Plumb Images/GettyLeicester City, the 5000-1 outsiders, winning the Premier League is the best thing to ever have happened to football.
The odds sum up the incredible acheivement, which was less favourable than finding alien life on earth, Piers Morgan becoming Arsenal manager, and David Moyes becoming an X Factor judge.
Since the turn of the decade, football has only been going one way – further from the fans.
The influx of foreign owners using football clubs as a plaything was killing the spirit of the game, as the biggest clubs in the division used their cash to separate themselves from the rest of the struggling pack.
Plumb Images/GettyThe likes of Manchester City paying £50m for Raheem Sterling is a good example, whereas little old Leicester plucked Marc Albrighton on a free from Aston Villa two years ago.
N’Golo Kante cost one fifth of Morgan Schneiderlin, while Jamie Vardy’s rise through the ranks is worthy of a film.
Less than a year ago, Nigel Pearson was in charge of the Foxes and was causing trouble, calling one journalist an ostrich as he faced criticism.
There was also the racist orgy including three Leicester youth team players, including Pearson’s son, which threatened to expose Leicester as another typical football team, full of colossal pricks.
Plumb Images/GettyBut since Claudio Ranieri took charge, the club has transformed into one that rewards its fans with free pizza, beer and subsidised travel to away games – as well as entertaining on the grass.
Robert Huth was playing “Cock Or No Cock” on Twitter last season, this year he’s as solid a centre back the Premier League has seen.
He could also flatten Marouane Fellaini, so that makes him even more likeable.
Leicester’s approach to the game this year has given everyone outside the “big four” hope, as they stormed towards the title with their typically English 4-4-2 formation and handful of star players.
Jean-Pierre Clatot/AFP/GettyRiyad Mahrez was signed from Le Havre for under £500k a few years back, before finding his feet in England and storming to the PFA Player of the Year award, underlining the hard work that has gone into this incredible title win.
Danny Simpson was a Newcastle United cast-off, Kasper Schmeichel was bombed out by Leeds United, and Danny Drinkwater had loan spells at Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Barnsley before arriving at the King Power.
Leicester City are an embodiment of the English spirit – the plucky underdog coming up trumps in the most fairytale way imaginable.
Long may it continue.
Please don’t get relegated next season.
