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Delaney Matthews.
Dear Warren,
Is that even the way people start letters anymore?
I don’t know.
If I’m being honest, I’ve never written one, nor did I think I would under such strenuous circumstances.
A phone call would've been much easier, I recognize that, but my lawyer, Mr. Cunningham, tells me I have to put everything I want to say into writing—it’s an impossible task, really. There are so many things I want to say to you. So much truth that’s left to be spoken, but for now, I need to start somewhere.
I couldn’t help but notice as I started to write this letter that it’s almost exactly three months to the date that I landed atHeathrow—skipping out of the airport with this refined sense of pride in myself, given that for once, I was excited about what lay ahead.
You see, a part of me always knew that Crawfield was special—I suppose it was because Gramps was so special to me and that some of the happiest moments in my life were spent with him, watching you all play.
That’s why, when it got announced that my parents were taking ownership of the team and that they wanted to sell them, claiming that they were of “no value,” I fought. Sure, it took some tears and a whole lot of convincing, but somehow I did it.
Now, I have to admit I had my own selfish reservations at the start. Coming to Crawley was only supposed to be a three-month mission to make the team worth more and prove to my parent’s that keeping this team in the family meant something.
In the cab ride over to Crawley, I optimistically told the driver that things with Crawfield were all about to change—that with me joining your team, everything was going to shape up.
He’d asked if I was a “miracle worker.” I hadn’t quite known what he meant at the time, yet despite that, I’d told him the one truth I’d held onto my whole life.
“No, I’m not. But I believe in them.”
I told him that because it was true. I did believe in miracles because, at that moment, I was living in one.
Everything about coming to Crawley felt otherworldly—especially you.
I know you’re likely mad at me, Warren. Deep down, I’m still upset with myself. But the girl that showed up on that first day of practice is not the same girl that is writing this letter now.
It’s the girl who fell in love with the early morning practices—admiring you from afar until slowly but surely, she worked her way to your side.
It's the girl who fell in love with Wilk’s pre-game pep talks (despite how painful they can be).
It’s the girl that fell in love with football just by the way she saw that love reflected in your eyes.
But most of all, it’s the girl who found a piece of herself in Crawley. A piece she never knew existed until she fell in love with you in it.
You are Crawley, Warren. You’re everything that made me love it there and more.
I can see why my Gramps always believed in you…because from the moment I first met you, I did, too.
So, sure, I was foolish to think that the value of legacy would’ve ever surmounted that of money to my parents, but they were foolish to think I wouldn’t give up without a final fight.
Remember how I told you about persistence, Warren? Well…as you likely know, my parents put Crawfield up for silent bidding—lucky for me, around that same time, not only did I have a revelation, but I came to learn that my Gramps had given me the means to make this right.
I’m writing this letter to tell you that I’m the new owner of Crawfield, Warren. God. It feels weird even writing that, but…I don’t want to be. I’d like you to take over my ownership instead.
And before you drop this page and roll your eyes, please hear me out.
This is your dream…your team, Warren. You told me that night under the stars just how much this meant to you—how the lines within the field were the only safe space you’d ever known.
How my Gramps gave you a second chance.
It makes me smile knowing that he was just as important to you as he has always been to me, and I know in my heart, Warren, that the bond you two shared can never be taken…just like how I refuse to have this team taken from you now.
You don’t have to forgive me. All I'm asking you to do right now is believe.
