Leicester Mercury get an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight in the biggest-ever Tifo display at Leicester City in dedication to Jamie Vardy
“I absolutely adore the Leicester fans. I’ve been here 12 years now and it’s definitely got a place in my heart.”
Those were the words of Jamie Vardy after the final day of the 2023/24 Championship campaign on Saturday. Despite falling to a 2-0 loss to Blackburn, Leicester City lifted the league title and Vardy was embraced with an emotional tribute by the King Power Stadium faithful.
‘190 Thank Yous Will Never Be Enough. Jamie Vardy, Leicester’s Greatest’, was painted across the two banners in the East Stand and Kop Stand alongside a sea of foil sheets that read: ‘Vardy 9’. A full-stand image of Vardy celebrating his goal against Southampton in May 2022 made up the tribute in the Kop Stand in Union FS’s ‘biggest Tifo yet’.
The full tribute was a sight to behold. The group had worked tirelessly on creating the vision behind the tribute before 1,000+ man-hours ground together to give one of the club’s greatest-ever players the perfect accolade.
In March, the group confirmed they would be showing their appreciation to Vardy with a call-out for supporters to raise the funds for the material. It’s important to remember when talking about Union FS, they hand make every single Tifo and banner on display throughout the years.
The target was set at £3,000. Not long later the goal was reached. Amazingly, one generous supporter donated £1,000 meaning Union FS were able to make the presentation better than ever. Before the 2-1 win over West Brom in April, the Blackburn game was confirmed as the date for the tribute meaning the hard work started then.
On Friday, LeicestershireLive’s football writer, Josh Holland, joined members of the group at the King Power Stadium to get a behind-the-scenes take on the work put in to create these Tifos. And for someone who never really sat back and appreciated the process, every single member of the group deserves immense credit.
The three stretched banners laid across the concourse in G1 and G2 with multiple individuals laying down endless strips of tape to keep the material and poles mounted together. Some had been at the stadium for an hour or so before I arrived and tape had already run out.
Some had been at the stadium on Thursday night to place the wrapped-up foil sheets into the individual seats. Roughly 14,000 seats inside the King Power Stadium needed covering as part of the show. The majority of them were blue with sections of black, gold and white sprinkled in place to form the tribute in the stands.
I was fortunately allowed time to speak to a couple of members of the Union FS group, who shall remain anonymous through their own request. Speaking to them, it became quite clear, if it wasn’t already for most, why the decision was made to acknowledge Vardy’s tremendous 12-year stint at Leicester.
The main reason was his incredible loyalty and actions on the pitch. Since signing from Fleetwood Town in 2012 for £1m, the 37-year-old has scored 190 goals for the club – winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Championship (twice) and Community Shield.
decision to part ways is made this summer, Union FS wanted to ensure they gave him the best send-off possible.
Previously, club legend Andy King missed out on a tribute due to Covid-19 and Kasper Schmeichel’s shock exit in 2022 under Brendan Rodgers meant he also didn’t get the send-off he deserved. But there was going to be no stopping Vardy receiving the perfect appreciation.
Two things really stood out to me on Friday when watching the group put in the hours to prepare for the Tifo. The first thing, perhaps the most impressive, was the amount of actual work done by each member of the group to hand-make the product. Supporters groups from clubs like Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, who have made big Tifos in the past, don’t make their displays handmade, instead paying a premium for a printed version.
To give some context, Sunderland fan group ‘The Spirit of 37’ set a target of £17,000 for their full stadium display against Newcastle earlier this year in the FA Cup.
The second impressive part of the work behind the Tifo was how many like-minded fans joined together to help the group. There were a number of group members at the stadium upon my arrival doing the work before supporters started to filter into the concourse after 5pm to spend their Friday evenings playing their part.
It was a truly impressive moment and a testament to the job the group has done over its 10 years of existence. The display in full was an emotional one for a club legend but also a tiring event for the group. One member texted me later in the evening: “I’m done in now,” after a day of celebration and hard work.
Following Saturday’s tribute to Vardy, Union FS provided a full receipt of the final cost. £3,259 was the final price (£1,715 on foil sheets, £594 for surfer and banner material, £338 on paper sheets, £175 for paint, £305 on tape and £132 on miscellaneous) meaning the remaining of the £4,859 raised will go towards next season’s plans.
Despite all the negativity and concerns off the pitch from supporters towards the club for the Financial Fair Play problems and the decision to raise season ticket prices as well as charging a £25 premium to keep a physical card, Union FS remain so appreciative to the football club.
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