Football Poem For Kids: Substitute Me. There's a substitute in us all

Mark Bird
2 days ago
2 min read

When I wrote Substitute Me, I wanted to create a football poem for kids that explored more than just the sport itself. Football has always struck me as the perfect metaphor for life — full of missed chances, close calls, and moments where we need to find the courage to keep going. Through the rhythm and imagery of the game, this football poem for kids became a way to explore feelings of failure, resilience, and self-belief.

In the classroom, I hope teachers use Substitute Me to spark conversations about perseverance and identity — how we cope when things go wrong, and how we find our “substitute self” waiting on the sidelines to help us bounce back. Children could discuss the emotions behind lines such as “my pride is slide-tackled” or “my dreams are red carded”, then share their own stories of feeling “subbed off” by life and fighting their way back into the match.

For writing activities, pupils can create their own football poems for kids or poems based on their passions — perhaps turning dance, gaming, or art into metaphors for resilience. Drama activities could include acting out the emotional “match” of the poem, or performing a monologue from the viewpoint of their own “substitute me.” The poem also fits beautifully with PSHE lessons about mental health, self-reflection, and the importance of getting back up when life knocks us down.

Substitute Me

when my pride is slide-tackled

and my hope is kicked wide

when my dreams are run-ragged

and my smile’s found offside

when my pride’s badly injured

and my hope hits the bar

when my dreams are red carded

and my smile is sent off

how I wish, on the sidelines

sat that boy I could be

who’s renowned for resilience