Ron Greenwood R.I.P.
The ‘appy ‘ammers
Not so joyful now
And the rest of football
Takes a respectful bow
For today we’ve lost
One of life’s Gentlemen
Even the Fourth Estate, wouldn’t berate
With their judgemental pen
To Ron’s family
We extend our sorrow
His guiding hand from Heaven
Could yet shape England’s tomorrow
From BBC.co.uk :
Former England and West Ham manager Ron Greenwood has died, aged 84, following a long illness.
Greenwood, who managed the national team between 1977 and 1982, died at his Suffolk home.
World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst said: “It would not be overstating the case to say that Ron was the single most influential figure in my career.
“He opened the door to the world of modern football and I consider it a privilege to play for him.”
Greenwood was West Ham manager from 1961 to 1974 and continued as general manager at Upton Park until 1977.
During that time, the club won the FA Cup for the first time in 1964 and won the European Cup Winners’ Cup the following season.
He took over as England boss after Don Revie’s surprise move to the Middle East and led the team to the 1980 European Championships and The 1982 World Cup in Spain.
As a player, he had spells at Chelsea, where he played in the 1955 Championship-winning side, Bradford Park Avenue, Brentford and Fulham.
He leaves a widow, Lucy, two children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
Ron Greenwood, affectionately remembered by so many in football.
I remember him as one of the more enlightened England managers.
I don’t remeber him (because I wasn’t born then) – but as a Chelsea fan fully respect the fact that he captained us to our first League Championship win in 1955.
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
joe morris
4th May 2024
Crispin Thomas
2nd May 2024
joe morris
2nd May 2024
joe morris
28th April 2024
Richard Williams
26th April 2024
joe morris
25th April 2024
Denys E. W. Jones
25th April 2024
kevin halls
23rd April 2024
Alex Saynor
23rd April 2024
Crispin Thomas
22nd April 2024
Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
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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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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