Impact of Leicester tragedy impossible to measure, says ex-skipper Kisnorbo

Former Leicester City captain Patrick Kisnorbo believes the ramifications of beloved Foxes owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's death are impossible to quantify, as the club comes to terms with the tragedy.

Melbourne City assistant coach Patrick Kisnorbo during his days playing for Leicester City Source: Press Association

The ex-Socceroos defender turned Melbourne City assistant coach spent five seasons with the Foxes - two as skipper - before leaving for Leeds Unites two years before the Thai tycoon took charge.

But he has closely followed every step of Srivaddhanaprabha’s eight-year journey, which tragically ended when he

was one of five who perished in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium at the weekend.

The 60-year-old’s millions transformed the team from Championship battlers to Premier League Champions in 2016 - six years into his reign.

And it’s uncertain what the long-term fall out will be for the Midlands club with the passing of Srivaddhanaprabha.

The duty free shopping tycoon was worth $3.8 billion at his death and was known throughout the city for his enduring generosity, not just in his largesse to the club but also local hospitals and charities to whom he donated millions.

“It will take time for people to come to terms with this, and what it means for the club and the city because he transformed them both,” said Kisnorbo.

“But at the end of the day, football is just a game. When something happens like this it shows that life means so much more than just money. Somebody’s lost grandfather, a father, a husband. That’s something money can’t buy.

“His passing has affected so many lives.

“He showed such a deep interest in the community and the club and so many people got to know him on a personal level, from the top of the club to the bottom.

“He never did things to get an award or to get a mention. He did things because he cared from the bottom of his heart. He was a great person.

“My heart goes out to his family and everybody at the club. What a tragic thing to have happened to a man who did so much for the club and took Leicester to a whole new level.”

A cult hero at Leicester during his playing days as a take-no-prisoners stopper who wore his heart on his sleeve, Kisnorbo, 37, still feels a huge affection and affiliation with the club.

“It’s early to talk about how things might or might not change now after his passing, because you have to pay deep respects to him first,” he added.

“You don’t know - who does at this point (what the implications will be).

“Right now, you have to feel for all those most affected, which is his family. And what will be will be after that.

“I personally don’t think that any of the great work he did will ever be forgotten.”

Kisnorbo views Srivaddhanaprabha as a rare breed: an owner who invoked genuine affection from everybody he came into contact with, as evidenced by tributes pouring in from across the football spectrum.

“He had that personal touch with his players and staff and treated them like an extended family,” he said.

“Unfortunately, you couldn’t write a script over what’s happened and the fact that the last thing he saw was his beloved Foxes play a Premier League game. It’s left a terrible feeling of sadness.”