retired_nicolemdalton

Sunday 2nd October 9:00 AM (Lads Get A Deserved Break And So Do I)

I slowly open my eyes, I could easily stay in bed for the rest of the day. I stretch and yawn but I still feel a tad jaded, its been a hectic schedule recently and feeling drained physically and mentally. I look at my calendar and notice that I've been in the job just over 3 months now, it's gone bloody quick so far but it's taking its toll.

I roll out of bed and take a look in the mirror, a sleepy looking tramp looks back yawning and I realise that I haven't shaved in 3 days. God I've got to pull myself together, I must look such a mess to the fans and worse, to the board.

I see the team photo of the lads and suddenly I realise they must be feeling similarly stretched and they're the ones running around on the pitch. I think I'll give them a much needed break, they've given me their all recently despite some less than satisfactory results. I think I'd better call up early other wise it will be too late to get the lads sorted.

"Hi Rose, I know it's early on a Sunday but I need you to do me a massive favour...!"

"Sounds pretty interesting Chris and I was already up by the way. What's this favour about..? Oh, wait don't tell me, you want me to call the team and tell them that you want them in for extra training in the next few days...Am I Right?"

"Well, you're almost there, I actually wanted you to inform the lads that they have the next 3 days off training. They're under orders to get some well earned rest, that doesn't include going out boozing and clubbing, we all know what trouble that can cause. Its 14 days till the next match and they need a break I'm sure they won't be too shocked....

A giggle

It shouldn't take you long to get them all called, I'm sure you'll get a few complaints about the time...oh with that in mind make sure you call Killa first. Thanks again Rose, I'll make it up to you I promise.

There's the sound of laughter down the other end of the phone followed by an obviously amused Rose informing me that she'll see to it and that she didn't have anything better to do today anyway.

She's a bloody star that Rose.

simonp

great story mate a great read :thup:

retired_nicolemdalton

Thanks muchly tree, all comments are welcome, good or bad, it all helps me to improve the story. I'm hoping to keep on going with it and hopefully achieve my aim. :cool:

retired_nicolemdalton

Monday 3rd October (The Day Of Many Ponderings)

It was the blinking that snapped me out of my trance, I focussed on the digital clock that had served me well for so long and had managed to snatch my attention.

I raised a brow, where had the time gone? I had been lost in daydream for the past hour, thinking about our fixture in 13 days time and going through the whys and wherefores of who I should pick and who would be fit for the match.

I was hoping against hope that I would be able keep the same 11 that have managed to start doing the business again. I didn't want to make too many changes if possible as we'd just got back to winning ways and I didn't want to upset the stability of the team. But on the flipside we have a local derby against Hull at home 3 days after the visit to Stoke. I'd need everyone fit and fired up because there was a buzz amongst the fans that this game would hopefully be a highly passionate affair and I for one didn't want to disappoint them or be myself disappointed.

I wrote down on a scrap of paper the names I had in mind for the Stoke match.

I looked at the papers for Englands fixtures in the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers and noted that we had perhaps two of the hardest fixtures of our qualifying campaign againt Austria and then Poland on the 8th and 12th respectively.

It gave me a feeling of excitement as I always felt when England play, yet it was tinged with sadness as I looked at the potential line ups and remembered how many internationals our club used to have. I shake off the thought and reassure myself that Leeds will again boast the likes of top class players who have more quality and critically more loyalty than previous players who seemed happy to pick up their wage packets and yet not give their all for the Leeds cause. My plan is that in in a few years we'll be back where we belong in Europe and challenging for silverware. I want European football, I'm sick of watching the likes of Arsenal and theMan Utdscum predictably appearing and failing in Europe, we should be there too and by hell and high water we will have it.

retired_nicolemdalton

Wednesday 5th October (Back To Business...For Some At Least)

I get to the training ground fairly early expecting to be there before the lads arrive, I pull into the carpark and notice that much to my chargrin there isn't a space to be had. Suddenly my annoyance turns to total shock. It clicks, they must already be here, but why?

It's our first day back to training and I was expecting the lads to be a little slow and to be taking it easy. How wrong could I get? The lads trained their hearts out and never stopped encouraging each other and pushing each other. At the end of the session I stopped Sam.

"What's going on there? I've never seen them quite so enthusiastic...I mean it's brilliant and everything but why, has someone put something in the water or what?"

Sam sniffs his amusement

"You sure you have enough time for the answer Chris, it's a fairly long one, I could make it short but it wouldn't do it justice, plus this needs to be said."

I nod and lean against the office wall, steadying myself for whats to be said. I look at him as a signal to continue

"Well Guv, I'll tell you it as I see it. There's a few good reasons for the way they've been today and all of them have one link, You. You've given them the belief that they're more than just another load of lads playing for an average Championship team. They're playing for Leeds United and that is something that you've made them proud of. You've put the pride back into the players and that, Chris, is something we've not had for a long while."

I couldn't help but let a huge smile burst through, I mean who wouldn't smile at hearing that kind of news. I felt that swell of pride in my chest that I used to feel when we were setting Europe alight, in a footballing sense that is.

I felt proud, this is my team and they are doing it for me, the fans, each other, Leeds.

retired_nicolemdalton

Friday 7th October (Good Press At Last)

I'm in my office staring at the computer screen, not particularly focussing on anything in particular, when there's a shout from upstairs.

"Chris, Chris, where the hell are you? Have you seen the papers today? It's something I think you'll like."

I almost fall off my chair but manage to grab hold of the desk before I completely wipe myself out. I've got to stop bloody daydreaming, it can't be good for me and I'm sure I was meant to be doing something at the time.

I run upstairs, it sounds like something's excited Emma enough to get her shouting about it.

"You said something about the papers?"

She thrusts the paper into my hands.

"Read it, just read it."

There was another page or two of the story but I put it down to answer the phone that was ringing unceasingly

"Hello, Chris Marsh spea..."

"Well Mr Marsh, it seems everyone thinks the sun shines out of your arse..."

Oh god it's Ken, I expect he's going to tell me what he really thinks, just for a change. I almost consider hanging up.

"..and they're not the only ones, I'm glad to see you're getting the praise you deserve lad. Lets hope everyones optimism lasts eh? keep it up. . ."

The line goes dead and I'm left holding the receiver looking like I'm frozen in time. I thump down the stairs thinking to myself did that actually just happen? I can't believe Ken called me up just to say that, he must be bored sitting on his yacht or something.

Some people.