In this poem I look at a player who always puts in a shift whether it be for Glasgow City or indeed for Scotland for whom she has more than 100 caps. The player concerned is one who though she may not grab the headlines is the one who always turns up, the one you don’t notice till she’s not playing. She is in case you haven’t guessed the one and only Hayley Lauder. I’ve given it the title Shero I hope you enjoy the read.
Shero (For Hayley Lauder)
Blame Hayley
It’s her fault
I adopted this club
I love the fact she never gives up
and like the tenacious terror
she is and always will be
she’s straight on the case
as soon as she loses the ball
it’s this never say die spirit
that’s made her my player of the team
not just the undoubted skills
possessed by a dynamo
who crafts her game to perfection
and in doing so shows the way
for younger girls who want to get to the top
she never stops from first minute to last
her attitude shows a real team player
yes she has the flair for the flicks and tricks
and a natural nose for goal
brilliant close control and passing ability
yet despite all of this
for her it’s all about the girls
she always puts the team first
she knows that’s how games are won
in sunshine and in rain
she tackles the job in hand
without fuss or drama
you have to understand
this has always been the kind of player
I’ve enjoyed watching
first for Celtic and Scotland
and now also for City
the one their teammates miss
whenever they’re not playing
I think what I’m really saying is
that this shero is the reason
a diehard Celtic fan
had a colour change for the women’s game
and didn’t feel conflicted by my choice
so if you want to blame anyone
for the fact that your games
are now crafted with couplets
and recorded in both rhyme and free verse
give your feisty forward the credit she deserves
blame Hayley it was and remains
her fault
that I’ve taken this club to my heart
and have no plans to leave you
not even for the ghirls from paradise
© Gayle Smith 2020
Skirtingroundmylife 