Beware of students bearing gifts...

Very pleasant sight yesterday as I was greeted by these mountaineous delights, courtesy of my pupils. It's not Eid, no one mentioned a birthday, not even harvest time. I couldn't fathom the reason for such generosity.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I diligently plundered the whole lot.

Oh by the way, the mid year tests went really well...

Very nice testimonial...

Reds Rob Robust Rovers - Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn

Endeth a run of six league games
Kuyt the only one to have scored
Snappy interchange from Stevie Gerrard
Leaving Samba flat-footed and floored

Time and space to drill in a tight angle
Rovers then squared from the spot
Carra handling lying on the floor
And Kalinic said thanks a lot

Pepe almost saved the spot-kick
Torres flashed a moment of his best
From Rodriguez's low delivery
To win an ill-tempered contest

Gerrard and Diouf swapped pleasantries
Sensational Reina from Samba late on
Vince Grella missed from 20 yards
With Fabio Aurelio long gone

No love lost between Rafa and Allardyce
Under brick attack the Reds didn’t yield
N'Zonzi bruised and battered
Big Sam still winless at Anfield

28.02.10

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

Greaves

With immaculately Brylcreamed hair
East Ham Cockney with flapping sleeves
Dashing good looks, the mean streak
Welcome to the legend of James Peter Greaves

Hilariously peed on by a dog in Chile
Tickled Garrincha adopted the stray
Then came Pickles and Sixty six
Sir Geoff’s form meant no Jules Rimet

Blindfolded he galloped the trail to goal
Psychic channel to the net unseen
On grainy footage I watched spellbound
No more, no less, a goal-machine

Blue debutant at age seventeen
From East, West, and the land of the Lira
Dreaded by quivering counterparts
But homesick returned to be nearer

So early a hundred grand man
A mere pound away from the brag
The insightful Bill Nicholson
Averting burdens that came with the tag

Twin FA cups in the swinging sixties
UEFA final brace over Madrid’s other team
Top scorer in all of six seasons
Record that still stands supreme

I moved on from black and white TV
Imposed in memory the dart and deft feint
The box offered a weekend high spot
Saturday cult TV with the Saint

Six hat tricks for Queen and country
Behind Sir Bobby and razor Lineker
Yet… still four ahead of Michael Owen
And the tolls of a heavy drinker

West Ham and back to the roots
Brentwood, Chelmsford, and Barnet FC
Afforded a place in the Hall of Fame
Supreme King of the goal spree

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

Who wants fourth? Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool

Hardly bestowing a license to thrill
In this bleak, dismal winter affair
Wary Roberto and Rafa in town
Grim fixture led a few to despair

Martin Skrtel close with a header
Plucky play spared him the wrath
Pepe saved a blast from the Togan
El Jefe missed his third early bath

Drill to avoid defeat at every cost
Forty four boots full of lead
“If you want to win,” harped Mancini
“First job is don’t concede goals,” he said

So a dour stalemate at Eastlands
Very Mickey Mouse in Orlando
Great gamesmanship from Yossi
Beware the return of the Nando

21.02.10

Number7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Australia's controversial, anti-migrant MP heading for Britain... as an immigrant

She was at the centre of a racist storm when she warned that Australia was in danger of becoming swamped by Asians.

But controversial MP Pauline Hanson is about to become a migrant herself - by moving to Britain.

Full article...

More culinary delights from moi

The BIG Read - Read for the World Record - 4th March 2010

IF, with Tower Hamlets Council, the London Muslim Centre (LMC), the Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) and Muslim Aid invites you to participate in the BIG READ; an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the most children reading with an adult (Guinness Book of Records official title).

Visit: www.big-read.co.uk

The current record stands at 3,032 achieved by The Kindergarten Starters School at Global Village in Dubai, UAE, on 12 November 2008.

In a 12-hour period up to 5,000 children are needed to listen to Roald Dahls timeless classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. To qualify for the record a child has to listen to an adult read for half an hour.

Schools, teachers, parents, pupils, celebrities and councillors will gather on 4th March 2010, World Book Day, to participate in this record breaking attempt which simultaneously aims to promote the importance of reading and literacy amongst children and create the largest shared reading experience in the World.

Kings of Africa

Poetic reitals from the Africa Cup of Nations: Angola 2010





















www.football-poems.com

BNP billboard latest

Another day, another vandalised BNP poster. Funny how when I got home I also found the leaflets below had been posted through my letterbox.

Surely it must be sacrilegious and against party ethos to waste leaflets on darkies.

