Christmas comes early for Newton...

Nothing beats the feeling of giving, however insignificant the thing is...

Newton Simkonda is a waiter at Dar es Salaam's Holiday Inn, the hotel I stay in whilst travelling there for work. Whilst having dinner there on my last trip in October, Newton came over and introduced himself to me because I was wearing an Arsenal golf shirt.

Newton is a huge Gunners fan. He has read Nick Hornby's "Fever Pitch" and could remember the days of Adams, Bould, Wright and "Ooh Aaagh" Ray Parlour. Newton wanted to buy my shirt from me because (a) you cannot get authentic Arsenal gear in Tanzania and (b) the prices of what is on offer are sky high. Rather then give him the shirt off my back and upset the other diners with my potbelly I promised to return with an Arsenal gift on my next visit.

Unfortunately Newton was on leave on my return to the Holiday Inn last week so I presented the Thierry Henry playing shirt to Newton's manager, Ivan. Ivan put a call through to Newton there and then and he was pretty chuffed with the shirt, saying that his Christmas had come early...