Broughton Rugby Union FC was founded in 1823, making it one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country, and has since been providing an opportunity for Salford people to take part or watch the union game at its grass roots best.
Now The Sounds of Salford radio station, which has been holding fundraising events for a number of local good causes, has produced a little book of poems in its 'We Help Our Own' series, with proceeds going to Broughton Rugby Club.
The 'egg chasers' guide to poetry' features 13 poems by seven writers – Jeff Dawson (aka punk poet Jeffarama), Mike Duff, Jimmy Twamley, Scott Todd, Marvin Cheeseman, Noreen Bailey and The Sound of Salford's own Simon Williams, who co-ordinated the project and contributes poems about The Willows and Langworthy Road.
In Alan Henning's Way, Jimmy Twamley puts into verse the achievements of the Eccles taxi driver, 'a humble man with a big heart indeed'; while Marvin Cheeseman computes how United are better than City in What A Wonderful World This Still Is...
Jeff Dawson believes 'It just ain't gonna happen'...
'...Like some love being unrequited
Like a City fan supporting United
Like Nicola Sturgeon looking delighted...'
Scott Todd ironically hails George Orwell in Two Thousand and Seventeen, as Mike Duff gets the Paranoid Man Blues: however, the mini-anthology ends on an optimistic note with Noreen Bailey's Just A Little Boy...
'A little boy sat by the road
A smile upon his face
I said to him 'What makes you smile?'
He said the human race...'
All proceeds from the anthology will go towards buying some new kit for Broughton Rugby Club...
"I sponsored the shorts, was invited down to the club and saw the brilliant work they do in the community, taking kids off the street and teaching them rugby skills" Simon Williams explains
"I noticed the Council were not helping them, so straight away we organised a gig for them, with the help of Beth Mcroy, The Things, Benefit State and Ryan from Cinnamon Dinner" he adds "We managed to pull in £1,500 which we shared three ways between St Ann's Hospice, Folly Lane under 9's and Broughton RUFC.
"I was then at the club for a quarter final game and thought they could do with some new kit, so I had the idea of putting another poetry book together" he explains "I asked some of the best poets in the north west and New Zealand if they fancied helping me and they all agreed. So now, hopefully, Broughton will not only play like champions but dress like them too!"
Ian Archer printed the pamphlet free of charge, and three local businesses - Candy Skull Tattoo Parlour, The Dog and Partridge pub and Allegiance Memorabilia - sponsored pages.
Only one hundred copies of The Poems of Salford have been printed and they are available at £5 each.
Email Simon Williams at siwilliams123@outlook.com to order a copy or message The Sounds of Salford on Facebook
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