Having said that, our street is very diverse. I pity the poor buggers for wasting valuable time, effort and money.

Anyway, back to the vandals and I have an obvious suspect. It must be the lightning thief.Percy couldn't have tried too hard - after all, he's played by American Jewish actor Logan Lerman, which makes him just as unpopular as the rest of us. Unlucky boys!

Reds sent down Diaby - Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

Still winless at freezing Emirates
Even Carra donned the nylon
Clear spot kick with Maxi's bolt shot
Whack into the arm of Vermaelen

From Babel's sizzling strike
Almunia's startling tip onto the Bar
Czech mate from Rosicky's cross
And Abou Diaby's winning header

To end winless streak of three
Reds trudged wearily back up North
Gunners doing Spurs a good turn
But Liverpool still remain in fourth

10.02.10

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

The BIG Read’

Emdad Rahman

IF Charity call for participants to join ‘The BIG Read’, a world record attempt for the most children reading with an adult.

Up to 5,000 participants are needed to break a Guinness World Record by listening to an adult read a classic by Roald Dahl on World Book Day. On the 4th March 2010 local schools, teachers, parents, pupils, celebrities and councillors are being asked to take part in a day reading aloud to children from the classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory organised by IF Charity.

The world record attempt, to be held at the London Muslim Centre between 9am and 9pm, is being undertaken to spread the message that literacy is an important empowering tool for young people locally, nationally and internationally.

Ruhul Tarafder, Project Manager for the event said “We need as many people as possible to take part in this and break the record. It’s going to be a really exciting day as it’s not only a chance to get yourself a personal certificate for breaking a world record but you’ll get to hear one of the great children’s classics that is still as popular today as it was when I was at school.”

A number of celebrities and local figures will be taking part in the event including British and Commonwealth boxing champion Anthony Small, George Galloway MP, and the comedian Jeff Mirza.

Tre Azam, businessman and star of the hit BBC show The Apprentice, who will also be taking part in the event, said ‘It is often said that knowledge is power and yet so few are willing to pick up a book after formal education. Through The BIG Read we have the opportunity to inspire ourselves and others to experience the power of literature. I would encourage everyone to take part in what will be another great way to raise money and awareness through the genius of IF. It’s time to put your reading glasses on!’

This campaign is IF’s first working with children and local communities to promote education and literacy in Tower Hamlets, which a report from the Government Office for London ranks as the 3rd most deprived out of the 354 local authorities in England. Previous projects by IF charity have included Gaza 100, a run that broke the world record for the most people running 100 metres in a 12 hour relay, and the IFtaar 10,000 a project which shared food between homeless communities and residents in Tower Hamlets.

Families and schools in the London region can register for the event at www.ifcharity.com

Royal Duke alcohol license revoked

Pitsea Estate residents joined with the licensing police, in a review of the 24 hour alcohol license of the Royal Duke Store at 474 Commercial Road, E1.

The licensing police officer, Mr Alan Cruikshank, triggered the review of the Royal Duke license on 22nd December 2009, on issues of Crime & Disorder, after HM Customs & Excise officers seized drinks which did not have UK duties paid on it.

Pitsea Estate Tenants & Residents Association (TRA) joined this review to raise other issues of Crime & Disorder; plus several other licensing objectives Public Safety; Public Nuisance and Health & Safety.

Residents of Pitsea Estate have suffered a wide range of problems since the 24 hour, seven days a week license to sell alcohol, was issued to the proprietor, Reshmi Patel on 22nd June 2006 - despite the TRA lodging objections to this.

Residents of Pitsea Estate were concerned that the 24 hour sale of alcohol so close to their homes would have a negative impact upon their lives, and encourage anti social behaviour and crime on the estate.

Since 2006 residents have had to endure groups of drunks, drug addicts, prostitutes and other dubious types, coming into estate communal areas and residential blocks, to engage in drink/drugs and commit acts of anti social behaviour.

Several residents have suffered from physical attacks and abuse from drunken patrons of the Royal Duke Store. This was despite residents reporting incidents and their concerns to Shadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team, the Housing department and the Anti Social Behaviour Team.

The cost of the damage over the past three years has escalated as caretakers have had to clean up vomit, urine and sometimes human faeces left behind from raucous behaviour, resulting from the off sales of alcohol. The Royal Duke Store has acted as a magnet for alcoholics, drug users/dealers and others from the area, as it is open all night.

