Christmas Day at the Whitechapel Mission 2013

I joined Dan, Richelle, Zoe, Matthew, Hayley, Phillip, Bill and everyone else to spend some time with the community at the Whitechapel Mission today. It was by far the hardest shift I've fine there but was very rewarding. I joined Dan, Rochelle and Ram, and our constant banter ensured that the next six hours went by very quickly. 

If you are interested in supporting or volunteering with The Whitechapel Mission, please contact the office on 020 7247 8280 or view the volunteering diary by clicking here.

I am also running the 2014 British 10k to support the Whitechapel Mission's work with the homeless, the disadvantaged and the destitute. 

Please support this valuable work. A very small contribution can make a huge difference - https://www.justgiving.com/no7

You can also text GEMZ76 £1 to 70070 if it's easier. Just change £1 to the figure you wish to donate. 

Please don't forget to giftaid. 

www.whitechapel.org.uk

Frank McKeown – Pride of Scotland

A terrible tragedy struck Glasgow
When a helicopter crashed into a pub
Frank McKeown the unsung hero
Hailing from Scotland’s third oldest club

Through the darkness toiled the Blues skipper
Nine souls departed that black Friday night
Then playing a cup tie a few hours later
Straight to Broadwood from the tragic crash site

Though physically and mentally wrecked
Not playing was off the prep plan
Let us take a wee moment to reflect
And acclaim that inspirational man

number7
© Emdad Rahman

The great Christmas truce of 1914

Sub zero in the trenches of Armentieres
It’s the bizarre event of the year
Amidst the ravaging spectacle of war
Looms a most certain killer

Through football the great healer
Death stench of the “Great War”
Foes come together to scent
Those darkened days of yore

A cacophony of despair
Before the aerial bombardment
Poisoned gas attacks
Sprayed with so much resentment

No guns and roses in the dressing room
No Terry Butcher in full swing
No chest thumping or headbutting
No vicious door smashing

Only warm carols, silent, soft in tone
In union with the English enemy
Lone German voices mixed in with death’s moan
Beyond the darkened stymie

Echoing across no man’s land
‘Tipperary’ haunts death’s plains
‘Deutschland Uber Alles’ resonates
Like deathly clanking chains

‘We come in peace,’ say the English
Straying onto German territory
Crossing no man’s land
Unarmed in hope and glory

Bully beef swapped for smokes
Wee willy Wallace's face glows
Braveheart starts the game
Barrel loads of friendship flows

Becoming for an instant, loved
When the Scot brings on a football
Will there now be a massive melee
A scrum, or even a brawl?

Helmets for goalposts, no offside
Free for all on very dry ice
Foraging through the gunge
'Oi, watch that detonating device!'

Chasing this instrument of peace
Marauding hunting pack
Free for all like crazed hounds
Dogs of war on the attack

Origins of mud football are sown
Both teams descend the autobahn
Whilst King George’s officer
Embraces the Kaiser’s man

Merry Christmas and a hearty 3-2
Fritz ends up defeating Tommy
With not a shot fired, there follows
A massive celebratory party

Festivities of deference
With those who were so loathed
United London & Bonn
Becoming for a moment betrothed

For once, not an ounce of hate
Replaced by loving authority
Commonality, smiles, brotherhood
And most of all instant sorority

On the dawn of Boxing day
Three shots break the Zen
Cap’n Stockwell ends the Christmas truce
Goodwill to all men

Such fraternity and such joy
Faces much condemnation
Austrian at Ypres called Adolf
Rebukes this uncanny integration

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

This is an extraordinary & true story and therein lies a lesson for us all - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p05E_ohaQGk

The Unstoppable Uruguayan

Liverpool 3-1 Cardiff

Two sparklers and a new contract

Skipper far from abstract

Top of the league go Brendan's army

 ‘Resign or be sacked’ 

Malky feeling far from backed 

Sterling and Mutch add to the story

21.12.13

number7

(C) Emdad Rahman

Spurs hit with the power of five

Such merriment at AVB's angry pout

Gerrard and Sturridge out of the game

Brendan may seem to be Spurs' chief scout

His Reds inflicting great pain at the Lane

Thrashing a crew who'd been looked at

Suarez adding two for the shiny boot race

Paulinho off first to savour the bath mat 

Just look at the joy on Flanagan's face

Ashen faced home fans had seen a ghost

Hendo volleyed after releasing the hand brake

Even Sakho smashed Lloris' post

Sterling topping with the ice on the cake

15.12.13

number7

(C) Emdad Rahman

Nelson Mandela: 1918-2013

“Death is something inevitable.When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people & his country,he can rest in peace” #Madiba

Emdad Rahman: Nelson Mandela was one of the world’s greatest modern day leaders. He was never a prisoner and even during 27 years of incarceration he truly remained a free man. 

The demise of Mandela at the age of 95 was inevitable and his departure from the world has created much discussion about his ideas, his political beliefs and his legacy - a phenomenon which will continue long after he has been buried in the ground.

Rolihlahla Mandela was born in the Eastern Cape in 1918 and as a seven year old was educated in a Christian missionary. The African students were given English names and his chosen moniker was Nelson. 

Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1943 and in 1956 was charged with high treason. A four year trial ensued and the charges were dropped, however in 1962 Mandela was arrested, convicted of incitement and leaving South Africa without a passport. He was sentences to 5 years in prison. 

Two years later he was sentenced to life after being charged with sabotage. 

Almost three decades later Mandela was released from prison in 1990. A year after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president in 1994. He stepped down as leader in 1999 and subsequently retired from public life in 2004.

