Putting pencil to paper and writing a letter to Liverpool Football Club has given Bundaberg’s Riley Douglas a big surprise.
Eight-year-old Riley lives and breathes soccer; he plays Under-9s for Across the Waves and his goal is to one day play midfield for Barcelona FC.
One afternoon earlier this year the St John’s Year 3 student decided to write to Liverpool Football Club Coach Jurgen Klopp.
He wrote about how he lives in Bundaberg and plays soccer and said he was a huge fan with dreams to play international when he grew up.
A few weeks later and to the surprise of Riley and his mum Lisa Douglas he received a large envelope with a United Kingdom postmark.
“It was a large envelope, and as Riley opened it his eyes welled-up, he was stunned and lost for words,” Lisa said.
“Riley had written the letter in lead pencil just as a fun exercise and it was unexpected to get something back.
“I sent it off by basic post in a dodgy envelope, and I was just so surprised they took the time to write back.”
Riley said he addressed the letter to a man with a long name as he spelt it out, saying he told the Liverpool Football Club coach how he loved the game and played midfield for Across the Waves.
Jurgen Klopp is a German professional football manager. Often credited with popularising the football philosophy known as Gegenpressing, he is regarded by many as one of the best managers in the world.
“I was happy he wrote back to me,” Riley said.
“One day I will play for Barcelona FC.”
Riley said the autographed Liverpool Football Club photo has now taken pride of place on the family’s fridge, and he will cherish it forever.
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