Dudley Brook

(Using England Leagues down to Conference National on FM06)

'Another miserable day', I thought to myself, although they all seem to be at the moment. I quit my job as an Assistant Buyer for a major Electronics firm 2 weeks ago, no real rhyme or reason, I was just sick of being miserable. I guess I have been for a long while now, I should probably Explain.

"Youngster Brook looks good for England place"
"Brook puts in another Mesmerizing display"
"Brook for England?"

There I was, riding high. Dudley Brook future superstar of modern Football. I had started out with Conference side Aldershot, and made my way swiftly through the divisions, to Brighton. And after 2 awesome seasons there I was signed up by my boyhood club Chelsea and still only 20. No-one could knock me off my pedestal.... or so I thought....

It was 5 days before the strat of the new season and I was out for a late-night run, little did I know I was being followed. I used to take a route through the local park, and although mostly lit there was a patch that was dark. I didnt give it too much thought as I had run through it a few hundred times before. Away in my own world and looking forward to my first game for my dream club I didn't even notice the silhouettes of the 4 people standing there waiting for me. "Look who we have here boys" "it's Mr I'm a superstar." "Mr I am too big for the championship" (The voices sounded familiar, couldn't quite place them) and before I knew it, something heavy stuck me on my knee. "Looks like we have been chosen to teach this boy a lesson", and again, this time my other knee. I fell to the ground in complete agony. Blows rained in all over me, and all I could do was curl up and try to survive. It felt like it lasted forever, when in truth it couldnt of been more than 2-3 minutes before a group of guys, coming back from the pub heard what was going on and rushed to intervene. There was the distnant sound of a scuffle but I was long since passed out before I could deduce what happened. I woke up 5 days later in Hospital, and the first thing I could feel, ironically was the lack of feeling in my Legs. "Doctor... He's awake"....

The full extent of the attack suddenly became apparent with each word out of my doctors mouth like a hammer blow to my world. Lots of technical medical terms were thrown at me, most of which I didn't understand, but I didn't need to, because the last few words were the only things that registered. "Mr Brook, it brings me great sadness to inform you, you are never going to play football again, and there is a 75% chance you will never walk again. I passed out again.....

Coming to, I wished it was a horrible dream, that I was going to wake up in my bed and go back to my life, to live my dream. However my worst nightmare decided become my life and I was lost, not knowing if I even wanted to live....


That was 8 years ago, and since then I have managed to walk again, I had to have re-constructive surgery on 15 different parts of my body, and I sometimes still succumb to bouts of blinding pain and the nightmares are still there every single moment. However due to either a weak mind or the desire to be rid of these feeling, I have delved into the world of Drink and Drugs. I convinced myself at the beginning that it would only be short term, and I haven't had a drink for 3 months. Although I still regularly smoke cannibis, 'to take away the pain'. But if I am honest, I became addicted a long time ago.

I wonder, every moment of the day if I would of made it as a pro. I had the belief, and I know I had the ability, and the worst thing is not knowing if I could of made a difference in the world of professional football. I used to live it and breathe it. at 16 I obtained my coaching badges, I was made a special exception due to the fact that I had scored 100% on every single one of my tests. I knew I was going to play not manage, but every single thing to do with Football just grabbed my attention, and Aldershot saw this and put me through my courses. Fat lot of good it would do me, because I haven't had anything to do with the game since then. It cost me my girlfriend, my friends and my livelyhood. Dont get me wrong, I had the worlds best support base. But there is only so much screaming, shouting, drinking, drug-takin and abuse people can take. I managed to successfully chase everyone out of my life in little under 5 years.

I started to get back on track, I did. Made a real effort to get myself clean, got a real job (thanks to a very understanding Chelsea fan) and began to rebuild my life. But soon things got worse. I was consumed by a burning desire to acheive something, and realising I would never get the chance. I quit my job and have managed to take a fast train back to Square 1... So here I am, on my couch. Joint in one hand, remote in the other, and in the reflection of my mirror, a ghost of the guy there used to be... Maybe I should consider committing S...... "Ring Ring" 'What the f?' "Ring Ring"

Hello....

Hello, is that Mr Brook?

What do you want?

This is Sasha, personal Secretary to Mr Knight

Who?, if this is about taking my job back, I am not interested.

I think you misundestand sir. I represent Mr Dick Knight. Chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club

"Sir?" Whats the F*** is this about, Who is this, Is it some kind of joke?

I repeat, I am calling on behalf of Brighton and Hove Albion...

I heard what you said I'm not deaf

Then if you would have the decency to let me finish, I was going to say Mr Knight would like to see you regarding a position that requires filling.

oh really? and what position might that be??

The Vacant Managers position.