A bus driver from Hertfordshire received a handwritten card from Bukayo Saka thanking him for his support following the Euro 2020 final.
The Arsenal star suffered heartache after missing the last penalty in England’s shootout with Italy at Wembley earlier this month.
Following the horrific racist abuse aimed at Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho after the defeat, many more residents and fans rallied around to support the footballers, Mirror Online reported.
Read more: Racist abuse of England’s heroes proves we can’t go on like this
One of Saka’s supporters is Steve Byrne, 55, a London bus driver from Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire, who is also a lifelong Arsenal fan.
He decided to send his own message of support to Saka and was shocked to find a response in the post.
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Byrne told the Daily Mail: “In the card that I wrote to him I told him you will rise up and fly and I said I was inspired by him.
“We are the Arsenal family and we look out for each other. I also joked that he should get Jack Grealish to sign with Arsenal.
“I wrote in a quote by the American general George S. Patton who said ”success is measured on how high you bounce up after hitting bottom” and then I added ”you will bounce up so get ready to fly’.
“The letter was sent before the news emerged of the racism the footballer had endured and I didn’t know anything about it at the time.”
Saka’s letter in response said: “Dear Steve, thank you so much for taking the time out to write and drop me a lovely and encouraging message, it means a lot to me.
England’s Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford during a training session at St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent on July 10
(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
“Yes, we are the lovely Arsenal family and I am honoured to be part of the family. I will take these words from your letter ‘get ready to fly’ with me daily, thank you.
“I will have a word with Jack on your behalf, from Bukayo Saka.”
The bus driver admits he didn’t pick up the card until the day after it was posted.
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He added: “It was last Sunday when I was having an afternoon nap that I heard my doorbell go off but I didn’t answer the door because I was too tired.
“It was only the next day on the Monday that I saw the card on my mat and opened it up to see I had received a response from Saka. I just thought ‘oh my god’.
“The most famous footballer in the country had sent a card to me. I wasn’t expecting that but it was a lovely letter. Everyone was telling me to give him a hug from them.
“I remember as I was writing the card thinking ‘I hope he can read this’.”
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https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/bukayo-saka-sends-emotional-thank-5696413
