England invented football,
\nAnd England invented ‘fair play,’
\nAnd England invented ‘sportsmanship,’
\nBut that’s all a long time away.<\/p>\n
Now football in England is feeble
\nIt has simply lost its way –
\nAnd we will never win again until
\nWe recover the sport we used to play.<\/p>\n
The lovely game is run by those
\nFor the money and not the love
\nAnd they will abandon it after
\nSqueezing out all it can give.<\/p>\n
They’ve created a monster with monster fans
\nWho boo and abuse opposing teams,
\nInsulting their teams, anthem and flag –
\nThe sportsmen replaced by drunken screams.<\/p>\n
They’ve put eleven players on the pitch
\nEach one a millionaire
\nWearing drug ad symbols on their shirts
\nTo show the young how much they care.<\/p>\n
It’s become a market place, a bazaar, a fix
\nWhere money reigns supreme.
\nThe sport and fairness have been sacrificed
\nFor the price put on the English team.<\/p>\n
It’s a sad, sad tale, but things will chamnge
\nAnd the vision of England’s glory
\nIs still within striking range
\nWhen we get back to the original story.<\/p>\n
THE ORIGINAL STORY<\/p>\n
To set the cause above renown
\nTo love the game beyond the prize,
\nTo honour while you strike him down
\nThe foe that comes with fearless eyes.
\nTo count the cause of battle good
\nAnd dear the land that gave you birth,
\nAnd dearer yet the brotherhood
\nThat binds the brave of all the earth.<\/p>\n
Henry Newbolt.<\/p>\n
October 2000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
England invented football, And England invented ‘fair play,’ And England invented ‘sportsmanship,’ But that’s all a long time away. Now football in England is feeble It has simply lost its way – And we will never win again until We … Continue reading