Alf Ramsey – My Part In His Success
¶ 1
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Around the time Cup Finals
were first shown on the TV
and the towers were erected
overlooking our back garden
with the lawn striped and manicured
just like Wembley Stadium,
the Chief Scout would be watching
from the 6th or 7th storey
as I tried to keep the ball within
the central midfield area
away from the flower beds
my father set such store by.
¶ 2
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Any failure to control
saw a crowd of heads go drooping
or the prize snatched away
by dogs and smaller children
who wouldn’t leave the pitch despite
prolonged appeals to reason.
They were no better than Argentinians
at the end of the day.
¶ 3
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To evade father’s discipline
and maintain home advantage
I kept close possession
far enough from the edges
managing without wingers
only looking up when Mum blew
for dinner at the Chief Scout
unsmiling and furiously
scribbling down his thoughts.
Such great words Ray. So evocative of that time of innocence Kepp on mate. More please. It will be under the Nostaglia section too.
I really like this poem. So many great phrases: “striped and manicured”, “a crowd of heads go drooping”, “and maintain home advantage”, “when Mum blew for dinner”. Much appreciated! Thank you.