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The Greatest Goal I Ever Saw

Crispin Thomas

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 the greatest goal I ever saw
was many many years before
when players toiled for twenty pounds
and played in crumbling ancient grounds
a world when all was black and white
the papers and TV at night
when we were only nine or ten
and waited there with book and pen
for stars who always walked to games
those car-less class-less football names

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 but one December I recall
my greatest ever goal of all
that started off as most games will
no indication of the thrill
a muted damp and wint’ry roar
no premonition of the score
or how the skies would soon release
a monsoon that just could not cease
with two mid-table average sides
slip-sliding under darkening skies

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 behind a whitewashed fence and wall
in mud like glue we saw it all
we clung there soaked right to the skin
and screamed and shouted “Go On Jim!”
as Greavesie pounced five times that day
past players strewn along the way

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 your heart went out to poor West Brom
as Jimmy hit them like a bomb
and poached four goals with charm and ease
as glued defenders fell like trees
in baggy shorts and Brylcreemed hair
he left the Baggies clutching air
and kept the best one for the last
as finding space in his own half
he skipped and shimmied ‘cross the park
then strolled up to the half way mark

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 they lunged and slid but missed by miles
as Jimbo griinned that greedy smile
he snaked and darted to the wing
then changed direction cutting in
to stride past endless men that day
while team mates yelled to pass their way
but with the ball tied to his feet
he had one milestone to complete
as dribbling round the keeper’s dive
he lifted rain-drenched hearts alive
his fifth that day ..and number seven
sent us into football heaven

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 the greatest goal I ever saw
was many many years before
when players toiled for twenty pounds
and played in crumbling ancient grounds
the days we’ll never see again
when we were only nine or ten

© Crispin Thomas 2009

Notes

Editor Note: Inspired by George Morey’s ‘The Best Goal I’ve Ever Seen.

Chelsea 7 West Bromwich Albion 1 (Half Time 5-0)
(Greaves 5 , (Jackson 1)
Tindall 1, Brabrook 1)
Att: 19,568
Saturday 3rd December 1960 Football League Div 1. Season 1960/61
OK I know it’s Chelsea, but after hearing some of the travelling Blues fans stories from a torrential Portsmouth game this week I was reminded of it and dug out the programme. I just remember being there with my mate Vince right down the front – Shed-End , completely soaked to the skin. Nine pence to get in and the programme which I still have – sixpence. Then rushing home drenched to watch David Nixon’s Magic Show or to whistle along with the theme to Dixon of Dock Green or get scary with Dr. Who in black and white. Silver paper backdrops and cardboard monsters galore ! But I still hid behind the sofa…clutching my plastic toy Dalek. And then, getting up the next day and playing being Jimmy Greaves in the street, dribbling with a tennis ball..

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/the-greatest-goal-i-ever-saw/