The thoughts of a professional Footballer

[Mackin_Sundays]

After 6 years of hurt I have finally been given my chance to play the game I love.

I started playing football before I can remember and have always had a ball at my feet. When I was 10 I was playing for my local junior side and was the star player, people kept telling me I was going to be a big star one-day and I thought that was true when Norwich came to see me play. They offered me a trial and I was then on there books.

I spent the next 3 years there playing at the weekends and doing good or so I thought, The coach at the time pulled my parents and me into the office and said, “Kev is just not coping with the fitness demands and we have decided to let him go” I was gutted but determined to prove them wrong and was then picked up buy Colchester United who showed some interest.

After some good performances I was asked to train with the reserves but after 1 year of hard work I picked up some injuries and then there was a change of management for the new season. I along with a bunch of other young players where released to free up Wage funds. My confidence hit an all time low and I was contemplating quitting and going to college and concentrate on my Career when a Man called Tom Smith called my Parents, he was a scout for Bury FC and said he had seen I was released from Colchester and had been impressed when he saw me in a match against Bury last year. I thought that I might as well give it one more go before I officially quit the game as I owed it to my mum and dad for making them dive me everywhere to support me.

I had to move to Manchester to live in the digs that the club supplied. It was hard at first as I missed my parents and friends but this was something I had to do to prove all my doubters wrong.

I have been here 2 years and am now in the reserve squad with hopes I can make the push to the first team.

The gaffer has called me into the office today, I’m expecting the worst as i have seen this way to often.

I walk into the offices and chat up the receptionist whilst I wait (she's well fit :clap: ) The Gaffer sticks his head round the door and says "KJ stop pervin and get in Here, she is way out your league!", Barsterd!:doh: .

"KJ" (this is my affectionate nickname I have been branded with from the gaffer) "your time is running out on you youth contract" this was were I thought I was in trouble, but then something I was not expecting " im gunna offer you a 5 year contract, do you want it? Of course you need to talk to your agent first". well to say I was in shock was an understatement, little old me getting a 5 year deal.

I left saying i wanted to sign but needed to go through it all with me folks, well i said that but i was ready to bite his arm off for the chance. so after talking to me agent i signed for 5 years to Bury, nice! B) im now a first teamer so i am walking round the flat like im a somebody but thats soon gone when the YTS lads in my apartment have set fire to my kit bag.......jokers:wall:

More later.....

[Fabrizio Gatti]

Well, nice reading :) keep it coming indeed

[Mackin_Sundays]

August:

First month is a bit tiring. Being 16 im not the strongest player so I have to show the boss I can be useful in other areas, this being my dribbling and pace. The gaffer has told me “just work hard and I will give you a chance”, brilliant I thought but in my first session I was shown exactly what I was to expect from the First team. I was kicked, pinched and two footed all afternoon and end up going home with more burses than experience from that but I will show them im no push over:P .

The boys get off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over Macclesfield and go out for celebratory drinks, they ask if I wanna go but I say no, I say this for 2 reasons

1/ I don’t wanna **** off the gaffer by smellin of booze at training tomorrow
2/ im 16 :rolleyes:

This doesn’t go down to well with the lads but hay I gotta get sharp to get into the team (however boring it is)

The boys are going great with 2 wins and 3 draws, have only conceded 1 goal and have scored 5, not bad for a side that are meant to be fighting relegation this year. I get my head down and train hard which the gaffer is pleased with (I know, I know I’m such a brown nose:D ).

September:

A couple of injuries have meant the gaffer is giving me a start on Saturday, this is wicked im finally in the first team and starting, oh **** im in the first team and starting!:blimey: .

My folks and some mates make the 4 hour drive to see me play, which is making me feel very nervous indeed.
Youngy comes up to me in the dressing room, he’s the best player in the team so I listen with open ears, “Just keep it simple KJ” these words are echoed by the boss, I am starting to feel everything is moving at 100mph as the tactics are read to us, my job is to start up attacks which is what I do good (I think so anyway).

