(6 April 2004, Training camp day 3)
"Today, we're playing Ireland, now, the starters have a change.
Matt you won't be starting today" said coach John.
Adam on the side didn't looked pleased with the decision, the player's on the other hand were shocked, they hadn't expected for Matt to be benched.
Levi and Richard wanted to ask but were held down by Mark and Fraizer
However, Matt was calm, his facial expressions didn't change as if him not playing didn't mean anything to him, which made John worry more.
He had been expecting for Matt to throw a fitt like any benched 12 year-old would, so that he could explain his reasoning.
But seeing his quite face he just clenched his fist and continued.
"Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond
Starting 11 will be,
GK: Ben Alnwick
RB: Billy Jones
CB: Richard Stearman
CB: David Wheater
LB: Ben Parker
CDM: Mark Noble (C)
RM: Gary Roberts
LM: Kyel Reid
CAM: Mark Davies
ST: Levi Porter
ST: Fraizer Campbell"
No one in the playing 11 was satisfied with the change, the difference between Matt and Mark Davis was night and day.
"What's gaffa smoking, one moment he licks your arse the next he benched him" said Levi.
"Foking Him" he said pointing at Matt who was wearing a substitute vest.
"That vests, it looks horrible on him. I pity Ireland now, I never want angry Matt as an opponent" said Mark nobel
"You've seen nothing" said Fraizer.
"I think gaffa' s trying to protect his protege, He loves Matt, we've seen him gaze at that boy as any grandfather do to grandson. Sure there's a reason.." said Richard making everyone look at him.
"Wot?"
"Just didn't expected thinking from you Leicester lot" said Fraizer to which Mark nodded.
"Though you're right.. there has to be.. I'll try to ask" said Mark.
As a captain he had little part in the tactics, he was involved by coach Adam, he planned to ask him before match.
The playing 11 was doing warmups on the field while the substitutes arranged water and hydration drinks at the bench.
Matt sat there not talking to anyone, or bothering to do the substitute's duties, he just sat there.
Everyone on the bench just shrugged off at the brooding behavior of Matt, some of them were quite happy to see him little knocked down.
It didn't took much time for Ireland's bus to arrive at the Berkshire training field.
Coach sean macffrey, heading the group of 15 players, who stretched their spines and limbs, getting ready to play English team.
"Good to see you sean, hope you guys ready" said John peacock.
"Believe we are, It's 30 minutes to the game, boys warm up, bags on the changing room" said Sean clapping.
One England's player showed them the changing room where they put down their bags.
"Here's the player's list", they exchanged the playing 11s as they seperated. Now they'll be seeing eachother on the field.
Republic of Ireland U-17
GK — Stephen Henderson
DF — John Quigley
CB — Eddie Nolan
CM — Jimmy Ryan
CM — Scott Davies
CM — Alan Power
CM — Stephen Gleeson
CM — Alan Judge
LM — Keith Treacy
AM — Robert Bayly
CF — Anthony Stokes
Seeing no recognisable names, John passed the list to Adam, who skimmed and put the list away.
"He's not talking to anyone.. he might look indifferent, benching him has affected him." Said Adam looking at Matt who had one foot on the chair in front of him.
"Adam, every player go through this. This is part of the game, he's 12, he'll learn, that's how a great player made." Said John sighing.
He didn't wanted to do this.
'If only his grandfather didn't marry a Irish women' he thought bitterly, nations get very insecure, especially when it comes to talent like Matt.
"Now, move forward with the game, make sure the boys are mentally prepared" said John moving towards the England's dressing room.
'I never thought I would wear this.. again. How long it has been.. 15-16 years. Like last time, I was benched, even though I've got talents and ability of greats of the game.' thought Matt as he put his head low.
'I am the best in this field, no question about that. Then why did he bench me. How dare he bench me. No, Chill out. Breath', there was several thoughts going in his brain.
He was angry, and sad. Since he had reborn, nobody questioned his talent in football. At Arsenal, he was the star, the centre. He came off the field out of pity for the opponent.
Now, being at the bench made him ragw at himself and at the coach.
'Maybe I shouldn't have come, things were going great at Arsenal, I am sure I would have been promoted to U-21 if I had gotten a little stronger and taller' he thought.
As he sorted out his thoughts, a man in his fifties wearing grey buisness suit with lions on his breast pocket sat beside him.
Matt didn't even glance at him, he was in his own world. That made the man worried a little, his little stunt had psychological impact on the boy.
"Hello Mr Delevigne" said the bearded man, breaking him from his thoughts.
Matt looked at him with droopy eyes, he was surprised a little but he couldn't bother to show it on his face.
"Hello" he said dryly as he looked at the kick off.
"I'm Trevor Brooking, Director of Football Development in FA" he said giving his hand towards Matt who shook it without thinking much.
"It's nice to meet you Sir" said Matt, he couldn't be bothered to be not nice right now.
