Glory Glory Rebels

Chapter 9 Ferdinand the Second

Rebels was the nickname for FC United, the name was already well used among the fans even though the official name for the club was yet to be finalized. Rudy had also heard rumors that some of the customers at Wolf’s pub were already starting to put together a fan club for the Rebels.

“To be honest with you, I’m not sure. I really like the people and the atmosphere there, but don’t get me wrong, Manchester United is good too.” Curtis replied. “You know, when people were calling your club traitors my father told me something. He said that to be a rebel is not traitorous because it is based on passion and a true love for the game, so they deserve to be acknowledge and respected by us.” Curtis said.

Curtis looked at Rudy with a sad look on his face,

“Only thing is, Rebels are not planning on forming a youth team just yet. I’m only 13 so I don’t meet the age prerequisite, so…” Curtis trailed off.

Rudy looked closely at the boy, at 13 years old this kid was almost as tall as Rudy himself. He had a strong, athletic body that given a few more years would be the body of an elite athlete. He looked strong yet flexible, he was born to play football. Rudy saw a lot of potential in the youth, he was the kind of player a club would dream about having on their youth team.

Rudy decided to change topics, seeing as there was nothing he could do at the moment.

“Don’t you need to be going home? Maybe your parents are worried about you…” Rudy said, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“I’m going to stay a bit longer, I don’t often get the chance to run away and do what I want.” Curtis replied defiantly.

“Run away?” Rudy was startled. “Don’t tell me your parents don’t know where you are? Did you tell anyone where you were going?” Rudy asked.

Curtis though that Rudy was making a big deal out of nothing.

“Look, if I didn’t run away did you really think that my father would let me come all the way alone? I am being trained by my youth team back at home and if dad knew that I had come here in the hopes of joining the Rebels… he would lose it.” Curtis rolled his eyes and sighed.

There was something intriguing about this boy and Rudy couldn’t help but ask;

“So, you are going to become a professional football player?”

“Yes, I’m only thirteen but I am the captain of the Under 15’s back home. I play fullback.” Curtis said proudly.

“That’s amazing! What is your name? I want to know if I have ever heard of you.” Rudy teased the boy a little.

“Curtis Davis.” The boy replied smiling.

Rudy smiled and shook his head, he had heard of a few minor league youths but he had never heard the name Curtis Davis.

“Well, that’s because you are from Manchester!” Curtis said, a little offended.

Rudy didn’t mind the way the kid spoke to him, he was full of passion for the sport, even a blind man could see it. He thought though that the kid seemed to have a quick temper and was very stubborn, that might do him good but it could also be to his detriment.

“I really think you should make your way home, you don’t want your parents to worry do you?” Rudy suggested nicely.

Curtis didn’t say anything, he stood frozen to the spot staring back up at the statue. He was quiet for some moments before he spoke quietly;

“I want to spend as much time as I can here, once I go home I might never be able to return here again.” Curtis said sadly.

“Why?” Rudy asked curiously.

“Luton Town F.C has spotted me, my father wants me to train with a professional club too. They are very strict on their team members so I doubt that I will be allowed to travel like this after I get in.” Curtis explained.

Rudy was impressed with the kids maturity, he knew what was best for him and he wasn’t going to sabotage that. Rudy had to be honest, even if he had a youth team, this kid would be much better off at a professional club like Luton. He thought that maybe Curtis did not Ike strict rules but he would abide by them simply because of his strong love of football.

Curtis was lucky, not every promising youth was given the opportunity that he had in front of him and Rudy felt like he wanted to comfort Curtis, he was still so young. A sudden thought popped into Rudy’s mind. In 2008, Capello first came to England and finalized his squad, he had a player on his team called Curtis Davis, who it turned out had started with Luton.

In 2007, Curtis Davis had played temporarily for Aston Villa as a center-back. During this time he showed incredible strength and abilities, he was praised by the fans and given the nickname of Ferdinand the second.

Was it possible that this stubborn teenager in front of him was the one and the same Curtis Davis? The future Ferdinand the second? If this was the case then Rudy would be a fool to let him go.