In 1998, inspired by the arrival of several international superstars, I wrote to the Arsenal magazine to list my details in their Pen Pal section. As the magazine made its way around the world, I received twenty-two replies, from Germany to Ghana, Antwerp to Zimbabwe.
Clearly WKD Blue became more interesting than writing, as shamefully, I didn’t reply to any of them.
In 2022, my Mum passed away, and I found all twenty-two letters in her loft. The guilt took hold, and I thought, what if I tried to track them all down? So that’s what I’m doing. Armed with only their names and addresses from 25 years ago, I’m trying to find these shamefully spurned supporters.
In the past few months, my search has appeared in the Arsenal programme, and even on the UK’s biggest Arsenal podcast, Handbrake Off.
Listed below are the names and where they were when they wrote the original letter. If you know them – or are them – or think you might be able to help please get in touch below.
United Kingdom
Danielle B – Dagenham
Jenna Robertson – Norwich
Paul Murphy – Enfield
Natalie Lord – Hackney
Karen Seaney – South Benfleet
Nicola Brooks – Bristol
Ruth P – Waltham Abbey
Liz (Elford?) – Bristol
Europe
Eline M. – Belgium
Mamie Yiadom – Leiden, The Netherlands
David Monseurs – Breda, The Netherlands
Jocelyne Samin – Paris, France
Jens Köbernick – Duisburg, Germany
Sarah McEnery – Limerick, Ireland
Africa
Elizabeth Omamah – Saltpond, Ghana
Albert Salifu – Anloga-Kurnasi, Ghana
O N Quayson – Kumasi, Ghana
A K Frimpong – Amakom-Kumasi, Ghana
Sadia Osmon – Berekum, Ghana
Richful Opoku – Asawasi-Kumasi, Ghana
Frank F. Deemi – Monrovia, Liberia
Paul Markuvaza – Harare, Zimbabwe
johnJsills 