IF ONLY THERE WERE MORE LIKE YOU
( For Bobby Moore )

Immaculate, unflustered,
Cool, calm and collected,
Gentleman Captain. 

Unfussy, understated,
Never under rated,
Quiet leader, by example. 

Perfectly timed tackles,
The great Pele kept at bay,
Mutual respect as shirts were exchanged. 

Everything just right, never out of place,
Even when it was nearly all over,
3 – 2 up in extra time. 

Instead of safety first and row Zed
You found the hat trick hero in waiting
With elegant precision 

Some of the crowd were on the pitch
Thinking it was all over
And very soon it was, thanks to you. 

And that image remains forever,
Carried on the shoulders of fellow champions,
Jules Rimet in your hands and you, gently smiling. 

No contorted grimace of exaggerated victory.
No clenched fist posturing.
No macho posing or cartoon badge kissing. 

Instead, the celebrations of a true leader.
You set an example,
You led by example, 

You remain an example.
Exemplary and true,
We only wish there were more like you.

Paul Cookson