Chapter 48: Giants on the Horizon

Chapter 48: Giants on the Horizon Chapter 48: Giants on the Horizon Friday, February 5, 2010 The morning sun pierced Crawley’s February clouds, spilling a golden glow over Broadfield Stadium’s training ground, where the squad’s laughter echoed, a fleeting warmth after their heart-pounding 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury the night before. Niels leaned against a goalpost, arms crossed, watching his players toss a ball in a playful circle, their grins a salve for the ache of Nate Sutton’s three-week absence, his knee ligament torn by Wycombe’s savage tackle. With a tight schedule looming, Cheltenham Town at home on February 8, Notts County, the league leaders, on February 13, and the FA Cup Fifth Round against Premier League Burnley on February 20, this light training session was a rare moment to breathe, to rekindle their fire. In the changing room, the squad sprawled, boots unlaced, their chatter a bright hum cutting through the lingering scent of liniment. Max Simons, his late Shrewsbury goal still a spark in his eyes, teased Thiago, "That shot of yours, mate, nearly ripped the net!" Thiago’s grin flashed, his English tripping, "Net strong, me stronger!" Dev’s laugh boomed, "Learn to talk, bro!" prompting Thiago’s playful shove, "You jealous, Dev, I score!" Korey, ribs bruised from Shrewsbury’s tackles, piped up, "Max’s goal, though, pure magic." Max shrugged, ever modest, "Did it for Nate." Niels stood by the door, heart full, their joy a flicker of light in the grind. "Lads, last night was us at our best," he said, voice warm, steady. "Cheltenham’s Monday, quick and strong. Notts County’s next, then Burnley, a Premier League giant. Today’s light warm up, stay loose, stay together. For Nate, for Crawley." The squad roared, "Red Devils!" José Baxter’s Scouse quip, "Cheltenham’s gonna hate us," sparked chuckles, their fire crackling despite the challenges ahead. The training pitch buzzed, frost melting under boots as the physio led gentle stretches, the air crisp but softened by the sun. Thiago’s mangled call, "Not your leg, give me your arm!" drew Luka Radev’s grin, "Stick to goals, mate!" Thiago’s mock glare, "You wait, I beat you!" sent ripples of laughter through the squad, their bond a shield against the February chill. Kieron Marsh jogged beside Max, his Shrewsbury heroics, a last-gasp clearance, earning claps from Tom Whitehall, his confidence blooming like a spark catching kindling. "You held us, Kieron," Niels called, nodding. Kieron’s shy grin, "For Nate, boss," was a quiet promise, his Wycombe cameo now a foundation to build on. Passing drills flowed, Luka’s pinpoint balls finding Tom, whose headers clipped cones with precision, his focus unbreakable. Reece Darby, usually a rock of silence, cracked a rare joke about Shrewsbury’s keeper flailing at Max’s shot, "Bloke was swimming out there!" Baxter’s drawl, "Lost in the sauce!" eased the mood, the squad’s laughter a melody in the cold. Beyond the pitch, a handful of fans lingered at the fence, their red scarves bright against the gray morning, chanting, "Red Devils!" A boy, no older than ten, waved a sign, "Max, my hero!" Max jogged over, signing his scarf, crouching low, "Keep supporting us, mate, you’re our engine." The kid’s grin, wide as the pitch, mirrored the squad’s heart. A woman nearby shouted, "Tell Nate we’re with him!" Niels waved, throat tight, "He feels it!" Their hope was a fire, fueling the team through Nate’s absence and the looming gauntlet. During a water break, Dev sidled up to Niels, voice low, "Cheltenham’s fast, boss, but Burnley’s got me nervous." Niels clapped his shoulder, "One fight at a time, Dev. Monday’s our focus, Burnley’s a mountain for later." Dev nodded, eyes clearing, his trust in Niels a thread in their tapestry. A huddle closed the session, the squad circled on the grass, breath steaming, hands stuffed in jackets. Niels stood at the center, eyes sweeping the group, meeting each gaze. "Shrewsbury was a battle we owned, sixth place is ours now. Nate’s out, but Kieron’s stepped up, you all have. Cheltenham’s quick, loves to run wide, but we’re sharper, tougher. Notts County’s a beast, Burnley’s a giant, but we’re giant-killers, lads." Thiago’s eyes blazed, "We win!" Jamal Osei’s nod, "For Nate," sparked a murmur, "For Nate," their unity a fortress against the odds. Niels’ thoughts drifted to Nate, icing his knee in a quiet rehab room, his absence a wound, the tight schedule a test of their depth, Burnley’s Premier League shadow growing darker. Saturday’s Team Lunch Saturday brought the squad to The Red Devil