(England vs West Indies

5th Test match, 2nd Day,

19th August 1966. The Oval).

 

It was set up to be blue-sky perfection:

Pitch good, England batting, West Indies out.

Our schoolboy heroes would soon take the field,

But getting to the venue was a race

With others who sought tickets and a place.

 

We sprinted from the tube towards the queue,

Which stretched by nine-fifteen around the ground.

Two months before we were locked out at Lord’s

And knew the heartbreak of a stolen day:

Deprived of thrills, of ebb and flow of play.

 

The queue edged forward past the Oval wall;

The mood was one of hope but some concern -

We heard the stands were filling up inside.

As blazered members marched in from first class,

Our best chance now was sitting on the grass.

 

We reached the entrance; all the seats had gone

But luckily some green space still remained.

We gave our coins and bagged the Vauxhall End.

While on our way we saw them close the gate;

The thousands locked outside had come too late.

 

It’s strange how memories of queues are fresh,

While details of the game are quite a blur:

The rhythm of applause, the fizzy drinks,

The scorching sun about to take its toll

And Garfield Sobers gliding in to bowl.

 

At close of play, the merry fans dispersed;

Those turned away had long since gone back home.

Would they return and try once more tomorrow?

We understood the pain their hearts must feel;

Did their exclusion spoil the day’s appeal?