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If not for you

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 If not for you, I would never have made it to training, or to the match, or to the trials
If not for you, I would never have read my first word from the back page of your newspaper (Chelsea… and there began many a trialling time!)
If not for you, I would never have developed my skills for the game (as limited as they were!)
If not for you, I would never have developed the stamina to get through every game, in every season
If not for you, I would never have got through the re-hab, from that first injury diagnosis
If not for you, I would never have received that killer pass, that put me through for my very first goal
If not for you, I would never have received that lucky deflection, that fell kindly, for my last competitive finish
If not for you, missing your tackle, I would never have made that magnificent save, when it was my spell in between the sticks
If not for you, and your support, I wouldn’t have established myself, as one of the very first picks
If not for you, I wouldn’t have been given the proud honour of the Captain’s armband
If not for you, I wouldn’t have thumped the crest in altruistic delight
If not for you, I wouldn’t have had the stomach for the fight
If not for you, my smile could never have been as broad, each and every time I scored

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 And because of you, yes you football, I’m fashioned as a fixated, non-functionary fathead…..
God Bless you!

Notes

Dedicated to Mum, Dad, family, coaches, officials, administrators, friends, team-mates, opponents, physios, everyone actually!

Kick started by…?
My working life is filled with a plethora of acronyms.
One of the very first I ever actually encountered, was the pop star ONJ (Olivia Newton John (aka Neutron Bomb)).

She passed away yesterday (08/08/2022).

This song, her first big hit, was my favourite of hers.
And yes I know she was singing about just one person! Whereas my paean is dedicated to many!

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/if-not-for-you/?shared=email&msg=fail