The precedent was set by the Foxes' namesakes; Leciester City putting Southampton to the sword under Friday night lights.
Then, with attention turning to West Bridgford, it was time for the main event. Leicestershire in the hunt for their first piece of silverware in 38 years, took on bookies’ favourites Hampshire in what could be defined as - dependent on your other sporting interests - a re-match, second leg or series decider.
If in any doubt of which way the supporting masses leaned, the Fox Road Stand railing were dominated by an array of St. George’s flags, mostly brandished with Leicester City blue, the 166 mile trip had clearly not deterred some of those who attended St. Mary’s Stadium last night.
But, contrary to the events which unfolded then, it were those donning Hampshire blue who made the lightning fast start at Trent Bridge; Rishi Patel, Sol Budinger, Colin Ackermann and Wiaan Mulder were all sent walking before the Foxes could find 20 runs between them.
Lewis Hill then looked to make a captain’s contribution by steadying the somewhat sinking ship, but fell short of a half-ton when he took an ill-fated swipe at Scott Currie’s off-side delivery, finding the gloves of Ben Brown as Hants breathed a sigh of relief.
With only four wickets in-hand and just 89 runs on the board, Leicestershire faced a gruelling uphill battle - but no classic final has gone without its fair slice of defying the odds.
In stepped number eight Harry Swindells, making his first List A appearance all year having only found out he'd be starting a day prior. With their top order extinguished, he and his fellow Foxes were staring down the barrel of almost certain defeat.
The best stories have the unlikeliest and least-expected heroes.
Despite the daunting challenge ahead of him, Swindells swashbuckled his way through over after over and, after finding the boundary for the first time at the expense of Currie in the 28th over, was beginning to find his groove at the most crucial of phases with the weight of an entire county on his shoulders.
Linking up with Sam Evans, the pair lashed 151 between them, as the underdogs miraculously clawed their way back into contention, roared on by the unrelenting Leicestershire contingent singing from the stands.
Swindells battled on unscathed, setting Hampshire a competitive target of 268 with a memorable unbeaten maiden List A century. Quite the Metro Bank One Day Cup cameo.
Almost in a complete opposite fashion, the second half began at a steadier tempo. Fletcha Middleton and skipper Nick Gubbins opted for a somewhat more cautious approach in hope of letting opportunities present themselves.
Mulder had other ideas, though, spectacularly running out the Hampshire captain in the eighth over before cleanly removing Middleton from his own delivery only nine balls later.
That quickfire double was the second catalyst in the Foxes’ sensational fightback, as impeccable fielding frustrated their opponents time and time again.
Displayed on the towering scoreboard screens, Hampshire’s requirement of 73 from the final 10 overs was met with thunderous noise from the Foxes faithful, as an impossible dream was etching closer and a rendition of The Great Escape began booming around the Trent Bridge stands.
But Hampshire were not done yet. When Liam Dawson’s enormous strike off Josh Hull cleared the boundary into the Smith Cooper Stand to wrap up a nimble half-century, the southern outfit were re-energised - 10 runs now needed.
Gubbins admitted in his post-match press conference that this very maximum was the moment he was convinced his side would go all the way in this most dramatic of run-chases, which went down to the very last ball with all possible results still well and truly on the cards.
Requiring eight off the final over, the batting side could have been considered favourites, but Chris Wright’s superb catch raised the roof to precede an electric climax, Hull bowling his side to victory by just two runs.
A 38-year wait over. The most remarkable of turnarounds accomplished. Metro Bank One Day Cup champions: Leicestershire Foxes.
All thanks to a certain Harry Swindells, the unlikely hero who led the greatest of escapes.
