Football Poets

John, your new book is an absolute delight and more please. It’s a shame ‘Swapping Shirts With Shakespeare’ never made it off the bench, but quality football poets light up the writing fields like Roman candles. Go well.

Great memories Greg. Took me right back.

Today I stand on a small terrace in the hills where I live watching Forest Green Rovers in L1, and keep up with Chelsea on highlights.  It’s a far cry and a world away from those times when I lived as a child within walking distance of ‘The Bridge’ – just off the Ifield Road, which led to Fulham Road. The Blues were rubbish for so long, but we loved them and somehow we stayed in the old First Division for so many seasons. And  of course we got to see Greavesie at his impudent best, scoring goals for fun. Mad unpredictable games where we’d score 4 and let in five.

The looming floodlights in the dark and mist on magic night games. The big games when the ground heaved.

I don’t think we ever realized how magical and incredible it was back then. The atmosphere and arriving there so early – like you said.. just to make sure you got in. Back when Bovril, tea and cake and roasted peanuts for sixpence a back were just about all on offer.

Good times.

see above

To put it politely!

Thank you. It is great.

Check out Bootle Bucks Inclusion in Liverpool, Set up by parents and grandparents to support kids who were being excluded from football at school. https://bootlebucksinclusionfc.co.uk/

Totally agree Crispin. Alex Scott summed it up beautifully to the ones who would not give the support when asked: “You had your chance & you missed the boat!”

Yeah Sharon….

We can be heroes for ever and ever
What d’you say?

And this is for Lily Parr, Dik Kerr Ladies and all who played before.1915-1970 and the 1984 girls too..All those in the past 20 years .All heroes and their parents and guardians too  for supporting them when the FA didn’t.

I agree with Chlesea’s Emma Hayes.Take it away from the FA for doing sweet FA.  Old boys boardrooms again.

Football is for everyone and should be available for everyone in in all schools everywhere.Girls games. Boys games. Mixed games. Disabled games . Blind games.

C

Thanks for your poem Emdad.

Interesting and forgotten tale. I also watched the Nevin documentary.

best C

I remember Tony Dorigo!  Australian full back. Scored the only goal for Chelsea in the Full Members Cup Final v Middlesbrough in 1990 (had to check Google). By pure chance I had a ticket for the press box. Because of the status of the game no one else at the paper wanted it.