a pacifist gives thanks … and prays
in remembrance of all those who’ve died, in any conflict Poppy Day … Commemorating the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month … In memory of so many … … with gratitude … a pacifist gives thanks … and prays if benches, were trenches would we as soon leap to our feet […]
Report on the Gloucestershire Kick it Out Project, October 2002
Report on the Gloucestershire Kick it Out Project, October 2002 1. This project was originally led by Stuart Butler, networking through a number of different roles as Head of History and Assistant Head of College at Brockworth School, Gloucester; Fishpools Co-ordinator at the school with responsibilities for raising achievement within the Black community through liasing […]
The first to know
Arthur Wharton, pioneer Sought fame Within a game Not fear That may have come later Down in the deep dark bowels Midst shouts and howls Of a coal pit’s narrow crater Possibly escaping there Among the blacked up faces In such confined spaces Was a release, from the constant racist stare First, he was a […]
Bridge Across The World & Hull.. Kick It Out – United In Thornton and Conkering Racism
Hi there.. it’s Novemer 2002 ..and i just noted there are now over 1250 poems from you all in 28 months crazy eh? We ( via Dave the web-master) started this site in the summer of 2000 (Euro 2000) What’s New… 1WORKSHOP NEWS. 2 A BURNING BLACK STAR (Arthur Wharton) 3 KICK IT OUT RAP.. […]
Keane v McCarthy
Picture it : the manager and his captain In the ‘Good Old Days’, in sepia tone There’d be an old leather ball, a pipe and capstans Then post war It’d be a cigar and champers But bring it right up to date And you see hate And enmity Two pig headed titans Captain Fantastic, of […]
A Burning Black Star..& Conkering Racism
A Burning Black Star..Word Up & Conkering Racism – for Kick It Out Hi there… 3 new poems here…right now we are specifically looking for poems about kicking racism out of football.. so please… keep them coming… thanks- Crispin Dans Le Corner A Burning Black Star – Arthur Wharton (1865-1930) now Arthur Wharton “goalie” may […]
POETRY WRITING GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS
POETRY WRITING GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS FOR KICK IT OUT AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH click here to find out how to win a Kick It Out T-shirt in our poetry competition” Make rough notes on the following before you start to construct your poem. 1.Do you have any personal experiences you want to write about? – […]
Nibbles ‘n Scribbles
What an honour, to be invited, to dine and whine, at the bounteous banquet, that is the Football Poets table. The cuisine, catering as it does, for all tastes : cheesy, salty, peppered with puns, sweet and sour, hot and spicy. I’ve feasted here for the last two years, now it’s time for me to […]
Welcome Clik The Mouse
We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the prolific Clik the Mouse. This secretive Irish rodent has been a regular contributor to the site and has been particulay lauded for his daily world cup diary submitted under the nom de plume World Cup Willie Clik has joined the editorial team allowing us to diversify […]
Kick It Out Starter
The Wealth Of Nations: Sums Haiku: Football Unites, But Racism Divides, Unity adds up. Physics and Sociology: The Whole is greater than the sum of its parts, But the Hole is greater than its volume. Football unites, Racism divides.
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
17th November 2024
Crispin Thomas
17th November 2024
kevin halls
10th November 2024
joe morris
10th November 2024
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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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!!!!
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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.
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