Flight of the Kiwi...

[Stratocaster]

I don't really know where to start, the last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind. I guess at the beginning is as good a place as any.

My name is James Daines, in almost all respects a normal everyday New Zealand teenager. However, the difference is that as of a few weeks ago, I am now a professional footballer. I made a promise to my parents (as part of the deal that allowed me to sign a contract) that I would attempt to record at least the early part of my career in this Journal.

I was stunned when the coach of my local club side, gave me the news that the New Zealand Knights, who were going to be playing in the first ever (Australian) A-League Season, were interested in having a look at me. Our Amateur club had, admittedly done well in the winter season, winning the Northern Premier League, but it was not something I had expected.

As it turns out they had also asked a great number of talented young players to come along for a trial, as the League requires each team to have a couple of U20 players on their books. I did alright in the trial, but wasn't really expecting things to go any further.

You can imagine my shock when we were asked to go in to meet the coaching staff and Manager, and were told to bring a Lawyer!

The end result, was the offer of a five year deal. I was immediately ready to jump at the offer, but my Parents, who were going to have to sign on my behalf (I am after all only 16 years old), considered a three year contract was more appropriate and that I would be required to continue my schooling (nuts...).

So I've gone from $50 a week from a part time job at the local gas station to: $1350pw, $675 per goal and $375 per assist. The weekly salary seems like a staggering amount, and playing up front I'm sure that I'll grab a few goal bonuses.

I'm looking forward to season proper beginning; though I don't expect to see much game-time, maybe a few minutes at the end of the game, that’s if I'm even on the bench.

Authors Note – I’ve recently purchased the game. I intend to run the first season on Amateur level as I get to grips with the game, and then increase the difficulty level each season thereafter.

[Stratocaster]

August 2005
First game in the A-League for the Knights and a first professional start fro me at Home against the Newcastle Jets. What a disaster! I had a poor game, couldn’t get on the ball, wasted opportunities, and got caught in possession too often :doh: . For Newcastle, Vaughan Coveny, New Zealand’s top international scorer bagged a hat-trick and we slumped to a poor 0-3 loss. The press couldn’t wait to bag me out for my ‘inept’ performance either. (Full Time 0 – 3 Newcastle)

What a turnaround in the space of a week. I was surprised to still be in the starting lineup This time out Coach Ricki Herbert had asked me to drop a bit deeper, playing in the ‘hole’ behind front man Jonti Richter. Saw plenty of the ball and smashed a first half hat-trick in a resounding 3-0 win away to the Queensland Roar :dance: . Only thing that brings me back down to earth is a violent confrontation between home and away supporters that leaves 3 people hospitalized… :( (Full Time 3 – 0 NZ Knights)

Third game of the season at home against Adelaide, and I’ve struggled to break my home ground duck. Richter bags one early from a delightful through ball from the Captain Darren Bazeley, but thereafter we take our foot off the gas and it’s no surprise that Adelaide equalize through set piece specialist Ross Aloisi. (Full Time 1 – 1 Draw).

So three games and three goals, a good start, but I’ve really only influenced one of three games in which I’ve played, I must become more consistent…

[Master Chief123]

That's some good writing you got there. I know, the pay would be lovely if it was real. I'm so used to being the best player in the world though that anything less then 50k a week isn't fun. :P

Nice job scoring a hat trick so fast, I didn't score my first goal for around 20 games. Are you actually from New Zealand, or did you just choose to be?

[JJU]

Well written so far, looking forward to seeing your career unfold. Welcome to the forum :)

[Stratocaster]

Master Chief123 - Thanks for stopping by. I am in fact from New Zealand, just thought the Knights could do with some help (IRL they are absolute rubbish).

JJUPants - Thanks for the welcome, and glad you've enjoyed the start of my alter egos career memoirs.

Cheers Fellas
Strat

[Stratocaster]

September 2005
September was an absolute dream…If I wanted consistency, well I certainly got it.

First we were away to Melbourne, no goals for me at home yet, and it seems I’m becoming an away game specialist. We never looked troubled in this game and ran out comfortable winners on the back of another hat-trick for yours truly. (Full Time 0 – 3 NZ Knights)

We naturally went into the game against Perth at Home on a high after dealing to the pre competition favourites Melbourne so comprehensively in our last game. Though I was now leading goal scorer with six goals from my two hat-tricks, I was a touch apprehensive, having yet to bag in front of the home crowd.

