Football Lord - Chapter 21

It was a Friday and the last day of training before the first Competitive match of the season.

The players knew that if they started the match, it meant they were most likely top of the pecking order in that position.

Even the players who were to be chosen had to be seen as one of the best in there respective positions especially as it was the first match of the season and most teams would want to start it with a sure win.

Most of the players who felt they had done better than there competitors during the trainings and trial matches felt they had better chances and were a little calmer than the others.

The players were anxious and they tried to put there anxiety in their training. This led to many of them over doing some of there actions and even trying to go all out.

“Hey all of you calm down, today is the last day before a match and not when you should be using your stamina in training. Take things easy and try to train with caution as we don’t want the jinx or bad luck of an injury before a match.” Coach Taylor quickly rebuked

The players had to calm down as they reduced there tempo in training. As they calmly and effectively performed there drills.

At the end of training, all the players knew it was time for them to know there fates as they gathered up in front of the coaches.

The starting 11 players names were to be announced by the assistant manager Coach Luka. As he came forward all the players felt there throats in there stomach as they couldn’t wait to hear there names.

He came forward and began reading the read the name of the position and the players.

” Stand up when you hear your name, Goalkeeper is Steve Bell, right defender Antoine broadbelt, Central defenders are Louis Carroll and Richard Thomas, Left Defender is Carl Sullivan.”

“The two central midfielders are Marc Tibbets and David McGowan. While the attacking midfielder is Chris price.”

Tony’s mind immediately went blank as a wave of sadness came over him. He had put his sweat into training and copying skills to become a better player, but he was still not seen as a starting player.

‘You know if you look at it from the side of the coach, you are just a new player in an academy and have only just joined these players who have mostly trained for years and been involved in many official matches.’ Rose consoled him

‘At least listen to see if you make it to the substitute bench’.

Tony continued listening as he finally heard his name together with that of his friend John on the substitute bench.

‘Rose you must be correct about the reasons I didn’t start, at least we made it to the bench’

He immediately consoled himself as he stood up with the other players who were chosen to be among the starting 11 or the substitutes. He saw John moving closer to him.

“Hey Congrats John. At least we also made it to the bench” Tony said while trying to act happy.

“Congrats too Tony. if we didn’t make it to the bench I would have maybe started doubting my choice of focusing on football.” John pouted but still smiled honestly.

They discussed for a moment as the team squad against Wolves were led to the seminar room while the remaining players were to continue training and later close for the day.

“Congratulations all of you, but don’t begin to feel over confident on being chosen for the match, as this squad can easily change once you start to drop in your performances before other future matches”

“We would be evaluating each and everyone of the players before every match to select the players to start.” Coach Taylor immediately explained when they got to the Seminar room.

He then started to give the players specific instructions about the match tomorrow and the different positions.

After he had explained everything he wanted to discuss, he then dismissed them by saying.

“We are all to meet at the parking lot tomorrow by 8am, where we would then use the team bus and journey to Wolves for our opening match in the league.”

“So don’t be late and make sure you rest properly and early. Have a nice day.”

With that Coach Taylor dismissed all of them, as the players all rushed home to tell there parents the good news of them being in the Starting 11 or the substitutes bench for the first match of the season.

Tony was also happy, at least he was still chosen to travel with the squad. He couldn’t imagine how he would tell his parents he wasn’t chosen at all for the squad of the first match of the season.

He then rushed to the locker room with the other players, as they quickly bathed and change clothes. Before they all started finding there way to there different destinations.

Tony and John rushed home, as he went directly to drop John off before he then directly went home.

“Hey Mom! Guess what?”

“What? I can’t guess”

“I just got chosen to be on the substitutes bench of the first match and would be going away to face the wolves team tomorrow” Tony quickly explained everything to his mom in one breath.

“Wow! that’s nice.” His mom shouted as she rejoiced with him.

When his brother and dad later came back home, they congratulated him and urged him to continue working harder.

Tony felt really happy that night as he also did not forget to copy the skill of Heading C- that he had achieved from that day of training before he fell asleep.