Publishing Frustrations

After several knock-backs from a range of UK publishers, Stan decided to self-publish his book. So many friends and colleagues are now eagerly awaiting the publication of 'Manchester United: Poetry in Motion', and Stan is very frustrated that the company he commissioned to publish the book - based in the States - have had to delay the publication date. 

In the meantime we will continue to release snippets of verse - and the occasional full poem - online. We've set up a Twitter account which will trail even shorter snippets - @MUpoetrymotion - 140 characters is not much space!

new verse for 'Poetry in Motion' :West Ham v. Man United, 2011.

West Ham v Man United, 2011


In April in the year 2011,
United played West Ham away.
Two nill down at half time,
West Ham were having their say.
All you could hear at the Boleyn Ground,
Was 'we're forever blowing bubbles'.
If the score stays the same til the end of the game,
United could be 'blowing doubles'.
A Rooney hat-trick, and one from 'Little Pea'.
Says the game's not over yet you see.
United's heads never go down for long,
And United's 'Poetry in Motion' will be 'our song'.

Stan wrote this verse to celebrate  United's recent comeback.

Another free poem: David Beckham

 

This is the story of a London boy,

Playing football was his only ploy.

Teachers asked him, “what do you want to be? ”

A professional footballer, answered he.

They smiled and said, “he’ll live and learn,”

But he was determined to be a star turn.

Tottenham Hotspur noticed his skills,

But it was Man United who gave him his thrills.

He went to a Bobby Charlton Soccer School week,

Bobby said to Fergie, “come and take a peek.”

So he signed on for his favourite team,

That’s how it happened, the start of his dream.

 

His first success, the F.A. Youth Cup  scene,

Scored in the final, against a ‘London’ team.

Then a league title for United Reserves,

This team of young stars only got their deserves.

Then he went on loan to Preston North End,

Scored direct from a corner, to set a trend.

They loved him there, recognised his potential,

But young Becks, only saw United,  essential.

Came back to Old Trafford, played against Port Vale,

His first League Cup debut, to start the tale.

He was on his way, to prove those teachers wrong,

Going to be a star, and it would not be long.

Made his Premier League Debut in April 95,

A nil-nil draw that didn’t come alive.

But the story really starts in the new season,

No new signings, for some strange reason.

Big names had left that Fergie didn’t replace,

Cos he had good youngsters in whom he had faith,

But they lost the first game at the ‘Villa’, 3-1,

Critics and fans thought Fergie had ‘gone.’

“You’ll never win anything with kids in the side,”

Said Alan Hansen with his usual pride.

But Beckham and co. made him ‘eat his words.’

Won the League and Cup Double, just for a first.

 

 

On the very first day of the following season,

Beckham received instant fame, for this reason.

He spotted Neil Sullivan way off his line,

And thought he’ll never, ever, get back in time.

So from inside his own half, he fired in a shot,

The keeper, left stranded and stumbling a lot,

Could only watch as, in the net the ball whizzed,

Like Pele’s world cup shot, ‘except  Pele missed.’

It was voted by some as the best goal ever.

But Beckham wasn’t afraid to try something clever.

United won the Premier League twice in two years,

And Becks voted Young Player of the Year, by his peers.

 

In the 98-99 season David Beckham won the treble,

With his mates, Giggsy, Scholsey and Gary Neville.

Premier League, Champions League, F.A. Cup too,

Wonder if those teachers now accept it as true.

He really has become that star turn,

With a pop-star wife and ‘money to burn.’

A celebrity lifestyle that’s all very nice,

Lives in a mansion after marrying Posh Spice.

T.V commitments, adverts and interviews too,

Each year that passes, more ‘celeb’ stuff to do.

On these other commitments, Fergie’s not keen,

Should be football foremost, not the glamour scene.

 

United won the Premier League three years on the trot,

They were successful, the team was so hot.

Now United fans adored David Becks.

And it’s true that Beckham loved the Reds.

But ‘Team Beckham’ had become bigger than the club,

That’s why Fergie had to sell him, that was the rub.

So reluctantly Becks signed for Real Madrid,

Never wanted to leave, he was a United kid.

Thought he’d be at United for his football life,

Probably would have been except for his ‘trouble & strife'.

But United fans put all the ‘celeb’ stuff to bed,

To them David Beckham will always be a Red.

New Poems...

When I spoke to Stan recently he felt that United's significant comeback at West Ham would be worthy of a poem, just like today's long-awaited win at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. Is Sir Alex about to become the only manager to win the European Cup in 3 different decades? (forgetting the potential obstacles of Barcelona/Real Madrid still in the way!)

A look back... The Race for the Premiership 2010...taster

A rather prophetic last few lines from the last poem in the history given the current state of the 2011 Title Race on 02/04/2011 with United winning and the rest drawing....

Final Table…..Chelsea 86 pts  United 85  Arsenal 75

          One thing is clear, Sir Alex won’t get the ‘sack,

          One thing is certain, Man United will be back.

Man. United - Poetry in Motion

Man. United - Poetry in Motion is different to any other Sports History book that you have ever read before.

It is a potted history of Manchester United but all written in rhyme. It is ‘unique,’ it is ‘quirky,’ easily readable, fully illustrated and a book that you are able to pick-up, put down and not miss out by doing so.

Author Stan Warburton has been a Manchester United fan ever since his dad first took him as a young boy. Even when his family moved to live in Colwyn Bay with Stan as a twelve year old, he never lost his love or support for the Reds, travelling to Old Trafford as often as he could.

‘Poetry in Motion’ is the Title poem and tells of some of Man United’s greatest matches, the times when they have really been ‘on song’.

‘Why is it that Poets are mean, when it comes to writing of the football scene,’ is the first line of his poem ’My Football Team’ which combines Stan’s love of Man. United and poetry.

These are just two of thirty widely differing poems about all things Man United. 

Excerpts of poems will continue appear until the book is published...