Monday 9 May 2016 19:01, UK
Lifelong Leicester fan Jordan Halford reflects on the coronation of the champions after a season that will never be forgotten...
Written in 2006 by Rhonda Byrne, 'The Secret' is a book based on the law of attraction that claims positive thinking can create life-changing results. The book has sold more than 19 million copies and bases a creative process for making dreams manifest from the bible. "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22).
In the 10 years since the book's publication, Leicester City have completed a miraculous ascent to the pinnacle of English football. Rising from their lowest ebb in 2009, to champions of England for the first time in their 132-year history, it is an achievement so remarkable even their most optimistic supporters could not have envisaged it in their wildest dreams.
Prior to their curtain-raiser with Sunderland at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, August 8, 2015, Leicester fans produced a tifo in front of the Spion Kop beneath glorious sunshine. It read: 'Your colours are in our hands, our dreams are in yours'. Few could have imagined that, nine months later, Wes Morgan would hoist the Premier League trophy aloft.
In the end, their title victory was confirmed without them playing. The relief in the pubs in the town centre at full-time when Chelsea held title-chasing Tottenham to a 2-2 draw was palpable, and provided the fairytale conclusion to an unexpected title tilt that had caught the attention of the entire world.
When the final whistle went at Stamford Bridge, the impossible dream was finally a reality and an outpouring of emotions commenced across the city. I burst into tears of joy; it was ecstasy and happiness that I had never felt before, certainly not in 20 years of following Leicester City.
Once the champagne corks had popped and the tears dried, thousands of Leicester fans, new and old, congregated in the town centre before heading to the King Power Stadium to pay pilgrimage to their heroes. Strangers embraced in the street, the sound of car horns filled the night sky amidst a chorus of chants, and the world's media descended on the city.
Until recently, the exploits of the city's football club were always overshadowed by the success of its closest rivals. Nottingham Forest's surge through the English pyramid culminated in them clinching the First Division title in 1977/78 under Brian Clough before going on to win the European Cup twice. Aston Villa boast seven league titles and FA Cup wins to their name, plus they also conquered Europe in 1981/82.
Next season, however, Forest and Villa will be the first-ever champions of Europe to meet outside a top domestic division.
Meanwhile, a joint-record seven second-tier titles, three League Cup triumphs and a solitary Charity Shield from 1971 gathered dust in the Foxes' trophy cabinet, while the club also hold the record for the most FA Cup final defeats, losing in 1949, 1961, 1963 and 1969.
Having previously spent their entire history in the top two tiers of English football, Leicester won League One as recently as 2009 before completing arguably the greatest achievement in the history of sport at odds of 5,000/1 just seven years later.
A team made up of players considered by many to be in the twilight of their career, inspired by a former Sunday League striker and managed by a noble, charismatic Italian, Leicester's unlikely success is a timely reminder of the sheer unpredictability of the beautiful game and why it has the power to bring thousands of people together around the world.
Claudio Ranieri must surely be bestowed the honour of the Emperor of Leicester following his maiden title aged 64.
Saturday's coronation of the new champions was a fiesta that saw thousands flock from his homeland to see the Roman crowned the 'King of England'. Ranieri finished as a runner-up at Chelsea to Arsenal's Invincibles, with boyhood club Roma to Jose Mourinho's treble-winning Inter, and behind PSG for Monaco.
Against Everton, the Italian saw his side put in a performance befitting of the occasion as they romped to a comfortable 3-1 win and moved 10 points clear at the summit before a carnival erupted in the city centre that continued until sun rise.
It was a day that the 32,000 inside the King Power Stadium and thousands of others who adorned the surrounding streets and town centre will never forget.
The party began hours before kick-off and there was barely a dry eye in the house as Ranieri was almost moved to tears by tenor Andrea Bocelli, who sang a rip-roaring version of Nessun Dorma before revealing a Leicester shirt to the crowd.
Thunder and lightning failed to dampen the spirits and the Foxes delivered on the pitch. Jamie Vardy scored twice and Andy King, who has won League One and the Championship with Leicester, also netted before a consolation from Kevin Mirallas.
Once the full-time whistle was blown, the party atmosphere went up a notch as Wes Morgan and Ranieri lifted the Premier League trophy.
It was a surreal moment and, in the modern age of sky-high wages and the 'Big Four', Leicester's remarkable triumph is a vindication for the old-fashioned hallmarks of the English game. Hard work, team spirit and a never-say-die-attitude has been married perfectly with the tactical nous of Ranieri.
Critics may argue that Leicester won't be able to maintain it next season, but in truth it doesn't matter. Leicester's extraordinary achievement serves to breathe fresh air into a league that was becoming an increasingly closed shop, and is a glorious victory for human endeavour.
The next challenge for the club's impressive scouting department will be to discover the next hidden gems that will enable Leicester to compete in the Champions League, as well as try and defend their unlikely title.
However they fare next season, the story of the 2015/16 campaign would undoubtedly be a best-seller.
