by Tom Palmer
Ryan put his hand out to Tomasz. To help him stand.
Tomasz felt himself being pulled up.
‘Nice try,’ Ryan said. ‘You got a hand to it.’
And Tomasz smiled.
United did not score an equalizer.
The game ended two–one.
Tomasz wanted to go off the pitch. He felt sad. If only he’d got to the penalty. But preparations were being made for the trophy presentation. A table set out at the centre of the pitch. A rack of medals. And the trophy.
And there – again – was Tomasz Milosz.
Saturday 19 November Legia Warsaw 2 United 1 Goals: Yunis Bookings: none
Under-twelves manager’s marks out of ten for each player:
Tomasz 7
Connor 6
James 6
Ryan 8
Craig 6
Chi 7
Sam 5
Will 6
Jake 6
Yunis 8
Ben 7
Medals
Steve came round and talked to all the United players.
‘Come on, lads. Don’t be downhearted. You did United proud. We got to the final. And lost to the home team. There’s no shame in that.’
Then Steve went over to Ryan.
‘OK?’
‘Yeah,’ Ryan said. ‘Disappointed.’
Steve nodded. ‘You did well out there today. I’m proud of you.’
Ryan grinned. ‘Thanks, Steve.’
‘I mean it. You did well. You’ve really grown up on this trip.’ Steve glanced over to the table where the presentation was to take place. ‘It’s about to start, Ryan. We’ll be first up. Losers’ medals. If you sort the lads out, lead them up, then shake hands with Tomasz Milosz, then move on. OK?’
‘Sure,’ Ryan said.
Two minutes later Ryan gathered the team to receive their runner-ups’ medals. For the last time. He would be captain no more. He lined them up. First himself. Then Tomasz. Then the rest.
They stood, waiting on the grass, the sun starting to break through the clouds.
‘Tomasz?’ Ryan said.
‘Yeah?’
‘Would you like to lead the team up?’
‘What? Really?’
Tomasz looked genuinely thrilled. Ryan could tell.
‘Do you want to?’ Ryan said.
‘I do,’ Tomasz said, and shook his captain’s hand.
Tomasz Milosz smiled as he saw Tomasz approaching him. He shook Tomasz’s hand. Tomasz hung his head and the goalkeeper put the medal round his neck.
‘You were unlucky with the penalty,’ he said. ‘I saw you get a hand to it.’
‘Thank you,’ Tomasz said.
‘Keep it up. One day you may wear the Poland shirt.’
Tomasz smiled. ‘I hope so.’ Then he turned to Ryan. ‘This is our team captain, Ryan.’
Ryan hung his head and felt the losers’ medal placed around his neck.
Then Tomasz Milosz shook Ryan’s hand. ‘You should be very proud of your team. You did well. Maybe I’ll see you in an England shirt one day?’
Ryan smiled. ‘I hope so too. Maybe one day in Poland again. I’d like that.’
Thank Yous
The Football Academy series came about thanks to the imagination and hard work of Sarah Hughes, Alison Dougal and Helen Levene at Puffin, working with David Luxton at Luxton Harris Literary Agency. Thanks are due to all four for giving me this opportunity.
Thanks also to Wendy Tse for all her hard work with the fine detail, and to everyone at Puffin for all they do: including Reetu Kabra, Adele Minchin, Louise Heskett, Sarah Kettle and Tom Sanderson. Thanks also to Brian Williamson for the great cover image and illustrations.
I needed a lot of help to make sure the academy at ‘United’ was as close to an English football club’s academy as possible. Burnley Football Club let me come to training and matches at their Gawthorpe Hall training ground to watch the under-twelves. Vince Overson and Jeff Taylor gave me lots of time at Burnley and I am extremely grateful. I was also given excellent advice by Kit Carson and Steve Cooper.
Ralph Newbrook at the Football Foundation, also a former youth player for Cambridge United, gave me loads of advice and read the finished manuscript. He – more than anyone – has helped me make this book and series more realistic. Thank you, Ralph!
Huge thanks to my writing group in Leeds – James Nash and Sophie Hannah. And thanks to Renata Bobik-Dawes and Jonathan Wilson for help with this book.
Finally, thank you to Iris, for being there, and Rebecca, who, as the first reader of my books, always offers intelligent and honest feedback that helps me to shape it.