Sunday Morning Footballer (live)
Wearing an old man's boots, he's a boy on the ball, It's push and shove and over the wall ...

"The best football song ever written" - Bang Fanzine, Wigan

This song is on the Global CD and DVD, and in both cases produced arguably the finest performance and recording. It was originally recorded for the Passion And Conflict album, I believe was the first song of mine to be played on a radio station. Furthermore it has appeared on one or two independent compilation cd's over the years, and it wouldn't surprise me if it continues to be one of my most endearing songs.

It so often rings true - keep things simple, write about what you know, speak the truth and don't be afraid to air your feelings. I remember at the time of writing SMF, I was in my kitchen in Blackley, Manchester, trying to crack an intricate riff for a song called 'All In Good Time', and out of frustration started to play around with a simple G to C chord progression as a simple alternative.

Maybe it was the kids playing football in the school playground beyond my window, and the church that overlooked them, that got me reminiscing and thinking back to those days on that footy field in Tintwistle, my senses brought to life by the breeze coming through the valley combining with the adrenalin and expectation of the kick off whistle.

I have realised as I have analysed the song that there are at least two layers of subconscious thought that aided the creative process. For me, there is an age issue, and this was the first time I had ever written something whereby concern about getting older had crept into the story.

Secondly, the shadow of war that followed me home from the Falklands Conflict of '82, overlooked by the moral highground of the church, and how the two pull and tear at the human soul. Bruising like I had never known ...

It is for me, the perfect song in so many ways. Deeply personal and yet open to interpretation in so many ways by the listener, a great live performance song that is strong enough to allow slow reflection and poetry even on some of the most vibrant of occasions. Short and to the point, simple and effective.