By John Hutchinson
In a new series, Leicester City historian John Hutchinson continues to uncover the stories behind some of the items in the club’s extensive collection of historic artefacts.
Among the many valuable documents in the archives at Leicester City are three very notable letters. Each gives a fascinating insight into the history of football between the 1930s and 1960s
1968: President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia’s letter
It is a very rare occurrence when a head of state writes personally to an English football club. This happened in September 1968 when Kenneth Kaunda, who was President of Zambia between 1964 and 1991, sent an airmail letter to City chairman Alf Pallett thanking him for his observations relating to a tour of Zambia undertaken in the summer of 1968 by City and a party of FA player and coaches.
Zambia had only been independent for four years. In his introduction to the tour’s souvenir programme, President Kaunda explained that the purpose of the tour was to prepare the Zambian footballers for their first-ever entry into the African Cup and World Cup competitions. He said that the visit of City and the FA coaches was “probably the greatest occasion in the history of association football in Zambia”.
The City team was managed by Matt Gillies’ assistant Bert Johnson and consisted of their entire first-team squad. The 15 FA representatives included the future England manager Graham Taylor, then only 23 years old.
On the tour, City played (and won) six games. Three matches were against the Zambian international side, two were against Zambian FA XI and one was against the FA players and coaches.
The following season, Zambia’s Minister of Sport sent a telegram to City in May 1969 to wish the team luck in the FA Cup Final. This telegram, together with the President’s letter, the tour’s souvenir programme and a commemorative tankard awarded to Johnson are all now part of the club’s memorabilia and archive collection.
I now support the team after learning about their history in relation to ours as a country
Leicester FC is one of the oldest clubs in the EPL…
This is an anciuent letter on a Typewritter
Move over Dr Kaunda, stop stealing President Lungu’s spark,
Your time is in the rear view mirror. It is time for President Lungu
Thanks
BB2014,2016
graet
KK handwriting is like the way he talks, fast confusing, but understable.
KK was the man. Osati mbuzi izi za sala all they know is stealing drinking and womanising in that order!
I miss the days of KK11
Up to about 1975, this was a common feature teams from England visiting Zambia . Aston Villa, Derby County, Ipswich Town and Youth and Manchester City visited and played against the National Team, Roan United , City of Lusaka etc.
I actually watched Stock City at Dag many years ago… Not sure if it is true, Vitafaom United used to get their jerseys from one English team
If it was in developed countries, this letter would cost £ Millions of Pounds to be sold at Auction. KK out Man. Love it,
If it was in developed countries, this letter would cost £ Millions of Pounds to be sold at Auction. KK our Man. Love it,
Thanks KK leading a loving nation with One Zambia one Nation motto.
I have also letter of HH thanking Arsenal Football club for their resilience despite not lifting trophy for over 10 years.In his letter HH says Arsenal’s pliability is that of UPND despite losing 5 times and being in existence for over 10 years without making it to the state house, its “book balances” are still intact.”Arsène Wenger was never fired because the Arsenal board trusted him and so is myself being at the helm of UPND since the demise of Mazoka because my fellow Tongas treats me as their ‘god'”, said HH in his letter. Without HH their is no UPND.”We are doing a very good job and giving ECL’s government a good run despite my 137 days detention but I am still very strong “, part of the letter said.”Please pass my regards to the Queen of England and her grandson on his…
CONT”D…
.”Please pass my regards to the Queen of England and her grandson on his royal wedding.Had he invited Chief Mukuni to the wedding, I would have donated 137 cows to mark my 137 days of detention”, summed up HH.”wishing you the very best under the new manager like Zambia is wishing the new president from Dundumwezi,” signed off HH.
Have you checked your facts, Arsenal has not a trophy is Ten years? A trophy or the EPL?
You know the main trophy I am talking about.Even UPND has some “trophy” through the MP’s but not the presidency and so is Arsenal with only FA and Emirates cups only not the premier league/UEFA wala…
KK was the man , a true leader of the soil.
Not these theives that we have who move and sell mukula in the night when they think everyone else is sleeping….
Point of correction. The telegram was sent by Musa Kasonka who was then Director of Sport and not Minister of Sport as the article suggests. Otherwise, a very refreshing write-up!
We were fortunate that as a result of this interaction our players like my uncle Fred Mwila, Emment Kapembwa and Howard Mwikuta landed professional playing contracts at Aston Villa. It’s a pity the club Mr Mwila played for in Atlanta is no more. ….another club has come up. All in all we enjoyed the youth clubs of English top clubs visiting our country.
The correct name is Emment Kapengwe.
Thanks. Mistake due to to autospell
It wasnt because of this interaction. Zambia was in the 60s still a hunting ground for British interests. Zoom Ndhlovu went to Birmingham then Kapengwe, Mwikuta and Mwila followed
who can forget the day the Kalus Belgium club visiting and giving us a whipping but it helped improve out teams now all we see are Chipolopolo vs Lusaka Select…then you meet Nigeria and are beaten at home you wonder why
@#5, Pathako Pinu, I read that letter too! I saw it! Leave me alone ‘Farm! I can Hallucinate too if I want! And I will admire my comments too just like you do in your dreams!
KK the Man! “One Zambia One Nation! I miss you Sir! Thank you Leicester!
These were true leaders for sure…not lazy Lungu building mansions and stealing with impunity!!
A shamless theif indeed with zero morals and integrity…..
The only so called president who does not mind being labbeled a corrupt theif everyday for his followers and young kids to eminate..
Privatization thief, it has been confirmed over and over Hagain that is HH.
Times of Zambia,2 August 2010
PF Lawyer Banned Over Client Funds
PATRIOIC Front chairperson for the committee on legal affairs Edgar Lungu has been suspended from practising as a lawyer with immediate effect on allegations of misappropriating money meant for retirees of Lafarge which was formerly known as Chilanga cement plc.
This is according to a letter dated July 30, 2010 and signed by Law Association of Zambia(LAZ) honorary secretary Musa Mwenye and copied to all relevant institutions and individuals that deal with lawyers.
My dad has a picture of himself and the Leicester City Players at Shinde Stadium
That’s why KK was known as soccer fan No.1 & the team was called KK eleven.
@2 Alibaba you the man! I am impressed.
I am glad desperate HH cannot be elected as president in Zambia. He is a joke.
Zambian why can’t we just debate on the issue of sport that is on the table without engaging insultative politics? Do we get paid for engaging in political insults? It’s not good at all. We need to change the way we think and do things.
Thank you Lusaka times for the history