Board Profile – Colin Murrant

A bit about you:

Name: Colin Murrant

Current home town: Desborough

Birthplace: Long Itchington, Nr Leamington Spa, (could have been a Sky Blue)

When did you first support LCFC? 1964, first game v Stoke City and Stanley Matthews. There was no family history of being supporters, so I was in my teens when I first went to Filbert Street. Last season my 2 sons, 2 granddaughters and 2 grandsons attended a match at the KP together for the first time so the Dynasty is established.

When did you first join on the Trust Board? Co-opted in 2016 but elected in 2017

Why did you join? I have done many various things in local football but, apart from supporting the City, nothing of note at the senior level of the game. Semi-retirement has given me more time to devote to new activities, and having the opportunity to discuss issues that affect City and the game at National and local levels appealed to me. We all have our opinions on what is good and bad about the game and how we would like to see it be improved. To be able to participate in discussion of these issues in a formal way seems to me to be more meaningful.

What is your main role? I have no specific role but have attended meetings at the Club and National level representing the FT. I have also produced a format for assessing clubs impact in their local Community. I also regularly write Trust match reports on away matches.

If you were to say one thing about why you feel other supporters should join the Trust, what would it be? Probably the same reasons as I mentioned as to why I joined. I would like to see younger people be proactive in the FT as I think that each generation has its own opinions on what is important to them. I have sons and grandchildren who attend matches when they can and I like to take their viewpoints into consideration when forming my opinions. So, the one thing I would say is join and express your views

Overview of LCFC:

Favourite thing about the ground: Somethings that are not by definition tangible, the memories of the last two seasons that I doubt will ever be surpassed. The mantle of home has not yet fully passed for me from Filbert Street to the King Power, but it is has its own part in my heart.

Favourite view and/or where you sit: I sit in A1 on the angle, I suffer from neck problems and it suits me best sitting there, not having to move my head too much.

Favourite match & why: Unquestionably Manchester City away on 6 February 2016. We dominated the match from kick off to final whistle with the Mahrez goal being the cherry on the icing of the cake. It was the day most of us really started to believe we could win the Title. The applause from the Mancs was moving, it also heralded the world-wide love-in with The Foxes

Favourite player of all time who played for our club: Gary Lineker, probably because he was a local lad and Leicester fan. His prime time at Leicester was also when I started to take my sons to the games and he was there hero: he seemed to score in every game. It is great to see he has not lost his love for Leicester having played for bigger clubs.

Our 15/16 Season:

At what stage did you think we would win the league? The week before we had been to Crystal Palace and won 1-0 when the fans stayed behind for 20 minutes singing 'We're gonna win the League'. I remember coming out of the Southampton home game on April 3rd and the Sahara sand got in my eyes. I kept saying to my friend, we are going to do this, we are really going to do it. That was the moment, I had no doubts after that.

Where were you when the final whistle went at the Chelsea v Spurs game and how did you feel? At home. I couldn't bear to watch to be honest. Then I learnt we were losing 2-0 so I thought ‘what the hell’ and watched the remainder of the match. Hazard 83 min 28 secs ingrained in my memory.

Where were you when we were presented with the trophy and how did you feel? In the ground and the whole thing was totally surreal and emotional. I don't think any supporters experienced what we did that day and Andreas Bocelli added to that. The match itself was a sideshow and had no meaning other than that we won the League by 10 points. The thought was that I had supported city for 50 years and this had happened in my life time: My two grandsons (5 and 7) think City winning the league is the norm.

How has Leicester winning the league changed the perception of the club? Incredibly, everywhere you go home and abroad people recognise the badge or learn where you come from and want to talk about the Team. It has put Leicester on the match. Unfortunately, the ill-informed pundits and bad press around Claudio's sacking dented this love for Leicester but not killed it off.

Has it made a difference to you personally? Just that uplifting feeling that you have witnessed something special, even unique that can never been taken away from you. I feel very privileged to have been a part of it.

Any other comments in relation to that incredible season? I went to every away game, Victoria Park, Kasabian at the KP. It was the greatest party ever. The starters were the end of the previous season, the dessert the Champions League but the 15/16 season the main course. I am ready to dine again!