Dedicated to my entire family and for Sanchit for providing me the inspiration

The development and production of this book was supported by Institute of Experiential Learning, Bangalore, India. Printed at Bangalore April 2012

FOOTBALL DREAMS

"You've got talent, kid." said Mostafa Trulsen. He grinned when he saw 20-year old Collen Nash's face light up with happiness. He waited for a moment to let the news sink in, and continued, "You'll be sent to Underwood City's Youth Academy. If you show promise, you'll be signed to the senior team." Collen shook the talent scout's hand. He looked back at the dirty street. His friend Bobby Carpenter gave him a thumbs up. "By the way, your friend Bobby's invited too." said Trulsen solemnly. Bobby too pumped his fist ecstatically. "Your flight's this Saturday." The two friends came forward and shook Trulsen's hand. They were going to Underwood City; the city of warehouses, but for them it was the City of Dreams. *********** Washington McLord but on his 'Captain' armband, and walked onto the pitch. The crowd gave him a rousing welcome as He jovially shook hands with his opponents. The whistle rang out and he was immediately was passed the ball by Jameson Bishop. He set off on an epic dribble that left 5 defenders in his wake. He got to the final frontier, the goalkeeper and chipped the ball over him. He pumped his fist ecstatically as the crowd rose in applause. He cart wheeled as he looked at the roaring crod. Washington went on to score a hat trick in the match. He was long hailed as the best Captain of Underwood City and he reveled in that. Later, after Underwood City drubbed Yahska AFC 9-0, Bishop met Washington in the locker room. "Yo, Cap. Amazing show." he said admiringly. "Shame we're gonna lose you at the end of the season." he continued ruefully. "Yeah, Jamie. Just can't continue. The barcode on my head has long passed its best-before date." Washington said, pointing to a barcode tattoo on the back of his neck. Bishop smiled. "I just hope I go out with a bang." Washington said hopefully. 3

Washington didn't know it then, but his party was going to be crashed by none other than Collen Nash. *********** Collen did a Rainbow over the hapless 'keeper and scored straight into the back of the net. The coach, Jean-Paul Simon clapped and said, "Amazing, Col. By the way, the manager of Underwood City, Paul Zachariah, is going to drop by to check on our progress. Get prepared for an impromptu practice match." Collen was awestruck. But he decided to steel his nerves and show PZ, as he was fondly called, that he would be making the right choice when he signed Collen over to the senior team. He ran around the pitch once for luck, and limbered up. Minutes later, he was told to line up. Collen stared down the line of Youth players. All of the players wore a nervous look. But they were cock-ahoop, judging by their frequent and apprehensive looks toward the entrance of the pitch and stares into empty space with smiles stretching a mile. A second or so later, PZ appeared with a beaming Jean-Paul. He walked down the line, with a muttered "Good morning, sir" from each player he passed. He walked back and addressed the players in his famous gruff Irish accent, "I've heard good things 'bout you, m'boys. Do Jean proud and I might have a proposition to offer you." He gave a sly smirk and walked to the small bleachers. The Youth Squad then split up into teams of 5. The adrenalin surged through Collen's body. He was playing a match, nonetheless of its low-key nature. It was also the first match since....the ghetto. *********** Collen Nash's earlier life was a mystery. He was found abandoned on the step of a soup kitchen for the homeless and adopted by a poor mechanic. He was brought up in the dirty ghetto a little outside London. He used to play soccer everyday with his neighbors sons. The matches were No-Holds-Barred, and you had to be tough to survive. The matches were also not age specific, and often 8-year old Collen found himself playing against 18-year old monsters. Yet, he and Bobby Carpenter braved it all. Even when Collen and his family moved into a tiny apartment inside London, he used to bike back to the ghetto 4

