Football Academy: Striking Out

by Tom Palmer

  ‘Are you OK?’

  Jake had caught up with Yunis in the car park. Asking that question again.

  ‘Fine,’ Yunis said.

  ‘No you’re not,’ Jake said.

  ‘I am.’

  ‘You’re not.’

  ‘I’m the leading scorer of a Premiership academy side,’ Yunis said. ‘I’m an expert on the works of William Shakespeare. My best friend is the internationally known winger Jake Oldfield. What could possibly be wrong?’

  ‘Is it Poland?’ Jake asked, ignoring Yunis’s sense of humour.

  ‘What about Poland?’ Yunis replied.

  ‘Isn’t your dad going to let you come to Poland? Is that why you look so miserable?’

  Yunis stopped walking. He stood there, gazing around himself, everyone else getting into cars, the cars moving off, the noises of their engines fading away.

  ‘It’s everything,’ he said.

  ‘What?’

  Yunis explained. The stuff about school and the Academy. How he was terrified his dad would pull him out of United. How he always felt like each game was his last and he had to make the best of it. That Poland was the least of his worries.

  As Yunis was speaking he saw Craig and his dad getting into their car.

  ‘And then there’s Craig,’ Yunis said.

  ‘What about him?’

  Yunis sighed and looked up at the trees that surrounded the Academy.

  ‘He’s doing my head in. He gives me funny looks, mutters at me. Half the time I think he’s laughing at me. And he swans around with his dad, like he’s got it made. Just because his dad comes to the football and mine doesn’t. He’s rubbing my nose in it.’

  ‘He won’t be,’ Jake said. ‘Craig’s all right. Really!’

  ‘Look at him though. I’d just like it if one day his dad didn’t come to a match – or even training. Then he’d maybe understand what I feel like every week.’

  ‘But he wouldn’t see his dad otherwise,’ Jake said in a quieter voice.

  ‘What? Of course he would. They live in the same house, don’t they?’

  ‘No,’ Jake said, ‘they don’t. His mum and dad split up. A year ago. The only time his dad’s allowed to see him is when he brings him to United and takes him back.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yeah. His mum doesn’t talk to his dad. He told me. So he’s only allowed Sunday and the two training evenings. He wouldn’t see him otherwise.’

  ‘Right,’ Yunis said.

  He didn’t know what to say. Suddenly he understood a bit more why Craig was like he was. Especially around his dad.

  Off

  The Sunday game was away. To Hull City.

  Yunis had been feeling bad about Craig since Jake had told him about his mum and dad splitting up. He’d tried to imagine what that would feel like. And even though his dad annoyed him, he thought it must be the worst thing that could happen.

  So, when he saw Craig at Hull City, he tried to be friendly.

  ‘All right, Craig?’ he said.

  But Craig just nodded, saying nothing.

  And now Yunis felt even worse.

  But on the pitch, as usual, Yunis was free of all his worries. If he could really get stuck into the game, he would forget – even forget that this could be his last game, if his dad decided it.

  So he decided to play as if it was his last game.

  He worked as hard as he could.

  He went into every tackle and header as firmly as possible.

  And he ran and ran and ran.

  It felt good.

  But Hull were good too. Their defenders were huge – like grown men. It was hard to challenge for the ball.

  Yunis noticed Craig getting more and more wound up on the pitch. One of the Hull defenders kept pulling his shirt when the referee wasn’t looking.

  ‘Ref ?’ Craig kept saying.

  But the ref was giving him nothing.

  A few minutes later, the defender pulled Craig to the ground, but still no free kick was awarded. Craig snapped. Getting up, he lunged at the defender with his shoulder and pushed him over.

  The ref saw it.

  Yunis watched the ref pull out a card. Yellow. Yunis had been worried it would be red. Even so, he imagined Steve would take Craig off now to let him cool down. But Craig stayed on.

  A couple of minutes later the same Hull defender went up for a header and clearly went for the man – Craig – and not the ball. Craig fell in a heap. But again the referee waved the play on.

