A new chapter begins ...
1st October 2011
I had been in the market for a job in football management for months on end with no luck. I guess my one professional app will not do me any favours. I had sent application on application to teams such as Boston United and i even had a cheeky attempt at getting the Preston North End job. I think you know what the answer to that was. I am 25 years old and just moved into a new home in Sheffield. I knew i had days on days of unpacking, painting and decorating my new home. I was desperate for a job but i could not pull myself away from my lifelong ambition of becoming a football manager. I mean, i have played the game 'Football Manager' and will continue to do so even if i do fulfill my dream. It is a great game and it truly shows you the ups and downs of football management and i'm ready for it! My only real experience of what it is like to be a football manager is when i was 17 and i helped manage a under 13's Sunday league team in which we won the league and then came my break.
I was offered a contract at Luton and i made one senior appearance before injuring something in my leg which the doctors said would end my footballing career. I support Sheffield Wednesday through and through but after Luton gave me the chance to become a footballer i will always have a place in my heart for them. It was great seeing Sheffield Wednesday in 5th place in Npower League One but as for Luton, a team that used to brace the Premier League are slowly fading away. They are 11th in the Blue Square Premier and i honestly fear for them as they are performing sub-standard and they are not in the best position financially. After my horrific injury i went on to do my coaching badges and i completed that and then went to work as an Estate Agent. I had money, well some, and a new home. What could be better ?
6th October 2011
I had gathered all of my family around for dinner at my new house in Sheffield. There was me my mother, father, sister, niece, auntie and uncle all gathered around my large dinner table when my phone started to ring.'Sorry, i have to take this call ' I said. It was my agent.
'I am a bit busy at the moment, i have got my family around for dinner'
'No, Joseph, you have to listen to me okay?' He said firmly.
'Yeah, quickly'
'Okay, all i can say at this point is that you will have a phone call, a very special phone call in 20 minutes. Do not miss it!'
'Umm, okay i suppose. Goodbye'
I hung up wondering what he could of been on about. I sat back at the dinner table and got stuck in to my roast. That's when the questions started coming. 'Who was it?' , 'Was it important?'. I answered calmly 'It was my agent, he said there will be a very special phone call for me soon'.
20 minutes later
I heard the phone ringing so i sprinted from the table. Bad manners i know but i was excited. I answered.
'Hello, can i speak to Mr. Southern please?'
'Speaking'
'I am Nick Owen's personal assistant'
'Nick Owen as in Luton's chairman'
'Yes. He is waiting for you in the Park Hotel pub. Can you meet him?'
'Yes, of course i can. Thank you'.
I ran into the room got my car keys and off i went. I arrived at about 2 pm and i saw him sat on a table in the back left corner of the pub. I made sure my suit looked okay and i slowly approached him.
'Hello Joseph' He said with a cheeky grin which worried me a little.
'Hello... Sir'
'We received your application for the vacant managerial position at our football club. We would like to offer you the job until the end of the season?'
'That would be great!'
'Good. We can pay you £1,100 per week, are you happy with that?'
'Delighted... Sir'
'Okay, can you start work, say, on Wednesday. We have sorted you a flat for the time being.'
'That's great. Thank you so very much'
And that's how it all started...
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