Living in the Shadows

[markyt]

June 2008 - FM 2009 9.03, large db

Mark Thomas stood on the shoreline of Elberry Cove on the South Devon coastline skimming stones into rough, dark sea waters. The sky was leaden in colour and full of rain. When the storm finally arrived it would rain for two whole days. The downpour would have seen Noah lining the animals up two by two purely down to the volume of water that would emerge from the black skies.

The colour of the sky matched Mark’s mood and his anger would take some time to dissipate. There were passers by on the shoreline walking their dogs. Each would have known the man angrily staring, almost shouting at the angry sea but the weather kept them moving each keen to get indoors and out of the elements.

Mark was a well known ex-footballer playing the game at the highest point with a career that spanned 20 plus years. Now 42 years old and out of the game for several years he was still a recognisable face on the local scene.

Mark himself was in a world of his own.

Having moved back to his home town of Torquay at the end of his playing career he had invested in property and his business had boomed in the good times of Gordon Brown’s period of prudence. But that like his football career had come to a very sharp and sudden end. His business partners had taken to the hills accepting the golden shilling of local competitors just as the going was getting tough and prudence was turning into panic. Despite owning a large chunk of the business, expansion had brought others to the party and they wanted to cash in and the opportunity of takeover gave them the option to head for home. The business like a rug had been pulled from beneath his feet and whilst the money in the bank was more than he would ever need the loss hurt.

The similarity of this sudden loss akin to the end of his playing career.

Mark was at 36 lucky to still be playing at the highest level.

One horrible challenge in a league fixture had put paid to career ambitions.

A holding midfielder with the ability to pass the ball was a rarity in English colours and the experienced pro significantly added value to the World Cup squad of 2002.

'Savage by name savage by nature' was one particular headline from the tabloids leaving no imagination to who had been involved and how the press felt about it.

The press furore worsened by the loss of a key component of both Chelsea's final drive for honours and the looming World Cup in Japan & Korea. The tackle itself was a typical premier league affair, a challenge for a 50/50 ball but the two footed lunge that was creeping into the game left the Chelsea man prostrate and screaming in agony as a bone in the leg snapped under contact.

Chelsea’s title challenge ended on the same day. The effect of the injury clearly impacted on the blues playing staff and their challenge died on the pitch almost to the day that Mark was removed from the field of play on a stretcher.

Europe seemed to offer respite to the Chelsea squad but a loss to Barcelona in the semis of the Champions League perhaps proof if proof were needed of Mark’s shadow over the squad. Chelsea were unable to keep the game tight. Barcelona with Ronaldino pulling the strings had single handedly ripped the Chelsea back four apart. Every voyeur of that match recognised that Mark’s experience had been sorely missed.

England’s World Cup dreams shattered as quickly as the bone in Mark’s leg. Sven’s golden generation hampered by injury to its star performer David Beckham and tactics that seemed like the sky’s above Elberry Cove, leaden, were played off the park and returned home barely scrapping past the group stages.

Another stone found its way to the sea bed as Mark finally awoke from his thoughts as the first wave of heavy rain fell from the skies.

The rain seemed to wash the heavy scales from his eyes and with a smile he understood exactly his next move....

[markyt]

Mark smiled and hurled the final stone he had been holding as far as possible. The wild seas would not have noticed the impact of the stone but as the sky flashed with pink lighting dancing across dark stormy clouds Mark made the mental commitment to open the door to his first love.

One last look at the waves crashing onto the shoreline and Mark began the return home. Climbing up from the shoreline to the cliffs brought the return of a nagging pain in his leg. Even after all of this time the odd twinge could be felt on exertion. For a man with very little involvement in the game since his enforced retirement he moved very quickly to get himself connected. One phone call had led to another and his name being mentioned had opened several doors.

With a career spent eternally wearing blue barring a season of yellow for Torquay whilst still at the local school he had ready access to a who’s who of the good and great of the football world.

Many of his ex-Chelsea team mates were now established managers in their own right and despite the passing of time each took time to speak to him. From those initial conversations several opportunities to either join the coaching staff or even work as an assistant manager were quickly on offer. Despite the obvious lure of working with a Wise, Hughes or Di Matteo, Mark wanted to step on the front line in his own right.

Carolyn Stewart his one time agent quickly got over the shock announcement of a desire for football management put some feelers out and within days Mark had been interviewed for two management posts both in non league football. The first interview at Salisbury Town had an absolute disaster with the club chairman taking an instant dislike to the man sat before him. Mark was confident, assured and perhaps arrogant at times and whilst not meaning to be all of the three his time away from the game and his natural personality allowed him to be his own man and not to waste time on meaningless conversation. Independent, forth right and a mind of his own not the management attributes that Salisbury were keen to harness apparently.

In comparison the second invite to interview was a breeze. Weston Super Mare a team used to bumping along the lower tier of English football liked what they saw of Mark and within days a smiling chairman and a man from the wilderness were captured in print shaking hands on a 12 month contract.

