(Third person pov)
(26 April 2004)
Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Shropshire.
Situated in the countryside near Newport, A 330 acres of gardens and parkland, at the entrance was Matt doing his check in procedure.
"12 year-old, Mad. Welcome to Lilleshall kid" said an African British man as he checked Matt's credentials.
"Drive straight 700m, you'll see the hall, there'll be helpers waiting for you" said the guard handing back Matt's id.
"You look excited lad, most kids are nervous wearing lions"said the guard marking Matt's name.
"I'm nervous, but too happy to be here" replied Matt as he looked around the office. He saw the pictures of this man with Gary Neville, few jersey framed hanged on the wall with signature.
"That's good, you'll be just fine. I've seen kids shiver here"
"Thankyou sir" said Matt as he turned away.
"Tim. No sir, I'll be calling you sir when you grow up lad"said the man as he waved to Matt.
Tim had been here for years, he had met multiple premier league superstars, it was fun for him to see their journey from being a kid to the heights they reach.
"See you then Tim" said Matt, also waving at the man.
He got in the car, a man in his forties was on the driving seat.
Today, his parents were busy with work. His mother even wanted to take a leave for him, but he absolutely refused. She had an important operation lined up tomorrow, he didn't wanted her to risk that.
His father meanwhile was little more relaxed. So they sent him with a driver.
The gates open and Matt saw garden spreading on both sides of the road, tree-lined driveway leads them towards the hall.
"Woah" exclaimed Matt, the structure was marvelous, he admired the building which looked like a castle from the distance.
In front of the hall was the lawns, clean. Not a speck of junk could be seen, it was well maintained garden.
The car stopped infront of the hall's entrance, Matt hurriedly got out and took out his luggage.
"Let me help you" said a young man wearing white shirt and black pants.
"You're name sir" he asked with a slight hint of Scottish accent.
"Matthew Delevigne" said Matt.
"Room no. 7, the same room once used by Michael Owen!" Said the man with wide eyes which made him raise his eye brows.
The driver that stood next to the car heard the name Owen took out his phone book and pen and got near Matt.
"Can I have your autograph sir.. I have never met a footballer.. please" said the man.
That's what using the same room as Michael Owen does, 2001 ballon d'or, a legend of English football, people with kiss his feet even if he had socks on of he had won that 98 worldcup.
He took the pen and wrote his name with an exaggerated M and followed by two Ts.
The driver satisfied thanked Matt and sat back in the car.
"Leave the luggage sir, it'll be in your room. Just go straight to the hall, players are arriving there"
"Please call me Matt and Thankyou" said Matt leaving his bags and started walking towards the entrance only to be stopped by the Scottish man once again.
"Sir, Matt, when you return from France.. can I have one of your jersey. My boss has one of Owen and Wes Brown" he said with an embarrassed face.
"Why is everyone asking me for that? I could be a shit player... But sure, I'll give you one" said Matt with a smile.
"You're 12 sir- Matt, the youngest to represent England in U-17 European Cup, I can say, you're not a shit player. And that room proves how highly you are rated by the FA. That room has not been given to anyone since 2001. " Said the man walking away, leaving a stunned Matt.
'I never stopped and realised how far have I come? Even though you were a prick.... Thanks ROB' thought Matt as he shook his head and walked towards the hall.
As he entered, he saw pictures of the graduates,
Jamie Carragher
Wes Brown
Scott Parker
Jonathan Woodgate
Michael Owen
Jermain Defoe
David Thompson
The whole wall was decorated with names, English history was on the wall.
"You're Late" came a voice, another Teenage wearing black tracksuit looked at Matt with annoyance.
"And here I thought you liked waiting prince of Leicester" said Matt as they dabbed, their hands voice echoed in the corridor.
"Only for them pretty girls, not a midget" said Levi with a smirk.
"Heh, celebration of winning the league without loosing a match, does makes you a little slow" said Matt with a mocking grin which made Levi annoyed.
"You drew to Tottenham! That's practically loosing" said Levi pointing at Matt
"Still better than loosing 1-0 to blackburn rovers" replied Matt.
"I'll take that over drawing to Tottenham" said Levi resolutely.
"You talk as if Leicester is better than Tottenham"
"We're not better, but you're just shit. A very little, Small shit" said Levi
Matt's eyes went ablaze, he ducked, and punched Levi on the gut.
"That's a foul" said Matt, nobody makes fun of his height, except for his mum of course.
"Ouff, that's gotta hurt" said Richard as he took came hearing their voices.
"Congrats on winning the league with four games out" continued Richard dabbing Matt.
Levi groaned on the ground, both of them ignored him
"Thanks. How have you been?" Said Matt
"Great, except babysitting this turd over here" said Richard with a sigh.
"Must have been rough" said Matt sympathizing with him.
"Don't start. Id cry" said Richard wiping his face.
"Oii, you know I can hear you" said Levi standing back up.
"Did you hit his brain? Ofcourse we know idiot" said Richard.
"Oh, that's good then" said Levi with a shrug.
Richard glared at Matt, "He was always like this! I didn't damage him" said Matt.
"Then explain that brain damage!"
"He was already defective!"
"He was, but not that much!"
"Why bare you lot arguing! Let's go, princy is waiting in the hall" said Levi walking towards the entrance of the waiting hall.
