Legendary former Kaizer Chiefs captain, Howard ‘The Rock’ Freese, left the Club’s Chairman Kaizer Motaung deeply emotional and overwhelmed this week as he donated back to the Club many of the iconic Amakhosi jerseys and memorabilia from his distinguished playing career.

Freese was at Naturena this week for a very special visit, in which he handed the Chairman a treasure trove of jerseys, tracksuits and suits from Chiefs’ heyday in the 1980s and 1990s.

After signing for Chiefs in 1985, the ice cool centre back won a total of 28 trophies in the colours of Amakhosi, with 13 official trophies which included three league titles in 1989, 1991 and 1992. In 1992, in addition to the league title, Chiefs also won the Bob Save Super Bowl and one of the five BP Top 8 trophies Freese won during his seven-year Chiefs career.

Freese took the Chiefs Chairman down a magical memory lane, as he presented some of the beautifully preserved jerseys from Chiefs’ most successful period. The jerseys included those Freese wore during successful campaigns in fabled tournaments such as the Mainstay Cup, Bob Save Super Bowl, BP Top 8, Ohlsson’s Challenge and the Castle Premiership.

One of the jerseys that took pride of place was the one from the inaugural Iwisa Charity Spectacular in 1986, special for Freese in that his wife went into labour with the couple’s first daughter on the day Freese was annexing yet another piece of silverware for Chiefs.

“I’m bringing these jerseys back home. This is where they belong. When people ask what happened to the Chiefs generation of the 1980s and 1990s, this is a symbol and a reference of the Chiefs generation we represented, for everyone to see. I was part of Chiefs when we used to travel in kombis to places like Thohoyandou, Umtata and Phuthaditjhaba to represent the badge wearing these jerseys. We often could not get into stadiums because there were so many people outside who were there to watch us. It is because of you, the Chiefs family and the millions of supporters of this club, that I have done this. I’ve looked after these jerseys for more than 32 years and I hope that you will look after them and cherish them the way I have,” Freese said as he proudly handed the jerseys to the Kaizer Chiefs Chairman.

And as he with great joy looked at the priceless pieces of Amakhosi history and legacy so lovingly laid out before him, the Chiefs Chairman for once found words hard to come by to express his deep gratitude.

“I feel very emotional on this occasion. This is true testimony to the fact that Howard has been a big part of this Club’s incredible journey over the years. His heart has always been and still is with this beautiful brand, Kaizer Chiefs. I feel very humbled to be the recipient of this body of work that Howard has put together,” said Motaung.

“He became captain of the team because of his qualities as a leader and he contributed greatly towards the success of the club. Words fail me to express my gratitude. The Club’s museum will treasure all these things, we will keep them safely to show the generations to come. This gesture from Howard leaves a legacy for the club, for him and for his family, who I would like to thank for allowing him to contribute so greatly to the history of Kaizer Chiefs,” the Chiefs Chairman added.

Freese revelled in the honour of playing for and captaining the Amakhosi and leading some of the biggest names in the game, among them the likes of Doctor “16V” Khumalo, Marks “Go-Man-Go” Maponyane, Fani Madida, Gary Bailey and Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse.

Freese played in a Club record 51 games in all competitions in 1987.

What made the jerseys so special, Freese said, was that they represented a period of Amakhosi success that contributed to enhancing the club’s rich history.

“Every time we won, it was a step closer to fulfilling the dream we had of success for the Club over the years. And the 28 trophies I won with the club meant it’s been a dream fulfilled. I knew we would get there and I am so happy for this experience today,” said Freese.

The Chiefs Chairman presented Freese with a special 50^th anniversary limited edition jersey with his name on the back and made the surprise announcement that Freese’s famous number 20 jersey would be retired by the Club in honour of Freese’s phenomenal contribution to the club.

Freese’s number 20 jersey becomes only the second Amakhosi jersey to be retired by the Club – along with the number 15 jersey of Doctor Khumalo.