café, a cozy hub in Crawley’s heart, its booths packed with players, plates heaped with chips, burgers, and steaming tea. A fuzzy TV replayed Shrewsbury’s clash, Max’s goal sparking cheers from fans at nearby tables. Max recounted the moment, "Ball just sat there, begging me to leather it," his grin easy, the squad whooping. Korey teased, "Too slow, old man!" Max’s mock scowl, "Faster than your brain, lad!" drew belly laughs. A grizzled fan, his Crawley pin glinting, leaned over, "Nate’s proud, lads. Cheltenham next, yeah?" Niels nodded, "We’re ready, mate." A young girl, her scarf knotted tight, tugged Luka’s sleeve, "Sign my shirt, please!" Luka crouched, scrawling his name, "Keep roaring for us, yeah?" Her fierce grin mirrored the squad’s fire, her dad’s proud nod a silent cheer. The café buzzed with life, a newspaper on the counter blaring, "Crawley’s Late Heroics Bury Shrewsbury!" pride swelling in Niels’ chest. An older couple, red scarves draped over coats, raised their mugs, "To the Cup, lads!" Thiago, catching the toast, raised his water, "To Crawley!" sparking a ripple of cheers. A teenage boy, headphones dangling, asked Baxter, "Burnley’s massive wall, you scared?" Baxter’s grin was sharp, "Scared? We’ll give ’em a proper fight." The boy’s eyes lit up, his faith in the squad a spark in the room’s warmth. Niels watched, heart full, the town’s belief a weight he carried gladly, but the schedule’s grind, Cheltenham’s pace, and Burnley’s might pressed close, a storm brewing. Sunday’s Light Session Sunday’s training stayed gentle, the physio hovering like a hawk, no heavy drills with Cheltenham looming. The squad jogged lightly, Kieron pairing with Dev, their banter a soft hum despite Nate’s absence. "Wycombe’s lot would’ve crumbled against Shrewsbury," Dev muttered, Kieron chuckling, "Too right, soft as butter." Thiago’s stepovers drew whoops, his English sharper, "I score Monday, watch!" Tom’s header clipped a marker, his nod to Niels firm, "We’re tight, boss." Outside, fans gathered, their chants for Nate, "Nate, Nate!" carrying on the breeze. A woman in a red scarf shouted, "Tell him Crawley’s behind him!" Niels raised a hand, voice thick, "He knows, he’s fighting." Their hope was a lifeline, the schedule’s relentlessness a weight he’d shoulder for them. During a break, Max pulled Niels aside, voice low, "Nate’s texting the lads, gutted he’s missing Burnley." Niels nodded, jaw tight, "We’ll carry him, Max. Cheltenham first, keep the lads focused." Max’s nod, steady, was a vow, his leadership a pillar in the storm. Later, Luka jogged over, sweat beading, "Boss, Cheltenham’s wingers, how we stopping ’em?" Niels’ eyes narrowed, "Jamal and Reece stay tight, you and Dev cut their lanes. We dictate, not them." Luka’s grin, "Got it," was a spark of trust, the squad’s heart beating strong. Evening Reflections Evening found Niels in the tactics room, Shrewsbury’s tape paused on Max’s goal, a moment of brilliance frozen in time. His phone buzzed, Elise’s text glowing, "Max is a legend, bro! Cheltenham’s scared, maybe Burnley too!" His parents’ follow-up, "So proud, son, keep climbing," warmed his core, their faith a quiet anchor across the miles. A knock broke his thoughts, Reece leaning in, "Nate called, boss, says he’s cheering Monday." Niels smiled, "He’s with us, Reece. Let’s make him proud." Reece’s nod, rare and warm, was a thread in their bond. Later, at his flat, Niels sank into a chair, Crawley’s hum a faint pulse through the window, an old rock CD spinning low, its gritty chords tugging him back to virtual triumphs, now dwarfed by Broadfield’s roar. He flicked on the radio, BBC’s preview crackling, "Crawley host Cheltenham Monday, their sixth-place climb fierce, but Burnley’s Premier League test looms February 20." His pulse quickened, Cheltenham’s tape queued, their wingers’ pace a riddle, Kieron’s role untested in Nate’s absence. He jotted notes, sketching formations, Jamal’s Defensive steel a wall, Luka’s Thrives in chaos a key to unlock Cheltenham’s press. The town’s faith lingered, a fan’s voice from the café echoing, "You’re our champs!" Niels stood, pacing, the small room alive with possibility. Nate’s injury was a wound, the squad’s joy a fire to nurture, the schedule a crucible testing their soul. Cheltenham’s clash, Notts County’s might, and Burnley’s Premier League shadow were giants on the horizon, each a test of their heart. ✨ Enjoying the story? ✨ A Golden Ticket or a gift goes a long way in supporting the novel, boosting its visibility on novelhall, and keeping the Chapters flowing! Your support truly motivates me and brightens my day too! ????