WHEN AFC Sudbury fans cheer on their team in the FA Vase final they could well be singing a new song – but anyone from outside Suffolk may not quite understand the lyrics.

By Patrick Lowman

WHEN AFC Sudbury fans cheer on their team in the FA Vase final they could well be singing a new song - but anyone from outside Suffolk may not quite understand the lyrics.

Charlie Haylock - who wrote the best-selling book Sloightly on th' Huh!, which takes a humorous look at the origins of the Suffolk dialect - has now written a monologue to spur the team to victory in their record-breaking third consecutive FA Vase final.

After compiling Thurd Toime Lucky (Third Time Lucky), Mr Haylock's sure AFC Sudbury will lift the famous old trophy because, as he said, “Oi've sin ut in th'stars” (I have seen it in the stars).

Mr Haylock, from Great Cornard, has penned the monologue to mark AFC Sudbury's achievement, but it is also an opportunity to spread the word about the importance the Suffolk dialect played in forming the English language.

“I really want AFC to be third time lucky, hence the title of the monologue. As a proud Suffolk man, I am very proud of the team's achievements,” said Mr Haylock.

“I have represented Sudbury in other sports, but unfortunately I was not good enough at football. I am a keen follower of the team and I will be going to the final to cheer them on.”

Mr Haylock works as a community liaison officer at a special needs school, but is best known as a local author and entertainer, with most of his work humorously centring around the Suffolk dialect.

His book Sloightly On Th'Huh! has sold more than 20,000 copies, making it one of the best-selling reads about Suffolk and is now ranked alongside other famous books to feature the county, such as Akenfield and Suffolk Summer.

Mr Haylock said he hoped to hear his new verse ringing out at the FA Vase final, which takes place on May 14 at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane.

“This really is just a good luck message, but it would be fantastic to hear the fans singing the monologue at the final,” he added.

“It would be great if someone could come forward with some AFC T-shirts with the monologue printed on the back.”

AFC Sudbury will take on Didcot Town in the final and tickets for the game are selling fast, but are still available at the East Anglian Daily Times' Sudbury office and the club.

n Anyone who wants to provide T-shirts with Mr Haylock's monologue printed on the back should contact the EADT on 01787 882276.

patrick.lowman@eadt.co.uk

Thurd Toime Lucky

By Charlie Haylock

AFC! Howd yew hard t'gather,

Lissen tew wot Oi hatter say.

Yew've bin 'ere twoice afore t'gather,

'At weren't your lucky day.

But!

Oi've sin ut in th' tea leaves bor,

Oi've read ut in th' stars,

Subbree's goo'n t' Tottn'm bor,

'N' bring'n hoom 'at vase.

Two magpoies in me gard'n bor,

'N' Venus juxta Mars.

Subbree's goo'n t' Tottn'm bor,

'N' bring'n hoom 'at vase.

Oi've felt ut in me water bor,

Oi've read ut in th cards.

Subbree's goo'n t' Tottn'm bor,

'N' bring'n hoom 'at vase.

Th' cryst'll ball, 'at sez so bor,

Oi've heard in pubs 'n' bars.

Subbree's goo'n t' Tottn'm bor,

'N' bring'n hoom 'at vase.

An owd lady read me hand bar,

'Ere'll be thous'nds of Hoorahs!

Cos Subbree's goo'n t'Tottn'm bor,

'N' bring'n hoom 'at vase.

So!

AFC! Howd yew hard t'gather,

Lissen tew wot oi hatter say.

Yew're bring'n hoom 'at vase t'gather,

'Iss is your lucky day.