everyday to play. His skill in the dirty streets was unparalleled. He also knew how to put two and two together, since his 'mother' had a little education and taught him whatever she knew. He had also picked up most of his fathers' array of skills in different fields like plumbing and mechanics. It was assumed that he would take his father's place when the old man retired. Now, if he could land the contract, he would be rolling in dough. If only.. *********** Collen snapped back into the real world when he heard the whistle. He pounced upon the ball like a hungry lion and dribbled the ball into the box before anybody had realized it. He had the ball into the net before anybody had an opportunity to move. His opponents were gobsmacked. Collen jumped and punched the air. Collen and Bobby, who were on the same team, formed a perfect combination. All of the goals scored by their team came from their boots. At the end, the makeshift scoreboard read 7-1. The other team was flabbergasted. Lucas Lee started blubbering like a baby, and Collen felt crushed. He walked over to him and helped him up from the ground. "A good loser is the real winner, Luke. And besides, you saved like half of my shots. "Lucas Lee looked up and hugged Collen. "You're so sporty, Collen. I aspire to be like you " he sobbed. Bobby walked up to them, and said seriously, "Am I interrupting something? Collen tore himself away and was off after Bobby like a bullet. The players started laughing, differences forgotten. At this moment, Jean-Paul emerged from the office of the pitch. He was grinning from ear to ear. "Mr. Z wants to see Collen, Bob and Luke. Wonder why?" he said feigning a quizzical voice. Collen, who had finally caught up with Bobby, was in the process of dive-tackling Bobby when he heard this. He shot up like a rabbit out of a magician's hat and screamed in utter joy. Bobby muttered from the ground that Collen's attempt at singing opera was a miserable dud. Collen offered his hand to him and helped him up. "I didn't lay a hand on you because I was beat. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to see your front teeth, said Collen. "Promises, promises." said Bobby. Collen shot him a 'WHY?' look and put his arm around Bobby's shoulder. He did the same to Luke. They 5

walked toward the office. *********** Washington awoke in a cold sweat. He had just had a nightmare... a horrible one, where he was booed and jeered by the crowd and was fired by his manager. All due to an upstart dethroning him. He kept replaying the player's face in his head. He felt scared. He held his sleeping wife closer. She grunted sleepily. Washington got a little comforted by her presence and decided he didn't want to give away his life as a footballer because of his own actions. A few moments later, he was asleep again. Washington's background is very different from Collen's. He was born and brought up in a rich politician's house, and so he was spoilt considerably. His skill in soccer was noticed when he played with his brother in their house's massive backyard. He had a degree at Cambridge for Business Management. It was not very difficult to notice that Washington's influence being a politician's son was used to the maximum by him. His other big flaw was that he was very temperamental. His emotions changed at the drop of a hat. He could be jolly and jovial one moment and rude and rotten in the other. *********** Collen was over the moon. He was going to play his first match this Sunday and was going to meet the team at a practice session that evening. Right now, he was in the tube with Bobby Carpenter, sipping energy drinks. They arrived at Surrey Street and got off the train. It was a short walk from the tube station to the stadium called the Theatre of Dreams - officially called Little London, due to its small chapel like the Westminster Abbey and its massive clock like Big Ben. They entered the stadium and were met by Paul Zachariah. "Hmm, there you are. Wheres that Lucas?" "Luke is not feeling very well, hell drop by a day or two before the game." said Carpenter. "Very well, C'mon, I've gathered the team near the lockers." 6

