#will kitman one shot

[vansmaybeonthewall]

it takes GUTS

summary: the one where Jamie needs his sister's help. and the one where Jamie actually helped you figure out your love life.

will kitman x reader

jamie tartt x sister!reader

word count: 6.1k

author's note: here we are, you and me, me and you. this turned out longer than expected, curse the screenwriter in me. but i do hope you enjoy <3

warnings: cursing, light smut, allusion to smut

Time. 2-1.

The crowd jumps and the cheers are deafening. Richmond players storm the pitch and throw themselves at their fellow teammates. It wasn’t an easy win, but a final-minute goal secured their spot. It felt almost dream-like, so of course, it called for a celebration. Chanting echoes off the walls as they make their way back to the locker room. Talks of celebration filled the room but it all came to a grinding halt when Sam mentioned the club they were planning to go to, was closed. Cue the multiple groans and moans of anguish and disappointment. Jamie, however, stood silent.

“What the fuck are you thinking about?”

Roy, the everloving burst of sunshine, broke his thought bubble. Jamie looks at his teammates' expectant faces and sighed. This is not where he was picturing his night to be going. On one hand, he’d be able to celebrate with his team in a more private setting, but then again…Oh fuck it.

“I got a place we could go to.”

And the cheers resume.

“But, I do have to call first.”

And the groans are back. Pulling out his phone, Jamie leaves the room. It rings seemingly forever until the other person picks up. Loud music has Jamie pulling the phone away from his ear.

“Jamie!! What do I owe the pleasure?”

“Remember that favor you owe me?”

“Obviously. You always remind me after I ask you for something. ‘I got ya a sandwich from the shop, you owe meh. This shirt made me think of ya. ‘Oh thanks Jamie!’ ‘Now can ya buy meh these shoes.’”

“You think you’re so funny-”

He pauses before it turns into a back-and-forth game of throwing insults to see who seethes in anger first. Jamie explains his predicament and shuts his eyes, hoping for a positive answer. It’s silent.

“Please, winger. I’ll…I’ll let you come watch drills. I know how much you enjoy that shit you weirdo.”

“I’m so gonna make you regret that. Deal striker.”

Jamie punches the air and expresses his gratitude. Walking back into the locker room, all heads turn to him. Jamie being Jamie, takes the moment to be cocky until he’s hit over the head. Rubbing the sore spot, he grumbles about their invitation. And while they are happy they have somewhere to get absolutely sloshed, Ted wonders who he had to call and why he needed an invite.

“Now hold on gang. Jamie, where is it that we’re going?”

Jamie looks around with a smirk on his face. “You’re gonna love this.”

~

Pulling up to the club, which they now knew was private, the boys were surprised to be standing in front of an old bookstore. Although confused, they follow Jamie quietly through the store. Upon reaching the back corner, an employee sits up in his seat. Jamie utters a word and a bookcase opens to reveal a secret door. Excitement rises as the team walks through. The sound of music and people cheering reach their ears. The scene leaves all of them besides Jamie speechless. It was such an open space hidden behind the walls of an old shop.

“Lads, welcome to Seventh Heaven.”

The crowd gets louder near the bar. At the center of it all is you, standing on the counter chugging a cup of whatever mixed drink was handed to you. You throw your hands up with a sour look on your face. As the cheers and chants of your name fuel your ego, you spot Jamie & co making their way to you. Jumping off the counter, you maneuver through the now dissipating crowd.

“Tartt-breaker number two! You made it.”

“The fuck you mean two? You’re two if anything.”

“Fuck off, I’m number one dickhead.”

“Oi!”

The shouting behind Jamie gets your attention, suddenly remembering you invited the whole team. Shoving Jamie out of the way, you step forward and introduce yourself. Roy, in his lovely Roy Kent manner, asks exactly who the fuck you are. You slowly turn your head towards Jamie, who almost shrinks at your stare.

“You absolute fuckhead.”

“I haven’t done anything!”

“Did you not tell them who I was?”

“You know, that hasn’t really come up…”

Turning to Jamie’s teammates, you drop the bomb.

“I’m Jamie’s sister.”

The uproar commences. They start yelling at Jamie, him trying to defend himself and you watching the drama you caused. The coaches attempt to quiet the yelling but it doesn’t seem to work. Feeling someone stop next to you, you glance to your left. There stands a boy you don’t recognize as one of Jamie’s teammates, but one you saw walk in with them.

“You’re not one of Jamie’s teammates are you?”

Will, almost frantically, turns to you.

“Oh no, I’m just, just Will.”

“Well, just Will, would you mind telling them I have somewhere to be? Remind Jamie drinks are on me, fucking knobhead probably forgot.”

Will stutters out a yes. Smiling, you squeeze his shoulder in thanks before disappearing.

~

After plenty of hounding from the team and Jamie’s pitiful defenses, they scattered thoughout the club in groups. Jamie took it upon himself to show whoever was interested around the place. At first it was Keeley who then dragged Roy who in turn somehow dragged Will into experiencing ‘the grand tour’. Waiters and bartenders greet Jamie as they pass by, confusing his followers. They reconvene with Colin and Sam near the stage, but before they can start a conversation, the lights dim. Whistles and whoops are soon drowned out by drums and the strums of a bass. As the spotlights come up on the stage, there stood you dancing and prancing with another bandmember.

Your appearance garners the attention of Jamie’s team and the younger women in the club. Keeley yells a ‘Holy fuck’ before running towards the makeshift pit.

–

I met a guy in the summer, and I left him in the spring

He argued with me about everything

I wanna get him back

I wanna make him really jealous, wanna make him feel bad

–

God, love's fuckin' embarrassin'

Just watch as I crucify myself

For some weird second string

Loser who's not worth mentioning

My God, love's embarrassing as hell

–

I could change up my body and change up my face

I could try every lipstick in every shade

But I'd always feel the same

'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough anyway

–

Bowing dramatically, you and your bandmates almost trip over each other as you race through the curtains. Leaning against a wall, you catch your breath as they plan the rest of their night away. Before exiting back into the lounge area, they call after you. You wave them off, saying you needed a minute. As soon as they are out of sight, you sink onto the floor. Fanning your face, you try to beat the rapid onset of tears from falling down your face.

They love you, why do you need so much reassurance? You squeeze your eyes shut. Stop thinking you’re the only one being hurt here. Shaking off the repeating voices in your head, you stand. Practicing a fake smile, you open the door. Discreetly making your way back to the bar, Jamie finds you first.

“Why didn’t you tell me you made new music?”

“I was-”

Jamie cuts you off, saying you both needed a drink together to celebrate both of your successes. You’re left with Keeley, Roy, and Will.

“I didn’t know that was you babe! I fucking love your music!”

She squeezes your shoulders before following in Jamie’s direction. Roy nods at you, leaving a star-struck Will in front of you. He opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted with Jamie’s return. He hands you one of the drinks and says some speech about being proud or what not. But you’re not listening, because as soon as Jamie says the word, you knock it back. The burning sensation in your throat covering up the numb empty feeling of being alone. Maybe you were surrounded by your brother and other people who loved and celebrated you, but does it mean anything if you can’t feel it?

~

Waking up in Jamie’s flat was one thing, not remembering how you got there was another. That was new to you. At least you remembered Jamie’s part of the deal: taking you to see hot men kick a ball around. Noticing his glasses and squinty face, you laugh before offering to buy coffee before heading to the stadium. Walking into the locker room, the first thing you notice the dragging feet and slow movements of what Jamie said was “the best fuckin team in the league”.

“Jesus fuck, what did you guys do last night?”

“Us?! How are you even alive right now?” Isaac whisper-yelled.

“Get with the times, gramps.”

Deciding to give them their privacy, you stroll into the coaches office and spin around in the rolling chair. You push yourself out once you hear the coaches enter the room.

“Eh, Coach, we have a guest today.”

“And who might that be Jamie?”

“That thing over there.”

“Rude.” Taking a sip of your coffee, you slowly wheel yourself towards Jamie. His back is turned to you, listening to his coaches as much as his hungover mind would let him. Kicking the back of his knee seemed like a great idea at the time, seeing him fall any time is hilarious. Until the coffee you bought for him ended up on your clothes. The room fell silent, a few gasps were let out. Standing up, you wordlessly handed your belongings to the player closest to you who took it without hesitation. Uttering a “Run”, you take off after Jamie. His panicked explanations echo down the hallway as he leads you out to the pitch. Running out of breath, you drop onto the grass. Cursing Jamie, you starfish onto the grass. A set of footsteps coming closer causes you to open your eyes.

“Are you alright?”

Will looks down at you with concern, but you wave him off. You hear the chatter of the whole team coming out onto the pitch. Will holds a hand for you and pulls you up. Jamie, now halfway down the pitch, watches you while walking in your direction.

“Will, why don’t we find this lovely lady some clean clothes.” Will gestures for you to follow him and before you do, you flip Jamie off. With both fingers like a mature adult would. The silence that surrounded you and Will was suffocating. You vaguely remember meeting him last night, but that only played a tiny part of the big night you had. The both of you start to speak at the same time, awkwardly laughing.

“Sorry.” “Sorry.”

“So, you run fast. Do you play too?

“Pff, not anymore.”

“Why not?”

You still at the question before shrugging it off. Deciding not to push it, Will holds the door to the boot room open for you. Freshly washed towels and clothes are stacked in piles, the scent of lavender almost covering the smell of feet. Will smiles at the way your nose wrinkles at the smell. He hands you a pair of sweats and a practice jersey.

“I could wash those for you…if you’d like?” He gestures towards your coffee stained clothes.

“Would you? You’re the best thanks Will.”

Leaving to change in a more private setting, you leave Will standing proud of himself. You, on the other hand, feel a strange happy, giddy feeling. And as much as it makes you feel like you’re floating on air, you try to push it back down. It’s not worth getting into again.

~

Jamie’s end of the deal was letting you come and watch hot guys play soccer. So why was sitting on the grass and talking to Will so much better? You had helped him finish setting up the water table and listened to him talk about how he accidentally hears everything in the boot room. The speed he speaks at makes you laugh as he lets it all out. In his words, “I’m sworn to secrecy, and it physically hurts not to tell.” And then he tells you about his breakup and how he somehow mentioned getting drinks to Roy and Jamie after he witnessed their Keeley conversation. You feel for him, because he really seems like a sweet guy.

“Who would say no to fishbowls? That’s just a crime. God I wish my club had fishbowls. Pretty, but dangerous.”

Will turns to you ecstatically. You notice the absolute glee on his face.

“If you’re going to ask me what I think you’re going to ask me, then fuck yeah I’m in.”

“Really?!”

“Obviously. It’s fishbowls.”

Roy’s shout of whistle signals the end of training. The two of you stand, deciding to start your fishbowl adventure later tonight. Solidifying your plans: time, place, Will getting your num-

“Oi! What are you two on about?”

The whole team had unanimously decided to watch the two of you interact and were intrigued by your plans. Especially Jamie. You tried to steer him away from the topic of the conversation, but it was too late. Half the team wanted to tag along to whatever bars you and Will were going to, even after the bender they went on last night. You rolled your eyes at Jamie’s insistence of the whole team going.

Finally back into your own clothes, you waited outside of the locker room as the boys changed. Only, they weren’t changing. Colin figured out that you were a solo artist as well and had pulled up a music video you had uploaded two weeks ago. Expecting an upbeat song like the ones your band had played the night before, they were surprised to hear piano notes. At the sound of your voice, Jamie looked towards where everyone gathered around Colin’s phone. The one thing they collectively noticed was how sad and angry you sounded.

—

Argument you held over my head

Brought up the girls you could have instead

Said I was too young, I was too soft

Can't take a joke, can't get you off

Oh, why do I do this?

—

The video ended with you looking up from the piano with a tear running down your face. There were a few sniffles before Dani spoke up.

“I hope to never experience a heartbreak like that in my life.”

A chorus of ‘Amens’ followed. The boys headed back to their own lockers. Jamie abandons his clothes in favor of his phone. Searching up your name and the name of the song, a multitude of news articles detailing your most recent breakup popped up.

Hartt & Danes Split After Cheating Rumors

Age-gap, Lies & Fights: Inside Look at Hartt-Danes Relationship

Lead singer of Heartbreakers Band New Solo Act Tops Charts

Pictures of you popped up holding hands with some older guy, but what caught Jamie’s attention were pictures of you crying, seemingly arguing with the guy. Jamie was confused. How hadn’t he heard about this before? Why did you change your name? The thought of asking you kind of scared him. If you hadn’t told him, it was either because it wasn’t important or you were trying to hide something. And every time you didn’t tell him something, you were hiding it. Quickly changing, he pops out of the locker room to see you leaning against the wall. Glancing up at the noise, you see Jamie with a weird pained look on his face.

“Fucking finally. I have places to be dickhead.”

You started to walk away but Jamie’s question makes you freeze.

“Who’s Jack Danes?”

Closing your eyes, you let a shaky breath out. You turn to face your brother.

“No one important, now can we go. I, we have to meet Will at 6:30.”

