John Oliver
-
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 10 years, 7 months ago
I feel sorry for Sunderland
I honestly do
And my pal Tommy is sorry too
He’s supported his team for 65 years
Since that first day he climbed
Up those Fullwell End stairs.
Often spending money
That he could ill […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 10 years, 8 months ago
Crowded dug outs, like pre-match pubs
Physios, Masseurs and Seven named subs
Sports scientists, kit men, fitness coaches
All vying for seats, as kick off approaches.
Managers, assistants, and […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 10 years, 8 months ago
Our season is over
The fat man has sang
‘Money, Money, Money’
In his broad cockney twang
He’ll be back next season
With another Twenty year plan
While him and Pardew serve out a stadium ban. -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 10 years, 8 months ago
Hi I’m Pards
The whole Nine yards
‘Ah could have been a contender’
More Barry Hearns, than Thomas Hearns
I’m your typical Eastender. -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 10 years, 9 months ago
Fanzines, Blogs, Dissenting voices
Take your pick of ‘Hobson’s Choices’
Renew season ticket, or walk away
Strong of heart or feet of clay?
Pardew’s angry, hearts bleed for him
A false show of emotion
Made up on a […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 10 years, 9 months ago
Meself, Two mates, and me best pal Syd
Got nicked by the coppers
And each fined a quid
A hefty sum for what we did.
We only played football in wor street
Straight after school until late at neet
Between the […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 10 years, 10 months ago
The City streets are silent now
As when I called out the name
For I get no response now
And it is not quite the same.
For the ECHO is gone now
And that’s oh such a shame
Once part of the fabric
Of the once […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 11 years, 1 month ago
HE TICKED ALL THE RIGHT BOXES
AND SAID ALL THE RIGHT THINGS
HAILED AS OUR SAVIOUR (another one)
AND TREAT LIKE A KING.
AT HIS PRESS CONFERENCE, HE TALKED OF HIS PLANS
THEN WITH THE FULL MEDIA CIRCUS
WAS INTRODUCED […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 11 years, 3 months ago
Joe Kinnear…..Well what can I say
That has not been said before
Director of football at St James’ Park
When he should be in ‘Geordie Shore’
For his language is choice
Comes in the colour of blue
All those […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 12 years, 9 months ago
Excuse me mate, could you show me
The way to the ‘Sports Direct Arena’
I’m from down the smoke you see
And I’ve never ever been there.
My big pal Mikey went and bought it
Then cor blimey changed It’s name
Mike’s a […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 12 years, 11 months ago
Tim Krull is overated
And Coloccini’s far too slow
Excuse me telling great big fibs
But I dont want them to go.
Cheick Tiote’s very poor
And Cabaye is so naive
There I go with those fibs again
But I dont want them […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 12 years, 12 months ago
I am proud to say that Gary Speed played for my club.
He was once described by Sir Bobby Robson
As a ‘blue chip player’, a proper footballer.
Admired by all, from the ordinary fan like myself
To his closet friends […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years ago
‘Newcastle Broon Ale’ now brewed in Yorkshire
St James’ Park changing it’s name
The demise of these Geordie institutions
Is the world finally going insane ?
But as long as the Tyne flows through my City
And as […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years ago
You can brand us as all naive dreamers
And that our bubble will burst just you wait
But just go for a pint in the City
And see smiling faces on Gallowgate.
For there is no better place on the planet
When the […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years, 1 month ago
We have been there before
We can go there again
Champions league football
The riches, the fame.
The top Four positions
No longer a closed shop
And I can’t stop myself thinking
Is there now room at the top?
Maybe […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years, 1 month ago
Hartlepool United live on the tele
Jeff Stelling will be over the moon
‘Angus the monkey’ delighted
And it came not a moment too soon.
It’s great to watch lower league football
But next Sunday, normal service […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years, 1 month ago
No -one can deny us
We are where we are
Seven games in and unbeaten so far.
Playing good stuff and into 4th spot
Our form like this weather
Has been pretty hot.
We are the surprise packet
Well into Autumn
With our […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years, 2 months ago
Now I know it was late when I got home
But I still felt rather shocked
The curtains drawn, the lights were out
And every door was locked.
I threw gravel at the upstairs window
To attract the wife’s […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years, 2 months ago
So the transfer window came and went
And my club hardly a penny spent
And now faces a winter of discontent
As lifelong fans their anger vent.
Unwavering support, has been betrayed
As they sold players who should […] -
John Oliver published a poem on the site Football Poets 13 years, 3 months ago
Roy Race of the Rovers and Blackie Gray
How much would this pair cost today
But even Mike Ashley a cheque might write
To have them both in Black n White.
Replacing Shola Ameobi and Demba Ba
But am I just wishing […] - Load More
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
17th November 2024
Crispin Thomas
17th November 2024
kevin halls
10th November 2024
joe morris
10th November 2024
Clik The Mouse
10th November 2024
Clik The Mouse
6th November 2024
Alex Saynor
6th November 2024
joe morris
29th October 2024
joe morris
17th October 2024
Denys E. W. Jones
16th October 2024
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
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
See in context
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.
See in context
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!!!!
See in context
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
See in context
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.
See in context
28th April 2024 at 5:59 pm
Thanks Denys. Yes your replay poem was superb.
See in context
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.
See in context
25th April 2024 at 7:33 pm
Hi Denys,
Thanks mate. I’ll do it now.
See in context
25th April 2024 at 1:56 pm
Thanks Joe,
you might like to write a poem yourself on the same subject…
See in context
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?
See in context