Property of RKB

FIFERS DAY ©
by Robbie Kennedy Bennett

A dressing room team talk on cup final day,
'Believe in yourselves and show you can play'.
'We all have a chance how small or how great',
But to win or to lose could be fate?

From the very first whistle their defence stayed strong,
But it had to be asked for how long.
A division two team were under attack,
A relentless opponent kept pushing them back.
Killie snarled and roared,
Then McKerrell the Fifer unleashed a great strike,
The minnows from Methil had scored.
I read that the tide then turned for Killie,
Twice the Fifers were forced to concede.
Odds on favourites were Killie,
On course at half time with a two one lead.

The teams then returned to commence,
Surely not an upset could a Killie fan sense.
For the next ten minutes the men from Fife,
Hung on to their footballing life.
Then on the hour came the Fifers reply,
Killie were behind when McLeod twisted high.
His acrobatic goal that day was a gem,
They nae lost the lead again.

Extra time beckoned for the two weary teams,
The Scottish Cup Final and football dreams.
A bosses team talk is believe what I say,
'This is to be an underdog day'.
Black and gold coloured supporters then roared,
Miller for the Fifers had scored.

Killie then faded with the afternoon light.
Their dream of this trophy was soon out of sight.
In I938 came a memorable day,
Over 91,000 watched this final replay.
When McKerrell scored goal number four,
He sent many a Killie to the exit door.
This game now became well beyond doubt,
The gold and black colours once again came out.
East Fife 4 Kilmarnock 2,
The trophy that year went to Bayview.


In 1938 East Fife became the only Second Division team to win the Scottish Cup






Fifers Day © Robbie Kennedy Bennett







PULL YOUR LADYBANK PANTHER SHIRT OVER YOUR HEAD ©
© Poetic Writing of Robbie Kennedy Bennett www.rkbpoetry.co.uk

In a picture of Ladybank Panthers,
the laddie’s they were a grinning.
Schoolboy dreams, football teams,
losing drawing or winning.

There in the Fifer’s ground,
in Bayview they were looking around.
Could you imagine running out on that pitch?
A football career brings cheers and tears,
some can be famous and rich.

But how about playing to enjoy,
everyone of you laddie’s a happy wee boy.
One day you may look back on that day,
here’s what this footballing poet does say.

Pull your Ladybank Panther shirt over your head,
don’t play to be dirty and don’t be misled.
Play hard you Panthers play fair,
Bayview, Hampden, anywhere.
Whatever field you Panthers may grace,
keep the Ladybank Panther smile on your face.
Never mind being famous or rich,
be proud to be out on that pitch.

Pull your Ladybank Panther shirt over your head,
don’t play to be dirty and don’t be misled.
Play for the Panthers play for your name,
play football the greatest game.

© Robbie Kennedy Bennett
13/04/2009


I noticed a picture of the lads from Ladybank Panthers FC visiting Bayview, home of East Fife FC.
There they were in the tunnel and the stand, in the same team and probably sharing the same dream.

Ladybank, Fife my dads village.






POETIC WRITING OF ROBBIE KENNEDY BENNETT ©
www.rkbpoetry.co.uk

www.scotlands-enchanting-kingdom.com/in-my-blood.html

www.poetryofscotland.co.uk/bennett.php

www.footballpoets.org/p.asp?Id=22949

www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/blackcountrybugle-news/displayarticle.asp?id=104273

www.fifetoday.co.uk/east-fife-mail-news/Wolverhampton-wanderer-muses-on-coastal.3926209.jp

www.wolvesheroes.com/2009/01/13/an-ode-to-hugh/#more-2360

pub10.bravenet.com/forum/849684916/show/1013616

www.smartcommunityfife.org.uk/collessie-and-letham/history/

www.smartcommunityfife.org.uk/ladybank/history/