Football Poets

The Gentleman Player-Vivian Woodward

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 VIVIAN WOODWARD.
“THE GENTLEMAN PLAYER”
1879-1954.

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Born in Kennington, South London, the year 1879,
moved to Clacton, with his family as a boy.
His father hated football as cricket was his game,
perhaps his son would like it too, his pride and joy.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 The College he attended was called “Ascham”,
with a brilliant up and coming football team.
In one of their games he excelled himself
and that was the start of a dream.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 The Clacton Gazette had noticed him
and wrote in the paper that day.
“Woodward’s unselfish play noticeable”,
what a shame others can’t be that way.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 With division two championships well in hand,
the only way now was up.
His skills improving with every game,
winning the Essex Junior Cup.

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Aged twenty one he moved to Chelmsford
and after a good look around,
played games for Harwich and Parkeston
and also for Colchester Town.

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 In 1902 he was picked to play,
for the South at Whiteheart Lane.
Once again he shone and was spotted by Spurs
and for twelve years was their best known name.

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 His first England game against Ireland,
was in February, the year1903.
Once again with the “magic” in his boots,
England won a 4-0 victory.

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 For the next ten years as a regular,
he Captained England’s winning teams.
Carrying the flag at the Olympic games,
the fulfillment of many a dream.

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 But by far the greatest moment,
in Paris, came England v France.
The year 1908 and make no mistake,
15-0, they were thrashed, with no chance.

¶ 11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 Woodward the hero, netted eight of those goals,
the like of it not seen before.
Lean and fast as a Greyhound,
again and again, he scored.

¶ 12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 In 1908, it was Holland’s turn,
Stamford Bridge, at the Chelsea ground.
Once again Woodward netted another 6,
the cheers could be heard miles around.

¶ 13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 After many more games he joined Chelsea,
then came the outbreak of war.
Special leave from the Army was granted,
back to normal and football once more.

¶ 14 Leave a comment on verse 14 0 His sporting attitude was second to none,
before games players hands he would shake.
After tackles, no grudges or fighting,
a leaf from his book, more should take.

¶ 15 Leave a comment on verse 15 0 His final season in 1919,
would fulfill his Father’s dream.
At forty years old he would take up the bat
and Captain Essex County Cricket Team.

¶ 16 Leave a comment on verse 16 0 After retirement from Football,
came a Farm and some Pigeon racing.
The running of a Dairy in Frinton,
with ease, his life he was pacing.

¶ 17 Leave a comment on verse 17 0 During his time with the Middlesex Regiment,
where he’d been wounded, he often felt poor.
In a London Nursing Home all alone,
he died at age seventy four.

¶ 18 Leave a comment on verse 18 0 Vivian Woodward will always remain,
for the great sport that he chose to play.
“The Gentleman Player”, remembered with pride,
“Centre Forward”, of his day.

¶ 19 Leave a comment on verse 19 0 Elaine Fearn. 05.