Leicester City fans mourn ‘superfan’ Liam McNulty after heartrending final message on Twitter
The Foxes faithful are united in grief at the loss of one of their own
Tributes have been paid to a Leicester City ‘superfan’ whose death at the age of 33 has moved even people who had never met him to tears.
Season ticket holder and lifelong supporter Liam McNulty was a well-known and popular figure down at the King Power Stadium and among the City’s traveling fans.
He was also a source of great banter, insightful LCFC knowledge and camaraderie to more than a thousand social media users who followed him on Twitter.
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It was on the social media platform where Liam, whose username was @liamlcfc88, announced on Wednesday that he was back in Glenfield Hospital, where he had been treated many times over the years for a degenerative heart condition.
Updating his Twitter friends, he joked: “My cardiologist as soon as he’s seen me: ‘I guess your not going Forest then’,” referring to the East Midlands’ 4th round FA Cup derby in Nottingham this Sunday.
He then posted again yesterday afternoon and wrote: “Not great news but I’ve had a decent life – just hope it’s a peaceful end now.”
Liam’s message prompted a flurry of responses, each person offering their encouragement and support.
It soon transpired, however, that he’d died just a few hours later – from heart failure.
I thought the following words might have been from a famous Greek philosopher, but they turned out to be said by Proximo, the late Oliver Reed’s character in the film Gladiator.
Nonetheless, they stuck in my mind.
“Ultimately, we are all dead men. Sadly we cannot choose how but we can decide how we meet that end in order that we are remembered as men.”
LCFC fans – and many supporters of other clubs – were quick to express their shock, admiration and condolences to Liam’s friends and family, after his death with #RIPLiam trending on Twitter.
Supporter @GlennTheFoxile, writing from Canada, said: “I’ve just read the sad news that we’ve lost one of our own from the Blue Army. RIP Liam. When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.”
Jacqueline @Abundance247 said: “May you RIP Liam. You were the most positive person in adversity and the best Leicester fan!”
LcfcFamily tweeted: “What a brave tweet from a wonderful Lcfc fan who never moaned but just loved his team. RIP Liam – I hope the Boss is waiting to welcome you.”
AndrewB (Elsie) @dcracy3 said: “Why am I so cut up about someone I’ve never met passing away? RIP Liam.”
Elvid F Mcfly added: “I’ve been thinking of this poor guy all day, I didn’t know him but he’s been showing up on my timeline for a short while, seemed like a fanatic.
“I’m so pleased he saw us win the league and FA Cup in his short life and I hope he milked every last drop of those till the end. RIP mate.”
On Facebook, The Football Community posted a photograph of Liam standing beside the blue and white-ribboned FA Cup and Community Shield trophies.
It was accompanied by the words: “This is Liam. Despite his ongoing battles with health from a young age, he followed Leicester home/ away across the UK and Europe – never missing a game.
“Always keeping a positive outlook and had a real go-get-it attitude to life – never letting his health issues get in the way of his passions for football and Leicester.”
FoxesTalk forum member ‘Ian Nacho’ said: “I didn’t know him personally but Liamlcfc1 was the absolute definition of a Leicester City fan.
“We will all miss Liam’s plane tracking updates of unusual air traffic relating to potential Leicester signings here on FoxesTalk. A true blue.”
Fans are organising a tribute to Liam in the form of a minute’s applause at Sunday’s match.
His friend Danny Greenwood suggested on Facebook that it be either on the 33rd minute of the game or at 5.40pm, the time of his death yesterday.
Paying tribute to Liam, he added: “Liam was a massive Leicester fan who didn’t miss a home or away game until his heart got to the point he was physically unable.
“He’d forever go above and beyond to help somebody.”
A fundraising appeal has been set up by Liam’s family on the GoFundMe website to help pay for his funeral.
Sharmila McNulty Sharma, who is organising the fundraiser, said: “Help to give Liam McNulty the send off he deserves.
“Liam was a devoted son, brother, uncle and dedicated and loyal Leicester City Fan.
“As you may know, he was born with a degenerative heart condition which resulted in heart failure.
“Sadly, Liam passed away on February 3, leaving behind his mum and sister to return to his late beloved father.”
