Post-Season Poem: 2012/13

In life there are so very few sure things
but one is that times are never boring
for those who follow the Garibaldi
in their endless, epic fairy story.

It’s true the Reds frustrate and enrage us
on both the pitch and the sporting pages
and leave us heartbroken more oft’ than not,
but never without some twists in the plot.

It must be dull for all those other fans
whose clubs never deviate from the plans
and follow their course, steady and stable,
safely ensconced in mediocre mid-table.

But Forest are always at one end or t’other
while lurching from one crisis to another
with relegation threats to keep at bay
or chance of promotion on the last day.

It seemed that this pattern was going to change
when suave Sean O’Driscoll took up the reigns
with long-term plans backed by the new owners
and consolidation the manager’s onus.

But we might well have known it could not last
and soon he would suffer Fawaz’s wrath
for the virtue Patience rarely is found
in the boardrooms at British football grounds.

One point from the play-offs was not enough
nor beating the damned club who once sacked Clough
and poor Sean lost his job on Boxing Day
as the season’s Plan A was tossed away.

The chairman spoke about Premier names
while fans and press played guessing games
but when the news came it defied belief:
“By ’eck!” we cried, “It’s Alex McLeish!”

Recent history repeated once more
as an ‘iconic name’ walked through the door
and though McLeish didn’t carry a brolly
hiring this wally was almighty folly.

Until my heart gives it’s very last throb
I won’t understand how ’Eck got the job
and what went on inside Fawaz’s head
when putting that man in charge of the Reds.

Thankfully George Boyd’s lack of eyesight
saved us from a most terrible plight
and one failed transfer so dismayed the Scot
that to our relief he was off like a shot.

The Forest drama had become a farce
and few would have wanted the leading part
but lights were dimmed and the stage was set
for the strangest twist in the story yet.

With business unfinished and scores to settle
Billy Davies stepped in to test his mettle
with half the staff getting their P-45s
but hope among the fans once more alive.

A draw with Bolton in Billy’s first test
was followed by six of the very best
as the Terriers, Addicks, Tractor Boys,
Owls, Tigers, and Wolves were destroyed.

Sadly the charge ran out of steam too soon
and there was too much damage to undo
so Forest missed out by two league places
leaving smug smiles on Leicestershire faces.

It could have been us, and probably would,
blowing the play-offs away at Watford
so all-in-all I can’t really complain
about the end to this crazy campaign.

And during these football-less summer days
I sit and consider that come what may
whatever happens when we start again
it won’t be dull, humdrum, tiresome or tame.