Great start! Liking the style of writing mate

The writing is brilliant and I think this story could go far

Some really good writing mate, and don't be too disheartened. Anyone involved with United is a little bitter Come to Liverpool instead lol

I sense someone was tripping when he took that phonecall

Great writing buddy, keep it up

Pompeyblue, Jack, Jason, Aaron and TodayAtTomorrow- Thankyou guys for your wonderful support. It seems only yesterday I was considering pulling the plug on this, but with your support, Stam's amazing banner (to be revealed) and my rekindled passion for writing I reckon this story might last a while longer.

Don't comment nearly enough on this story - but I do read it! It's fantastic. Your writing style is top and I wish you luck in the future of this story mate

In hindsight, I should have seen it coming. Horatio Johnson was 60 years old at the time, and 9 years later I expected him to still be there. Maybe it was a prank call, even though he sounded a hell of a lot like Johnson. Maybe I was imagining things. But that is not the point.

I had expected to have a perfect pre-season, a solid one under the belt to get it underway. And now I've gone and done this. When I got back to Burgess Hill, it was like I was a different man.

At training, Micky and the coaches consulted players without asking. Matt and Merlin got along instead of talking to me. The boys blatantly ignored my every word. For the first time in weeks I stormed out of training, not in frustration, but in a state of shock. The fire in my belly was gone.


I decided to take some time off, 3 weeks to be precise. It had been 11 years since Manchester United had invited me over from Melbourne to train with them, and now they were effectively sending me back. I was going to spend the time with my family in Sydney, and try and think things over. Get a clear mind. I left Micky a note telling him to lead the boys well, and I'm hoping he can update me on their performances. But the main thing on my mind now is to relax. I forgot, it is hot in Australia this time of year?

Just read through this and it's class, great read mate!

It's been a while since I updated, and I really don't want to walk away from this. I've got a little writer's block at the moment, but I reckon I'll get through. Let's get this started, shall we?


It was a blustery, yucky Australian day. The beaches of Sydney were deserted but for one figure, a pale young man lying in the sand drawing football formations.


"I don't wanna go back," I muttered, as I put the finishing touches on my 3-5-2. It was now the 21st of September, and my plane flight was in just 4 hours. But I didn't feel like going back, not to the jeers of a town. My dignity was battered and bruised enough, I didn't need another knock. I wiped away the formation and started drawing a 4-2-3-1, when a polished shoe stamped onto the sand. I looked up at the leg, and then the torso, and then the face. It was an old man, who looked very much like Liam Neeson in his prime. Yes, let's call him Liam Neeson.


He spoke to me in a harsh, Swedish accent. His English was broken, but understandable.

"You call that formation? You manager?"

I nodded numbly, surprised at this man's sudden outburst at someone else's business.

"Where I come from, that is, how you say, dog's breakfast? Yeah, I like that saying." He spat on the formation, getting some saliva on my hand and then wiped it with his foot.

"That formation is dog's breakfast. You are stupid manager to use it. What is your name?"

I stood up, so I looked at him in his uninviting, brown eyes. "My name is Feliks Zemdegs, manager of Burgess Hill Town."

"I never heard of this Burgess Hill. You are nobody, yes?"

I was ashamed to say it, but I agreed.

"Then I will help you. Come, Pole, we talk formation. I help with Burgess Hill."

Although I didn't know it at the time, this was a major turning point in my tenure at Burgess Hill.

nice update and remember 'you are nobody'.

I imagine Liam Neeson would have aged a bit by 2042 :v


Loving this story so far! You've got yourself another regular reader.

@arvind- In his prime, looks like Neeson in his prime xD. Thanks for the support

@cfc- I am indeed nobody. As is this mysterious Neeson bloke...

2014-05-29 11:25#177355 fzemdegs : @cfc- I am indeed nobody. As is this mysterious Neeson bloke...

NO, NO-ONE INSULTS JOHAN JOHANSON AND LIVES MY FRIEND, NO-ONE.

Very good story so far, the graphics and layout are impressive!
Though I agree with Arvind, I'd have expected Liam Neeson to have "taken" ill and died by 30 years' time