John Lyall, R.I.P.
To continue a tradition is hard enough
But then, to enhance it ….
John Lyall did just that
And won the ‘earts of the ‘Appy ‘Ammers
Plus many a neutral too
And while they’ll forever be blowing bubbles
At Upton Park, they’ll always hark
Back to a mentor and his successor –
Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, may they Rest in Peace
Ironed into the memories, of the faithful in Claret and Blue
Quote from Trevor Brooking :
“He was a much-loved figure at Upton Park and had a lasting influence on the club’s development and the way the team played.”
“Like Ron Greenwood before him, he encouraged good, open attacking football and all West Ham fans will be deeply shocked by the news.”
“He was a man of great integrity and loyalty and anyone who knew him would have nothing but good things to say about him. ”
John Lyall succeeded Ron Greenwood as West Ham manager in 1974.
They won the FA Cup twice, in 1975 and 1980. They beat Arsenal in 1980 – the last team from outside the top-flight to win the FA Cup.
John left West Ham in 1989. He took over at Ipswich in 1990 and guided them to the Premiership. He retired from management in 1994.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
The Academy Has Closed Its Doors.
The academy has closed its doors
The sombre mood is but the cause
The graduates are still reeling
From the depth of public feeling
He is gone who put them on
The dizzy road to fame
Whilst all the while instilling in them
The beauty of the game
No kick and rush at this school
No cloggers who will maim
The art of sweet simplicty itself
To enjoy and entertain
As East London mourns a gentleman
Who gave young kids their start
How many top stars still playing today
From this man honed their art?
© kjp raymond 2006
John Lyall R.I.P.
Who rose right up through the ranks to become the guvnor at The Bolyn.
(Upton Park)
The famous West Ham academy in East London is where some of London finest young footballers learned their trade with the emphasis always on playing the game the right way to entertain the punters.
peace
kev.
Honesty & Lyallty
for honesty and loyalty
with diginity and pride
what more can club or fan demand
from one who’s steered your side?
John Lyall was the business
and I can see those tears
shedding down at Upton Park
his home for all those years
from ‘old school’ to golden rule
for three decades and more
the fifties to the eighties
he left his mark for sure
I always loved his hairstyle too
that throwback swept aplomb
his calmness on the touchline
he learnt from old King Ron*
another master leaves us
another talent goes
another age another page
that’s football I suppose
but honesty and loyalty
such diginity and pride
what more can club or fan demand
from one who’s steered your side?
© Crispin Thomas 06
Shine On.John Lyalll ( 24 February 1940 – 18th April 2006))
…. classic English footballer and manager..
*Ron Greenwood, -under whom John Lyall learned his playing and managerial trade at West Ham.This after signing professional in 1957 and remaining there until 1989! 34 years at one club (he initially worked as a member of the office staff)…
About This Site
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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Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
24th September 2023 at 5:14 pm
Very accurate indeed!
Palace home for me is always a tough journey as well. From the wilds of west London to Selhurst is a random journey into the unknown.
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20th September 2023 at 1:37 pm
Lovely stuff for one of the best.
We love him to death down at the Palace.
I’ll post my Roy poem a bit later. You’ve inspired me to finish it.
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19th September 2023 at 5:06 pm
I’d like to think some of my scarves might get passed down the generations, but can’t see some of the “quality merchandise” I have making much past my son’s generation. They’ll fall apart before he even has kids, I reckon!
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7th September 2023 at 2:43 pm
Very true Crispin. Thanks!
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3rd September 2023 at 6:55 pm
Play Up Pompey indeed Richard .
My first ever proper game when i was 10 was Chelsea 7-4 Pompey on Xmas morning 1959, Greavesie got 4.
First visited Fratton Park with Chelsea (2-2) and stood among loads of sailors back in the old Second Dvision early 60s . That’s when I first heard the Pompey Chimes..
Last visited in the mid 2000s to run a football poetry workshop on racism with local young students in the Study Centre you had then at the time.
Had a great chat with some of your fans when you came here to Forest Green last season…
best wishes
Crispin
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1st September 2023 at 7:17 pm
Cliché heaven or hell..we get it all
Welcome to Football Poets John
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28th August 2023 at 10:54 am
Thanks Crispin – noted re the boxer! Never know, perhaps we’ll get Forest Green in the cup… or Chelsea!
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27th August 2023 at 4:47 pm
Hey Rowan
Tough line up of opening fixtures but werlcome to the National League and to Football Poets.
I’ve often passed your ground but never actually been.
Had to remove the boxert poem , sorry ….only poems about football, though i did read your tenuous link!
best wishes
Crispin -Editor
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6th August 2023 at 3:46 pm
Don’t worry Apollo, I have examined the evidence on YouTube – he looks great, the real deal!
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7th July 2023 at 5:26 pm
Let’s Hope for your sake Denys, that he doesn’t turn out to be from La-la-Land!
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