retired_bootcamp_nat

So it's on to the Christmas and New Year's celebrations before we even begin to worry about Juve Stabia and the fact that we sit rather awkwardly in 15th place well and truly entrenched in the playout zone. For those of you less knowledgable types the Serie C2 system involves a playout series for relegation to the obscurity of Serie D and beyond. The bottom placed side is automatically relegated (in the Serie C2/C's case this is the 18th placed side), from there the sides ranked 14th to 17th will playoff in a playout series (14 vs 17 and 15 vs 16) of home and away matches with the two losers losing big time and being relegated. Clear now?

Getting back to the point. It's roughly the midway point of the season and we are in 15th place with just 13 points and 4 points adrift from guaranteed safety. Things are not good but we must always look on the bright side. Sitting at Piazza Angelina Lauro with Mario and my onfield leadership team of Sal (Buonomo) and Marcello (Ferrara) we shared a few Nastro's in the mild winter sunshine as the first half of the season was consumately deconstructed. The target of our process was the serious lack of anything half tenacious in our match play. Whether it be the lack of goalscoring prowess or merely the lack of steady heads amongst the boys there was no spark, and there hadn't been one for quite a while. The final Nastro hit the floor along with the realisation that we needed new blood and we needed it now. The minute the transfer window opens it will be myself along with Mario and Castellano hitting the phones and sourcing prospective targets in time for our next fixture on the 8th of January against high flying Juve Stabia. We need experience to help dig us out of this hole. We will find the players to get us out of here.

zipman

Mighty Melfi is in Basilicata not in Apulia I just play them ...

What happened to your story? Liked reading it as I spent a week in Sorrento in February. In real life the team went down to Serie D last year.

retired_bootcamp_nat

Thanks for pointing out my mistake there Loeffle! I try to do my research but sometimes get it just a bit wrong

By the way you've inspired me to up this story again with a slight twist to bring it up to date. So thanks mate :thup:

retired_bootcamp_nat

The past few months have been a blur. Well more of a drunken haze of depression and guilt to be honest. Looking back now I am not proud of what has happened in Sorrento, but that's life isn't it. I have just found the final entry I made of my time in Sorrento and it's quite the sombre read when you're looking back.


19.01.05
Consecutive losses confirm that one win doesn't make it a return to form just as our one win early in the season didn't mean we were on our way to bigger and better things. The squad seems to be lacking that touch of luck right now but I am happy with the way the boys are going about their football, two losses in two weeks down to lucky goals by the opposition just stings me personally. Chin up time but with our current striker issues compounded by Sanda's suspension we are desperately hoping to announce a further signing before this weeks fixture.


The short end of the tale goes a little like this. As much as I'd hoped to be able to turn things around for the club things just went from bad to worse, the form was becoming frustrating and I blamed myself. Signor Castellano (the Chairman) was very patient with me but when I suggested to him that perhaps it would be better for everyone if Mario Capace took over the reigns he was not about to object. This was back in February last year (2005) and the story plays out with Capace so nearly saving AS Sorrento from the dreaded relegation. Yes, 'so nearly' is a phrase that just about sums up Sorrento and football. Via the play-outs Sorrento failed under Capace and were back into the vast caverns of Serie D. You may notice that I'm already referring to Sorrento as they rather than we and to be fair that is the way it must be. Despite the romantic notions of grandeur just eighteen months ago now I am man enough to admit that Sorrento and I just didn't work.

I'd always felt that I was handling the small failures well but then one day it all just hit me. It was two weeks after new years actually and I ended up back at my apartment crying tears of failure into the lap of Mariana. The results of the past few weeks had become so destructive that I'd become a headcase. Every decision had become massive and each consequence was just causing too much heartache and anguish. Mariana firmly believes that I have psychological issues with my relationship with Liv and that I had used football to try to replace her in my new life. I jokingly insisted that was not true, obviously I had used her (Mariana) to replace my former love and not football. I doubt she thought it was the time for jokes and was insistent that I head away for a while to deal with my inner demons and live a life without the crutch of alcohol and football. That could take a while I remember saying. Searching for a laugh from her gorgeous face but getting nothing but sympathy.

