"Fans of Verdant City rejoice as their club completes their fairytale ending by claiming the 48th Valecrest Premier League title. This is their first premier league title after being promoted just five years ago. Their manager, Magnus Croft, has shocked the world with his ability to bring the team forward and achieve what many described as impossible. Verdant City now holds the record for the fastest league win after promotion, among many others, as they celebrate this extraordinary victory. Looking ahead, the club has set its sights on the world stage, as it qualifies alongside 2nd place Sailsworth F.C. and Lancaster Club in the Global League next season.
Verdant City will be newcomers to the Global League, as they failed to qualify in the past five years. Fans are excited to see how their club will fare against others in the world, and hopes are high to maintain their current run of form. However, some critics question whether Verdant City can continue their winning ways in the upcoming season. Joining me now is ex-Lancaster Club legend, Billy Riker, thank you for joining us today."
"Thanks Margret, and congratulations to the Verdant City fans today. This is why we watch football, Margret. The incredible underdog story that has come from Verdant City has been extraordinary. I was there at the stadium and boy, it was electric just being amongst those fans. So congrats to them and to the boys on the pitch. They did a good job against a side that were neck in neck with them throughout the season and were favorites to win.
However, as you mentioned, I think they will struggle from here on out. They have proven themselves to be a good side, yes. But they aren't on the level of, let's say, Sailsworth, where they have a high chance of succeeding each season. We previously discussed the current injury predicament surrounding all the top teams, such as my old hunting grounds, Lancaster Club, having top players out due to injuries. Now, of course, it's up to the teams to plan around that, but it's a key reason why a team like Verdant City has managed to get to where they are with so few injuries.
However, injuries will happen, as in this match. Bradley Stone, their number one forward, came down with an injury that led to the winning penalty. It won them the league title, but I feel it has cost them their next season."
"Yes, their top scorer of this season, Bradley Stone, scored 31 goals and 15 assists in 40 appearances across both the league and cup competitions. He has been voted player of the year and, at the age of 27, has shown everyone that he is one of the best strikers in the league at the moment. However, he sustained a knee injury after a rash tackle during a match. The club has stated that he will be out for the next six months, which means he will miss the first few matches of the next season.”
“And an injury like that isn’t anything to scoff at. Just looking at the footage shows really how brutal that challenge was, I think six months is underplaying how badly it was. They aren’t going to play as well when their top scorer is down and out.”
“But they seem to have coverage in that position. There’s their left winger Reinhart who has proven to do well at forward positions, and their new signing Harry Steele who scored his debut goal for the club after coming back on loan due to the club’s backup forward Micheal being injured.”
“Yes but I think my point comes right back here. There’s only so much you can do for coverage before your team starts breaking down. Over the years since they’ve come up to the premier league, Verdant City has been struggling to maintain a clean sheet in the league. It’s been through their amazing attacking play that have resulted in so many wins. In fact I think this match was quite an anomaly for the club. But now with their main forward not being there I think the team will struggle a lot. Unless of course Harry Steele is able to step up and perform to the same standard as Bradley.”
“And on a player’s perspective it’s quite hard for a player to come into a team that has a different playing style than what you’ve been used to and trained for years. And Harry has come from a more possession based football which is extremely different from what Verdant City has been doing. But if he manages to cope and produce the results they want. Then it’ll be exactly what Verdant City needs, but it’s a tough ask.“
“Thank you for that, Billy. With the league title in their hands, Verdant City will be a club to look out for next season. This has been all from us at Valecrest Football Weekly, catch us next week where we bring you the latest football news from Valecrest.”
“The world is really paying attention to you now after your performance this season. I've been getting calls from all over the place after that win.”
Bradley glanced over at his longtime friend and agent, Nick Young. He was still confined to a hospital bed following surgery on his left knee. It was necessary to ensure proper functionality, but it had significantly reduced his chances of continuing in football. Doctors had requested that he remain in the hospital for further monitoring.
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“Has Croft said anything yet?”
“Well, he asked me to visit his office later this evening. He wants to discuss things over dinner, which honestly sounds worse than just visiting his office.”
“The last time he had a talk like that with me was when he told me I was going to be benched for a few games…”
“That's exactly my point. So, I've been taking some precautions, and in the worst case scenario, I've prepared a list of clubs that have shown interest in you. There are a few clubs in the east that would offer good wages.”
“That's not really the worst case, is it?”
Nick sighed, placing his clipboard on the table. Bradley could see a list of club names at the top of the paper, some crossed out and others circled with numbers beside them. Nick shifted his gaze to Bradley's left leg before responding.
