Baller Boys Read online

  “She went straight in to get dinner sorted. We’re all starving! Is Colin about? I wanted to tell you both how Frankie got on today,” Danny said.

  “He came home late. Let me see if he’s still sleeping,” said Tina. There was a creak on the stairs. “Oh, there he is.”

  Colin was a tall man and he seemed to shrink every room he was in. He was gently carrying the baby as he walked down the stairs. They both looked as though they’d just woken up.

  “Danny, my man, how’s things?” Colin handed the baby to Tina and shook Danny’s hand.

  “Yeah good and you? Rescue any cats from trees last night?”

  “Very funny.” Colin rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. “That joke’s getting stale now.”

  Frankie’s dad was a fire fighter and was very proud of his job. He’d been in the fire service since he left school. He loved his work but he just wished he had more time to spend with Tina and the family. Working shifts often meant he was at work when Frankie came in after school or on important days like this, when he wanted to be the one to take his son to football trials. Colin felt really grateful to have a good friend like Danny, even if he did tell silly jokes.

  “So, how did my boy get on at the big trial? Thanks for taking him,” said Colin, running his hands through his short, blonde, cropped hair. He rubbed his bright blue eyes, trying to fully wake himself up.

  “He did us all proud and gave it his best shot. You know Frankie. He’s fast and outran all of the other boys on the pitch!”

  “That’s Frankie alright!” Colin said proudly. “How was Shay?”

  “Really good. All we have to do now is wait! AC United said they’d be in touch with everyone in a day or so.”

  Frankie and Shay looked at each other. They would just have to keep their fingers crossed that they both made the team.

  CHAPTER 8

  Are We In?

  Monday afternoon arrived. Frankie found himself staring out of the window, waiting for his dad to get home, to find out if he’d heard anything about the trials. Every time a car pulled up outside, he’d race to the window to see if it was him. So far, he’d had no luck.

  Shay was at the park playing football with his dad and younger brother Rayne when his dad’s mobile rang.

  “Hello? Yes, this is Shay’s dad. Oh, hello Coach Joe.”

  Shay froze on the spot. He looked up at his dad and held his breath.

  It had been quite a difficult job for the coaches at AC United, but they’d finally selected their teams. Giving good news was easy, but all the coaches found it difficult to tell the families that their sons hadn’t made the team.

  The coaches had promised that all the families would be contacted and told if their child had made it into the club—either the main team or the development squad.

  In total there would be twenty boys in the under-nines group. Ten would be part of the main team. There would be seven players and three reserves. The other ten would be in the development squad who would train and improve their skills and then hopefully get a chance to play in the main team in the future.

  The wait was finally over for Shay and his family. He waited nervously as his dad finished the conversation. Shay’s dad hung up the phone and broke into a huge smile.

  “You got in!”

  “Yessssss!” Shay said punching the air.

  When they got home, Shay ran around the living room with his sweater over his face, screaming at the top of his voice. His little brother Rayne joined in and they began to do a victory dance. Shay got so hot from all the celebrating he took his jumper off.

  Dad took a selfie of them on his phone, adding the caption ‘Our boy made the team!’ and sent it to Joanne at work, who cheered out loud when she saw it. The whole family was delighted for him.

  Shay thought about his best friend and wondered if Frankie had found out yet.

  “Mum, can I go online to see if Frankie’s on his computer?”

  “Okay, but just for a minute.”

  Shay ran into the living room and switched on his computer. He could see that Frankie was online and tried to speak to him, but Frankie didn’t answer.

  CHAPTER 9

  Thanks, But No Thanks!

  When Coach Reece had called Colin that afternoon, it wasn’t the news that Frankie had hoped for. Colin and Tina had both felt so disappointed for their son.

  “Come here, son.” Colin put his arms around him, hugging him close. “Listen to me, you’re a good player and you will get better. The coaches have obviously seen something in you, which is why they’ve asked you to join the development squad. They don’t just let anyone in. You must have some special skills and I know that you do. Don’t worry, just keeping working hard.”

  Frankie shook his head, then the tears came. “But Dad, I did try hard. I really did.”

  “Yes, I know you did son. I know you’re a good player. Maybe it was just that some of the other players shined a bit more on the day. Look, once you start training, you’ll definitely improve and as long as you keep giving it your all, they’re bound to notice you.”

  As Frankie sobbed into his dad’s arms, Colin carefully tucked some of the plaits that had fallen out of his son’s hairband back into place. He gently wiped his tears away and kissed him on the top of his head.

  Even after the chat with his dad, Frankie didn’t feel any better. He didn’t want to be on the development squad. That wasn’t what he’d tried out for.

  That’s it! I’m not going to accept the place, he thought.

  For a moment he wondered about Shay and thought he should call him back. But he didn’t want to tell anyone that he hadn’t made the team. He fell on to his bed, switched on his TV, but didn’t watch it, instead he buried his head into his pillow and sobbed quietly.

  Later that evening, just before bed, Shay tried again to talk to his friend on the computer and this time Frankie answered.

