The city noise keeps increasing due to the traffic on the road.
The night was really cold. It was biting at William Gills skin. He was feeling cold and tired. As he pulled off the wet jersey that was stuck to his body he started to shiver. He should have taken a shower after training but he did not want to get caught in the rain that was about to pour down any minute.
His muscles were aching as he walked down the winding roads towards his neighborhood. The fog was moving along with him going into the light made by the street lamps. He could almost hear his teammates complaining as he passed the training ground. His legs were hurting with every step he took.
Coach Tuchel had given them a talk that afternoon before they did their drills. The man was full of energy as he walked up and down the team.
"Details, William! The game is. Lost in the small things you think do not matter!" he had said, his voice echoing around the tunnels.
William was feeling tired. He also felt empty inside. He felt like he had not done what was expected of him. Football was not a sport he thought he could be great at. It was something that seemed hard to him something he loved to struggle with. Before he joined the team it was his teammates who would complain about the training, not him.. In a way he was happy for it because it made him grow. He turned the corner. Looked at the windows of his house. If there was a light on then his father would be home. He would find his father on his knees cleaning the floors of some office building sweeping the dirt from the hallways of people who did not know him. His father always cleaned their offices took the jobs he was given as if he was owed nothing. William said to himself "He is probably cleaning an office tonight." He dropped his bag behind the door and stepped inside. The smell of grass and old sweat hit his nose. He. Felt sad when he thought of his father being insulted by people who did not know his name. William clenched his fists. That was why he had to do this. He had to be the best. He had to show them that he was worth more than they thought. He wanted it for his father too.
He dropped the wet jersey on the couch. Sat down intending to rest for a minute. He found the remote. Turned on the TV. The room was filled with a light as William sat back to watch. The documentary was showing two football players, Pelé and Maradona. Pelé was moving across the field sliding past the players with ease and precision. He was in control of the ball using tricks and moves as if they were a part of him. Williams heart was pounding as he watched. Then the camera showed Maradona, who was playing against England. He dropped low. Williams breath caught as he watched Maradona move past the other players. The ball seemed to stick to his foot as he feinted and slipped past them. William felt a desire to be able to play like them. He wanted the world to stop and watch him play.
William got up from the couch taking the football from the corner of the room. He jogged out the door his muscles hurting as he landed on the damp grass. The backyard was small and uneven. William did not notice. He was standing in a stadium with thousands of fans cheering him on. He could almost hear his heartbeat. He said to himself "Okay let me try the Maradona Turn." He drove forward planting his foot and spinning. He worked the ball back with his foot twisting his hips as he moved. He hooked the ball with his foot but his momentum sent him sliding across the grass. He got up. Tried again. This time he launched himself forward planting his foot and spinning. He worked the ball back with his foot repeating the move. He practiced the "Maradona Turn" and the "leg-sweeps" imagining Coach Tuchel watching him from the shadows. He practiced the "volley" catching the ball as it hit the ground and sending it into the fence. He was soaked with sweat as the cold night air filled his lungs. He imagined the "ghosts of greatness" watching him from the darkness. The ball hit the fence again and again until he heard the sound of the front door opening. He paused, the ball at his feet. Caught his breath.
His father, Mr. Gill stepped out into the kitchen his face tired from a day of work. He looked out the window. Saw William, then pushed the back door open. William met his fathers gaze his eyes shining. "Dad you have to see them. I saw Pelé and Maradona tonight! They were amazing!" he said, his voice full of excitement. "It was football, Dad! It was everything!" He told his father about the games the legends had played all about the magic they had created. He told him what he had felt when seeing them what he thought greatness truly was. He told him how it made him feel that he wanted to be great, not just good. Mr. Gill. Put his hand on Williams shoulder. "William I clean the offices of people who think they are better than me.. When I listen to you Son I know I am the luckiest man in the city." He gave Williams shoulder a squeeze. "You have something in you Son. If Coach Tuchel believes in you then who am I to argue? You have a fire in your heart that makes all the money in those offices I clean meaningless. You have a spirit that will carry you further in this world than any of them will ever dream."
William felt his fathers pride in him. It made him strong. Mr. Gill gave his sons shoulder another squeeze before letting go. "Keep working Son. Do everything Coach Tuchel tells you. Do not think about the house or the food or the bills. I will take care of all that. You just chase after your dreams chase, after Maradona and Pelé until they chase after you."
William felt his throat get tight with emotion. The "Ghost of Greatness" was not a ghost all it was a real person with a lot of pride. This person was his father, who had given up everything so that William could have a life. William stood up. Held his fathers hand.
"I will not disappoint you Dad " William said. His voice was steady and strong. Down William knew that his father believed in him.
"I know you will not " his father said. "Now lets go inside people who seem tough need to get some rest."
As they went back into their quiet house William looked out at the dark and muddy yard one last time. He knew he was in for a time. He would have to push himself hard.. When he stepped inside William knew he was not doing this for himself. He was doing it for his father, the man with the hands and for the people who had inspired him to be great.
The part of his life where he was just starting out was ending. The part where he would work hard and focus on his goals was just beginning.He went inside the bathroom to take a shower. The water felt like gold on him. The calmness and freshness help him think about the Blackpool trial. He said to himself. " I can feel Blackpool already, I can see myself in tha