Jack of all trades – Football’s unsung utility men

I like to refer to them as the “V” men
Humble, in the background types
Workhorses carrying out a range of roles
With double toil to earn their stripes

Kenny Burns switched to centreback
Orchestrated by Old Big Head
The bedrock to become twice a Euro winner
Foreign strikeforces were ripped to a shred

Peter (Schmeichel) the great was an extra centre back
Many times Sprinting up as third striker
Carlos Alberto, swapping roles with Jair
Just was he a full back or winger?

At Anfield the epitome of versatility
Accomplished even in baseball
Carra is one who never walks alone
Be it strike, mid, fullback, central

Chris Sutton of the SAS variety
Partnered ably with Dizzy Dion Dublin
Aided by the devastating pace of Warhurst
Performing artiste with a violin

The Germans are a nation of utility
There’s Der Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer
Then there’s Buchwald, Breitner, Basler
Commander Mathaus unleashing the power

Leeds Madeley served in all of ten roles
Even then outshone by a world champ
As Martin Peters starred in all the eleven
Gaining his mug on a first class stamp

There’s the Welsh dragon John Charles
Gentle giant standing tall
Rock at the back, rapier up front
Arguably the greatest in British football

You’d do a lot worse than Rene Higuita
A keeper to play the sweeper
Though eccentric the clown was brilliant
But look out for Mr Milla

Total football led to Berry Van Aerle
Africa gave Essien and Geremi
Hargreaves, P Neville, Matt Elliott
With a Sombrero we’ve “Nacho” Ambriz

Hence these are the folks that make it all happen
There’s no doubt regarding their esteem
Insurpassable, unflinching, invaluable
And very much the heartbeat of a team

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com