Ovapedia search :

 

The League Winners

By:  Redvers Buller Please 

 

The Rollers of Otterton have had a good run,

And this is the reason such wonders they’ve done

 

(1)First there is our “Goalkeeper” Gray,

To shoot past him would take all day,

While just in front are the brothers Way

Every attack they keep at bay.

 

(2)Our “Right Half” is called Harry Smith,

He always gives the ball a biff,

He never lets it upwards soar,

But always pushes it along the floor

 

(3) Our “Centre Half” we all adore,

He answers the name of Harry Tay-lor,

He feeds his forwards with judgement true

And knows exactly what to do

 

(4) Our “Left Half” is called Vinnicombe

He never tells of wonders done,

But always acts both deaf and dumb,

And maps out plans for games to come

 

(5)Our “Outside Right” is Bertie Prew

He gets the defence in an awful stew

And when with the ball he starts to run

You know he’s not on the field for fun

 

(6)At “Inside right” we’ve Edward Till

You never see him standing still

But always dashes to the fore

Ever trying goals to score

 

(7)Fred Farrent is our “Centre” chap,

He never stops to take a nap,

If it’s fine or if it’s wet,

He’s sure to get the ball in the net

 

(8)Our “Inside left” is Reg Litton,

Many a hat trick he has done,

I hope he continues to do the same,

I know he’s very fond of the game

 

(9)At “Outside Left” is Gerry Smith,

Oh by gum he makes ‘em shift,

His opponents often get quite blue,

When find out what he’s going to do

 

(10)Now if I’ve only mentioned eleven,

You’ll say where are the other seven

So I will try to find a plan

To mention the others if I can

 

(11)Hitchcock and Coats are two you know

They’ll always try their best to show

The latter is by no means soft,

But the former once was “ordered off”

 

(12)Fayter and Collins are two more,

Ever trying to increase our score,

While in defence they both are grand

?---------------------------------------------?

 

(13)Ebdon now must come you know,

He caused a sensation by being a “Pro“

But meeting galore we will endure

To make him again – an amateur

 

(14)I must mention now our treasurer

He answers the name of Frank Baker

He lately has given the game a rest

But keeps us from financial stress

 

(15)Our secretary is Reginald Hart

He never keeps back in the dark

He always stands out in the light

Keeping all accounts to right

 

(16)There’s just one more to go with these,

You all know “Sarkey” Bullar Please

Well he has scribbled out this bit

And thinks it not a bit to thick

 

(17)Before I close I’d like to say

There’re be some fun on Empire Day

I’m hoping that you’ll all turn up

To see the medals and the CUPR.B.P

 

 

 

Submitted by Roz Hickman 

From the papers of her Grandfather: Major W.J. Gray

Photograph found by Gerald Millington showing The Rollers at a similar time with captions for those team members mentioned in the poem. Farrant spelled differently.

 

 

28 OT-G-00002any