Glory Glory Rebels

Chapter 4 Too Young

"Oh, Come on! I’m only sixty two years old. I’m still young enough to play football and I’m good, you can ask anybody!” An old man was raising his voice to the registration clerk. He was clearly unhappy that the man had told him he was too old to apply.

Behind the old man, stood a group of his friends, they had obviously come here to try out as well they all had their bags and boots. The young clerk blinked at the men, he highly doubted that they would be able to run fast enough to keep up with the game. But still their determination and dedication to the game moved him, they wanted to show their passion and support for the club.

”Alright then, you will have to pass the physical fitness test first.” The clerk pointed in the direction of a line that was growing by the second. A rather large man was in line behind the older gents, he overheard that there was a fitness test and he leaned forward to speak quietly to the registration clerk.

“Umm…is the physical fitness test really necessary?”

The clerk just nodded his head. The large man sighed,

“I think I better forget it, if I had of known that so many people were going to show up today then I wouldn’t have come here, I have no hope!” The man gave a small laugh and pulled out a business card.

“Anyway, my name is Tony. I’m a taxi driver, any of you can call me if you need help. I’ll help club members out with a special discount!” Tony smiled broadly, he left the business card on the registration table and walked away, into the stands, whistling happily to himself.

"Hello! How are you today?” The next young man in line asked the clerk.

“Hello, I’m alright thank you.” The clerk looked up from the registration book and a little taken aback by how young this guy was.

“I have to ask, for registration purposes, how old are you?” He honestly thought the person in front of him was too young to play.

“I’m 13!” The young man replied with smile, “I’ve come all the way from London.”

The crowd around the youth suddenly began murmuring, he was so young, there was no way he could apply. Other staff members had come over to see what was happening, they all looked at the boy who had traveled from London.

The staff felt bad for this boy, he was clearly ambitious however the rules had to be obeyed.

“I’m so sorry, you have to be over sixteen to apply. I really am very sorry.” One of the registration clerks said to the boy.

When he heard that, the young man froze. He hadn’t come this far for rejection, he had to try;

“I know I’m only thirteen but look at me.” He placed his bag on the ground, stretched out his arms and turned. “I’m taller and stronger than most sixteen year old boys. I practice every day, I have played since I was five! Come on, please?” He practically begged the staff.

"I really am sorry, but I can’t break the rules." The registration staff apologized again.

The young man’s face crumpled, it looked like he was going to cry.

“I can play for free, I will be a substitute, I…I…” Tears welled in his eyes, he really did not want to take no for an answer.

“Rules are rules, I’m sorry.” The staff said again.

The young man bit his lip and fought back the tears, he gave them a watery smile;

“Thank you for your time then, I’m sorry I bothered you.” The young man, then he picked up his bag and left.

As he walked away dejectedly, a staff member suddenly caught his attention.

"Hey! Young man!”

The boy turned around, confused.

“How about you give us your phone number and then if we establish a youth team we can give you a call, would you like that?” The staff asked.

The boy let out a cry of delight and laughed. He ran back and wrote his name and number very carefully.

He took his time, making sure that it was clearly written, he didn’t want them to get it wrong. The boy walked off with a huge grin, it wasn’t exactly as he had planned but it was a step in the right direction.

“What a cute little Red Devil!” The staff remarked and smiled at the retreating youth.

Although the incident had not attracted a lot of attention outside in the massive crowd, Rudy had witnessed the whole incident through the window.

Rudy marveled at the determination of the youth and wondered if he had the same persistence in him still. In that moment though, Rudy understood the reason behind Wolf and the others volunteering. Rudy picked himself up, fixed his disheveled clothes and hair and went outside.

Rudy was greeted by a rotund, middle-aged man with a warm smile and a strong handshake.

“It is wonderful to see you, Rudy!” Mr. Smith said. “I have to say you are doing a fantastic job, Droylsden has never had anyone treat us so well. I'm impressed and a little jealous, if I might say!” The man chuckled jovially.