Bobby and Collen walked with their manager to the lockers and were met by the team - The Team. The Godman of London, Jameson Bishop, the bullish captain Washington McLord, the Anglo-Indian defender John Ratan... ! The list went on and on. Collen's eyes swept the room like he was at a sweetshop. He was almost oblivious to the fact that PZ were introducing them by saying, "Lads, these boys are our new recruits from our youth academy. They are amazing strikers, and their skills have confounded me. Now, lets get started, shall we"? The team surged forward and swarmed Collen and Bobby. At the end of their first meeting, Collen and Bobby''s hand were like worn-out pistons, being chugged up and down. *********** Washington was looking forward to meeting Bobby and Collen. He had heard that they were skilled and hardy. However, his heart sank like a lead balloon when he saw them. Not necessarily Bobby, but Collen. He broke into a cold sweat when he saw Nash and turned deathly pale. He was the only player who did not go forward and shake their hands to welcome them. He sat down on the bench, staring into space. PZ walked up to McLord and told him, "Hey, Wash.. Go on welcome them." Washington looked up. "Sir, I.. I had a weird dream the other night. I dreamt that he", pointing at Nash, "would never let me go out with a bang. He would dethrone me. He would .he trailed of, Are you pulling my leg, McL? You had a dream? What are you, a girl? Only stupid people believe in dreams. And rest assured, I would never fire you unless you REALLY screwed up", said PZ severely. "Now atleast go on and practice a little. "No, PZ - I think Ill throw in the towel for today. Ill be here before the game." And before PZ could stop him, Washington picked up his bag and walked off. PZ's face wore a quizzical look. *********** On the day of the game the teams walked into the field swiftly. The announcers 7

grandly revealed the teams ""Underwood City vs Lemac United!" and their starting lineups. Collen was awestruck. The grass beneath his feet, the roaring crowd, the solemn referees, the players with their determined looks everything seemed unreal. It was like a dream. And Collen was living it. After the customary handshakes, the game started. Collen switched to Game Mode. His eyes never moved away from the ball, and he played like he had never played before. At first, Lemac had the ball. Then John Ratan got it. Collen wildly called for the ball. The ball was immediately nestled within his legs. The defenders called for offside, but Nash knew he was onside. He dribbled the ball into the box and faked a shot. The keeper flinched, and Collen saw his chance. Collen shot it into the top left corner of the goal. The roar from the crowd was deafening. The keeper was rooted to his spot. Collen exulted and ran like a madman towards his teammates. Bishop and Carpenter knocked knuckles with him, and he flew at John Ratan, thanking him for the wonderful pass. ****************** Washington was dismayed. Normally, he wouldnt be, if one of his players scored a goal. But this was just the first nail in his coffin. Washington was scared. The skill Nash had displayed was astonishing. His eyes blanked out for a second. So absorbed was he in thinking about his future that he stood rooted to the spot for a moment. The striker of Lemac, Shane Quigley, having been passed the ball, passed him with a flourish. The Underwood defenders were thrown off by their captain's tardiness for a moment, but it was too late. Quigley passed the last line of defense and eyed the keeper Lucas Lee like a hunter eyeing his prey. He shot the ball into the net easily. Quigley bellowed "Goal" and charged off celebrating. Another player of Lemac muttered "G'bye, Loser Lee!" and joined his team's players. *********** The game ended with only 2 goals scored. The scoreboard read Underwood-1, Lemac-1. PZ was furious at Washington. "You are the captain of the team. You're supposed to set an example. You set a great example today! TO STAY ROOTED LIKE A BLITHERING IDIOT WHEN AN OPPONENT APPROACHES YOU!!! he screamed. 8