The game begins and I do as told and pass the ball around not trying anything to special, the fans are great and are giving me loads of shouts. Before I know it half time came and I was happy, as well as the gaffer. But then something strange happens, the boss decides to change from 5-3-2 to a 4-4-2, that’s not so weird but he puts me in Central Midfield, I’m not saying I cant play there but im built like a sparrows knee cap and am a winger by trade so to put me in the mix is not the best news ive had. Second half is like a whirlwind and I end the game disappointed with my performance. The gaffer gives me a reassuring pat on the head but we ended up losing for the first time this season and I can’t help but blame myself.

The papers are a bit mixed, I suppose its due to the fact I had 2 completely different halves. They vary from “solid start” to “poor Debut”. Im a bit gutted as I wanted to explode onto the scene but I guess I need to train a bit harder.

My mates ask me to come down for a night out but I am a bit down and determined to put it right so I say no (once again refer to 1 & 2 above).

Next up Wycombe, we are starting in the 5-3-2 again so I have an idea what’s expected of me. The crowed are happy to see me on the pitch, which is nice. We start off on the back foot and I end up getting a Yellow card after 5mins (note: work on tackling). The gaffer is going mental at the side so I need to impress now. I pick up the ball about 10 yards into their half beat my marker and run at there defence, the crowd are on there feet, I see Bishop free in the corner of my eye and slip a great through ball…….. and he misses, ****!:doh: But the crowd give me a massive round of applause, as does the gaffer, youngy gives me the thumbs up and Bishop apologise, have I finally made my mark? :D Well kind of I don’t really get a chance to do much else but make my easy passes, but we lose again with a **** goal conceded, I am feeling better about my performance though and Youngy gives me some kind words of “didn’t **** the bed today KJ!” to which everyone laughed, he’s great!:rolleyes: .

Papers again think I did OK, My passing is getting praise and the run was a highlight for the fans apparently so I get some attention in the town, but I still wont get served in the bars yet.

Im rested for the rest of the month and train like a bitch to get my skill levels up. We go on to lose our next 2 games and drop from 8th to 18th, finish with a win over Rochdale mind, so not all bad.

More later…..

[Mackin_Sundays]

October:

Well its finally happened I have arrived in Professional footie, I say this as I have apparently sold 12 shirts with my name on. This is a good thing and I made a couple of quid out of it:D .

I then get a call from this guy from a supplement company one of the othe squad players use. He apparently heard I was I little tiered at the mo due to the training I am putting in and had a “new”(which meant untried) product that he knew could help me, hmm let me think……..er no thanks!:rolleyes:

Next game was against Notts County at home and Im on the bench. The gaffer is using a 4-4-2 so im hopeing I’ll get a chance on the left to show what im about. The game is well exciting end to end stuff but they score first. The crowd are great though and keep in good spirits. Just before half time we equalise and the gaffer looks well relieved, dunno if the board are on his case. At half time the boss gives the defence a bashin for there performance, to be fair they aint been auful but the amount of chances leaked could of cost us big.

The boss tells me he will play me in the second half so I should get warmed up. Game begins and we score after 3mins so everything looks rosy, the game turns into a s****py affair and no one looks like scoring so the gaffer gives me a shout, “mix it up son, just run at their back line, they are rubbish!:D ” So that’s what I did, when I had the ball I ran at them, the crowd were lovin it but I knew I had to prove myself again. I received a high pass, chest it down, beat one man, saw a space to shoot and… scuffed it, BOLLOX!! :doh:

Full time then came and I felt as if I had impressed the fans enough and the gaffer so im pretty pleased.

Get back to training and was told by the gaffer to rest, as I looked knackered. He let me have the weekend off so I went and saw some mates and my parents, which was nice. I looked after my mate’s house & dog as he was on holiday, bloody thing jumped up at me and knocked me down (not to self: get on the weights!!).

That weekend the boys loose to Mansfield away 1-0 so the camp wont be happy on my return.

When I get back to my digs I go to the shops and bump into some kids who want my autograph (sweet!:dance: ) so I sign those and go home feeling a hundred dollars.

The boys pick up 4 points in there next 2 games and the gaffer seems safe at the mo so he is in a good mood through the rest of the month.

We then get knocked out the cup 1-0 to Rotherham, I play about 10mins of that game but I might of well just got in the showers early doors as I didn’t touch the ball much.

The rags say I was nowhere to be seen, Bit harsh I thought, uh well onto November, going to the races with my mates when there up next, should be fun.