The chairman, Paul Bliss found Mark a breath of fresh air. Someone who was certainly different to the other candidates in that football was not the only thing that mattered. Mark had lived life and offered more than the journeymen that had been keen to work for the club. Mark had been positive, realistic and to the point….

Carolyn Stewart had weaved her magic to get Mark through the door but now it was down to him to live up to the expectations.

Mark had known Carolyn from when they were both in their mid 20's.

Carolyn had been involved in negotiating a new contract for him at Stamford Bridge. At that time Carolyn had worked for a larger agency and was a just hired hand learning the ropes of client management. Mark had just been one of the many football and media stars on her former boss's books and her first big assignment.

For Carolyn it had been love at first sight and although other close friends had spotted the lingering, furtive glances towards Mark, Mark himself had been oblivious to the tell tale signs. The closeness and the sparks that flew all missed by the footballer.

Mark had also had intense feelings towards Carolyn in those early days but always felt that she had been out of reach and way off limits.

Together they were some team both on and off of the pitch.

Not long afterwards Carolyn had broken off from the large agency to start her own fledgling business and Mark became her first client jumping ship almost immediately and firmly nailing his colours to her mast.

Together they conquered the world.

Mark continued to rise in importance in improving Chelsea team winning cups, medals before going onto captain both club and country. There had been the personal milestones of a wedding and the birth of his precious son to celebrate.

Over the same time Carolyn had become one of the most important agents in the UK. For Carolyn there had been a marriage. It hadn't lasted and her ex-husband bitterly complained that she always seemed to be searching for a lost love.

In truth Carolyn would have openly confirmed these thoughts.

For her there had only ever been one love.

[tenthreeleader]

Very nice. I'm impressed by your imagery.

The only thing I'd suggest is watch your paragraphing. It hurts the overall flow when items are clumped together. But I am happy to say I'll be watching for more. Good luck.

[Wegason]

I echo what 10-3w has said, a very promising start.

[markyt]

Thanks 10-3 and Wegason for your positive and constructive comments.

Hopefully I can keep you interested!

With the sudden and unexpected announcement of Mark’s arrival a hurried press conference was called to formerly introduce the ex Chelsea man to the Weston Super Mare fans. From the photograph of the handshake confirming the signing of a 12 month contract to the moment the pen actually scrolled across the contract everything had been a blur.

From the very moment that he had arrived on the touchline on a day blessed by hot summer sunshine his mind had been focussed elsewhere. Despite the conversations, the questions, the popping of flash bulbs and the general buzz of activity around him Mark was far more interested in the pitch itself. The sight as he had emerged from the players’ tunnel had actually made him catch his breath. The sun was shinning gloriously onto the lush green grass and he could feel his pulse race at the sight. The ground staff were busy at work and the sound of grass cutting could be heard from the far end of the ground. In that moment seven years in the wilderness disappeared. He was home and back to where in reality he had always belonged. Older, wiser and with joints that creaked perhaps but as he took in the scene around him he was 15 all over again and the feelings and excitement that had immersed him on arriving at Stamford Bridge were mirrored by his clear excitement to get involved in the game once more.

Woodspring Stadium was a neat modern ground first opened in August 2004. The new shiny stadium with the must have conference facilities had never been matched by the football on the pitch. 11th place their best ever finish in the Conference South. Too many seasons of flirting with relegation had dwindled home support although average gates were close to 350 and that was pretty good by the leagues standards. The pull of league clubs such as Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and even Cardiff across the water would ensure that numbers would remain low unless a clear improvement was visible. Relegation had been spared two seasons earlier when ground irregularities barred Cambridge City from promotion at Weston Super Mare’s clear benefit.

With next to no money with perhaps the first well known name in charge at the club it was difficult to see what would be different this time around. However that didn’t stop the 120 fans turning up to welcome their new man in hope as much as anything else. Time would tell if Mark could make a difference but even with the bookies remaining non-plussed by the appointment the most fervent WSM support hoped that at least they could strive for the heady heights of mid table. Money in the division was fairly limited and but for new boys AFC Wimbledon with home support at 3000 plus every other week bucking the trend, performance on the pitch would all be about the ability of the man in charge, a huge slice of luck along the way and finding loan players who could improve the team.

The WSM fans would be delighted to avoid a relegation battle and all they hoped for was for their team at least to be better than last season.

[M0nk3yFac3]

Nice story, interesting I think. Not a huge fan of the font, but thats me being petty. KUTGW

[markyt]

Nice story, interesting I think. Not a huge fan of the font, but thats me being petty. KUTGW

Thanks for the feedback my friend. Copying from word into the forum and couldn't get the font changed to verdana 2. If anyone can fix that for me it would be much appreciated!

Actually may have fixed it!

