Divided City book review
I recommended this award winning book a couple of editorials ago – (2 quick book reviews/plugs here for 2 highly recommended books – “Those Feet” by David Winner; an erudite analysis of the historical relationship between English culture, notions of masculinity and football in all its manifestations. It’s funny too and I devoured it; £14.99 ISBN 0-7475-4738-6
I also recommend the following for the school library: ” Divided City” by Carnegie winning author Theresa Breslin, published by Doubleday, £10.99. ) Here is the promised book review from a student:
“A story following two boys who live in Glasgow. Graham and Joe are from different backgrounds, different areas of Glasgow and follow different religions. Despite their differences they somehow become good friends, united by football alone. The story reflects upon the segregation of the city and how simply pointless it is.
Graham, a Protestant, witnesses a brutal attack on an asylum seeker late at night, after his football practice. The assault happens in a rough area of the city, which Graham is banned from going to by his parents. He manages to get Kyoul, the victim, to hospital before fleeing, knowing he would be questioned by the police, consequently leading to his parents finding out his whereabouts that night. Kyoul, desperate to contact his secret girlfriend, asks a favour of Graham.
Graham doesn’t know what to do so he turns to Joe, and they together help Kyoul escape from hospital before the police find out where he is really from.
The story follows both boys’ personal lives in which the reader sees the two sides of conflict in Glasgow. Both boys attend a Rangers versus Celtic match separately in which they support their own team. Each feel uncomfortable listening to the abuse hurled at the opposition. This is because Joe likes Graham and Graham likes Joe. They don’t know why the Protestants and Catholics can’t just put aside their differences. Graham walks in the Orange Walk
Throughout the story, the two boys build a strong friendship despite knowing the disapproval that would occur if their families found out they were friends.”
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!
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Latest Poems
Denys E. W. Jones
25th April 2024
kevin halls
23rd April 2024
Alex Saynor
23rd April 2024
joe morris
23rd April 2024
Crispin Thomas
22nd April 2024
Denys E. W. Jones
21st April 2024
joe morris
20th April 2024
Clik The Mouse
15th April 2024
Mike Bartram
15th April 2024
joe morris
14th April 2024
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
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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20th April 2024 at 12:04 pm
Hi Joe
Shouldn’t your title read your poem Farewell Europe England to everyone exccept Aston Villa ?
I know you mention them in your poem , but I do feel sorry for Villa re the national press .
Largely ignored. the hype was was all about Man City & Arsenal with a bit of a nod to the Hammers..but hardly a mention of Villa..
So well done to them
C
.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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8th January 2024 at 4:45 pm
Thanks!
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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
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