  “Frankie! I made the team! I’m so happy. This is our dream come true. The best day of our life so far! Coach rang my dad and we did a dance to celebrate, even my dad joined in.” Shay laughed but he abruptly stopped when he realised Frankie wasn’t laughing with him. “Frankie, are you there? Frankie?”

  Shay could hear him breathing but just not saying anything.

  “You alright mate?” Shay asked. “You did make the team as well, didn’t you?”

  Frankie could barely bring himself to answer, he took a few deep slow breaths before answering. “No. I only made the development squad.”

  “The development squad? What! Are you joking?”

  Frankie didn’t answer and it took Shay a moment to realise it wasn’t a joke.

  “Oh, erm… don’t worry Frankie, that’s still good! You just need to work on passing. I can help if you like?”

  “No need,” Frankie replied. “I’ve decided not to take the place. I think my football days are well and truly over.”

  “But Frankie, you can’t quit! You’re really good,” protested Shay.

  “Well, if I’m that good, why didn’t I get picked then? Why did they just pick you?” asked Frankie, almost shouting at his friend, and then the tears came again. “Shay, I’ve got to go and I’m sorry. Well done for making the team. See you later.”

  The computer screen went black. Shay sighed and shut down his computer. He didn’t know how to feel. Frankie had been his best friend for as long as he could remember. They went to school together, always played football together and had planned to join AC United together. They were more than friends; they were like brothers. Now everything would change. They wouldn’t be able to play together in matches.

  Will I even see him at training? Will we still be best friends? Shay shook his head. He was being silly! They were solid, and team or no team they would be as close as ever.

  CHAPTER 10

  Welcome To AC United

  All the boys selected for the main team and the development squad were asked to come to Marshals Playing Field on Saturday morning at midday.

  The boys were told to wear their training kit, football boots, shin pads, gloves (if they’d tried out as a goalkeeper) and to bring a bottle of water. They were also told to be on time.

  Frankie’s mum checked her phone for the weather forecast: cloudy with a chance of rain. It was the first day of football training and she would be taking Frankie, Katie and the baby.

  Tina was so happy when Frankie changed his mind and said he would accept a place on the development squad. To make him smile, she decided to give his baby brother, newly named Thomas, the middle name Sanchez, which had cheered Frankie up.

  Frankie got dressed in his red and white AC uniform. His dad had bought him a new pair of football boots and shin pads to go with the new kit.

  Frankie looked in the mirror and said to his reflection, “I will make the team. Watch and see!”

  “Come on Frankie. It’s time to go!” Tina called, as she pulled on Katie’s jacket. “You don’t want to be late on the first day.”

  Marshals Playing Field wasn’t as busy as it had been on the day of the trials. Shay was practically bouncing on his feet. He couldn’t wait to get started.

  He saw the fidgety boy, Jamie, arrive with his mum who today had bright pink hair.

  “Mum, that’s the boy I told you about. The one that can’t keep still and doesn’t listen.” Shay pointed at Jamie.

  Joanne, who was busy pulling out snacks and drinks from her bag, looked up and saw Jamie almost knock Katie off her scooter. Jamie paused for a moment, but then carried on running, full steam ahead.

  Tina gasped and shook her head at Jamie’s actions. As she bent down to see to her daughter, she noticed Joanne quickly walking towards them looking alarmed.

  Coach Reece appeared ten minutes later and ca
lled the boys over to welcome them to AC United. Shay was delighted that Coach Reece was there.

  “I’m pleased that you’re all here on time and I must say, you look great in your training kits,” Coach Reece said and Shay beamed. “We here at All Cultures United are proud of everyone that tried out for the team. I know some of you are in our development squad, but I want you to know that you’re here because you have the potential to be in the main team.”

  Frankie sat listening carefully to Coach Reece’s words and found himself firmly repeating to himself, under his breath, “I will make this team. I will, I will, I will.”

  Next, Pete went through the register and asked each boy to shout, ‘here,’ if they were present. All of the players answered except for Jamie who shook his head then proceeded to pick his nose. Tandeep, the very quiet boy, didn’t answer but raised his hand instead. He spent most of the time looking down at his hands, avoiding everyone’s eyes.

  After the register, Pete went over to speak to the parents. “We’re happy for you to go and leave the boys here with us, as long as you’re back for the end of training to collect them on time. You’re more than welcome to stay and watch, but please remember to let the coaches do the coaching.”

  “I’m going to stay for a while,” Tina said to Joanne as they walked to the stands. “Then I’ll take Katie and the baby over to the swings for a bit. I can take Rayne as well if you like?”

  “I’ll come with you,” replied Joanne.

  The two mums stayed with the other parents while the boys started their warm-up. Then the boys were split into two groups. Shay and Frankie weren’t in the same group.

  Coach Joe took the main team while Coach Kaan took the development squad. Coach Reece stood on the side lines watching.

  The main team consisted of Shay, Hassan, Blessing, Troy, Oscar, Maxwell the goalkeeper, Tandeep and Jamie.

  As the two groups parted Shay looked over at Frankie and gave him a big thumbs up. Frankie smiled back weakly, wishing he could stay with Shay in the main team.

