Hello, it’s me. Not, this is not an Adele song. You’ve probably seen me before, usually glittering in the sunshine around May time.
Yes, that’s right, I’m the Premier League trophy.
For years I’ve been held aloft by some of the biggest stars in the game. Now, though, I’m ready for a change.
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Once again, just like last season, I’m all dressed up in blue ribbons. As we speak I’m on my way to my new home for the next year. I’ve never been here before and I never thought I’d be living here.
But hey, that’s the life I live. Gone are the days of hanging out at Old Trafford for nearly a decade… Now I live a much more uncertain life. Wait. What’s that? They are joking about me spending the next 12 months with actual Foxes, right?
Leicester is my new home and I can honestly say that the excitement surrounding my unexpected arrival surpasses any of my previous jubilant hoists into the air.
I’m ready for Wes Morgan to thrust me into the Leicestershire sky and see all the happy faces of the fans, players and staff as Leicester became just the sixth team to win me.
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Bit of background on me: my other homes have been at Manchester United, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal and Chelsea. I’m made of sterling sliver and silver gilt mostly, plus have a golden crown and a plinth made of malachite. I was created by the Royal Jewelers of Asprey in London (hence my very proper accent) and I usually don’t tell people this but I weigh 55 lbs and I’m 30 inches tall.
I do have a replica but they are very shy and only come out in extreme circumstances such as two teams both going into the final day of the season with a chance of winning me. Tottenham’s recent results have put an end to that for this season so you’re just stuck with me, the original. Hi!
I’ve spent 13 years of my life with United, two at Man City, four at Chelsea, three at Arsenal and a single year back from May 1995 in Blackburn.
Since my days at Ewood Park over two decades ago, I didn’t think I’d be passed on to one of the so-called smaller clubs in England anymore. The days of being held up at Anfield by Tim Sherwood and Alan Shearer seemed so long ago but now Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Mr. Claudio Ranieri will be holding me at the King Power this weekend.
Plus, the ways things are going in the league, I could have plenty of new homes in the coming years. This Leicester team has really shaken things up.
I used to be fond of bobbing up and down in front of the North Bank at Highbury, being worn on Didier Drogba‘s head at Stamford Bridge and Sir Alex Ferguson parading me around, once again, as the children of United’s players (Kasper Schmeichel, looking forward to catching up again!) celebrated on the Old Trafford pitch.
Now, though, this is a new era.
A league and a life full of uncertainties. West Ham? Stoke? Southampton? Crystal Palace? Will I end up here next… Nobody knows and for the first time in a long time I really won’t be making any long-term plans for my living arrangements.
The status quo has well and truly been disrupted but with Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola arriving next season, maybe I’ll see old friends in the cabinet at City and Chelsea this time next year?
For now, I’m all dressed in blue and ready for a day of celebrations. Before I’m handed over to Morgan there will be a sing-song from Andrea Bocelli on the pitch, free beer, pizza and crisps on behalf of Leicester and it will be a day filled with delight. Then I arrive to cap it all off. Oh, it’s a glamorous life being the jewel in the crown of the world’s most recognized and watched league.
To sum up the life of the trophy, as I mentioned, it’s very glamorous these days. Gone are the days when I’ve been sat in a dusty trophy cabinet all season. Now, I appear on TV shows as a centerpiece, get toured around the world by past legends who’ve won me and I’m handled with care by schoolchildren who get to see me as party of the trophy tour. I’m very busy.
Before I forget, one important reminder for tomorrow: if Vardy’s party into the wee hours does get a little out of hand, can somebody remind them to put me down for a bit of a rest? It will be a long, and very exciting, day.
Leicester, can’t wait to call you home for the next 12 months. See you soon.
Much love, PLT (Premier League Trophy)
