Could Have Beens + News+ KIO Workshops
Hi all -Mid August 2005
1 COULD HAVE BEENS & NEWS..
2 BLACK HISTORY MONTH & KICK IT OUT WORKSHOPS
NEWS
hi again from the over-stretched, under-funded , voluntary mad and oft -abused and ridiculed but un-deterred editorial staff, such as it is! We sometimes need to remind you,.we do this purely for fun .It was started for a laugh, after a poetry gig in a cafe in Stroud to provide a platform and voice for fans in verse and beyond. A place to wax lyrical on what we love and loathe in the game, without getting offensive or overtly political, sectarian, racist or abusive. We’ve struggled through somehow. It’s your site remember, so please keep it clean. Think of it as a last remaining environmental bastion of football to respect and enjoy – while airing your thoughts in a diverse and readable way .
Submitting New Poems….
Please don’t submit messages in the submit poems section. .If it continues we might be forced to close the site down, as we had to do with the guest book. Please contact us with any queries or requests by e-mails. Thank you.! Just e-mail us it’s easy and doesn’t clog up the site which then has to be constantly de-fragmented…Despite our limitations…the site has grown (though barely changed technologically!) out of all proportion. It needs to expand and adapt of course.Our goal and remit remains though to simply encourage and inspire writing, performing and reading through football..Of some 6750+ poems , there are another 4500+ unacceptable ones (often messages) that we have had to unfortunately delete . Some 11000 football poem/entries per se .. from all over the planet in five years !
We probably are the largest football poetry web-site in the world. We reguarly close our eyes to some of the abuse we have received of late towards poets or for our not being up to speed with the site etc; Until we either get some funding or can afford to get them done . I”m sorry but this is it. . Instead for now, let’s move forward together in the spirit of football….One day , but don’t get excited, we might even get the long-awaited book out!. We hope the silent and invisible minority who continue to hound us, will contribute in a creative way and be over-whelmed and inspred by the new poetry writers out there, both young and old who will visit us over the next months.. Have a great season whoever you support…but do go on supporting the site too..in a positive way .We know what we want to do…come with us. Take care out there and keep writing – Crispin.
a couple of poems here.. on things some of us could have been.. and things some become….and for rich substitutes everywhere currently warming benches..
I COULD HAVE BEEN
I could have been a keeper
protecting all I own
in every team I’ve always been
the one who stood alone
the needle in a haystack
with trusty hand and fist
I moved the goalposts to become
an acupuncturist
I could have been the linchpin
the prince of common sense
as steadfast as a rock in storms
for any world defence
but now I tend to flowerbeds
and fight off each attack
from slugs and snails a gardener now
I’m never going back
I could have been a winger
creating goals with style
I’d leave defenders stranded
and make supporters smile
from decorating games with flair
I roller as I roam
and now I rush with paint and brush
around your room and home
I could have been a striker
the predatory one
deliv’ring goals as if on cue
until each game was won
I’m still ahead of all the rest
I’m up from break of day
I’m still the cream of any team
a milkman I will stay
I could have been a manager
the one to rule and reign
a lion-taming mountaineer
but maybe then again
I’d rather be a humble fan
connected loyal and true
for bosses come and strikers go
but fans stay through and through
@Crispin Thomas 05..probably inspired by Nick Drake..
.Moral? Great players and managers come and go.but no-one stays loyal or faithful as true fans….it’s a life and death thing
—————————————————————————–
I PITY THE RICH SUBSTITUTE
I pity the rich substitute
the bench their season’s home
they remonstrate but relegate
their painful thoughts alone
the bank may smile and stay content
their partners understand
such fleeting talent sidelined
this flame all left un-fanned
how do they fight frustration
these Owens Coles and all
to train all week but come the day
they rarely touch the ball
that moment when the boss gets up
the clock on seventy
the warming up so oft in vain
that stressful choice of three
Diegó Forlan got it right
a star again in Spain
Scott Parker was a fan all year
through sun and wind and rain
and what will they look back upon
the day their legs grow weak
no countless caps or trophies
the future’s rich but bleak
what memories to savour
upon this ship of fools
the prime of life in shackles
in growing squads and pools
I pity the rich substitute
in pocket for a while
you rub your eyes it’s over
your youth your skill your style
@ Crispin Thomas August 2005
——————————————————————————–
2 BLACK HISTORY MONTH POETRY WORKSHOPS OCT 2005
” today we will find out how everyone is different
red black or blue
yet everyone is the same
don’t be a fool
can’t you see
all of us hate Racism
don’t give in ”
By Khwezi Newanyana and Anne Murphy – St Hughs’,Liverpool
BLACK HISTORY MONTH & ‘KICK IT OUT’
Education Through Football Poetry Workshops
with Crispin Thomas+Albert Nyathi & Imbongi (Zimbabwe)***
OCTOBER 2005
THU 8 MORPERTH School
SAT 15 PADDINGTON Library 10.30-1pm *** Chelsea FC E.T.F
WED 19 FULHAM FC Study Centre
THU 20 WEST HAM Learning Zone
FRI 21 WEST HAM Learning Zone
SAT 22 BARON’S COURT Library*** Chelsea FC E.T.F
DATE TBC NORTHAMPTON TOWN Cobblers Study Centre
DATE TBC BROCKWORTH School .Glos
To find out more about Workshops please contact Crispin Thomas:
crispin@ctmuk.freeserve.co.uk or editors@footbalLpoets.org
or by phone on 01453 757376
With Black History Month fast approaching….time to reflect and think upon the thoughts that children put on paper when tackling racism through poetry in our workshops.This October I will be working with West Ham and Chelsea (at the WHU Study Cente and in libraries) plus Northampton Town TBC (home of Walter Tull the first professional black outfield player – *allegedly!) . Also at a school in Morperth , Northumberland. When we are in libraries the public often wander in bemused …so do drop by if you’re around.!.