  Luckily United still had the ball and James quickly slid it to Yunis, who found himself on his own up front, with only two defenders and the keeper to beat. He knocked the ball to the right of the first defender and raced past him. The second defender was trying to cover Jake, who was approaching from the left. So now Yunis was in loads of space.

  Taking the ball to the edge of the penalty area, Yunis focused on the ball and hammered it as hard as he could.

  The keeper didn’t even move.

  The ball screamed like a heat‐seeking missile into the back of the net. And Yunis heard the usual cheers from the touchline.

  One–nil.

  James came over and clapped him on the back. Jake and the others too.

  And then Steve substituted Yunis.

  He waved to get the ref ’s attention. Then shouted, ‘Yunis. Come off.’

  Yunis trudged to the touchline. He couldn’t believe it.

  ‘What’s up?’ he asked Steve.

  ‘Brilliant goal, Yunis. You’ve done us proud. I want to give one of the other lads a go.’

  ‘But…’ Yunis checked himself. He’d never disagreed with Steve before. And he wasn’t going to start now.

  But he just couldn’t understand it. Why was he coming off ? If anyone, Craig should be coming off. He’d been booked, hadn’t he? He was a liability, looking like he’d be sent off.

  Yunis put on his tracksuit and did some stretches to warm down.

  Then he watched the game, trying to keep himself from giving Steve questioning looks.

  What Are You Looking At?

  Outside the Hull City dressing room, Yunis was waiting for Jake. Jake’s dad was giving him a lift home, as his own dad couldn’t make it.

  But it was Craig who came out next, looking hot and bothered.

  Yunis was still feeling annoyed with him. Mostly because he’d tried to be nice to Craig earlier – and Craig had snubbed him. And partly because he’d been substituted when he thought Craig should have gone off.

  Yunis watched Craig, but didn’t speak.

  ‘What are you looking at?’ Craig said.

  ‘Nothing,’ Yunis said.

  ‘Nothing? Is that what you think.’

  Yunis remained silent.

  ‘Shame you got subbed today,’ Craig said, smiling.

  Yunis stared at Craig. His anger was growing. Craig was taking the mick now. No doubt about it.

  ‘It should have been you,’ Yunis said.

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  Yunis knew what was going to happen next. He’d seen other boys doing this. This was how it always started. A war of words, then worse.

  He’d never had a fight before, but now his body was so full of anger, his arms and legs felt like they were being pulled by ropes. Towards Craig.

  ‘Why should it have been me, Yunis?’ Craig said, stepping forward. ‘Are you going to tell me? Or are you going to run home to your daddy? Or don’t you have one?’

  That did it. Yunis lost his temper.

  Never let anyone make you lose your temper, Dad would have said. Never hurt anyone. Words are just words.

  ‘At least…’ Yunis stopped himself. He didn’t want to say something that would hurt Craig. Even though he felt like he hated him now.

  ‘At least what?’ Craig stepped forward and pushed Yunis on the chest.

  Yunis stumbled backwards. And was suddenly aware that they were surrounded by other lads, mostly from the Hull City team. All
eyes on him. He was embarrassed and afraid. He couldn’t just stand there.

  ‘At least I live with mine…’ he spat out breathlessly.

  He regretted it immediately.

  Sunday 23 October

  Hull City 0 United 1

  Goal: Yunis

  Bookings: Craig

  Under‐twelves manager’s marks out of ten for each player:

  Tomasz 7

  Connor 6

  James 7

  Ryan 7

  Craig 6

  Chi 8

  Sam 6

  Will 6

  Jake 8

  Yunis (subbed for Tony, 70 minutes) 8

  Ben 7

  Tony 6

  School Surprise

  ‘Yunis? Can I have a word, please?’ Mr Baird intercepted Yunis as he was leaving the classroom.

  Yunis nodded. What was it now?

