WORD UP.Bradford June 1st.www.cbc.clcstudents.org.uk.
word-up rap…(a space and a place for every race)
there has to be a space – there has to be a place
for ev’ry single member of the whole human race
but it starts in the playground – it starts as just a lark
it end up on the journey home-it ends up in the park
it ends up on the playing field -in the rain and thunder
sometimes you hear it-but you’re totally outnumbered
sometimes they’re older-or they’re bigger than you
but still there are options-and something you can do
word up – be a beacon be a light
speak out – let your football burn bright
word up
you can sing it you can wing it – you can act it out in class
you can scribble down your thoughts – before the feelings pass
word up – speak out – put it down upon the page
’cause life’s a stage..and this rage ..
we will erase it
if we face it
word up
you know…no-one has the right to abuse any other
no one has the right- be they stranger or brother
no one has the right to bully, taunt and and yell
but no one should be frightened to be the one to tell
speak out – word up
and twenty years ago – if your face was black
if you stood out on a football pitch – they’d be on your back
but just look around you – from Africa today
great players everywhere-we love to see them play
and this world is changing – feel it coming through
life is a lottery but football dreams come true
and who knows this time… an Asian tomorrow
when one come through ..the rest will follow
word up
speak out
let your words change hearts
word up
——————————————————————————–
© crispin 02
written for the forthcoming exciting inter-active football poetry event in Bradford on June 1..The event will be (among other things) exploring racism in football with students… and the Football Poets.(Stuart,Crispin,Danny and Paul)…..for more info go to www.cbc.clcstudents.org.uk…..with thanks to Keith and Stuart and also Piara and Zacia at Kick It Out www.kickitout.org who work diligently towards kicking racism out of football…and by the way the Asian angle is to highlight the current lack of any Asian players in any of the professional flights….albeit three up-coming youngsters are highlighted on the kick it out site..check it out..one a budding female and one who has already played at u-16 level for England!
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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!
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Latest Poems
joe morris
25th July 2024
John J O’Connor
22nd July 2024
Denys E. W. Jones
22nd July 2024
Mike Bartram
22nd July 2024
joe morris
22nd July 2024
Gacina Bozidar
21st July 2024
joe morris
16th July 2024
kevin halls
15th July 2024
Crispin Thomas
15th July 2024
Phil Brennan
15th July 2024
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
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.
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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!!!!
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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
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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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