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The Season Opener

Rowan Waller

Saturday, August 26th, 2023

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 2 The day has come, boys;
a long grey morning; fans gathering;
bus departing and a thousand radios crackling…
a-hundred-and-forty-one years
(if you want that added pressure)
that have led to what is happening
today!
“We Are National League!”
first time in our history;
the outcome of the season – dare I rhyme it? – a mystery,
but in the backs of our minds (let’s admit)
a hoped for destiny…
and even knowing the task ahead,
don’t we wonder if it’s meant to be…?

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Of course we do! But boys, don’t dwell on that today…
Leave those thoughts on the bus,
park them to one side,
and yes, let’s take our shot at Aldershot…
But Hoops; let’s enjoy the ride.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 #rowanthepoem

Notes

This was the first poem as Club Poet at Oxford City FC – non league football club, just promoted for the first time from National League South to National League… and frankly nobody in the country outside the supporters (or probably including many of the supporters) gives us a chance of staying up… but those of us that know the club know that we’re not just underdogs, we’re also no mugs and we can pool out a surprise this season! Of course first day is Aldershot away… and this is the poem that I wrote ahead of that game.

(The result… well… let’s just acknowledge that we’re finding our feet, maybe…)

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Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/the-season-opener/