Team Player (8 page)

The Charlton fans were celebrating, yelling their heads off. The noise was deafening, but it was the sweetest sound Roddy had heard all year. And then a figure he recognised was coming onto the pitch, accompanied by the headmaster. Roddy looked at Geno, but his friend seemed even more astonished than he was. Because there, strolling out with a big grin on his face was Geno's dad, holding the first-year cup. Geno caught Roddy's eye and they grinned at each other.

Sam quickly gathered the team together in the centre circle, and lined them up ready to shake Luca's hand. Roddy had seen trophy ceremonies lots of times on TV, but had never before taken part in one that was so professionally run.

“What a fantastic game,” said Luca into a microphone that had been quickly set up on
the pitch. “Both teams played some amazing football, but in the end, there can only be one winner. This year's first-year champions are … Charlton House!”

A massive cheer erupted from the crowd, with even Jack and the other Moore fans showing their respect for the victors. Luca moved along the line shaking everyone's hand and giving them a few words of congratulation and encouragement. Roddy didn't see him spend any extra time with Geno, but there was definitely a special warmth to the smile and the handshake given to his hat-trick hero son.

As captain, Roddy was the last in line. “Well played,” Luca said as he shook his hand. “That was a very mature performance. You played for the team, and set up all three goals. I'd follow you as captain any day.”

Roddy glowed with pride. He wanted to
thank Geno's dad for all his advice the other day, but already the cup was being thrust into his hands. Resisting the urge to raise it above his head immediately, he beckoned Keira and Geno over to share in the glory. Keira and Roddy grabbed a handle each, and Geno supported the base. As the trio held it aloft, the cheers from the crowd grew even greater and, just for a moment, Roddy pictured himself lifting the World Cup for Wales.

The cup was passed around the rest of the team, and then Marek lifted Geno up onto his shoulders and ran off towards the Charlton fans, whooping with delight. It really was just the way Roddy had always imagined it could be.

Amid all the chaos, Mr Jenkins appeared. Roddy looked at him in surprise. “I thought you were ill!” he blurted out.

Mr Jenkins laughed. “I haven't been at all well,” he agreed. “But I'm feeling much better now. I'll be back at school next week, but I couldn't miss this match, could I?”

“No way!” agreed Roddy, delighted that his coach had been there to witness their victory.

“You gave an inspirational performance, Roddy,” said Mr Jenkins. “Sam made an excellent choice in making you captain. Keep it up next year and you might be captain of the first team, too. And congratulations on being the only Charlton team to pick up a trophy. I'll look forward to seeing your progress through the school over the next few years.”

Roddy's day could hardly have got any better, and it wasn't over yet. It was time for the team photo. They all lined up, Roddy in the middle as captain, with Keira and Geno
at his sides. Marek and Jimmy were behind them with the other tall players. Sam and Mr Jenkins stood to the left, looking delighted.

Roddy was grinning broadly as the cameraman took the photos. It was a genuine smile, not his usual school-photo expression. What's more, he knew that over the summer holidays the picture would be put up in the main hall of the school. On the wall of reigning champions, it would be there at the start of term for the next intake of first years to aspire to.

Roddy couldn't wait to take a copy home for his parents. But it wasn't only his family he wanted to show the photograph to. As soon as he got home, he'd be rushing round to meet Bryn Thomas. Not only would Bryn see that Roddy had made captain at last; Roddy's team had won the cup, and Roddy's footballing dreams were coming true.

First published 2009 by
A & C Black Publishers Ltd
36 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QY

www.acblack.com

Text copyright © 2009 C. Jefferies and S. Goffe

The rights of C. Jefferies and S. Goffe to be identified as
the authors of this work have been asserted by them in accordance
with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Print ISBN: 978-1-40811-384-4
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-40815-351-2

A CIP catalogue for this book is available from the British Library.

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