WHERE THERE'S SMOKE, THERE'S A GOALKEEPER

Simon Armitage has written a well known poem about a goalkeeper. Not the Premier League or other professional custodian that we see theatrically conducting his defence and sometimes the whole team. It's about a man who stands out as different from the rest by his jersey, who sometimes leading the home crowd or agitates the opposition mob from his safe area....the six yard box. He can't be touched there you know. Hmmm!

So Simon Armitage was born in 1963 in Huddersfield and lived his early years in nearby Marsden.
He went to Colne Valley High School and studied Geography at Portsmouth Polytechnic (hence his broad education), did post graduate work at Manchester Uni earning an MS in social work and lectured at Leeds University, Iowa and Manchester Met.
He became Professor of Poetry at Sheffield and then at Leeds.

He wrote this football poem and it has an audio link too. I'm afraid it has a couple of naughty words in it, but ignoring these, every young footballer should enjoy the vivid description in the stanzas and maybe recognise that this standard of goalie may be somebody that their dad or grandfather might have come across from their past. Anyone recognise this keeper! Might be an inspiration for an English project.
https://fromwhereyouare-en.systime.dk/index.php?id=190

Armitage lives in the Holme Valley and supports "Town", making references to the club in his book "All Points North". He is also lead singer of the "Scaremongers" and is well decorated, including a CBE.
https://www.simonarmitage.com/the-scaremongers/

Arsene Wenger used to smoke in the dug out...he blamed stress. Arsene grew up in his family owned bar in Duttlenheim called the Croix d'Or, so he lived amongst smokers. Wenger also worked as a cigarette salesman before his fame in football.
His loyal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was fined £20,000 for lighting up in the dressing room! There are many other moments, particularly in the non-league clubs.

Of course smoking has played an important part is Football History. Here is a link that might prove useful in a school project or quiz!
https://spartacus-educational.com/Ftobacco.htm