Vichai gave Leicester fans joy - he was unique, special and is sorely missed

Taking off from the pitch at the King Power Stadium after the Premier League match against West Ham on Saturday, 27 October, at approximately 8.30pm, and came down just moments later in a car park.

Leicester host Brighton in the Carabao Cup tonight, which is the first time a match has taken place on the anniversary of the tragedy, which also killed Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz.

That night will never be forgotten by supporters and here, Leicester fan Jason Bourne recalls to talkSPORT the feeling of watching on from afar, what Vichai meant to fans, and the legacy he has left behind.

"I wasn't at Leicester vs West Ham, the night of the accident. I watched from a pub near my home in Ealing, London. I had moved there from Leicester for work reasons in 2017. I was freelancing for talkSPORT, amongst other broadcasters at the time.

"It was a poor game if I remember rightly but a point was saved thanks to a late goal. The first I knew of anything was when I saw posts on Twitter from [Match of the Day presenter] Gary Lineker and our reporter, Geoff Peters, who was covering the game for talkSPORT.

"I was frantically calling people I knew who were at the game to find out what had happened and to see if they were alright. It emerged over the next few hours that Vichai was on board a helicopter that crashed near the stadium. I had a show to produce the next morning, hosted by Ian Stafford.

"I was awake all night with worry, adrenaline pumping through my body. Not that I could do anything, but I desperately wanted to be back in Leicester. The connection to home is always strong, even more so in adversity. I was a guest on talkSPORT shows to offer my thoughts and insight into the owner. It was tough. Very tough. The man who helped bring the Premier League title to us and gave us so much joy was gone. It affected me more than I ever thought. It was a desperately sad period.

"Vichai was not just a chairman of the club but a benefactor to the community. Gifts to local hospitals and universities. The fan experience. Free beers, bacon rolls, cakes for fans. It's all part of what made him unique and special. It wasn't just about the success on the field but off it too. He cared.

"The thousands who turned out at the club in the next week to sign his book of condolence showed how much we cared about him. It wasn't until the following week after the crash that I visited.

"To see the scarves from fans of all clubs was astonishing. I was also at the next home game. I pulled in favours at work to make sure I could be there. I had to be there. There was a walk - in the pouring rain - from the city centre to the stadium. 50,000 turned up ahead of the game, including my dad who didn't have a ticket. It's a testament to how much the fans loved him.

"Leicester as a club should be very proud of Vichai's legacy and how success both on and off the field had continued.

"His sons have steered the ship in an exemplary manner. The FA Cup victory was a great example of this, but the new training ground is another. The stadium expansion also. They continue to act in a dignified manner, doing the best to sustain the club and be a huge part of the community.

"We all think our clubs are special and they are, but I look at what's been achieved since the owners' arrival and it's nothing short of astonishing. Trophies, a training ground, development of the women's team, expansion of the stadium, gifts to hospitals and charities. It's a privilege to follow this club.

"Tonight's game will be the first time a fixture has fallen on the anniversary. It'll be a poignant evening when we remember not just Vichai but Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz too."