Football Poets

Sonnet for George

You brought me first to my surrogate home,
we scaled well-worn steps to secure the view,
a white-lined pitch grown from this island’s loam,
barrier to lean on for my debut,
the crowd so large I could hardly believe,
a child so wide eyed just breathing it in,
such innocence then I was so naïve,
now each time I return the moment spins;
to those who’ve passed and the time in-between,
I’m pulled right back to my earlier years,
this field of memories of all I’ve seen,
and though you’re gone you are still with me here,
as the teams walk out and the Chimes begin,
and I raise my eyes to the sky and sing.

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77 Minute Haiku ~Peterborough v Portsmouth 16.03.24

go on go on go
yeeeeeeaaargghhhaaaarrrggghhaaaaaaaaaahyeeeaaaassssssss
aaaaaaaaahhhhyesssssyesssscooommmmeooonnnnn!!!

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PO4 8RA

Is more than a postcode,
more than a famous stadium,
with steel riveted girders,
and those mock Tudor beams.
There is more to this place,
than Archibald Leitch,
a stand on each touchline,
and blue plastic seats.
This place is its people,
players, supporters and staff,
a community with purpose,
from boardroom to the streets,
where everyone is welcome,
we are solid in our aim,
our passion and pride is Pompey,
Hampshire’s most successful team.
One city, one club, one family,
with Heaven’s Light Our Guide,
standing strong together,
we bring this place to life.

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Chimes

Portsmouth’s old High Street in Eighteen Ninety-Eight
Legacies were made in these pledging of deeds,
A field of potatoes to this place of dreams.
Years of victories from this April 5th date.

Up for the cup and championships run through,
Promotions, relegations all that’s between.
Poverty then prospering this island’s seam,
One city one club in the pink then the blue.

More trophies than most, (such as those down the road),
Players may change and the stadium reveal,
Each summer’s new paint until surfaces gleam;
Yet much is unchanged that mere time can’t corrode.

Put on your colours and then head to the ground,
One road to the next as rivers to the sea.
Memories in chatter all ages one theme,
Passionate and proud, to this we are all bound.

Each line joins another, towards Fratton Park,
Young and old in our faith, this one crowd to be,
Pass through the turnstiles and then upstairs we stream,
Launching into song with the whistle the spark.

And out on this pitch under floodlights’ bright beam
You’ll know by our roar why we’re held in esteem,
Underdogs, favourites we’ll shout, and we’ll scream,
Portsmouth one heartbeat, one city and one team.

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At The Reunion – For John Milkins

He holds out his hands,
says they are sore every day.
Old knuckles so swollen,
he’s never worn a ring.

No protection like now,
gloves thinner back then
those stitched leather footballs,
weighted with rain.

Yet recalling his history
he smiles at the past
a life fully lived,
in all its victories and scars.

Joining other players
on this anniversary date,
for wide grins and laughter;
for memories replayed.

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Followers

Like all those before we walk the streets
We walk the streets towards the light
The light of this place our one true calling
One true calling we hallow this earth
This earth this place this scrap of green
This scrap of green of nurtured dreams
Of nurtured dreams over so many years
So many years and my grandfather’s hand
Hand on my shoulder and ushering me through
Through clicking turnstiles to climb these steps
Climb these steps my son’s turn now
My son’s turn now for this is our faith
For this is our faith we proclaim in song
We proclaim in song with all those before us

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