Why two Leicester 2015/16 title heroes had to show up at the police station before Jamie Vardy's epic party
Jamie Vardy forced two former Leicester City stars into a wide swerve amid his wild Premier League title celebrations.
The Foxes overcame the famous 5,000/1 odds to finish top in the 2015/16 season in what is one of the greatest sporting stories in history.
What made the feat even more impressive was that Leicester They were crowned champions with two games remaining.
Tottenham, who had been putting Leicester under pressure all campaign, needed to win their remaining three games and hope the Foxes dropped points at some point along the way to spoil the fairytale.
However, Tottenham's penultimate match was against Chelseawho were not in the title race but were still a dangerous rival.
Knowing that anything other than a Tottenham win would guarantee their crowning moment, Leicester's players organised separate viewing parties in anticipation of what was to come.
According to the former Foxes winger Marc Albrightonwho played in all the games of that famous season, some stars had events in their own homes while half of the team showed up at From Vardy place.
Albrighton was one of those who chose to host a small event at his home and invited his friends and family.
Tottenham threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Chelsea, ensuring Leicester achieved a feat many thought impossible.
Upon hearing what had happened at Vardy's house, Albrighton immediately ordered his parents to take him to the striker's party.
Still, he had to make a big detour to get there.
“I'm on my way there, I'm texting Vards to send me the address, he sends me the address.” Albrighton told the Under The Cosh podcast.
“But he called me on the phone and said, 'Okay, don't come to my house. There's a police station a mile away, go to the police station. You won't be able to get near the house.'”
It could easily have been a joke, but Albrighton took Vardy at his word and got his parents to re-route him to the police station.
As Albrighton entered the station reception area, he quickly spotted a familiar face.
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“Ben Chilwell is sitting there with his father,” Albrighton said.
“He said, 'Have they told you to come here too?'”
After saying goodbye to their parents, Albrighton and Chilwell were escorted by police to Vardy's home.
It didn't take long for Albrighton to realise why Vardy had asked him to hitch a ride with the police.
“Thousands of fans have found out where he lives and they're all on his street, climbing over his doors, trying to get a look in to see everyone,” Albrighton said.
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“As we were driving, the fans were banging on the windows and clapping. All the scarves, the flags, everything.”
Albrighton eventually made it through the front door of Vardy's residence, but after a brief eruption of joy, the atmosphere quickly faded.
“He died because you have a million messages on your phone,” Albrighton said.
“So all the boys have had that joy of cheering when they won and then answering all the messages or getting in touch with their children or their family.”
However, the intensity of the celebrations quickly increased when former Foxes goalkeeper… Kasper Schmeichel He had his driver pick up some of the players and take them downtown.
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After seeing the scenes of celebration at the King Power Stadium posted all over social media, it was inevitable to make a detour beyond their home ground.
For Albrighton, it was certainly worth it.
“We've been through this and I've never seen anything like it,” Albrighton said.
“All the flares, flags everywhere, scarves, people dancing, everyone angry. It was the best thing I've ever seen.”
The title celebrations then moved to a nightclub, where the players had a cordoned off area on the upper floor.
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Some clubs in England enforce a strict dress code, but one night in Leicester, one venue threw those rules out the window.
“We're looking toward the dance floor,” Albrighton said.
“Once again, Leicester shirts, Leicester flags, Leicester scarves. Everyone was on top of the world. Obviously, everyone was watching us and singing Leicester songs to us. It was amazing.”
Leicester still had two games left, including a home game against Everton Just five days after being crowned league champions.
Despite a midweek drunken streak, the Foxes beat the Toffees 3-1 to lift the Premier League trophy in front of their own fans at the King Power Stadium.
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Blind Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli also took part in the pre-match trophy ceremony, serenading the crowd and Leicester players after the game.
The Premier League title triumph remains the finest moment of Albrighton's career, although he also won an FA Cup winners' medal in 2021 when the Foxes beat Chelsea in the final.
He eventually spent ten seasons in the Leicester squad, one of them on loan in West Brom.
Albrighton called time on his career in August at the age of 34, having made more than 300 Premier League appearances, 224 of which were for Leicester.
