Cathal BarryThe chaplain to newly crowned Premier League champions Leicester City has revealed he offered players pre-match prayers “to help keep them more focussed and more mindful”.
Speaking ahead of the club’s fairy tale victory in England’s top football league, Rev. Andrew Hulley told of how divine intervention had spurred the squad on.
“The players are embracing the spirituality no matter their faith and its helping their game. Prayers help settle them before a game.
“They are so fantastic. They play with soul, with heart, with blood. I’m very proud of them,” he said.
The Irish Mirror also reported that the team’s home pitch had been blessed several times by monks flown in from Thailand by the club’s billionaire owners.
Banter
The vicar from King’s Church in Loughborough, also revealed he has been “having a lot of banter” with star player Jamie Vardy, who missed a crucial match against Manchester United recently due to a ban for misconduct.
“Jamie’s a joker. Whenever he sees me he comes over and says ‘Father forgive me, I have sinned’,” Rev. Hulley said.
Speaking about the role of Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri in the squad’s incredibly successful season, Rev. Hulley said he had “worked wonders” with the team.
“He’s so strong, encouraging and positive all the time,” he said.
Unlikely
Leicester had been rank outsiders after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, and barely a year ago were bottom of the league, but the ‘David’ club beat the Goliaths of English football in one of the most unlikely triumphs ever seen in world sport.
Mr Ranieri said his emotions were at “the maximum level” after Leicester were crowned Barclays Premier League champions.
“It means the job is good. I am very, very happy now because maybe if I won this title at the beginning of my career maybe I would forget.
“Now I am an old man I can feel it much better,” he said.