Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

The Ballad of The Boy and The Man

entry picture

 

The photo tells the story

As only pictures can

About the time some years ago

The Boy met with The Man.

 

The Boy was Billy Bremner -

He looks about to cry;

The schoolyard bully held to task;

The Man was Dave Mackay.

 

Each held a reputation

But paid each no regard,

While Bremner was plain dirty

Mackay – well, he was hard.

 

Though Mackay’d returned from injury

No quarter did he beg,

This was his first game back again

Since his broken leg.

 

Not just once, but twice it broke

And Bremner had a ploy,

He’d kick him hard upon that leg -

He’d know he’d met The Boy.

 

The first foul he’d put in on Dave

It could have broke again;

Mackay thought, “That’s an accident,

And it’s a game for men”.

 

But Bremner was not satisfied

So tried again his plan

To break his leg and end for good

The career of The Man.

 

But when he fouled a second time

Big Dave’s wrath he incurred;

He thought “That’s no fucking accident.

It’s time I had a word”.

 

He took hold of the little shit;

The ref from distance ran

Fearing for the life of Bremer

Murdered by The Man.

 

The ref need not have worried,

Bremner nearly cries;

Dave held him by his shirt lapels

And looked him in the eyes.

 

“Ye dirty little bastard”

Heard by every fan;

Violence  was not needed;

The Boy had met The Man.

 

So Bremner crept into his shell

And from Mackay’s path ran

Awaiting other matches

Where he wouldn’t meet The Man

 

This photo from a 60’s match

Is where this poem began

And needs no explanation more

Than -

                The Boy met with The Man.

◄ A Bloke's Back Brake Block Broke

Vertav Alle Ze Vishiz Gon? ►

Comments

Profile image

Tommy Carroll

Mon 7th Nov 2011 23:10

Dave Mackay in this famous foto looks like he could have been a model for 'Biffa Bacon' off the Viz.
PS John: line 33 betrays your sympathies. ;o)

Profile image

Graham Sherwood

Mon 31st Oct 2011 22:59

You know what I think John. Some men are men, some are gods. Bremner was never worthy to be in the same photo, let alone on the same pitch.

I heard the HR comment Dave (praise indeed).

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Mon 31st Oct 2011 16:13

I'm old enough to remember the original reported incident. This is a nostalgic bit
of sporting verse that brings it back so well.
Well up to your usual high standard, J.C.

<Deleted User> (6315)

Mon 31st Oct 2011 14:36

wow..was reading it so fast because I wanted to find out what happened lol...great work John, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about something new too! :)

<Deleted User> (9635)

Mon 31st Oct 2011 13:19

this is very good john, you could easily put a tune to this. I think its the sort of thing Danny Baker would like on his saturday morning show.

Profile image

Greg Freeman

Mon 31st Oct 2011 00:08

What a great subject for a poem, John. It's a wonderful picture; even better than the one of Vinnie Jones grabbing Gazza. Greg

Profile image

Dave Bradley

Sun 30th Oct 2011 23:17

Brilliant. Really enjoyed this, John. Did you catch Harry Redknapp's comment that Scott Parker stands comparison with Dave Mackay playing like he did on Sunday?

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