Premiership Priory
Poor Merse
has a curse
an addiction
no valediction
in sight
try as he might
the demons return
money to burn
and time to kill
looking for a buzz, a thrill
it’s not funny
all that money
gambled away
yet he’ll play
to win
Poor Paul McGrath
he’s come so far
from his days in Dalkey
and though he no talky, much
they want him to keep in touch
so that they can keep tabs
for his demon often nabs
friends want him on an even keel
and though his drink problem is real
it’s his deep rooted shyness
that troubles this mercurial Highness
who once graced the fields of green
now he shies away from being seen
Good ole Tone
just pick up the phone
and ring his clinic
there’ll be no cynic
on the end of the line
just, “hope you’re fine”
and a sympathetic ear
to discuss, the over consumption of beer
of spirits, too many or too low
and now the jockeys too, can ride in tow
so, no matter what the game
no matter the excuses lame
no matter how the addiction came
they’ll be treated just the same
no song and dance
just a Sporting Chance
apologies to all concerned if this is too trite, it’s not meant to be.
it was written after watching the inspired work and charity (Sporting Chance)
started by Tony Adams (Tone) in a BBC documentary last night (10.06.2003),
which focussed on the rehabilitation efforts of addicts
Paul Merson (Merse), at time of writing captain of newly promoted Portsmouth and
Paul McGrath, ex-pro, highly regarded as one of the best players ever to come out of Ireland (Dalkey is a suburb of Dublin)
the documentary also showed the PFA becoming involved and they are now backing the clinic financially
the title of the documentary (and of this poem), was taken from
The Priory – a rehabilitation clinic much used by the rich and famous
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
29th March 2024
Clik The Mouse
28th March 2024
Crispin Thomas
28th March 2024
joe morris
25th March 2024
Rowan Waller
24th March 2024
Mike Bartram
23rd March 2024
joe morris
21st March 2024
kevin halls
18th March 2024
Richard Williams
18th March 2024
joe morris
18th March 2024
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
19th March 2024 at 8:00 am
Hi Crispin. Chris Sutton on the radio has gone for a Chelsea v Coventry final. As we know anything can happen in the Cup, and I reckon we can go to the final.
We’re still in with a chance of the play offs too, so lots to go for.
See in context
19th March 2024 at 7:41 am
Hey Kev
Let the masses drool over their odds on City v Unted Final, but who knows how pressure can hit.
Cov and Chels will be rightly labelled as having no chance..but hey …stranger things have happened..
so Chelsea v Coventry…that’s the Final for us!
Best
C
See in context
29th January 2024 at 10:03 pm
Hi Crispin,
How are you doing mate? Yes, you’re probably right but hey football is all about emotion and passion and I just love writing about the game. I try to keep my poetry to a reasonable length but there’s so much to write about the game and its literature just lends itself naturally to poetry. Sometimes I just get completely carried and I do apologise for the length of my poetry but it’s a great thrill to be associated with Football Poets.
Cheers mate
Joe
See in context
10th January 2024 at 7:52 pm
You’re right of course Joe but…..it’s actually more of a big welcome break for everyone who is not into Premier League ..I’m talking fans of EFL National League and below…..
Btw …is this actually your longest poem ever !?
Best
Crispin
See in context
8th January 2024 at 4:45 pm
Thanks!
See in context
8th January 2024 at 10:42 am
There’s something so evocative and nostalgic for football fans the world over, in ‘revisiting’ old lost grounds.
Occasionally some remnants remain, with perhaps part of a wall or part or a stand or thre shape of a terrace, but often they are only still there in faded images and in our heads..
Great stuff Graham
See in context
4th January 2024 at 10:13 am
A great idea and well executed. Thanks Graham.
See in context
19th November 2023 at 1:45 pm
Thanks Gacina, glad you liked it, and I have just posted a new one about our points deduction…
See in context
7th November 2023 at 6:34 pm
Today B.B.C post on F.B was titled:Premier League reduced to 18 clubs? I really think it may be interesting to see if this would be Everton’s nightmare and this poem is well suited for this concern.If there would be more difficult battle to stay if there were 18 teams.Great poem and somehow true.
See in context
6th November 2023 at 4:43 pm
Ashington FC have launched a £50,000 Crowdfunder appeal to meet the increased costs of winning promotion last season, to pay for urgent stadium improvements, travel costs and equipment
See in context