|

I Saw The Name Of ‘Sailor’ Hunter

Robbie Kennedy Bennett

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 A goal from ‘Sailor’ Hunter
Then came the deafening Dee fans roar
John Bryson Hunter
‘Sailor’ settled the score

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Johnston born, ‘Sailor’ signed for Abercorn
Then to the red side of Merseyside
To win the first, First division title
For Liverpool, aye the first
In nineteen hundred and one
And soon, ‘Sailor’ moved on

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Back up north to Edinburgh, Heart of Midlothian
London and Woolwich Arsenal
Two years south at Portsmouth
‘Sailor’ by the sea, aye, ‘Sailor’ played for Pompey!

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Goals from ‘Sailor’ Hunter
So far, less than half-a-ton
John Bryson Hunter
Best was yet to come

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Scottish Cup Final
Nineteen hundred and ten
Dundee versus Clyde
Good team, strong men

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Clyde had beaten the Celt’s
And in this final were two nil-up
Playing out the minutes
Soon to lift the cup

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 A goal from ‘Sailor’ Hunter
Dundee had a chance
Another for the navy blues
And then The Dee did dance

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 The first replay was
A no-score draw
In the second replay
I’ve wrote before

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 A goal from ‘Sailor’ Hunter
Then came the deafening Dee fans roar
John Bryson Hunter
‘Sailor’ Settled the score

10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 Caps were flung and songs were sung
By the dark blue fans of The Dee
The cup was heading east
To Dens Park; ‘Jute City’ Dundee

11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 ‘Sailor’ ceased playing after signing for Clyde
For thirty five years he managed Motherwell
Now let me tell, there in Motherwell
…’Sailor’ Hunter died

12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 Six years prior, ‘Sailor’ did retire at eighty
I take my hat off to his career
Aye, the grand old age of eighty
The man deserves a loud cheer

13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 I saw the name of John ‘Sailor’ Hunter
Hadn’t heard it before
In some parts, he’s in their hearts is ‘Sailor’ Hunter
Aye, he is folklore!

© Robbie Kennedy Bennett 19/06/2013

Notes

It was whilst reading a nostalgic football story that I came across the name of ‘Sailor’ Hunter. This led me to a couple of hours of research to find out more about the man with such an interesting name.

The only Scottish Cup won by Dundee was in 1910 with a winning goal from ‘Sailor’ Hunter. Accordingly not a man of the sea but named because of his running style.

Remarkably ‘Sailor’ Hunter, Motherwell’s first manager from 1911-1946, stayed at the club as Secretary until retirement at the age of 80 in 1959.

Whilst researching I found this report from the Evening Telegraph December 7th 1945;
Sympathy for ‘Sailor’ Hunter, Motherwell manager. His younger son, Pilot Robert Hunter,RAF, has been killed in an air accident while on service in India. Aged 22.

‘Sailor’ Hunter, is one of many who have gave great service to the game of football. Pleased I found him.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/i-saw-the-name-of-sailor-hunter/