A Poem for your Club

The National Literacy Trust is seeking to commission five published poets with group facilitation experience to each take up a “mini-residency” at one of the following football clubs:

Stoke City F.C.

Portsmouth F.C.

Luton Town F.C.

Crystal Palace F.C.

Blackburn Rovers F.C.

Through collaboration with local community groups, the chosen poet will create a poem for the club and local area. This poem will be the club's official poem and will be shared widely by the club and the National Literacy Trust, such as within matchday programmes, on websites and socials, and in the press.

The commitment will be roughly six in-person morning or afternoon sessions as well as independent time to prepare for workshops and write the final poem. This project will take place between January and July 2025.

The chosen poet will work in partnership with the National Literacy Trust and the club to deliver purposeful poetry workshops as well as other events.

In 2018, Jamie Thrasivoulou was commissioned by Derby County Football Club to create a club poem. He performed his poem ‘We Are Derby’ at the East Midlands derby between DCFC and Nottingham Forest, to over 31,000 people and throughout the season. You can find his performance on YouTube (Please note: at the end of the video, swearing from the crowd is briefly audible).

In the same year, Paul Cookson was commissioned by Everton Football Club to create a club poem. His poem 'Home' was used to launch Everton's 2018-19 season ticket campaign. Listen to his poem below!

The National Literacy Trust is hoping to emulate Jamie and Paul's success!

If you have any questions which have not been answered on this page, please email sport@literacytrust.org.uk