The Humdrum Express - Denim in the Dugout

  

  As I sit here typing, it's early on a Saturday morning, the skies are grey, rain is pouring, winter is slowly approaching. But that means it's football season and later today will be the first few of the 4th round of fixtures in the English Premier League. One of those will feature my team, Leeds United, who have made a promising start to the new season but who will be up against it in front of a large tv audience when they entertain a wounded and very dangerous Manchester City side. It should be a very entertaining game. But will either of the 2 managers, Marcelo Bielsa or Pep Guardiola be wearing Denim in the dugout? 

  Probably not. 

  But it is a trend that singer/songwriter Ian Passey has noticed sneaking into the beautiful game. Better known as his alter ego, The Humdrum Express (https://www.facebook.com/TheHumdrumExpress/), he's featured on here previously with his offbeat observationalism (songs about leopard print onesies and James Bond lookalikes) but during 2020 the Corvid pandemic and ensuing live venue lockdown has seen him struggling to whip up the enthusiasm for writing. This changed on the last day of the 2019-20 Championship season when he bore witness to the sight of Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber's euphoric celebrations as his side avoided relegation to League One. Whilst wearing skinny jeans. Not your typical managerial regalia but enough to inspire a song. 

  So after enlisting the aid of Carl Bayliss on drums, Ian has just released the fruit of his reinvigorated mind and you can find it here :   https://thehumdrumexpress.bandcamp.com/ 

  This is Denim In The Dugout... 

He used to wear a suit until he axed it
Found a casual substitute - stonewashed, relaxed fit
From Brazil to Bulgaria
On the touchline and technical area
Football managers are wearing jeans


They shelved sports wear; heard ripped slim fit looked hotter
When sported by Sean Dyche and Graham Potter
An assistant coach in shorts in December
Is an image I’d rather not remember, now
Football managers are wearing jeans


Brendan Rodgers often goes out shopping
The fashion league is one he dreams of topping
A recent acid-wash acquisition
Turned heads of those held back by tradition
Football managers are wearing jeans


Away fans crudely chanted “What’s he got on?”
“Dark blue, distressed, snug fit hard wearing cotton”
There’s outfit help for those in need
From Kenny Jacket and Neil Harris-Tweed


Neil Warnock’s flares flap in the breeze
Steve Bruce cuts a dash in dungarees
No foul committed, the ref says “play on”
Garry Monk’s transferred to spray-ons
Football managers are wearing jeans


2-0 down half time at Grimsby Town
His wardrobe and his team get a dressing down
Roy Hodgson still looks sharp in a suit, but
Wait till you see Bielsa in boot cut!


Excitement mounting on cup final day
Double denim droves down Wembley Way
A united apparel from dugout to crowd
Rossi and Parfitt would be so proud
Football managers are wearing jeans


Football managers are wearing jeans – It’s a real game changer!
Football managers are wearing jeans - A tactical jean-ius!
Football managers are wearing jeans - A victory over two legs!
Football managers!