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Stick to the Football!

Denys E. W. Jones

Wednesday, December 1st, 2004

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 When I of Rooney first did read,
I wept, and cried for joy:
“Our scouts have come up trumps at last,
Unearthed a Wonder Boy…

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 So, Man U, eat your heart out,
Take cover, Liverpool.
With Rooney in our ranks, by God,
We’ll show you just who rules!”

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 A new Campaign’s now underway,
Alas, joy’s turned to grief.
Once more The Blues are Basement Boys –
It beggars all belief!

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 And what’s become of Wunderkind?
Where is Boy Wonder Wayne?
He’s hanging out with birds that pout,
And shooting off to Spain.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Pray pin your ears back, Wayne Lad,
And hear my sound advice.
Although the words I’m set to say
May not seem very nice:

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Stick to the football, Wayne Lad.
Stick to the soccer, Son.
There’s still loads left for you to learn,
Much work yet to be done.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 When Dixie Dean had turned eighteen,
He earned far less than you.
He came of age at twenty-one,
But made no great to-do.

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 No glitzy parties did he throw,
He shunned the media glare.
He just went out and played for love,
For wealth he had no care.

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 He wore no sharp Armani suits,
He plugged no Sponsor’s wares.
His only studs were on his boots,
He never dyed his hair.

10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 Let William Ralph your model be,
Not Bestie or Stan Bowles.
Forget the hype, revert to type,
And score some bloomin’ goals!

11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 You know, Dear Boy, that actions speak
Much louder than mere words.
So do your talking on the pitch,
Forgo the booze ‘n’ birds.

12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 For though you’ve won some England Caps,
You’re still a fresh-faced rookie.
Don’t enter pubs, keep out of clubs,
And steer well clear of bookies.

13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 Do you recall that strike you hit
Last year against the Gunners?
You brought us fans all to our feet,
No question, ‘twas a stunner!

14 Leave a comment on verse 14 0 So wake up, wack, we want you back,
Have no more truck with Judies.
Pull on your shirt, get ‘mongst the dirt,
And score us a few beauties…

15 Leave a comment on verse 15 0 Just knuckle under, learn your craft,
Admit you’re still a Pup.
Once more The Toffees face The Drop,
It’s vital we stay up!

16 Leave a comment on verse 16 0 Stick to the football, Wayne Lad.
Stick to the soccer, Son.
And ne’er forget what luck you have,
To play for Ev-er-ton…

17 Leave a comment on verse 17 0 8/12/03
Denys E. W. Jones

© 13/1/04

Notes

When I wrote this last year, Everton were in the bottom three, and Wayne Rooney had scored just one goal in about nine appearances… Of course, now that Rooney is wearing a red shirt, the poem is out of date, however I think that in the light of his recent antics, he would still do well to heed the friendly advice I give him in this poem. Everton supporters may find this poem of some historical interest. For myself, the poem is dear to my heart, it being the first poem I ever wrote about Everton or an Everton player. The last two lines make poignant reading now…

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/stick-to-the-football/