Chapter 1: The Beginning

Football League Trophy

Leicester FC U21 vs Bolton FC

It was the dying moments of the Football League Trophy match between Leicester FC U21 against Bolton FC. The visitors were trailing against the young and spirited Leicester team who were up 3-2. It looked like things were going in the way of the youngsters until the 89th minute. It was a 1 v 1 situation, A young, fair skinned boy with messy hair attempted a tackle against the opposing team's striker. Which he missed completely leaving the goal wide open. Giving the striker all the options to score against the goalkeeper.

Scoring a marvelous chip shot which the keeper had no chance to stop, making the game all even at 3-3. Making the crowd go crazy, as most of the home supporters were thrashing the player who made the error.

"Adrian! What are you doing! Why did you commit too early!? You had the physical advantage! You could've just outmuscled him for the ball! "

The manager was fuming at the young man as he could only keep his head down in embarrassment. But it was not too late, the game had 6 minutes of extra time. It wasn't done just yet. 

The referee blew his whistle as the game went on once more. The young Leicester team played a controlled possession play style where they made sure to pass the ball around, looking for any openings; and an opening was perfectly set up. 

One of the players played a perfect pass through 2 opposing players, right to the same young man who committed a crucial error earlier. But right now he could be the team's savior, with 3 defenders closing on him. He could either attempt a shot from 23 yards out, it was risky considering he did not have good shooting. Or he could attempt a through ball to his teammate who was running down the flank, a high percentage situation in which nobody was marking him as of now. 

Choosing to take the glory for himself, he set his feet up and hit the ball as hard as he could. Too hard and inaccurate as the ball was sent to the crowd, as he completely messed up.

This caused the home supporters to thrash him even more. As he was blaming himself for his mistake, he didn't notice that Bolton was readying a counter attack. When he did realize it was already too late, the midfield was too open without him, which led to one of the defenders going upfield creating an opening for Bolton's right winger to cut through, leading to a goal.

The whole stadium erupted as the traveling team's supporters erupted, as they celebrated their goal. Once they were done celebrating the referee blew the whistle to continue the match once more, and then another whistle indicating the match has ended. 

The young players of Leicester could only collapse to the ground as they were eliminated from the EFL Trophy.

Final Score: 

Leicester FC U21 - 3 

Bolton FC - 4

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After the match, the team was silent in the locker room as the atmosphere was extremely heavy. All of them wanted to blame Adrian for the loss but they knew that everyone was at fault. But before anybody could say anything, the manager walked in the room.

"All right, a disappointing loss for us today. I know you all are heartbroken but we should all look at the bright side. You went up against grown men and nearly escaped with a win; and a bunch of young men like you should be happy with that. So don't worry! We have Southampton in our next match so let's bounce back with a convincing win against them!" The manager said as he reassured them.

"Now come on, team huddle!"

The team gathered in a small circle as they all held their hands up in the middle.

"In 3 Leicester. 1, 2, 3!"

"Leicester!"

They all shouted as they packed their things and readied to go home and rest.

"Klaesson a word!"

The manager called out Adrian who was definitely expecting this. He went to his manager immediately.

"You had a bad match, everybody does. But a lot of the parents complained as to why you were in the starting lineup. Some said that it should have been Amani Richards instead. I explained to them that we all agreed on certain minutes for each of us." The coach explained as he tried his best to be as gentle in his next sentences.

"Unfortunately the board has decided on your future. We cannot afford to lose players such as Amani Richards to other clubs. So... I'm sorry Adrian, but we are cutting you from the academy."

This left the young man shocked, dejected, hurt, disappointed and angry. He was aware his form was not good, but he didn't expect to be cut.

"B-But…."

"I'm sorry, the board has already decided, your parents have already been informed. Pack your things….. You have a good future, I'm sure of that."

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After bursting into tears, Adrian was outside of the stadium as he was waiting for a cab. Suddenly a middle aged man approached him.

"Before those 2 errors, you were having quite the game. You have good potential, I can see that." The man said, as he attempted to compliment Adrian.

"T-Thank you sir…..?"

"Earl, you can call me Earl."

"Ah, then thank you so much Sir Earl, I appreciate the compliment!"

"No problem, actually I approached you because of one thing. I am a scout for a League 2 team named Accrington Stanley FC, I was wondering….. How does joining us sound?