Emile Heskey - Rebuilding The Reputation

"Erm, sure thing!" Heskey is a real wordsmith, isn't he!

Heskey seemed very assured at the press conference, something he quite obviously wasn't in front of goal, as a player! Let's hope his time as a manager yields more success too

2014-12-24 13:01#204447 Neal : "Erm, sure thing!" Heskey is a real wordsmith, isn't he!

He's dealing with Becchetti's hate for the media.

2014-12-24 18:34#204463 pompeyblue : Heskey seemed very assured at the press conference, something he quite obviously wasn't in front of goal, as a player! Let's hope his time as a manager yields more success too

Yes, let's hope

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"Nice to meet you Emile, the name's Kevin. Kevin Nugent."

Nugent was an ex-player, now nearing his 50s, but he seemed like a smart guy. He was somewhat of a club legend, making his debut at the O's and playing 122 games for the club. He had been at the club since 2007, and assistant manager since 2009. Heskey knew he couldn't let this man go.

"The pleasure is mine Kevin. Now, let's get down to business."

"Of course. Now, Russell Slade left the club in great nick when he left. We've got some great players, the facilities are good as well and the club is all and all in a good place right now."

"That's good," said Heskey as the pair walked through the Brisbane Road complex.

"As for the backroom staff, well it's up to you whether or not you keep us."

But Heskey wasn't listening, in fact he already knew what he was going to do with the backroom. But his attention was instead directed at a large mural on the side of one of the corridors. On it was the club emblem, and the face of an old man Heskey didn't know.

"That's Tommy Johnston. He once kicked 43 goals in a season for us, they name a stand after him as well."

"Wow, so a club legend?"

"Yeah, exactly that. This is the Legends of Leyton mural. Even after 57 years no one else has gotten on there."

"I want to be on that mural."

Nugent looked at him quizzically, then laughed.
"Well then, I guess the work starts now!"

Heskey and Nugent retired to Emile's new office, where they discuess Kevin's responsibilities. By the end of the meeting, Heskey felt a small amount of weight lifted from his shoulders. However, now it was time to meet the players.

---

Heskey walked into Changeroom 1, the home changeroom of Leyton Orient. Standing in front of him were 23 young men, all dressed in casual clothes. Surprisingly, a few were in awe of him. Despite this, one guy stood forward.

"Hey boss, my name's Nathan, team captain. Welcome to Leyton Orient."

Heskey stepped forward and shook his hand. "Thanks Nathan. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Emile Heskey and I'm your new manager of course."

"Now, some of you may know me as a footballer but I'm not a footballer anymore. I'm not a player you look up to anymore. I'm a manager now, just as inexperienced as the youngest kid in our youth squad, so you don't have to treat me like I'm Emile Heskey. Treat me like a clean slate."

"Now what I see here in front of me is a very talented squad. Very good team indeed, so this season I think the very least we can aim for is promotion. The rest is up to you."

This was somewhat of a gamble on Heskey's part, for it might lead to overconfidence or underconfidence. But luckily for him, the squad seemed pretty happy with that.

A bloke from the back, who sounded Australian, piped up. "That sounds pretty good to me boss," and there was a murmuring of ascent.

"Anyone think differently?" asked Heskey. No one came forth, and the captain Nathan spoke up again.

"I'd just like to say, on behalf of the team, welcome to our club and we look forward to working under you boss."

That's exactly the sort of reaction I was after.

Loving the little reference to Football Manager at the end, very subtly done. Nice update as a whole, let's hope Orient can deliver under Emile's guidance

Good luck in the Season! wonder who you will sign

2014-12-25 11:51#204513 Walter : Loving the little reference to Football Manager at the end, very subtly done. Nice update as a whole, let's hope Orient can deliver under Emile's guidance

I was wondering who'd pick up on that

2014-12-25 16:54#204530 Denzy : Good luck in the Season! wonder who you will sign

So do I

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*knock knock*

"Come in!" I yelled.

The door opened, and in stepped 3 players fresh from the training ground. I remembered meeting all 3, they were first team regulars, but I wasn't the best with names. I was pretty sure one of them was French though.

"Ah, fellas, sit down."

The trio silently took chairs in front of my far from lavish desk.

"Awfully sorry, but I'm not the best with names."

The one on the left spoke up, with a distinct French accent. "No worries boss, my name is Mathieu, this is Elliott and Romain."

"Ah yes, I remember you and Romain, the French pair. And Elliott, I have good plans for you at full back."

