A Welcome in September
In September 2007, we welcomed the following new contributors to this site :
David Hyson
Jon A McGuire
David Allan
A blast from the past – a welcome return to
Peter Wyton , who last posted in November 2005
Click on the names above to see that person’s poem(s), or browse some selected first efforts below :
Two very conflicting views on the minutes silence vs minutes applause debate, between Peter & David’s poems. Yet both are very respectful and extremely poignant.
Beyond Open Play
The pulse races
As eardrums pound
With the silence of those
Who, like I,
Believe joy’s moment nears
I gag on drool,
Rear raised from seat
Willing it,
Wanting it,
Oblivious to others’ fears
Below, the red and blue jostle
On the brink of my anticipation
Shirts pulled,
Torsos are barred
As fingers clutch and stout forearms deny
The man in black strides forward,
Palm raised in caution,
Then barks his words,
A gestured warning –
Transgressors of my rule recoil
Bold ones smile in false apology
Then clutch again, toe treading heel
The law withdraws,
Looks right in acknowledgement
His flute brings deathly hush
Two steps, ball arcs from right to left
Forty thousand vac the air
Eyes follow white through green
Amidst aggression and panic –
He who hesitates plays no part
And, long before the net is bulged,
My view has been obscured
Yet, through the roars of many
I stand, beat chest, raise arms
Then follow joyous celebration
The pulse races
As eardrums pound
With the silence of those
Who, like I,
Believe joy’s moment nears
© John A McGuire 2007
Rhys At Anfield
Amidst a sea of scarves, teams and officials
Stand in homage. The bereaved family
Approaches the touch-line, three vivid stripes
Of Everton blue on a backdrop of Liverpool red.
Complementary anthems are aired,
The Z-Cars Theme.’You’ll Never Walk Alone’
The spirit of a small boy, kitted out
In his favourite strip, issues from the tunnel,
Scampers across the turf to thump a ball
Firmly between the posts at the Kop end,
Before wheeling away in triumph,
Relishing the applause, his face a picture.
Elsewhere, not a great way from the stadium,
A hooded figure slouches on a bicycle
Outside an electrical good store,
Glowering through plate-glass at rows of sets
Radiating identical images of compassion.
Morose. Isolated. Totally out of it.
© Peter Wyton 07
The Last Minute
Here the silent minute descends,
Bearing the hush of absent friends.
The acme thunderer’s final blow
Linking the now with long ago.
From Central Park to the streets of Raith,
Remembering them who kept the faith.
Life’s fitba’ passion, the golden thread
Abiding still, sonorous, yet unsaid.
© David Allan
here was a minute’s silence held in honour of two old Cowdenbeath Supporters who had died before Cowden’s 1-0 home win v Raith Rovers. It made me think how much more poignant and affecting this type of tribute is than the tacky minute’s applause.
When did playing for England become such a dilemma?
The papers are often full of stories
Of the Celtic nations ‘love’ for their national teams
The noisy Scottish support
The blarnie armies of Ireland North and South
The stoical and patient Welsh
Yet England
A once proud nation
Has turned from lion to pussycat.
© David Hyson
really annoys me this club v country debate. how many people in england celebrated the ’66 victory…millions.. and they would again, apathy is because of constant failure over the years and overhyped players. ask Brazilians if they would give up one of their world cups for club.
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.
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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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4th January 2024 at 10:13 am
A great idea and well executed. Thanks Graham.
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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…
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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.
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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
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