A secret invite and other 'pinch-me' moments before Leicester woke up

A decade ago, Leicester City stunned the world by winning the Premier League, but now their journey back to the top tier seems almost surreal. After consecutive relegations, new manager Russell Martin is tasked with guiding the club back to the Championship. The extraordinary moments from that season still resonate with those who were there, some of whom have shared their experiences with BBC Sport.

One such exclusive moment occurred when only eight journalists received a secret invitation to return to Leicester's former training ground, Belvoir Drive, to speak with manager Claudio Ranieri. Inside the family room, Ranieri received a standing ovation and engaged in an engaging 45-minute discussion with the select group of British press. Ranieri, who had a left-field appointment at the time, brought unconventional methods and a focus on off-field changes to help the team thrive.

Another unexpected moment came for winger Nathan Dyer, who was in the hospital with his newborn son on the night of the title-winning match. Despite the crowds of fans outside, Dyer watched the game in a separate room, feeling a surreal mix of excitement and surreal detachment. The club's rise to glory brought unparalleled attention, with even non-fans showing their support and local businesses capitalizing on the surge in popularity.