Many parents on Pitsea, especially mothers have had to negotiate their children through vomit, cans bottles and other debris left behind on the estate. Debris left in the stairwells has posed a danger to residents using the stairs as debris

becomes trip hazards for the young and the elderly. Problems have occurred both day and night over the past few years to the point where the Tenants & Residents Association received constant complaints about the Royal Duke Store.

There has also been an increase in criminal damage on the estate as anti social behaviour, fuelled by drink from these premises has increased. The TRA highlighted that one particular set of windows was replaced 3 times after being smashed by drunk youths. There has been an increase in criminal damage to estate property by drunks roaming the estate, both day and night.

Pitsea TRA submitted evidence in the form of timed and dated photographs going back to 2006, showing all aspects of the problems residents were suffering. The photographic evidence was supported by witness statements in the form of email/letters etc. The TRA also submitted a petition signed by residents of the estate, protesting against the Royal Duke Store and the problems it was causing to residents of the Pitsea Estate.

At the Licensing Sub Committee Meeting of Tuesday 9th February, after presenting evidence to the Licensing Panel, both the police and residents from the TRA asked the panel to revoke the license to sell alcohol, in view of the criminal nature of the offence committed and the negative impact upon Pitsea Estate of alcohol sales form this shop.

Residents of the estate were glad to see that the licensing Sub Committee responded to the very real concerns of both police and residents, by revoking Ms Patels license to sell alcohol.

Massad’s goal de 80 metros

Right side punt deep within his own half
Yell from the skipper to “kick up”
Al Ahly beat Hajer three two
Quarter finals of the Saudi Princes Cup

As Hajer attacked the left flank
Mohammed Massad with a mighty kick
String bows and enough force to reach
The good the natives of Berwick

As the ball drifted goal bound
Ball dropped for an early bump
Almost comically looping over
Hajer keeper’s desperate pole jump

Aah hup! From all of eighty metres
Massad flexed his pectorals
In all the world of football
One of the most astonishing goals

Number 7
(c) Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

New zebras for school children

Pupils from Canon Barnet Primary School will benefit from a brand new crossing, after Tower Hamlets Council finished painting the zebra strips this week.

A speed table, a long speed bump that slows down traffic, along with a zebra crossing and belisha beacons (orange lights) have been installed on Wentworth Street at the junction with Gunthorpe Street.

As well as providing parents, pupils and staff with an easier and safer route to school and local sports facities, the new crossing also benefit pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.

Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener at Tower Hamlets Council, said: "We want to make sure that our roads are safe for all. The improved crossing and the traffic calming measures on Wentworth Street will make a real difference to local people.

"We hope it will encourage more parents and their children to walk to school as we continue to work with schools to develop active travel plans."

The street also benefits from a new pavement to help improve the walking routes to the new crossing.

The crossing improvements are just some of the many benefits funded through the section 106 money received through the development at Bishops Square, in Spitalfields.

As a result £8.6 million is being spent on the Spitalfields and Banglatown area, with improvements ranging from a better open space at Chicksand, a new building for Osmani Youth Centre, business support, a cultural trail and much more.

Helping to stop Nick Griffin in Barking

Emdad Rahman

Unite Against Fascism held a day of action in Barking & Dagenham, east London on Saturday 6 February to help drive Nick Griffin and the fascist British National Party (BNP) out of the borough.

The last day of action saw some 200 anti-fascists leaflet three wards in Dagenham. On Saturday activist met outside Barking tube station for a couple of hours to help do their bit to knock back the Nazi BNP. For more information contact Barking & Dagenham UAF on bardagunite@gmail.com.

Can you find a better use for a discarded black taxi???

Fried chops

All my own creation - beginning to end :)

No Red Mersey - Liverpool 1-0 Everton

Pity emphatically off Rafa’s agenda
Dirk Kuyt glanced the only goal
Ten man Reds shook Mersey Blues
Top four ambitions take a positive roll

Knock Kuyt wriggled, writhed and twisted
Gerrard’s corner struck accurate and free
Dutchmaster nodded his fiftieth in Red
Resolving a fractious Mersey derby

Oodles of rumbling in a brutal game
Kyrgiakos's first-half red card
Lunge at Marouane Fellaini
Atkinson’s neglect left the game marred

Cahill with Everton's optimum chance
Contest of blood, toil and a great deal fun
Before Pienaar's late red card
Here ends the Toffees nine match unbeaten run

Fixture with more dismissals than the others
Ref Atkinson always a key trait
With eight in the last ten league games
Seventeen in all doubling the going rate

06.02.10

Number 7
Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com