by John Hickman
The under-sixteens? This is big. I don’t care that those bumble bees are buzzing about in my belly again; I’m buzzing myself. “Yeah,” I tell him. “I’m up for it.”
Granddad winks at me. “Told you you would be OK,” he whispers.
New Friends
That Friday, I step out on to the training pitch. It still feels weird being here, at United. It’s like it’s not quite real, like some movie, or a video game or something, and I’m the main guy.
Liam gathers us in a group. “OK, boys,” he says. “Big game tomorrow, so nothing too heavy today. I want us to work on our short passing.”
He sorts us out into two teams. I want to be on Ollie’s team, but I’m not. Instead I get put with shaved head. Great.
We kick off a game of two touch. I only need two touches: one to control, one to put the ball wherever I want. I get a good feel for things. Score a couple of nice goals.
Shaved head, or Ryan as he’s called, screams at me for the ball. He can scream. I lay it off to Zeki, another lad. Ryan won’t get the ball from me. I just want to keep my head down. Play football. And ignore Ryan.
Liam blows the whistle. He gives us a few pointers about the match tomorrow, then he sends us away.
In the changing rooms, Ollie comes over.
“Well played,” he says. “You’ve got some skill.”
“Thanks, man,” I tell him. “Pretty good yourself.”
“What you pair of nerds talking about?” asks Ryan.
Neither of us says anything.
“About the other day,” says Ryan. “I’m sorry about that.”
This is a surprise. I’m not sure how to react, so I just tell him to forget about it.
“Pass me your phone,” says Ryan.
“What for?” I ask.
“I’ll give you my number,” he says. “Text me. We could hang out together.”
I’m a bit surprised, but I hand my phone to Ryan.
Ten minutes later, as I walk past Liam’s office, Liam shouts at me: “Jackson, here a minute.”
I step into his office. “Yeah?”
“Sit down,” he tells me.
So I sit down.
“Do you want to tell me what you’re playing at?” he asks.
I stare at him, confused.
He holds out his phone.
I’m even more confused.
“Don’t play dumb,” says Liam. “I’ve seen what you’ve posted.”
I pull my phone out, and check my last post. It says, “Friday night = drink and drugs.”
I stare at the words, unsure how they got there. Then it clicks. Ryan. I bet he posted it when he took my phone. My jaw goes tight.
“Well?” asks Liam. “What’s going on?”
I think about telling the truth. I don’t even drink. But what’s the point? He wouldn’t believe me. And anyway, I’m not a grass.
“I don’t know,” I say and I can hear how pathetic I sound. “Just a joke.”
“Well it’s not funny. When you play for this club, we expect certain standards,” says Liam. “Do you understand? I took a chance bringing in a lad as old as you. I can’t keep having these conversations with you,” he says.
“Fine,” I tell him. “You don’t have to.” Then I storm out.
Real Potential
Later that day, there’s a knock on my bedroom door. Ollie from football comes in. “Alright, mate,” he says. “Hope you don’t mind me coming over. Got your address from Liam.”
I scratch my neck, surprised to see him.
I wonder what kind of house Ollie lives in and feel myself go red with embarrassment.
“I didn’t know what Ryan was up to,” he says. “I only found out after. If I had known, I would have said something.”
“Not your fault,” I say.
“He can be such an idiot,” he tells me. “He used to give me a hard time when I first started.”
“You?” I ask.
“Yep. He thought I got special treatment,” says Ollie.
“Why?” I ask.
“Doesn’t matter,” he says. “But Ryan is OK. Once you get to know him. He would do anything for a team-mate.”
“Doesn’t seem all that OK to me,” I say.
“So is that it?” he asks. “Are you not coming back?”
I shake my head. “What’s the point?”
“You should,” he says. “You’re a good player. That’s why Ryan was giving you such a hard time. He can’t stand anyone who is better than him.”
I nod. That makes sense.
“Fancy coming over to my place to hang out sometime?” asks Ollie.
I nod my head.
“See you soon then,” says Ollie as he turns to go.
* * *
A couple of days later, I head over to Ollie’s house. He lives a bus ride away in Winter Hill, where all the footballers and local celebrities live. The houses are huge. More like mansions. And then I remember Ollie sitting in my tiny bedroom in the flat. I can’t help but feel embarrassed.
I stop at the end of Ollie’s huge driveway. There are big iron gates, just like the ones at the entrance to Samuels Park. Once I’m through the gates, there are trees all the way along a huge drive. I still can’t believe Ollie lives in a place like this. I have no idea what his parents do but, whatever it is, they must get paid a tonne of money. Eventually I get to the house.
I ring the doorbell.
DINGGGG. DONGGGG.
Even the doorbell is epic.
Ollie answers. Inside the house, the hallway is massive. All marble and shiny, like a hotel or something. I reckon you could fit my whole flat in here.
There’s this huge fish tank with all these bright tropical fish.
I’d love to have a fish tank like that and I’m not even interested in fish!
