Kevin Whitcher
Sometime contributor Ian Henry sent me a copy of this letter some time back, and as it’s a bit quiet on the Arsenal front with the two week international break, I have dug it out and used it to give you some website entertainment this Friday.
Ian wrote to Terry Neill bemoaning the selling of the club’s stars. Liam Brady had been allowed to depart in 1980, followed a year later by Frank Stapleton.
Ian says, “In case anyone who has read my past complaints bemoaning the lack of investment in the Arsenal squad think it is a recent thing, I have a long history in this business.”
He continues, “The message from the club has not changed much in nearly 30 years!”
Our thanks to Ian for allowing us to reproduce the letter. The text of it is as follows…
27th August 1981
Dear Mr Henry,
Many thanks for your letter received recently, the contents of which have been noted.
I am grateful for your obvious interest and support of Arsenal and like yourself I do have the welfare of the Club at heart.
Naturally we were very sorry to lose the services of Frank Stapleton during the summer and you can rest assured that everything possible was done to persuade him to stay at Highbury.
We are always looking to strengthen the squad and the staff and myself have been very active during the summer and, of course, will be in the future with the players who we feel fit our requirements. It is always easy to spend money but it’s another thing to spend it wisely. We are as ambitious as ever, of that you can be assured.
Once again, may I thank you for your loyal support which we all appreciate and hope will continue, and the staff and players will be doing all they can to make season 1981/82 a successful and entertaining one.
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Terry Neill
Manager