I needn’t have worried, within 10 minutes I had been hacked down just on the edge of the area. Gregory Duraz banged the free kick against the cross bar, and I got the reward for following up, heading into an untended net. It didn’t go all our way and we were struggling after Perth equalised just before half time. A quick switch to 4-3-3, paid dividends in the second half as I had the run of the park on the left wing, crossing for both Richard Johnson and strike partner Jonti Richter to score. I ended up being subbed for the last five minutes, and the lads put another away while I was putting the tracksuit on. (Full Time 4 – 1 NZ Knights)

The rare away form continued against Sydney in Sydney. I had the Midas touch today, firstly setting up Richter for the opener, then getting great service from the midfield and putting another three past the stunned Sydney Goalkeeper, for a third away hat-trick. Was subbed ten minutes before the end again, and watched my replacement Adam Casey complete the rout in injury time (Full Time 0 – 5 NZ Knights).

The Final match of September was at Home to the Central Coast Mariners. After banging in goals left right and centre for the last couple games the team kind of went to sleep a little, myself included. However, one mazy run followed by a lay-off to Richter was all it needed, and we had a scrappy 1-0 win (Full Time 1 – 0 NZ Knights).

So a scarcely believable 10 Goals in 7 games, but more bizarre still is that 9 of them have come away from home. Most satisfying of all though is that I’m just beginning to work in well with the players around me and set a few goals up as well.

[Fabrizio Gatti]

Great reading Stratocaster!!

You should try and train you vision, and positioning, both to assist and get assisted by your teammates more ;)

[Stratocaster]

Mister Gatti - Thanks for your words of encouragement.

I'm still working out exactly the effect of training each skill. At present I'm training Stamina (helps you recover energy, and energy allows you to train more, so it seems fairly important; also shooting (striker...stands to reason); and lastly dribbling (so I can go faster with the ball at my feet).

I tend to position myself manually, so positioning doesn't seem so critical at present (??), but vision seems useful for the auto pass function I think.

I'll try to put up a screenie of how the player development is going at some point.

Cheers
Strat

[tomer the king]

Exelent writing! keep going.

[Stratocaster]

Tomer - Thanks, glad you enjoy the diary, and I can assure you I intend to keep going.

Cheers
Strat

[Stratocaster]

October 2005

October began with trip away to Newcastle to play the Jets. Though we had been having a good season thus far and were unbeaten in 6 games, the Newcastle jets had beaten us at home 3-0 in the opening round and we were keen for revenge. It started well, Richter scoring the opening goal, after the keeper had parried one of the best shots I’d hit all year. However it all came unstuck in the second period when some ridiculous defending let Haliti score the leveller. From the kickoff, Richter played a neat through ball and I just kept on going, around two men and finished past a stunned Newcastle keeper. However, our defensive frailties resurfaced and we conceded two in the last twenty minutes to end up on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline (Full Time 3 – 2 Newcastle Jets).

The loss to Newcastle not only knocked us of the top of the table but it seemed to knock the stuffing out of us, and the following game at home to Queensland we just couldn’t score, despite some good chances. Luckily for us neither could the Roar (Full Time 0 – 0 Draw).

We managed to get things right against Adelaide United though. They had stifled us in a 1-1 draw early in the season, but this time they had no answer, as another Away hat-trick for me and a goal laid on a plate for Scotty Gemmel gave us a resounding victory (Full Time 0 – 4 NZ Knights).

Having rediscovered our scoring touch we followed this up with a home drubbing of Melbourne. They must be getting sick of the sight of me, because they gave up another hat-trick, albeit two of them were defensive snafu’s. With Richter bagging again it was back to back 4-0 victories and we were keeping the pressure on top of the table Newcastle (Full Time 4 – 0 NZ Knights)

With all the money I’m raking in from goals and assists I’m thinking about buying my first car. I only just got my licence 6 months ago and am still on my restricted licence, but it will certainly make getting to training a little easier. I may look at it as a present to myself if I pass my NCEA exams coming up in November. That’s a big if…I’m a little worried about them truth be told.

[tomer the king]

Buy a bike first.

[Stratocaster]

Buy a bike first.


