Frozen Mud Memories
Wednesday afternoon - "Double Games" - Two hours of hell every week, but much worse in winter.
Boys are supposed to like running around, kicking balls, throwing things, jumping over things. Not this boy.
Frozen mud is all I remember. Standing at one end of the field, hoping that the action would come nowhere near me. Shivering, kicking the mud. Wearing the studs on my second-hand football boots down by kicking the ground. Picking at the ends of the laces. Looking desperately in vain at the teacher to blow the whistle and send us in. Nope another forty-five minutes to go.
Day dreaming, low winter sun in my eyes, looking away at the clouds, one that looked like a camel and a couple that looked like boobs. Looking over at that other kid left in defence, miserable too. The two of us, always last to be picked and slapped at Full Back, Left and Right. Lost in dreams of a hot shower and warm clothes and getting home for beans on toast.
Our goalie shouting instructions to the forwards who'd never hear anything that he said. They were in their own world, the golden boys who somehow had always known how to do this football thing. Dribbling and tackling and shouting foul, loving the throw in and the off-side rule. In their brand new, this season strips from West Brom and Aston Villa, matching shorts and socks, new boots by Gola or Adidas, shin pads.
Me looking at my legs, the goosebumps, the skin turning blue-purple. Socks that wouldn't stay up. Fat ankles, fat calves, fat knees, fat thighs.
Somewhere someone was shouting "Davis! Davis! Daviiiis!"
SPLAT - OW! Shit! OW OW OW, the worst thing, the big, rain-soaked, leather ball had somehow flown through the air, propelled by the boot of a prematurely pubescent twelve year-old, slapping into my thigh like a jet-propelled wet cabbage with razor blades stuck in it. Knocking my leg from under me, sending my soft little arse plummeting towards the rock-hard, icy mud around the goalmouth.
Their team wetting themselves laughing. My team shaking their heads and yelling obscenities at "Davis, you fat fool".
Bruised thigh, bruised bum, bruised ego.
This reminds of when I had to do PE at school I had no interest in playing football in the winter cold, not only that but they made us wear white!? Never understood why and yes it was terribly muddy from previous lessons didn't enjoy it at all and didn't want the ball anywhere near me so someone had the excuse to try tackle me to the floor. Btw @lloyddavis I am sad we didn't get much time to speak at the London MEET-UP I wrote a detailed post of the event if you get time take a look.
Damm you Davis, I had successfully buried those memories. Actually, if I didn't get lucky, I was generally the goalkeeper which meant I had also to dive into the mud and get the occasional kicking.
Later the sports teacher took pity on a couple of us and let us sit in the changing shed and play chess instead. He said he considered it a 'sport'. Very progressive I thought for a Secondary Modern.
Wow, yes, all we heard was "stop snivelling and get out there before I kick you out" - never did me any harm :)
Nice post I like
Great writing, loved reading this :) I think most people have some stories like this, my brother for sure is one of them, since at school at physical education he was so bad that the teacher sent him always to the girls team...on the other hand, he is a really smart guy and besides not everybody is fit for sports. I hope you like at least to watch soccer ;)
And by the way, once i broke one teeth of a guy playing football :/ I kicked the ball with so much strenght and it hit his face hard and he had to go to the hospital :/ I think his memories are a loss worse than yours :P
ouch! wow, yes much worse, I never had that, I always kept my head down!
Playing football on such a ground...
It would be funny because of slipping..
Football on frozen mud, anyone would hope the same that that action shouldn't come near him/her..
Nice story, thanks for sharing dear👍
Sound's fun. Thanks for sharing buddy 😀.
I am so allergic froim mud especially in winter when its frozen. I remember my childhood when we was facing problems due to frozen mud.
Neverr can play my fevrate Football and cricket. Stay at home all the time. Parents didn't leave us to go out.
Wow, so creative
Mine was climbing trees and remember being stung by a bee but I am happy I did sustain much injury. Although I still have the scare on my waist.
More stories please
What a beautiful recount of footballing experience. Almost everybody has such an experience when growing up and that particular guy you hurl abuses at for being the odd man out like Davis. It is all part of reminiscences.
Fabulous recount
that's a very interesting story, thank you very much for sharing. I like it very much