John Lyall, R.I.P.
To continue a tradition is hard enough
But then, to enhance it ….
John Lyall did just that
And won the ‘earts of the ‘Appy ‘Ammers
Plus many a neutral too
And while they’ll forever be blowing bubbles
At Upton Park, they’ll always hark
Back to a mentor and his successor –
Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, may they Rest in Peace
Ironed into the memories, of the faithful in Claret and Blue
Quote from Trevor Brooking :
“He was a much-loved figure at Upton Park and had a lasting influence on the club’s development and the way the team played.”
“Like Ron Greenwood before him, he encouraged good, open attacking football and all West Ham fans will be deeply shocked by the news.”
“He was a man of great integrity and loyalty and anyone who knew him would have nothing but good things to say about him. ”
John Lyall succeeded Ron Greenwood as West Ham manager in 1974.
They won the FA Cup twice, in 1975 and 1980. They beat Arsenal in 1980 – the last team from outside the top-flight to win the FA Cup.
John left West Ham in 1989. He took over at Ipswich in 1990 and guided them to the Premiership. He retired from management in 1994.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
The Academy Has Closed Its Doors.
The academy has closed its doors
The sombre mood is but the cause
The graduates are still reeling
From the depth of public feeling
He is gone who put them on
The dizzy road to fame
Whilst all the while instilling in them
The beauty of the game
No kick and rush at this school
No cloggers who will maim
The art of sweet simplicty itself
To enjoy and entertain
As East London mourns a gentleman
Who gave young kids their start
How many top stars still playing today
From this man honed their art?
© kjp raymond 2006
John Lyall R.I.P.
Who rose right up through the ranks to become the guvnor at The Bolyn.
(Upton Park)
The famous West Ham academy in East London is where some of London finest young footballers learned their trade with the emphasis always on playing the game the right way to entertain the punters.
peace
kev.
Honesty & Lyallty
for honesty and loyalty
with diginity and pride
what more can club or fan demand
from one who’s steered your side?
John Lyall was the business
and I can see those tears
shedding down at Upton Park
his home for all those years
from ‘old school’ to golden rule
for three decades and more
the fifties to the eighties
he left his mark for sure
I always loved his hairstyle too
that throwback swept aplomb
his calmness on the touchline
he learnt from old King Ron*
another master leaves us
another talent goes
another age another page
that’s football I suppose
but honesty and loyalty
such diginity and pride
what more can club or fan demand
from one who’s steered your side?
© Crispin Thomas 06
Shine On.John Lyalll ( 24 February 1940 – 18th April 2006))
…. classic English footballer and manager..
*Ron Greenwood, -under whom John Lyall learned his playing and managerial trade at West Ham.This after signing professional in 1957 and remaining there until 1989! 34 years at one club (he initially worked as a member of the office staff)…
About This Site
Welcome to Football Poets -- a club for all football poets, lovers of football and lovers of (alternative) poetry. Discover poets in every league from respected internationals at the top of their game to young hopefuls in the school playground.
Publish your football poems here and then discuss them with your team mates and fans. We're archived by The British Library, so your masterpieces are in the safe hands of a world-class keeper. What a result!
My Account
Latest Poems
joe morris
6th May 2024
joe morris
4th May 2024
Crispin Thomas
2nd May 2024
joe morris
2nd May 2024
joe morris
28th April 2024
Richard Williams
26th April 2024
joe morris
25th April 2024
Denys E. W. Jones
25th April 2024
kevin halls
23rd April 2024
Alex Saynor
23rd April 2024
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
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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28th April 2024 at 5:59 pm
Thanks Denys. Yes your replay poem was superb.
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26th April 2024 at 4:46 pm
Nice work, Joe. You were quick off the mark with that! Good one from Richard Williams too I see.
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25th April 2024 at 7:33 pm
Hi Denys,
Thanks mate. I’ll do it now.
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25th April 2024 at 1:56 pm
Thanks Joe,
you might like to write a poem yourself on the same subject…
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23rd April 2024 at 4:03 pm
Hi Denys
With you all the way on the abolition of FA Cup replays. What are they doing to the game?
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23rd April 2024 at 3:59 pm
Hi Crispin,
Yes sorry mate. Villa are still in Europe. Mistake rectified.
Cheers
Joe
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20th April 2024 at 12:04 pm
Hi Joe
Shouldn’t your title read your poem Farewell Europe England to everyone exccept Aston Villa ?
I know you mention them in your poem , but I do feel sorry for Villa re the national press .
Largely ignored. the hype was was all about Man City & Arsenal with a bit of a nod to the Hammers..but hardly a mention of Villa..
So well done to them
C
.
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19th March 2024 at 8:00 am
Hi Crispin. Chris Sutton on the radio has gone for a Chelsea v Coventry final. As we know anything can happen in the Cup, and I reckon we can go to the final.
We’re still in with a chance of the play offs too, so lots to go for.
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19th March 2024 at 7:41 am
Hey Kev
Let the masses drool over their odds on City v Unted Final, but who knows how pressure can hit.
Cov and Chels will be rightly labelled as having no chance..but hey …stranger things have happened..
so Chelsea v Coventry…that’s the Final for us!
Best
C
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