Supportingly she held me before reinforcing - and I remember this word for word - "You go for as long as you need to get square with yourself Cris. If you can't do it for yourself then please... do it for me"

I haven't seen Mariana for almost a year now and my life is worse than ever. I have been fortunate that my Italian family in Certaldo in the Val d'Elsa near Siena have taken me in. They have never questioned my ambition and are more than happy for me to live with and off them until I inform them that I can go on my own again. My time in Sorrento has rarely been mentioned in the past year and my life has revolved around drunken weekends with my cousins and hangover filled weekdays killing time with my unemployed cousin Gino. On the positive my Italian has improved greatly, but my head feels more screwed up than ever.

I am not thinking of Liv as much though of which Mariana would be proud! Ironically am thinking of Mariana more than ever and I long for her in a way that I'd never done for Liv. I have sworn to stay away from Mariana until my life is clearer and I have something to offer her. Only time will tell now I guess.

retired_bootcamp_nat

So yes this story has found some new life. But not as you knew it.

Since it's my story I'm changing the rules and when the game picks up eventually it'll be in the FM2006 incarnation rather than 05. It will all be worth it in the end I assure you

retired_bootcamp_nat

Thursday 13th April 2006

Milan, Italy


"Why Milan?" I heard my Mums gentle voice repeating herself. The phone echoed over and over again before I finally responded, "Why not?"

Sure not exactly the most articulate of responses but I was not really in the most articulate of moods. Mum soon took the hint that I wasn't on for a deep chat, she wished me Happy Birthday again before hanging up and leaving me to myself. Why Milan? I thought out loud. Well we have to go back to last Sunday to get the full story...


Stirring to see the whitewashed walls of the outside of my cousin's house in Certaldo I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to clear the blur that was my vision. No luck. From my position laying on the cobble-stoned street I was squinting at the glare still barely able to make out a person knocking on Gino's front door quite aggressively.

Struggling to get up I rummaged through the pockets of my jacket looking for my keys with no results. "That I'm guessing is why I slept on the street last night" I said out loud to no-one in particular.

"What do you I want?" I questioned the apparent stranger at the door.

Gino replied angrily, "Piccolino! What the hell were you doing down there? Let me in you idiot"

"Umm, I can't. I think I lost your keys last night mate" I cringed, waiting for Gino to explode.

"You gotta get your sh*t together cuz! I'm going down to Nonna's. She got a spare key to get us in" Gino paused looking sternly at me before continuing, "Just stay here till I get back okay, we seriously need to talk"


To bring it back to the present situation, that talk ended with me packing my stuff and heading to the bus depot. I was out of that place. I'd clearly pushed the limits of little Certaldo and my family despite what they'll say to my face. It's time to move on and Milan is where it's all happening. So here I am looking for work in a crazy city full of finance and fashion. It's not exactly Sorrento but it'll do for now. My 34th birthday was celebrated on my own with my good mates Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker. Just as the night looked to be fading into my 35th year my mobile vibrated, momentarily stirring me. Another heartless birthday message no doubt...

So, when r u free so we can catch up? I hava a lil sumthin planned that u mite enjoy. Lemme know sweet cheeks. Cheerio!

It was of course Mariana.

retired_bootcamp_nat

Thursday 20th April 2006

Milan, Italy


One of the first memories of Italian football I have is watching AC Milan versus Inter Milan at the San Siro on a Sunday morning on SBS back in Melbourne. Viewing the great stadium up close in person and it is just as majestic as I remember it being all those years ago. Valencia of Spain were visiting for the first leg of the UEFA Cup Semi Final and I was there.

The match itself was - how can I put this nicely - absolute rubbish! A nil-all draw with about as many decent chances as I remember Sorrento creating back in the Winter of 2004. However one interesting moment made the night more than worth it for me personally. I ventured out of my seat to grab a couple of coffees as the game approached half-time and there was a stifled call I'd just managed to hear over the murmurs of the Milanese. Turning I heard the call again, "Eh! Piccolino! Eh it's me Mario"

"Capace you pig, get over here!" I yelled back. Before I'd even finished what I was saying Mario was up next to me throwing both his arms around me and planting a kiss on both my cheeks.

"What are you doing here in Milan?" I queried.

