EFL Champions
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April 19th, the 43rd round of the Championship League.
Leicester City host Queens Park Rangers, and the King Power Stadium was already buzzing hours before kickoff. Fans had packed the stands, singing their hearts out, celebrating what had already been a historic season for the Foxes.
Leicester City had clinched the Championship title weeks ago, but tonight's game carried its own significance. The roar of the crowd was deafening, blue scarves waving in the air, as the anticipation built to fever pitch.
The commentators, trying to be heard over the cacophony, set the stage:
"What a night we have here, folks! Leicester City may have already secured the title, but this game is far from meaningless! Jamie Vardy is just one goal away from breaking the Championship's all-time goal record, and with Tristan Hale pulling the strings in midfield, you can bet that record could fall tonight!"
The King Power was electric. Banners flew high, emblazoned with the faces of Vardy and Tristan, two players whose partnership had defined Leicester's season. Although Leicester City had made large-scale rotations in the squad, resting most of their starting eleven, two names remained on the team sheet—Tristan Hale and Jamie Vardy.
Nigel Pearson had a plan. The reason he didn't rest his two stars was clear: to help Vardy break the Championship goal record.
Since the winter transfer window, when Leicester switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation and made Tristan a regular starter, Vardy's goal count had exploded. The chemistry between the two had been undeniable, with Tristan feeding Vardy with precision passes and assists. His vision and passing had made him a assist master propelling Vardy to the verge of history.
By the time they reached the 43rd round of the league, Vardy's tally had reached 30, tying the record for most goals in a single Championship season, held by Glenn Murray. As the crowd roared and the players took their positions, the commentators emphasized what was at stake.
"Jamie Vardy—just one goal away from breaking Glenn Murray's record of 30 goals! Can he make history tonight? And what a season it's been for Tristan Hale, with 17 assists to his name already. These two have been incredible together since the formation switch!"
The match kicked off, and despite Leicester already securing the title, the intensity was still there. The team looked relaxed but focused, knowing they had nothing to lose but everything to gain tonight. Queens Park Rangers, sitting fourth in the league, played cautiously, knowing their promotion chances were slim, and the game settled into a calm rhythm.
Leicester's fans, though, were anything but calm. Every touch of the ball by Vardy or Tristan sent a wave of excitement through the stadium. They knew history was in the making.
And then, just before the half-hour mark, the moment came. Tristan, collecting the ball deep in midfield, spotted Vardy making his run between the QPR defenders. Without hesitation, he launched a perfectly-weighted long pass over the top. Vardy's first touch was sublime, setting him up for the shot. The crowd held its breath as he took one more step and drilled the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Pandemonium erupted. The King Power Stadium exploded into celebration as fans jumped, screamed, and waved flags wildly. Jamie Vardy had just made history.
"And there it is! Jamie Vardy—31 goals this season! He's broken Glenn Murray's record! What a pass from Tristan Hale! You couldn't write this script any better, folks! Vardy's done it, and it's another assist for Tristan—what a combination they've been this season!"
Vardy sprinted to the corner flag, pointing back at Tristan in recognition, as his teammates swarmed him in celebration. Leicester City fans were beside themselves, knowing they had just witnessed a historic moment. Tristan, smiling from ear to ear, was congratulated by his teammates, knowing he had played a pivotal role in this incredible achievement.
At halftime, Pearson made the decision to sub both Tristan and Vardy, allowing them to exit to a standing ovation from the home crowd. The Leicester fans cheered them off the pitch, chanting their names as they took their place on the bench, their job done for the night.
In the second half, with Leicester already content with their lead, the game quieted down. Queens Park Rangers never seriously threatened, and Leicester controlled the remainder of the match, securing a comfortable 1-0 victory.
But the result was almost an afterthought. The night belonged to Vardy and his record-breaking goal, and to Tristan, whose assist tally now stood at 20.
As the final whistle blew, the commentators wrapped up the evening:
"Leicester City may have already won the Championship, but tonight they added another chapter to their fairytale season. Jamie Vardy, now the all-time record holder for goals in a Championship season, and Tristan Hale—20 assists. These two have been unstoppable together!"
With Vardy's record broken and Tristan's assists record secured, the Foxes could celebrate another monumental achievement in their incredible season. Vardy had shattered Glenn Murray's record, and Tristan had added another feather to his cap with 17 assists and the title of English Championship Assist Leader in the system gaining a new achievement which also granted him one free attribute point.
Both players had left their mark on the Championship, and as Leicester looked forward to life in the Premier League.
But none of this truly matters.
The real celebration was yet to come.
According to the EFL (English Football League) rules, the team that wins the championship early gets to host the trophy ceremony after their next home game. That meant Leicester City would be lifting the Championship trophy at the King Power Stadium. The fans knew it, the players knew it, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement.
When the final whistle blew, the King Power erupted into a full-blown carnival. Tens of thousands of Foxes fans, who had been singing and chanting throughout the match, now let loose in an ecstatic frenzy. Blue scarves filled the air as the crowd waved homemade trophies, soaking in the glory of their team's triumph.
In the stands, the fan organizations like the "Leciester Society" led the chants, their voices ringing out in perfect harmony as the team song echoed across the stadium. The entire place was alive with the sound of victory.
As the singing continued, EFL officials quickly moved onto the pitch, setting up a simple podium for the awards ceremony. The anticipation was almost unbearable.
Leicester's players disappeared into the locker room, only to return moments later. One by one, the coaches and players were introduced by the stadium DJ, each receiving loud cheers. But when Tristan's name was called, the stadium reached a whole new level of deafening.
