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Dad

Stuart Butler

Friday, February 6th, 2026

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Tackle Soccer This Way -Duncan Edwards
Was published on New Year’s Day 1958,
A month or so before the Munich Air Crash,
And seven or so weeks before Duncan’s death,
After his agonising struggle against the odds.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 The following Christmas Day morning,
I carefully unwrapped a parcel from Santa,
It was Tackle Soccer This Way- Duncan Edwards

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 I read every word with devoted care,
And studied the pen and ink drawings,
Showing where to place boot, head and arm,
That I would then practise in the kitchen
As though I were a mannequin.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 My dad died in 1993 on February 6th,
The anniversary of the Munich Air Crash,
And every February the 6th,
I remember Munich and Duncan Edwards and dad,
And stand a silent tearful mannequin,
Putting the ball into an imaginary net.

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Source: https://footballpoets.org/poems/dad/