"I should be asking you the same question eh! But since you asked first, I'm working here now"

"What here at Milan?" I was shocked, sure I respected Mario but he wasn't really that great a coach.

He looked as shocked as I was, "What AC Milan? No, no, no, but I am still coaching. Not far from here actually, about 30 kilometres to the North-West in a town called Legnano. Si they've got a Serie C2 side there too but it's in Girone A not C where we - I mean Sorrento - used to play"

"Yeah I do that too. It was hard to detach myself from that team - and that town - but things are better now" I think I was assuring myself as much as I was Mario, "Anyway, you want to grab a coffee? I need one and there's someone sitting next to me who's desperate for a hit as well"

With that comment Mario turned to where I had gestured before glancing back at me and offering a cheeky wink, "You sneeky b*stard! Mariana eh! Does Castellano know she's here? With you?"

"Aww, I doubt it mate. Anyway it's not like that"


The rest of the night was very enjoyable I must say. As the night continued after the match back at Capace's place in Legnano it was suggested - amongst other things - that Mariana and I come out to watch his side playing their Serie C2 match on Sunday. Why not? I remember thinking, it could be fun after all. Later despite Capace's predictable encouragement I decided not to drink on strong with him there in Legnano, instead we returned to my apartment in one of the cheaper haunts of Milan to spend the rest of the night. Notably we (Mariana and I that is) has spent the 48 hours prior to the match at the San Siro inside this very apartment and those memories will remain with me for a while I tell you. If you remember rightly Mariana had a little something that she thought I might enjoy. I can tell you now... she was right!

zipman

You are welcome If you need some ideas, just find my "Melfi" story in this forum. Sadly that game is dead now

retired_bootcamp_nat

Saturday 22nd April 2006

Milan, Italy


I feel that I at least owe it to you to explain how the whole situation with Mariana had evolved.

Not only was the entire thing somewhat of a secret around Sorrento but I knew when it started that if Castellano ever found out he would have my balls for dinner, washed down with a nice shiraz no doubt. Anyway during that less than auspicious season in Sorrento Mariana had become my confidant - she was in fact the only person in town that wasn't interested talking to me about football - every doubt and care I had in the world was burdened upon her slender yet firm shoulders. During this time not once did she complain. Not once did she question my actions. Mariana had fast become my rock, the one person in this country that I could truly rely on. It was just a shame that I could not be that person to her.

As the daughter of the chairmen there are certain expectations. The greatest of these expectations is that you do not disrespect the club by your actions. This of course meant that someone in Mariana's position would never bring disrepute to the club or family by becoming involved with a player or official of the football club. Well it was a bit late for all this to stop so it became what it could only be, an invisible relationship. It was like we were 14 years old running around behind our parents backs. Well she was I suppose (behind her parents back that is, not 14 thankfully) and it just felt wrong. After the initial fireworks wore off we decided it would be easier to just remain friends for both our sakes and more importantly I needed it for my short term sanity. As things in Sorrento got the better of me it was always Mariana that was there for me. She was the only one that knew about my issues, to be honest she was the only one that cared after the announcement that I would not be completing the season. But that was fair enough. A lot of people had put their trust in me and I felt that I had failed them. I would not need their acceptance, the decision to quit was a selfish one that I and I alone would need to understand. Still 'she' was always there for me.

The time away in Certaldo almost tore my heart out. I was too stubborn to allow Mariana to see me in this state and it just made the matter worse. Without her I was going down in a big way. However if I had let her see me as I was she would never respect me the way I would have it be. Well I guess you know the rest of the story for now. I go to Milan to clean up and get some work, Mariana comes to visit as a late birthday present, things develop and in a big city the anonymity of it all allows us to be as we'd wished for the past eighteen months. Short but sweet though as Mariana had to return to Sorrento immediately on Monday morning. Still we have tonight and then the match in Legnano tomorrow to catch up with Mario again before she has to leave. Temporarily she assures me.

retired_bootcamp_nat

Saturday 29th April 2006

Accra, Ghana

How time flies. Just over a month ago - at Mario's insistence - I was watching a little club by the name of Legnano on a Sunday afternoon with Mariana by my side. As it happens they weren't that bad a side. Mario waved to us a couple of times from the dugout. To be fair it would have been hard for him to miss us when we were amongst just five-hundred odd supporters. In any case like I said just over a month ago I was in Legnano, Italy with my two closest friends this side of the globe. Now I find myself watching some pithy football match and a dusty pitch in the capital of Ghana. Yep Ghana, West Africa.