Who needs a bike when you can buy a Landrover Discovery...at the age of 17 too I might add...:blimey:

[Nando]

Who needs a bike when you can buy a Landrover Discovery...at the age of 17 too I might add...:blimey:

In the old days cars were meant to go from point A to point B, but not anymore!
When you have a LandRover Discovery it doesn't mether if you are going from A to B, because you are going in stile!;):D

[adam_the_scouser]

Very good writing strato I am enjoying it. Buy an Aston Martin DB7. YEAH BABY!!!!

[Stratocaster]

Nando - Thanks for having a look...and yup its all about style baby...

A.T.Scouser - Glad you are enjoying the adventures down under. Am hoping for a transfer you way at some point...English Premiership is an eventual destination with any luck. As for the DB7 :clap: Oh Yeah!!

Very busy at work lately, and will be away from the computer for a week or so, but will try to get an update completed upon my return.

Cheers Lads
Strat

[RossF]

Yip well written!

[Nando]

So did you bought a Landrover Discovery or a Aston Martin DB7?

Ps. I will be waiting for the rest of your season!:D

[Stratocaster]

November 2005

November was a strange month for me personally, trying to fit in studying for my NCEA exams and full time professional football. It’s fair to say that by November I was not as focussed as earlier in the season, and Defences had a couple of months to try to work me out as it were.

The month started with a home game against Sydney FC, which we ended up 2-0 winners, my strike partner Jonti Richter bagging both. Just couldn’t get on the scoresheet this time round, though did set Jonti up for his second, which killed the match. (Full Time 2 – 0 NZ Knights)

We knew that with Newcastle hard on our heels in second place, the big clash against them would be vitally important to our chances of winning the first A-League title. Unfortunately, we kind of let that distract us from the task at hand and in a scrappy game away to the Central Coast Mariners we were beaten 0 - 1 by virtue of an own goal no less. Wasn’t happy with my performance in that match, just could get things happening. (Full Time 1 – 0 Central Coast Mariners).

The disappointment we all felt at that result was swiftly washed away by a come from behind victory at home against Newcastle the following week. 1-0 down after 50 minutes, we turned it around and polished off our nearest competition in emphatic style, Buari, myself and Salley all scoring in the second half to put the result beyond doubt. (Full Time 3 – 1 NZ Knights)

Last in November we were away to Queensland. I only just made the plane after finishing my last exam, and all the frantic running around left me with little in the tank. My third minute goal was all we needed though in a game where we never looked like getting beaten, but struggled to find the killer blow. (Full Time 1 – 0 NZ Knights).

The exams felt alright, not brilliant, but I think I’ll manage to pass most of them. On the basis that I think I passed and that catching the bus across town for training is getting ridiculous, I have used most of my salary and bonuses to buy myself a brand spanking new Landrover Discovery…Old man is now borrowing my car instead of me borrowing his…funny…

[Stratocaster]

RossF - Glad you like the "Flight of the Kiwi" mate. Thanks for dropping by...

Nando - Not the Aston just yet...still only on a lower leagues wage...hoping for some sponsors if I keep on scoring the way I have been. Then its an Apartment in town...living at home with the folks is cramping my style...;)

Cheers Lads
Strat

[MattGardner15]

Strat, nice writing, keep it coming, make sure you check out my career so far.

[Nando]

Nando - Not the Aston just yet...still only on a lower leagues wage...hoping for some sponsors if I keep on scoring the way I have been. Then its an Apartment in town...living at home with the folks is cramping my style...;)

When you get an Aston you are defenatly going to give me a ride across town... ;) :P

I hear you when you say that living whit the folks is cramping your style... I just got one tip for you, wait until you can afford a good house... Motor homes keep breaking down and the press always wants a good story about the ace whit the ball and idiot whit a 'out of fashion' house...:P

[Paper Luke]

I have a LUXURY moter home! Never has broken down.

Good story!

[Nando]

I have a LUXURY moter home! Never has broken down.

Good story!

They don't break down... I think... It was a joke (I knew I shuold have added a smiley:wall: )

[Paper Luke]

Oh, 'tupid me.

I gave away, and so bought another Aston Martin BD9.

[Nando]

Oh, 'tupid me.

I gave away, and so bought another Aston Martin BD9.

Two Aston Martins BD9? Now I am embarased by my bike:P

At least there is no polution