  He wasn’t really bothered that his teacher wanted to talk to him. In the last twenty‐four hours he’d had his dad moaning at him about his schoolwork, Craig pushing him and Steve at United unhappy about him and Craig nearly having a fight.

  It almost felt right that his teacher was angry with him. About something.

  ‘Are you having a difficult time at the moment?’ the teacher said.

  Yunis stayed at his table as all his classmates filtered out to break.

  ‘I’m OK, sir,’ Yunis said.

  ‘It’s just…’ Mr Baird said. ‘Well, your dad has been phoning the school. Checking to see how you’re doing. The headmaster has been asking me questions.’

  Yunis nodded.

  ‘And I… well, I know you’ve been taken on at United. And…’ Mr Baird paused.

  Yunis looked at him. How did Mr Baird know about that? Yunis had always kept it a secret. He didn’t want people at his new school knowing he was on United’s books. He was too afraid he’d not make it through the first season, then everyone would know he’d failed.

  ‘And I thought it must be hard. With your studies. Training twice a week and playing on Sunday. And your dad…’

  Yunis stared at Mr Baird. So, how did he know? About training being twice a week? And that they played on Sundays?

  Mr Baird smiled. As if he knew what Yunis was thinking.

  ‘I’m a United fan, Yunis,’ he said. ‘A bit too much of a United fan. I have been since I was a kid. I don’t just follow the first team. I keep an eye on the youth teams too. And I know a couple of the coaching staff down at United.’

  Yunis felt strange. This was the first time anyone had even treated him with respect. Because he was a United player. Even though Mr Baird was his teacher, he felt like for once an adult wasn’t treating him like a child.

  ‘My dad doesn’t like it that I go to United. He thinks it’s getting in the way of my studies.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘I think he’s going to pull me out,’ Yunis went on.

  ‘No wonder you’re upset,’ Mr Baird said. ‘Listen. Is there anything I can do? Talk to your dad? Help with school?’

  ‘I don’t know, sir,’ Yunis said.

  ‘What about using the library after school? Before you go to United?’

  ‘It’s too noisy,’ Yunis said. ‘It’s more of an after‐school club than a study period.’

  ‘I see,’ Mr Baird said.

  Yunis looked at his teacher. He felt slightly happier. At least someone was trying to help him.

  ‘Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do. You’re a student here and a future United star, so I’ve two reasons to help you now.’

  On the Bench

  Sunday.

  Bolton at home.

  Yunis looked up at the team sheet on the wall in the entrance to the Academy. As always. It was part of his match‐day routine.

  Then he stepped back in shock.

  He looked again.

  His name was not on the team sheet. In his place: Tony Harrison. Then he saw his name. At the foot of the page. Among the substitutes.

  It was strange watching the game from the sidelines. Hard not to start running towards the ball if Sam or Chi played it out to the wing near where he was standing. And it was more than strange to see the way Jake was linking up with Tony Harrison.

  Yunis couldn’t understand why he’d been dropped. He was playing better than he ever had. He was scoring most of the team’s goals. He was getting ‘man of the match’ every week.

  So why was he on the subs’ bench?

  United were two up by half‐time. Tony had scored one. Jake the other. Jake had pointed at Yunis when he was celebrating his goal.

  That made Yunis feel a bit better.

  So did seeing Craig getting booked. He’d never realized what a dirty player Craig was. Forever going in too hard. Missing the ball. Taking the man.

  Yunis saw the parents on the other side of the pitch.

  All of them shouting support. All of them saying the right things to their sons, except Ryan’s mum, who was overdoing it as usual. All of them thinking their son was the next England captain in the making.

  Yunis watched them closely.

  And for the first time, he wondered if he belonged here. Maybe his dad was right. Maybe he should think more about his lessons.

  Who was really going to make it as a player out of this lot?

  None of them probably.

  Maybe one or two of them would get a run of first‐team games for United. And the rest in the second division. If they were lucky.