“Don’t do that. Don’t deflect the question.”

“Just some guy Jamie, it doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter?! Then how come I had to find out through the internet? Interviews from this guy I don’t even know”

Meeting his eyes, a newfound rage fills you. “And you believed him?!”

Your shouting has the door to the locker room opening, heads peeking out. When the shouting turns to blame and name-calling, Ted is quick to diffuse the situation. Separating the two of you, Beard drags Jamie to the coach’s office while Roy leads you toward an empty hallway. However, you don’t stop there. You stomp out of the tunnel leading out the pitch and throw your stuff onto the ground. Roy’s calls fall on deaf ears.

Seeing an abandoned basket of soccer balls, you drag it towards a goal. You knock it over and start kicking them one by one at the net. Roy sighs, before following you. As the last ball sails into the net, you let out a strangled yell before dropping yourself onto the grass. You blankly stare at the other side of the field, Roy coming to a stop next to you.

“You’re still here.” It came out more like a statement rather than a question. And for some, that worried him.

“Can’t exactly have you destroying our field can we? Nearly took out the fucking goal hitting the crossbar.”

You snort at the exaggeration. Roy, although begrudgingly, sat down next to you.

“He’s just worried about you.”

“Well he doesn’t need-”

“It’s the only way that prick knows how!” Pause. “Sorry. Look, it’s not easy finding out your sister was with some random guy and it wasn’t as perfect as it was made out to be. It’s absolute shit.”

You turn your head to Roy, seeing his downcast expression. You both sit in silence. The sunny sky a complete opposite of the vibe invading the clubhouse. With a sigh, you promise to talk to Jamie. Roy nods at you before carefully getting up, extending a hand to help you.

~

You lied. You Ubered back to your flat to get dressed. Will had agreed to meet you a bit earlier to pregame meeting the team. Your goal was to have a fishbowl in every color. And to get absolutely fucked up. You and Will had finished a red colored fishbowl and were heading over to the next pub. The two of you laughed as you approached the building. Noticing your brother among the group of people outside, your mood dropped, but Will’s excitement about an orange fishbowl had you smiling again.

Upon hearing your laugh, Jamie looks up and finds you. He smiles at how happy you look and moves to go to you. You see his efforts and pull Will into the pub, exclaiming how the fishbowls wait for no one. That was one of many attempts to get your attention. You dodged him every single time, and the more you drank the more annoying you found it. After finishing fishbowl yellow, you were stumbling around giggling. How on earth you and Will consumed three fishbowls, nobody knew. It was just funny to see the two of you dance around singing to whatever was being played over the speakers.

Deciding to take a break, Will left you at the booth with Jan Maas to get a couple of waters. The Dutch player had a different idea as he challenged you to a drinking game, each shot stronger than the last. And boy did you need a win after today. The game was cut short as you lost after the second shot, the sour look on your face the cause of it. From across the room, Jamie saw his chance. Sliding out the booth you’re met face to face with the last person you want to speak with.

“I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“Please-“

“No Jaime.”

You don’t know if it was the burning feeling of vomit or the raw crying feeling in your throat, but it had you staggering out the door. The feeling dissipated as the fresh air filled your lungs. Hearing Jamie behind you, you try to guide yourself down the street. He comes up from behind grabbing your arm.

“Can you stop running? I’m trying to have a civilized conversation with you.”

“And I’m being civilized by not yelling in the middle of the street.”

“Please (Y/N), I’m just trying to understand.”

“Well you don’t understand Jamie! I was cheated on, I was yelled at, and it’s all over the internet! Every time someone searches up my name it’s never my band or my music, it’s my fucking ex talking on and on and on. How could you understand that?”

Jamie swallows the nasty feeling and blinks his tears away. He succeeded in getting the truth but there was no victory in it.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you’re Richmond’s prized possession, I couldn’t distract you. Besides, I'm dealing with it by myself so don’t worry about it.”

“You’re supposed to distract me! That’s your job! You’re supposed to bother me until I help you! I’m here to stop you from doing stupid things. I’m not…I’m not dad, okay? I’m here. We’re striker and winger remember?”

That was your breaking point. For almost your entire life, all you wanted was for your dad to be proud of you, to say he loved you. All you got were pinches on the arm or whispered scoldings. If there was ever any praise from him, it was only when you won games in your youth soccer league.

“You prick, I have $40 foundation on. Don’t make me cry.”

The air feels a little lighter. Of course, you didn’t tell Jamie the nitty gritty details , but he didn’t push for more. The both of you could live with that for now.

~

Despite only being invited to the clubhouse as a bribe, you found yourself coming back time and time again. Most of the time it was Jamie asking you to come to “watch his skills”. You knew it was so he could watch over you, but you didnt say anything. Because everytime you came in was time you could spend with Will. Like now, Will was supposed to be cleaning boots, but the two of you sat on the bench gossiping about the latest bullshit his ex pulled.

“And then she tagged me, then said it was some sort of accident.”

“Ha! Fat chance.”

“I don't know what to do. Everyone thinks I’m some sort of loser.”

You were not going to stand for this. With your past relationship and Will’s adorable sad face, you were determined to get this girl back.

“Give me your phone.”

Without question he all but handed it to you. Pulling out yours you quickly sent him the pictures from the now deemed Fishbowl Night. Creating a little collage to post to Will’s Insta, you took your time in highlighting the ones that showed how absolutely wrecked and happy you were. With the final touches done, you handed his phone back for approval. He glanced at the picture before looking at you. Post successfully uploaded. Not even a minute passed by before a few of her friends accounts, as Will pointed out earlier, were liking and commenting sweet but backhanded compliments. As more popped up as you refreshed, Will and you took great joy in reading them. Then the motherload. She commented. Hope she doesn’t break your hartt xx.

You gasped, covering your mouth before laughing. The two of you leaned on each other for support as your laughs turned into wheezes. Letting out a final exhale, you catch each other’s eyes.

And for some reason, time froze. And then somehow you were leaning closer. And then, his hand was on your cheek. And oh my god his lips were on yours. The moment could last forever, until it was interrupted by the wild pack of animals that was AFC Richmond. You threw yourself from him, the both of you sending yourselves to opposite ends of the room, occupying yourself with meaningless tasks. Some of the boys pop in to get a clean pair of boots, thanking Will for his hard work and saying hi to you. Jamie, however, notices a weird shift in energy. His gaze bounces between you and Will as he follows his lads out. You scratch your head and avoid his pointed stare. The door closes once more and Will almost jumps to you, apologizing. You stop him, placing your arms around his neck, effectively shutting him up with a kiss.

That was only the start of it. Everyday you weren't working on new music or performing with your band, you were in the boot room with Will. Those secret moments you and him shared were something you grew to crave. Not just the heated kisses you shared, but the moments you two layed on the floor talking about god knows what. Keeping whatever this was to yourself made it feel more real. You didn’t have to face those annoying questions the paps threw in your face, no pictures in the tabloids, and you didn’t have to label it. It was yours.

Sitting atop the washing machine, you were mumbling to yourself, putting words together for a song. Will, who was folding clean towels, smiled at your reactions to the discoveries you made in your head. He stopped the chore and walked over to you. His hands on your hips tore you out of your state of thinking. He thumbed the hem of your tank top, his fingertips on your skin sending shivers up your spine. The feeling lit a fire inside you. Pulling him in, you smashed your lips against his. Will slowly slid his hands up underneath your shirt. Leaning in closer to his touch, he trailed kisses down towards your neck. Caught up in the moment, you failed to hear the door opening.

“Oh my god!”

Keeley dropped the folder she was holding and quickly covered her eyes. Repeatedly apologizing, she kneeled and blindly searched for the folder. Upon grabbing it, she walked backward out the door and shut it. With one last sorry, her heels clicked down the hallway. Fuck. Jumping down, you paced back and forth whispering expletives. This was not good. Not at all. Keeley could tell anyone, and then it would get to your brother. And that was not a situation you wanted to be in.

“I need to go.”

Grabbing your bag, you zoomed out the door leaving Will behind with a concerned yet hurt look on his face.

Your heart was pounding, how could you be so stupid? Feeling a panic attack coming along, you breathed in through your nose and out your mouth. Your eyes started to burn with hot tears. Trying to get rid of the anxious feeling, you occupy yourself by cracking your fingers.

“What’s shakin bacon?”

Letting out a shriek, you find Ted standing across from you. He apologizes but notices your shaky hands.

“You alright?”

“Hm? Oh, I’m fine. Nothing to worry about. Just peachy”

“Do you need me to call Jaime?”

“No! No, I’m okay.”

“Call me for what?”

Speak of the devil and he appears in a hoodie and a headband. Ted excuses himself, leaving the two of you in the gall. Jamie notices the state you’re in and immediately goes full big-brother mode.

“Who do I have to kill?”

“No one Jamie, jeez! Get a grip.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing! Can we go home now?”

He was about to question you further when he saw the distressed look on your face pleading with him. Nodding his head, he handed you his keys.

~

It was quieter now. Everybody noticed. There weren't mymore muffled giggles coming from the boot room, no you yelling at Jamie on the pitch, and certainly no you joining them at clubs. If they team thought that was weird, a depressed Will moping around the locker room did it. He didn’t participate in the gossip anymore, only sadly handing out towels and water bottles. And thus began the team’s detective era.

Huddling on the field, they watched Will woefully juggle, not even bothering to pick the bottles up. Eventually giving up, he sat on the grass with his head in his hands.

“This is just sad.”

Agreeing with Colin’s statement, the boys started to discuss what they could do to lift the boy’s spirits. Although, there were many disagreements as to what was the best thing to do.

“Have any of you idiots thought about what started this shit?”

Multiple “oh’s” and “no’s” rang out over Roy’s “Unfucking believable”. None of them had a reasonable answer, except Jamie.

“I’ve got an idea.”

And it was arguably understandable why everyone thought it wasn't the greatest idea. It was, essentially, a get together in Jamie’s backyard. But Jamie’s own detective brain was at work. You hadn’t left his flat in a week, surviving off takeout and sunshine through the windows. He had noticed both you and Will had gotten in your depressive moods after that one day. Every time he tried to convince to come to the clubhouse saying Will was there, you immediately said no and left the room. Even looking back to the time he walked into the boot room, something was happening between the two of you. If he couldn’t get you out of the house, maybe he can bring Will to you.

Jaime had told you about his kick-back and he insisted you make an appearance. You, however, elected to stay in the guest room in comfy pajamas with your keyboard. Sitting on the bed, you pressed keyboard keys singing softly.

My undying love, now, I hold it like a grudge

And I hear your voice every time that I think I'm not enough

The sound of a door slamming makes you flinch. Shaking it off, you trace the freshly written lyrics in your notebook before playing again.

Yeah, I'm so tough when I'm alone, and I make you feel so guilty

And I fantasize about a time you're a little fuckin' sorry

Footsteps in the hall walk closer to the room.

And I try to be tough, but I wanna scream

How could anybody do the things you did so easily?

The door opening stopped you completely. Will stands awkwardly at the door.

“S-sorry, I was looking for the bathroom.”

“It’s down the hall.”

Neither of you moved, you just stared at each other.

“Did you need me to show you?” Moving the keyboard to the floor, you stand.

“I’m sorry.”

Will stepped away from the door frame, moving closer to you. He started to apologize, his voice growing in volume. You scrambled to get up, but once you did, you shut the door and leaned against it.

“Shh! What exactly are you sorry for?”

“For making you go away.”

Oh. You did do that.

“Will, it’s not your fault.”

“It’s not?”

God damn his puppy dog eyes. Placing your hands on his shoulders, you take a breath.

“Will, I’m not, I’m not good for you okay?”

“Don’t say that.”

“Will-“

“No! Everything the tabloids say about you is complete bullshit. Anyone can see that. I see it. If anyone took the time to get to know you, they would see someone smart and funny. Someone who is kind and would do anything for the people she cares about.”

“I’m not the best person to love Will! I spend too much time at the club, I write sad songs about guys I used to date, I just spent a whole week inside my brother's flat because I was afraid to go outside and see if there were any tabloids about us in the boot room! How is that any good?”

“I wouldn’t have held it against you, you know. I’ve listened to the songs, I’ve listened to explanations of these songs! I wanted to know you for you, the good and the “bad”. Even when it meant listening to that dickhead talk nonsense about you.”

Slipping your hands into the front pockets of your shorts, you lean back against the door. There was no other excuse you could give. You weren’t going to admit you were scared to start something new, with someone so kind and sweet and cute and STOP.

“Will-“

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Is this not you letting me down?”

“This is me asking you not to break my heart.”

You smiled sheepishly at him as a grin of his own made its way into his face.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Please.”

At your okay, Will closed the gap between you, pushing you against the door frame. You missed this. You missed the way his hands touched you. You missed how soft his hair was as you threaded your fingers through it. The way his lips felt on yours. Will boldly grabs the bottom of your shirt, gently asking you to take it off. The moment the shirt is thrown onto the floor, you’re pushed against the door once more, the wood shaking. Will’s hands slid further down, grabbing at your thighs signaling you to jump. Landing on the bed with a soft thump, Will takes his shirt off. Returning to the heated kiss, it wasn’t long before his hands were at your shorts. With the button undone, his fingers dipped below the band of your panties.

