Skip to content

FA Cup Poem 2016

In a geography exam in the mid-nineteen nineties
I had to plan a new ground for Portsmouth FC
A dockland development with access for trawlers
Mentioning Paul Walsh scraped me a B

Instead, in real life, Pompey just continued
At Fratton Park, their Victorian hole
A throwback, a relic, a cesspit, a ruin?
Sorry, but no, these places have soul

Such antiquity didn’t prevent our friends down at Portsmouth
From winning the cup in 2008
The return of a regional giant, a great thing
Until everyone’s wages were late

The cup win: a moment, a flash in the pan
Before a descent into the lower league dark
But the game is built on such slivers of joy
Wembley Stadium, Filbert Street, Selhurst Park

All we want from the first round, every gloomy November
Is a tie against an eclectic non-league host
Instead, the balls at FA HQ
Have forced us once more to the coast

Still, cheer up, don’t be down, take it all on the chin
Whether we leave the competition or remain
After all, cup exit means cup exit
Stay calm, it’s only a game

Comments

Sign In or Register to comment.