IN 1937 Sir John Betjeman wrote a poem.

The first stanza read,

'Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough!

It isn't fit for humans now,

There isn't grass to graze a cow,

Swarm over, Death!'

The poem was written as a protest against the 850 factories that were to be built at the time in the English town of Slough. On the centenary of Betjeman's date of birth his daughter apologised for the poem. She noted that her father 'regretted having ever written it'.

My personal interest in the town of Slough arose through the quirky English television program, The Office. Starring Ricky Gervais, in mockumentary style it followed the day-to-day lives of the office employees of a fictitious paper company. It was based in Slough, largely because of the depressingly industrial nature of the town.

The program first aired in the UK in 2001 and it ran for two series. Twenty-five years before, out of the same town of Slough, came Akwasi Owusu, the latest addition to the Reds' playing ranks. He was born there in 1976 and in a similar manner, has signed with the club for a two-year airing.

Obviously the success or otherwise of his signing will be properly judged in time, by the success or otherwise of his on-field performances. And rightly so.

On the face of it though the Reds seem to have chosen well. Initial impressions are that he is somewhat of a larger than life character who will positively add to the dressing room vibe.

He has been a proven goal scorer wherever he's played, albeit that's been mainly in the lower leagues in England. Still he must be a decent enough player to have represented his country Ghana on two occasions.

In my view he's a great signing and a really coup for the club. The fact that the Reds were able to beat off the interest from other overseas-based clubs is a positive not only for the club but also for the growing strength of A-League clubs in the market place. Long may it continue.

Assuming he can hit some form, he is the sort of player than people will come to watch. Here's hoping his explosive 'hang time' powers descend on Hindmarsh next season.

As the poem said, 'come, friendly bombs, and fall!'