“(Y/N)!”

The two of you scrambled to put your shirts back on, you struggling more with the button on your shorts. The door opened as you lost your balance. Jamie witnessed you hit the ground while simultaneously noticing Will.

“The fuck are you two doing?”

“What are you doing?”

“I asked you first.”

“I asked you second.”

Jamie glances between you and Will, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Leaving the two of you in the room, he called out that the pizza was here. Letting out a breath, you stand up. Will smiles at you before his eyes widen. Confused, you follow his eye-line down and notice the shirt you’re wearing. It was Will’s. The one he walked into the flat with. The one everyone saw him in. The one Jamie just saw you wearing instead of your own, because that one was on Will. Curse oversized shirts.

“Do you think he noticed?”

“Knowing him, probably not.”

~

And if he did notice, he hadn’t said anything. Well, more like he hadn’t had the time to question you with his extra practice for the upcoming game. Jamie had invited you to watch the game but hadn’t seen you since he got to the stadium. Expecting to see you in the owner’s box, he squinted, trying his best to spot you. To no avail, he couldn't see shit but was surprised to hear a familiar laugh. Turning in the direction of the sound, he saw you in a Richmond jacket laughing it up with Will. Catching Jamie’s eyes, you wave and cross your fingers, your good luck symbol. He returns the gesture before catching up with his teammates.

Jamie was in shock, his kick to get the ball away from a defender somehow ended up getting the ball into the goal. The 0-0 game was now in favor of Richmond. His teammates surrounded him as he stood there, gob-smacked. Back in the locker room, chants rang out. You and Will watched them jump around like children. Jamie was stepping towards you, not yet noticing Will’s arm slung around your shoulder. Will was about to let his arm drop when you reassured him with your arm around his waist. When Jamie approached you, a spark of mischief sparkled in his eyes.

“What’s going on here?”

“Jamie, Will and I-”

“Are together? Please say you are.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I bet my plan would work. And seeing you guys in each other’s shirt, gross by the way, in me own home, isn’t enough proof.”

Your cheeks burned red as well as Will’s.

“You noticed that?”

“I’m not that stupid.”

You, along with a few of the boys let out sounds of disagreement. Jamie started arguing about his smarts but was soon overtaken with the chants of “Kiss, kiss”. Shrinking into Will’s side, you feel him turn to you. He smiles shyly at you. The little chant fades away, all you can see is each other. As soon as your lips touch, the boys yell out in joy. Jamie rolled his eyes in annoyance, but anyone could see that he didn’t mean it. Leaning your head onto Will’s shoulder, you take it all in.

You could feel it, this was the one.

~

‘The Grudge’ turns fans on Danes

Hartt is Tartt?! Hidden Dynamic Duo

(Y/N) Tartt: Who I Am

You never could have imagined this is how your life would come up to. Being on the front page cover of a magazine with Jamie, playing small games of football, exclaiming your love for someone in public and it actually being reciprocated. It didn’t seem real.

Will kissed the side of your head as he sat next to you in the booth, sliding a drink over to you. Thanking him, you go back to watching your brother and his teammates try and fail to beat the karaoke high score.

But it was real. And you had it.

—————————

@ok-anon was excited, so hopefully this makes its way to you

[beybaldes]

Beybaldes Summer Sleepover #1 !!

trying to get some inspiration flowing so pls pls pls feel free to send in prompts from any of these prompt lists

blogofamultitude of fandoms kiss list !

scealaiscoite touch starved prompts !

scealaiscoite friends to lovers prompts !

Ihateprompts kiss list !

ihateprompts fake dating prompts !

nightangsts short angst sentence starters !

chenuaswriting makes me giggle prompts !

for jamie, roy, ted or will (this is so self indulgent but if no one sends in a kitman Will one I will take creative liberty and pick one myself I love my cringe fail king!!!) and I will write a little oneshot/drabble based on it!!!

[patriwoso]

always dancing when you’re around

ana-maria crnogorčević x reader

“You’ve had too much to drink.” Ana giggled as you cling onto her arms, stumbling around with a cheeky grin on your face.

“We just won the best trophy, EVER!” You exaggerate, grabbing Patri’s hand. “MVP MVP MVP.” You began to chant, the rest of the team joining in.

You hiccuped and held onto Ana’s waist to keep you stood up right. She was the sober one, not a fan of drinking, but you had taken this opportunity to drink and oh did you drink…

“Baby, I feel all fizzy.” You held onto her, sliding your arms around her waist to keep you on your feet.

“Fizzy?” She chuckled. “Y/N/N, do you mean dizzy?”

You hummed and giggled, looking up at her. “Kiss me” You bit your lip, you hands rubbing at her sides.

“That I can do.” Your girlfriend smirks, leaning down to break the height barrier and kissing you softly until you pull away for a breath of air.

“You taste like cola” You tell her, dropping your head on her chest.

Later that night you were laying in bed with Ana, you were dead to the world as you were slotted between the taller girls strong thighs, your head on her chest.

She scrolled through her Instagram feed, clicking on Claudia’s story to see a video of Patri and Cata doing shots, what Claudia didn’t realise is that she had also captured yours and Ana’s heated moment in the back of the video which had now been posted for the world to see.

And that’s where the talking started. You and Ana had almost been dating a year when the first idea of you as a couple had popped into the public eye, and the fans went crazy for it.

-

When the full time whistle blows, you shake hands with the Switzerland team. Your eyes however only looking for one person. Your person.

"Y/N!" You turn around and see Ana calling you over, stood with Mariona and Lia.

"Hey" You smile softly, just wanting to wrap your arms around the taller girl and tell her how sorry you are.

Spain beat Switzerland 5-1 to advance to the quater finals. You were happy for your team but the feeling was bittersweet as you knocked your girlfriend out of the tournament.

"I'm sorry." You smile sadly with a few tears pricking in your eyes, you didn't like to see Ana sad and knowing you scored 2 against her makes it worse.

"Don't be sorry my love." She puts an arm around you and you hug her gently, being careful with your actions as your relationship is well and truly kept out of the public eye.

You tug on the bottom of her jersey as you pull away from each other. "Can we swap?"

"Of course!" She smiles through her tears, pulling her shirt off and swapping with you.

You keep control of yourself to not look at her with the eyes that are kept away from the rest of the world. Mariona nudged you and giggled when she saw you trying hard to look away from Ana's body.

"I wish we didn't have to do that." You frown, looking at her sad eyes. "I just want to hug you so bad right now." You breathe out.

"Me too, but not here, love." Ana looks at you with her loving eyes, the ones filled with adoration saved especially for you. "I'll find you inside." she promises.

You nod as you continue to chat for a while, until Alexia comes over and tells you that the national team staff have asked for everyone to come into the changing room to get ready to head back to the hotel as you had a flight to catch.

-

Once you'd changed back into your travel wear you put Ana's jersey into your own bag to keep it with you so it wasn't to get lost with the luggage for the kitman.

You waited outside the Swiss changing room with Mariona, turning your head everytime the door opened.

Finally Ana emerged alongside a few of her teammates that you didn't know too well. She told them that they should go off ahead and that she would catch them up, wanted a few minutes with her 'club teammates'.

Mariona turned her back to keep watch for Vilda or any of the other spanish staff that would put an end to the meeting.

"I love you so much." You whispered as Ana held you close, rubbing her hands up your sides as she kissed you softly. "Keep messaging me everyday, even when you go back to Switzerland?" You ask, holding her hands in yours and fiddling with her ring, the ring you have the matching bracelet too.

"I'll message you everyday sweetheart." She kissed your forehead. "Go show the world what a true star you are yeh? I've seen the running for Golden boot. Your in the lead." She smirks. "I want the trophy on the shelf above the bed. Next to the photo of us on the beach."

"I'll try my hardest." You nod, going on tiptoes again to kiss her, melting into each others touch but being broken apart when Mariona coughs, the signal to tell you to split because someone was close by.

Ana presses one more kiss onto your mouth. "I could kiss you forever." She whispers. "I'll see you soon."

-

On the bus to the airport you sit besides Mariona. You could say you were best friends but she was more like your sister.

"What's the address for the base camp hotel?" You lift your head up from her shoulder.

"Um, it's on my phone somewhere. Sent it to Laia the other day. Why?"

"Ana just asked. Said she wants to send something." You shrug your shoulders a little to say you didn't know much more than that. "Can you send her it from yours?"

She nods.

"Thank you."

You rest your head back onto her shoulder and scroll through social media.

Someone had been keen to spying out the events between you and Ana after the game as photos and videos had made it to Twitter already.

Under a photo of you swapping shirts there were loads of comments saying 'Aww' and 'Barca friends!' but a few fans weren't silly and they knew what they were looking at.

One comment said: 'Reason 1482 to why I think they're dating! Watch Mariona giggling at Y/N when Ana takes off her shirt!🤣'

You smirked to yourself and slipped your phone away, trying to get a bit of sleep before the plane ride.

-

Why Ana wanted the team hotel address all came clear a few days later when a parcel turned up for you.

"Y/N, a package!" Vilda calls you over after a training session, handing you the brown box.

"Thank you."

You take the box up to your room and put it on the bed. "What did you order?" Mariona asks, laying on her bed in your shared room.

"Nothing" You tell her, using a pen to stabbed at the tape to open it up. "I think it's from Ana."

You open the box to see one of her hoodies, one she took back from you after you'd 'borrowed' it from her in the first place. You smile as you lift it up and put it onto the bed, seeing her Barca shorts from a few seasons back with '18' on the leg of them. She knew you loved to wear her old Barca stuff around the apartment and for bed sometimes.

You find a beaded bracelet with the letter of your name on, another with an A too. A small note telling you that she has the matching ones.

"You two make me sick, your so soppy." Mariona teases, flopping back the bed.

Rummaging through your bag you pull out your phone and try to call her. It goes to answer phone a few times then you realise she must still be travelling home to Switzerland.

Instead, you decide to leave her a message.

You

I love you Ana. Call me when you land, I miss your voice. ❤️

-

Spain get knocked out by the Netherlands and your on your flight home when you see the message you’ve been waiting for pop up on your phone.

Ana 👅👅

Flying back to Barca tomorrow morning babygirl, I’ll crash at yours and pick you up from airport xx

You giggle at the name of her contact, remembering when she had changed the name one evening on the bus home from an away game. You hadn’t changed it back.

-

The day after you arrive back in Spain, Ana packs your bags and takes you out for the day. All secrets. That’s what she told you.

She drives down the main road and you wonder where you are going to, she only told you it was a trip. The beach? A night further down the coast line of Spain?

“The airport.” You look at her, half excited and half very confused.

“I’m taking you away for a trip to my home. For our anniversary.” She smiles, looking very incredibly pleased with herself.

“Switzerland?!” You gasp a little, having wanted to visit Ana’s home country for so long.

-

The plane ride dragged a little, having only been home for less than 24 hours.

You got through customs and collected your bags, deciding to get a coffee to help keep you awake.

“Here” You pass Ana her coffee, taking a sip of yours before screwing your face up. “Oh my god, that’s fucking rank.” You whisper, keeping your voice down with the language you chose to use.

Ana chuckled, taking your coffee and switching it with hers. “Have this one.”

“Thank you, bebita” You used the spanish pet name she loved so much.

You stared into her eyes a little too long and you were snapped out of it when two teen girls came rushing over.

“Hi! We are big Barcelona fans, could we get a picture?” The tallest girl asks.

“Your my favourite player!” The smaller girl tells you.

You take selfies with them and sign their phone case before they rush off back to wherever they appeared from.

-

Within minutes your phone was blowing up with mentions and tags on your social medias. Photos of you and Ana sharing coffee and looking at each other with loving eyes had been stuck on the internet. Typical.

Comments:

- OMG THEY’RE SO CUTE

- They are defo dating!!!!!

- Y/N is wearing Ana’s jacket!! Look 3 posts ago on her feed - it’s the same one!

- WHERE IS THIS? 😱😱

“Hmmm, they know.” Ana mumbles into your hair, her chin resting on the top of your head.

“We did well keeping it quiet for so long”

-

You trip in Switzerland was almost over, one day left before you had to fly back to Barcelona.

“I want to post something.” Ana breaks you out of your thought as you search through the suitcase to find your pyjamas.

“Post what?” You look at her, finding the shorts you were after and getting changed.

“Us.. for today, our anniversary. One year is a big deal Y/N”

You nod, looking at her. “If your okay with that then I’m cool with it too.” You smile.

Ana took her phone out and made an Instagram post with a caption:

One year with my favourite girl❤️‍🩹

In the post she attached a few photos and videos along with it.

1. A photo of you walking up ahead, climbing a mountain in Switzerland.

2. A video of you both dancing in the changing room after the champions league final. Ana had put her arms around you and forced you to dance in the middle of the locker room.

