The Inkwell

A piece written during my shifts as a Volunteer Team Leader at Old Trafford, Manchester when London 2012 came to the Northwest of England.

As we couldn’t be biased – I wrote it about the one person the fans always moan at – the referee! (Added a few lines to the 2012 version for build up)

It’s a funny old thing is football.

You wait for what seems forever

for the man in the middle

to blow his whistle

and the action to start.

But then as he does

and ball gets kicked back

you lament the official in yellow or black.

But observe him closely – he observes the rules,

his assistants the same, and they are no fools.

So the whistle gets blown – the games underway!

and the ref and his team want to see some fair play.

If Midfield’s on Striker and he goes in too hard

He’s there to give a warning with a bright yellow card.

The offender knows better, to look out instead

as the last thing he’ll want to see is a red

for what that’ll mean is an early bath

and a meeting with manager and his angry wrath.

So when match is over – and his alarm does chime

The Ref whistles out – its the end of the time

And Whistle is a sign, to players, watchers and all

“The Match is now Finished – You’ve Kicked the Last Ball!”