Jamie Vardy’s final iconic moment in a Leicester City shirt produced an iconic picture.
After neatly finishing goal number 200, he peeled away, shushed the Ipswich fans, then raised the corner flag above his head and stared them down.
This was Vardy the conqueror. These lands are his. And if anyone invades his territory and taunts him, they should know what’s coming.
It was the highlight of a joyful day, one where 32,000 supporters and a host of familiar faces gathered to celebrate a history-making 13 years, and one where Vardy rolled out the classics.
The desire for him to get the milestone goal was palpable and led to those little moments that he’s become renowned for: the darting runs off the defender’s shoulder, the sniffing-out of chances inside the box.
At one point he barged over Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer for no other reason than he had the opportunity to do so and knew he could get away without punishment.
The goal was prime Vardy. As James Justin surged forward, Vardy waited and waited, moving at a half-sprint towards the back post before quickly changing his path, bursting in front of Dara O’Shea then rolling the ball through his legs to leave Palmer flat-footed.
There had been a moment 10 minutes earlier that perhaps showed a waning of his powers at 38 years of age. He initially had the pace to latch onto Jordan Ayew’s pass and escape O’Shea’s sliding challenge, but when in the past he’d have raced away and scored, he took the ball wide, allowed defenders to catch up, and then fluffed his chance.
But that in turn showed what has long been true of Vardy. Missed opportunities don’t knock his confidence. He very quickly learned his lesson, the next time taking the shot early and in doing so finding the net.
There was never really any doubt that he wouldn’t score. It’s been a comic-book career for Vardy at City and it needed a triumphant ending. Of course he delivered.
There are limits to his superpowers. He can’t singlehandedly stop a club from being relegated. But when there’s an occasion, he does the business.
He is now leaving, and he will be wearing a different team’s colours next season, but City will forever be Vardy’s club.
He’s achieved far more than any fan ever dreamed possible and etched his name into the club's folklore for eternity. Even if in some distant future where there is another goalscorer like Vardy, he will forever be the first. He can't be topped.
But as that image of him holding the corner flag aloft shows, it’s not just that Vardy is City’s club, but that this club is Vardy’s.
For so long, he has been the constant. He’s been at the heart of every matter. He's defined the, his worldwide reputation exceeding City's. Now they have to go on without him.
Victory could be worth £3m
While the media focus was on Vardy in the build-up to the match, every word he said and every word those around him said suggested City’s own focus was primarily on getting the victory. That, they managed.
It makes a significant difference. City are now in pole position to finish 18th. If they at least draw at Bournemouth, or if Ipswich fail to beat West Ham, then will officially be the best of the worst and claim an extra £2.8m in prize money.
But how did they play? While they were played well in moments and held good control once Ricardo Pereira came on, they let Leif Davis and Omari Hutchinson threaten far too often and gave up too many chances. Jakub Stolarczyk had some hairy moments.
Had they been playing a more-established Premier League side, rather than one of the relegated clubs, they could have been punished.
In his assessment, Ruud van Nistelrooy said: “There were spells where we were good on and off the ball. Today, we weren’t as solid as I’d liked to have seen.
“I think we were quite lucky not to concede. We gave them too many opportunities. I remember a couple where they missed clear opportunities. We can do better there, definitely.
“I think we scored at the right time. There were some good moves, especially the last 35 minutes where we went for two wingers instead of a full-back and a winger, like how we started the game. That gave us control in the midfield with Ricardo. We started to dominate possession. I was most pleased with that part of the game.”
One minute of chants allow fans to make their point
There was concern among supporters that the focus on Vardy and the joyous atmosphere created to wave him off would mean the woes of the campaign – which should have been in the spotlight for the final home fixture – would be glossed over.
There was a sense that a pristine image would be presented of City, and that the hierarchy would be spared the negativity that their running of the club perhaps warranted.
But fans were able to celebrate Vardy and still make their point, sometimes all in the same minute.
Just before the milestone goal, City fans chanted ‘Stand up if you love Vardy!’ Within seconds, that had turned to ‘Sack the board!’ Moments later, ‘We want Rudkin out!’ followed.
It was a 60-second summary of the fanbase’s mood. They adore their number nine, but believe what he’s delivered this season has been in spite of the organisation of the club, not because of it. They still want change at the top.
Those chants towards the hierarchy were audible in moments throughout. The squad didn’t escape without criticism too. They were booed as a collective when they came out of the tunnel to help form Vardy’s guard of honour.
Despite the jubilant scenes of Vardy’s final game, fans were still able to make their point: they’re not happy.
The future's unknown for Ruud, for Monga, and more
With Vardy’s send-off, there were special circumstances at City. But usually when there’s no title, survival, or European qualification to play for in the final home game of a club’s season, it should offer a glimpse of the future to build anticipation for the new campaign.
But there are so many unknowns at City that that would have been difficult. It’s not known who will be in charge of the club, as the situation remains ominous for van Nistelrooy, while it’s not known which players will be sticking around.
Many of those will want to leave rather than play in the Championship again. Many will have to be sold to generate revenue for the club.
Even the gasps of excitement from the crowd whenever Jeremy Monga side-stepped and breezed past defenders are not certain to be carried into the new campaign with continued doubts over the 15-year-old’s future.
As things stand, it’s very difficult to picture how City could shape up the next time they play at the King Power.
What City must deliver in new era
As mentioned, this club is Vardy’s. His departure would feel like the end of an era no matter what, but that he is the final of the title-winners to depart really does signal that City are entering a new phase. Van Nistelrooy made reference to that, and so did the chairman.
Writing in the programme, Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha: “For many of our supporters, today’s game may feel like the end of an era. And that may be true.
“But the task to begin another era is something that should excite us all. Leicester City has always been a club to celebrate and be inspired by its rich history and a few eras have been as inspiring as the one we celebrate today.
“It is our responsibility to ensure our future lives up to that tradition, placing faith in new heroes, and giving them the same opportunities to inspire us, and challenge our belief in what is possible.”
It’s a good message. It’s hopeful but not unrealistic. Replicating the success of the Vardy era is nigh-on impossible, and no fan believes that the club should be expected to compete for those sorts of honours with any regularity.
But what Vardy gave fans – through his journey to the top, his loyalty to the club, and his determination on the pitch – was a player to be proud of.
No matter what happens on the pitch in the next era, that’s what fans crave. They want a team and a club they feel driven, excited and proud to support.
What was your favourite moment of Vardy's farewell? Click HERE to have your say.
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