"Tristan! Tristan! Tristan!" The fans roared, their voices in unison, echoing across the King Power Stadium.
Tristan smiled as he waved to the crowd, basking in the adoration of the Foxes faithful. He could feel their love, their belief in him. He'd come so far, and here he was, standing on the verge of greatness with his teammates. When he reached the podium, one of the club staff pointed to his spot.
"Tristan, you're in the second row with Riyad."
Though Tristan and Riyad Mahrez had only become regular starters after the winter transfer window, they had played pivotal roles in Leicester's road to the championship. Tristan's contributions, in particular, were heralded by both the club and fans as nothing short of vital. He wasn't just a player; to many, he was the most important cog in Leicester's title-winning machine.
And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. Captain Wes Morgan stepped forward, standing tall before the Championship trophy, affectionately nicknamed "the lady." The stadium was awash with noise—cheers, chants, songs—as the crowd urged him on.
With a broad grin, Morgan lifted the Championship trophy high above his head, and the stadium exploded into pandemonium. Fireworks blasted from the side of the stage, sending colorful ribbons raining down upon the players and the pitch.
Tristan, standing in the second row, joined his teammates as they all raised their hands and leaped into the air. The euphoria was overwhelming. He had done it. They had done it.
For Tristan, this was a dream realized.
Tristan felt lucky, beyond grateful for the chance he was given.
But for now, he soaked in the moment, the joy of winning, the thrill of being a champion, and the feeling of making history with Leicester City.
Witnessed by tens of thousands of ecstatic Leciester fans at the King Power Stadium, Leicester City lifted the 2013-14 Championship trophy, marking a historic moment for the club.
After the trophy-raising ceremony on the podium, the players and coaching staff gathered around a large banner emblazoned with "Champions 2014" to take the traditional group photo. As soon as the cameras flashed, the players wasted no time in heading to the various stands, waving and interacting with the fans who had supported them through thick and thin.
The Championship trophy began its journey through the hands of the team, starting with Captain Wes Morgan, and soon found its way to Jamie Vardy. For Vardy, this moment symbolized a personal triumph.
From being released by Sheffield Wednesday, working in a factory, and climbing the ranks from non-league football to top scorer in the Championship, his story was nothing short of inspirational. With the help of Tristan, Leicester's brilliant young playmaker, Vardy had not only broken the Championship goal-scoring record but had also won the Golden Boot.
Only Vardy could fully understand the hardships he'd endured, but as he stood with the trophy in his hands, all the struggles seemed worth it. He was thankful—not just to his family and coaches but to the teammates who had helped him along the way. One teammate in particular stood out in his mind—Tristan, the young player who had supplied him with countless assists since breaking into the first team.
Looking around, Vardy spotted Tristan a short distance away, taking a selfie with Riyad Mahrez.
"Tristan, it's your turn!" Vardy shouted, handing the trophy over.
Tristan, initially caught off guard, broke into a wide grin as he accepted the heavy trophy. "Thanks!" he said, but in Vardy's mind, it was him who should be saying that.
As Tristan held the trophy, he felt a surge of emotion. This was his first championship, and the weight of the trophy represented more than just a title—it symbolized all his struggles and success.
It was everything he had dreamed of in his first life, and now, standing here, having reached it so early in his career, the joy was almost overwhelming.
Tristan gazed at the trophy before giving it a light kiss, savoring the moment. This was what competitive sports were all about—the passion, the glory, the honor that made millions fall in love with the game.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Turning to Vardy and Mahrez, he smiled, "Jamie, Riyad, let's take a photo of the three of us!"
They both eagerly agreed. Tristan handed his phone to a teammate nearby, and the three players stood together—Tristan holding the trophy in the center, Vardy on his left, and Mahrez on his right. The flash went off, capturing the "Three Musketeers" in what would later become a legendary photo of players who would go on to dominate the Premier League.
After the picture, Tristan passed the trophy to Mahrez, who, beaming with pride, quickly handed his phone to Tristan for a few photos of his own. Like Tristan, this was Riyad's first championship trophy, and he wasn't going to miss the opportunity to document it.
With the celebrations on the field winding down, Captain Morgan led the team toward the stands to give a final wave of appreciation to the fans. The award ceremony ended, but the celebrations were far from over.
Back in the locker room, the party continued with loud music, dancing, and Queen's "We Are the Champions" blasting from the speakers.
"We are the champions, my friends...
And we'll keep on fighting till the end!"
Tristan, Mahrez, and Danny Drinkwater linked arms, jumping up and down, singing along to the iconic song. Just as the chorus hit, Vardy and Anthony Knockaert burst into the room with bottles of champagne in hand.
With two loud pops, champagne sprayed over Tristan and his singing teammates.
Laughter erupted as the drenched trio teamed up to wrestle the champagne bottles from Vardy, giving him a taste of his own medicine. The celebration escalated from there, with Schmeichel, Morgan, and the rest of the squad joining in for a full-blown champagne war.
The locker room was filled with shouts, laughter, and the unbridled joy of champions. After a long, crazy night of celebrations, the players finally left the stadium, though the festivities were far from over.
Later, they gathered again at a famous French restaurant in downtown Leicester, booked by Captain Morgan. Dressed in casual clothes, the entire Leicester City squad came together to share a victory dinner, toasting to their unforgettable season.
April 19th would forever be remembered as the day Leicester City crowned themselves champions.