FIREBALL EXCEL THRIVE
( For Alan Ball )

Red headed exocet
Dynamo, engine
Tightly wound spring
Ball of fire 

Cocked pistol, trigger happy
Fully charged battery
Ever ready energy
Real live wire. 

Tenacious in the tackle
A whirlwind on the pitch
Tireless and tiger –like
No holding back 

I always wanted football boots
Just like yours,
White for distinction
Not for surrender. 

Never say die
No cause ever lost
Always on the ball
Alan, aptly named.

Paul Cookson