Agricultural football in strange formations: right back in the centre, youth team player lone striker. Between genius and madness is a fine line of nine central defenders over which you tread and re-tread, Felix, marking passengers for the development squad, those who pass and move for the dugout’s groove while balls float past with a […]

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A May river path through Bishop’s Park enduring South West Six music Smoke drifts from benches while kids throw stones to water no thought of trouble Cantus Firmus, Haynes, Morgan, Chamberlain, Davies one ‘f’ in Fulham Scattering lights on the water as we pause silent boatmen pass

Between Shore Road and Branksome Chine, beneath the beach huts of Canford Cliffs, is an international football pitch with a ghost ship’s cargo from Shanklin Yellow posts, memories of Small Hope Beach, Hawkins’ legacy; a high pass, acrobatic weightlessness grounded by a stationary charter to Tahiti Unfunded, in the national stadium we gamble, peel away […]

Last game he saw was Norwich at home, August 15th. Reckon he’d ‘vibed out’ mentally, found other interests, disconnected Took pictures of his kittens, cycled and travelled on business, found a form of self-sufficiency, light in the eyes and sunsets at far removed harbours, let social media follow if it would, lied to the GP’s, […]

When the groundsman rested from the first autumn freeze, the mowers were silent as sun on the leaves Lines were unpainted and dads left unabused referees at home in the kitchen with a quick cup of tea When the groundsman rested from the Laurel Park freeze, the parents were silent on how we should win- […]