Ollie’s room is cool. There’s the biggest TV I have ever seen and every console going. His shelf is filled with games. I look through them, seeing what he’s got. It’s like I’m in a shop. “What do your parents do?” I ask him. “Is your dad like a film star or something?”
“His dad is the manager of the world’s greatest football team,” says someone else.
My jaw drops.
Standing in the bedroom doorway, is Alex Chambers, the manager of United. “Do I look OK?” he asks, straightening his tie.
“You look fine, Dad,” says Ollie.
Ollie’s dad is Alex Chambers. Wow.
Alex Chambers is one of my all time heroes – one of the best managers in world football. They reckon he’ll be England manager one day. We might actually have a chance of winning something with him in charge. Even Mum loves him and she hates football.
“So who is this?” asks Chambers.
“I’m Jackson,” I tell him.
“Jackson Law?” he asks. “Liam has mentioned you. He tells me you’ve got a lovely left foot. He did also say you need to work on your attitude. Sort that out and you might have a chance.” He winks at me. “I won’t be back late,” he says to Ollie. Then he ruffles Ollie’s hair and goes down the stairs.
I stare at Ollie and blink a few times. “You never... why did you never...”
“I don’t like to talk about it,” he says. “Most people think I’m only in the team because of who my dad is.”
Alex Chambers’ words are like magic to me. A magic kick up the backside. If I’m ever going to get this, I need to learn to cope with being scared of failing. Messing up. I’ve got to get on with it. And I can’t let other people stop me.
Apologies
The next day, I’m sitting in Liam’s office again, with my tail between my legs. The door opens and Liam comes in. “Afternoon,” he says.
“Thanks for seeing me,” I say quietly.
He takes a seat behind his desk.
“Go on then, say what you need to say.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “For walking out. For being an idiot.”
“OK,” he says.
“I really wan
t to play for United,” I tell him. “But even admitting that is hard. Because if I admit it, and I don’t get it, I’ll be proper gutted.”
Liam nods.
“But I have to admit it, don’t I?” I say. “Because I have to give it everything. If I hold back anything, I won’t get it.”
“OK, Jax,” he says. “Apology accepted. But if we’re going to move forward from here, I need to know I can trust you. Your bursts of bad temper can’t go on. They are bad for you and bad for the club. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I understand,” I tell him.
“Tell me what happened the other day,” he asks.
I think about Ryan, how he stitched me up. “I was just being stupid,” I say.
“This job requires a lot,” he says. “But above all, it’s about putting the team – the club – before yourself. You’re not going to always like your team-mates, but you have to play with them.”
“I know,” I say.
“Good,” says Liam. “There’s a game on Sunday against Chelsea’s academy. If you really want this, you’ll need to be dedicated, motivated...”
“I know,” I say. “My granddad has been through it all with me.”
“No excuses then,” he says.
“No excuses,” I repeat. “I need to keep my head together.”
He nods and holds his hand out.
I shake it. Then I get up to leave.
“Oh and Jackson,” says Liam.
I turn back.
“Thanks for coming to see me,” he says. “You’re a good lad.”
I give him a nod and leave.
As I walk out of the gates, I feel good. I’m not going to let anything stand in my way.
The Big Match
Liam might have forgiven me, but I need to earn my place in the team. I stand at the side of the pitch and watch Chelsea batter us. 3–1 down at half-time.
All I want is to get out there, show everyone what I can do and help the team.
Liam gathers the lads together. “What’s going on out there?” he asks.
“They’re too quick,” says Ryan.
“They’re not,” says Liam. “They just want it more. Look lads, do you want to play for United?”
Everyone nods.
“Because if you don’t,” says Liam, “there are plenty out there who do. So, I’ll ask again, do you want to play for United?”
We all say “yes” this time.
“Well you need to fight,” says Liam. “United never give up. It’s in our DNA. You know this, lads. We can still win. OK?”
I look around at the other players. There are determined looks on their faces.
“Jackson,” says Liam. “Get your jacket off. You’re coming on.”
We’re all lined up before Chelsea have even finished their half-time team-talk. I look over at the side of the pitch. I notice Alex Chambers alongside Liam now. The nerves kick in.
And the second half kicks off.
Ollie and I work the ball well in midfield, making space and keeping possession. As the half goes on, I feel more and more confident. Every pass I hit is on point. The ball goes wherever I want.
Ryan deals with the Chelsea forwards and we take control of the game.
I get the ball in midfield. I spin away from a Chelsea player and find myself a few yards of space.
I dribble forward, dodge a few tackles, lay the ball off to Ollie and run on.
Ollie flicks the ball over their centre-backs.
I take it on my chest. Before the ball hits the ground, I rifle it with my right.
The keeper gets a palm to it, but the shot is too hard. He can’t keep it out.
GOAL!
3–2.
I grab the ball from the net. The lads try and grab me as I race back to the halfway line, but I push them away. There’s work to do.
They kick off. I’m on their forward as soon as he gets the ball. I slide in, take the ball and clatter the player. I look to the ref, but he waves play on.
