The Oxford English dictionary definition of a fan is “a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person or thing”.  Fans are also “advocates” of the person or thing they have a strong interest in.  But just having fans or advocates does not guarantee commercial success.  What is guaranteed, is that fans stick with the thing they have an interest in – through thick or thin – through good and bad.  

I have been a Crystal Palace fan since a child and despite how bad it gets, I will never stop being one.  I have invested time, money and heartbreak but I’m still looking forward to the FA Cup Finals on May 21.  

It’s the same with Leicester City supporters, who (like all true football fans) have stuck with them through relegation after relegation, and now, are rejoicing with them in their incredible success. Just two years ago the club was playing in the second tier, and it came close to being relegated again last year, beginning this season as 5,000-1 outsiders for the title (there were lower odds on Simon Cowell becoming prime minister!).  

Now for the first time in their 132-year history Leicester are champions of England.

What is all the more remarkable is that in relative terms, they do not have anything like the financial resources of the Manchester United and Chelsea big boys. So just how did Leicester do it?

In my opinion, the overall theme was teamwork. Leicester City demonstrated that you don’t need buckets of money to succeed, but simply to encourage everyone to work together towards a common goal.  If they can sustain that, then more success will inevitably come.  

At Funway we have set our sights on becoming the Leicester City of the travel industry. We aim to dispel misperceptions among the trade.  Against all the odds – economic uncertainties, further public sector cuts – we have seen growth and last year reported our best trading year in ten years.

I believe the travel industry can learn an enormous amount from Leicester City. It is a little bit of patience, collaboration and love that will win over everything – not money.

Stephen Rhodes is managing director of Funway Holidays