SUCH WAS MY PASSION—

I grew up loving football, but
when I began to realize a true passion
for the game, I was
twelve years old.
That year I played my first proper game.

Imagine me,
a "fusty" at senior school,

and it was on a

Saturday morning.
We had a game in Bloxwich,
on Field Road

if memory serves me correctly.

           

I left The Watering Trough 

at nine o’clock in the morning, 

traipsed through the streets 

with my togga boots 

tied around my neck, 

to the bus station, 

took the one to Bloxwich, 

got off and walked onto the field
to meet my teammates.

We put on our famous royal blue silk shorts and canvass-like shirts of blue and white quarters. The shirts were like a tent, heavy; and if it rained they were unbearably weighty. On our chest was the famous “Blue Coat” badge. By half time I was crying tears of passion, begging the teacher, “Put me in goal—anything.” The second half I went in goal. It was pathetic. We lost the game 15-0. Every time we took a goal kick, it went straight to our opponent and they scored. After that game the teacher made me captain and centre forward, such was my burning passion for this game.

From GIBBO's Story
Jane Bennett Gaddy

Posted 30th April 2011 by Jane B. Gaddy