A Welcome in September
In September 2007, we welcomed the following new contributors to this site :
David Hyson
Jon A McGuire
David Allan
A blast from the past – a welcome return to
Peter Wyton , who last posted in November 2005
Click on the names above to see that person’s poem(s), or browse some selected first efforts below :
Two very conflicting views on the minutes silence vs minutes applause debate, between Peter & David’s poems. Yet both are very respectful and extremely poignant.
Beyond Open Play
The pulse races
As eardrums pound
With the silence of those
Who, like I,
Believe joy’s moment nears
I gag on drool,
Rear raised from seat
Willing it,
Wanting it,
Oblivious to others’ fears
Below, the red and blue jostle
On the brink of my anticipation
Shirts pulled,
Torsos are barred
As fingers clutch and stout forearms deny
The man in black strides forward,
Palm raised in caution,
Then barks his words,
A gestured warning –
Transgressors of my rule recoil
Bold ones smile in false apology
Then clutch again, toe treading heel
The law withdraws,
Looks right in acknowledgement
His flute brings deathly hush
Two steps, ball arcs from right to left
Forty thousand vac the air
Eyes follow white through green
Amidst aggression and panic –
He who hesitates plays no part
And, long before the net is bulged,
My view has been obscured
Yet, through the roars of many
I stand, beat chest, raise arms
Then follow joyous celebration
The pulse races
As eardrums pound
With the silence of those
Who, like I,
Believe joy’s moment nears
© John A McGuire 2007
Rhys At Anfield
Amidst a sea of scarves, teams and officials
Stand in homage. The bereaved family
Approaches the touch-line, three vivid stripes
Of Everton blue on a backdrop of Liverpool red.
Complementary anthems are aired,
The Z-Cars Theme.’You’ll Never Walk Alone’
The spirit of a small boy, kitted out
In his favourite strip, issues from the tunnel,
Scampers across the turf to thump a ball
Firmly between the posts at the Kop end,
Before wheeling away in triumph,
Relishing the applause, his face a picture.
Elsewhere, not a great way from the stadium,
A hooded figure slouches on a bicycle
Outside an electrical good store,
Glowering through plate-glass at rows of sets
Radiating identical images of compassion.
Morose. Isolated. Totally out of it.
© Peter Wyton 07
The Last Minute
Here the silent minute descends,
Bearing the hush of absent friends.
The acme thunderer’s final blow
Linking the now with long ago.
From Central Park to the streets of Raith,
Remembering them who kept the faith.
Life’s fitba’ passion, the golden thread
Abiding still, sonorous, yet unsaid.
© David Allan
here was a minute’s silence held in honour of two old Cowdenbeath Supporters who had died before Cowden’s 1-0 home win v Raith Rovers. It made me think how much more poignant and affecting this type of tribute is than the tacky minute’s applause.
When did playing for England become such a dilemma?
The papers are often full of stories
Of the Celtic nations ‘love’ for their national teams
The noisy Scottish support
The blarnie armies of Ireland North and South
The stoical and patient Welsh
Yet England
A once proud nation
Has turned from lion to pussycat.
© David Hyson
really annoys me this club v country debate. how many people in england celebrated the ’66 victory…millions.. and they would again, apathy is because of constant failure over the years and overhyped players. ask Brazilians if they would give up one of their world cups for club.
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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