'John Barnes', a poem from my sequence of Kopite Sonnets on Liverpool FC Legends, has been shortlisted in The Pride and the Passion: Offside Stories, a competition celebrating the best poetry and prose about the beautiful game.
The poem centres on Barnes' incredible flair and ability as a player, but also the racist abuse and intolerance he suffered and - to his great credit - rose above, during his incredible career for Liverpool and England.
Judged by poet, broadcaster and all-round good guy Ian McMillan, and Derby County FC's current captain, Shaun Barker, the overall winners will be announced next week.
Get in there my son!