‘Last Stanza’ – A Call for your poetry!

Do you know the three Hampdens? We are looking for poems by you to help us celebrate the history of football. Submit your poems on the form further down this page.

The video below will give you some ideas about how to write your poem.

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WRITE YOUR POEM HERE

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braw words poem 16: Hatrick

1st time is never a given 

Never a given it’ll happen 

Never a given you’ll get the shirt

Never a given you’ll make the shot 

Never a given it’ll happen 

– then it does

2nd time is a chance to learn

Learn that winning means losing 

Learn that support means pressure 

Learn that nothing’s done alone

Learn to stick in

– there’ll be another chance 

3rd time is getting the big picture 

The big picture that’s local and global

The big picture that’s girls and boys

The big picture that includes the struggling, not just the strong

The big picture that’s yours and mine

– football hearts beating as one

by Gabrielle Barnby, Makar of the Braw Words Collection

braw words poem 15: Football means…

Football means cheering and crying
Hoping for a winner in the 90th minute,
Going to every new stadium,
Collecting badges and mementos,
Remembering your first game,
Getting photos with Paisley Panda,
Being freezing cold and soaking wet,
Singing until your voice is hoarse,
Clapping until your hands are red raw,
Going up on Dad’s shoulders, running onto the pitch.

People ask why I support St Mirren —
I always have, and always will,
Wear the black and white stripes with pride.
Getting into Europe,
The fans throw beach balls through the stands —
“We’re on our way!”

Seeing a familiar strip at Edinburgh Airport,
Singing songs on the plane.
Last time we were in Europe was 37 years ago —
Wondering if it’ll be another 37 years till next time.

Chatting to the guy that sits next to you at every game,
Arguing with the boys in school about who’ll win this weekend’s game,
Moaning about the referees,
Laughing about how many managers Hearts have gone through this year — who will be next?
Meeting the manager, and some of the players!

Going to every game,
Loving every minute of it.
Football means different things to different people —
But that’s what it means to me.

by Mara Wishart

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braw words poem 14: our Inverclyde Primary School winners

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braw words poem 13: The Legend of ronaldo

Upon the fields where dreams are made,
A boy from Madeira’s shores once played.
With fire in his feet and stars in his eyes,
A destined path began to rise.

From Sporting’s greens to Manchester’s red,
The roar of the crowd to goals widespread.
A fleet-footed warrior, a dazzling spark,
Lighting up football’s hallowed park.

In Old Trafford’s glow, his legacy grew,
A winger with magic, a hero anew.
With tricks and flicks, defenders fell,
His name resounded like a tolling bell.

Then off to Madrid, the galactic stage,
To script new tales on football’s page.
In white so pure, his greatness soared,
A record-breaker, his name adored.

La Décima won, a king’s crown worn,
Countless defenders left forlorn.
Goals rained down like heaven’s art,
His thunderous strikes pierced every heart.

With Ballon d’Ors stacked high in might,
He conquered the world, its day and night.
For Portugal’s flag, he stood so tall,
A nation’s pride in each football.

Euro glory, the Selecção’s crest,
Ronaldo led and gave his best.
Through tears and triumph, his passion burned,
For every fight, his spirit returned.

Then off to Turin, a fresh crusade,
In black and white, his brilliance stayed.
Still scoring goals, still leading the charge,
His impact global, his shadow large.

A return to Manchester, a homecoming grand,
To thrill again in familiar land.
Through time and leagues, his skill remained,
A symbol of grit, forever unchained.

The years may pass, the seasons flow,
Yet Ronaldo’s legend continues to grow.
On every pitch, his tale will stay,
A beacon of hope, come what may.

For in his veins runs a passion rare,
A gift to football, beyond compare.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s delight,
A flame eternal, burning bright.

By zohaan

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braw words poem 12: Kick Off

Kick off, feel your heart jump with joy
you score
you will not be beaten no more
oh how you adore
the bicycle or scorpion shot
to connect with the ball bang on the dot
– tired wrap up for match tea
all warm and cozy

By Jasper Shaw’folford

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braw words poem11: Wild Celebrations

Wild Celebrations

Amazing, awesome and on fire,
Shaking, smiling and strong,
A wave of crashing joy
– I scored the goal

Friendship and hard work,
Laughing and crying together,
Howling at the score board
– we won the game

Hearts beating hard,
Willing every pass to connect,
Steadfast and true
– they’re our fans…the monkeys in the stands

by Gabrielle Barnby

braw words poem10: I Classify football

I classify football as a fun sport,
with the kicking and the passing
and the scoring of course!

