I tried writing something fitting, but it’s so hard and let’s face it, there is nothing more that can be said about the legend that is Jack Walker.
At least that’s what I thought until I opened up the RoversMAD messageboard today and saw something that had even a silly old bastard like me wiping an eye.
‘BigSamsPersonal Chef’, a valued member of the site put down into words exactly what a lot of us wanted to say, not only summing up the great man in rhyme, but in a working class way that I’m sure Uncle Jack would approve.
Here is that poem written by our friend, and I’m sure he won’t mind me saying that if you read this Uncle Jack, it’s the words of not just one fan, it’s one fan speaking on behalf of a whole army of fans, Uncle Jack’s Army.
Uncle Jacks Poem.
I have never written a poem before; I don't see any point in rhyme.
It never appeals to us working class; It's just a waste of time.
Well now is a bit different, I need to tell you how I feel.
And in some small way pay tribute to the Blackburn man of steel.
It's vital not to miss the point; football is not a bit of fun.
It's pride and passion, skill and strength all rolled into one.
It's not about Man Utd, Chelsea and some foreign fancy Dan.
It's Blackburn, Preston, Burnley, that's where it all began.
Where what you see is what you get, but don't show how you feel.
But I'm making my exception for the Blackburn man of steel.
I really need to thank him for the pride he gave us back.
Just for a while we were the best, thanks to Uncle Jack.
Few people have the vision to make a dream come true.
For the beauty of Jack Walker's was - we got an invite too.
Some saw him as a rich old man who bought a winning team
But for me they miss the point; he bought us all our dream.
I think it's maybe true to say it could not last forever
But then again I'm certain that it's better once than never
And even if those winning ways never do come back
They can't take away the memories, thanks to Uncle Jack.
Hendry, Sutton, Batty, Shearer, the names roll of the tongue
But "There's only one Jack Walker" is still the Rovers' song.
BigSamsPersonal Chef