Living a dream

[Madmax2008]

Here I was, all of 16 years, standing outside St James Park in Newcastle, England. I had made my way to the Tyne from Hanover, Germany ; my birthplace, so that I could live my dream...of being a professional footballer.


The folks back home thought I was crazy. Dad wanted me to help in the family business...but I was born to play the beautiful game. At the age of 13 I appeared for a trial at youth team of Werder Bremen FC, a big football club in my home country. But they said I was too slow, too weak to make it. I left in tears, but pledged to prove my doubters wrong. I worked on my game everyday for the next 2 and a half years. I didn't care if it was raining, didn't bother if it snowed. I had to live my dream.

I entered St James Park and tried to take in the magnificence of the place. I progressed towards the turf and tried imagining what stepping on the grass would feel like. It was then that I saw the Newcastle players going through their pre-season practice in the corner...and among them was one of my childhood heroes-Michael Owen.

Growing up as a football-crazy lad in Germany, I didn't have a shortage of idols to look up to...Miroslav Klose, Jens Lehmann, Michael Ballack, Oliver Kahn, Cristoph Metzelder...these guys were my heroes. And alongwith the national team, I was a big fan of the club scene as well- I followed the Bundesliga religiously. My favourite team was Bayern Munich.

[DS]

Nice read, good luck with your career

[Madmax2008]

While I was lost in my own thoughts about the times gone by, out of the corner of my eyes, I saw the Newcastle support staff looking on as the players went through their practice drills. I went up to them and introduced myself. One of them instantly recognized me...'' Ah you the lad from Germany eh? Welcome to the Toon son ! '' I was asked to join 3 other blokes who were there for the trials. They were local lads...and weren't too warm about my prospects.

''You're too slow'' they said.
I worked on my pace.

''You're too weak'' they said.
I worked on my stamina.

''You won't make it'' they said.
I just said :
''You can't break me 'coz you didn't make me.''

My thoughts were broken by the staff asking us to join the team at practice. But that couldn't be, I thought....I mean they are the first team...they're all here- Owen, Given, Duff, Martins, Ameobi, N'Zogbia....
They could see the awe on my face...''You won't be the best if you don't be with the best'', I was told.

And then it started...the 16 of us were divided into two teams of 8 each. I was asked which position I played in. ''Centre Forward'' I replied. I was paired with Obafemi Martins, while Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi were on the other team. One of the other 3 guys was in our team and the other two were in theirs. Before we started, Martins wished me luck. I mumbled a meek ''Thank you'' in response. I was tense. Those dreams, those hard days, those hopes...everything was pinned on how I performed now. ''Gotta live my dream'' was all I was saying to myself.

Kick off. I knew this would be intense. The English game was probably the quickest and most frentic in all of Europe. And even though this was a warm up for the regulars, the level of play was something i had never seen in my life. One-touch passes galore and before I realized it, Owen went passed me and shouted ''Megs !!!''
I had been nutmegged ! I heard a few laughs...but I was too focused on the ball to bother. I ran after Owen like a madman and chopped him down from behind. Clean tackle. I got hold of the ball and played a simple pass to Martins who raced past me. But I surprisingly kept up with him. We were near the D. We played a neat 1-2 and I found myself one-on-one with the keeper with the ball at my feet. I instinctively struck it with my left foot...my wrong foot...and evidently, I must have struck it well, 'coz a diving Krul couldn't stop it from going into the top corner. I had scored !

Martins came up to me and nearly hugged me. Even a quite flustered Krul said ''Gut durchgebraten,'' German for ''Well done!'' I was thrilled. Thereafter, the game went on quite devoid of major events. No goals were scored by either side. N'Zogbia had pulled his calf muscle at the flag-end of the earlier season, and it was evident that he wasn't fully fit. I passed well that day...my passes lacked curve, but then I wasn't Beckham!

We played for half an hour. I was really stuffed about my performance. The other guys hadn't done particularly well. I had been the standout among the newbies for sure. Michael Owen came up to me after the game. '' Well played lad'' he said. Those were big words for me. Real big words. He shook my hand and said...'' Welcome to Newcastle United FC! ''

''But I haven't been selected yet!!!'' I said, secretly hoping I was wrong.
''Ah don't worry about it son, I've played long enough to know a player when I see one-and I've seen one in you today.'' I couldn't believe my ears...here was the toast of Newcastle and England telling me that he was impressed by my game !

''You won't make it'' they said.

''Right boys,'' echoed a booming voice,'' I know you're all desperate to know if you've made it.'' My heart skipped a few beats. Will this be it? Will I finally get a shot at living my dream? ''You...you're in. Congratulations son !!!!'' The finger was pointing towards me ! I had done it ! The players rushed towards me, eager to congratulate their new teammate. I had goosebumps. My dream had just begun....