  CHAPTER 11

  Settling In

  Training started with what would become their usual routine. The warm-up was a few laps around the pitch, star jumps and knee kicks. This was followed by shoulder rolls, hip, knee and ankle rotations, butt kicks, dribbling and drills.

  The coaches knew that a consistent routine was good. It helped the players to know what was coming and the coaches knew it was especially helpful for Jamie to have some structure. Jamie had ADHD, which meant that he was often impulsive, doing things without thinking it through first. He was hyperactive, which meant he was always on the go. Because of this, the other children called him ‘fidgety boy.’ Having an organised warm-up routine helped Jamie to stay focused, which meant he was less likely to become distracted and fidget.

  The coaches threw in a few games designed to make the boys feel relaxed and help them to get to know each other, which in turn helped them to work together better. It also helped to prepare the boys for the harder training that was to follow and, of course, the matches.

  At the end of the first session, Joanne and Tina arrived to take the boys home. The boys grabbed their bags and walked towards their mums, who noticed that Frankie was quiet and sulky, while Shay was excited and smiling.

  “Frankie, come here son, you looked good out there today. How did it go?” asked Tina.

  As Shay and Joanne looked on, Frankie shook his shoulders and almost pleaded, “Can we go home now please?”

  “Training was brilliant! I really enjoyed it, did you?” asked Shay.

  Frankie didn’t answer, instead he pulled his mum’s arm hoping to hurry her along so they could leave. He was still very disappointed at not making the team and didn’t want to talk about it. He wanted them both on the team or both in the development squad. He really didn’t want to believe that Shay was any better than he was.

  *

  Every week, the coaches put the under-nines through their paces and they got better and better. The coaches made a point of praising the players for both their individual and team development.

  As time went on Frankie gradually began to enjoy being on the development squad. Every time the coaches praised him; he grew in confidence. He showed his commitment by attending training regularly. In fact, he had never missed a session and he always gave his best, just like his dad had told him to do.

  He was getting noticed for being a good midfielder because he was one of the fittest and fastest players in the squad. He could cover the pitch quickly, getting the ball from one end to the other.

  Frankie watched the game carefully and always knew where he needed to direct the ball and who to pass to. He only wished that he was better at long shots and passing the ball with accuracy, but he was working on it. His dad had been helping him practice at the park whenever he had time. Although the boys on the development squad were friendly enough, Frankie preferred to stick with Shay and the players on the main team.

  Shay was also enjoying playing for AC United and was making a name for himself as a striker. He was fantastic at getting himself into the right positions to score goals and was brilliant at creating chances for the other players to score. He had become a popular member of the club and enjoyed the company of the team and the development squad, often laughing and joking with all of them. All in all, football training was going well for both boys.

  “Hey everyone,” Hassan shouted, as the boys began picking up their stuff ready to go home. “My dad’s invited the whole team, their parents and the coaches to our restaurant for a celebration lunch next Saturday after training.”

  “We’re all invited for free food?” asked Shay.

  “Yeah, you can have anything you like,” Hassan said proudly.

  “Frankie, did you hear that? You love Turkish food!” Shay said.

  “Oh, sorry, no, Frankie can’t come. It’s only for the players on the main team not the development squad.”

  “Oh… it’s okay,” Frankie said quietly before picking up his bag and walking off.

  “Frankie, wait up!”

  Shay caught up with his friend and tried to put his arm around his shoulder, but Frankie shrugged him off. Shay was surprised by Frankie’s reaction, in fact he felt a bit hurt, after all it wasn’t his fault that Hassan had said what he’d said. Shay didn’t really know what to say to Frankie, so they both walked over to their families in silence.

  “You alright boys? What’s that face for Frankie?” asked Joanne.

  “Nothing,” Frankie mumbled.

  Joanne glanced at Shay who shook his head.

  Tina gently ruffled Frankie’s head. “Let’s go home love.”

  CHAPTER 12

  The Lie

  “Mum, Hassan said his family have invited everyone on the team for lunch at their restaurant on Saturday, can I go?” asked Shay almost breathless with excitement.

  “Aww lovely, of course you can. What type of food is it?” enquired Joanne.

  “His family have a Turkish restaurant. You know that big one on the high street?”

  “Oh yeah, I know the one. You lucky boy, wish I was going. I’ll go on their website and take a look at the menu to see what food you can have and check their allergen statement.” Joanne took her phone out of her bag and began to Google the restaurant. “As long as you take your bag with your EpiPen in, and I give you some antihistamines, you should be fine. Oh, I’ll speak to Hassan’s parents as well.”

  “Thanks Mum, you’re the best, and… he said our families are invited too.”

  Joanne looked at her son, raised her eyebrows and smirked at him. “Ha ha! You’re so funny.”

  “I’m not joking! Hassan said all of our families are invited as well.”

  “Oh wow that’s generous of them! Tina and Frankie are going to love this. They love Turkish food.”

  “Well, actually Mum, that’s why Frankie was upset after training today. Hassan said it’s only for the main team, so he can’t come.”

  Joanne switched off the kettle and stopped making her coffee to give Shay her full attention.

  “Ah, poor Frankie that must have been upsetting for him.” Joanne studied Shay carefully. “How do you feel about him not coming?”