Leicester City’s Bold New Era Dawns In Seagrave
As the low-hanging winter sun shimmered off The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Building and the morning’s frost slowly withdrew, Brendan Rodgers’ players emerged, for the very first time, to train on the flagship training pitch at the Club’s state-of-the-art facility in Seagrave.
An early Christmas present for anyone who holds Leicester City in their heart, the sight of the Foxes training at their magnificent new headquarters marks a seismic moment in the Club’s history – the realisation of a dream designed to facilitate its long-term vision for success.
Truly world-class surroundings will now come as standard for anyone who adorns the Club’s crest as Leicester City honours a pledge to offer elite facilities to its family of players and staff.
While the 180-acre site, enveloped by Charnwood’s rolling hills, will provide an exceptional place of work for generations to come, the class of 2020 were the first to sample it this week.
With full focus on the Boxing Day bout against Manchester United, training was preceded by a light breakfast inside the spacious dining room, which offers panoramic views of just some of the 14 full-size and seven specialised pitches across the campus.
Naturally, impromptu strolls through the corridors were to be expected, as the Club’s senior squad acquainted themselves with their new home at the leafy tip of the county.
Soon enough, it was time for work, as Rodgers and his backroom team developed the tactical stratagem they have designed for the 26 December clash with the Red Devils on Filbert Way.
Following an excellent 2-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Sunday, the Foxes approach the Man Utd fixture occupying second place in the Premier League standings; the third occasion in six seasons they have reached such heights over the festive season.
After the Club’s spectacular new base – a significant step forward under the ownership of King Power International – was revealed on Tuesday, Rodgers said: “It’s amazing and, now we’re going to this new site, it just takes you into a different world altogether and it’s a world we’re looking forward to being in.
“It’s the most significant investment in the Club’s history, if you think of everything they’ve done, the owners, since they’ve been here. This facility is going to help improve players, but also people. The essence of Leicester City – and I’ve really found this since I’ve been here – is a genuine want to develop people and help people, whether you’re a player or a member of staff.”
In the New Year, meanwhile, daily commutes into one of the world’s leading facilities will become routine for players and staff alike as the Club’s efforts continue towards establishing Leicester City as a consistently competitive force in the upper reaches of English football.
As the Foxes navigate through the third decade of the 21st century, the Club’s entire operation has now been elevated to a whole new level, for generations to come.