"It's nice whether today, perfect for a football game" said Trevor looking at the sunlight, which made Matt frown a little.
The other substitutes were eves dropping on the conversation they were having as they were sitting just beside Matt.
"Don't be angry at John, he wanted you to play today. You being on the bench was my idea" said Trevor.
He didn't wanted to strain relationship between coach and players, that would be bad, he wanted to take the blame and have Matt understand that, a player is never bigger than the team.
If team required you to be on the bench, you be on the bench. He wanted Matt to know this.
He looked curiously at Matt who now took away his eyes from the game and smiled a little.
"Then I have to thankyou Mr Brooking, I learnt a very important lesson today" said Matt, making Trevor smile, it seems the boy has understand.
"You're sharp Matt no need to thank me, anybody else would have blamed me, you'll be the future of English football I'm sure of that. Call me Trevor, Mr. Brooking is my father" he said trying to get close.
"Mr. Brooking, did you play professional football" said Matt ignoring what Trevor had just said.
"No, I did my degree in sports and physiology, after that I moved into management" explained Trevor puzzled.
"Thanks to you I learnt the difference, how a footballer sees the game compared to a fan who loves the game" said Matt, he went quite after that. Moving his eyes towards the game.
Trevor was confused again, he couldn't understand where was Matt going with this.
"And what's that?" Asked Trevor.
"You see, I'm an Arsenal fan, I want Arsenal to win everything possible.
But as a player I would play for a team battling for relegation and be on the field, than play for Arsenal and be on the bench" said Matt shaking his head with a smile.
"I was born to play football Mr. Brooking, not to sit on the bench. And you made me realize that. I love football more than Arsenal.
Before coming here, if someone said to me to leave the academy and join another club, I would have spat on their face. Now, I might take them as an option" Continued Matt, he couldn't remember when was the last time he felt so free.
He had been caged into his own thinking, making him limit himself. Right now, he felt enlightened, he felt like throughout heaven and earth...
Trevor on the other hand was shocked, him benching the boy had the opposite effect, he couldn't believe what he had heard.
He looked and saw the other substitutes were shocked too.
'Club is one thing nation is different, surely.. nah he would he totally would' thought Trevor remembering the boy's crazed smile.
Time passed, England's team tried to counter Irish but they were 3-0 down already.
The FA had arranged refs and line mens, theybhad caught Levi and Fraizer offside many times. The new midfielder was having trouble reading their runs.
John had his classic frown on his face, if he had know what Matt had said, he would have broken down.
Soon it was half time, tired Levi and Fraizer walked together with their head down, they had performed the worst on the field.
The goalkeeper too had a frown as he berated Noble at his inability to control the midfield.
Matt just casually sipped water and heard the coach's instructions with amused smile. He was part of the team. Now, he is not.
'I understand Ronaldo better now' thought Matt as many times he had called him Egotistical, selfish man. He was doing the same.
Trevor said nothing he stood up after half time and went to his official seat beside coach john who had hands on his head as Ireland scored their fourth goal in 57th minute.
Their Striker Anthony Stokes, completed his hattrick ran towards the corner to celebrate.
Ireland's coach clapped from the sideline, he had been critical about trapping England early, and his boys had done that perfectly.
looking at the goal Matt stood up, he was impressed. Ireland was playing interesting football. Their high defense line had caught England several time. Their defenders were fast too.
Matt sat down, and the match continued. Levi had few chances but he shot wide from outside the box. A freekick was awarded to england, on the left side of the penalty box, frazer had been fouled.
The bench took a glance towards matt who didnt even looked interested in the match anymore, he had never lost a game since he has been reborn.
There was no freekick routine, it was decided every set piece would be taken by him, so Mark took the freekick which directly smash on the wall.
70th minute, England 0-7 down, coach john couldn't take it anymore, he walked towards the substitutes, he looked at matt.
"Warm up, youve got two minutes" and walked away.
'Its not possible, forget winning we wont qualify for the worldcup' thought john looking at the field.
"Im substituting Davies, Matt goes in, If you dont want me to play him, find a new coach for the team, cause I am going to get fired anyway after loosing this tournament" said john to Trevor who just sighed and nodded.
Matt grinned and threw away the ridiculous vest as he loosen up his joints, he glanced at Trevor who was talking with Adam with a cold smile.
"Let me show you football management guy" murmured as he began dynamic stretching.
Ireland's coach sean macffrey looked curiously at John when he submitted a substitution request to the referee.
He glanced at the boy, and sighed, they were 7 goals up, and now he plays a kid on the field, he felt a little disrespected.
'Lets see if you can maintain that attitude after reading Tommorows newspaper' he thought as he glanced at the reporters that had come with him.
Mark Davis got out, he patted Matt's back and gave a side hug which Matt returned.
He walked on the field, where Irish didn't even glance at him, they had already won the game. Right?