ and there would be many similarities.
Where do Leicester City go on from here?
One word could sum up every Leicester fan’s wishes going forward. Transparency. Trying to ascertain anything from the club is like bashing your head against a brick wall. It just doesn’t work. Owynn Palmer-Atkin attempted to reach out earlier this year, yet was met with radio silence. The precedent doesn’t suggest this will change. Top rarely interviews whilst Jon Rudkin has not done one since 2015. Nevertheless, failure requires accountability if it is to be rectified.
The fact that the club’s season review is being led by Rudkin does not bode well at all. Nor does the club directive of radio silence from most of the players. Moreover, Rudkin and Top enjoying time at the races gives a further suggestion that heads will not roll. Ultimately, this speaks more of Top’s lack of ruthlessness. It is true that he was thrust into a role after the untimely and tragic death of his father, but he has done little to show he is deserving of his father’s mantle.
We can be eternally grateful for the work of Khun Top and his family, but the past cannot cover for the present failings. To have such a mindset is one that accepts mediocrity. Firstly, fans want to see improvement on the pitch. In no uncertain terms, this means an immediate return to the EPL, limiting the financial damage of relegation.
However, this requires a manager and then a rebuild. With no communication and no reason to have any faith, why should City fans be hopeful for the new season? Jon Rudkin’s handling of the contracts would suggest that we should not get our hopes up.
At the same time, fans want to connect with their club, not feel disillusionment and disdain. Perhaps the outfit can open a fans forum so that the needs of fans are understood and met, rather than the out-of-touch gestures continuing such as free coconuts or half-time t-shirts. We want decisive change, not free beer as well-meaning as it is.
For the sake of our sanities, blind faith is needed as we head into the unknown. All we can do is pray that the right decisions are made, even if such prayers are founded on little rational belief.
Afterthoughts
Amidst the darkness, there is perhaps one ray of positivity from what has truly been a season from hell. The Big Strong Leicester Boys Podcast has provided a way for fans to alleviate some of the pain brought about by the failures on the pitch. With a long summer and Championship season ahead, giving their podcasts a listen would definitely be recommended.