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Mark Niel has always written poetry but last year went public for the first time, where audiences are enjoying his blend of humour, pathos and provocative material.

The Milton Keynes based writer has also just entered the world of promotion, and hosts Tongue in Chic, an Open Mic event for Poetry and Spoken Word.

By providing a website and a forum, Tongue in Chic also supports all other writing and performing initiatives in and around Milton Keynes and is looking to build a poetic community and be a catalyst that helps MK based poets perform to wider audiences.

Mark recently became ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three Counties Radio's "Sports Poet Laureate", where he can be heard on Luke Ashmead's Saturday Afternoon Show, writing and recording a poem each week based on the week's sporting headlines.

In this capacity he has written a poem to mark Luton Town's latest fate, where he not only laments the Hatters relegation out of the Football League but the general state of the beautiful game.

"This week finds me in sombre and reflective mood following the sad news about Luton Town and their relegation" he said, "all the more sad because they were relegated for non-football reasons."

State of the Nation’s Game (A Lament for Luton)

I remember when football

was a sport, not a business.

The game I recall,

team sheets

trumped balance sheets.

Players gave their all

for the love of the game,

not money or fame.

Believe me when I say

(and I’m trying hard not to replay

the phrase “in MY day).

Directors put money IN to the club

and, here’s the rub

considered it burned, no hope of return.

Alas poor Luton, I knew them well.

Glory days at Wembley

still ignite the memory.

Cup wins from the blue

Arsenal three-two:

Joe Paynes’s goals:

pride of Kenilworth Road.

But because football is now a business first

Clubs fear the worst

when accountants and

paperpushers

cast their curse

over the beautiful game.

In the seventeenth century

John Donne told us that

No man is an island,

but is part of the whole

and one man’s death

diminishes every soul;

therefore ask not for whom the bell tolls,

It tolls for thee.

And so it is

with Luton Town FC.

Whether your team or your rival,

pray for their revival

to beat the business men and administrators

who seek to castrate us

and the game we love,

no concept of the soul.

For it could be your team next….

…for whom the bell tolls.