I do play it often,
as it is a respectable game,
for sometimes,
there is dominance to reclaim!

There is something I am wondering,
did you all know,
that compared to what I play,
the proper games are quite slow.

I don’t want to bore you,
with what I have to say,
did you know that the majority of people,
say football isn’t lame!

When I was eight in 2022,
I discovered football,
as this sport I always wanted to do,
and if you enjoy football,
and like it a lot,
then hopefully this will happen to you to!

And now here I am,
having joined a team,
writing verse upon verse,
making the game stand out and beam.

When I run along the ball,
sun burning my eyes,
I feel my spirit being optimised.

“Mum, dad, I want to play football!”
I remember saying with pride,
but I wish I could go back in time,
and say to myself,
“not playing football… really is a crime!”

I remember me shrieking at the tv,
ready to throw things at it (even my brother).

When my team is winning,
I feel this sort of glee.
One that makes me want to jump out
and scream: “you can do it!”

By Elena Murphy

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braw words poem9: Here for you

Going to a football game
is always so exciting.
Whether we lose or not
there is hope in the air.

When we get there, there are
flags all around us
Go on Scotland!
You can do this.

They play with the ball
like there’s no tomorrow
they try their hardest
and we cheer for them.

We never look back
We never look back

We hear the birds
they are singing for us.
Come on Scotland,
You can do this.

We are here, for you.

By Bella McNeill

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braw words poem8: All that

All that atmosphere, for this
one big night. All that tension
all that wait
all that hope
all that pressure.

We can do this.
This is our nation
this is our time
let’s go out and shine

Come on McGinn
Come on McTominay
Come on Dykes
Come on Gilmour

We can do this
Come on Scotland
We can do this!

by Shea McNeill

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braw words poem7: WHEN THE TEAMS COME OUT

When I feel excited,
I get this sort of chill.
Adrenaline.
It makes me crouch down,
And put my fists together.
Most likely to happen when Scotland are playing.
And when the teams come out I feel happiness, togetherness along with adrenaline.
It’s like a mixed emotion – clapping and cheering,
Hoping against hope that our team wins.
Then comes the tragic bit,
When England scores.
Heartbreak.

by Angus White

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braw words poem6: i love football!

Football is lots of fun
Overtaking other players
Over the line
Tackling
Ball flying
All the team working together
Learning new skills
Love it when I score!

by Daniel Hart

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braw words poem5: A GIRLS FOOTBALL DREAM

When I was Six, I used to kick a ball
I started training and stood very tall
It was the girls team I joined
But wasn’t enough for me to enjoy

On a cold winters day September 2017
I went for a trial for the boys team and wanted to scream
I did it I did it I am so very proud
My heart was thumping and I shouted out loud

Nearly 4 years on and still in the same team
I have met many good friends and they all treat me like a queen
After all I am the girl of the squad
But when it comes to training they don’t hold back they all trudge

Monday, Wednesday hard training nights
And also Sundays early morning match day vibes
I get up excited and cannot wait for what the game brings on after a long week wait
To be in the team talk with my mates and even more excited to be handed the captain armband it’s just great

To look round to see my mum’s big smile and I turned round and kick off for a while
I run and run and pass the ball I run some more and WOW I scored a goal

I eat, sleep and breathe football and it makes me the most happiest and proudest girl
My love will continue to grow with my team and bring on 11 a sides
Harder training, more commitment and more of taking risks in my stride

Hard work with the boys instead of playing with toys
Will land me a place in the ladies race
For now follow my heart and dreams
I am still smiling, loving and fighting to my teens

I gave up my friends in the girls to be brave and strong
To better myself and will be back before long
I can only play till I am 16 then back to the girls
To continue my teens

My fight through this journey is all worthwhile
So many friends and done with such style
To hopefully land a place in Spartans ladies team
Then move on to the massive DREAM

by Aylei Pickup

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braw words poem4: The best footballer

We wanted to play something with a ball
I mean what could go wrong
We tried to get a goal
But something rushed through the pitch
And took the ball
Of course, it’s the best footballer.

We are going through the pitch
Chasing him like tigers
But he’s going faster
Faster than a biker
Of course, it’s the best footballer.

Inhuman speed
Blurry are his feet
We don’t want to shout defeat
To the best footballer.

