THE WORLD CUP
I did have an idea to celebrate 40 years since 1966. I wanted to get 11 poets to write 11 poems about the team of ’66. However, I couldn’t get a publisher or sponsor interested, so in the end I wrote a series of poems myself. They are everyman recollections that try and capture something of the men, the magnitude, the mood and the memories. You can click on the names on the image to see the poems.
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLAYER
(For Martin Peters )
We always think of you as quiet,
Unassuming.
Not the first name on the list that’s remembered
But not the last either.
Scorer of the other goal
But somewhat overshadowed by the holy trinity
Diligent and studious,
Space, movement and awareness
Skill and technique without the swagger,
Star quality without the arrogance
Like the ball you scored with
Your game was perfectly rounded and complete
The right place and the right time
And that was you …
The right place, the right time
To score that vital goal
The right place, the right time
To be a vital part of that winning team
Right place, right time
Right player
Paul Cookson