The boys were inspired by the men in white
Who produced a demonstration of quality
Seven times they found the back of the net
Until then we were used to serious frivolity

In the dirty streets they practised their art
Shoes were worn out after kicking the can
Reality was far from gripping their minds
They were all the game’s number one fan

A man came along who witnessed the vision
His tactical nous came through hard graft
He studied in how to overcome the master
He never gave the impression as if he was daft

He led the boys to manhood by his hand
Meticulously planning every step in the round
Surprising everyone with a very strange decision
Defending a lead was not his type of profound

Film stars turned up to watch the extras
Big bad no flies John said show them nothing
They turned up in the heat expecting a walk over
Strutting their stuff in their matching clothing

A penalty was given as he took him from behind
The resulting kick was a forgone formality
They tried to shut up the back door shop
But were made to pay for their lack of morality

In waves they were attacked by men in green
Running direct at target while shooting on sight

Their hearts began to weaken as the door creaked
Eventually the dam burst and so had their fight

The winning combination was mercifully quick
The job was done there was no need to rub faces
They didn’t want to revel in their fall to earth
Even though they were not fit to tie their laces

The party began with a thousand running feet
A cup was lifted high by a lion looking down
The rattles shook the air with merry wild abandon
As the jesters were Kinged European Crown

It was then that the old master called to the pupil
He said you are ready for your crowning test
Come to battle in my backyard pressure cauldron
The time has come to see if you’ve become the best

It was a risky move but not one to be sniffed at
He steeled all the troops then poured on the oil
The freedom worked a treat on the slick machine
It wasn’t very long until it was brought to the boil

The master had been defeated and accepted graciously
He acknowledged that on the day he was inferior
The student became immortal although you couldn’t tell
He was never one to act like he was mother superior

At international level we also gained jubilation
Defeating an old enemy in a place they had conquered
We had to take the piss in a way to teach respect
For years they had left us homeless and beleaguered

It may have been a friendly victory on the battlefield

But in our hearts where it mattered we believed
Our pride in ourselves had been put back on the agenda
For the past year we were acting like we were bereaved

The world has moved on to virtually greener pastures
The streets are free from happy carefree young feet
There was a time when we were on top of the world
But now our talent just makes us wanna greet

Maybe we have to take the inspiration from the past
Focus it in a direction where we can achieve results
We need to invent a sport that we practice every day
We could be world champions at hurling humorous insults

Cheers!