SUBCULTURE

Game, Set
and Match Fit

A poem by John Joseph Holt

A declaration to Fred, written by John Joseph Holt. A manifesto for the maverick and an ode to absolute dedication on and off the court. 

GAME, SET AND MATCH FIT


IT ALL STARTS WITH THE FRED PERRY SHIRT
THEN THE SOCKS AND THE SHOES
BLACK WINGTIPS OR OXBLOOD SMOOTHS


THE UNIFORM OF THE NONCONFORMIST  
A DECLARATION TO FRED
I SIDE WITH THE OUTSIDER
THAT’S WHAT THE LAUREL WREATH SAYS


HAVE SOME DECORUM
KNUCKLE DOWN
STYLE IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY
NOT FORCED BUT FOUND


THE ONES WHO DO THE SPADEWORK
DON’T ALWAYS GET THE CREDIT
BUT YOU CAN’T WAIT FOR IT TO COME TO YOU
YOU’VE GOT TO GO AND GET IT


LIKE FRED SAID, ‘MEET THE BALL ON THE RISE’
DON’T BE DENIED
DON’T LET THE NAYSAYERS
KNOCK YOU OFF YOUR STRIDE


CUT LOOSE THE ANCHORS
LEAVE THEM BEHIND
MODERNIST IS A MENTALITY
NOT STUCK IN TIME


GAME, SET AND MATCH FIT
SPIT AND SHINE
MADE IN ENGLAND
AND PEGGED ON THE LINE


BY MUMS AND SONS
DAUGHTERS AND DADS
WITH DOGS AND CATS
SITTING ON LAPS


A GAGGLE OF GEEZERS
SHARP AS RAZOR CLAMS
AND GIRLS WITH KISS CURLS
STANDING THEIR GROUND


SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THEY COME AROUND
YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET SECOND CHANCES IN THIS LIFE
LET ALONE THE NEXT 


PAINT THE VILLAGE GREEN
AND THE TOWN RED


TAKE A LEAF FROM THE LAUREL WREATH
NEVER SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST
 

POWER TO ALL WOMEN
FLOWERS TO ALL MEN


JOHN JOSEPH HOLT

John Joseph Holt is a British writer and the founder of LAW, a documentary magazine and creative studio he set up in 2011 as a passionate young man who wanted to make something that celebrated British culture in a positive and united light.

John is a real English treasure, whose wordsmithery remains with you long after you encounter it. Based in the Fens, John embodies our notion of what it means to be Match Fit, especially in our modern world where words have such power.