Football Poets

Throw Back Cup Ties Rap

it’s a throw back draw
it’s like days of yore
when the chips are down you couldn’t ask for more
what an amazing Fifth Round draw

big up Lincoln and Sutton* too
up at Forest Green seen what they do
knocked out Rovers*to make Round Two
so-called minnows are back for sure

listen to pundits having their say
nine team changes throwing it away
well done Millwall what can we say
chuck out the rule books and more more more

Fulham and Wolves both pulling great games
when I was a kid I felt totally the same
it’s all coming back now do you feel the same?
the FA Cup still has that allure

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Too Bright for Comfort

we weren’t that great again out there
against Braintree for sure
perhaps they were too bright for us
i thought we’d never score
it feels bizarre..familiar
before a restless crowd
who barely raise the noise at all
as though they’re not allowed..

the glaring garb the visitors
arrived in ..took us back
to when the future looked so bright
as we began to crack
to be outsung by 42
all standing in the shade
at least we haven’t lost this year
when will we make the grade?

you listen in on moans and groans
from those who’ve watched for years
the pessimism swirls around
increasing long-felt fears
the panic button’s being pressed
we beg consistency
we only sing when we’re winning
which is not constantly

they chop and change so often
they come and go like mist
our two new subs looked fine indeed
it’s time to stick not twist
we have no right to win this league
we flatter to deceive
from the sublime to poor sometimes
whatever we believe

ok we were hard done by
but there we were again
with 7 added minutes
it’s deja-vu my friends
as though we’ve never known a team
put ten behind the ball
or watched dismayed as they waste time
is no surprise at all

so how to lift the feeling
for confidence to soar ?
except to keep on keeping on
it’s square one time once more…
and what to say to stand out more
when pressure is incessant
it’s time for even bolder shirts
we must..

be more..

fluorescent

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How Many?

So many questions always on the go
rumours and grumbles that never seem to stop
but only one question in the heart of ev’ry fan
how many coats has Mark Cooper* got?

negative comments about the boss
transfers and new loans bubbling in the pot
but far more important than all of that stuff..
how many coats has Mark Cooper got?

heard it mentioned on the last comment’ry
and suddenly the penny just finally dropped
Elliott** and Keiffer** must wonder as they leave
how many coats has Mark Cooper got?

takes some stick on the ol’ touchline
Facebook rants that have lost the plot
promotion is there but we still wanna know…
how many coats has Mark Cooper got?

are they chosen for each new formation
diff’rent at the back..diff’rent up top
Motherwell** Ipswich** I don’t care….
but how many coats has Mark Cooper got?

wrapped in a scarf like a snowman on the line
zip- ups… fur-lined ..he’s got the lot
forget about Lincoln (Green)*** we’re Forest Green
so how many coats has Mark Cooper got?

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Defending the Indefensible

it happens when it happens
at unexpected times
when goals pour in like honey
there are no warning signs
no Hollywood script-writer
could hint at what would fall
but there we were on New Year’s Day
to see our first five-all

protection shown against attack
absent ? woeful? check
unjustified by argument
excuses ? what the heck
defenders indefensible
no matter how we try
regrettable lamentable
supporter value ? high
and sitting with a poet
our rhyme-less hearts were torn
ripped open like our back men
bereft inept and shorn

you sense it’s looking iffy
you know the future’s bleak
when Torquay fans chant can they come
and play us ev’ry week…
we’re shipping goals like stuff online
we’re eBay in disguise
we’re Amazon we’re Dagenham
at least we’ve got the pies

so where did this all come from
and did it hold the fans ?
it could have been eleven all
our heads were in our hands
bemoan our inconsistency
and grumble as you will
I’d still prefer to share it all
than watch some drab nil-nil

this topsy turvy National League
that begs consistency
and longs for confidence to breed
from club to fan to team
but still there’s not a person here
woman child or man
who did not savour what we saw
nor ever understand
the sheer exhilaration
no time to hold your breath
too many mince pies? maybe..
excitement til the death
as twelve kick offs were taken
what still seemed fair to see
at 2-4 down and then 3-5
a point’s still fine for me

it happens when in happens
at unexpected times
when goals pour in like honey
there are no warning signs
no Hollywood script-writer
could hint at what would fall
but there we were on New Year’s Day
to see our first five-all

****************************************
For Video highlights (& defensive lowlights) click here:

Forest Green Rovers 5 Torquay United 5 Jan 1 2017

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Make Some Noise

when the winner won’t go in
when the main stand will not sing
when the late match nerves kick in
make some noise for Rovers

when you’ve had your mash and pie
gritted teeth as time flies by
take your gloves off have a try
make some noise for Rovers

is it really just the young
who refuse to be out-sung
and implore you with the drum
to make some noise for Rovers ?

I’ve seen people stop and stare
parents shudder turn and glare
at my trusty clapper there
making noise for Rovers

as a child upon the Shed
on those chants and noise was fed
shared allegiance * there it’s said
to make some noise for Rovers

and I for one care not a fig
at any match here small or big
and though its sometimes like a gig
just make some noise for Rovers

are we embarrassed or just shy?
and sit there as the the game flies by
afraid to raise our voices high
and make some noise for Rovers?

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These Are The Ones

these are the ones that matter
this is the acid test
these are the ones that you don’t wanna lose
when you’re out there ahead of the rest
it’s as tight at the top as it always will be
too many good teams are here
and they’re names that you’ve known since your childhood
but you pray we can do it this year

in this lottery league where consistency counts
and the Tranmeres and Lincolns keep pace
it’s a really close call and another long haul
it’s a knife edge and nail-biting chase
and the moment your mind starts to wander
remember to keep your head strong
as you lift up your voice and you pump up the noise
who cares how our rivals get on

when the South Stand are belting their hearts out
and the main stand awake and respond
as the energy shifts and the atmosphere lifts
and we join in to cheer them along
and I know what you’re thinking and saying
there’s another three quarters to go
and none of us want to go down to the wire
but its upward and on with the show

but the feeling is growing and growing
it’s clear as an old country mile
and we’d love to be ten points ahead of the rest
and to dazzle our way up in style
but we’ve so far to go in this battle
for our goal to be fin’lly achieved
so batton the hatch and hang on to you hats
just believe and believe and believe

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Clichés In The Wind

how many times
must a fan turn his head
and pretend that he cares much at all ?
yes and how many times
are you glad when you’re out
before the First Round draw is called ?
the answer my friend’s a cliché in the wind
the answer’s a cliché in the wind*

yes and how many times
must we all pinch ourselves
and remind us all why we believe
there’s only thing that we must focus on
and that’s getting out of this League…
and Man U or Chelsea at home in the Cup
is not what we’re longing to win
the answer my friend is always the same
who cares if it’s clichés in the wind

yes and how many times
will the moaners all cry
as we chase for the ultimate prize
and Derby** was great but I’d much rather wait
for the one dream that fills up my eyes
but the answer’s the same let’s just focus our aim
and the Cup is just clichés in the wind*

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