"Literature and football may not seen like natural bedfellows, although it’s worth remembering that Albert Camus, the philosopher and author, was a goalkeeper, and that the American football team the Baltimore Ravens are named in honour of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic poem ‘The Raven’." "Robert Frost once said, ‘Poetry is play. I’d even rather have you think of it as a sport. For instance, like football.’ And poets down the ages have put into words the magic and wonder of football. Here are five classic poems about football by Victorian, twentieth-century, and contemporary poets." Are these the greatest football poems? Selected by Dr Oliver Tearle 2. Edward George Dyson, ‘A Friendly Game of Football’. We were challenged by The Dingoes — they’re the pride of Squatter’s Gap— To a friendly game of football on the flat by Devil’s Trap. And we went along on horses, sworn to triumph in the game, For the honour of Gyp’s Diggings, and the glory of the same. And we took the challenge with us. It was beautiful to see, With its lovely curly letters, at its pretty filigree. It was very gently worded, and it made us all feel good, For it breathed the sweetest sentiments of peace and brotherhood. We had Chang, and Trucker Hogan, and the man who licked The Plug, Also Heggarty, and Hoolahan, and Peter Scott, the pug; And we wore our knuckle-dusters, and we took a keg on tap To our friendly game of football with The Dingoes at The Gap … Dyson (1865-1931) was an Australian poet, and this great football poem is steeped in Australian language and setting, from its opening lines onwards.