Ollie is making a run into their box.
I hit a long pass from the centre circle.
It bounces in front of Ollie. He puts his foot through it.
Top corner of the net. What a strike.
3–3.
I race over to Ollie and the others who are celebrating near the corner flag.
Ollie points at me and everyone hugs me now.
For the rest of the half, we batter them. Every time we get the ball, we look as though we’re going to score. It’s only a combination of the woodwork and their keeper that stops us scoring five. But there are only a couple of minutes left and the scores are still level.
Chelsea’s Brazilian kid gets the ball just outside the box.
He takes a shot, which is charged down by Ryan and out for a corner.
Chelsea bring everyone forward looking for the winner.
I pick up a big lad on the edge of the box. He tries to push and shove me, but I shove him back.
The ball comes in.
Ryan leaps up, towering above everyone else and heads it clear.
It drops to me.
The break is on.
I race away with the ball. Look up.
Ryan is sprinting forward.
I pretend to go left. Go right. Pass the defender with ease.
I’m at the edge of the box.
The Chelsea players are racing back towards their goal.
“JACKSON!” screams Ryan.
I think about cracking it. Getting the glory.
Then I think about Alex Chambers, Mum and Granddad. The team, and what Liam said.
I slip the ball through the defender’s legs.
All Ryan has to do is make contact.
And he does.
The ball almost tears a hole in the back of the Chelsea net.
We go crazy.
Ryan jumps on me.
The pair of us tumble to the ground. The rest of the lads pile on. I’m buzzing.
The ref blows his whistle. We win 4–3. I shake the Chelsea players’ hands. They all tell me I played well.
Ryan throws his arm around me. “Played, man,” he says. He ruffles my hair and races over to his parents.
As I walk off the pitch, Liam calls me over. He’s standing there with Alex Chambers. “That’s what I’ve been talking about,” says Liam. “This is what you can do. Do you see?”
“Got my eye on you,” says Alex Chambers. He nods at me, then goes over to Ollie and puts his arm around him.
Ollie looks over at me and grins.
I grin back.
“Jackson,” says someone else. It’s Arthur, the scout. He’s with my granddad. “Well played,” he says. “You made your granddad proud.”
“Thanks, Arthur,” I tell him. “For everything.”
“Thank you,” he says. “You’ve made me look good.” He tips his cap to me, then to my granddad and wanders off.
“Lovely fella,” says Granddad.
I squint at him. “It was you, wasn’t it?” I ask. “You told him about me.”
“I’m saying nothing,” says Granddad. He winks at me.
A New Team
A couple of weeks later, me and Wheeler are having a kick about in the park. It’s mad. Seems like such a long time ago when Arthur was watching me, but it’s only been a month.
“BOYS!” shouts someone.
Ryan and Ollie are walking towards us.
I’ve started hanging out with Ryan and Ollie. Ollie is cool. Top boy. You know, he lives in this mansion and has everything anyone could ever want but he’s the most down-to-earth person I’ve ever met. Ryan has started to grow on me too. He seems loyal: like a big, shaven-headed guard dog.
Things are going great at United. I’ve started the last two games and I feel like a proper part of the team. Liam says I’ve got a real chance of making it as a professional footballer, as long as I work hard and keep out of bother. I’m working hard. But keeping out of bother? I’ll do my best!
“Safe, boys,” I say.
Me and Wheeler bump fists with Ryan and Ollie.
“Give us a kick then,” says Ryan.
I knock the ball to him.
He starts doing kick ups.
“All right, show off,” says Wheeler. “Less of the fancy stuff, yeah?”
Ryan shrugs. He whacks the ball between the two coats we’re using for goals.
“Less of that too!” says Wheeler. He runs after the ball and blasts it in the air.
Ryan and I chase after it.
Bonus Bits!
Guess Who?
Match the fact to the person from the story. Check your answers at the end of this section (no peeking!).
A works at Quickstop
B spotted by a talent scout
C played for United in the 1970s
D plays in the under-16 team with Jackson
E supports Arsenal
1 Taylor
2 Jackson
3 Arthur Logan
4 Mum
5 Ollie
Quiz Time
Can you answer these questions about the story? Look back to check if you need to. The answers are at the end of the book.
1. Who said, “Who is that old geezer watching us?”
A Taylor
B Wheeler
C Harj
D Jackson
2. What did Ollie keep secret from Jackson to begin with?
A that he is friends with Ryan
B that he lives next door to him
C that his dad is the manager
D that he plays on the youth team
3. Where is United’s Academy and training ground?
A Samuels Park
B Winter Hill
C Jacksons Park
D Spring Hills
4. Who used Jackson’s phone to post the comment that Liam was angry about?
A Jackson
B Ryan
C Wheeler
D Ollie
5. What position does Javier Souza play at United?
A right wing
B goalkeeper
C centre half
D central midfield
6. What position does Jackson most like playing?
A right wing
B goalkeeper