by Danny Scott
They joined the rest of the trialists on their way to the sports noticeboard to see if the team list was up.
Calum’s heart sank before he even saw the sheet. Jordan was standing with his chest puffed out and his collar turned up.
“It’s Clown-Shoes Calum,” Jordan said, a little too loudly. “Look! You’ve been picked in your best position, left-back… left back in the changing room!” Jordan laughed at his own joke.
Lewis, Janek and some of the other players wouldn’t look at Calum.
Leo and Calum caught sight of the team sheet.
Even though he’d played so well, Calum was still a sub. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t even close to being fair.
Calum walked to class with his head down. His shoelace had come undone, but he didn’t care.
“Don’t worry, Calum… it’s rolling subs, I’m sure you’ll get a chance. Plus we’ve got training after school, remember? You can change the coach’s mind then,” said Leo as they walked into their classroom.
Calum could only nod in reply. His best position was up front, but he didn’t think Mr McPride would ever leave Jordan out for him.
“Glad you could join us, lads!” an unfamiliar voice said.
Leo and Calum looked up to see a man with a mop of brown hair, thick-rimmed glasses and a corduroy suit.
“Take a seat. I’m your new teacher,” the man said. He pointed to the board where he had scrawled his name, in huge messy letters.
12
Caleytown’s First Practice
Mr McKlop’s lessons were a lot more interesting than Miss Frettle’s. In fact, they didn’t feel like lessons at all. Calum thought they were almost… fun.
Instead of a boring maths lesson, Mr McKlop transformed their classroom into a market with shopkeepers and customers, who had to use maths to plan a budget.
Calum was paired with a girl called Sally, who played on the girls’ football team with his next-door neighbour Erika. Their budget discussion had somehow moved on to football.
“Look, if King’s Park Athletic really needed a defender, they wouldn’t go out and spend millions on a star striker.” Sally was trying to make a point about planning their budget wisely.
“But King’s Park wouldn’t need another striker anyway. They’ve got James Cauldfield.” Calum didn’t get Sally’s point.
“And how exactly do James Cauldfield and King’s Park Athletic figure in your budget plans, Calum? Sally?” Mr McKlop appeared at their table.
Calum was enjoying Mr McKlop’s lesson so much that the final bell came as a surprise. Calum and Leo quickly got changed and jogged across the playground to where Coach McPride was waiting for them with a bunch of cones laid out in strange, colourful patterns.
They started with lots of sprints and passing drills, then the team moved on to shooting practice.
Shooting practice, however, consisted of setting Jordan up with as many chances as possible. Calum tried to stop himself getting angry but it was really, really difficult. Jordan was definitely getting special treatment – all because the coach was his dad!
They watched Jordan miss chance after chance for about twenty minutes until, finally, Coach McPride called for a quick game.
“Good luck, lads!” Mr McKlop shouted from a few metres away on the sidelines.
“And you are…?” Coach McPride asked.
“I’m Mr McKlop. I teach quite a few of the lads here, including Jordan.” He shook Mr McPride’s hand. “I used to coach the football team at my old school.”
“Oh… right,” Coach McPride said, rudely turning his back on Mr McKlop.
Meanwhile, the boys had started playing. Jordan and Calum were up against one another, each playing centre forward for their side.
Every time Calum got the ball, Jordan would track back and tackle him again, and again. He slid in out of nowhere and won the ball cleanly, every time. Jordan may have been rubbish at shooting but, even Calum and Leo had to admit, he was a pretty talented defender.
***
“How’s Scotland’s future number nine?” Mr Aziz asked as Calum and Leo dragged their feet into the shop after practice.
“I’m still a substitute,” Calum answered.
“Even though he’s well better than Jordan,” Leo added.
Mr Aziz smiled. “If you are better than him, you’ll get there, son. Just keep your head down and work hard. How are those boots?”
“The museum sent Calum a letter asking for them back!” Leo said. He started laughing.
“Shut up, Leo!” Calum said through his teeth. He didn’t want to seem ungrateful.
But he was relieved to see Mr Aziz chuckling too.
13
Changes at Caleytown
As the big match against Muckleton drew nearer, Jordan walked down the corridors like he was the prince of Caleytown, telling his royal subjects how many goals he would score. Every time he was out of the teachers’ sight, he would turn his collar up.
That’s why, when Jordan shuffled through the school gates with his collar down a couple of days before the game, Calum knew something was wrong.
Things got stranger when the whole football team was called into a special meeting in the new gym hall during morning break.
The hall smelt of fresh paint and varnish. All the sports equipment was still shiny, waiting to be used.
Mr McPride was nowhere to be seen. Instead Mr McKlop walked into the hall. “Thanks for coming, team. I’ve got some bad news, I’m afraid.”
Calum and Leo shared a worried look. They weren’t going to get rid of the team already, were they?
“Coach McPride’s taken a new job out of town,” Mr McKlop went on, “which means he won’t be able to coach the team any more.”
A few groans were heard around the room. How could they be a team without a coach?
