Football Poets

Love at First Sight. (for Lou)

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 A child at the time in a pretty summer frock
She was dragged along to pre-season
With dad and the chaps (mum chose to stay indoors, why?)
To check on the new signings,
Going through the motions in a friendly,
To see what chance, if any
The team had for a bit of success that coming season.

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Thousands of fans and their families
Were sat scattered about warm concrete terracing
On a balmy London Saturday afternoon.
Like dad and the chaps wearing sunglasses
Casting knowing critical eyes over newly assembled talent
To see if it was deemed worthy of wearing a club shirt.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Playing and dancing up and down seemingly endless steps
Behind the goal, with other contented young kids as free as a bird.
Dad escorted her to the Ladies (lawd knows how many times)
Waited outside for her, and when they came back
The chaps gave her Polo mints, and taught her wonderful songs
That every one joined in with
Laughing and clapping loudly after each one.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 When singing and the game was over
Dads best mate held her hand
As they talked excitedly, mingling with the crowd
Walking up the steep steps toward a bright blue sky.
At the top of the terracing they turned around
To look down at the pitch sparkling like a jewel in the evening sun.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 It was love at first sight
She’s had an on going affair of the heart with our club ever since,
Her knowledge of team matters has no bounds,
Her loyalty has cost me a small fortune,
Now she supports herself and our club I’m amazed,
That which once was a small young girl in a pretty summer frock
Way back then has: blossomed in to womanhood,
Mastered a quite enviable vocabulary of words
Any of which can be used to describe loudly and in quite infinite detail.
The failings of the common…footballer!

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