Bongs And Bent

I’m not Boltonian really
I’m five miles down the road
I’m over t’hill in Tyldesley
Follow St Helen’s Road

82 ‘ll take you
Along down Newbrook Road
I get off at Shakerley Lane
Walk that cobbled load

Past Connelly’s on the right
Now you’re into Wimps
Rutland Road is where I live
Watch! That owd mon limps!

Happy days I spent up here
1950s like
Playing football bottom field
Riding on my bike

Carving my initials
On the green front gate
Walked to school over Piggy Bridge
Never was I late

New estate just after t’ war
All with gardens too
A short walk into Tyldesley town
A roll down Astley Brew

School in Hindsford over t’ brook
An Atherton enclave
Played against the boys of Bent
Got as good and gave

Shared the cup in ‘58
Year that Nat and t’ team
Beat United London way
St Philip’s t’other team

Wembley might be big for some
But in that long ago
Mealhouse Lane was where it’s at
Where we put on a show

Drew 2-2 and same again
Shared the cup between us
Lives for ever in my mind
Funny how we dream, us

Left that Lanky world behind
No, I took it with me
Bongs and Bent forever mine
Nah then nah then sithee!

Brian Fahy
22 May 2021