Where’s Our Famous Atmosphere?
The old Kop I loved as a young fan.
26 thousand Reds in a sardine can!
I started out in the lofty Boys Pen.
Along with lots of middle aged men!
But in 71’ a full time Kopite I became.
Liverpool v Forest, was my first game.
To the sound of The Spion Kop roars.
My hero Keegan, scored early doors!
St Etienne in 77’ the highlight for me.
To get in, I queued up from half past 3!
Under the Anfield lights, what a night.
The Kop in full glory, an amazing sight!
Fairclough left their defence in its wake.
A difficult chance, with ease he did take!
It was bedlam when that 3rd goal went in.
As that was the goal that sealed our win!
As our ‘12th man’ The Kop was known.
Our players never felt they were alone.
When we cranked up the pressure and heat.
Teams would often crumble to defeat!
So…fast forward to nearly 50 years on.
Where’s our famous atmosphere gone?
Local fans priced out, is mostly to blame.
Mates standing together at every game.
Footy has reverted to a middle class affair.
It’s too costly now, but owners don’t care.
I miss those days, neath the old kop roof.
Am I just living in the past, is that the truth?
Can we turn back the clock, don’t think so?
The game lost many diehard fans, years ago.
A tourist attraction, has become The Kop.
It’s just an extension to our souvenir shop.
The Kop brings in fans from far and wide.
The Anfield tills ring, but it’s hushed inside.
Likewise, famous terraces all over the land.
It’s a problem club owners, don’t understand.
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Latest Poems
joe morris
21st March 2025
Mike Bartram
20th March 2025
Gacina Bozidar
13th March 2025
joe morris
7th March 2025
kevin halls
24th February 2025
Richard Williams
24th February 2025
joe morris
22nd February 2025
John J O’Connor
21st February 2025
Denys E. W. Jones
14th February 2025
Gacina Bozidar
14th February 2025
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
8th March 2025 at 2:34 pm
Thanks Crispin
I’ve been to FGR a couple of times in the past – great food! Barnet look like they have the NL sewn up for this season, but I wish you well for promotion next season.
Regards, Beth
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11th January 2025 at 8:13 am
TO ADD THIS TO THIS POEM’S COMMENT:WELCOME BACK DAVID MOYES!!!
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27th November 2024 at 5:55 am
‘You’re Supposed To Be At Home’ is an excellent and moving poem Denys.
You start off thinking it’s just about another oft-sung chant, one we personally heard a lot last season throughout our second relegation in a row here at Forest Green(FGR) ! I always love poems where you think they are saying one thing and then they suddenly pull you deeper to somewhere or something else else.
I’m currently helping in a local school for FGR in a voluntary capacity using football to help young students with reading. At an upcoming session we will tackle racism, just like we did in workshops at football schools and grounds when we first started this site 24 years ago. I’m gonna try and weave your poem into a session.
We’ve added it to the Anti- Racism/Kick It Out section under Crispin’s Corner.
Best C
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26th November 2024 at 1:59 pm
Great poem and great to see you back Wyn.
Don’t leave it so long next time my friend!
More please.
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13th September 2024 at 6:14 pm
Welcome to Football Poets Beth
Great evocative poem Beth….
More please !
Haiku always welcome.
Hope we (FGR) get to play you again soon
Best
Crispin
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26th July 2024 at 6:25 pm
Great poem Mike Bartram. Eddie was a legend, affectionately known in Liverpool as, “the first hooligan.” Even the hoolies were well dressed in those days. The amazing thing was he was only 26 when that picture was taken. He’d played for Everton youth team and was well known to the players. He never got arrested. They threw him out and he climbed back in, just in time for Derek Temples winner.
I used the picture of him being tackled to the ground on the front cover of my book, “Once Upon a rhyme in Football.” It’s worth looking on youtube and finding the re-enactment of the Wembley scene. Frank Skinner and Baddiel went around to Eddies home in the 1990’s and acted it out on the green outside. It’s hilarious, especially all the effort they put in to get Eddie sober enough to shoot the scene.
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10th July 2024 at 6:07 pm
Hi Crispin,
I don’t know if you’ve see the picture in social media today…
a picture of a teenage Lionel Messi cradling a baby in Africa as part of a photoshoot…. the family had won a lottery to have their baby pictured with him….
the photographer has just revealed that the baby is actually in fact Lamine Yamal!!!!
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26th May 2024 at 2:30 pm
Hi Denys…
Re Man City:
OK it was 20 years ago but Criag Wilson did write this and a few others on them back in 04/05.
BTW I’m more Forest Green Rover since 2014 (and Chelsea) these days . I drum and am a standing season ticket holder.
Best
Crispin
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29th April 2024 at 2:47 pm
Hi Denys,
Yes Richard Williams you’re a brilliant wordsmith, my friend. When I first saw your football poetry I thought it was the superb Guardian sports and music writer. I once had the honour of sitting next to Richard Williams while at the Independent on the sports desk. He writes about music and sport with immense knowledge and authority. I’ve read a couple of Richard’s books recently. Great writer rather like you Richard Williams the Pompey fan. Congratulations on promotion.
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