“However, I’ve spoken to the Head,” Mr McKlop continued. “As some of you might already know, I used to coach the team at my old school, and I’d be delighted to take over as coach. As long as you lot will have me?”
The gym hall echoed with an excited murmur.
“That sounds like a yes?” Mr McKlop smiled. “Jordan?”
Jordan nodded. Even he knew it was better to have a new coach than no team at all.
“Will the team stay the same for the Muckleton game on Thursday?” Jordan asked in a sulk.
“Well, I’ve promised to do my best for the team.” Mr McKlop paced back and forth in front of the squad. “From what I’ve seen at practice, that involves changing the line-up for our first game…”
Calum’s heart started beating faster.
“…but I never reveal the team until the day of the game,” Mr McKlop finished.
Jordan turned round and scowled at Calum.
Calum sat and stared straight ahead, even though every inch of him wanted to jump up and punch the air with joy.
***
“Are you going to come and watch me play on Thursday?” Calum asked, as soon as his dad came through the door that night. “Mr McKlop has replaced Mr McPride as coach and he’s going to change the team!”
Calum’s dad wasn’t really listening. “Sorry… who – what – who’s Mr McPride? Isn’t Mr McKlop your new teacher?”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re not listening, Dad,” Calum said. “Coach McPride only ever picked Jordan to play up front, never me. Mr McKlop might change things about…”
“Why not let your dad get in the door first, Cal?” His mum appeared in the hall. “You can tell us all about it over dinner, the dinner you’re meant to be setting the table for.”
***
“So you’re not sure if you’re definitely playing?” Calum’s dad asked as they sat down to eat. “Sorry, Calum, but I’d have to leave work early… I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.”
Calum rested his head on his hand and stared at his plate.
“It’s not so easy for grown-ups, Cal,” said Calum’s mum. “We’ve got jobs we need to go to so we can d
o nice things like take you to see King’s Park Athletic play.”
Calum couldn’t argue with that, but he still wished his parents would be at his first game.
“Cheer up, Cal. We’ll come and see a match soon,” Calum’s dad said. “Whenever we know you’ll definitely be playing. Deal?”
“Deal,” Calum sighed.
14
The Day of the Big Match
It was the morning of the match. Calum hadn’t slept well the night before. Even when he finally drifted off, he’d dreamed about football.
In one dream he was called on as a substitute for Jordan, but when he tried to run, his boots had turned to concrete.
In another dream, the ball turned into a big custard pie in mid-air, and hit him square in the face.
***
Calum could feel himself getting more and more wound up as the day crawled by. Mr McKlop had put a ban on talking about the match in class.
A few of the other players looked nervous too. Only half of Jordan’s collar was turned up at break.
After the final bell, the teammates made their way to the changing room. Everyone put their boots on in silence – until Jordan finally spoke.
“Leo, make sure to get your crosses in early. I’ve heard Muckleton are big and I want to be running on to the ball.”
“That’s if you’re up front,” Leo said as he pulled his socks up.
“Of course I will be!” Jordan said, his face going red. He looked around for support, but all the other players pretended to be busy with their kitbags and shin pads.
Outside, Jordan tried to look confident. He put his collar right up and was telling everyone what to do as they crossed the playground towards Mr McKlop.
“Collar down, Jordan,” Mr McKlop said.
Calum and Leo smirked at each other as they gathered round Mr McKlop in a circle.
“So this is it, boys, our first game. I’m really excited for you…”
Caleytown’s brand new yellow strips sat in an open kitbag next to seven water bottles, arranged in a mini team formation.
“You’ll be wanting to know what the team is then?” Mr McKlop smiled. Everyone held their breath.
***
Mr McKlop pointed to a lone water bottle in formation on the grass. It showed where the goalie would be.
“Ravi, you’re our keeper today,” he said.
“Yes!” Ravi whispered. He pulled the goalie top over his head. His hair sprung out of the top of the jersey a moment or two before his smiling face appeared.
“In defence, Janek and Jordan,” Mr McKlop continued.
Calum’s tummy did an overhead kick.
“What? I’m not a defender. I’m a goal scorer, Mr McKlop!” Jordan protested.
“You’ll surprise yourself, I think. But, you can be a substitute if you want?”
“But… eh… but… ugh.” Jordan was lost for words. He took his King’s Park strip off, snatched the number five shirt from Janek and pulled it on.
Leo and Calum looked at each other wide-eyed. If Jordan was in defence, what did that mean for everyone else?
“On the left wing, Leo.” Leo let out a long breath and dug out the number eleven shirt from the bag.
Calum was so pleased for Leo that he almost missed what Mr McKlop said next…
“…and our striker today is Calum Ferguson.”
Calum couldn’t believe his ears.
Jordan sighed in disgust.
In a daze, Calum dug out the number nine strip from the bag and pulled it on. It fit him perfectly.
Mr McKlop started moving the bottles around, talking about Caleytown’s strategy for the match.
“I’ve been studying Muckleton’s match reports on the Scotland Stars website,” he said. “It sounds like they’re a big, strong team and good on the ball, but I doubt their defenders can keep up with you two.” He nodded at Calum and Leo.
