Oi, Ref!
he played the man
not the ball
studs up, hard
worth at least
a yellow card
but he’s wearing
the armband
the grimace of authority
and nothing’s
going to happen at all
raw meat for the masses
and the physio’s on
run it off, son
run it off
he’s just letting you know
the big dog’s on the pitch
and if you get a bite
then you’re doing
something right
run it off, son
and play on
M.C. Newberry
Tue 30th Jan 2024 17:40
Even before the advent of the cut-down soccer boot from Ference Puskas (Hungary) that exposed the ankle, there were characters in UK football who had a reputation as "hard men" and could
be expected to take no prisoners on the pitch. Those of us around back then knew who they were and what to expect when
they played. The likes of Vinnie Jones were follow-ons from
the type I refer to (no names, no pack drill).