Restorative Justice Part 3
I have included this piece from Parry below for a number of reasons, even though, as Parry says, it is not strictly a footie poem – but it does flow from the contextualisation we have placed upon the Dyer – Bowyer affair, so that’s one reason why it’s here. Also, I am very much involved across a number of schools with anti-bullying restorative justice at the moment and , in addition, a number of schools use our footie pieces and I want them to see this work. I will certainly perform it in assemblies and in public – it’s so powerful. Next point: when we have the time, I intend to write some anti-bullying material for, and with Crispin, to use in school workshops. I am increasingly involved in this side of life and football is fast slipping from my radar screen at the moment.So this now leads to the last point, Crispin and Clik are leading the SSWS project and that might well have a school focus in mind, and that’s where I come from, so if any of the other poets wish to act independently and organise their own books, please feel free! Anyway, excuse early Sunday morning ramblings – please read the piece below sent in by Parry Maguire ( thanks Parry) – and best wishes to you all for the rest of the season, Stuart.
l’Because of you’ – a poetic tribute taken from: http://education.independent.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=629847
“Because of you – he never done his GCSEs to get the results he wanted.
Because of you – he never got a first job.
Because of you – he never got to say ‘I do’.
Because of you – he never got to have a family of his own.
Because of you – he never got to own his own house.
Because of you – he never got to share the wonderful moments that could have been.
Because of you – you destroyed him, his family and his friends’ lives.
Because of you – you pushed him too far.
Because of you – you took away his smile.
Because of you – you caused him unnecessary pain.
Because of you – our lives will never be the same.
Because of you – our tears will never fade.
Because of you – you made a young boy take his own life, just for fun.
Because of you – he never got to live his dreams.
Selfish people did this to Nathan and now no one’s life will ever be the same.
Because of you.”
Notes:
http://education.independent.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=629847
Not strictly a football poem i know but BULLYING IS A BIG ISSUE not just in schools but across society in general; a lot of kids access this site and sadly some of them will have come into contact with this kind of cruel behaviour. This is why the actions of Bowyer and Dyer were wrong.
For those interested ChildLine have excellent resources re coping strategies which you can access at www.childline.org
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Welcome to Football Poets -- a club for all football poets, lovers of football and lovers of (alternative) poetry. Discover poets in every league from respected internationals at the top of their game to young hopefuls in the school playground.
Publish your football poems here and then discuss them with your team mates and fans. We're archived by The British Library, so your masterpieces are in the safe hands of a world-class keeper. What a result!
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John Gilbert Ellis
28th November 2024
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26th November 2024
Denys E. W. Jones
26th November 2024
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26th November 2024
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26th November 2024
joe morris
17th November 2024
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17th November 2024
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10th November 2024
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10th November 2024
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10th November 2024
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Latest Comments
27th November 2024 at 5:55 am
‘You’re Supposed To Be At Home’ is an excellent and moving poem Denys.
You start off thinking it’s just about another oft-sung chant, one we personally heard a lot last season throughout our second relegation in a row here at Forest Green(FGR) ! I always love poems where you think they are saying one thing and then they suddenly pull you deeper to somewhere or something else else.
I’m currently helping in a local school for FGR in a voluntary capacity using football to help young students with reading. At an upcoming session we will tackle racism, just like we did in workshops at football schools and grounds when we first started this site 24 years ago. I’m gonna try and weave your poem into a session.
We’ve added it to the Anti- Racism/Kick It Out section under Crispin’s Corner.
Best C
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26th November 2024 at 1:59 pm
Great poem and great to see you back Wyn.
Don’t leave it so long next time my friend!
More please.
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13th September 2024 at 6:14 pm
Welcome to Football Poets Beth
Great evocative poem Beth….
More please !
Haiku always welcome.
Hope we (FGR) get to play you again soon
Best
Crispin
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26th July 2024 at 6:25 pm
Great poem Mike Bartram. Eddie was a legend, affectionately known in Liverpool as, “the first hooligan.” Even the hoolies were well dressed in those days. The amazing thing was he was only 26 when that picture was taken. He’d played for Everton youth team and was well known to the players. He never got arrested. They threw him out and he climbed back in, just in time for Derek Temples winner.
I used the picture of him being tackled to the ground on the front cover of my book, “Once Upon a rhyme in Football.” It’s worth looking on youtube and finding the re-enactment of the Wembley scene. Frank Skinner and Baddiel went around to Eddies home in the 1990’s and acted it out on the green outside. It’s hilarious, especially all the effort they put in to get Eddie sober enough to shoot the scene.
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10th July 2024 at 6:07 pm
Hi Crispin,
I don’t know if you’ve see the picture in social media today…
a picture of a teenage Lionel Messi cradling a baby in Africa as part of a photoshoot…. the family had won a lottery to have their baby pictured with him….
the photographer has just revealed that the baby is actually in fact Lamine Yamal!!!!
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26th May 2024 at 2:30 pm
Hi Denys…
Re Man City:
OK it was 20 years ago but Criag Wilson did write this and a few others on them back in 04/05.
BTW I’m more Forest Green Rover since 2014 (and Chelsea) these days . I drum and am a standing season ticket holder .
Best
Crispin
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29th April 2024 at 2:47 pm
Hi Denys,
Yes Richard Williams you’re a brilliant wordsmith, my friend. When I first saw your football poetry I thought it was the superb Guardian sports and music writer. I once had the honour of sitting next to Richard Williams while at the Independent on the sports desk. He writes about music and sport with immense knowledge and authority. I’ve read a couple of Richard’s books recently. Great writer rather like you Richard Williams the Pompey fan. Congratulations on promotion.
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28th April 2024 at 5:59 pm
Thanks Denys. Yes your replay poem was superb.
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26th April 2024 at 4:46 pm
Nice work, Joe. You were quick off the mark with that! Good one from Richard Williams too I see.
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25th April 2024 at 7:33 pm
Hi Denys,
Thanks mate. I’ll do it now.
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