Horatio Westand-United, the unofficial Stags Poet Laureate and part-time lyricist, has penned another poem after the Stags' defeat at Grimsby.
Bleak House3500 Grimsby fans, they went to Blundell Park
To support their home team who went on to make their mark
The area was so run down; shutters closed and gloom amid,
But each and evr'y week they find, the entrance 18 qu
id.
The fish declines, the refinery shines, bright into the night,
They took our three points away (as though it was their right)
What is it that makes these people, loyally, then come back?
Each week unto this place, a Lincolnshire cul-de-sac?
I think I know, the words we seek, are "fan loyalties"
With Hull and Scunny oh so near, they stick with their Grimsby
Cos when faced with relegation, their Chairman made their day
Laid on free buses for them so they took the points away.
And now I see him on "Look North", outside the Grimsby Lands,
A 20,000 seater stadium - which the Mariners have planned.
A vision for the future and less of the hands-a-wringing,
"Climbing up the football league will keep our fans a-singing".
And what of Mansfield Town then, with Christmas games ahead?
Our souvenir shop could double, for the lowly cattle shed.
Let's add a little Dickens now, what characters will appear then,
To get us moving up the league, where come three of the wise men?
Mr. Micawbooth says "summat will turn up", to rid us the fomer legacy
"Welcome poverty! Welcome misery, hunger, (tempest) and beggary!
So enters "Oliver" Haslam, blissfully unaware of all the scores,
Holds his little bowl out, sez, "Please can I have some more?"
Why not let the kids in free, tis the season of goodwill?
They might then bring their Dads along, and that will pay the bills
To remain a cheering regular, hopefully they'll choose.
Or will it be "Bah Humbug!" from miserly Mister Scrooge?
What the Dickens then to end this tale, of compare and contrast
How Stags and Mariners futures fare, the ghost of season past.
So what will be the outcome then, depends on the Stags Boardroom
Hearing Christmas tills a ringing, confuse the clanging chimes of doom?
So upwards and onwards go, the path is forwards, up and hilly.
Many football gaffers have (thus far) cleared their desks, still no ones blaming Billy.
So fellow Stags will fight on and write to Santa Claus (though risky)
That a goal seeking Tom-Tom is on the sleigh, wrapped up for John McAliskey!
Merry Christmas (lets hope)
- The 12 Days of Christmas - Stags style
The full article contains 445 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
