the football journalist || declan rice

chapter one

Daniella never thought she would be here. But yet she was. This was her second year as a freelance football reporter and journalist, and imposter syndrome was riveting through her when she found herself surrounded by Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand. The amount of times she pinched herself after she woke up this morning and thought 'today i'm working with pundet royalty' was borderline insane. Okay, maybe royalty is a step too far, but Daniella never thought that her dream job would employ meeting the sports industry's finest.

Today, Daniella has been asked to co host and report on one of the first games of the 22/23 season. West Ham versus Manchester City at the London Stadium. It was her first TV job as a presenter. My God she was nervous. There were no behind the scenes edits that could be made if she messed up as she was so nervously excited or edited cuts of awkward silence if she tensed up and couldn't read her cue cards that sat on the desk in front of her.

"Christ, stop overthinking Dani."

"Sorry, did you say something Daniella?" said Gary. This caught her off guard. She clearly meant for that statement to be internal, not wanting anyone around her to sense her nerves.

'Shit, did i really just say that out loud?' Daniella thought to herself.

"No, I didn't say anything." said Daniella whilst smiling, trying to cover up the fact she most definitely did say something and was now lying to her co worker about it. Gaslighting on the first day, brilliant.

"Listen" said Gary. " Don't be nervous okay. You were picked for this job for a reason and you've worked hard to get here. Hell, i was absolutely shitting myself during my first live TV job. But trust me, you'll do great."

That statement made Daniella laugh. But, as the man in her earpiece tells her they're on on five seconds, she has no time to communicate her appreciation for his words of encouragement. So instead, she shoots him an acknowledging smile and mouths the words 'thank you.'

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Daniella successfully presented the introduction to the match. Even though she can't remember much of what was said as it all seemed like a blur.

"See! I told you that you would be great." said Gary.

'Oh my God. I've just presented live. What the fuck.' Daniella thought with excitement. However this time she managed to keep her thoughts to herself and responded with, well, less curse words.

"Thank you, seriously. You calmed me down I thought I was about the throw up."

Immediate regret washed over her face. Maybe be shouldn't have said that to someone she met not three hours ago. She was reassured with a small laugh from Gary, putting her thoughts at ease.

"See you later, Daniella. Or do you prefer Dani?" said Rio.

"Dani is good" she replied. She despised her full name. Something about it made her feel too formal, so now that people who she would be working with frequently knew her nickname, she released a heavy breath that she didn't know was pent up.

Gary and Rio walked away, shortly followed by Dani. Next on her agenda was to watch the match. Although this seems like a piece of cake, and to call it work seemed unfair to people who work vigorously at a 9 to 5, but it was quite intricate job. Making note of injuries that may seem of an interesting topic after the game, cards that were given and whether they were validated or not, players that were on and off form and how the result impacted the premier league table. Daniella made her way to her seat with other journalists, which was located directly behind West Ham's substitute bench.

The match started. Although Daniella was close to the pitch, she had the vision and of a 93 year old. 'Jesus, why are they running so fucking fast' Dani thought to herself. She struggled to see the number on the back of the players shirts, and had trouble with matching up the numbers with the players names that she had on the line up sheet that she was given earlier. She really didn't want to wear her glasses, but, you know, sight is somewhat useful. So Daniella got out her glasses and immediately could see a million times clearer.

"God, these players are quite good looking."Daniella said. 'Oh for fucks sake. Again, out loud. Stop doing this!' she thought. Dani seriously needed to work on not speaking her thoughts out loud.

The lady next to her laughed. Embarrassment began to consume her. But the Lady did not at all seem as though there was an evil intent behind her amusement.

"They are aren't they. I can't pick a favourite to be honest." said the Women next
to Dani.

Daniella laughed awkwardly, not really knowing whether to reply or brush off the statement she had just made.

"Hi. I'm Lucy. What's your name lovely? said the Lady next to her.

"I'm Daniella." she replied.

"Nice to meet you Dani."

Dani? She loved that she called her by her nickname without asking. It made her feel completely at ease that for a moment she forgot her embarrassing comment.

"Don't be embarrassed. I think the same thing..."Lucy said, but was immediately cut off by the roar from the away crowd as Manchester City had scored

"For fucks sake!" muttered Lucy and Dani at the same time.

"i'm a West Ham fan if you can't tell." Lucy continued.

"Me too." said Daniella. She was glad they shared that interest. Now, she was grateful she had made that embarrassing comment previously.

The match continued and Manchester City had won. 2-0. Dani loved her job but took no pleasure in noting down West Ham's performance to report on. But she couldn't be bias. After all this was her job.

Daniella and Lucy made their way down to the conference room and waited patiently for instruction as to what they would do next.

"Dani, please can you help interview rice? We would love to hear what he thinks of West Ham's first overall performance." said the videographer with a camera in his hand.

"Of course I will." she replied.