IT WAS A BAD WINTER OLYMPICS

 

It was a bad winter Olympics

First it was the Luge I had a go at

Then I found myself on thin ice

Following some aggressive chat

Then I joined with the ski jumpers

And it was all downhill after that

I JOINED A SCRABBLE CLUB

 

I joined a Scrabble Club

To learn to play better

But forgot to pay my dues

Which was an up-setter

And now they're sending

Me threatening letters

WE’RE GETTING A NEW STADIUM

 

We’re getting a new stadium

Though it’s not my cup of tea

There is much to discuss

It’s a bit too tent like for me

And I’m not alone and it will

Leave many a fan nonplus

They are turning Old Trafford

From the Theatre of Dreams

To Billy Smarts Circus

DENIS LAW CBE (24 FEBRUARY 1940 – 17 JANUARY 2025)

 

From barefoot poverty

The Aberdonian lad

Played his way to become

“King of the Stretford End”

Nicknamed the “Lawman”

By the United faithful

And “Denis the Menace”

By opposing supporters

He won the Ballon d'Or 64

One of the United Trinity

Along with Best and Charlton

An Old Trafford Legend

SIR ROBERT CHARLTON (11 OCTOBER 1937 – 21 OCTOBER 2023)

 

Born in Ashington, Northumberland

Bobby Charlton played up front

For Manchester United and England

One of the greatest players of all time,

Winning the Ballon d'Or in 1966

And finishing runner up in 67 and 68

Renowned for his attacking instincts,

Passing abilities from midfield,

And ferocious long-range shooting

From both left and right foot,

Along with his fitness, and stamina

A true gentleman of the game

Cautioned only twice in his career

Once against Argentina in 1966

And against Chelsea in Division one

His first-team debut was in 1956

The following year United became

The First Division Champions

February the following year

He survived the Munich air disaster

After being rescued by Harry Gregg

He played 606 games, scoring 199 goals

And for England 106 games 49 goals

During his 17 years with United

He won three division 1 titles

A European Cup in 1968, FA Cup in 1963

And two Charity Shields, and a World Cup

He left Manchester United in 1973

Charlton was one of the United Trinity

Along with George Best and Denis Law

Sir Bobby is an Old Trafford Legend

SEAMUS ANTHONY “SHAY” BRENNAN (6 MAY 1937 – 9 JUNE 2000)

 

Manchester born Shay Brennan

Played 355 games for United

And was the first player to score

For Manchester United

Post the Munich air disaster

Scoring a brace on his debut,

Not a bad start for 20 year old

During his 14 years with them

He won two division 1 titles

A European Cup in 1968

And two Charity shields

ANTHONY PETER DUNNE (24 JULY 1941 – 8 JUNE 2020)

 

Dublin born Tony Dunne

Was a long time left back

Who played 414 games

For Manchester United

And 33 times for Ireland

During his 13 years with United

He won two division 1 titles

A European Cup in 1968

And the FA Cup in 1963

SHAY BRENNAN’S BITTERSWEET BEGINING

 

Seamus Anthony “Shay” Brennan (6 May 1937 – 9 June 2000)

 

Shay’s first game for the Reds

Was Manchester United's first,

After the Munich air disaster 

It was in an FA Cup match

On the 19th of February 1958

Against Sheffield Wednesday

On an emotionally charged night

Shay Brennan scored two goals

While playing as an outside-left

Which was not his natural position

But in an odds and sods team sheet

Following the death of David Pegg

And Albert Scanlon crash injuries

He abandoned his fullback position

And secured a famous victory

On the most bittersweet night

In Old Trafford’s long history

THE BOGOTA BANDIT

 

Charles Mitten (17 January 1921 – 2 January 2002)

 

Rangoon born Charles Mitten

Was an English outside forward

Who played 142 games for United

And scored 50 goals in 4 years

After leaving United he joined

Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia

For a large signing on fee, earning him

The nickname of the “Bogota Bandit”

ALBERT JOSEPH SCANLON (10 OCTOBER 1935 – 22 DECEMBER 2009)

 

Manchester born Albert Scanlon

Played 115 games for United

Scoring 34 goals as an outside left

He was one of the “Busby Babes”

Who sustained severe injuries

Following the Munich air disaster

It was a long road to recovery

And didn’t play until the next season

But the injuries took their toll

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (091) In Sharpington Marina

 

When Debbie guided the Sloop into the mooring Daryn jumped off onto the jetty and secured the boat fore and aft and then took Debbie’s  hand and helped her off.

“I really enjoyed that” he said

“Me too” she concurred and that was the moment when they were face to face in the evening sunshine when he could have kissed her, he wanted to, and she wanted him to, so before he lost his nerve, he kissed her.

“That was wonderful” Debbie said “But…”

“There’s a but?” he retorted

“Unfortunately yes” she confirmed

“Oh, there’s someone else” he 

“No,” she said emphatically

“What then?”

 “I’m just desperate for a pee” Debbie replied, and they both laughed, then he grabbed her hand and ran down the jetty.

“Not too fast” she giggled “I’ll wet myself”

 

After she’d relieved herself in the Marina Lavatory and tidied her hair and makeup she reappeared and found Daryn sitting on a capstan.

“Better?” he asked

“Much” she replied with a giggle

“I thought we could eat at L'uccello Canto, if that’s ok with you” he said

“Absolutely, that’s my favourite restaurant” she enthused and put her arm through his.

 

It was dark when they left the restaurant after they had enjoyed an excellent meal and a glass or two of wine and as they walked along the promenade he asked

“Did you have a pee before we left the restaurant?”

“Yes, why?”

“Because I want to kiss you again” he said as he turned to face her

“And I don’t want any interruptions”

“Oh ok” she responded and then he kissed her in the moonlight, a prolonged and passionate kiss which led to them making love that night aboard the Sea Nymph in Sharpington Marina.

 

They started the next morning by making love again before walking into Sharpington for breakfast, so it was midmorning by the time they set sail and as the wind was against them it was a much slower crossing, but they were happy with that, as they stood side by side at the helm.

It was late afternoon when they navigated their way into the mouth of the Spanish River and while she was manoeuvring the sloop alongside the quay, he received a text from Adam Jandrell.

“How would you like to go to dinner tonight?” He asked

“I thought you were getting the last ferry” she replied

“I was”

“But you’re not now?” she asked hopefully

“No, I’m staying another night” he replied

“So are you on for dinner?”

“Of course I am” she said and hugged him

“And if you play your cards right you could stay for breakfast” he added

“Now you’re talking” she said and kissed him

 

After mooring the Sea Nymph they walked hand in hand down the tow path to the carpark and shared a goodbye kiss.

Debbie was rushing home to clean herself up and get into a posh frock ready for their dinner date, and her best underwear for afters.

 

Over dinner he explained why he was staying on the island for the extra night, it was because he was meeting with Project Manager Adam Jandrell on Monday morning about some stonemasonry work on St Clara’s Church. 

“And you know what that means?” he said, and she just looked at him blankly

“It means I’m going to be spending more time on the islands” he said, and a smile played around her mouth

“How much more?” she asked suspiciously

“Months” he replied, and the smile spread over her face

 

That night they made love in the comfort of a four-poster bed at the Beaumont Manor Hotel, which felt like a special celebration of their developing relationship which was now a burgeoning love.

 

The next day they said a very special goodbye in his room before they went their separate ways, Debbie to Roman Water Farm and Daryn to Spaniards Creek for his significant  meeting with Adam Jandrell on the site on the west of the river.