Leicestershire

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Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper has admitted he will sorely miss commentating on Jamie Vardy.

The forward made his last appearance for the club against Ipswich Town and scored his 200th goal in a 2-0 win. Earlier this season, Vardy announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.

"It's felt like a brilliant day," Piper told BBC Radio Leicester. "I know we have been relegated this season, and it has been a desperately poor season.

"But the GOAT - Jamie Vardy - getting to 200 goals in the way and the manner he did it, the player he has been for this club, you have to forget about the relegation for just a day and think about Jamie Vardy.

"The incredible player he has been for this football club for the past 13 years - 500 appearances, 200 goals, Premier League, an FA Cup, Community Shield, going deep into the Champions League. He's been a colossal player over the years, the greatest to ever do it in a Leicester T-shirt and he will be missed.

"He will certainly be missed by me - said it many times, he's been my favourite player to commentate on over the years. As we sort of head into an era where not that many characters are left in top-flight football, he's definitely one of them.

"I am going to miss sitting behind him in a stadium like the Emirates, nails a Red Bull can in 10 seconds and goes on to win the game."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Tom Gayle
BBC Match of the Day commentator at King Power Stadium

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Jamie Vardy's 'Last Dance' for Leicester City was planned meticulously.

From the flags bearing his name provided for the home fans, the "Goodbye to the Goat" messaging which was emblazoned across the matchday programme, as well as the stadium big screen, to all the VIPs in attendance, which included the manager who signed him, Nigel Pearson, a number of his former team-mates, plus Vardy's family and friends.

Having received an abundance of additional information on email and WhatsApp prior to kick-off, I can't have been the only one thinking this will be proper awkward if he doesn't score!

This shaped my questioning to Ruud van Nistelrooy pre-match when I asked if there was any danger of sentiment getting in the way of his players decision-making when attacking. His robust response clearly indicated this had been a discussion point during the week, but Van Nistelrooy was clear in explaining how it was Vardy himself who led the dialogue of their focus being on the team rather than any individual, and winning was the most important objective.

His 200th club goal, which is set to be replayed for years to come, was classic Jamie Vardy.

As soon as the counter was on, he held the high line to force the Ipswich defence into retreat, which created room for James Justin to drive into. Vardy then made the run to find just enough space so when the ball did arrive at his feet, he was able to deliver the type of 18-yard box finish which has become so synonymous throughout his goalscoring career. Topped off with a customary celebration in front of the away supporters, it was a full house when it comes to a Jamie Vardy goal bingo checklist.

It was a surprise to all media in attendance to discover Vardy's only post-match interview would be conducted by the club, as the squad carried out their lap of appreciation. However, in addition to his goals, given his time at Leicester was largely fuelled by homemade Skittles and vodka, and cutting on and off the field banter, which even his own team-mates and their 'Danish friends' couldn't escape, I respect how he was determined to go out on his own terms.

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We asked for your views on Leicester's Premier League match against Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Jon: So wonderful that Jamie scored in his final game for Leicester. What a magnificent career; a fairytale of epic proportions. A true 'Roy of the Rovers' of the 21st century! We will all miss you so much. Thank you for 13 wonderful years.

David: Written in the stars to finish their season this way. If Ipswich had a Vardy they would have won. Leicester have been very poor on the eyes most of the season, but I cannot complain about their recent achievements which we all never thought would happen.

Steve: If only Leicester had played like this earlier in the season! Vardy deserved his swansong and there can be no better servant for a football club. Jeremy Monga looked impressive for the short time he was on and I'm so glad that Kasey McAteer got his first Premier League goal.

Dave: Well done Vards, difficult season but you have done us well.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Few could have envisaged the impact Jamie Vardy would make at the King Power Stadium, especially after five goals in his first season in the Championship.

"He was always joking and always full throttle in everything he did," said former team-mate Mark Schwarzer.

"Nobody saw what Leicester was going to do [winning the league in 2016]. When he first signed, apparently when he turned up he was terrible at training.

"His touch was horrendous, it was all over the place, and they all thought 'what have we just signed?'.

"Then he went away in the summer and really worked on his game. Apparently he was a different player when he returned back in that 2015-16 season."

Vardy put that improvement down to small changes. Before games, throughout the day, he started drinking three cans of Red Bull and a double espresso and eating a cheese and ham omelette with baked beans.

He also drank port from a Lucozade bottle the evening before matches during the 2015-16 season - having stopped with the Skittles vodka which was a previous favourite tipple and involved dissolving the sweets in the alcohol.

It helped him score 24 goals to win Leicester the league, and he went on to earn the Premier League's Golden Boot in 2019–20, becoming the oldest player to lift the award.

Title-winning Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri described Vardy as "a fantastic horse" back in 2016 as the Foxes closed in on the Premier League.

The veteran may not be a thoroughbred any more but he has been synonymous with Leicester's rise - and fall - as their last title winner to leave the King Power Stadium.

It was the end of an era and Leicester must find a new talisman. They will never find someone quite like Vardy again.

Read Nick's full piece on Vardy

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

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And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

Saturday 17th May

FA Cup final: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City - 5 LIVE

Sunday 18th May

West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest - 5 LIVE

Brentford 2-3 Fulham – SPORTS EXTRA 2

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle - 5 LIVE

The latest episode of When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

The team discuss Sunday's victory against Ipswich and Jamie Vardy's 500th and final appearance for the club.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Jamie Vardy addressing the Leicester fans on the pitch after his final match for the Foxes: "I've enjoyed every minute of this. I look forward to keeping an eye on the club I love. They are in my heart.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking myself and my family in as your own. I hope I've repaid you."

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On his 500th and final appearance for Leicester City, Jamie Vardy scored his 200th goal for the Foxes across all competitions.

Ruud van Nistelrooy spoke to Premier League productions about the 38 year-old: "If you score your 200th goal on your 500th appearance, then you are a great one.

"He has been a unique player and person for this football club. In years to come we will realise we were part of this moment. He's a character as well, there's a story and an edge to him. He's a great captain as well.

"We were motivated to do well for Jamie, but also to get more momentum after the Southampton win and the point against Nottingham Forest. It's some positives towards the end of the season."

On Kasey McAteer's goal, he added: "It's great he, deserves that, like all of us he's had a season of ups and growns, he trains well and works for the team, his effort was rewarded today with a great goal."