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This is a mini-story about football in Sierra Leone, a young lad called Emmanuel and maybe, one day, finding a #LUFC shirt among the sea of Man United and Arsenal kits.
(Thread + an ask)
(Thread + an ask)
In March, I moved to Freetown — the capital of Sierra Leone — with @o_farrant for work reasons and to try something new.
[It's an amazing place but that's not what this is about]
(2/16)
](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Efh7viKWkAEVPZ-.jpg "In March, I moved to Freetown — the capital of Sierra Leone — with @o_farrant for work reasons and to try something new. [It's an amazing place but that's not what this is about](2/16)")
](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Efh7viJWAAYl8ZJ.jpg "In March, I moved to Freetown — the capital of Sierra Leone — with @o_farrant for work reasons and to try something new. [It's an amazing place but that's not what this is about](2/16)")
](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Efh7viLXkAA7vsq.jpg "In March, I moved to Freetown — the capital of Sierra Leone — with @o_farrant for work reasons and to try something new. [It's an amazing place but that's not what this is about](2/16)")
[It's an amazing place but that's not what this is about]
(2/16)
One reason I was excited to go was that I’d heard Sierra Leone is crazy about football and the Premier League (thanks @Pauljournalism).
Giant screens at public cinemas show every game and young lads play small-sided matches whenever they can (even in a pandemic)
(3/16)
Giant screens at public cinemas show every game and young lads play small-sided matches whenever they can (even in a pandemic)
(3/16)
Being in a new city and not knowing many people was tough at first. Then #COVID19 happened.
So I started a little project to occupy myself: I began counting every football shirt I saw as I went around Freetown.
(4/16)
So I started a little project to occupy myself: I began counting every football shirt I saw as I went around Freetown.
(4/16)
The rules were simple: club or international replica shirts only.
No clear fakes. No training tops or other branded gear. No counting the same people on different days.
I had no idea what to expect but I found many, more than I bargained for.
(5/16)
No clear fakes. No training tops or other branded gear. No counting the same people on different days.
I had no idea what to expect but I found many, more than I bargained for.
(5/16)
Arsenal and Man United dominated the list but I spotted many other gems.
A Brighton shirt (maybe 2018?) in the back of a battered Nissan taxi. An early 2000s Scotland top sitting in a bar. A Brentford shirt on the day #LUFC secured promotion (I classed it as a sign).
(6/16)
A Brighton shirt (maybe 2018?) in the back of a battered Nissan taxi. An early 2000s Scotland top sitting in a bar. A Brentford shirt on the day #LUFC secured promotion (I classed it as a sign).
(6/16)
In total, I found over 50 different shirts, including Wigan, Norwich, Hull City, Swindon and, erm, DC United.
There was Northern Ireland, Guinea, China and Argentina too (sadly, I didn’t get to ask if the wearer was a Bielsa fan).
This is the full list.
(7/16)
There was Northern Ireland, Guinea, China and Argentina too (sadly, I didn’t get to ask if the wearer was a Bielsa fan).
This is the full list.
(7/16)
How did the shirts get there? Unwanted charity shop stock often gets sent to West Africa.
These shirts must have been part of the pile and then been sold at one of the many markets around Freetown.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/07/europes-secondhand-clothes-africa
(8/16)
These shirts must have been part of the pile and then been sold at one of the many markets around Freetown.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/07/europes-secondhand-clothes-africa
(8/16)
But there was one shirt I didn’t see: #LUFC.
'Maybe Whites fans just keep hold of their kit?' was my rationale.
But it still didn’t seem right that I came across so many shirts and none of my team, our #LUFC.
[Want to change that? Read on]
(9/16)
'Maybe Whites fans just keep hold of their kit?' was my rationale.
But it still didn’t seem right that I came across so many shirts and none of my team, our #LUFC.
[Want to change that? Read on]
(9/16)
A few months in, I met a guy called Emmanuel, maybe 15/16yo. He loved football and knew a lot about the PL.
When he found out I was #LUFC, he said he remembered Kewell, Smith and Viduka.
I explained that we were in the Championship now. He was shocked and intrigued.
(10/16)
When he found out I was #LUFC, he said he remembered Kewell, Smith and Viduka.
I explained that we were in the Championship now. He was shocked and intrigued.
(10/16)
When I next saw him, he’d done his research. Emmanuel knew we’d beaten Swansea the day before and swooned over Pablo Hernandez.
He was aware of West Brom and Brentford and how tight it was at the top.
When Leeds were promoted, his smile was almost as big as mine.
(11/16)
He was aware of West Brom and Brentford and how tight it was at the top.
When Leeds were promoted, his smile was almost as big as mine.
(11/16)
A week later, I went to watch him play for his football team, Juventus Sierra Leone (in Freetown, lots of local teams bear the name and badge of PL and other European clubs).
He scored, got an assist and they won 5-3.
(12/16)
He scored, got an assist and they won 5-3.
(12/16)
I had to leave before the end but afterwards, he sent me a photo of the shirt under his kit. He’d clearly been wearing it during the game, ready to unveil it.
It said 'Leeds for life'.
(FYI The drawing is a hand with a ring)
#ALAW
(13/16)
It said 'Leeds for life'.
(FYI The drawing is a hand with a ring)
#ALAW
(13/16)
Why am I sharing this here? Because I want guys like Emmanuel to know Leeds like I know Leeds.
I want him, and others like him, to proudly watch them in the Premier League next season.
And I want the club to thrive and its fanbase to grow across the world.
(14/16)
I want him, and others like him, to proudly watch them in the Premier League next season.
And I want the club to thrive and its fanbase to grow across the world.
(14/16)
So, as a small thing, I’m buying up as many old second-hand Leeds shirts to take to Freetown before the season starts. All sizes and shapes.
If you have any that you’re looking to get rid of, DM me. Donations greatly received too.
(15/16)
If you have any that you’re looking to get rid of, DM me. Donations greatly received too.
(15/16)
I know that a number of charities do this already. I want to be clear: I'm not trying to emulate what they do — I just want to share unwanted #LUFC shirts.
I’ll make sure all kit finds a good home and is distributed responsibly.
Any RTs appreciated.
#MOT
(16/ends)
I’ll make sure all kit finds a good home and is distributed responsibly.
Any RTs appreciated.
#MOT
(16/ends)
PS @TheSquareBall have let me write about what it was like watching Leeds crowned champions 7000 miles away from the UK for their summer special.
It’s always beautifully put together with some amazing illustrations. You can buy it here: https://www.thesquareball.net/shop/2020-leeds-campeon-special/
It’s always beautifully put together with some amazing illustrations. You can buy it here: https://www.thesquareball.net/shop/2020-leeds-campeon-special/