Washington shot back angrily, It was just a momentary lapse! A momentary lapse that cost us a goal! blithered PZ. Hey, so fine, one guy let a striker pass. Why don't you scold the rest of the defenders? bellowed Washington back. "Don't worm your way out of this, McL. I'm letting you go this one time. Next time you won't be so lucky." said PZ. After a second, he said, "Get out of my sight." *********** Collen was about to leave when he saw Washington entering. "Hi, Captain" he said quietly. Washington looked like he'd seen a ghost. He drew in his breath sharply and responded with sharp Hello. "Sorry 'bout that Quigley", continued Collen, trying his best to comfort a clearly distressed Washington. Washington finally cracked. He dropped his bag and grabbed Collen's collar. "Who sent you to sabotage me and my image? Tell me!! he roared. Collen gaped at him. "Why will somebody SEND me to sabotage you? I got in through my talent and luck." Washington shot him a menacing look. Luckily, at that moment, PZ appeared at the door. He ran to them and split them up. "McL, you're officially treading the line here. How dare you touch my star player?", said PZ. "Before, I was your star player", said Washington, sounding hurt. "Don't act like a child, McL. Now, I really mean it, get out of my sight before I kick you out!" shouted PZ. Washington looked around. He started sniggering. "I'm going crazy!" he laughed. He then picked up his bag and walked out of the door. Collen was the first to break the silence that followed this perfectly weird remark. "I think I'm going dotty too." "Don't worry, you aren't. It's just... he's a little weird sometimes." assured PZ. The entire season, Washington made bad decisions. He tried to sabotage Collen (now called CNN-Collen Nasty Nash) in every way he could. Once, he even went so far as to put pins inside his boot. But, apart from this, he also couldn't concentrate and was an outcast in every other field. He wouldn't even speak to his loving wife properly. But still, the pundits praised him for his abilities. Once, when the pundits rallied behind Underwood for an insignificant game against Atlanta, they lost 3-2. This was the final straw for the fans of 9

Washington and the football pundits. His critics began to bay for his blood. But PZ still did not fire him. He had some faith in him. The fortunes of Underwood fell into a downward spiral, however, after this game. By some luck, Underwood scraped through to the finals of the league. It was expected that the star strikers of the team, Bishop and Nash, would fire for their team. On the day of the final, Washington put on his 'Captain' armband. This would be his last final. He thought about how everybody felt about that. His team had begun to detest him after the incident with him and Nash in the locker room. The manager had thought of him like he was a scab, disgusting to look at and happy when he was gone. The fans? They too, began to hate him after the loss against Ahtnana. He stepped onto the field and muttered a prayer to God, "Lord, in the last few months you have never looked at me. Please let me go out with a bang." The game was amazing. The ball moved from side to side like a game of PingPong. The few shots that got close never got close enough. Finally, the game came down to the 88th minute. Washington ran along with Nash, who had the ball, calling for a pass. Then he remembered. Nobody ever passed the ball to him intentionally. He gave up his fervent calling and just stood. He stood as the last defender and waited. He saw Nash score a goal. Great, he thought. Now let the little weasel see what I do now. The opponent team got the ball. He waited for them to come near him. He then stepped aside and let them pass. He smirked evilly as the ball nestled itself in the goal. The game went into extra time. When Collen got the ball, he saw his chance. He ran madly towards him. When he was close enough, he just touched his foot. The momentum of Collen's run was brought to a grinding halt. He tripped and landed on his head. He lay writhing on the grass. Bishop and Carpenter ran to him along with the other players. Ratan demanded, "What's the matter with you, Wash?!" The crowd started booing and jeering Washington. He looked around. The physios had arrived with a stretcher. The referee tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to find himself looking at a big red card. He saw everybody flocking around Collen. He stood at a distance, alone and watched. He had done it. He had gone out with a bang. A big one!

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Akshay Kulkarni wrote this book as part of the Creative Writing and Publishing Learning Lab facilitated by Institute of Experiential Learning. Akshay Kulkarni is 13 years old and lives with his family in Bangalore. He is an avid video gamer and his favorite football team is Manchester United.

FOOTBALL TRIVIA The 3 pictures on the front page are posters from 3 different FIFA world cups. Logos from World Cup 1954, 1966 and 2010 grace the cover of this book. The lion kicking the football in the poster of world cup 1966 was the first ever FIFA world cup mascot, his name was WORLD CUP WILLIE. The names Lemac, Yahska and Ahtnana are names of Clubs. If you reverse them you form actual names! Can you guess what they are.

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Collin Nash had a dream since he was little boy, he wanted to be the greatest footballer. In his way stands the jealous and scheming Washington Mclord, captian of Underwood and a fading star. Who will Triumph??

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