As Mr McKlop spoke, Muckleton came out of their changing room.
A few of the Caleytown players exchanged nervous looks.
Calum barely noticed – he was too busy worrying about the pressure he was under to score goals – until Leo tapped him on the shoulder.
“They’re HUGE,” Leo gasped.
15
Kick-off
Even though it was a warm August day, Calum felt cold. His arms were covered in goosebumps.
If only Mum and Dad were here, he thought, or even just Leighton. He could do with seeing some friendly faces.
“Are you listening, Calum?” Mr McKlop woke Calum up from his nervous trance.
“Yes, coach… I mean, sir… I mean, Mr McKlop,” Calum replied.
“Mr McKlop’s fine,” the teacher said, raising an eyebrow at Calum. “Anyway, as I was saying, I want you and Leo to stay up near the halfway line and give them something to worry about. Now, Jordan, Ravi and Janek…”
Jordan stared at the ground in a sulk while Mr McKlop gave them pointers.
“Everybody, hands in! Three, two…”
PEEEEEEEP!
The referee’s whistle meant there was no turning back. This was it.
Calum side-footed it to Leo from the centre spot to kick off the match. Leo knocked it back to Lewis.
“Boof!”
Calum hit the ground as Muckleton’s players barrelled past him to win the ball from Lewis.
“Want me to call your mummy?” one of Muckleton’s midfielders – with ‘STARK’ written on his back – snickered as he jogged past Calum on the ground.
“Remember what I said, Calum,” Mr McKlop called from the sideline. “Stay forward!”
Calum felt his confidence draining away.
Stark made everything look easy. He drifted past Janek and rolled the ball square to Muckleton’s big number nine, Barclay, whom Jordan was marking.
Barclay fooled everyone by dummying to shoot before sliding the ball back through to Stark, who calmly fired the ball into the bottom corner past Ravi.
Caleytown were already one goal down, Calum hadn’t touched the ball since kick-off, and his teammates all looked beaten already.
This isn’t going to be easy, he thought to himself as he stared down at his old creaky boots.
***
For the next while, it seemed as if Muckleton could score any time they liked. But luckily for Caleytown, Muckleton’s early goal had made them a bit overconfident.
Every time they created a chance, they would try something fancy and lose the ball.
From one such chance, Muckleton’s striker, Barclay, tried to lob Ravi when it was easier to just whack the ball. Ravi plucked the ball right out of the air and threw it, long, to Calum.
But in his stiff old boots, and full of nerves, Calum couldn’t control Ravi’s throw and it went straight to Stark.
“Thanks, mate!” Stark laughed.
Calum’s heart sank. He heard Jordan sigh as loudly as he could.
I’ll show him, thought Calum and he sprinted after Stark to win the ball back.
“Stay forward, Calum!” came the shout from Mr McKlop on the sidelines.
But, this time, Calum ignored him.
16
A Lifeline
Janek came out to greet Stark with a strong challenge. The ball popped free and into Calum’s path.
But Calum couldn’t react in time. He was helpless as he watched the ball ping off his knee, past Jordan and into Caleytown’s box, where Barclay was waiting.
Ravi ran out and made himself as big as he could, but Barclay rolled the ball through his legs and into the net to make it 0–2.
Barclay hardly celebrated his goal at all – it was too easy.
“Thanks for the help,” Stark chuckled, as he jogged back towards his half.
“Yeah, nice pass, Calum,” Jordan added.
Calum’s head dropped. He felt way out of his depth.
But minutes later, while Muckleton were thinking about their half-time oranges, Leo intercepted a loose pass near halfway and scampered up the pitch.
<
br /> All alone on the wing, he beat his man and tried to cross the ball to Calum. It was easily cut out, but Leo had won his team a corner.
“Janek, stay back. Jordan, go forward!” Mr McKlop shouted from the sideline.
“Watch how it’s done!” Jordan said to Calum as he arrived in the box.
With only seconds to go until the half-time whistle, Leo swung a corner towards Calum at the back post. Out of nowhere, Jordan leaped to meet it, heading the ball powerfully towards the goal.
It was going wide but the ball cannoned off the back of a Muckleton defender’s head, sending him sprawling. Still spinning in mid-air, the ball clipped the post and fell over the line!
“YEEEEEE-eeesssss!” Jordan punched the air, totally ignoring the Muckleton player lying face-down on the Astroturf.
“Brilliant goal, Jordie!” Jordan’s mum yelled from the sideline. A few of the Muckleton players sniggered – even the defender who was now being helped to his feet.
PEEP, PEEEEP, PEEEEE-EEEP!
The referee blew his whistle to bring the first half to an end. At 2–1, somehow, Caleytown were still in the match.
***
Calum jogged over with the rest of the players towards their coach. Mr Aziz’s boots creaked and groaned but Calum had hardly broken a sweat.
“Chins up, guys!” Mr McKlop said. “The team you’re playing has been around a lot longer than you – you’re doing really well!”