  He was wasting his time just stood on the touchline. Not even playing. He could be doing his homework now. It was in his bag. Back in the dressing rooms.

  At least you’d be achieving something.

  That was his dad’s voice in his head again.

  Just after the second half kicked off – Jake and Ryan running rings round the Bolton defence – Steve came over to Yunis.

  ‘I wanted to tell you why you’re not playing today, Yunis,’ Steve said.

  ‘Right,’ Yunis said, trying to look positive.

  ‘You’re clearly having a good run. Playing very well. But I wanted to give Tony H. a chance. And I thought you could handle it. Your confidence is up. Or it should be. And I will bring you on for the last twenty.’

  Yunis listened, saying nothing. Normally he accepted everything Steve said. But today he was furious. He thought Steve was wrong.

  Drop him? While he’s playing well? It was stupid.

  ‘I was going to ask, Steve…’ Yunis said.

  ‘What’s that, Yunis?’

  ‘If I could go and get changed. I don’t want to play. I don’t feel too well.’

  Steve looked at Yunis carefully. ‘Of course, son. Get changed. Get some warmer clothes on.’

  Yunis sat in the dressing room, frustrated, trying to grapple with Macbeth:

  That which hath made them drunk,

  hath made me bold:

  What hath quench’d them, hath given me fire.

  Reading this stuff was a bit easier now – once he’d gone over it three times. But when he had to read new pages, it felt nearly as hard as it had on day one.

  He was just making some notes on a pad when he heard footsteps. At first he thought it could be Steve, coming to see if he was OK.

  And then he saw Craig. His shirt off, hanging at his side.

  ‘Is it over?’ Yunis said, trying to be civil.

  ‘I got sent off,’ Craig said. ‘Second bookable offence.’

  Yunis said nothing. He didn’t want to upset Craig any more.

  Craig looked at Yunis’s notebook and the copy of Macbeth. Yunis thought he was going to say something, but he just paused, looked sad, then turned and went into the showers.

  Sunday 30 October

  United 2 Bolton 0

  Goals: Tony, Jake

  Bookings: Craig (two yellow cards – sent off)

  Under‐twelves manager’s marks out of ten for each player:

  Tomasz 7

  Connor 8

  James 6

&
nbsp; Ryan 8

  Craig (sent off, 74 minutes) 4

  Chi 7

  Sam 8

  Will 6

  Jake 8

  Tony 9

  Ben 6

  Fight!

  ‘Right, lads.’

  Steve Cooper stood with his hands on his hips.

  Another Monday. Another training session.

  ‘I want to continue working on the close passing,’ he said. ‘I think the work we have done recently has really paid off in the games against Hull City and Bolton. So let’s do some more of the same.’

  The coach put the squad into groups of four. Different groups, as always, so they didn’t get used to just playing with the same people.

  ‘Jake, you go with James, Yunis and Craig,’ Steve said, throwing Jake a ball.

  Yunis frowned. He didn’t want to play with Craig. It was just too tense between them.

  But, strangely enough, Craig was all right.

  When Yunis was doing well – with passing and intercepting – Craig said ‘Well done’ and ‘Nice one’ to Yunis, just like he was to Jake and James.

  So when Craig came over at the end of training, Yunis thought everything was going to be OK. Even after what had happened after the Hull City game.

  But he was wrong.

  ‘I saw you with your book during the Bolton game,’ Craig said, gripping a set of flags he was carrying for Steve.

  Yunis said nothing for a while. They were walking across the fields and over the bridge. Then towards the dressing rooms.

  So, Yunis thought, Craig has just been biding his time. Waiting until he could have a real go.

  Yunis said, ‘And?’

  ‘I’m just saying. It’s funny to see you doing school work at the foot–’

  Yunis stopped walking suddenly.

  So suddenly that Craig knocked into him with the set of corner flags.

  Yunis pushed him away.

  ‘You think it’s funny?’ Yunis said. ‘What’s funny about it? That I got dropped? Or that I want to do well at school?’