Tiger Boots by Joe O'Brien
Author:Joe O'Brien [Joe O'Brien]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781847173980
Publisher: The O'Brien Press
Published: 2012-03-24T16:00:00+00:00
Chapter Twelve
Mick Helps Out
Tuesday night’s training was extra hard. Mick ran the legs off all his players.
‘We have to be at our best for the Barnfield game,’ was what he kept saying.
Jimmy thought there was something the matter with Mick – something on his mind.
He called Danny to one side while everyone was having a breather.
‘Is your daddy alright, Danny?’ Jimmy whispered.
‘He got bad news in work,’ replied Danny.
‘I thought there was something wrong. I haven’t seen your daddy run that hard in training since before his stroke last year. He ought to take it easy. What happened in work? He never said anything to me.’
‘He’s been put on a three-day week, Jimmy. I think he’s worried that it’s only a matter of time before his job goes altogether.’
‘That’s terrible,’ said Jimmy. ‘The construction trade is gone to the wall – flamin’ recession.’
Danny noticed Mick looking over in their direction.
‘You better not say I told you, Jimmy,’ Danny said. ‘You know my da. He’ll probably tell you later when he gets a chance.’
‘Of course, Danny. Good man!’
Mick got Jimmy to set up a small playing field within the cones. He hadn’t realised that he had used up all of the training time on running and exercises. The lads were very tired.
Mick wasn’t impressed with what he saw in the game.
‘Come on lads,’ Mick said. ‘If this is what yiz play like against Barnfield, we don’t have a chance of winning the game.’
Jimmy thought he’d have a quiet word with Mick.
‘I think they’re knackered!’ said Jimmy. ‘We’ve already gone over by twenty minutes.’
Mick looked at his watch.
‘I didn’t notice, Jimmy. None the less, we’ll let them play a bit longer. Practice makes perfect!’
Jimmy looked at Mick’s strained face.
‘Come on, Barry,’ Mick said. ‘Don’t make me ring Todd in Australia and ask him to come back.’
Barry’s head dropped.
‘Let’s call it a night, Mick,’ Jimmy suggested. ‘You’re only getting frustrated with the boys. Danny told me about the job. I hounded him to tell me. I knew there was something on your mind.’
‘Sorry, Jimmy,’ Mick said. ‘Is it that obvious?’
Jimmy nodded.
‘All right, lads!’ Mick yelled. Then he blew hard on his whistle. ‘Go on, off yiz go. Well done, lads. I’m sorry for giving yiz a hard time. Yiz did well tonight. Chin up, Barry. You did good, son.’
Barry smiled at Mick; it was clear that he’d needed to hear that.
‘Don’t forget we’re playing the under-sixteens in a friendly on Saturday. Be here, ten thirty sharp, lads,’ said Jimmy.
***
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