They glance at eachother and laughed following Levi who looked a little grumpy.
Soon they reached a spacious hall, chairs were aligned to the opposite side of the gate, Matt looked around, there were total 18 players selected, the starting 11 plus substitutes for each role.
"There she is in all her beauty" said Levi looking at Fraizer who sat beside Mark, the nobel Mark, wearing a red tracksuit.
"Ayo" said Matt looking at Richard.
"Levi stop, look how you scared Matt" said Richard pointing at Matt Who ran towards Mark without waiting another second.
Mark who was talking to another player looked shocked at the running figure, it took him a second to recognise Matt.
"Hello Matt" said Mark bringing his hand out but Matt ignored him.
"Captain! Levi's being wierd, he's looking at Fraizer like a piece of meat he wants to eat Fraizer" said Matt
Fraizer who sat just beside Mark looked aghast and looked around to find the danger, his eyes landed on Levi who was coming towards them with a smile.
Before Mark could say anything, Fraizer stood up, Seeing empty seat Matt didn't take a second and sat down.
Mark sighed and looked at Matt suspiciously, to which he returned a smug smile.
Matt turned around and gave Richard a smug smile, and gesture him to keep his mouth shut.
Fraizer finally reached Levi he sighed, "I like girls"
Levi didn't understand but replied, "Me too, were so similar" he said that with a smile.
"We're nothing alike, so give up!" Said Fraizer.
"Only losers give up" said Levi with a serious tone.
At this point, Matt had to put a hand on his mouth, he was laughing, Mark just rubbed his forehead.
In the hall everyone watched Fraizer and Levi talk to eachother, there was quite the tension between them.
"I have a girlfriend!" Exclaimed Fraizer seeing everyone's attention, his voice echoed in the hall.
"I'll get one too! You looking down on me Princy, I'll never give up and get a girlfriend hotter than yours" there was pain in his voice, a pain that only years of loneliness could bring out.
Fraizer was stunned, he looked at Richard who was laughing, and turned around to find Matt in the same state.
"That's great to know Mr. Porter, now I'd appreciate if you sat down we have lot to cover." said John peacock arriving at the Hall, beside him was Adam who looked at Levi with amusing smile.
Levi and Fraizer looked horrified at coach and sat down amongst the laughter of players.
"Lads, before wearing that lions jersey, you need to understand the weight of wearing one. From now on, you represent England, a nation that has produced exceptional players.
I won't tolerate any disrespect towards what that jersey represents, do I make myself clear?" He said with a heavy voice to which everyone replied "YES COACH".
Satisfied with their answer he nodded, "Good, now follow me. And Mr. Porter, best of luck, I admire your aspirations" said coach breaking the heavy atmosphere of the room.
Levi's face was a little red he nodded at John and ducked his gaze.
Matt followed John walked into a room, walking inside, the room had a whiteboard and the National flag of England, there were seats arranged like a classroom.
Beside the whiteboard stood Trevor Brooking in his usual buisness suit.
Trevor stood up, "Welcome lads, settle down, it's going to be a long day for you ahead. I am Trevor Brooking, Sporting director of FA, here to give you a briefing about the do's and don'ts throughout the tournament" said Trevor with a buisness smile.
Matt sat down between Mark and Fraizer, they were sitting in a circular arrangement.
John sat down too leaving Trevor and Adam on stage.
"Adam give me the time table" said Trevor.
Taking the page from Adam, he began speaking again,
"Today you have, 12:30 – Lunch,
14:00 – Light recovery session
16:00 – Medical screening & baseline fitness testing
18:30 – Team dinner
20:00 – Team meeting: Tournament objectives & code of conduct."
"Now everyone of you will get the full routine, and I expect everyone to be on time. Remember, football is a team game, and if you weaken the team, you'll be out, and someone with better mindset will be in." Said Trevor.
"There will be world-class trainers and doctors available for you, we expect you to be in model behaviour, anything you would like to add John?" Said Trevor finish his speech.
John stood up from the seats, "It's 11:20, chill in cafeteria, don't be loud" said John making players faces light up.
"I almost slept through that bs, who cares. Represent that represent what!" Grumbled Levi as we walked towards the cafeteria.
"Don't do that Levi" said Mark, Matt who was walking absentmindedly looked at them.
"Do what? So we can't even talk here" exclaimed Levi.
"Just don't talk anything controversial.. coach told me about keeping you guys in check" said Mark not backing down.
Levi frowned but said nothing he knew better to mess with coach.
Matt didn't say anything and walked passed the duo, he couldn't be bothered to argue right now. He liked the carefree attitude of Levi, but sometimes he tends to go overboard.
"Oi, I thought you would stick for me! You're supposed to be my friend" said Levi running behind Matt, Richard and Fraizer was with him.
"You were in the wrong, and Mark's my friend too" said Matt with a shrug.
Levi scowled but didn't say anything.
"Hmmn try to not talk at all" said Richard agreeing with Matt.
"You bastards! I would fight for my friends" said Levi.
"But we would rather not fight at all" said Matt.
"Anyways let's go, and don't be salty with Mark, he's just doing his job" said Matt to Levi.
"He don't have to be a dick about it" muttered Levi following everyone.