3. A photo of you both with the UWCL trophy on the pitch after the match.

4. A photo of you asleep in bed, a blanket covering you and a sleep mask with false lashes she had stuck on the top to make it look funny.

5. A video of Ana giving you a piggy back on the beach. Keira had taken this video on a double date with her and Lucy.

6. A photo of you in each others jerseys after the world cup match, Mariona and Lia stood at your sides too after they had switched as well.

7. A photo of you asleep on Ana as she tried to read a book, your head nestled into her neck.

8. A photo of you and Ana on the beach. You had your hands over your breasts, as you had stripped from you bikini top, and sunglasses on your head. Ana sat behind you and peering over your shoulder making a silly face.

9. A video of you dancing in the rain outside the stadium in Germany at your game against Bayern.

10. A picture of you both kissing in the club after the UWCL win.

You smiled as the tag came up on your Instagram feed, reposting the post onto your story with the video of you dancing in the rain.

Giggling as you wrote a cheesy caption with

‘Always dancing your around 😘’

[stonesandswords]

y’all this post was from June of last year and since then we’ve found out that William Kitman is broken up with and already tried to start a Single Boys Club with Roy and Jamie.

she gave us lavender fabric softener but i gave her boyfriend a cute footballer to have fun with

[hopefulromances]

Long Time Coming I Chapter Eleven I Jealousy, Jealousy

Summary: Being hired as the first female assistant coach in the league was a challenge of it itself. Being a football protigy and University Football Legend was easy enough. Coaching Jamie Tartt was a challenge all on its own.

Word Count: 4.1k

Warning: Jealousy, Zava smh, some angst

A/N: Meaty chapter. Some filler stuff tho. But It'll pick up soon!

Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten

We set this whole thing up for Zava’s arrival. With press and the whole team there but he never showed. We are all sat waiting in the sun for him for well over an hour. Ted sent us all back to the locker while he went to discuss with Rebecca. I sat in my chair that I’d brought out from the office, spinning absentmindedly as the boys chatted.

            “Hey, did Zava come through here?” Ted walked into the room, causing me to stop my spinning.

            “What? No,” I answered, rising out of my chair. “Did you see him?”

            “Yeah, he was upstairs just a second ago.”

Great, so now we had a random superstar football player wandering around the building. I slumped back into my chair as the boys began to figure out how they would find him. I turned to look at Jamie who looked just as disgruntled as me. I shrugged at him, trying to find some levity in the situation but Jamie just crossed his arms and shook his head.

Then my eyes wandered to the doorway where, lo and behold, Zava appeared. A hush fell over the room as he sauntered in, all eyes watching to see what the man would do next. He took a deep inhale, then exhaled just as deeply.

            “I will begin by address the most important person in this room,” Zava announced. The boys hung on his every word, hoping that somehow, they would be the most important person in the room. “Which of you is the kitman?”

I saw Will’s eyes practically bug out of his head as he jumped up from the back of the group.

            “That’s me! Uh… I’m Will,” He stutted out. “Uh, I am…”

            “Will,” Zava addressed. “I too worked as a ball boy for a club when I was just 11 years old.”

            “I’m 25”

            “Your passion… is why I play,” Zava breathed out. I rolled my eyes and shot Jamie a glance. He was giving me the same incredulous smile that I had. I was glad at least one other person in the room was finding the humor in this situation. I let out a scoff at Jamie’s face.

Unfortunately, my scoff seemed to gain the attention of Zava as he turned to face me.

            “Any you,” He knelt down in front of me, taking my hand in his. “You are a warrior. I pledge my allegiance to you, my queen.”

            “Oh… uh…. Thanks?” I wasn’t quite sure how to respond when a grown man pledges his allegiance to you.

            “Your bravery and determination know no bounds.” He brought my hands up and place a kiss on each palm. “Lead me down your path.”

I gave him a tightlipped smile as he nodded at me. He finally let go of my hands and walked back to address the team. I sat there, still in shock at the interaction. I looked over at Jamie again, expecting to laugh things off with him but he wasn’t laughing, in fact all the humor in his face had left.

The coaches left the locker room to go discuss our strategy with Zava. As we did, I looked over at Jamie one last time who was untying and retying his shoes, refusing to even look my way. I groaned internally, now I’d have that to deal with when I got home.

Training was fine for the rest of the day. The boys were buzzing thinking about Zava. I stood next to Roy as we watched them run their drills.

            “I just don’t get it,” I said to Roy, arms crossed in front of me. “I mean he’s a good player yeah, but we have plenty of great players on the team. O’BREIN IF I SEE YOU CUT A CORNER AGAIN, I’LL CHASE YOU AROUND THE PITCH MYSELF.”

Roy nodded at me. “The boys need something to hold onto, if they want to hold onto Zava, that’s fine by me.”

I watched as Jamie pushed himself to be in the front of the pack. “I think it’s incredibly short sighted to depend on one player. Just thinking about when Jamie was their Zava.” Roy grunted, remembering all too well when Jamie was the hero of the lads. “I guess I just don’t get it.”

“I think it’s a guy thing… like Ryan Reynolds,” he surmised. I shook my head, a disgusted look on my face.

“Well, that’s one thing I can be glad not to get behind.”

…

After training, I was sitting in at my desk, drawing up a different strategy. Or at least trying to. I sucked at this part, trying to figure out how the players should move. I was good at interpreting strategy and executing it, but coming up with one on my own, forget about it. I was just about to give up and get ready to head out when Jamie walked into the room.

“Hey, Jamie,” Ted greeted with a smile. “How you doing?”

            “Um. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Straight and to the point. He didn’t even look at me when he walked in the room. I frowned glancing over at Beard who shrugged.

            “Yeah! You can talk to me as long as you want, though I do have a tendency to doze off around 1:00am.” He laughed at himself. How many dad jokes could Ted make in one day? The world may never know. “What’s up.”

            “Uh, so look… uh,” Jamie turned and closed the door and finally he looked at me. I tried to give him a smile, but he didn’t seem very receptive to it. “I know we’re all excited Zava’s here. Yeah, I get that. But I know a lot of players like him, and they’re all just self-absorbed glory hunters who care about themselves.”

Ted and Beard gave each other a look. I knew what they were thinking. Jamie was that exact self-absorbed glory hunter just a few seasons ago. But Jamie was different. He really was. And the fact that Zava was that version of himself was truly mature of him. I knew it took a lot for him to come talk to us and I wanted to support him.

            “Uh. Jamie, don’t you think that… coming from you… that’s a little bit ironic,” Beard scoffed, giving Jamie a condescending look. I frowned at him. It wasn’t even ironic.

            “Look!” Jamie stammered trying to figure out how to word his thoughts correctly. “The point is. We don’t need this guy. I… I think we’ve got a good thing going here, and he’s already fucking it all up.” He pointed to the white board that Zava had messed with. The one where everyone else was behind him.

I hurt me to see Jamie to insecure. But it was different from the insecurity I’d seen when he was worried about Dani. Not only was he being way more eloquent with his words, but he was showing his insecurity to the coaches. Something he never would’ve done before.

“Hey, Jamie, I hear what you’re saying man,” Ted reassured him. “But I think we’ve got to give it a game or two and see what’s what.”

Jamie glanced at me again. Only the second time since he’d walked into the room. I nodded, agreeing with Ted. As much as I didn’t get the obsession around Zava, he was a good player and we had to give it a chance before dismissing him completely. Especially after everything Rebecca did to secure him to the team.

            “Yeah, yeah…” Jamie nodded, wringing his hands. “Yeah, no, course, yeah. Well, um. Thanks for hearing me out.”

            “Alright!” Ted responded, hitting his desk. “Thanks for speaking your mind. Please continue to do so.”

Jamie nodded and turned to leave. “Oh, and uh, I weren’t being ironic… I was being hypocritical.” He said to Beard. “That’s it.”

And he left. I raised my eyebrows and smiled widely, looking at Beard in excitement. Beard was furious. His mind reeling with the idea that Jamie had corrected him.

            “Is that right?” Ted asked.

            “Mmm.”

            “Yes or no!” I pressed, doing a drumroll on my desk.

            “Yes…” Beard squeaked out.

I laughed, pumping my fist in the air. “Jamie 1, Beard 0”

            “So that was actually ironic,” Ted pointed out.

            “More like Beard 5 Jamie 1, okay?” Beard pouted and stormed out of the room. Ted and I sat chuckling to ourselves as he left. I turned back to my paper, looking at what I had drawn.

I scrapped it, balling it up into a ball before throwing it into the trash, nearly hitting Ted as I did. I let out a loud groan and slammed my head into the desk.

Ted rolled over to sit next to me. “What chu working on there.”

“Do you ever think it’s crazy?” I asked him, rolling my head over to look at him. “Being here? Being a football coach?”

Ted laughed ironically. “You know that question does cross my mind from time to time, yes.”

I smiled, but the pit in my stomach wouldn’t let me celebrate quite yet. “But then I remember why we’re here. Do you remember that?”

I looked over at him. “To win the whole fucking thing.”

            “To win the whole fucking thing,” Ted nodded, hitting my arm. “Now why don’t you go on home? You’ve worked enough for today.”

            “Whatever you say, Ted.” I pushed back from my desk, grabbing my bag. “I’ll see you at the game, yeah?”

            “Sure will, miss ma’am,” He responded, standing from his seat. “Have a nice night.”

I walked out into the carpark, looking forward to getting home and taking a long shower… maybe with Jamie involved. But instead, he was leaning against my car waiting for me. I approached him, looking around to make sure there was no one else around.

            “Hey Jamie, what’s up.”

            “Oh, hey (Y/N), thought you’d forgotten about me,” Jamie grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I unlocked my care. “What are you talking about?”

            “Thought you’d be too busy talking to Zava,” he said pointedly, not even having the decency to look at you.

You stared at him face unmoving. Your blood was boiling. “Nuh, uh, no we aren’t doing this jealous bullshit.” Jamie shrugged noncommittally, but you could tell his exterior was breaking. “You don’t get to take your anger and insecurity out on me.”

            “I was just-“

            “You were just nothing, get off my car.”

He pushed himself off my car, hand coming around to rub the back of his neck. I pushed him aside and opened the door to the car.I knew Jamie was upset about Zava, I knew he was feeling insecure about his skill and his abilities I knew all those things. But he had no right to pin his emotions on me. If he had actually talked to me, he would’ve learned that I think Zava is an overrated prick with an ego to match but no. Instead, now I was getting in the car to drive home and shower, alone.

I didn’t say another word to Jamie was I slammed the door and drove off. In my rearview mirror, I saw him kicking a rock on the ground and knew he was probably kicking himself as well. My shower wasn’t as satisfying as it would have been if Jamie had been there, but I enjoyed it, nonetheless.

I let the hot water roll down over my body, washing away the stress and anxiety the day had brought. But when I stepped out, I found myself wishing Jamie was there to make some stupid cheeky comment about my body. I had to remind myself that I were mad at him long enough to not text him to come over.

Instead, I went back to my drawing board and tried to draw up another strategy. But try as I might, I couldn’t focus. I tapped my pencil against the page. Every tap sending a pitch to my mind of my football days, the stomps on the seats, the cheers of my chant, the swish of the goal. What were I missing?

I snapped out of my trance when I saw my phone was ringing. I picked up my phone and answered the called.

“Hello?”

It was only a few minutes later when Colin showed up at my doorstep with a bottle of sugary rose and two glasses.

            “Are you sure I wasn’t bothering you?” he checked as I walked him into my house.

I waved him off, sitting down on my couch. “Not at all, I was just relaxing after a shower, now pour me some wine and talk to me.”

Colin followed my instructions and poured me a hefty glass of wine. He sat on my couch, trying to make himself comfortable but I could tell there was something on his mind. He was vague on the phone, something about relationship problems and just wanted to chat, but that was it. He shifted so his body was facing mine.

            “Do you ever feel like… a part of you is… missing?” He asked sincerely. “Like… you can almost tell it’s there but it’s just out of reach.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “Is this about Zava? Cause I told Ted that taking you out of the lineup was a bad idea.”

            “No! Well… maybe.” He considered his words, tapping his fingers against his hands. “Maybe something more than Zava.”

I thought back to my dilemma with the strategy. I could see the field, the ball in in stride, the crowd cheering my name, but not the formation. What was I doing there? I thought through this as Colin waited for me to respond.

            “I think maybe Zava getting me benched has me thinking about… my place on the team and just who I am…” He told me, looking down. “Something Nate said to me last season.”

I rolled my eyes, grumbling to myself. “What did he say?” I scoffed, thinking about what Nate could possible have said, brining my wine glass to my lips.

            “He called me uninspiring.” I almost spit out my wine. “Like Jamie and Dani are Van Goph and I’m… motel art.”

            “He said WHAT?” I shouted, nearly jumping out of my seat. “What a bastard.”

            “Yeah…well… maybe he was right.”

            “No, no, Colin…” I got up from my spot and moved over to sit next to him. “You are not motel art.”

Colin shrugged, looking noncommittal. “Zava inspires, that’s why he’s on the team.”

