Football Poets

A ‘Ghost’ Story

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 This is a story about a player, but most of all a man
Who came to Stockport County, as part of a bigger plan
An early injury at Edgeley Park could have seen it all end in tears
But he recovered and played for the team for a magnificent 10 years

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Jim Gannon had his critics, in his very early days
But he soon won them all over, with some excellent displays
He moved from centre half to midfield with a consummative ease
And soon he was scoring lots of goals, as easy as you please

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 The team won promotion from Division 4, with ‘Jimbo’ notching seven
After thirty years in the basement, the ‘hatters’ fans were in heaven
With 21 in the next campaign, many scored at the back post
Appearing as if unseen, he was soon nicknamed ‘the ghost’

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 County reached four Wembley ‘finals’, big Jim played in them all
A loser on each occasion, as the history books recall
The ‘hatters’ carried on up the leagues, and reached the second tier
The ‘ghost’ still played his part, scoring goals in every year

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 As his testimonial year approached, Jim was injured against Man City
He never played for County again, his departure far from pretty
His ‘last hurrah’ was a testimonial game against our neighbours from Maine Road
And yet another County victory, with which the ‘hatters’ fans could goad

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Jim went to Shelbourne across the sea, when his time in England was up
Twice won the Title, scored in Champions League, and played in the EUFA Cup
But ‘management’ was calling, soon in charge and showing he was able
Back at Dundalk, his first ever club, he soon moved them up the table

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 During this time County had dropped down the leagues, getting worse with every year
After the ‘boxing day massacre’ at Macclesfield, the conference was ever near
Chris Turner just had to go, only one man could fill the position
Jim Gannon was welcomed back, securing league status was his mission

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 The history books will show, that ‘the ghost’ fulfilled his task
Now could he take us back up the league?, the next question to be asked
Jim’s first full campaign, saw his team finish 8th, with several records broken
Although outside Edgeley Park he made few friends, his views often outspoken

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 The following season he had the chance, to lay his own personal ‘ghost’
His team returned to Wembley, the place that had hurt him most
In the play-off final against Rochdale, the ‘hatters’ won three two
At last Jim Gannon and County would leave London, not feeling blue

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 So when, in life, they say “don’t go back”, it isn’t always right
Because if the ‘ghost’ had not returned, County were down without a fight
Our hero restored our faith, when we were at the lowest of the low
“Here’s to you Jimmy Gannon, The Cheadle End loves you more than you will know”

31