Soccer Coach 2004

Chapter One: The Cup Final

"Eighty-eight minutes gone in this pulsating match. Aston Villa, who fell behind twice earlier in the match, are now on the ascendancy. The crowd really getting behind them now."

"They've had a fantastic season haven't they Geoff?"

"That they have. Winning the league, and reaching the cup final in young manager Jamie Smith's first year in charge. Here comes Ridgewell now, on the left-hand side. Looks inside for Juninho."

"What a season he's had. That big money move from Middlesbrough has really paid off hasn't it? People doubted Smith's wisdom when he signed Juninho, but he has certainly proved his critics wrong."

"Juninho turns, under pressure from Gerrard- Liverpool's talisman whose first half goal seems a lifetime away now."

"Juninho finds Barry, the captain. Barry to Hendrie."

"This Villa side can really move the ball around can't they? They're making full use of this wide Wembley pitch."

"Liverpool defending in numbers here, they know they've just got to hold on for a few more minutes. Hendrie moves the ball from left to right."

"Those Liverpool players look tired in the Wembley heat. These cup finals can sometimes become a war of attrition in the second-half."

"Solano beats Finnan for pace, crosses it in. Headed away by Carragher."

"A solid header, just what Liverpool needed."

"Villa have it once more with Barry again. The crowd getting right behind them. Barry, passes it to McPhail, the substitute who turned this game on his head."

"Say what you like about Jamie Smith, he always seems to get his substitutions spot-on."

"Returns the ball to Barry now, who gets the better of Murphy. Barry plays it through. Vassell is onside! Can he win it for Villa? Vassell Shoots!"

"Jamie, time for tea."

"Just a moment mum."

The afternoon sunshine and the roar of the Wembley crowd suddenly replaced by the sound of a Vauxhall Astra and some children shouting in the street outside.

Jamie went downstairs, the moment gone.

"Why are you wearing a suit Jamie?"

"No reason," Jamie didn't want to admit that he always put a suit on for cup final games, it helped him get into the atmosphere of the match. His white shirt was covered in sweat from Aston Villa's incredible second-half comeback against Liverpool. "Was just checking it still fits."

"There's a letter here for you," his mum said.

Jamie could see the letterhead; his heart started racing. 'South Birmingham Polytechnic' was printed in dark red, its logo instantly recognizable from the hours and hours Jamie had spent on the school's website dreaming. Dreaming of a place at the school and a chance to study football management analytics. Dreaming of studying under the legendary Professor John Greenwood, of becoming an expert in football analytics, of getting head-hunted by Chelsea or Arsenal, or getting hired by Aston Villa and helping them win the league for the first time since 1981.

"Aren't you going to open it?"

Jamie looked at the letter, he wanted to rip it open right there and then.

"I'll open it later," Jamie said, trying to act like the letter was no big deal, fully aware that his attempt to be nonchalant was undermined by his voice.