"Thankyou," said the Nigerian-born Elliott, "but we've all come to discuss our own plans actually."

I put my hands on the desk, resting my chin on the platform it created. "Yes?"

"Frankly sir, we all want out. I've got some interest from Wolves, Romain is wanted by Blackburn and Mathieu just wants to go home."

This hit me hard. My second day, and already 3 players wanted out? Was I really all that bad?

"Well, I don't want you to leave. What could persuade you to stay?"

"I want to play in the Championship," said Romain, speaking for the first time in this encounter, and Elliott nodded.

"Well I think with the squad we've got, with you guys on board, we can do just that next season."

They smiled, happy with the result. "Thanks boss, we're happy this worked out well. I'll be seeing you around then."

Elliott and Romain walked out of the room, leaving myself and Mathieu Baudry in the room. I eyed him suspiciously. "You weren't happy with that Mathieu?"

"No, I'm sorry boss but I'm not. I'm leaving and there's nothing you can do to persuade me."

"Well, that's a little premature isn't it? As I said to your teammates, I'm confident we can make it to the Championship."

"Well if you listened to my teammates, you would have heard Elliott say that I wanted to go home. To France."

"Now, now, we don't need that tone-"

"I expect you to accept any bids that come my way from France, if not you'll have a very unhappy and disruptive player on your hands."

Well, he ain't taking no bullshit. I thought to myself, figuring out how to tackle the situation.

"OK, I see where you're coming from mate, and I understand. Could you at least stick with the club until the end of the season, help us win promotion?"

The Frenchman pondered this for a while. "I suppose that is reasonable, to repay the club. I will play for you until the season is finished but after that I'm leaving, no matter what. If you have to release me, so be it."

I stood up and shook his hand. He left swiftly, closing the door behind him, as I sat back down. So it seemed I was going to lose a centre back. At least I could use him for a season, perhaps raise his value. But I needed a long term replacement, preferably English.

*phone rings*

"Hello, Emile Heskey speaking."

An unfamiliar voice replied. "Yeah, hello? This is Stefan Willis."

"Stefan what now?"

The man laughed. "Of course, Emile, you've probably never met me. I've been busy compiling reports during your appointment. I'm Stefan, Chief Scout at Leyton Orient."

"Ah! Pleasure to meet you." I wasn't going to mention the fact I would be cleaning out the backroom later today.

"We've got a little situation down here at Grimsby. There's this 16 year old kid who's got half of England running around after him. His name is Tony Leese."

"Anything for me to get excited about him?"

"He is a monster of a lad, about 6 foot 5, and an absolute beast in the air. Works hard, he's got a great tank and very brave. He's wanted by Premier League clubs."

This kid- Tony Leese- was the answer to my prayers. I wanted him like a 13 year old girl wants One Direction tickets. I would kill to get the chance to sign what seemed like an incredible player.

But first I needed to see for myself. "Stefan, stay where you are, I'm coming up immediately."

Nice update,now that you've made that promise to the players you better deliver.
Also that Tony Leese kid sounds good, might be part of Heskey's dream to make the youth of England the best in the world!

Tony Leese? Never heard of him.

Some great updates, keep it up

Good update.

Nice update indeed, Feliks, you better deliver with your promises though! Interesting mention about Leese too, I wonder what will happen next....

2014-12-29 10:18#204807 Walter : Nice update,now that you've made that promise to the players you better deliver.
Also that Tony Leese kid sounds good, might be part of Heskey's dream to make the youth of England the best in the world!

I'll try to deliver at least and Leese does look very promising indeed

2014-12-29 15:31#204812 mo_123 : Tony Leese? Never heard of him.

Neither had I

2014-12-29 18:07#204836 wellsy1498 : Some great updates, keep it up

Thanks mate

2014-12-29 18:08#204838 Tallery : Good update.

Thanks

2014-12-29 18:12#204841 pompeyblue : Nice update indeed, Feliks, you better deliver with your promises though! Interesting mention about Leese too, I wonder what will happen next....

So do I....

"Nice to finally meet you Stefan, and thankyou for telling me about Tony."

The 38 year old beamed. "It's my pleasure sir."

"Just call me Emile. Now let's get out of here and go see this Leese fella."

The pair got into the MGB and travelled down to Blundell Park, in the neighbouring town of Cleethorpes. It was 9 am, so Heskey was only just awake, but Stefan seemed very keen and eager.

"So Grimsby are holding a training session this morning, and I reckon there are about 20 scouts here to take a look at him."

