Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

FAREWELL TO THE LANE

entry picture

We’ve basked in the sunshine, we’ve dripped in the rain

We’ve cried tears of joy and we’ve cried tears of pain

We’ve fathomed the depths and ascended the heights

But stayed ever faithful to those Lily Whites

There’s nothing more stirs

The pulse than the Spurs

But now it’s Farewell to the Lane.

 

I started this love affair when it was with

Blanchflower and Greavsie and big Bobby Smith

I cried like a baby for most of the night

When told of the lightning that struck down John White;

Sublime skills of Hoddle

Of Gazza and Waddle

Have all graced the turf at the Lane.

 

When we were in search of our Holy Grail

And Maicon was tortured by young Gareth Bale

Benfica and Anderlecht under the lights

We’ve sung to the Heavens on those special nights

From Belgium they came,

From Italy, Spain –

No longer to play at the Lane.

 

So with pride and nostalgia deep in my heart

I recognise now is the time we must part

With thousands for company I’m far from alone

As the Army locates to its new Wembley home

But it will not be long

Till again we’re in song

And dancing along to the Lane.

◄ CHARITY MARATHON ROW

The 'Ostage Situation ►

Comments

Profile image

John Coopey

Mon 22nd May 2017 22:56

I got chatting to a bloke on Filey beach earlier this year, MC, who played for Aston Villa in the 1950's. He'd not heard of Danny Blanchflower playing at Villa. Incredible.

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Mon 22nd May 2017 16:21

Back in the day (very early 1960s) a certain Danny Blanchflower came as a guest to a function to mark
our youthful success as trainees for public service,
and I still recall his glowering reponse when one of the
usual smart-asses in our ranks asked about his
promotion of a certain breakfast cereal. He failed
the test of the good-humoured witty reply that day...
foot firmly in mouth.
But well done to today's Spurs team, a great season.
Pity though that Arsenal faced Everton whilst the
Scousers faced relegated Middlebrough to decide the
4th place in the league. Three London teams in the
first four would have been delightful - and deserved!

Profile image

John Coopey

Mon 22nd May 2017 08:46

I've got no choice, Graham. It won't let go of me.

Profile image

Graham Sherwood

Mon 22nd May 2017 00:05

Keep the faith JC.
Exciting times ahead soon.

Profile image

John Coopey

Sun 21st May 2017 20:49

Thanks, Ray. It's been a long and largely unrequited extra-marital love affair.

Profile image

raypool

Sun 21st May 2017 19:55

Tear jerker John. I used to walk from Walthamstow every Saturday to see Spurs with many others, and logged every game there in 1970. Gilzean, Chivers and the like were on offer. It must have been cheap to get in, as I was mostly broke. Thanks for the reminders. There was never any violence then. I don't even recognize that stretch where the ground was now.

Ray

Profile image

John Coopey

Sun 21st May 2017 08:37

Many thanks, Sonia.
The disappointment I've learned to cope with. It's the hope that I can't bear.

Profile image

Sonia Maria

Sun 21st May 2017 06:59

Feels like a nostalgic farewell and an excited beginning! Loved it

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message