Super Eagles duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho and their Leicester City’s First Team squad have emphasised their collective commitment to the Club’s long-term future amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This was stated in a press statement by the club on Friday.
This was made known during the start of an open and productive consultation between players and senior management.
Talks were led by Chief Executive Susan Whelan, together with Manager Brendan Rodgers, Director of Football Jon Rudkin and members of the First Team leadership group.
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Among what was discussed was the long-term implications of the coronavirus pandemic on the Club’s future vision, and the continued role of its most high-profile personnel in its continued pursuit.
It was revealed that a Club-wide charities framework has been put in place, incorporating the First Team players, management and staff from the stadium and training ground, and with the commitment of the club’s players on several levels.
Also the club confirmed the launch of the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation’s 2020 Gift of a Wish programme – making funds available to causes in Leicestershire to apply for grants to support further valuable work in the community.
According to Whelan: “We are a club that prioritises an open and consistent dialogue with our players and with our staff and this, I believe, has built strong relationships between us, which are based on trust – a strong footing on which to undertake such important discussions for the future of the Club.
“The current issues are not just about money. How we move forward during this crisis, leading our people and supporting our communities, will be a defining moment in Leicester City’s history and the weight of responsibility is not lost on any of us. Our collective experiences in recent years, those of tragedy and, at other times, of great celebration, have welded us together as a group. Our legacy will also be defined by how we prepare the Club to navigate this situation and how, together, we lead our people out of it and into a brighter future.”
In his remarks Leicester Manager Rodgers said: “The culture that exists here pre-dates my time with the Club, it was one of the things that drew me here and it’s been a privilege to come into it. It meant my role in the current discussions was very straightforward because the players and the Club, clear on their responsibilities, instinctively knew what needed to be done for the Club, for the city and for our fans.
“This is a Club with a strong set of values that behaves like a family. In times of crisis, your first instinct is to protect your family and that’s the response I’ve seen. I am proud to lead this group of players as we define and fulfil our roles for the future.”
And club captain Wes Morgan said: “The spirit and depth of feeling that exists here makes this Club different. We’ve all come from different places, from different backgrounds over the years and yet we’ve all shared these experiences that have brought us together at this Club, in this city. Even people that are new to the place can feel it, because it’s become our culture.
“As a group of players, we felt well placed to work with our Club on this because, together with all the staff, that’s a culture we’ve built. As soon as conversations started, it was clear we all wanted the same thing – to make sure all the staff at the Club were looked after, to do our bit for the people of the city and to make sure the Club’s in the best position possible when football is ready to return.”
