• Sunday morning Dawns
    Sunday morning dawns, Glum as the face of Adrian Chiles, Note the familiar worried look of Gary Lineker Trying to console a nation of Gascoignes Trying to regain possession. Dispossessed, We have lost possession Of our fate Only a miracle now… Only a rampaging run, a predatory strike By a Hurst, Lineker, or Charlton… But […]
  • World Cup ~ A Nation Watches
    Ten minutes to kick-off. We are part of a waiting world. On the field, a synchronisation of watches. Sceptical footballers make Nervous signs of the cross And glance heavenward One stands palms upward Another ties his lace. Over in England, the clouds begin to lift Pulses of hope Cross the country from west to east. […]
  • First Memory ~ Inside Outside
    My first memory was Sweden in nineteen fifty eight. Climbing out of bed, aged seven,  I crept downstairs To the strains of the German anthem “Glorious things of thee are spoken” Felt joy as plucky Sweden won the day. Then darkness outside Inside, the radio’s sigh. Rahn, Fritz Walter, Liebrecht; Schaeffer, Eckel, Mai. World Cup in England. […]
  • Blue Thursday
    José’s chance has gone (?). Parked two buses last Sunday – Will he miss the boat?
  • The Lion of Anfield
    Like a ramping and roaring lion he leads the line First among foragers, fleet past the feet of the foe. Old men watch “El Pistolero” and think of Nathaniel The black-and-white Lion of Vienna, long ages ago. Now clad in bold red, the lion is back at the Gates Of Anfield. Blench all ye bruisers, […]