It broke my heart to think someone made Colin think he wasn’t inspiring. Like his work on the team wasn’t enough.

            “Colin…” I sighed, sucking my lips into my teeth. “You are inspiring. The only thing Zava inspires is a headache, but you… you make the team work. On and off the field.” I brought my hand to shake his shoulder. “You’re my friend, Colin. I don’t become friends with just anyone on the team.”

            “Bumbercatch said he was sorry”

            “If he was sorry he would knit me a new scarf, wouldn’t he.”

Colin chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah… I guess.”

I could tell there was something more going on in Colin’s head. Something that went deeper than just the team’s lineup. His hands were still tapping away at each other even as he smiled. I knocked my shoulder against his.

            “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?” I checked, glancing down at his hands and back up at him.

Colin chewed on his bottom lip as his eyes averted away from mine. “Uh, no, I don’t think so.”

I nodded, knowing that if it was something I should know he would tell me.

            “Alright, then get your switch out we’re playing Smash Bros.”

            “Oh, you are so on.”  

The day of the game arrived and the whole city of Richmond was buzzing. Everyone was excited to see Zava make his debut for the team, see what he could do for us. I found myself spacing out as the coaching staff went over the plan to the team again. How many times could one man say Zava before the it didn’t even sound like a name anymore.

We had exactly four minutes until we had to be on the field. I was heading to fill up my water bottle when a hand pulled me into the boot room. I yelped but knew exactly who it was.

            “Jamie, you have to stop surprising me like this,” I scolded, trying to regain my balance.

            “Sorry, sorry, but I we don’t have a lot of time,” He apologized, running a hand through his hair. “I just want to apologize.” I softened, standing up straight as I listened to him. “I was being a dick yesterday, and I took me… stupid insecurity about Zava out on you.”

            “Yeah… you did,” I agreed, the ends of my lips curling up just slightly.

            “Anyways, I just wanted to say I’m sorry, yeah?” He concluded, skewing his mouth at me.

I glanced around the room, making sure the coast was clear before going up on my tallest tip toes and placing a quick kiss on Jamie’s mouth.

            “Thank you,” I murmured, my eyes crinkling with my smile. “But next time… just talk to me. “

He scoffed and nodded, looking down at the floor. “Yeah… I should’ve just talked to you. I know… but it’s just Zava gotten into me head.”

I started to head towards the door, shrugging. “Don’t worry about Zava, how back could it possibly be?”

…

Very bad, apparently. Well great for Richmond. But terrible for Jamie. Zava took the league by storm, leading Richmond through a string of powerful wins against all of our rivals. It made us look great, but I could tell it was taking a toll on Jamie’s self-esteem. He barely had a single goal the whole season, even one that looked like a sure goal for him that Zava stole at the last minute.

That’s how he ended up moping in the corner of Sam’s restaurant. I stared at him as I chatted with Rebecca and Keeley. After another successful win, Sam had invited us over for an early opening of his restaurant. Everyone had come. Even Beard and Jane were there to show their support. I would give anything to go over and comfort Jamie, but right now, I could only stare as he looked so fucking good, even as broody as he was.

            “It’s a pity you and Jamie never worked your shit out, isn’t it,” Rebecca commented, popping an olive in her mouth. “You were all over him last season.”

I widened my eyes at her, nodding sadly. “We just never figured shit out, I guess.”

            “It’s too bad,” Keeley agreed, looking over at Jamie. “I think the two of you would’ve been great.”

I glanced over at Jamie again who was playing with his food, a warm feeling flooding my chest. “Yeah… we would’ve.”

Rebecca and Keeley shared a glance. Rebecca subtly refilled my glass with champagne as Keeley pulled me back into the conversation.

            “Well, we need to get you back on the horse! Gotta get back on bantr!” Keeley insisted, forcing me to look at her. “I bet if you tried you could take one of these guys home tonight.”

            “Well, it’s a good thing I don’t want to do that,” I soothed, shaking my head. “I think I just want to be single for a little while.”

Rebecca nodded at me. “Good for you, being single is great!”

            “You hate being single,” Keely pointed out, giggling.

            “But I have come to accept it, (Y/N)” she looked at me seriously. “Just focus on you and the rest will come.”

I smiled at her. She was right. Not in the way she thought but it meant a lot to me. Here I was, working for a premiere league football team, dating my best friend and I should be happy. I was happy. But my mind wandered to my conversation with Colin. There was a part of me missing but I didn’t even know what part.

I looked over at Jamie again, this time he was with Roy. I didn’t know what they were talking about, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. But I missed Jamie. I missed him even though he was sitting in the room with me. I knew that if I walked over there and pulled him up and kissed him in the middle of the room, no one would care.

But it wasn’t them I was afraid of. It was everyone else. Once the word got out into the world and the press knew and the fans knew, no one would look at me the same way. They would look at him the same but me, I’d be the coach who was dating her player. I’d be the girl who slept my way to the top. And I don’t think I could handle that.

…

The rapid knocking on the door was what woke me up. I was laying on Jamie's chest, an arm slung over his waist as he kept me secure with an arm around my shoulder. I blinked my eyes open and propped myself up on my elbows to look at the clock. 4:00AM.

"Jamie," I grumbled, tapping his chest. "If you don't get the door, I'm gonna kill someone. Most likely you."

"Why do I have to do it?" He growled, wrapping his arms around me to pull me down to his chest again. "Just ignore it, they'll go away."

I smile sleepily, closing my eyes again. He was right. Whoever it was knocking at the wrong house. They would go away eventually.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Or not. I groaned again. "Jammieee."

He didn't move, pretending not to hear me. I trailed my hands up his chest and flicked his bare nipple.

“Oi!" He shouted, suddenly very awake. "What'd you do that for?"

"Go. Get. The. Door." I demanded, wriggling out from his arms, and turning over.

Jamie let out a frustrated grunt but got out of the bed, throwing a shirt on before walking out again.  I felt your eyes begin to droop again. Jamie would be back eventually, and we could go back to sleep for a few more hours.

But he didn’t come back, and it sounded like he was actually talking to whoever was at the door. I frowned and let out a hard sigh as I rolled out of bed. I found Jamie’s shirt – he must have taken mind by mistake – and threw it on over my head. I slumped down the stairs rubbing my eyes.

            “Jamie, who the fuck is at the door?”  As I rounded the corner, a bright light came to shine on me. I blinked my eyes and realized that it was Roy. “Oh, fuck.”

            “What the fuck is she doing here?” Roy barked, looking at Jamie.

            “None of your fucking business, grandad,” Jamie waved him off turning around. He walked over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my head. “Goin’ for a run, you gonna be okay?

I nodded at him, giving him a tight-lipped smile. “You’re wearing my shirt and your ass is out.”  

He looked down at the shit then glanced over his shoulder. “Thought I’d give Roy a show, whatdaya think.” He leaned down pursing his lips dramatically.

I pushed his head away and laughed. “Very funny, now go change so I can go back to sleep.”

Jamie frowned at me and sulked as he walked off. I watched him leave for a second, my lips pursed as I became very aware of Roy’s eyes on me. I walked over to the open door, waving at Roy.

            “You sleepin’ with Tartt?” He grunted, his bushy eyebrows lifting slightly.

            “Your knees still creak when the wind blows?” I shot back, meeting his expression.

Roy grunted at me, smirking fondly. “Touche.”

I smiled, a real smile, not a tight-lipped or pursed smile. It was 4 o’clock in the fucking morning and I’m standing in Jamie’s shirt in front of my friend and the world didn’t explode. Roy and Jamie getting along, well as best as they could. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Sure, it wasn’t the whole world, but it was someone. It was a start.

            “Holy shit.” Roy’s voice brought me back to reality.

            “What?” I leaned against the door frame.

            “You’re proper fucking into him aren’t you,” Roy questioned. “Like it’s not just a sex thing.”

I bit my lip, turning as Jamie reemerged from our bedroom. I felt my ears begin to burn as I replied.

            “Yeah… I’m proper fucking into him.”

Taglist:@heletsmelovehim @higherthanheroes @ajax-petropolus-wife @oxxolovemelikeyoudooxxo @optimisticsandwichgladiator @kno-way-home @sleepy-time @wigglegiggle @skewedcherries @respondingtoshowerthoughts-blog @snubug @rana030

[fantasy2739]

Jamie Tartt prompt: Jamie confronts Nate after hearing how he’s behaved to Colin and Will. *Coach Beard voice* character growth baby!

Ooooo, okay so this is a short one! But we love character growth!

Enjoy!

Nate is being a prick. Jamie knows this from experience. He saw the way Colin looked after practice. Saw how he looked leaving the grounds after going to talk to Nate. Thank fuck Nate apologised, because Jamie likes Colin. He’s funny and dumb and a great fucking mate. And when he heard what Nate had said to Colin, he’d been ready to key his car. That was meant to be the end of it. Except he’s in the boot room, looking for Will because he would like his name bigger on his shirt please. And Will is trying to hide tears.

“Will?” Jamie asks. “You alright mate?” Will rubs furiously at his eyes.

“Fine.” He says, not that Jamie believes him. “It’s nothing.” Jamie flops onto the bench next to him, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“It’s not nothing.” Jamie insists because who the fuck cries in the boot room over nothing? Will ducks his head and sniffles.

“It’s Nate.” He confesses quietly. Suddenly all of Jamie’s hackles are up because the fuck Nate.

“What did he do?” Jamie asks. He’s not going to go right out the door and key Nate’s car (no matter how tempting it is). Will is more important. Will sniffles a few more times.

“He’s just… he can be so horrible.” Will says, still not meeting Jamie’s eyes. “He thought… the shirt… making fun of him. He got so angry.” Will starts crying again and fuck Jamie sucks at this part. He drapes an arm over Will, rubbing his upper arm like it’s going to fix this.

“I’ll talk to him.” Jamie says firmly as he begins to move. Will grabs his arm.

“No! I don’t want to cause trouble.” Will exclaims. Jamie almost sighs, settling back down.

“Nate is the one causing trouble.” Jamie tells him. “He shouldn’t get angry at you over a shirt.” Will mumbles something that is probably a disagreement. Not that Jamie gives a shit, because Nate can’t be a shit to Will. He should learn to take a fucking joke. “I’m going to tell him to lay off yeah?” Will sobs harder and Jamie thinks he’s saying all the wrong things. But it took Roy standing up for Nate to get through to him, so it’s going to take something similar here. He pats Will’s shoulder and heads out to find Nate.

The little shit has already gone home.

The next morning Jamie asks for a word with the man. Will still looks miserable, so it doesn’t take much to spur him into action. He and Nate are stood in Nate’s office.

“Yes Jamie?” Nate asks, occasionally taking his eyes off his phone.

“Lay off Will.” Jamie says bluntly. Nate’s eyes snap to him, finally putting his fucking phone away.

“I’m sorry what?” Nate asks, like Jamie has to spell this out for him.

“Lay off of Will.” He repeats. “Stop being a prick to him.” Nate blinks and puffs himself up slightly. He’s got this look on his face like he can’t believe Jamie just said that.

“That’s a bit rich coming from you Jamie.” Nate says. Jamie shoved his hands in his pockets because fuck he knows that. “Now whatever Will told you, that’s between me and him.”

“Except it’s not.” Jamie interrupts. “Not when it upsets him.”

“Well he upset me in the first place.” Nate argues, voice still soft. “He insulted me.”

“Over a fucking shirt?” Jamie grumbles. “He was doing something nice.”

“It wasn’t nice, he was humiliating-.”

“Fuck no he wasn’t.” Jamie interrupts again. “He was being nice. Because Will is fucking nice.”

“It’s a bit like calling the kettle black Jamie.” Nate says, voice still silky soft. Jamie glares at him. “Sorry let me dumb that down for you. You bullied me, belittled me, tormented me for most of your time at Richmond. I’m not going to keep letting it happen.” Jamie is not going to punch Nate. He knows he’s not the brightest person in the room. He knows he was a prick. He knows that he’s probably part of the reason Nate’s gone to the fucking dark side.

“Fucking Christ Nate, am I really the person you want to model after?” Jamie spits out. “It’s not going to make you feel better.” Jamie steps closer to Nate, and Nate recoils slightly. Jamie knows how to be intimidating, he’s had a lifetime of being on the receiving end from his old man. Might as well use it for good. “Stop being a fucking prick and get your shit together.” Nate nods once, rigid and awkward. Jamie gives him a grin that’s all teeth and stalks out. He tosses Will a wink. Sees the younger lad relax a little and gets on with the day.

He doesn’t see Nate apologise to Will. But the little thanks he gets from Will tells him it happened.

[tilleth]

will the kitman! i just find that one shot of him juggling waterbottles funny- manifesting the ‘will gets better at juggling’ arc we’re all clamouring for in s3

[coppermate]

You wanna know what I love about that scene where the team waves at Rebecca’s mom Deborah?

I love that even though it’s a wide shot, you can still tell who certain players are because of their body language and how they wave.

Like right there in the middle waving his arms widely in the air, yeah, that’s Dani Rojas.

