The Battle of Alderman Kneeshaw (1/2) By Lee Cassanell

(1/2), (1/2).

I attended Andrew Marvel school from 1990 to 1993 and I have vague memories of gang fights on Alderman Kneeshaw Park with Archbishop Thurstan which was a Catholic school on the other side of the hills. The two schools had been scrapping for decades and in a bizarre way it was a tradition of sorts. Much of it was chest beating and bravado but occasionally some poor unfortunate caught a rounders bat in the chops. Such is life....

Grab your batons and belts when the bell rings for lunch we'll march east through the fields to the fences Bring your knuckles and chains tell your muckers and mates that a coward gets no second chances. Scale the slope like a wolf baring talons and teeth think of girls who would swoon at your bravery

When your claws hit the top cast your eyes on the mob who have come for your balls and your ladies. Howl a growl and stand fast as they climb up the bank take a handful of stones and be ready Aim the rocks at their heads smash the bats on their legs make them cry for their Mums and their Teddies.

We don't care that they're Catholic to us they're just spastics religious beliefs don't divide us It's a question of honour they're invading our manor and they laugh at our blue ties and Parkers. If a geek tumbles down give the fat kid a hand he can't punch worth a damn but he's willing and their Teddies.

Wipe the blood from his nose brush the mud from his coat then look round for a face that needs filling. Should the cock of school fall make a run for the hall we'll eat fried bread and beans nursing bruises

Continued ... Next Page (2/2).

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