Free Zero to Hero by Seb Goffe Page A

set of training cones. At the end of each run he bounced the ball off the wall, controlled it, and started again.

    His mum called him in for supper, but before he went in to eat he had one last go at keepy-uppies, just to see how many he could do.
    He almost got to fifty, but skewed the ball off his left foot and lost it. He chased after the loose ball, and hammered it towards the wall, just hitting the edge of the circle.
    He smiled, and then headed in before his mum got tired of waiting. When his chance in the team came, he knew he’d be ready.

Chapter Three

In With a Chance?
    The next Monday, as Will walked through the school gates, the playground seemed a lot less noisy than usual.
    â€œHey Steve!” he said. “Where is everyone today?”
    â€œThere’s a flu bug going round,” said Steve. “Some of the football team have got it. Mr Smith is holding trials to get a team out for this weekend’s match. There’s a notice up in the main hall.”
    Will’s mind raced. Maybe this would be his big chance. If he could get in the team for one game, he could play so well they would have to keep him in the side, even after everyone had got better from the flu.
    â€œHow many players are away?” he asked Steve.
    â€œFour or five,” said Steve. “So they can’t just make do with the usual subs.”
    â€œCool,” said Will. “I’m going to go and sign up. See you in English.”
    Will hurried off to the hall to find the notice. He saw Steve’s name and a few others on the list. He hoped there wouldn’t be so many others he’d miss out again.

    Mr Smith had called a practice that afternoon. Will texted his mum to let her know he’d be home late, and put his name on the list.

Chapter Four

The Trial
    â€œRight,” said Mr Smith when all the boys had arrived. “We need to put out a team against Kingham on Saturday or we forfeit the match. Now, even using our subs there are still three gaps in the team: left wing, centre back and right back.”

    Will’s heart sank. There was no chance of him getting the place on the wing, or in central defence, because he wasn’t fast or tall enough.
    What he’d been hoping for was a chance in midfield, where he could show off his passing and ball control, but it looked like the only chance he would get would be at right back.
    â€œJames and Ed, you’re the tallest,” said Mr Smith, “so you can try out for centre back. I need someone quick on the wing. David and Joe, you can take it in turns to play there.” Mr Smith looked over at Will and Steve. “That leaves you two to try out for right back.”
    Will and Steve looked at each other. They would be going head to head for one place in the team, so one of them would have to miss out.
    â€œGood luck, I suppose,” said Steve as Will got ready for the start of the trial. He was facing David on the wing, who was pretty good.
    Mr Smith blew his whistle.
    Will had never played in defence before, and even playing in the park with Steve, tackling had never been one of his strong points. He did his best to keep track of David. But the winger was just too quick, and time after time Will lost out.
    The forwards on David’s side kept sending the ball to him as they knew he could out-run Will.
    After a bit, Mr Smith asked Steve to swap places with Will.

    Steve was up against Joe, another very quick player. But Steve was faster than Will was, and he got in a couple of good tackles.
    Will could see Mr Smith nodding as he watched the game. He knew his chances of getting into the team were fading fast.
    When Mr Smith announced who was in at the end of the match, Will did his best to look pleased for his friend, but all he could think of was that he would be spending another game standing on the sidelines.

Chapter Five

One Man Down
    Match day arrived. Will knew the Ravens would probably lose. He was going to cheer