The one standing next to Dani with his straight arm in the air looking like a statue, yeah, that’s Jan Maas.

The one who looks like he’s blowing a big kiss to Deborah is Moe Bumbercatch.

Next to him, the guy who barely waved but does anyway is Jamie Tartt.

The one standing closest to the coaches, waving his hand rapidly, and you know probably smiling a big smile, is Sam Obisanya.

The one walking across the pitch with a big arm raise, that’s Issac McAdoo.

Oh, and that little guy over by the waters that’s just little Will Kitman being adorable like usual.

Just our himbos being himbos.

[storytimewithcort]

Will’s Got A Crush (part 1 &2)

 Hello Lovies, I wrote a Will/Colin Story cause Why the Eff not

Fandom: Ted Lasso

Summary:  Will’s got a crush, and Isaac is ultimate wingman. 

Pairing: Oh you know, Colin x Will

Warning: Alcohol, some bad flirting, but nothing really yet

A/n:  Started as a silly short drabble, but now it has 2 chapters! Please enjoy. 

also on Ao3 -  https://archiveofourown.org/works/34923553/chapters/86967319

------

Part 1 (of 3)

Will was cleaning up the locker room the same as always after a game, picking up damp and musky towels and tossing in them in his cart with minimal contact. A few of the players remained, but most had left for the club in post celebratory fashion about a half hour ago. Colin, Moe, and Isaac were crowding Isaac's phone while watching a video about something....something...Will couldn't say what.

He was too busy staring at Colin's face light up with a smile at whatever it was they watched. The way his eyes crinkled made Will smile himself, his stomach filling with a fluttery nervousness.

It was a nasty little habit that started a couple weeks ago. Whenever he was around the team, his focus just drifted to Colin. Colin was fit, yea, the best ass he'd ever seen, yea, but he was also really, really kind of adorable. When he smiled it accentuated his cheekbones and the plumpness of his cheeks. And his cheeks were frequently flushed from excursion, that only added to their appeal. Sometimes Colin would pout over something someone said, his bottom lip jutting out like a child's would when they didn't get their way. He was just extremely cute as far as Will was concerned.

However, Colin was also a famous footballer. Will was just a kitman who might just get fired over his hopeless little crush.

Especially when he also drives the laundry cart directly into the side of a bench in his distraction and breaks a wheel off.

"Oh no!" Will cried as he rushed over to pick up the wheel like it was a sacred egg needing delicate protection. "Not again." Third time this week he'd done something foolish because he was distracted.

"Ok, mate?" Colin asked as all three looked over to where Will scrambled to the ground in hopes the wheel would simply pop back on.

"Oh, uh, yeah!" Will answered tripping over his own tongue.

"Cool then," Colin said, before pulling on his jacket. "best be going, Moe - still need a ride?" Moe nodded and as they were heading towards the exit, Colin hollered over his shoulder, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight..." Will called from the floor before adding just in time before Colin disappeared around the corner, "Have a good weekend Colin."

Unexpectedly Colin turned full around and beamed at Will with one of those big doofy smiles Will liked so much. "Aye you too! See you Monday."

Will felt like the sun itself just shot him with an arrow through the heart as he watched Colin leave again.

A few minutes and lots of tinkering later, Will finally fixed the wheel on the cart and happily pulled himself up to his feet. Then jumped clear out of his body at the feeling of a hand clamp onto his shoulder.

"Wha! Holy - I didn’t know you where still here Isaac!" Will yelped.

Isaac just smirked and raised an eyebrow, "I can give you his number."

"His what?" Will mumbled, was Isaac really? "No, no I don't..."

"He's single." Isaac shrugged before walking towards the door too. "And gay." Then from down the hallway he calls.

"And he thinks you're cute, proper fit."

Will just about crashes the cart again.

Part 2 

"Are you sure?" Will asked, a bit overwhelmed by how excited Zoreaux was about the idea. They stood outside Viva with a few other Richmond folk. The air was chilly as they traveled across the car park.

"Man, it's your birthday, we're going to celebrate. Twenty One!"

"Wait, you're twenty-one?" Jan asked, truly shocked, "I thought you were fourteen, maybe fifteen."

Will shrugged, "I actually get that a lot. I was trying to open a savings account last week and the banker wanted to know if it was alright with my mum."

"Poor little baby face." Jan laughed.

"Will, it's your birthday?" Colin injected. “And here I thought we finally convinced you to party with us because of our charms.”

“You have no charms, mate.” Zoreaux answered and quickly got an elbow in the side of his rips.

“Oi, I am full of charm.” Colin retorted before quickly turning to Isaac, "I'm charming, right?"

Isaac nodded, shaking his head slightly, "Yea bruv."

“Prove it then, let's see who pulls a hottie tonight.” Zoreaux’s challenge made some of the other boys holler with enthusiasm.

Colin shrugged the challenge off and turned to Will again. He smiled wide. “First drink on me Birthday Boy. Let's get this night going!”  While Colin's enthusiasm was nerve-racking, his smile was every bit of convincing Will needed in that moment.

"O-ok, let's go in."  He said softly.

The club was loud and packed. They all made it to a corner beyond the dance floor to a grouping of booths and chairs. In little time they were joking, dancing, and drinking in excess.

Will tried to pay attention to everyone equally, but the loud music and dark atmosphere made it hard to focus. So instead he plopped down next to Isaac and spent his time listening to the stories Colin told with glee. Laughing each time Isaac corrected the story, claiming Colin was embellishing the truth. Honestly, Will could listen to Colin speak endlessly.

Maybe an hour in, Will needed a breather. Isaac was too good at cheerfully encouraging another sip, another drink. Will wasn’t much of a drinker, and he was surely a bit drunk already. As he waited for the bartender to get him some water, a man came to stand next to Will and called out for a pint. The fella was tall and a bit older, but not so old his presence at the club seemed out of place. He looked over to Will and nodded a greeting. Will couldn’t help but nod back, with a small smile. The man stood up straighter at Will and smirked.

“Enjoying your night?” The man asked with a honeyed tone.

Will nodded some more, eyes squeezing shut briefly when the shake of his head made him dizzy for a moment. ”Iz good.” He finally answered.

Will’s sloppy speech didn’t seem to make the man uncomfortable, in fact, the man laughed softly and took a small step closer to Will. Then he looked back over to the bartender and hollered with a grimace. "Hey, we don't have all night here!"  When he turned back to face Will he was smiling again, as if his previous comment never happened. "The service here is shit."

"I don't think I've seen you here before. I would have remembered." He spoke again, all while tapping his fingers on the bar top.

"I just came with some friends. I'm not usually the, the uh, club type." Will said, impressed by his ability to complete full sentences despite his alcohol soaked mind.

"Lucky friends." The man said before waving his hands around towards the bartender, who was at the other end of the bar making some mixed drinks for what looked like a stag party.

"One minute," the bartender called. The man made a huff of anger, but Will heard instead another voice close to his ear. The sound was more intoxicated than anything he could possibly drink.

"Let me get you away from this prick." and Will could swear he heard a smile in Colin’s voice.

Will’s mind repeated, “Holy Shit, his voice” for a long time as he followed Colin’s lead toward the bathrooms. Once they were both in a more secluded area of the club and well out of earshot of the man who was still heckling the bartender, Colin turned to look at Will.

“Mate, what are you doing letting that jerk-off flirt with you?” Colin asked and Will cocked his head to the side.

“Nah, he wasn’t…”

“Are you blind? He was not only a royal twat, but totally into you. I won’t stop you, if that's the kind of thing you're into.” He paused and the smile faded from his face. Will felt like the weight of the frown forming on Colin’s face was forcing him to frown as well. “I don’t...well, Richmond folks look out for each other, and I think it’s worth pointing out - you deserve a lot better than a jerk. And I would know...” Now he was looking down at the ground. Was it the alcohol or was Will really witnessing the least sunshiny version of Colin. He suddenly desperately wanted his goofy Colin back. Willing to do quite anything to make it happen. Then Colin spoke again and Will’s heart broke.

“I used to be quite the jerk myself.”

Will couldn’t explain the rush of feeling that overcame him in that moment, but he acted on impulse. Letting the sudden fire rushing his veins out.

“No!” he certainly yelled in Colin’s face.

Colin’s wide eyes looked up and met Will’s. “No, I was, before you came around I was a terrible person. Ask Nate, or don’t since he’s dead to us now.”

“No!” Will yelled again, “No! Maybe you did some thoughtless things, but I refuse!” he was all too aware he was getting extremely loud, but couldn’t stop himself. “I refuse to see you as anything but an amazing, kind, clever, and goofy person! You better accept that!”

Colin looked at him like he was insane, Will was sure of it. The fire inside him burned out all at once and he felt very embarrassed for yelling at the very person he had a giant crush on. “Sorry for yelling.” Then he turned towards the exit. “I should go.” He mumbled.

He took a few steps when he heard the call, “Wait up!”

Then Colin was walking with him. “You’ve been drinking, like a lot. Shouldn’t go home alone, you know? Safely in numbers and all that” Will was relieved to see that although Colin had a look in his eyes Will couldn’t place and a red tint to his cheeks, at least he was smiling again. That was good enough for now.

“Let me walk you home Birthday Boy, Yea?”

“Ok, yea. That sounds nice.”

Isaac watched the pair leave with a large smirk on his face. Glad he pushed Colin out of the booth a bit ago with the prompt, “Go check on Will, I think that geezer is hitting on him.” It was too easy. At this rate, he better start planning the wedding.

---

<3

[junker-town]

Arsenal has sacked Unai Emery, and he 100% deserved it

Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

His sacking is about as deserved as sackings come.

Arsenal finally fired manager Unai Emery on Friday, and despite months of extreme fan disillusionment, his exit was hardly a foregone conclusion. Just 19 days ago, David Ornstein reported that Arsenal’s board was “100 percent” behind Emery, and the man himself said he felt backed by his bosses on Wednesday.

But the Gunners’ recent run of form was too bad for the board to ignore. Arsenal is winless in its last seven matches, with Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt apparently the final nail in his coffin. Players had reportedly started mocking Emery behind his back, and he gave a team talk where he got the kitman’s name wrong.

Arsenal now needs a result away to Standard Liege on the final day of the Europa League group stage to guarantee progression, and currently sits 8th in the Premier League on a negative-1 goal differential.

Fans haven’t been pleased with the team’s style of play and lack of goals, but attacking hasn’t exactly been Arsenal’s problem. The Gunners are respectable in most attacking metrics, including Expected Goals, where they’re doing better than rivals and fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Arsenal’s big problems are with its defense, where it is appalling in several aspects.

Arsenal’s defense has the rare combination of pressing aggressively, but conceding a high number of counter-attacking shots, as well as allowing opponents to complete a high percentage of their passes. Here’s the Gunners’ defensive radar, from StatsBomb:

A team pressing aggressively, but failing to stop opponents from completing a lot of passes or getting good shots on the counter, is indicative of poor organization. Arsenal’s attackers and midfielders have the fitness and desire to put in a lot of defensive work, but they’re doing so aimlessly, and with no defensive structure behind them.

The best example of this problem is probably James Maddison’s goal in Leicester’s win over the Gunners on on November 9. Arsenal tries to put pressure on Wilfried Ndidi, but does nothing to actually stop him. Once the first line of resistance is broken, Arsenal is extremely easy to play against, and doesn’t impede Leicester’s progress towards a quality shot in any way.

Arsenal is also awful at breaking the presses of other teams. The Gunners have 48 combined errors, mis-controls and dispossessions in their own defensive third, which is fourth-worst in the Premier League. This is a big part of the reason Arsenal is third-worst in clear shots — attempts where there’s no defender between the shooter and the goalkeeper — conceded

Emery has rotated his back four and defensive midfielders heavily, but no matter who’s played, Arsenal has had the same problem: it gives the ball directly to opponents in dangerous positions. Here’s a particularly egregious one from Dani Ceballos against Liverpool, which luckily did not result in a goal.

Here’s an even worse one against Watford, with Sokratis committing a turnover that leads directly to a Tom Cleverley goal.

The Arsenal directors haven’t done a good job of building their squad, especially on the defensive end, but Emery is even more at fault for its defensive woes. His defense has looked poorly coached to the point of being unprofessional for most of the season. Sackings don’t get more deserved than this one.

[beybaldes]

and I long to be near you

summer sleepover masterlist

will kitman x gn!reader

summary : “you fell asleep in my arms. it was kind of adorable.” Requested by anon.

an : omg I finally wrote another prompt fic, more coming, one ted, a few Roy, and I think a Jamie in the drafts too? Then I’ll return to the inbox and work on some more. Love you guys!! Title is death with dignity by sufjan stevens <3

You hadn’t planned for things to end up like this. What was supposed to be a night out with the team after another win for Richmond, had somehow become you waking up in someone’s arms on the coach, half way back to London.

