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The Boys Of Forest Green

Crispin Thomas

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 come let us rise and stand up tall
the moment now is here
on village lanes we hope as one
no place for doubt or fear
for we’re the new green on the block
up here among these hills
we battle in the Conference
but thrive on cup-tie thrills

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 between the cottages and sheep
we’ve carved our place in time
this hilltop hamlet football home
since eighteen-eighty nine
and some may struggle at the name
if to a man we’re honest
that other side from Nottingham
so long the only Forest

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 but like fair Nailsworth’s poet tramp***
we stand awhile and stare
as from our New Lawn’s lofty perch
a magic fills the air
and though we face a mighty foe
upon this hill we climb
in ev’ry scattered home and field
belief grows like a vine

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 for in this life perhaps one chance
to sense and live the dream
to fight like iron againt the Ram
the boys of Forest Green

© Crispin Thomas 2009

Notes

***W.H Davies (1871-1914) Legendary Nailsworh Glos tramp poet (author of “What is this life if full of care..we have no time to stand and stare”. Forest Green Rovers, our local village team above Nailsworth take on the Jewell-less Derby in the FA Cup 3rd Round,.When we returned from living in Africa for 7 years in 1979, I lived with my wife and children in a little flat in Forest Green right opposite the ground for two years. In those days, Rovers were a long way from the lofty heights of the Conference and at their lovely old corrugated and stone ground (now demolished), Bristol Rovers also used to play all their reserve games there for a few seasons. We got to see and chat to some of the great 80s first team players (often recovering from injury and out of the side) from Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham, Notts Forest etc all of whom visited the ground on their way back to fitness. We also got to see the Rovers (Forest Green that is) un-succesfully reach Wembley for the first time …so maybe this time? There is also a video of me on the MySpace page ‘performing’ (yeah right!) my football skills and the poem ‘Football Stuff’ on the pitch at the old Forest Green Rovers’ Lawn ground.
FOOTBALL STUFF Crispin Thomas BBC Video Nation (Real Player)
Check out the old turnstile which they have moved to the new ground. Happy New Year to all out our loyal readers and contributors..and come on you stripes!

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/the-boys-of-forest-green/