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1000 and still counting

George Kirby

Thursday, February 3rd, 2005

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Prior to the kick-off and before our very eyes,
For radio’s Alistair Brownlee there came such a huge surprise,
Of which he knew, right until now, well, absolutely zero,
Then he was confronted by John Hickton, his all-time Boro hero.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 The reason for the secrecy, I feel that I must mention,
Is that Alistair, so I have heard, claims not to like attention,
But the grounds for celebration are really very elementary,
Today’s his one-thousandth Boro commentary, on radio, for Century.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 When ‘confronted’ by his children and also his beautiful wife,
Al. must have thought himself the subject of TV’s ‘This is Your Life,’
Then up stepped big John Hickton, to a truly great ovation,
To say, quite literally, his few words, and make the presentation.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 One thousand different matches over, was it, twenty years?
Must have brought to Alistair great joy, perhaps some tears,
But when goals and entertainment were frequently ‘on the ration,’
Something never missing: was Alistair’s Boro passion.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Since being introduced to Century, not a single game I’ve missed,
Listening carefully to Alistair, with Bernie Slaven to assist,
So keep it up together, lads, I’m sure you know the score,
The job’s now really just half done: let’s have a thousand more.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 So now back to today’s big game: but wait! I am afraid,
Due to very heavy traffic, the kick-off’s been delayed,
Then someone, by co-incidence and I’m sure he meant no harm,
Had the stand cleared of spectators when he tripped the fire alarm.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 Bernie Slaven’s back in harness and his hair’s been very well lacquered,
He says he’s feeling very well though his back’s “still really knackered,”
He hasn’t missed a single Boro game for an awfully long while,
Now he’s hoping that our season can be finished off in style.

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 Then, ten minutes later and with the weather fine and bright,
The game is finally started, by the referee, Barry Knight,
The ground’s not totally full and I find that quite a shame,
It’s Boro against Chelsea in this season’s last home game.

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 Boro’s ‘Player of the Season,’ as everybody knows,
Is ‘Hero’ Gary Southgate, complete with broken nose,
He’s presented with his trophy as the last preliminary,
Then the whistle’s finally blown; let’s hope that everyone is merry.

10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 www.theborobard.co.uk

Notes

This 1000th broadcast by Alistair Brownlee was at Boro’s game against Chelsea on 27-04-2002

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/1000-and-still-counting/