Leicester City have defied some of the longest odds in sporting history to be crowned champions of the Premier League – and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) staff and students are joining the party to celebrate.
The Foxes were named winners after Tottenham Hotspur drew against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, prompting ecstatic scenes of jubilation across Leicester and far beyond.
DMU has been a partner of Leicester City for the past four years and has worked with the football club on a number of initiatives. Most recently, Shinji Okazaki, the team’s Japanese international striker, completed an English course at the university and more than 100 students will be given work experience opportunities at King Power over the next year.
DMU has also thrown its weight behind the club as main sponsor of the Backing The Blues campaign run by BBC Radio Leicester and the Leicester Mercury, hanging a giant 30-foot banner on the side of its Hugh Aston building last week.
After Leicester failed to secure a win against Manchester United on Sunday, thousands of supporters had been holding their breath during the build up to the Spurs game, knowing what was possible.
Then, on the final whistle, the crowds went wild, having borne witness to the climax of a Premier League campaign unlike any other in history.
Having remarkably escaped relegation at the end of last season, Leicester were written off as 5000-1 no-hopers for the title back in August.
But, playing with a verve and joy rarely seen in top tier English football, the squad scored a string of against-the-odds wins, putting themselves in the top spot early on and, despite assumptions their form would dip, produced one stunning result after another to the growing amazement of football fans around the world.
As the big names fell away from the title race, it was left to a duel between the Foxes and Tottenham, which was decided last night when Spurs failed to win, ensuring City’s lead was unassailable.
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The city of Leicester exploded with celebrations at the final whistle, with impromptu parties being held in the streets, at the Clock Tower and of course at the King Power. Cars honking their horns toured the city streets and media from across the planet captured a sporting achievement almost unparalleled in history.
Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, said the team had truly deserved the win.
He said: “This is a story which will inspire millions and be remembered for years to come. Leicester City’s win has defied cynics: it is all down to teamwork, hard work, belief and passion, the ingredients of true, lasting success.
“They have challenged long-held conventions all year long and we couldn’t be prouder to have been partnered with such a special club for the past four years and for the world to have seen just how special a place Leicester is.
“We offer our deepest congratulations and will celebrate this win in real style here at DMU.”
Posted on Monday 2 May 2016