We shout stop
But he’s going on and on
At least he can’t escape
From the pitch
Of course, it’s the best footballer.

You are asking who this is
I mean who could be the best
Of course, it’s my dog
Rudy the best footballer.

By David Molka

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braw words poem3: Match Day

I am the most sporty in my house
so it goes like this:
When its game day my Mum says:
“Come on we have to go.”
My Dad says:
“We’ve got plenty of time”.
I say:
“We are going to be so early again!!”
Then my Dad jokes to my sister and says:
“You sure you don’t want to come? I know how much you love football.”
My sister grunts:
“Nooooooooooo!”
After the game my Dad says:
“You had better take those filthy boots off before you get in my car.”
My Mum says:
“Remember to put your clothes in the wash when we get home.”
My sister says:
“You are filthy and you stink!”
Soon after we arrive home I get changed, forget what my mum had said and dump my clothes on the floor.

By Maya Halcrow

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braw words poem2: Football is ALWAYS the Winner!

Football is my best friend,
A friend I play with all the time.
I miss it … to me not playing,
Really is a crime.

Football makes me feel fit,
Happy, healthy and full of energy.
“Head up! Look for space! Pass!”
Always playing to the best of my ability.

I can’t wait till football is back
And I can run out on the pitch 
But thanks to COVID, I must wait
To scratch my football itch!

Until then it’s online learning,
Practising skills till it’s time for dinner,
“Come on you know, and remember,
Football is ALWAYS the winner!”

By Grant Kerr

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braw words poem1: What is Football?

“What does football mean to me?
It’s ‘you like football?’ in a surprised voice
Because I’m a girl, right? – it’s not normal
But ‘yeah, I do,’ I say with pride.
Football is an identity that I proudly wear on my sleeve
My badge of honour, my captains armband.
It is being dragged to games, one after another
Hiding under a blanket, reading a book
Crying when your team scores, the shouting too loud
But being grateful
That you were introduced to the sport you’ve grown to love.
Football is forgetting to bring an extra layer
Almost freezing to death
It is the excitement of a new month
Turning over the calendar page to see a new player.
Football is anxiously watching scores come in on the concourse TV
Another game waiting to begin.
It is travelling for hours in the car to Stranraer or Inverness
All for the love of the game.
Football is supporting the underdogs
Suffering hundreds of loses for that one win.
Football is supporting a team no one’s ever heard of
‘Raith Rovers, they’re from Kirkcaldy.’
Bumping into a classmate at a motorway service station with our Dads
Me going to Raith, him going to St. Johnstone
It is singing Geordie Munro at the top of your lungs, packed in the stairs
Leaving the stadium after winning 2-0
Waking up the next morning with a sore throat.
Football is sitting next to a wee old woman
Muttering under her breath – ‘C’mon Kieran,’
Whilst everyone around her is shouting loudly
We may support differently but we’re supporting all the same.
Football is a boy you’ve never met before stopping you at school
‘You were the mascot at the Raith game at the weekend, weren’t you?’
‘You couldn’t have picked a worse team’
But football is being proud of it
Being able to stand up and say you’re different.
It’s debates with the boys at school on whether Hearts will win the Premiership
Football is knowing they won’t.
It is watching highlights on your phone at school
The game you missed last night
It is the ‘wow’ or ‘let’s rewind that’
It’s re-watching old games, over and over
But never being able to watch others again
The despair and regret too much to relive.
Football is sharing memories and experiences.
Hearing your parents’ stories of France ‘98
Making your own, 20 years later.
That you too will pass down one day.
Football is travelling to Paris
Being 3-0 up in the seventieth minute
Then drawing 3-3
Missing out on getting past the group stage
Football is the world stopping
Waiting for the player to take the penalty
The words ‘retake’ flashing around you
It is VAR
The anger and the disappointment.
Football is bumping into a fellow fan under the Eiffel Tower
The only things similar – the colour of your strip and your love for the game
Football is having amazing role models
Fighting for what you believe in
Chanting ‘equal play, equal pay’ with 57,000 others
People with the same passion, the same identity.
Some say football is a beautiful game
I think it’s more than that – it’s a lifestyle
It can mean everything to some, but nothing to others.
‘It’s just a bunch of sweaty people chasing a ball,’ a friend once said
Football is an identity that brings us together
It might mean nothing to you, but it means the world to me.”

by Grace Lawther

This poem was selected as the winner of Nutmeg Young Writers Competition.