In the Press.
Chelsea Manager’s Final Task – Write Letter To York Hotel Worker!
Premiership Move! Best Western Monkbar Hotel’s award-winning Tony Newby and his letter signed by former Chelsea manager, Avram Grant
The final task of Chelsea manager Avram Grant before hanging up his boots was to write a letter to a York hotel employeer.
Grant, who left Stamford Bridge on May 24 after losing to Manchester United on penalties in the European Cup final, penned the letter to Tony Newby of the Best Western Monkbar Hotel, congratulating him on scooping a “Oscar“ at this year’s York Tourism Awards.
Tony, a lifelong Chelsea fan, won the Best Kitchen Staff award at the event held at the city’s racecourse, where TV presenter Harry Gration, who presented the award, mentioned Tony’s love for Chelsea.
In his letter, Grant writes: “I understand from your director June Nelsey that you received the Best Kitchen Staff at the York Tourism Oscars Awards and also that you are a huge Chelsea fan.
“Therefore on behalf of the players, directors and staff here at Chelsea, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on this wonderful achievement – Well Done.”
Monkbar Hotel director June Nelsey said: ”Tony is Chelsea mad and gets an awful lot of stick from his Yorkshire colleagues for supporting them. When he won his award I wrote to Avram Grant and it’s wonderful that the club took the time to reply.
Tony said: “I was gob smacked when I received the letter. I had no idea June had written to the club telling them about my award. I will treasure the letter and I’m going to frame it and hang it in my lounge.
“I thought it was someone playing a joke when they told me I had a letter from Chelsea. Initially I hoped they were going to sign me but I was ready to tell them I couldn’t leave the potwash, no matter what they were offering.
“This really is the icing on the cake and to coin a football saying ‘I’m over the moon!’ I didn’t think it could get any better than winning a YorkOscar – now I feel like I’ve won the Premiership.”
June 11, 2008