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On the 21 Oct, 2004 the NFL announced it was winding up the operations of the Scottish Claymores. A sad day for all United Kingdom American football fans, as it marked the end of the professional game in this country. I wrote the following poem, to record what the game meant to myself, my wife and family (3 boys and a girl). Thanks to all those in NFL Europe who were involved in setting up and running the Scottish Claymores franchise. |
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When you've sat there in the stand more than 10 years ago with your father by your side , even though he's pretty old and watched some guy with a Polish name shank every field goal but still returned You've been through a season where its like you're never going to win the passes are dismal, but still you go again and when the season's over your team is 2 and 8 but you're still there With ardour still undampened you're back next time around To celebrate some action with a smaller crowd. Which ends up getting bigger as the 'hounds' are pretty good and you join in the barks From 'the doghouse to the penthouse' to quote a Claymores' player One successful season and one winning World Bowl later you're running around the backfields at midnight with your son You're definitely coming back The venue being changed just means you travel that bit further The family getting bigger just means you bring along the brother whilst following the exploits of those who've been abroad and wishing you could do the same To bring along some friends you stop in various places hang the finance, let's generate some happy faces as we travel on to Hampden in a car that might just make it a little late for kickoff With car full and all the family, and occasionally friends, now coming along we are out to party and are a dozen voices strong not caring about the faces that stare at you in the stands of those who've never been before To try to stem your team's fate you splash out on some 'futures' offers even though your money's tight, you try to fill their coffers because you know you want this team to survive even if it costs you more But in the end it makes no odds, the decision wasn't yours NFL team owners are fickle, only destiny endures While it's a release of financial pressure, and a burden off your back You would have carried it further You thought you wouldn't mind too much because you could see it coming You guiltily think of ways you could have helped to keep it running Actually you did your best, don't make yourself feel bad But it STILL hurts |
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To the Barcelons Dragons and London Monarchs fans - rather than feel sympathy with your plight, we now understand your pain. |