Oh yeah and I found out the receptionist is 18 so may give it a go, she is going out with a youth player mind but as I am in the first team I may try my luck.

More later……..

[Mackin_Sundays]

Well I thought life in the Pros was ment to be all fast cars, fast girls and admeration, all ive got is a bunch of troubles in my plate.

It started in November

I get picked for Darlington though im knackered but I don’t tell the gaffer as we are short of 4 first team players through injury and suspension. The game is so frustrating as no one wants to pass to me, im losing the confidnce of the players and this game did not help my cause, I keep giving away the ball I get out strengthened by everyone and to make it worse we go down to 9 men by the hour mark. Then they finally score and I get dragged off by the boss for a shoddy display.:wall:

I was feeling well low and my confidence on the pitch is even lower.

We went on to draw with Torquay 0-0. I don’t see any of the ball. And me and smudge have a bit of a squabble which the away fans catch onto, this is bloody stupid, how am I ment to impress when I don’t see the ****in ball!:mad: .

Then it finally happened the boss lost his rag at me on and off the field. We were playing away to Boston and the gaffer plays me on the left, we take a great lead and im playing really well. The travelling fans are happy with what they are seeing and the boys are passing to me. But at half time the gaffer changes the formation, “Right lads were gunna play a 5-3-2 for the second half, KJ your goin in right wing back", What, right wing back!! im a left winger!!!!!! I lose my patience and shout “what you talking about im not a right back!” the boss just lost it “Your on a thin line anyway and should be happy your in the ****in team let alone were your playin!”…. I shut up from this point:shifty: . The second half was a disaster. We concede 2 poor goals and I struggle like a blond with a crossword. Get subbed off and storm strait to the dressing room without making any contact with the boss.

Phil the assistant coach followed me in “stop acting like a spoilt kid!, you are bloody lucky to be playing at your age.” He was right but I was too ****ed off with the gaffer to even speak, the biggest problem with this mind is we are away and I have to go back on the team bus:doh: .

On Monday im called into the office to speak with the gaffer, Jenny is there (you know the sectary) “you alright?” she asks, My ears perk up, yeah im good now I thought, Maybe this is it, I should ask her for a drink, “you were a bit **** in the second half on Saturday” oh :( looks as though ive blown it there. “Come in KJ!” saved by the yell, “right Son im gunna drop you from the team until next year”, I was ready for the inevitable but he was quite nice. “I want to see you add some size to your frame and work on your passing, you’re a good player but you are not ready for the first team, yet”, these words are what I needed to hear, I am feeling a bit better now but know I have failed to live up to my own high standards.

The boys go on to win and draw the next two games going into December.

Get invited to go to the races with my mates but there is a Charity dinner that I have to attend. Decide its not worth my arse to miss the event so tell my mates I cant make it, don’t think they are happy with me. I end up going back on the next weekend though to make it up to them.

The boys Are up and down each week so we are close to promotion one week then fighting relegation the next, the boss has been reassured by the board that he is the right man for the job so he seems OK at training but threw a wobbler at the boys on Saturday when we lose to Swindon at home.

My Birthday arrives and I get a 1970 World Cup ball from my mate, its not the most practical gift as I bought him a Playstation with games for chrimbo but it’s the thought that counts:rolleyes: .

I get a letter from the Store and I sold 36 shirts with my name on since I arrived, getting a little fan club.:D

After losing to Shrewsbury last week we win at home to Peterborough. I go out with the lads for a drink and catch one of the new boys havin a sniff in the toilets. “What you doin mate, that ****’ll ruin ya”, “**** off!, unlike some I can work and play!”, ok I will leave him to it. Training comes and I am the target of this players come down, I now call him snowy:) , this joke is not goin well and he lashes into me in a training match, I lose it as he smirks at me and hit him, he went down like a sack of spuds, and the gaffer steps in and sends me home, totally losing the faith and I am looking as if I will be sold in the summer.

January is good for the team as we win 3 on the trot. The gaffer brings in 3 new players. Two are midfielders :blimey:

February goes though with us struggling to keep out the goals and we rely to much on Goodfellow as he is scoring out of nothing most games.

