A Fresh Start
16th September 2018
A little over a year after his career ending leg break, Luke had guided his CSKA Moscow under 21 side to second place in the Russian Youth League, finishing just three points of eventual winners Krasnodar.
Having retired age 31, Luke quickly moved into coaching with the club pleased to give their fan favourite a role as the Under 21’s manager, whilst he completed his coaching badges. A team built around the likes of Danila Yanov, Astemir Gordyushenko and Kristijan Bistrovic, Luke’s side impressed throughout the season, with Luke proving a talented young coach.
Life was settling down in a professional capacity, whilst personally, life was becoming crazy again. Months after Luke retired, he and long time girlfriend, Lada, found out that they were having their first child. The due date given was July 2018, with Anastasia Hendricks born on 14th July 2018. For Luke it was a shock, he was just ending a career that he loved due to an unfortunate injury and was early into his new career, with no guarantee of being a success. It also bought the question of his and Lada’s relationship.
Despite meeting for the first time in May 2013 and being together ever since, the pair had never even mentioned marriage before. The couple were happy and settled living together in their home in Moscow, but the surprise news of a child on the way suddenly meant the pair were evaluating their lives. Change was coming, and they both knew it. The couple were in love and knew that married or not it wouldn’t change the way they lived and how they bought their child up. But Luke decided to pop the question regardless.
On a final holiday, without children, Luke and Lada travelled to Paris, a city Lada had always wanted to visit due to its title as “The Fashion Capital of the World”. But it is also “The City of Love”, which was why it was the perfect place for Luke to propose. On their final night, Luke took his soon to be fiancé to Guy Savoy Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the world. It was there, overlooking the Paris skyline, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance, where Luke asked Lada to be his wife.
In tears, Lada accepted and the couple set the date for their marriage for 26th May 2019, the same date that Luke won his first Russian Premier League with CSKA Moscow and the day before the couple had met.
Having a career as a football coach, whilst also having a two month old daughter, whilst planning a marriage, Luke’s life was constantly busy, with very little time to sit down and relax. Yet today he managed to find such time. With his team having won 7-0 away from home against Ufa yesterday, he had the day off. Lada and Anastasia were out shopping and Luke had time to relax.
Waking up late, Luke scrolled through Twitter as he did every morning, and was surprised to see both himself and Zenit Chairman Boyra Uys trending.
“Leaked messages show Boyra Uys paid Maurício to ‘take out Hendricks’ in 2017” read one tweet.
Surely not, thought Luke as his breathing became heavier.
“Uys is scum! Paying a man to break another guys leg, DISGUSTING!” another tweet read.
Before he could read anymore, Lukes phone started ringing. Caller ID informed him that it was his longtime agent Vladimir Morozov.
“Tell me it isn’t true Vlad, please it can’t be, surely!” pleaded Luke.
“So you have seen,” said a dejected Vladimir
“The league contacted me in the early hours of this morning when someone sent them through anonymously, telling them they would leak it unless they got paid” explained the agent.
“We believed they were bluffing so I didn’t want to worry you until we looked into it further, but unfortunately it looks pretty legit. The league have contacted Boyra and he has admitted to the whole thing and he is being charged with it in the coming days.” continued Vlad.
“So he paid Maurício to do what he did? All because I called him out as the dickhead he is when he wouldn’t cover my hospital fees?” asked a stunned Luke.
“I am afraid so, just do your best to avoid it if anyone comes asking, I will be around later to see where we go from here” said Vladimir before hanging up the phone.
With the call over, Luke’s Twitter page opened back up with a new video posted, showing Boyra’s face with the Title: “Boyra Uys laughs at allegations between himself and Luke Hendricks, calling Hendricks a fool for ever challenging his authority”
Replies
Syb: Actually an alright one from you.
Jim: It only gets worse!