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The Only Living Tractor Boy in Wales

Simon Caplan

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 As Welsh as a joint of lamb
and almost as tough
My mate grew up on the edge of the Ebbw Valley
He should, by rights, support Newport County
or maybe Cardiff City
But somehow, by a twist of fate that logic fails
He’s the only living Tractor Boy in Wales

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Walking around Cardiff City Centre
He’s got his Ipswich top on
Every beefy rugby boy eyes him, spoiling for a fight
They think he’s Saes – and, therefore, fair game
But then he speaks with humour and no wrath
And out spills an accent as broad as the Taff

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Even if his beloved team
Last performed like 11 shire horses
He never fails to be pleased at a point rescued or gained
Together we celebrate his team’s past; regret their relative fall
And share our shared memories of Mariner, Paul

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 And though Suffolk is two hundred and thirty miles away
A good four hours drive by car
Perhaps some of gentleman Bobby Robson’s persona
Has rubbed off on him from afar
Cos he’s the Risca boy with the charm and the tales
The only living Tractor Boy in Wales

Notes

This poem is dedicated to the irrepressible Jem Salmon – as far as I know the only living Tractor Boy in Wales. In case you didn’t know- Saes is Welsh for an English person. Paul Mariner played as a striker for both Ipswich and my beloved Arsenal – but then you knew that!

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/the-only-living-tractor-boy-in-wales/