The Keeper

 

Unlike many in his position

He was never the last to be picked

Because he was one of the best

Not for him the fast quick feet

Or the well timed volley

Or the crunching tackle

 

Safe hands

That night

In the cold

With his team mates

Where bravery

was an afterthought

 

It was his greatest save

Not a shot from the edge of the area

Not an agile tip over the bar

Not diving at the feet

Of an onrushing forward

Or parrying a point-blank effort

 

No

 

On that snow-packed runway

With the smell of fuel

And the twisted metal screech

And the crying of a child

Trapped in the wreckage

He made his greatest saves

 

Again

And again

And again

 

Number One

The Keeper

A safe pair of hands

 

 

 

 

Harry Gregg

Manchester United & Northern Ireland

27^th October 1932 – 16^th February 2020