Poems tagged ‘Roy Bentley’
Well Done Roy Bentley (1924-2018)
born into a different world the Spring of twenty four
you were barely starting on the path
but down at Bristol City at the outbreak of the war
you ended up just nursing the giraffe! *
but destiny was waiting as they flocked to Stamford Bridge
the day that Moscow Dynamo hit town
locked out with the crowd but like so many on that day
you found your way inside that heaving ground **
and barely three years later in the year of forty eight
you yourself were signing for the Blues
your talent so apparent you had passion style and skill
and a spirit born of nothing left to lose
it was cloth caps and Bovril where forty thousand stood
upon that bank in fog and sleet and snow
it was long shorts and Brylcreem and fifteen pounds a week
the People’s Game like you had far to go
from constant jokes in music halls you led us to such heights
among the mighty outfits of that age
the Wolves and Man Uniteds to the Arsenals and North Ends
you blazed your name and club upon the page
from cartoon strips of ducklings from ‘pensioners’ to champs
I recall the headlines still with glee
for on that day in April when they swarmed across the field
you stood up in that stand for all to see
and fifty years has passed now since that golden moment when
you led your team to win the league that day
your prowess as a captain is still etched in history
the spills the thrills the goals along the way
those magic games for England with your heroes
but still you wore that royal blue with pride
and still you set examples for the future Chelsea babes
you’d always start in any all-time side
and few would know the day you claimed that title
you’d set the wheels in motion like a toy
may the memories all be glad for there’s little more to add
except this simple thank you – well done Roy!
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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
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
joe morris
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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