The Journey-The Novel

Prolouge

2009. CLAPHAM COMMON, LONDON, UK. UNDER 11 REGIONAL CUP FINAL

These are the final minutes of the game and all of the players parents were there. Alex dribbled the ball past the opposition as he slowly began to approach goal. "Come on, Alex!" Catherine shouted. Jim also watched alongside Catherine and Harold. "Last minute. Go on, Alex. Take them on." he said with enthusiasm. It almost seemed certain that Alex would score as he made it through the last line of defence. Just as he was about to shoot he was tackled and was stripped of possession. There was no foul given.

Harold seemed disappointed. "What was that? Stay on your feet, Alex! Terrible!" Alex didn't hear him. Catherine looked at Harold in disgust.  "Are you serious, hon?" As the opposition dribbled the ball up the other end, Gareth Walker went to him. "Ref! Where's the foul?" The referee ignored him and chased after the ball. Gareth leant Alex his hand. "Unlucky, mate. It looks like pens now."

"Sounds good." Alex nodded his head as Gareth and himself got back into the game. 

The drama on the sidelines was heating up. Jim was talking to a man who was watching the game. "See, George? I told you the boy had talent."  George didn't say anything Harold then turned to Catherine. "No son of mine goes down like that. It's embarrassing!" Catherine then curled up her hands. "If you're going to talk like that about our boy, then you should leave!" Harold took a step back in shock. "Leave? I want him to be a proper player!"

"Just get out of here." Harold shook his head as Catherine stared at him. "Fine. I'm leaving!" Harold then turned around and began to make his way back home. "Go on, then!" Catherine yelled as she began to focus on the match at hand. Alex then noticed what was going on but couldn't put his full attention upon it. The referee then blew his whistle for full time as a penalty shootout was arranged to settle the result. Jim and  Catherine watched with suspense as the first penalty taker for Alex's team stepped up. "Penalties it is, then." Jim said to George while rubbing his hands with anticipation. The penalty taker kicked it miles high to his left. He walked back to his team in dismay. Alex's team and parents were still full of hope. Which was enough to have their keeper stop the opposition's shot. Alex was up next. "This is going in." he said with confidence. He  picked up the ball and placed it on the outlined spot. He blocked out all of the noise he was hearing even if it was support. He then stared at the keeper as fiercely as he could right before slotting it home in the bottom right corner of the net. Alex won it for his team. Everybody went berserk. Catherine and Jim couldn't be happier. 

Alex returned home along with Gareth with gold medals hanging around their necks. "Championes! Championes! Ole, ole ole!" they kept chanting. "London's finest, mate." Gareth said as Alex and him had a bro hug. Downstairs there was a huge argument going on between Catherine and Harold. "How could you, Harold?! Why can't you just support him like your father?!"

"I'm always supportive! I'm just giving feedback!" the argument raged on and Alex felt frightened. Gareth then gave Alex a tap. "Hey. First of many, Alex." He then pointed to Alex's drawers. "You should put it there. It'd be like our trophy cabinet." Alex chuckled then went to his window. "He didn't even care that we won." he said with a lump of pain in his throat. Jim then entered the room. "Alex, I better go. Mum would want to hear about the game. See you at school Monday, yeah?" Gareth said as he made his way out. "You played well today, Gareth." Jim smiled. Gareth felt like he was walking on air. "Really? Thank you, Mr. Hunter!" Gareth then gave him a fist bump as he walked out. "Hey, Alex! Champions!" he said in a groggy voice. Jim then walked up to Alex. "Penny for him." Alex said nothing. "C'mon. What are you thinking, Alex?" 

"Football. It's what I want to do. Just like you. And dad." Jim flexed his fingers.  "Alex, there's a difference between playing it and working at it. If you're serious about going pro then you need to make football your life." Jim then thought of something else. "George Baker was at the game today. He was impressed." Alex was in shock. "The scout?" Jim nodded. He then handed Alex a leather ball. "Here. I want you to have this. I scored my 100th goal with that very ball. February, 1969, Coventry City, away. Left foot volley. Sweet as a nut. Take it. It might bring you luck as well." Alex was lost for words. "Are you sure, granddad?"

"Yeah."

"I'll practice with it everyday." Jim began to smile. "Well, you better get to it. Jim said right before he left the room and closed the door. Alex began to juggle the ball with his feet and also began to kick it against the wall.

SEVEN YEARS LATER

Loud rock music was blaring from Alex's speakers, his drawers were filled with trophies and medals and his wall had ball marks in the same spot he always practised. His room was also littered with posters of players which he admired and looked up to.  Jim then knocked on the door. "It's time, Alex." A 17 year old Alex Hunter then stopped his dribbling and made his way into the car along with Catherine, Jim and a 18 year old Gareth Walker.