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Andy King exclusive interview: Title glory, Ranieri's sacking and why nobody will 'do a Leicester' again
Andy King is sitting in a restaurant at the Marriott Hotel in Leicester, reflecting on how it all began nearly a decade ago.
“I was searching on Google earlier this week and reading some of the reports about my debut, saying it was a dire game and how we got booed off by our own fans,” he says, laughing. “It was a 0-0 draw against Wolves [on October 2, 2007] and I’m probably the only one who remembers it. I’ve packed in quite a bit since that game.”
King undoubtedly has, during a magical 10 years in which he has experienced unexpected and glorious highs - winning the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri - to the ultimate low of suffering relegation to the third tier in 2008.
The 28-year-old midfielder is Leicester’s longest-serving player by some distance and ingrained into the DNA of the club, a source of stability during a period few supporters could have imagined after those dark days in League One.
On Monday, it will be 10 years since he first made his debut in that borefest against Wolves at the King Power Stadium.
He is known by some as 'Mr Leicester', such is his association with the club he joined at the age of 15 after suffering the disappointment of rejection at Chelsea.
He has played under seven permanent managers, including Ranieri, Sven Goran Eriksson, Nigel Pearson (twice) and now Craig Shakespeare, but has always been a key figure both on and off the field.
In these turbulent times, King is a rare breed as a one-club man with 368 appearances and 61 goals to his name.
“If you look at any club in England over the last 10 years I don’t think anyone has been on such a rollercoaster,” he said.
“For all that to have coincided with my debut to this day now is an unbelievable feeling.
“I take it upon myself to worry about Leicester. Even if I’ve not played and we lose I’ll be down in the evening. I take it home with me and I don’t know why. It must drive my fiancee [Camilla] mad!
“I’m not a 24/7 football person but I care about everyone at the club and my team-mates. I know everyone at the club and their roles. If anyone was to leave, I'd know about it.
“I’ve no issues with players who decide to go elsewhere, but I’ve never had the urge to leave. I’ve never come close. I can see myself finishing my career here.”
While Gareth Barry wrote his name into Premier League history this week by making 633 appearances, King is also the proud owner of a record which will be difficult to beat.
Last year he became the first player to win the Premier League, Championship and League One title since football was given its makeover in 1992. Will any player do that again?
“With the spending power of the top teams it’s very unlikely,” he says. “The only way I can see it happening is if a Manchester City breaks the rules like Juventus and drops down to the third division.
“Winning the Premier League was never on my agenda. You’re now seeing the Manchester clubs spending over £200m and it makes you wonder even more how we won the league.
“We lost only three games, two to Arsenal and Liverpool away. You’re thinking what happened to United and Chelsea away, games you’d be happy to take a point from. Amazing.
“My medal is at my house and somewhere I can see it. Some people keep them locked away, but not me. I look at it all the time. Whatever happens to me now, I’ve got those memories and that achievement.”
King was one of the first players to contact Ranieri after that controversial sacking in February this year, a moment he recalls as one of the lowest in his time at Leicester.
“When Claudio got sacked, it was awful because all the hate was aimed at us. It was hard for someone like me who’s dedicated his life to the club for 10 years and given everything.
“I sent Claudio a text message to say ‘sorry we couldn’t do more on the pitch’. He replied and thanked me for my loyalty and the fact he had the dignity to reply said it all about him.
“We managed to turn it around under ‘Shakey’ and finished 12th – for any club being in the Premier League for three years that would be progress, but how could we have possibly topped what we did?”
King is due a testimonial, possibly next year, but for now is targeting his third successive league start this weekend at Bournemouth, two days before the 10th anniversary of his debut.
A Wales international, he will also be involved in the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland under Chris Coleman. His thoughts on Leicester, however, will never be far away.
“I’m 29 soon and I will try to help the club keep moving forward,” he says. “I got released by Chelsea but it was a blessing in disguise. Everything happens for a reason and I’ve achieved things here that I never imagined.
“I’ve had 10 managers, including caretakers, who have all wanted their own signings and their own systems. I’m still here, though, and that gives me immense satisfaction. I feel so proud to have played such a big part in this journey.”