[markyt]

Mark was nervous. It was the second time he had tried to tie the laces on his new adidas football boots. He blamed the newness of the laces for his inability to tie a decent knot. Mind you the slight shake in his hands were in reality the give away for his ineptitude. With a shake of his head Mark cleared his mind and breathed in slowly and deeply. The old tricks from his playing days returned to lessen the tension coursing through his body. With every deep breath his heart beat slowed and the noise that appeared to be very audible from beneath his rib cage silenced.

Standing up he checked out his appearance in the wall mirror of his new office. Kitted head to toe in brand spanking new Weston Super Mare training gear he certainly looked the part. Unable to sleep he had driven the relatively short distance from his Torbay home to Woodspring Stadium and other than the security guards for company had spent the first hour alone. The office area soon became busier as staff duly arrived and a buzz probably more than a normal day as It was the first day of pre season training.

The players were due back for their initial fitness assessment before long days of toil on the training pitch commenced. He had been shown to his new office and after going through the mail on his desk had changed into the kit freshly prepared for him.

Having managed to finally tie his shoe laces his concentration was interrupted by a rap at the door. Mark opened the office door and in front of him were two probably just as nervous faces. They belonged to Assistant Manager Chris Smith and Coach Ryan Northmore. At 43 Mark didn’t consider himself to be particularly old but sat behind his desk conversing to both men he felt every bit of his age. Northmore at 27 and Smith 32 were both fresh faced in comparison to his sun soaked skin lined.

The ice broken both talked through their career paths and their individual roles within the club set up. They in fact were the only staff remaining from the previous season as the lucky escape from relegation had ensured a mass clearout with those out of contract simply being released. Both were in their final year of contracts and knew that if there was any hope of an extension they would have to work hard to impress the new man. The facts starkly remained that both had survived only because of a signature on a piece of paper and a date 12 months into the future of former colleagues. But Mark needed them. They knew the club, the players and had experience of working and playing at this level. All of that alone would be invaluable in the days and weeks ahead.

The next two hours were spent drinking tea and talking through the squad. Between the two Mark was able to gleam every ounce of information about the players in terms of position, ability and for Mark most importantly personality. Smith highlighted areas of concern within the team and where priorities for strengthening lay. The club whilst full of keen and ambitious youngsters was lacking strength and experience at goalkeeper, left back and their front line would be led by an injury prone 35 year old.

Northmore would have his work cut out being both coach and first team keeper. That statement alone shone a huge spotlight on the financial climate of the club. The cupboard was bare the squad not much better.

Mark broke the meeting to allow the two to organise the first elements of the days training sessions. He himself moved on to a meeting with owner and chairman Paul Bliss and that allowed him the opportunity to talk through his developing action plan and firm agreements on budgets and wages for the season ahead. Life would be tough as there was simply no money available. Loan signings and out of contract players would be the order of the day. He could delay no further it was time to meet the squad.

[markyt]

It was surprising even to himself how comfortably he had slipped into his new role. The first few days in post had flown by and despite the heavy workload and demand on his time he had emerged smiling and feeling as if he had not been away from the game.

As a player he had actually loathed those first few days of pre season training and could remember the pain of those sessions. Football even in his time away had changed and players took much better care of themselves in the close season than he had ever done. Whilst they were no where near match fit it their summer activities helped them get through the early work. There were the obvious moans and groans about the tortuous style of each session but each knew the work simply had to be done and that for every session now under the July sunshine the repayment in the season would be worth every ounce of sweat given now.

Mark had been happy to observe his management team Chris Smith and Ryan Northmore in those early sessions but as the hours went into days he became more hands on adding into the training sessions routines from his Stamford Bridge days.

Fitness levels were returning and according to the stats marginally up on the previous years’ work. This was all very encouraging but Mark truly became alive when the ball appeared and he could start to see a team emerging from Smith’s player reports.

The shortfalls in quality, experience and player roster were very evident and after giving trials to several out of contract players the balance and shape of WSM markedly improved. From the triallists came two left backs. Anthony Savage and Joey Jones both fresh from the Welsh Premier League became his first club signings.

Their arrival at least allowed Mike Green to move back to his preferred position of right back. At left back he was a poor option and time and time again found himself caught out during training matches.

Concerns about his strike force had led Mark to call on of all of the local League clubs enquiring about possible loan options for the season ahead. Of all of those calls made the one to Gary Johnson at Bristol City struck immediate gold. Johnson wanted some of his reserves tested with first team action and the proximity of both clubs meant that the players didn’t need to uproot so the match up made perfect sense. Within hours of the conversation Johnson had allowed Stephen Henderson and John Akinde to join the Conference South side for 12 months. Both players agreed to the move although not having to move home probably sweetened the deal. Henderson was already an Irish under 21 keeper and a huge talent in Johnsons mind. John Akinde was an unpolished gem. Akinde had signed for City following the first ever transfer decided by a fans poll. Johnson’s description of Akinde spot on. ‘A young Emile Heskey’.

Pre season training was about to step up a gear………..