Youngsters at a Bramley school have written supportive letters to members of the England squad that reached the Euros 2020 final – including the players who have been subjected to racist abuse.
Pupils at Christ the King Primary wrote to the England players following England’s European Championship final defeat on penalties to Italy two weeks ago.
Coaches from the Leeds United Foundation have been delivering sessions across a number of schools in Leeds, and held discussions with the students about the England squad and their incredible achievements.
The sessions also incorporated discussions around the abuse and racism players have faced following the loss, with some members of the public sending racist messages directed at specific players and the squad.
Here are some of the messages sent to the players from Christ The King, which included to former Wortley Boys player and current Leeds star Kalvin Phillips, who took part in a Zoom call with pupils last year:
To Kalvin Phillips,
I am writing to you to thank you for your hard work for the team. You have worked the hardest. I’m so proud of you we would not get to the place that we are without you. I think you are the best player. You have ran so much kilometers this Euros. You bring the team high because you may not score goals but you at least got an assist and are a team player. I think other players look up to you because you inspire everyone. By the way I think you should of took a penalty because people don’t know how good you really are Phillips. See you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4 student, Christ the King Primary School
Dear Bukayo Saka,
I am here to inform you I am extremely sad that you’re being bullied. I mean it must be a lot of pressure. Gareth picked the right team and I think we’ll win the next match. It isn’t your fault we lost. They picked you because you are exceptional. You’re only 10 years older than me and you’re so inspiring. Many people adore you.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4 student, Christ the King Primary School
Dear Luke Shaw and Jordan Pickford,
I am writing to say congratulations that you were in the finals after 55 years. Itg doesn’t matter that you lost, it matters that you didn’t give up. Last World Cup you were in the semi-finals, this Euros you were in the finals and this World Cup you are going to be victorious, one step forward every time. Luke Shaw you scored a goal in the second minute that is one of the quickest goals, you are one of the oldest players and you are doing great. Jordan Pickford you only let two goals in this whole tournament. You are the greatest goalkeeper. I am so proud of you guys.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4 student, Christ the King Primary School
Dear Bukayo Saka,
I am writing to say sorry for all of the racism, no-one should get treated like this. I am very proud of you even if you didn’t score in the penalties. I believe you are the best player, even though you are one of the youngest. You got bullied after the match and during the match you got pulled by the neck. This is unacceptable! The person who pulled you should have been eliminated from the match. Please keep going, you are an inspiration.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4 student, Christ the King Primary School
Dear Raheem Sterling,
I am writing to tell you that I am proud of the England squad and if we didn’t have you on the team we wouldn’t be able to get the finals of the semi-finals and I think you’re really fast and you have good pace and you’re expectable to the squad.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4 student, Christ the King Primary School
Dear Kalvin Phillips,
I am writing to tell you how proud I am of you and the whole England team. You are my dad and mines favourite player. I have seen you at the petrol station before and I was so happy. You are such an exceptional player we didn’t win the game against Italy but keep going, don’t give up. Atleast we got into the finals and we haven’t been in the finals since 1966. That is 55 years! You are all awesome and please don’t let people bully Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4 student, Christ the King Primary School
Dear Saka,
I am writing to inform you that I am proud of your exceptional efforts to help England to get to the finals. You are very inspiring and I hope you don’t feel bad for losing the Euros. You are 11 years older than me. You are an unyielding player and if you keep training we might win the World Cup! We won either way because we have not been in the final for 55 years. Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4 student, Christ the King Primary School