Ben Chilwell honors the memory of former Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Ben Chilwell, the former Leicester City player who now represents Chelsea, recently paid a heartfelt tribute to the late chairman of Leicester City, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Chilwell wore a special t-shirt in honor of Srivaddhanaprabha during a Premier League match between Leicester City and Burnley on October 10th, 2018.

Srivaddhanaprabha tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on October 27, 2018, shortly after Leicester City’s game against West Ham. This day holds a significant place in Chilwell’s heart, as he has framed and displayed the shirt he wore on that fateful day. The shirt serves as a reminder not only of Srivaddhanaprabha’s role as chairman but also of the person he was.

In a special feature with TNT Sports, Chilwell reflected on his career and the keepsakes he has collected. He expressed, “The memory of him will not die in any of our eyes because we all have those shirts. What a good guy he was, and it’s very special that I can remember him with something on the wall in my house.”

Srivaddhanaprabha took over Leicester City in 2011 and oversaw their remarkable Premier League title win in the 2015/16 season. The team, considered 5000/1 outsiders, defied all odds and achieved one of the greatest triumphs in modern-day sport. Chilwell, who was a teenager at the time, recalls the strong bond within the team and the positive memories associated with that period.

Chilwell further shared, “When I see the shirt now, it’s the memories of the dinners we all had together, the nights out we would have, and just how generous he was to us and how he supported all of us. I just remember the very fun and positive moments we had, and it brings me back to such a happy part of my life.”

Tragedy struck the club when Srivaddhanaprabha and four others lost their lives in the helicopter crash. However, amidst the despair, Chilwell remembers the unity and closeness that emerged within the club. He stated, “In a weird way, it impacted us positively because it brought us all so close together and kind of made us this family who wanted to do everything together.”

Chilwell left Leicester City in 2020 to join Chelsea, where he achieved success by winning the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup. However, he acknowledges that some things are more significant than football. The shirt he wore on that unforgettable day serves as a constant reminder of the legacy left behind by Srivaddhanaprabha and the importance of cherishing every moment.

The memory of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha will forever live on in the hearts of those associated with Leicester City, and Ben Chilwell’s tribute serves as a testament to the impact he had on the club and its players.