As you tried to blink away the sleep in your eyes, you took note of how you were sat. Someone’s hoodie had been put over your ‘going out’ clothes and you were facing Isaac and Colin, who sat together in the row across from you - meaning whoever you were sat with, or on, had had the decency to keep the sun out of your eyes and allow you to sleep. You snuggled into the soft material of the hoodie, tucking your nose under the collar and immediately recognising the smell.

Somehow, you’d ended up in Will’s arms, your side pressed into his chest, one of his arms around your waist and holding you in the seat by your thigh, the other holding your knee with his thumb running up and down. Thankfully, your face was largely hidden from view as it was tucked into the crook of Will’s neck, and what wasn’t, you’d hidden when you’d snuggled up into his jumper.

Though you’d managed to piece together where you’d ended up, you couldn’t for the life of you figure out what had led to it.

Colin griping your ankle and shaking it had given you the perfect opportunity to fake waking up, and avoiding dealing with an explanation of the fact you’d been awake a while and just enjoyed the feeling of being in Will’s arms.

“Look what you’ve done now, bruv.” Isaac knocked his shoulder against Colin’s, turning Colin’s attention away from you and Will as he started to bicker with his best friend.

“Good morning.” Will whispered, giving you the opportunity to slowly ‘wake up’ after Colin startling you awake. “You sleep good?”

“Yeah, yeah.” You answered honestly, keeping yourself tucked in Will’s arms but moving your head to look at him. “But confused about how exactly I ended up here though.”

“Oh. Oh! Sorry.” Will quickly tried to move you out of his arms and into the aisle seat, but in doing so nearly made you fall onto the floor of the bus. In response, you reached one arm up so it was over his shoulder, and squeezed yourself tighter against his chest, to stop yourself from falling. “I’m sorry, I was-“

“Don’t worry about it, Will.” A loud yawn spilt up your words and you snuggled into Will’s chest with your thinking. Will was half thankful you had, because at least it meant you couldn’t see the red, hot flush that covered his face and burned the tips of his ears, even if that meant he was the most nervous he’d ever been. “Just tell me what happened after that hot sauce shot Isaac gave me, I can’t remember anything after that .”

Will re-adjusted his grip on you, one of his thighs brushing dangerously close to the top of your thighs, sending shivers running through you. “Right, so.” Will’s fingers started to gently scratch up and down your thigh as he spoke. “We were at the club, and Colin had been saying for nearly an hour that we better get heading back, and you and Jan really didn’t want to.” Will pointed to a passed out Jan Mass taking up the whole row behind Isaac and Colin, a jacket thrown over his head to keep the sun out of his eyes as he slept. “And when me and Isaac backed Colin, you and Jan Mass grabbed each others hands and ran off into the crowd together.”

You gasped at his words, then sounding nothing like anything you’d do. That weird hot sauce shot must have sent you over the edge and into insanity, by the sounds of it. “It took us 2 hours to find you in the crowd, and when we did, you and Jan had worked your way through 16 more shots between the two of you.” Yep, definitely didn’t sound like you. “When we finally convinced the two of you to get in a taxi, we’d lost Richard, and we had to spend another 45 minutes looking for him.”

“The club wasn’t even that big, Will.”

A laugh rumbled through his chest and you could feel the vibration of it in your own. Both of his hands had moved further up your body; the one from your knee moving to replace the other at your thigh, and the one from your thigh moving to your hair. “I know, right! I’m convinced you and Jan were following us around for the first hour and a half we were looking for you just to make sure we wouldn’t find you.” He brushed some of your hair away from falling over your cheek, keeping his hand on the strand behind your ear. “Anyway, after we found Richard, we finally went to get into a taxi and come back to the hotel. But when we got the taxi, we realised there was 4 seats and six of us.”

As Will recounted the nights events, little glimpses of it started to seep into your mind. You could picture the streets of Nottingham moving quickly before your eyes, Isaac and Jan blocking your view and Colin curled up in front of Isaac’s feet, his head resting on his knee.

“Richard demanded the front seat and the rest of us had to squeeze into the back. We made it work, but you had to sit in my lap.” You and Will were the shortest of the group, so It made the most sense for the two of you to coup up in one seat together. Especially when Jan Mass was in the car too. “And by the time we finally made it back to the hotel, it was time to get on the coach. But when I tried to get out of the taxi, I realised you’d fallen asleep.”

You could feel the warmth rising to your cheeks at the image of the two of you in the taxi, much like the scene before you now. In both instances, Will hadn’t hesitated to put your comfort above his own and let you sleep, and sit, on him. If you didn’t already have a blossoming crush on Will, his genuine and consistent sweetness would’ve had you forming one, right here, right now.

“So you carried me onto the bus?” You guessed, your hand that had rested against his shoulder moving up to cup the nape of his neck, threading your fingers through his hair.

“I carried you onto the bus.” He confirmed, the nod of his head gentle enough that it wouldn’t disturb you. “You woke up for a minute when Colin yelled at me from the bus door about where he should put our luggage. And then you fell right back asleep in my arms. It was kind of adorable.”

“You’re kind of adorable.” You whispered against Will’s chest, missing the way his checks flushed once more at the words you didn’t think he’d manage to hear. “Colin loaded our bags?”

Will, sensing the worry in your voice, immediately went to reassure you, his fingers scratching gently against your scalp. “Yeah, but don’t worry. I made him FaceTime me while he did it to make sure he did it right.”

“Good.” You laughed, tucking your head deeper into the crook of Will’s neck, the feeling of your smile pressed into his skin setting off butterflies in his stomach. “I don’t fancy Amy clothes being scattered across the M1.”

[onceuponalany]

Thoughts on Giroud's short shorts and the possible reasons behind it

Thoughts on Giroud’s short shots:

1. I love them

and the possible reasons behind it

2. He KNOWS he KNOWS that his legs are pretty and he wants to show them to the world

3. The kitman wants to make the fangirls happy

4. He is always hot (in more ways than one)

4. He wants to make me the “heart eyes emoji” during each training session/match

can y'all send some asks that are like “thoughts on ______”

[yorkshiremariners]

New Friends & Broken Steps

It all started back on 12th August 2017, Trafford FC away on the opening day of a highly anticipated Evo-Stik adventure for South Shields FC.

Little did Mia know how many friends and followers she would make on her travels up and down the country throughout the course of the season!!

Here is a look at a few of her encounters.

We arrived at Trafford, put her flag up and headed for something to eat, while getting served a very polite lady leaned over the counter and asked if this was Mia.

Lynda (@thetealady1) had been following Mia’s adventures through the Northern Leagues on twitter. To this day Lynda still stays in touch with us.

Great start 2-1 away win.

Scarborough away, August bank holiday Monday. We had been looking forward to this one as Mia was going to meet Oliver (@MiniSeadog) a young fan aged six and like Mia he loves football and most of all his team Scarborough Athletic FC.

When we first met Mini Seadog neither of them would stand close to each other for a picture. It was a case of thanks but no thanks. One thing Oliver did say to his mam was “can we buy a flag”!! Another away day win 3-1

This wouldn’t be the first time Mia and Oliver were to meet at the Flamingo Land Stadium as South Shields returned there in October for our FA Trophy game.

Before the game Oliver was doing a bucket collection for Sports Traider (well done Mini Seadog), when he had a spare two minutes we managed to get them to stand together for a picture this time round!! To top the day off Mia Jane smashed her step when the 4th goal went flying in. Another away day win 5-2

Fast forward to the 4th November when Atherton Collieries made the trip up North to Mariners Park. This was the day Tom (8) and Ellie (7) (@CollsYouth) were to meet up with Mia. She was really excited as they had been swapping stories of their adventures on Twitter. Tom and Ellie give Mia a big box of sweets and a club pennant. No shyness from these kids as club photographer Kev Wilson snapped a few shots before kick off including some on the pitch.

The return game at Atherton on 20th January turned into a right episode. Mia was really excited to meet up with her new friends again and give them their presents. She was especially looking forward to the game as @CollsYouth had arranged for her to walk out with the team.

Unfortunately two hours after we had arrived the game was cancelled by the referee due to a waterlogged pitch!!! Not to be defeated by the weather we managed to find a game that was on close by, so the mad dash to Salford City v Harrogate Town was on...... Another ground off her list!!

Hyde United away was Mia Jane’s first midweek away game and it was a highly anticipated top of the table clash. Before the fixture at Mariners Park we got chatting to a gentleman named John Booth (@johnhopkinsonb2) and he told Mia he would show her behind the scenes at Ewen Fields.

True to his word when we pulled up at the ground we were made to feel welcome from the word go. John handed Mia bag of presents as it was her birthday the week before the game. Once the flags had been put up we went for the guided tour!! On entering the boardroom she bumped into our chairman Geoff Thompson who was lovely towards her and stood and had a conversation about her birthday and the football adventures.

I could go on until the new season starts and no offence to anywhere we have visited not mentioned.

I leave you with this....

The one and only

George “The Kitman” McLaughlin.

George and Mia have had so many laughs and giggles on the road this season.

A great man and always has the time to talk with all the South Shields fans, he is a real credit to the football club. They have created a bond which will last a lifetime in her eyes. As soon as she sees him she'll shout at full voice “GEORGE” to get his attention. You could probably hear her back in West Yorkshire.

We will have two more blogs coming your way before the season starts so keep an eye out for that one and if you are not following us on social media you are missing a treat.

Thank you all for reading throughout the season.

Simon and Mia Jane

Dedicated to our friend Ashleigh who was taken far too soon.

[365footballorg-blog]

What we've learned from Man City documentary

Manchester City’s £10m documentary All or Nothing has been released, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the champions’ record-breaking 2017-18 Premier League season.

An Amazon Prime Video film crew[1] followed Pep Guardiola’s side as they stormed their way to success, finishing the campaign with 100 points and scoring 106 goals.

The eight-part series was released on the streaming service on Friday.

Here are five things we learned from the first episode.

Guardiola’s use of English swear words is a surprise

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The episode begins with Guardiola giving a half-time team talk during the Carabao Cup final in February.

City lead Arsenal 1-0 and are within touching distance of their first trophy under him – but he is not a happy man.

As Guardiola paces frantically around the dressing room, his animated expressions are juxtaposed with shots of his players and coaching staff motionless and in silence.

“I know it is difficult guys, I know because you want to win. I know, but you have to learn how to play football with courage,” Guardiola says, clapping his hands together before running back to his tactics board.

“The best thing about our season is that it doesn’t matter where we were, because we play with character and courage.

“We have to show who we are. Don’t arrive at the final and then don’t do what we’ve done all season.”

The lively ‘Pep talk’ sends a message to his players loud and clear.

His colourful language will perhaps as a surprise viewers, who are given a glimpse into the realities of a half-time team talk from which they are typically excluded.

“If you become a top, top, top, top, top team, you have to score the goals guys,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager says in another clip.

We’ve omitted the ‘F word’ from both quotes – you may be able to guess where they slot in!

How victory over Liverpool was secured

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Guardiola likes a noisy dressing room before a match. “I feel that it animates the players more,” he says.

City’s home game against Premier League rivals Liverpool in September was no different.

Gathering the players in a cinema-type room with a tactics board and magnets to symbolise the players, the Spaniard demonstrates what he wants from his star-studded team.

Enthusiastically moving the magnets around the board, Guardiola explains what they must do to thwart Liverpool’s similarly attacking style.

“Good afternoon guys. Today I’m going to explain what they do in attack. It’s a team who is so good at running behind,” he says, addressing his players in the manner of a lecturer teaching students.

“[Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah are so fast. Try to close the channel. Even when the full-back has to go, try and make the movement.”

It worked. The eventual champions thumped the Reds 5-0.[2]

Despite the dominant display, Guardiola says: “I don’t have all the answers.

“Often when I don’t know something, I act in front of the players as if I do. I do it so they believe I have the answers and that gives them to confidence to play.

“Sometimes they ask you about things in life, and then you must adopt the role of a father, brother and son.”

The ‘heart and soul of the dressing room’

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More often than not, it is the backroom staff taking care of the behind-the-scenes logistics at a football club who can really make a difference.

Kitman Brandon Ashton is clearly among those at City. He is seen joking around with the players on the training ground, and dancing on a massage table with his arms waving.

“Brandon is kind of the heart and soul of the dressing room really,” says captain Vincent Kompany. “He has this ability to take pressure off.”

“I would say the players are more close to the kitman and the physio,” midfielder Kevin de Bruyne adds.

“I’m very good with him, since day one. Sometimes, for me, it’s nice to be with someone who’s not a football person.”

The sadness of Mendy’s injury

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City made Benjamin Mendy – described as their “number one target” – the world’s most expensive defender last summer by signing him from Monaco for £52m.

Described as a “special” player by former team-mate Yaya Toure, the left-back was injured in just his fifth appearance – a 5-0 win[3] over Crystal Palace in September.

The documentary shows first-hand footage of Mendy’s diagnosis in Barcelona, where he is dealt a devastating blow as he is told he has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

“There’s been a hard blow to the bone,” says Dr Ramon Cugat, consultant surgeon and traumatologist. “It’s gone ‘boom!’ Detached.”

Midfielder David Silva says: “We’ve lost a team-mate for a substantial part of the season.

