God's Footballer

A dramatic and thrilling end to the Premier League season today saw Albion claw back a 3-0 deficit to draw 3-3 at St James's Park, while down at the bottom of the league, a five-way relegation battle saw teams moving in and out of the drop zone willy-nilly as the goals flew in. Sadly, when the full-time whistles blew around the country, Blackpool had failed in their dogged survival bid, and I (along with many other fans) wish them a speedy return to the top flight.

Congratulations are also due to Wolves for pulling off their very own Great Escape at the expense of Birmingham City. As a coda to an incredible season for all concerned, I'll share one of my favourite football songs. It's about Peter Knowles, the former Wolves talent who quit football to pursue life as a Jehovah's Witness.

It's by Billy Bragg, and it's called God's Footballer.

God's footballer hears the voices of angels
Above the choir at Molineux
God's footballer stands on the doorstep
And brings the Good News of the Kingdom to come
While the crowd sings 'Rock of Ages'
The goals bring weekly wages
Yet the glory of the sports pages
Is but the worship of false idols and tempts him not

God's footballer turns on a sixpence
And brings the great crowd to their feet in praise of him
God's footballer quotes from the gospels
While knocking on doors in the Black Country backstreets
He scores goals on a Saturday
And saves souls on a Sunday
For the Lord says, these are the last days
Prepare thyself for the Judgement yet to come

His career will be over soon
And the rituals of a Saturday afternoon
Bid him a reluctant farewell
For he knows beyond the sport, lies the spiritual