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Greaves

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 With immaculately Brylcreamed hair
East Ham Cockney with flapping sleeves
Dashing good looks, the mean streak
Welcome to the legend of James Peter Greaves

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Hilariously peed on by a dog in Chile
Tickled Garrincha adopted the stray
Then came Pickles and Sixty six
Sir Geoff’s form meant no Jules Rimet

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Blindfolded he galloped the trail to goal
Psychic channel to the net unseen
On grainy footage I watched spellbound
No more, no less, a goal-machine

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Blue debutant at age seventeen
From East, West, and the land of the Lira
Dreaded by quivering counterparts
But homesick returned to be nearer

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 So early a hundred grand man
A mere pound away from the brag
The insightful Bill Nicholson
Averting burdens that came with the tag

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Twin FA cups in the swinging sixties
UEFA final brace over Madrid’s other team
Top scorer in all of six seasons
Record that still stands supreme

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 I moved on from black and white TV
Imposed in memory the dart and deft feint
The box offered a weekend high spot
Saturday cult TV with the Saint

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 Six hat tricks for Queen and country
Behind Sir Bobby and razor Lineker
Yet… still four ahead of Michael Owen
And the tolls of a heavy drinker

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 West Ham and back to the roots
Brentwood, Chelmsford, and Barnet FC
Afforded a place in the Hall of Fame
Supreme King of the goal spree

10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 Number 7
© Emdad Rahman

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/greaves/