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The Net Result

Llew Beaton

Monday, April 14th, 2014

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 It was more than fifty years ago,
But I can still remember yet,
The day at Durban’s old Kingsmead,
When Les Salton broke the net…
He was in the colours of Berea Park,
Leading their attack,
Royal blue shirt and white shorts,
With number 9 upon his back.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Must confess I can’t recall
Who the opponents were that day,
But can see in my mind’s eye
What happened during play…
Les burst through and from five yards
Unleashed such a fearsome shot,
That it broke a corner of the net,
(Some folk still say “What?!!”)

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 I was with my Dad behind the goals,
And he turned to me and said,
“Oh my word, did you see that?”
Then just shook his head…
My dear old Dad is long gone,
But I’m forever in his debt,
For taking me to Kingsmead ground,
That day Les Salton broke the net.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 The ‘Sunday Tribune’ mentioned it
Next morning I recall,
How a centre forward snapped the mesh
With a leather soccer ball…
“You can’t believe the newspapers”
So some sceptics say,
But I saw with my own eyes
Les Salton break the net that day.

© Llew Beaton 14 April 2014

Notes

In a Natal League match at Kingsmead ground in Durban, South Africa, in the mid to late 1950s, centre forward Les Salton struck a shot with such force that the goal net broke and the ball ended up outside the goal.

Les Salton played for Berea Park in the Natal League and for Durban City and Durban United in South Africa’s National Football League. He also represented his province Natal and his country South Africa on numerous occasions. As well as being an outstanding footballer, Les Salton was an absolute gentleman on and off the field.

This poem is dedicated to the late Les Salton, to his wife Denise and to their children and grandchildren.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/the-net-result/