Paddington is a great case in mind. For the Chelea workshops I will be working alongside the wonderful Albert Nyathi, the premier dub-performance poet of Zimbabwe, who has appeared before Nelson Mandela. He is touring here with his stunning Hi Life band IMBONGI (means “praise poets”).They played to a great crowd at the National Theatre in London the other night.The band are also gonna show up in full tribal dress and stuff ! It would be great also to run another Kick It Out competition on the site..we’ll see..so many
things… maybe ..stay tuned C.
***For more info on IMBONGI & ALBERT NYATHI + dates go to
www.ctmuk.com/imbongi
SOME MORE POIGNANT KIDS POEMS FROM THE WORKSHOPS
AT LIVERPOOL(at Everton Study Centre!) January 05…
SHOWING RACISM THE RED CARD IN POETRY…..
.
POEMS from St HUGH’S CATHOLIC Primary School, Liverpool.
MY WORLD IS DIFFERENT
My world is different yes it’s true
You are a colour and I’m one too
Why do people shout and fight?
Only because it’s not right
Racism must be stopped
If its not we’ll all be lost
Don’t be mean or act all hard
Because we’re trying to show racism the red card.
Aaliyah McGuinness – St Hughs’
——————————————
RACISM IS NOT SO COOL
Racism is so not cool
At the ground or at your school
Colour doesn’t mean a thing
If you’re poor or covered in bling
Stop racism today –
Make it happen today.
#Aimen Maksoud and Jamie McLoughlin – St Hughs’,Liverpool
——————————————————-
WE’RE ALL THE SAME
My world is like a football game,
You may be different but we’re all the same,
Why do people die and cry?
Over colour tell me why?
Racism is quite sad,
I feel that it is really bad
Don’t call people black or white.
Amina Abdullah – St Hughs’,Liverpool
—————————————————————-
FOOTBALL IS A GAME
Football is a game we play
Scoring goals everyday
Some people say things that are bad
It makes me really sad
On the pitch they kick and run
When most of us want to have fun.
Jessica Kunz – St Hughs’,Liverpool
——————————————————————
RACISM’S NOT WELCOME HERE – Acrostic
Racism’s not welcome here
At your school or anywhere
Cause we are so very cool
In this place in Liverpool
Some people come from different lands
Make this WHOLE WORLD understand!
Linda Kunz & Julie Kavanagh – St Hughs’,Liverpool
——————————————————-
RACISM IS NOT THE SOLUTION
scared and frightened
How would you feel if other people bullied you
whether you are black or white
Racism is not the solution
as you see they will never win
can we show racism the door?
It’s time for us to say no more
Some people need to learn more
about what racism can do –
today we will find out how everyone is different
red black or blue
yet everyone is the same
don’t be a fool – cant you see
all of us hate Racism
don’t give in
By Khwezi Newanyana and Anne Murphy – St Hughs’,Liverpool
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
John Gilbert Ellis
28th November 2024
joe morris
26th November 2024
Denys E. W. Jones
26th November 2024
Gacina Bozidar
26th November 2024
Wynn Wheldon
26th November 2024
joe morris
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Crispin Thomas
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kevin halls
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joe morris
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Clik The Mouse
10th November 2024
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
27th November 2024 at 5:55 am
‘You’re Supposed To Be At Home’ is an excellent and moving poem Denys.
You start off thinking it’s just about another oft-sung chant, one we personally heard a lot last season throughout our second relegation in a row here at Forest Green(FGR) ! I always love poems where you think they are saying one thing and then they suddenly pull you deeper to somewhere or something else else.
I’m currently helping in a local school for FGR in a voluntary capacity using football to help young students with reading. At an upcoming session we will tackle racism, just like we did in workshops at football schools and grounds when we first started this site 24 years ago. I’m gonna try and weave your poem into a session.
We’ve added it to the Anti- Racism/Kick It Out section under Crispin’s Corner.
Best C
See in context
26th November 2024 at 1:59 pm
Great poem and great to see you back Wyn.
Don’t leave it so long next time my friend!
More please.
See in context
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
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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.
See in context