Amongst many attributes the hallmarks of a truly great leader require a person to truly transcend the racial divisions that sow discord amongst us and to unite using common values that are sacred to all those who they lead. For many modern “leaders” the word “unite”  or as some would say; "we're all in this together", is a convenient buzzword – A fashionable mantra used in public pronouncements to make one feel like a leader. It fools no one but those who have the temerity to make such pronouncements as well as their out of touch spin doctors. 

Nelson Mandela was a man who believed in humanitarian unity and used the power of sport to harness the amazing energy it produced to help him achieve this strong belief.

Madiba’s position was reserved and revered as He was a political Galactico, who delivered his country from the dark days of apartheid after being imprisoned for 27 years. In 1994, the same year he became president, Roy Evans' Liverpool embarked on a tour of South Africa as part of the United Bank Soccer Festival,  where they were greeted by Mandela. 

When Liverpool hosted West Ham on Saturday, the Reds were amongst the clubs who celebrated and paid tribute to Mandela. In 1994 that Roy Evans' Liverpool team toured South Africa and were fortunate to be granted several audiences with Mandela. 

Recalling the memorable visit Liverpool legend John Barnes said: “Even as a kid, I didn’t have heroes that I would chase for their autograph.

“But Mandela was different – he is the only man I have been properly in awe of.

"I am not ashamed to say I had my picture taken with him and it hangs proudly on my wall at home."

David James tweeted: “When asked, who would I most like to meet? I said, I have already met him, Nelson Mandela, an absolute honour. R.I.P.”

Rob Jones was part of that South Africa tour. He too tweeted: “Very honoured to have been lucky enough to shake a true, true legends hand #inspirational #legacy.”

Mandela recognised the value of togetherness and also dissent in sports to bring about proactive and productive social change.

He saw it as a unifying tool and one of the most iconic memories in South African history is of Mandela presenting the William Webb Ellis trophy to triumphant captain Francois Pienaar after South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup Final win at Ellis Park.

Mandela had long ago understood the power sport held to defy oppression, heal divisions, fuel resistance and unite the masses.

Mandela’s final public appearance came during the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He attended with his wife Graca Machel.

In a challenge to the state sponsored oppression that he and his fellow South Africans had become accustomed to, Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world.”

Sport has the ability to heal rifts and create beautiful blooming friendship. It speaks one common language and inspires.  Mandela was a young boxer once and he believed that the positive ideals of sport; fair play, teamwork, unity were all inherent principles within humans. 

For 18 of his 27 years in prison, Mandela was kept in isolation and restricted from joining fellow prisoners in the prison football leagues at Robben Island. He kept tabs on the scores and the study and observation of the power of football allowed him to distinguish and determine it’s importance to his fellow humans, especially in matters of compassion and revolution.

Speaking during a FIFA documentary Mandela said: “The energy, passion and dedication the game created made us feel alive and triumphant despite the situation we found ourselves in.”

South Africa was banned from the Olympics from 1964 to 1992 and on May 10, 1994, Mandela became South Africa’s first black president. By the following year South Africa was hosting the Rugby World Cup. For Team South Africa the World Cup slogan was “One Team, One Country.” By the end of that glorious month of rugby the  Springboks had lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy and a jersey wearing Mandela was present at Ellis Park to hand the trophy to winning captain Francois Pienaar. It was the moment the world witnessed the uniting of the Rainbow Nation.

In the mid-1980s, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher described the African National Congress as a "typical terrorist organisation."

Despite intolerable discrimination Mandela chose resolution and reunion over vengeance and reprisals. His impact on modern day South Africa and the changes he has influenced have inspired the world.

Hamba Kahle (Go well), Madiba!

Paul Canoville

An old relic say's; "hey Canners, you there?
"How you doin big fella?
"I've an ugly confession to share
"I’m one of the knobs who called you a n*****!"
 
Verbally beaten black and blue
Addiction and thrice the big C
“Eff off,” red faced skin heads would spew
Bulging veined singing "one, two, three"
 
Up stepped a wee Scottish Knight
Candid braveheart Pat Nevin
Highlighting football’s dark blight
“People took note," say's Paul with a grin

Terrace horror stalked the “W**”
True Blue with a horror debut
Canners has emerged from the misty fog
Since Crystal Palace in eighty Two

National Front welcome; "La laa laa la"
Youthful Canners felt fetid despair
Quivering Paul peeled and ate that banana
Now ready to relive, educate and share
 
Number7
(C) Emdad Rahman

Reds ruthless in Iron Hammering

Liverpool 4-1 West Ham

Three days on from the Suarez show

Fifth straight home win on the card

Demel's own goal then one from Sakho

Reds sweat on the fitness of Gerrard

 

Skipper suffers a hamstring strain

Three ogees in the match in total

Martin Skrtel's new weekly campaign

Suarez and a Joey O'Brien own goal

 

Win for Madiba pleased the Kop galleria

World Cup watch on the Uruguayan tornado

Hammers offered no idea

On how to halt the Pistol in Sao Paolo

07.12.13

 

number7

© Emdad Rahman

www.football-poems.com

Red All Over The Land

Issue 193 is on sale.

Among some glittering write ups I have a piece on Irish Maestro Ronnie Whelan in there somewhere.

www.redallovertheland.com

The Luis Suarez show

Liverpool 5-1 Norwich

Amazing Luis Suarez stole the show

Hat-trick piercing John Ruddy's shield

Shunting all Delia's outfit could throw

As the Reds ran riot at Anfield

An outrageous forty yard volley

Suarez then diverted Gerrard's corner 

By the break the Uruguayan had three

Dink and half volley crushed the Canary armour

Sublime free kick for number four

Some mention of Johnson and Sterling 

Fifth trio leads to Fowler and Owen's door

Tevez' record too has just taken a beating 

04.12.13

number7

(C) Emdad Rahman