Following the match in Legnano - the home side beating Portosummago 1-0 in the end - Mario asked us to celebrate the win in the clubrooms with the staff. I was hesitant initially, but Mariana thought it would be good for me to have a look inside a football club again. The players were jubilant - the side looked well on it's way to promotion from Serie C2/A - at the time Mario introduced me to a few of the boys. Surprisingly a few of them knew of me after my time with Sorrento. Meeting the players was great but I knew it would the staff that would be more hesitant with me. What had Mario told them about my circumstances? Had he told them anything? As it turned out I was getting worked up about nothing. After meeting a couple of physios I soon met the clubs manager, Michele Della Rosa. An enigmatic and very affable gentleman Della Rosa was every bit the man Mario had made him out to be. I was actually a bit taken back to think that after working under me Mario had moved on to work with this utter professional and credit to the game. I felt like I could just vanish and no-one would have missed me in Sorrento. This Della Rosa had such presence for a gentle and unimposing man. To my total surprise Della Rosa initiated the conversation.

"Welcome Cristiano! It is a pleasure to have you with us here in little Legnano today"

I was shocked that he even knew who I was, "Err, thankyou for allowing me in here Signor Della Rosa"

Della Rosa continues, "Let me be the first to say that I have great respect for what you took upon your shoulders in Sorrento. You showed pride and courage, Capace here has told me much about you and I feel sorry that you have been out of the game for over a year now"

"Please Signor Della Rosa, my time since Sorrento has been difficult but I lay no blame on others. I wear the burden of my failures and I expect no sympathy - despite the sincerity - from men of your status. But thankyou none the less"

With that Della Rosa merely nodded his head and excused himself. Mario didn't understand why I had been so defensive about accepting a little sympathy, it was more than that though. I didn't feel that I belonged amongst these men. These people were successes, they were doing what they loved and doing it well. I was just an abject failure. I had driven a club to relegation and not even stood by as a proud leader would. Getting over my internal turmoil I had noticed that I was standing alone in the middle of the room. Della Rosa with Mario by his side was approaching me purposefully.

"Cristiano I have an offer for you" Della Rosa looked excited.

"I have been speaking with Capace and we think you should stay here in Legnano for a while. We have a few projects for you"

I was not sure about this, "What kind of projects?"

"Well we have only one scout here after Signor Lantari departed last month. Do you like to travel Cristano?"

"You want me to be a scout for your club?"

"Well I'll have to run it past the chairman first but I see know reason why we could not hire you on a short term contract and see how things develop" Della Rosa seemed determined to have me accept this position.

I looked at Mariana, she had returned just in time to hear the last couple of minutes of the conversation. She nodded at me with a look that I'd last seen on my mothers face back home many years ago now.

A brief monent's silence passed before I answered, "Yes then. I'd love to do it. Just one question, will I just be a scout or do you see a greater role for a man of my experience? I mean there are not many former managers that are now mere scouts in this league"

"Sure, to begin you will scout. But I do have grander plans for you Piccolino. No disrespect to the scouts in this game but you offer much more than they ever can" Della Rosa was reassuring in his reply.

So yes, that was how it had come to be that I find myself in Accra. I was sent here to have a look at a few players from various clubs in West Africa. Today it was a 24 year old imposing Ghanaian centre half. At 6'2" Anthony Baffoe of the Asante Kotoko club towered over me as I handed him my new business card with the AC Legnano insignia.

"Thankyou sir. So you say you will call me then?" Baffoe was polite in his response.

"Yeah Anthony. I will show our manager Mr Della Rosa the tapes and let him know that I think you would be a great acquisition to our club. Trust me I will be in touch" I found that I genuinely liked this guy.

Parting ways with Baffoe and Ghana I headed to Senegal for a brief spot before I returned to Legnano with the findings of my first scouting mission. Since being away for a few weeks now and seeing Mariana return to Sorrento I realised that life would go on and if things were to be they would work out in time. I knew how she felt about me and she certainly knew what I felt for her.