Football and the World Cup

 Frank's part of the Ashen family were football supporters. Our team will invite no inter-tribal rivalry now, as it no longer exists, at least not at a high level. Walthamstow Avenue FC was a leading amateur club in mid last century. Some of its playing highlights were drawing with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in 1953 (the replay was lost at Highbury), and winning the FA Amateur Cup at Wembley in 1961, beating West Auckland Town 2-1. Both Frank and myself were present at the match.
This poem was written around the turn of the 21st century. Frank appears to be somewhat disillusioned with the way the game was going at that time!
With thanks again to Cousin Gillian for a copy of this poem.

      FOOTBALL AND THE WORLD CUP


Some views of a nonagenarian


Oh! What has happened to football,
that grand old British game?
So many signs suggest it has been hijacked,
for it’s really no longer the same.
Money, and the glamour of internationalism
have introduced contentious factors;
where matches have to be dramatised,
by players who are grossly overpaid actors.

Where once men tussled to be clever with the ball
the game has become a free-for-all.
It is now an amalgam of football per se,
with wrestling; All-in and Sumo, let’s say.
Outside the grounds, enjoying the sun,
ticket touts and larger louts had their fun.
Inside, around the pitches, colourful sights.
Costumes and face paint that would put Dracula to flight.

On the field there is little or no love.
It’s such a matter of push and shove.
If shirt tugging is allowed, it seems to me,
they might introduce proper handholds, for all to see!
When a player reluctantly scores a goal
feel compassion for the unfortunate soul
who is submerged ‘neath a mass of writhing flanks.
What a generous way of saying “Thanks”.

 If a player is “battered”, or takes a dive,
on comes a stretcher; first check he’s alive!
Once off the field of play; in seconds he is quite O.K.
Don’t let the N.H.S. hear word of this.
They may try it to shorten their waiting lists!

Too many talkers got into the act.
T.V. presenters, commentators with too much yap yap.
Friends of friends and has-beens as well
we're hard put to find something to tell.
Rivalry between Channels, they must fill all the gaps.
Fortunately with telly, you could turn off the tap.

             Frank L. Ashen

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