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Firstly, I'm starting this story (my first) because I'm extremely bored at work , and need something to do. Also, it's entirely fictional as I don't have much time to play the game, so it's come entirely from my brains.
Let the story begin...
It is 2010, and young Ben Cee has just graduated from college and finished his compulsory 2 years of National Service. Having no plans from here on out, he spent everyday cooped at home, playing his beloved FM. Before long, his parents started nagging about getting a job.
One day, his dad sat him down and asked,
"What are your plans for the future, Ben?"
"I dunno", the young man shrugged, "Maybe go overseas?"
Instantly, this created an uproar within the household. "Why must you go overseas? What is over there that isn't available here?"
"Higher standards of football, that's what!" Ben was an avid football fan, and occasional player. He had trials with the local Woodlands Wellington Football Team (whose stadium was conveniently located outside his house), but was deemed not good enough. Nevertheless, he never gave up hope of being a football player, despite his parents objections and insistance for Ben to get a 'proper job'.
Ben spent the next half an hour explaing his plans to fly to London to try out with a few football teams, but was met with constant rebuttals. Eventually though, his parents gave in, and said, "Fine, it's your choice. If you really want to go, then go. But do so at your own expense. We're not going to sponsor you anything."
Ben then went online to source out cheap tickets to London and also accomodation. But there were two important words that he'd had to take note of, which will ultimately make or break his career: work permit.
Having made his decision to go to London, and sorted everything out, Ben packed his bags. He was to arive in England in the middle of June, just when clubs up and down the country were holding trials for players to sign on for the next season.
At the airport, Ben bid a teary farewell to his family and friends. He didn't know when he would see them again, and going abroad by himself was a big step for this young man. But if you don't take risks, you never know what would happen.
After a long overnight flight, Ben arrived at Heathrow and looked out for Chris. Ben often spent time on online forums when not playing FM, and got to know a few Brits whilst there. One of them was Chris, an ecccentric musician/photographer who drives a Renault Avantime (an odd MPV/coupe for those who are not into cars) and has kindly allowed young Ben to put up with him for the time being, while he gets a job.
"Are you...Chris?" Ben asked a fairly plump, bearded man who was holding a placard saying 'Ben'
"Yeah. You're Ben Cee?"
"Yeah. Nice to meet you Chris!" The two shared a hug, before moving the luggage towards the Renault.
During the car ride to Chris' abode, the two of them chatted. Chris was a Scot who had moved to London because of work commitments, and he doesn't usually follow football. If forced to pick a team, he would usually say "Glasgow Rangers".
Nevertheless, Chris would do his utmost to help Ben in his quest to become a professional footballer.
Ben's decision to go to London was partly influenced by the fact that he supports Arsenal. He did hope that he might have a chance to sign for his boyhood club, but of course, this seemed like a far-fetched idea, unless of course...
"Arsenal Football Club are holding trials for youth players this week. Anybody under the age of 21 is invited, and you may have the chance to become the next David Seaman, Tony Adams or Thierry Henry. Don't delay, sign up today!"
Ben, being a cyncial young man, thought this was just a hoax. Someone who had too much free time giving out flyers to decieve gullible young men on the pretext of signing for one of the world's biggest football clubs. However, Chris, being the optimistic man that he is, thought it was a geniuine trial and talked Ben into giving it a go. Ben agreed, since this whole trip was about taking risks anyway.
The next morning, Chris drove Ben to the magnificent Emirates Stadium (which wasn't very far anyway). It was there that Ben discovered that it wasn't a hoax after all, and that it was a geniuine trial by Arsenal. "Oh joy", Ben thought, "This is my chance! I'd better impress them."
After Chris dropped Ben off at the gates and went to work, Ben stepped inside the stadium, momentarily awed by the magnificentness of it all. One of his regrets was not managing to visit Highbury before it was redeveloped into housing, but this was good enough. Ben couldn't believe he was at the stadium of the club he had supported as a young boy, the one and only Arsenal Football Club.
"May I help you, Sir?" a heavily French-accented voice called out. Ben turned around, and saw a familiar sight. It was Gilles Grimandi, one of Arsenal's hardworking utility players of the late 90s and now Arsenal chief scout.
"Erm, er...I'm here for the trial" Ben stuttered.
"Oh, sure. Would you mind following me then? This way please." Gilles then walked towards the training pitch, with Ben following behind.
"You know, I was a fan of yours when you were playing...."
At the training ground, there were hundreds of fellow trialists. Ben knew that it wouldn't be easy, for he had to be exceptional in order to stand out and catch the attention of Arsene Wenger and Pat Rice.
Both of them were there, as were most of the first team coaches. More familiar faces Ben could picked out were Steve Bould and Martin Keown, defensive legends that Ben looked up to in the 90s.