The gaffer Is happy with my size, “your putting on the weight now KJ, Keep it up” I better of been, I ate like a horse and drank protein shakes till I dropped and in the end I have added almost half a stone and got a lot stronger. He then pulls me aside for a chat about my form and he has a solution that he feels will work out for the team and me. “I want to try you up front, your too attacking to play in midfield and we need your pace and ability to drag defender out up there”. This is better news than I was expecting and we ran through my role and how I should play, it was a good session and I feel as though I have found my role in football. My main role is to link the defence to attack and bring the midfield into attacks, Goodfellow will continue being the out and out striker and I will play around him. Suppose you could call it the Totti/Scholes role.

Here we go for march, lets hope it gets better

More later…..

[Mackin_Sundays]

Were now coming into the last few weeks of the season and I am hoping for some better form and to try out my new position. The gaffer is not to keen to just throw me in so we train for 2 weeks trying the formation out. Everyone seems to be happy with it so the boss says he will try it for the Stockport game:blimey: .

In the changing rooms before the game the gaffer is really drilling into me the importance of what I must do. “KJ I want you to take this game by the scruff of the neck!”, the gaffer is a good motivator and wants me to succeed, well its his balls on the line if im a flop so I guess its in his interest to see me do well;) . We go out to a hostile atmosphere the skies are almost black and its rained already today so the ground is a bit of a mess but that’s not a problem its not like we play a very good passing game anyway:D . As the game starts I see what the gaffer was saying about the space I get, I feel like I have loads of time on the ball. Youngy plays an early ball to me and I turn to see players coming towards me from all directions, I skip past one, run at the second and square it to Goody who slams the ball against the post, the home fans are stunned that it looked so easy to break there back line. The game is all ours and apart from some great saves and some shoddy misses (mostly from me:redface: ) we could be 3-0 up by half time. The words in the dressing room are simple “keep it up”. Stockport had now got someone watching my every move, I make him look like a tool and go on to win all the plaudits for a exciting yet un-rewarding 0-0. The boys all give me praise, the gaffer says “I told you so” and I get some great reviews in the rags. After only 1 game I have gone from zero to Hero im on cloud 9.

The next game comes after only a few days and the Gaffer is happy to play me again. The boss wants to see me having a go in front of goal, I don’t mind but my shooting boots are obviously not on again as I screw some chances wide. The game is not a thriller to say the least, Rochdale are toilet and we are wasting all our chances. Then on the 76th min Youngy slams home an absolute screamer to give us the deserved lead and we finish the game with high hopes of a promotion battle.

Then was the game I officially made my mark for the first team. We were away to Notts County, the gaffer gets us geared up for the game by reminding us that its only 12 points separating us from League 1 Fottie next year!:dance: This is great as we were one of the select teams for relegation at the start of the year. We go out to see a group of our away fans chanting our names and it feels as though we are gunna just click today. The game though is a very hard fought one and needs something special to unlock it, that is were I came in, I received the ball on the left and run for the by-line, the centre back runs out anticipating a cross, then I just slip in a low trough ball to the penalty spot were the centre back had just been, from there Goodie was unmarked to slot home. We all go nuts and then we become a force to strong for Notts C. Youngy hit a power driver and smashes the crossbar, I make a run and the keeper pulls off a great save and Goodie tries his luck from 30 yards out to se the ball go agonisingly wide. Half time and we all feel as though it’s a good job done but the gaffer is very careful at half time. “we all know its not over yet and they will come out fighting second half so don’t **** it up!, Be stong, be clever and most important, be there first every time!”. The message takes a bit of time to sink in as we come close to loosing our lead thanks to some good play from there attakers. On the 68th minute I pick up a pass about 35 yards from goal and only there centre back was in my way I ran at him and knocked the ball past both of us, my pace is too much for him as I peel away and as the keeper is off his line I decide to try a cheecky lob. The ball seems to take an age as the keeper gets a finger to it but its to high and flys into the net, I cant remember the next 5 or so seconds after that but the bundle that happened woke me from the mist and I came to realise that I had done it, I scored!!:clap: . The away fans went mental, singing and chanting my name, It’s the best feeling I have ever experienced and I wont forget this day for the rest of my life.