“If this is what forces you into retirement, it would be a loss for the world to lose such a great player,” Nick said. “But what are you planning to do afterwards, anyway?”
“Settle down, maybe try my hand at coaching or something... But honestly, the first thing I would do is go out and get a burger.”
“A... burger?”
“Yeah, a thick one with cheese and fries, and a liter of soda.”
“Couldn't you have that anytime?”
“I could, but then I might have a heart attack in the middle of a match,” Bradley chuckled.
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"Mr. Croft is ready to see you now," said Shirley.
"Thanks, Shirley. The coffee was nice," Bradley replied.
"My pleasure, Bradley. Good luck in there," Shirley responded.
Bradley smiled at Mr. Croft's personal assistant before making his way towards the wooden double doors. These doors were a reminder of a previous manager who had prioritized their office over investing in new players, which ultimately led to the team's decline in the lower leagues. Taking a deep breath, Bradley knocked on the wooden door.
knock knock
There was a moment of silence as Bradley waited for a response. After a while, he heard an old muffled voice from behind the door.
"Come in."
Opening the door, Bradley entered the office and saw Manager Magnus Croft drawing on a blackboard in the corner. The blackboard displayed a football pitch with various crosses and lines, indicating some tactical strategy that Magnus was brainstorming. Bradley noticed that the wingers on both sides were moving towards the inside of the pitch, while the lone striker moved back. Meanwhile, the wing backs were moving up.
"The sides will be open for a counter," Bradley said as he observed the board.
"Yes, exactly what we thought when Sailsworth was using it. However, Reinhart and Kingston couldn't break through. Why?"
"They prevented us from crossing over to them from the midfield."
"But we could have crossed from the back. Our defenders are capable of doing so. But we couldn't. Instead, the constant pressure generated by their front three players caused our defense to crack. And when we got the ball to the wingers, their wing-backs were fast enough to catch us. You were also heavily marked by their defenders."
"They were sticking to me like glue throughout the whole game."
"That's why our plan failed. Our team couldn't overcome the press they developed, resulting in a stressful game where we were constantly on the backfoot. However, your injury and Hector's excellent goalkeeping helped us secure the win."
"Ah, so that's why you called me in? My injury?"
"No, however it did escalate my decision." Magnus said as he took a seat behind his desk.
Magnus Croft, 68, played in the first season of the Valecrest Premier League in his youth and later became a manager with a successful track record of winning league titles. He had managed teams in various regions before returning to Valecrest to take over Verdant City F.C., which had been plagued by mismanagement.
"I assume you're aware of the meeting I had with your agent last week, correct?" Magnus asked, gesturing towards the chair opposite his table.
"Yeah, you wanted to know about my expiring contract. Did Nick tell you that I'm willing to extend?"
"Yes, he has made it clear to me about your intent to stay," Magnus said as he sipped from a cup of tea on his desk. "While I appreciate your loyalty to this club, I believe you know my current stance on this."
"You want Harry to take over my spot."
"Exactly, he has prov-"
"Proven what? That he can score a penalty? Croft, I've been working hard in Verdant for years, I've turned down offers to stay in this club. Hell, I've scored more goals than anyone this season, and you think he deserves my spot?!"
"He deserves your spot because he fits the future I'll be pushing this club towards. Possession football. We're now a top team, Bradley. Once the next season comes around, we won't be the underdogs anymore. Teams will be gunning for us in every game. And when we lose, the team won't think we'll win next time. No, they'll be wondering why we lost. Because from now on, winning is expected."
"Then it doesn't make sense why you would want to kick me out in favor of Harry."
"Because he is simply better at it than you. Stronger, taller, he has what you lack. I need a target forward who can control the box and score headers from crosses. You are not to the level which Harry can deliver. The team doesn't need an expensive forward like you. Maybe I can put you on the wing, but I believe we have better options there. So Bradley, we will not be extending your contract. However, we will continue to cover any hospital and physiotherapy fees for the injury you suffered, as well as any wages we still owe you. But in the coming year, you will not be a player for Verdant City F.C."
"And the board has no say in this? You can't just assume everyone is on board with this decision."
"The board has agreed with me after discussing the wages and playing time your agent requested. Our goals do not align with your demands. The team dynamic may suffer for a while, but that won't matter in the next transfer window. I believe there's nothing else to discuss, Bradley. Thank you for your efforts over the past few years. You're an amazing player, but you don't have a place in the future of this club."