Ben fancied himself as a versatile, play anywhere player, but in truth he was only best at defending. Though he could also be a fairly good keeper, something that Ben would ensure that he'd point out should he make the cut.
The triallists would be split into groups, each taken by a different coach, who would put them through their paces at different activities. After a day's worth of training, their skills would be assessed, and roughly half the players would be cut, with the remainder to return to Ashburton Grove the next day for more training.
Thankfully, Ben had enough skill and fitness to make it back the next day, but only just. It was evident that Ben needed to work out and improve quickly if he was to be a star, a point that kept ringing in his head as he waited for Chris to pick him up in the evening.
"Oh it was alright. I did enough to be called back for tomorrow, but I do need to improve on my skills and fitness a bit." Ben replied.
"That's great! I'm sure you'll be good enough. Have faith, and you'll make it."
"Thanks." It was nice to have someone believe in him, a sharp contrast to his disapproving parents. He didn't hate them though, and vowed to return one day when he's made it big, to show them that they've got a useful son after all. But that day's still a long way yet...
Next week is my last week on the job, and after that I will have plenty of free time to waste, so I think this story might run for a while yet.
The next day, Ben returned to the Emirates for the second round of trials. This one was shorter than the first day's, but far more intensive, with more emphasis on honing the individual skills that each player possesed, rather than weeding the wheat from the chaff. At mid-day, just after lunch, Wenger gathered the boys round for a talk.
"Right guys, after this I shall want to talk to each and every one of you individually, to discuss your future at this football club. This might take a while, and would potentially run into the night, but I assure you, you will leave this stadium today knowing what you career holds."
"In the meantime, those that are not being interviewed, I recommend going to our excellent gym to build up your fitness, or if you want you may approach one of our coaches for advice, and maybe practise some of the things you've picked up yesterday and today. I wish all of you the best of luck."
Ben was amongst the first to be interviewed (because his surname started with 'C'). In the office:
AW: "So, Ben Cee, why do you want to play for Arsenal Football Club?"
BC: "Well Sir, I'm a lifelong Arsenal supporter, and believe that I can offer many years of quality service to the club. Rest assured I'll be a loyal servant and hard worker." Ben didn't sound very confident.
AW: "Okay. I've heard some good things from the coaches about your performances these past two days. I especially like your attitude."
BC: "Thank you Sir."
AW: "I see here that you're from Singapore."
BC: "Yes Sir."
AW: "That might be a bit of a problem. You know, work permits and all."
BC: "Erm..." Ben had actually forgot about this element, until now.
AW: "After all, Singapore aren't actually a football superpower, are they?"
BC: "I suppose so." It was looking bleak for the young man. Despite Singapore being South East Asian champions for the last two years, it all counted for nought as Wenger's words began to rang true. His hopes of a professional career with his boyhood team looked on the verge of collapse, all because of his country's lowly ranking in world football.
AW: "But, I really hope to have a young man of your talents here at this football club. Tell you what, I'll submit you application for a work permit to the Home Office, and if it goes through you'll sign with us." Ben's face began to lit up.
"But, if it doesn't however, I'm afraid we'll have to send you home."
BC: "But, isn't there a Belgian feeder club you could send me to?"
AW: "We used to have a link with Beveren in Belgium, yes. But we terminated that link last year due to some disagreements, so unfortunately that isn't an option currently."
So this was it now. Everything hinges on the Work Permit application. One verdict from the Home Office would decide whether he would return to Singapore as a success or failure.
BC: "Thank you very much Mr Wenger. If I get the opportunity to play for this club I'm sure I won't let you down."
AW: "I hope you won't. I really see a bright future for you here, and I honestly wish the best success on you." With that, Wenger ushered Ben out of the office.
Ben spent the remainder of the day training with Steve Bould, before meeting Chris again who've came to pick him up. As he waited, Ben felt a sense of slight relief, glad that his future's looking bright, but not exactly cemented in stone yet.
Next update I suppose would be Monday, as I'm a bit busy this weekend.
Ben turned up at the Emirates the next day, only to be greeted with...silence.
The confused young man looked around, hoping to spot at least somebody. Eventually, he chanced upon Grimandi again, who looked surprised.
"What are you doing here Ben?"
"Isn't there training today?"
"No, you silly boy. We've given you guys a break until Monday. Weren't you paying attention?"
"Oh." Ben started to go red in embarrasment. He really did felt silly.
With Chris now at work (hence no one to pick him up), Ben decided to spend some time at the Arsenal gym, before some of the coaches spotted him and advised him to explore the high streets of London and maybe do a spot of shopping.
The rise of an unlikely Asian star 
, and need something to do. Also, it's entirely fictional as I don't have much time to play the game, so it's come entirely from my brains.
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