The bus journey back to Salford was nothing like the nervous ride there. The lads were singing at the top of their lungs, Danny Mills had his arm around an FA Youth Cup trophy replica someone had grabbed from one of the fans, and even Coach Frank was grinning like an idiot in the front seat.
Harry pressed his face against the window, watching the motorway lights blur past. His legs ached and his throat was dry, but inside his chest was a warmth he'd never felt before.
They'd actually done it.
"Oi, Harry!" Riley Croft called from across the aisle. "Two goals and two assists on your debut. Not bad for a sub!"
The whole bus erupted in cheers. Someone started chanting his name. Harry felt his cheeks burn, but he was smiling too hard to care.
Jamie Walsh leaned over from the seat behind. "Mate, you were mental out there. That cross for Nathan's goal was pure class."
"I just got lucky with the bounce," Harry said, but even he didn't believe that anymore.
The system had shown him something during those ninety minutes. Not just his stats, but what was possible when everything clicked together.
---
Back at Salford's training ground, Frank gathered the lads in the changing room one last time.
"Right then," he said, clipboard tucked under his arm. "Before you all disappear into the night thinking you're the next David Beckham, let me remind you of something."
The room went quiet.
"This was just the first round comprising of 80 teams, of course, excluding the championship and premier league teams. We've got a long way to go before hopefully, we start planning our Wembley trip."
Frank's eyes swept across the group.
"That said, what you did out there today was special. You showed heart when you were down. You showed character when it mattered. And most importantly, you showed that sometimes wanting it more is enough."
He paused, meeting Harry's eyes for a moment.
"The draw for the second round is in two weeks. Until then, we're back to normal training. But things are going to change around here."
Danny raised his hand. "What do you mean, gaffer?"
"The club's decided to put you all in the youth accommodation program. Full-time training, education in the mornings, football in the afternoons. No more balancing school and training separately by going to and from home."
A buzz of excitement rippled through the room. Harry's stomach flipped.
"Does that mean we're not going home?" asked Tommy Henderson.
"You can go home on weekends, but Monday to Friday you're here. The club school handles your GCSEs and A-levels. It's open to local kids too, so you won't be completely isolated."
Frank looked around the room again.
"This is what you wanted, isn't it? To be proper footballers? Well, now's your chance to find out if you've got what it takes."
---
An hour later, Harry was walking through the doors of Salford City's youth accommodation block for the first time. The building was newer than he'd expected—red brick and glass, built right next to the training ground.
"Not too shabby," said Jamie, shouldering his overnight bag.
They'd been given an hour to go home, pack essentials, and say goodbye to their families. Harry's bag contained five days' worth of clothes, his boots, and a photo of his dad in his mining gear. He'd always kept it packed for emergencies, but in the chaos of the day's match, he hadn't thought to grab anything else. It wasn't nearly enough to last until Friday's return, but he'd managed to get the most important things.
The accommodation manager was a friendly woman called Mrs. Patterson, she showed them to their rooms. Harry found himself sharing with Jamie Walsh on the second floor.
The room was simple but clean. Two single beds, two desks, a wardrobe each. The window looked out over the training pitches.
"Could be worse," Jamie said, throwing his bag on the bed nearest the window.
Harry nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He sat on his bed and pulled out his phone.
Three missed calls from Mum. Two text messages from Ellie. Five from Sophie.
He called home first.
"Harry!" Sophie's energetic voice exploded through the speaker. "Mum's been crying happy tears for an hour! Tell me everything!"
"Soph, put Mum on."
"She's making tea. Ellie's here too. We watched the highlights online—you looked like my idol Thierry Henry!"
"I looked like a knackered fifteen-year-old," Harry laughed.
"Don't be modest. That cross for the winner was gorgeous."
Harry smiled. 'Trust Sophie to know the technical details.'
Despite her young age, she was a staunch fan of the reds up north. He was a red devil
He was a Red Devil..well, most of the family were, except for Sophie. She was a staunch fan of Arsenal, their rivals up north. She was a true Gunner, just like their late dad.
"Listen, I need to tell you something. The club's putting us in accommodation during the entirety of the tournament which might stretch to May, next year. I won't be home until Friday nights."
The line went quiet for a moment.
"That's brilliant though, isn't it? You're like a proper academy player now."
"Yeah. Yeah, I think it is."
Mum came on the phone next, her voice thick with emotion.
"I'm so proud of you, love. Your dad would have been over the moon."
"Thanks, Mum. Are you okay with the accommodation thing?"
"If it's what you need to chase your dream, then yes. Just promise me you'll call every day."
"I promise."
After he hung up, Harry lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Jamie was already asleep, snoring softly.
For the first time all day, Harry had a moment of quiet. A moment to think about what had really happened and check out his rewards.
He closed his eyes and called up the system.
---
[Base Match Performance:
- 2 Goals Scored: 8 XP (4 XP each - important goals in comeback)
- Match Difficulty C: Standard rate
- 1 Assist: 3 XP (3 XP - crucial assist)
- 6 Successful Dribbles: 6 XP (1 XP each)
- Match Rating 8.7: 2 XP bonus (8+ rating)
- Win: 3 XP
Base Total: 25 XP
Form System Multiplier:
- Comeback Victory: +100% XP bonus
- Total XP = 25 × 2 = 50 XP]
[Final System Update:]
[DING!]
[Match Performance Analysis Complete]
[XP Breakdown:
- Goals: 8 XP
- Assists: 6 XP
- Successful Dribbles: 6 XP
- Match Rating Bonus: 2 XP
- Match Win: 3 XP
- Comeback Victory Multiplier: +100%]
[Total XP Earned: 50]
[Current Experience: 165/200]
[Performance Summary: Outstanding debut performance. Two goals and one assist in a dramatic comeback victory.
System adaptation rate: Excellent]
---
"Woah!"
This mouth watering rewards puts Harry much closer to his first level-up, having earned significant XP from both the quality of his performance and the dramatic nature of the comeback win.
Although the stats looked the same as before, but Harry felt different. Like something fundamental had shifted after the match.
---
[New Feature Unlocked: Training & Development]
[Training sessions now provide XP based on performance and effort]
[Daily training available: Technique, Physical, Mental.
- Daily Training Completion: 2-5 XP
- Learning New Skill: 10-100 XP
- Fitness Milestone: 10-100 XP]
---
Harry's eyes widened. The system was expanding.
[Next Milestone: Level 2 (35 XP required)]
[Level 2 Benefits: +5 Attribute Points to distribute]
Thirty-five XP to reach level two. With training now providing XP, it might not take as long as he'd thought.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called quietly.
Mrs. Patterson poked her head around the door. "Just checking if everyone's settling in alright, Harry. Big day tomorrow—first training session as a resident."
"What time do we start?"
"Breakfast at seven, education block at eight, training at two. Lights out at ten on school nights."
She smiled. "Get some sleep. You've earned it."
After she left, Harry pulled out the photo of his dad and propped it up on his bedside table.
"Well, Dad," he whispered. "Looks like we're really doing this."
The system pulsed gently in the corner of his vision.
[Daily Objective Available: Complete First Training Session]
[Reward: 2-5 XP based on performance]
Harry smiled and switched off the bedside lamp. Outside his window, the floodlights illuminated the empty training pitches.
Tomorrow, those pitches would be his second home. Tomorrow, the real work began.
But tonight, for the first time in eight years, Harry Whittaker fell asleep believing that everything he'd dreamed of was possible.