"OK, so we need something special to lure him here."

"Simple," says Stefan. "Beat the other club's bids."

"Wait, you're telling me that clubs have already bid?!"

"Yep, most of the bids are around the £25,000 mark."

Heskey slammed his foot down. "Then we've got to act fast!"

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At Blundell Park, home of Grimsby Town, there was already a large group of around 50 people watching the training session. About 25 of them were locals, but there were also checkboards everywhere, and hurried conversations over the phone. Perhaps some clubs were going to try and go head to head with the clubs who had already bid. We were going to beat them.

"So, which one is Leese?" asked Heskey.

"See the real tall, lanky kid, over...there!"

"Ah yeah. Doesn't look to confident in this passing drill."

"Yeah, he's not the best technically at the moment but just wait."

And so the pair watched Leese train with his Grimsby teammates. During the passing, ball control and shooting drills he struggled, but then the team got onto headers.

"Holy christ Stefan, he's a beast!"

Then defending.

"Tackling needs a bit of work but damn he wants to win that ball back more than anyone!"

And finally, fitness.

"I think I've found the next Leyton Orient star Stefan."

---

"Excuse me, Paul!"

The Grimsby Town manager turned and saw the imposing figure of Heskey walking towards him. Paul Hurst seemed stressed, maybe from dealing with all the Leese interest, but Heskey was looking to make sure it all went away.

"Ah, Mr Emile Heskey, good to see you again."

"Yes, but the playing days are long gone. Time for a cushier job haha. Stefan, meet Paul Hurst."

The two shook hands. "Nice to meet you Mr Hurst."

Hurst sighed. "I'm not even going to ask what you're here for, but you've got a challenge. The chairman currently has 11 bids on his desk, and there are some very, very big teams interested in young Tony."

"I understand that, but I want this kid more than Liverpool fans want Suarez dead!" he exclaimed.

"Where the f**k did that metaphor come from?" said the laughing Hurst.

"Don't even worry, don't even worry. OK, I'm prepared to come out with a £40,000 bid for exclusive rights to Tony's contract."

Hurst seemed puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"As in, you accept my bid only, and only I get to talk with him. No one else."

"£52,000 and I'll organise the meeting for tonight."

Heskey looked over Stefan, who didn't seem to know what to say. "You know what. You've got yourself a deal."

The 2 managers shook hands, anxious for the fate of one young man- Tony Leese.

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"It's a real pleasure to meet you, Mr Heskey," said Mrs Leese, a middle aged housewife who was clearly immensely proud of her prodigious son.

"Thankyou Mrs Leese, and thankyou for inviting us into your home."

"No, no please, don't fret love. Take a seat and I'll fetch you a cup of tea."

Heskey and Willis sat down as Mrs Leese yelled for her son. He emerged from upstairs, and Emile was immediately taken back by his height. He certainly didn't look as tall on the training ground, but Tony was almost 6 foot 4. And for a 16 year old he looked very strong as well.

"There's my darling boy," said Mrs Leese.

"Muuuuummm."

And there it was. Leese was definitely still just a teenage boy.

"Anthony stop whinging, we have a very important guest."

Leese's gaze turned to Heskey, who was smiling broadly.

"Tony, nice to meet you. My name's-"

"I know who you are ("Anthony, don't be so rude!"). You're Emile Heskey!"

Heskey laughed. "I am indeed."

Leese shook his hand vigorously. "Pleasure to meet you Mr Heskey, you're a real football legend! I remember watching you when I was a little kid."

"Yes, yes, don't make me feel too old now."

Mrs Leese intervened. "So Mr Heskey, what club do you play for?"

"I actually don't play anymore, I'm the manager of Leyton Orient now. I came here to sign your son for your team."

Mrs Leese almost dropped her tea. "But, but Anthony is only 16 years old! He has school to worry about, and he's not even playing for Grimsby yet!"

"Trust me Mrs Leese," said Heskey, looking over at Tony, "if your son stays at Grimsby this season he will be playing. A lot."

Tony's face turned a deep red.

"Say you were to sign my son. What would he do about school?"

"The chairman has assured me that Tony will attend the best private school in London, free of charge to you."

Mrs Leese still wasn't convinced however. "But what if I want to visit him?"

Stefan piped up. "Well you can come down to London whenever you like, and when Tony has weeks off he's welcome to spend them in Grimsby."

Sharon Leese looked resigned more than anything. She sighed. "I guess it's up to you then darling."

And needless to say Tony Leese was wearing the biggest grin of his life.