Figueras was a boy of mixed ancestry – half Latin American, half English. I knew him for years, from Anstey Junior School through all my years in Amery Hill School. He attended the same boxing club in Alton used by Terry Cashmore (who is also celebrated in our catalogue of school day tributes – check out Terry Cashmore and A Song For Terry Cashmore if you’re intrigued). By the age of 14, very few people would dare tackle him in a fight. Naturally I did, because that’s the kind of cool, windswept and interesting lad I could be in those days. I won the 1st fight, by a fluke – he won the 2nd fight by a knockout. C’est la guerre.
Paul Figueras was a talented boxer before he turned 13.
It was not a good idea to make him angry...if you know what I mean.
His father came from Latin America, a place I’ve never seen.
He could have his pick of any girl in class...if you know what I mean.
No boys in class would fight him – they really weren’t that keen.
Fights with Figueras were rather one sided...if you know what I mean.
He kept us out of trouble in junior school, with a forceful fist.
All arguments were wasted; it was futile to resist.
He was never a big-head or bully...on that I insist,
yet when we graduated to secondary school...he forgot I exist.
Then I saw him outside one afternoon – I decided to attack!
I bashed and battered him gloriously...he couldn’t even punch back.
I celebrated my victory loudly...yes, I was jumping for joy:
it was the first time I ever beat that baleful, body bashing boy.
But in the morning a few days later...half way up Kings Hill,
I saw him and he saw me...I knew my chances were nil.
It only took him a couple of punches to knock me to the ground.
He jogged away, quietly chuckling...it was a horrible sound.
I staggered home with a bleeding nose...my body in pain
but after that he vanished from school...I never saw him again.
Andy Martin – Vocals, Hammond Organ.
Fabian Fritze – Bass Guitar (Centre).
Keilan Knight – Bass Guitar (Left).
Colin Murrell – Bass Guitar (Right), Drums.
Text & Music – Andy Martin.
Paypal address – [email protected]
Band Camp address – unit-united.bandcamp.com
