Even the sky was blue, at least for some of the time. Such a sunny tribute to Leicester City Football Club seemed entirely appropriate as the population basked in the glory of the team’s triumph as champions of the Premier League this week. Blue, the standard colour of its playing kit, gives the team its alternative nickname – the Blues – and that was the colour with which Leicester’s shopping centre was redecorated. It only took two other hapless teams to draw 2-2 on Monday evening, for Leicester to know its lead was unassailable.  

More famous clubs with vastly more expensive players were left trailing, wondering how a team of virtual outsiders had ascended the league ladder so fast and so far in one season. Last season they had come perilously close to relegation. For reasons as much to do with money from betting and television rights as skill on the field, the English Premiership is one of the world’s most famous football leagues. Leicester City – a name barely pronounceable by international football fans – has proved something.