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“Who paid my entry fee?”
Joe replied: “I did.”
Charlie dug into his pocket and passed the pound coins over to his friend.
“Thank you.”
The team moved past the ground-floor changing room doorway and followed the staircase up to the first floor.
They knew the route well.
They had spent plenty of time here.
During the five-a-side tournaments, the players waited in a huge room that was popular with parties and charity events.
One side had a large viewing gallery overlooking the pitch, while a row of windows allowed people to look down on the centre’s squash courts.
All the corners had long been taken by opposition teams so Charlie and his friends sat down in the centre of the room.
Peter nudged Charlie in the ribs.
“So? How did your mystery call work out?”
Charlie shrugged: “They’re on their way.”
A strange voice stopped Peter from finding out more.
“Hello. What are you guys doing here?”
Gary Bradshaw had played alongside Charlie, Peter and Annie at Hall Park Magpies.
He was a tidy player but always seemed to lack confidence.
The stocky defender dreaded matches because he always feared he would make a mistake or score an own goal.
Peter jumped to his feet and strangled Bradders with a bear hug.
“We are trying to work out how not to get thrashed down there,” Peter said as he nodded in the direction of the pitch after letting Bradders go.
“Don’t suppose you fancy playing for us?”
Bradders scratched his head.
“Well, I guess I could.
“My dad works here so I normally just come and hang around.
“I’ve never played in a five-a-side tournament though.”
He flicked his head behind him.
Charlie peered over Bradders’ shoulder.
The main tournament organiser had a long grey beard and was intently watching the first game kick off – he had no idea that he was Gary’s dad.
Annie got to her feet.
“Come on, Gary. We need you.”
A loud cheer erupted from the gallery area followed by kids pounding the thick glass. One of the teams had scored.
Gary looked around for his dad again.
When he turned back to Charlie, he smiled.
“Let’s do it. I’ll just go and tell my dad.
“I always bring my trainers and shin pads just in case, so I’ll grab them.
“What colour do you wear?”
Joe had been waiting for this question.
“We wear blue, of course!
“Do you think Charlie would let us wear anything else?
“I mean wearing green for Magpies must kill him!
“He’s not going to wear any other colour, given a choice.”
As he spoke, Joe rummaged in his bag and pulled out a spare training top.
He flung the blue shirt at Bradders.
“You’ve got two minutes.
“We’ll meet you downstairs.”
Bradders caught the top and smiled.
In a flash, he was off and heading towards his father.
Charlie unzipped his tracksuit jacket to reveal his blue shirt underneath.
Peter and Annie had also turned up prepared.
There was need for a trip to the changing room.
They were ready to face Crowny’s mob – except there were still only four of them.
The sports centre’s old speaker system crackled into life.
“Would The Page Boys and You Know The Score make their way to the hall’s doors for the next match?”
Charlie smiled at the others.
Peter scowled.
“Fry, where’s this surprise?”
Charlie shrugged.
“No idea. Hopefully he’ll be downstairs when we get down there.”
Within seconds, they were down the stairs.
Joe followed a few paces behind.
Gary waited by the doors as he attempted to make Joe’s large shirt fit.
It was not going too well – he was far too short.
And standing next to him was their new recruit: Charlie’s little brother Harry.
The boy – who looked just like his older brother – could not keep the huge smile off his face.
Peter stopped on the last step.
“You have got to be kidding.”