THIS IS CEFN not the SAN SIRO!

Tobacco smoke, coffee and linament
Drifting out over the terrace and mixing
In a heady brew of songs and curses
Calls for "Offside!" "Handball!" "For God's sake Ref!"
The handshakes whistles black and white ancients
Opinions everyone's got one ask the gaffer
It's down our street the right way round
So keep your Nou Camps Maracanas
Football here grassroots and thriving

The players shouting we hear every word
Wind up merchants feigning tackles
Wrapped up kids "aye Dad it's freezin'"
But still your here with hungry roars
"GOAL" collective hearts ring out with passion
Ossie Griffiths Williams Cook
Spilling drinks and spitting crisps out
Goalies stranded by his post
Football here grassroots and thriving

Halftime tea and something stronger
Linger with your mates a while
Bump into the new 11
Kids love this football watch their eyes
No plastic seats up in the heavens
No stewards screaming "Just sit down"
Dads in scarves and wrapped like sardines
Backpocket programmes read and studied
Football here grassroots and thriving

The Friday night game alive and kicking
Making heroes some as legends
Others slink off quiet unknown
Nowt warms yer heart like lads homegrown
And football where the kids can tread the pitch
Full time fans and no half time leavers
Those cuts and bruises premier medals
The shirt is pride show what your worth
Football here grassroots and thriving
Football here grassroots, alive.


© Parry Maguire (2005)