“It’s a shame that he’s going through all of that, having just arrived at the club.”

Guardiola’s assistant coach Mikel Arteta adds: “You always have plans, but whether or not you can stick to that plan is not your choice.

“It’s a big problem because we don’t have a natural replacement in that position.”

Mendy was sidelined for almost seven months, returning to action[4] in April.

Why the early season win over Chelsea meant so much

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City broke several records in 2017-18, including reaching 100 points, winning 32 matches and scoring 106 goals.

Among their most important victories was an early triumph at then champions Chelsea.

Guardiola says: “The greats are capable of going anywhere, and making the other team think, from the first minute, ‘these guys have come here to win’.”

The players burst jubilantly back into the away dressing room, clapping, dancing, chanting and cheering following a narrow 1-0 win[5] at Stamford Bridge.

The atmosphere is electric, and it’s clear just what the victory means to the eventual champions.

All or Nothing’ is an eight-part documentary series which shows unprecedented footage of Manchester City’s record-breaking 2017-18 Premier League campaign. Episodes later in the series include a tour of Sergio Aguero’s house, candid access to the logistics behind a transfer signing, an insight into the team’s Champions League run, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to win the Premier League.

References

^ Amazon Prime Video film crew (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ thumped the Reds 5-0. (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ a 5-0 win (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ returning to action (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ narrow 1-0 win (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

What we've learned from Man City documentary was originally published on 365 Football

[ultrasfcb-blog]

The training camps that offer a last chance for hundreds of Europe

The training camps that offer a last chance for hundreds of Europe

The training camps that offer a last chance for hundreds of Europe

The Spanish training camp is run “like a professional club” according to the country’s players’ union

“For sure, this was my last chance,” said Guy Ramos. “Not many players come back after two years of nothing. I am not young any more.”

Centre-back Ramos, at 32, was one of hundreds of footballers throughout Europe taking one last shot at finding a club this summer.

Players’ unions across the continent, in association with world players’ body Fifpro, have been holding training camps for out-of-contract players to stay fit and get signed.

Of the 502 players to have taken part in 18 countries, 122 have found new clubs so far – including Ramos.

The Cape Verde international, out of action for two years after suffering a serious knee injury, took part in a camp run by the Dutch union, and has earned a contract with a Moroccan top-flight club, Chabab Rif Al Hoceima.

“This was the last chance to get a professional club and to show myself again,” Ramos said.

‘A nice stage to present myself’

Guy Ramos (third from right) has signed for Moroccan side Chabab Rif Al Hoceima

Sixteen players took part in the Dutch camp and Ramos is one of eight to have been signed.

“I had not played a game for two years and it was difficult for me to get a club,” said Ramos, who is returning after anterior cruciate knee ligament surgery, having previously been at Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade.

“This was a nice stage to present myself and let everyone know I am back.”

At the Dutch camp, Team VVCS trained every day and played five games, facing their Belgian counterparts, as well as Roda and Turkish top-flight club Antalyaspor.

“For two years I couldn’t play and it was very difficult, so to be part of a team on the pitch again was a joyful experience,” added Ramos, who captained VVCS.

Former Netherlands international striker John van Loen ran the four-week camp as head coach, alongside fitness coach Rob Druppers, a former middle-distance runner who won an 800m silver medal at the 1983 World Championships.

Three goalkeepers who took part have been signed, including Mike Havekotte, who joined Dutch top-flight side ADO Den Haag.

The players did not get paid for their time, but got food and kit and travelled every day to a central training location in the Netherlands.

“The goal is to find them a new club – they’re all in the same position,” said VVCS education manager Arjan Ebbinge. “We want to get them fit and play matches so when they join a team they are ready – this is their pre-season.

“They want to play at clubs in the first or premier divisions in Holland, or at the highest level in foreign countries. This is their last chance to find a big club, otherwise they will drop to lower divisions – and the chance of getting a big move after that is not very big.”

Ebbinge, 43, a former defender, says the players are invited to the camp and the VVCS promote the team on social media. Scouts are invited to training sessions and matches.

“I think clubs searching for players will know players at our team at least have a good mentality, because they have invested themselves to get fit and find a new club.

“We try to give them a new chance in football and when they succeed it gives a very good feeling.”

Ramos said Van Loen had contacted Chabab Rif Al Hoceima on his behalf, adding: “I was one of a few he pushed forward.

“I was just hoping to play again for a team; it didn’t matter who.

“I did everything I could to get fit. It was not just luck; I worked hard for it. This is your job. You cannot sit on the couch the whole summer, expecting to find a new job.

“Without this camp I would not have had contact with Morocco and got a contract – it saved my career.”

‘Run like a professional club’

Players with the Spanish training camp, known as Sesiones AFE

Spain’s union, the AFE, has been holding camps twice a year since 2011 and said that 85% of players who take part have gone on to sign for a new team. Last year, out of 78 players, 71 were signed.

The AFE said its aim was “to make players feel like they are in a professional club” during the two-week camps.

At those camps, the players have two coaches, a fitness trainer, goalkeeper coach, scouts, kitman, press officers, and specialists in sports medicine, nutrition and psychotherapy.

In addition to the football, they are given language courses and advice on how to prepare a CV for when they retire.

The AFE also organises “off the pitch activities to reinforce the group’s identity”.

It hires retired footballers as coaches who wish to pursue a career in coaching and like the Dutch camp, gives them an opportunity to find a club too.

Former coaches include Real Sociedad boss Asier Garitano, ex-Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen and Real Madrid legend Ivan Helguera.

This summer, they hired ex-Real Madrid midfielder Jaime Sanchez, who won the Champions League in 1998.

Players apply to take part and are then selected by a committee, made up of the camp’s coaches and technical secretaries, and coaches and sporting directors from Spanish clubs.

“The criteria are based on having a team which is competitive, with players who have future projection,” said the AFE.

Alan Martinez, an Argentine goalkeeper, was the first player from this summer’s camp to sign for a club, joining Spanish side CD Quintanar del Rey.

He said: “AFE really makes us feel like football players. They put all the means available for us to find a team and stay in the best possible physical and mental condition.”

Ivan Helguera (centre), who played alongside Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos at Real Madrid, is one of the former coaches at the Spanish training camp

‘Not feasible in England’

The idea of the camps was started by the Italian union AIC in 1985. Fifpro used to organise tournaments but that stopped in 2015. However, players’ unions still organise tournaments among themselves.

England’s Professional Footballers’ Association has been involved in Fifpro tournaments in the past but does not run its own camps now.

The PFA said there were around 700 players out of contract in the country and it would “not be feasible” to run a training camp.

But it does offer a number of services for free agents, allowing players to advertise their services on the PFA website and organising exit trials so young players released by clubs can play matches in front of scouts.

“We have a strong pyramid of 92 clubs and the National Leagues, which offer paid opportunities throughout the leagues,” said PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes.

“Even if you drop out of League Two, it is not necessarily the end of their pro career. There are opportunities further down the scale.”

Players taking part 2018 by union Austria: 24 Malta: 24 Belgium: 16 Montenegro: 18 Bulgaria: 18 Netherlands: 16 Croatia: 18 Portugal: 25-30 Czech Republic: 22 Romania: 25 Denmark: 90 Serbia: 16 France: 39 Spain: 24 Hungary: 21 Switzerland: 16 Italy: 65 Turkey: 25

BBC Sport – Football ultras_FC_Barcelona

ultras FC Barcelona - https://ultrasfcb.com/football/10535/

#Barcelona

[365footballorg-blog]

'Not many players come back after two years of nothing' - the last-chance camps for free agents

“For sure, this was my last chance,” said Guy Ramos. “Not many players come back after two years of nothing. I am not young any more.”

Centre-back Ramos, at 32, was one of hundreds of footballers throughout Europe taking one last shot at finding a club this summer.

Players’ unions across the continent, in association with world players’ body Fifpro, have been holding training camps for out-of-contract players to stay fit and get signed.

Of the 502 players to have taken part in 18 countries, 122 have found new clubs so far – including Ramos.

The Cape Verde international, out of action for two years after suffering a serious knee injury, took part in a camp run by the Dutch union, and has earned a contract with a Moroccan top-flight club, Chabab Rif Al Hoceima.

“This was the last chance to get a professional club and to show myself again,” Ramos said.

‘A nice stage to present myself’

<!–

Sixteen players took part in the Dutch camp and Ramos is one of eight to have been signed.

“I had not played a game for two years and it was difficult for me to get a club,” said Ramos, who is returning after anterior cruciate knee ligament surgery, having previously been at Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade.

“This was a nice stage to present myself and let everyone know I am back.”

At the Dutch camp, Team VVCS trained every day and played five games, facing their Belgian counterparts, as well as Roda and Turkish top-flight club Antalyaspor.

“For two years I couldn’t play and it was very difficult, so to be part of a team on the pitch again was a joyful experience,” added Ramos, who captained VVCS.

Former Netherlands international striker John van Loen ran the four-week camp as head coach, alongside fitness coach Rob Druppers, a former middle-distance runner who won an 800m silver medal at the 1983 World Championships.

Three goalkeepers who took part have been signed, including Mike Havekotte, who joined Dutch top-flight side ADO Den Haag.

The players did not get paid for their time, but got food and kit and travelled every day to a central training location in the Netherlands.

“The goal is to find them a new club – they’re all in the same position,” said VVCS education manager Arjan Ebbinge. “We want to get them fit and play matches so when they join a team they are ready – this is their pre-season.

“They want to play at clubs in the first or premier divisions in Holland, or at the highest level in foreign countries. This is their last chance to find a big club, otherwise they will drop to lower divisions – and the chance of getting a big move after that is not very big.”

Ebbinge, 43, a former defender, says the players are invited to the camp and the VVCS promote the team on social media. Scouts are invited to training sessions and matches.

“I think clubs searching for players will know players at our team at least have a good mentality, because they have invested themselves to get fit and find a new club.

“We try to give them a new chance in football and when they succeed it gives a very good feeling.”

Ramos said Van Loen had contacted Chabab Rif Al Hoceima on his behalf, adding: “I was one of a few he pushed forward.

“I was just hoping to play again for a team; it didn’t matter who.

“I did everything I could to get fit. It was not just luck; I worked hard for it. This is your job. You cannot sit on the couch the whole summer, expecting to find a new job.

“Without this camp I would not have had contact with Morocco and got a contract – it saved my career.”

‘Run like a professional club’

<!–

Spain’s union, the AFE, has been holding camps twice a year since 2011 and said that 85% of players who take part have gone on to sign for a new team. Last year, out of 78 players, 71 were signed.

The AFE said its aim was “to make players feel like they are in a professional club” during the two-week camps.

At those camps, the players have two coaches, a fitness trainer, goalkeeper coach, scouts, kitman, press officers, and specialists in sports medicine, nutrition and psychotherapy.

In addition to the football, they are given language courses and advice on how to prepare a CV for when they retire.

The AFE also organises “off the pitch activities to reinforce the group’s identity”.

It hires retired footballers as coaches who wish to pursue a career in coaching and like the Dutch camp, gives them an opportunity to find a club too.

Former coaches include Real Sociedad boss Asier Garitano, ex-Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen and Real Madrid legend Ivan Helguera.

This summer, they hired ex-Real Madrid midfielder Jaime Sanchez, who won the Champions League in 1998.

Players apply to take part and are then selected by a committee, made up of the camp’s coaches and technical secretaries, and coaches and sporting directors from Spanish clubs.

“The criteria are based on having a team which is competitive, with players who have future projection,” said the AFE.

Alan Martinez, an Argentine goalkeeper, was the first player from this summer’s camp to sign for a club, joining Spanish side CD Quintanar del Rey.

He said: “AFE really makes us feel like football players. They put all the means available for us to find a team and stay in the best possible physical and mental condition.”

<!–

‘Not feasible in England’

The idea of the camps was started by the Italian union AIC in 1985. Fifpro used to organise tournaments but that stopped in 2015. However, players’ unions still organise tournaments among themselves.

England’s Professional Footballers’ Association has been involved in Fifpro tournaments in the past but does not run its own camps now.

The PFA said there were around 700 players out of contract in the country and it would “not be feasible” to run a training camp.

But it does offer a number of services for free agents, allowing players to advertise their services on the PFA website and organising exit trials so young players released by clubs can play matches in front of scouts.

“We have a strong pyramid of 92 clubs and the National Leagues, which offer paid opportunities throughout the leagues,” said PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes.

“Even if you drop out of League Two, it is not necessarily the end of their pro career. There are opportunities further down the scale.”

Players taking part 2018 by union Austria: 24 Malta: 24 Belgium: 16 Montenegro: 18 Bulgaria: 18 Netherlands: 16 Croatia: 18 Portugal: 25-30 Czech Republic: 22 Romania: 25 Denmark: 90 Serbia: 16 France: 39 Spain: 24 Hungary: 21 Switzerland: 16 Italy: 65 Turkey: 25

BBC Sport – Football

'Not many players come back after two years of nothing' – the last-chance camps for free agents was originally published on 365 Football