walter tull

If I said Walter Daniel John Tull 
Who played for the super Spurs 
Would you even bat an eyelid 
At this iconic ex football player of ours 

He joined in and around 1909 
And stayed for about 3 years 
He was brought up in an orphanage 
Parents died …terrible fears 

He also served in the First World War 
And fought in the battle of the Somme 
He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant 
He gained praise and awards with aplomb

But fate was not kind for Walter 
As on a mission somewhere in France 
He was killed in the line of duty 
Body never found ...well that was the stance 

So what makes Walter so special 
Well the reason is so topical you see 
first outfield Afro-Caribbean player
To play in the top league did he 

He was also the first to be an officer 
In a force that excluding Negroes and Mulattos 
This is why he was so special 
he stood side by side to fight off foes 

He only played 10 times for Tottenham 
And scoring 2 goals in his time 
His confidence shook ,as he was dropped 
As racist abuse hit its prime 

He had agreed to sign for Rangers 
When he was meant to come back from the war 
Few years ago we played the Scots 
And for Walter the game it was for 

In a way I could have just done a poem 
And not mentioned the colour of his skin 
But respect to the man for not hiding 
In this hate driven world we live in 

So no matter what colour or nation 
Or if my beliefs are different than yours 
You wear the shirt of Tottenham 
You will always be known as one of ours 

More importantly he was a human being 
Doesn't matter what colour of your skin 
Treat others the way you would like to be treated 
The real person comes deep from within 

Coys …..respect …..

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