Richard Cockerill says Leicester's 'unbelievable' season has lifted the city

Leicester Tigers' Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill has praised the impact Claudio Ranieri's Foxes have had on the city after winning the club's first top-flight trophy in its 132-year history.

It was party-central in Leicester on Monday night as Leicester City were named Premier League champions and local lad Mark Selby won his second world snooker championship.

On top of that, Leicester Riders won the British Basketball League title last month, and even Leicestershire's cricketers - the whipping boys of the county game for the last few years - are flying high in Division Two. 

Cockerill - whose Tigers have reached the Aviva Premiership play-offs - has been impressed by the Foxes all season, crediting the spirit among the squad for their historic Premier League title victory and he thinks it has been a great sporting year for the whole city of Leicester.

"Unbelievable. A fantastic start to the season, everybody thought they would drop off and they've kept going to the big teams and beating them and they have a fantastic away record," Cockerill told Sky Sports News HQ.

"You go and watch them play and you can see the spirit and the energy and the commitment for each other. The supporters have been outstanding. My two daughters have to go to school dressed in blue, so that was an interesting discussion around the breakfast table.

"It's been fantastic for the city - the buzz around the place with the football is just unbelievable."

The former England international believes Ranieri's side have demonstrated the spirit of the city with their performances throughout the season and says they have put Leicester on the map. 

"You only come here to play sport or visit the Cathedral, so it's fantastic for the city and we won't have to explain where Leicester is any more because the world knows where it is now," he added.

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"From the football perspective there's not many local lads in that side but clearly they've bought in to what the city's about the supporters have got behind it."

City were unable to win the league at Old Trafford on Sunday when they drew 1-1 with Manchester United, but became champions on Monday night after Tottenham were held to a 2-2 draw by Chelsea.

"In some ways I was sort of hoping they'd have to win against Everton at the weekend and have the grand finale at home but they can now have that celebration all together," said Cockerill.

"I think it just shows that sport is special and it's not just money that buys success. It helps, but I think that the romance of a team that can come from where they have come from - their starting team cost £23m - compared to Man City's which is £280m or something.

"I think we are under a bit of pressure to deliver now as well so if we can do the same with the Premiership that'll be nice and maybe we'd follow them round in an open top bus rather than be at the front."

Leicester host Everton this Saturday where they will play for the first time as Premier League Champions, live on Sky Sports 1.