Another Childhood Memory

A cool Autumn morning we caught the bus off at eleven .without much fuss. One & half return our village Croft to Leigh a birthday treat from Dad to me. Hopped on a tram to Burden park to see Stan Mathews make his mark Through the turnstile at the town end crushed &crammed like cattle penned. Mathews& Mortenson versus Nathaniel Lofthouse a joust no connoisseurs could never grouse. Wembly star Stan still playing on at thirty eight still making inch perfect crosses on a plate. Shimmy side-step feint & dazzle leaving the defenders in a right frazzle Our ageing hero displayed all his twinkling skills the complete pro without modern-day frills Most pundits considered Stan as aged has-been but no better talent had ever been seen Brian Strand | Year Posted 2007