The game finished 2-0 and I was voted man of the match and given heaps of praise from fans and Papers. In fact the papers said I was “simply Superb” which is nice :D
The local was round the digs on Sunday to catch a few words but the gaffer sat with me to ensure I don’t get taken for a ride.

Great game at the weekend Kev, How does it feel to score your first goal for the team?:

Brilliant, I cant explain how good it feels, but I do think I have made my impression on the team and hopefully the fans.

What is your aim for the rest of the season?:

Just to carry on as im doing. I don’t want to get carried away and need to keep consistent, the gaffer is keen not to rush me and I understand I still need to train hard to get into the squad.

Do you believe Bury could win promotion This season?:

Course, there is no point turning up if we don’t think we can do it. Its going to be very hard but its only 8pts and we have enough games to do it so its still in our hands.

Many thanks Kev:

Cheers

With that he then turned to the gaffer for his view on the season and I left to get back to my free time, after the Interview I was told to go home and rest for a couple of days to get some rest and get to meet some mates and see my parents. When I come back I have some fans outside the digs that want their shirts signed and I have a chat with them.

The boys drew on Wednesday so we really needed a win to keep us in sight with the top 3. I start the next game and get another assist but with 10mins to go I get sent off. Not that the fans care we were 2-0 up and I had a good game, the gaffer is not so happy and I get an earful for some clumsy challenges.

We win though and we are now 6 points from promotion. I’m getting a bit of a name for myself though as an aggressive player with 4 yellows and 2 reds in 14 games (11 starts).

In my banned game we lose and are now 9 points off promotion, which is a bit gay! This week I get some hate mail. I don’t know why but it says that my family will be hurt if I keep playing football, proper freak!!. I get the police involved and I am now ensuring my family is protected by getting a new alarm system for them.

Had some good news though as well when my agent called me to say I had sold 34 Shirts with my name on the back which is amazing as I have sold 36 in total for the season before this. Im loved :D

More Later............

[Mackin_Sundays]

Well it’s a cliché but it really is a game of 2 halves, I have become a legend to the fans. Though that’s a bit strong these same fans were taunting me before Christmas and my confidence is sky high now I am performing at this level.

We have gone on to stay unbeaten for the last 4 games and I am on the back pages of the local rags more times than any other player which is flattering but is not helping my massive ego getting any smaller.

We now have 3 games left and are 1 point from 3rd place, which is beond, any ones expectations. First Swindon in which I scored my 2nd goal of the season to help us to a 3-0 win:dance: . Then Shrewsbury who give us a head start when there centre back tries to kill me buy amputation of the legs (bloody hurt). We go on to win but I go off after 50 mins with an ankle injury (****!:doh: ).
I am out for the last game of the season now and I am gutted. The gaffer gives me a pat on the head and says “don’t worry son you have done enough to earn that shirt on your back for next year”. Its gunna be difficult to get promotion this year, with needing both Walsall and Grimsby to lose or draw and us to win against Peterborough.
I have to watch from the sidelines. Grimsby are playing home to 8th place Mansfield. I get tickets for my whole family and friends as it’s a big game and it could mean league 1 footie next year!

Im in the stands cos im injured and so I sign loads of autographs and get my picture taken with some fitties B) .

The game is a s****py affair but We go one nil up then they bring back to 1-1. we take the lead again but are sloppy in defence today as they equalise again. Then with 10 mins to go they score again and we are 3-2 down with Grimsby already 2-0 up, its over :( .

The fans stay behind and chant the boys off the pitch as they fought to the end but just miss out.

Final table

1 – Wycombe 46 85 +25
2 – A. Stanley 46 76 +19
3 – Grimsby 46 74 +20
4 – Walsall 46 71 +12
5 – Bury 46 70 +11

The Gaffer is happy and we have something to build on next year, and happier he still has his job. We celebrated by hitting the town, all the doormen let me in even though they all know my age, well except one who was a United fan and gave me some jip so we didn’t bother with that club. most of it was a blur but I have taken a few birds numbers, as I am now a local star! :whistle: . Mabey take one out over the summer.

Now im looking forward to a hard earned holiday with my mates and hoping England can win the world cup.

Till next season……..

[Bubka]

Great reading mate :)

[Fabrizio Gatti]

Enjoy your holidays!!.. And tell no one where you're heading to ;)