A message from Leicester to the world

Sue and I were in Leicester yesterday morning.  Nothing unusual about that, apart from a very noticeable proliferation of the colour blue.  It seems that the whole city is waiting in eager anticipation for Leicester City FC to be crowned champions of the Premier League.  Just one victory from their remaining three games will see the impossible accomplished.  I had to go into Specsavers for an eye test, and noticed that a number of the staff were wearing Leicester City football shirts.  Many of the city centre shops have Leicester City displays in their windows, with messages of support for the boys.  A significant number of people out and about were wearing Leicester colours. Even some of the public buildings have been highlighted in blue.

When the current season kicked off last August, Leicester City were 5000-1 outsiders to win the league.  Indeed, according to the bookies there was more chance of the Loch Ness monster being discovered or Simon Cowell becoming Prime Minister than Leicester City winning the league title!  Almost no-one, probably not even many of their most faithful supporters, believed that they had any chance of being crowned champions.  For some years, it has always been one of the top four or five of the wealthiest clubs who were in with a chance of becoming Premiership champions.  We all thought that scenario was destined to continue.  Even former Leicester player, Gary Lineker, didn't believe that Leicester had any chance of becoming champions, declaring that if they won the league he would present Match of the Day in his underpants!

Now, Leicester are within striking distance of achieving what everyone though impossible.  If and when they are crowned champions, it will become one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of team sport.  So how is it that a team like Leicester has pulled off such a feat?

I was listening to the BBC's sports reporter Mike Bushell on the TV this morning.  He had spent the day in Leicester yesterday, and his observation was significant:  He stated that the city and the team are "so united together, bonded by one dream."  I've managed to watch Leicester live twice this season, and it is clear to me that it is that team spirit, unity, and commitment to the cause and to one another which has driven them on to such a great accomplishment.

I can't help thinking about a recent fellowship meeting at our home, when we were thinking about the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17.  At the heart of his prayer for of his followers was that they may 'be brought to complete unity.'  Jesus knew, just as Claudio Ranieri knows, that a bond of unity is so powerful, and a key to success and fruitfulness.  What a message, both for the Church and for the world.