Dreams do come true...

The day had arrived. The longed-for day when James would finally pull on the shirt of his beloved rugby league team and run out on the pitch in front of their adoring fans.

The day had arrived. The longed-for day when James would finally pull on the shirt of his beloved rugby league team and run out on the pitch in front of their adoring fans.

Years of training and hard work had paid off. He was thrilled when he received a vote of confidence from the head coach telling him he deserved his place.

He had been unable to sleep well as he was so excited and after a restless night James began his preparations for the game ahead. He knew the importance of nutrition and eating the right food at the right time but he really didn’t want to eat anything. His stomach churned and nervousness almost got the better of him.

“Come on, Tess,” he said to his faithful Border Collie. “Let’s go for a walk.”

The black, white and tan dog excitedly ran to the door, waiting for her master to catch up. James clipped on her lead and they set off on their usual walk. Tess stopped at almost every fence, tree and lamppost to sniff ‘doggy smells’. The weather was fine and crisp, the sunshine beginning to peak through the clouds. James took a few breaths of the fresh, clean air.

They reached the entrance to a field and he let Tess off the lead. She ran off, circling him and looked as if she was rounding up sheep! He laughed and threw a ball a few times for her to retrieve.

There were two other dogs in the field enjoying the freedom of being off the lead. A little terrier was chasing a German Shepherd who was much bigger than itself while their owners looked on and chatted to each other. They waved to James.

He waved back as he checked his watch. Tess had wandered into the trees and was sniffing again after the mad burst of running around chasing the ball.

“Come on girl,” he said. “Time to go home.”

Tess ran to him, dropping the ball at his feet. She was panting and her tongue lolloped to the side of her mouth. She obediently walked beside him – much less excited than when they had left the house.

James was feeling much calmer too and the walk had given him time to build up an appetite. His professionalism kicked in and he ate the healthy meal as advised by the club’s nutritionist. After a shower he was soon ready to set off to the ground, once more checking his bag that he had all he needed for the game, especially his red and white boots.

In the car on the short journey to the home of his club he passed groups of supporters wearing their team colours, chattering and laughing as they made their way to take their places in the stands at the stadium.

He imagined they would be discussing the team’s performances and the coach’s tactics and which players would make it onto the team sheet. They wouldn’t hesitate to give their opinions on who was in-form and who wasn’t. That would normally be him with his family and friends, enjoying the banter and match day traditions as a supporter but today he would be listening to the coach giving the team talk in the dressing room.

As the car stopped at traffic lights some of his friends spotted him and waved. They clapped and cheered. He heard one of them call out.

“Good luck, James! Wish it was me!”

He waved back, wound down the window and called to them:

“Thanks guys! Make sure you cheer loudly! See you after the game”

He smiled and felt a shiver of excitement and thought ‘Is this what it’s like to be famous?’

When he arrived James stood for a moment looking around. Trucks belonging to Sky Sports who were televising the game were in the stadium car park. It was a hive of activity as the technicians were sorting out masses of cables that looked like a huge plate of spaghetti. How they knew where everything went was a mystery to James. He hoped his mum had remembered to programme their television to record the game so he could watch it afterwards.

Two men, wearing suits walked by. He recognised them as sports commentators, Eddie and Stevo. They were on their way to their commentary box with a bird’s eye view at the top of the main stand.

He saw the away team coach arriving and their players stretching as they stepped off and collected their kit bags. The players looked much bigger in real life. He found it hard to believe he would soon be facing them on the pitch.

Supporters were beginning to drift in. Some stopped off at the food outlet and bought pies or burgers. The smell of cooking made James feel a little nauseous. He told himself to stop feeling so nervous. Other supporters went into the bar and more made their way to claim their spot on the terraces. He could hear the click click of the turnstiles.

This was how he entered the ground to watch the game but today he showed his pass to the security guard who recognised him immediately, shook his hand and said:

“At least it’s not raining today and the wind has died down! Good thing the match wasn’t played yesterday, it was awful weather. Have a good one, James.”

He personally escorted him to the Players and Officials entrance. Lots of people were milling around, directors, guests and former players as well as ball boys and girls. The furry figure of an oversized robin, Rufus the club mascot, was busily filling a super-soaker water pistol. He was planning to squirt the younger fans (and anyone who happened to get in the line of fire) during pre-match entertainment.

Soon James spotted a familiar face. The kit man caught his eye, rushed over, shook his hand and guided him to the home team dressing room.

“How are you feeling James?” he asked. He saw the look on James’ face and said “Don’t be nervous. Just do your best and it’ll be fine. Most of all, enjoy it!”

As they entered the dressing room James tried to take it all in. Some players were already there, listening to music on headphones or just sitting quietly. One or two were pacing around. The physio was busy strapping up a player’s knee. Each preparing for the game ahead in their own way. They saw him and said hello. The team captain took off his headphones and came over.

“Great to see you James! We’re really glad to have you on-board and know you’ll do a brilliant job.”

The captain was James’ idol and he’d watched him take to the pitch, leading out his team many times over the years. To be in the same dressing room as him and other players he had followed was a dream come true.

The players’ kits with their squad numbers showing were neatly hung up on pegs around the room. The kit man showed him his place where he would be sitting to change and have last minute instructions from the coaches. His shirt was hanging there so he placed his bag underneath the bench and changed ready for the warm up. He laced up his new boots, then stood, trying to absorb every moment.

As the players ran out on the pitch the stands were fairly quiet as supporters were still arriving and enjoying the hospitality in the bars and restaurants before kick-off. Those already there clapped as they welcomed their team and watched as they practised their passing, tackling and kicking. James joined the players in their routines and concentrated hard on what the coaches instructed.

He noticed some children aged five or six in their team strips were playing a game of rugby in a corner of the pitch. Their parents and coaches shouted encouragement and clapped as a try was scored.

The loudspeaker broadcasted music and the on-field announcer stood on the touch line ready to read out the names of players who would be taking to the field.

Warm-up complete, the players were going back into the dressing room ready for kick off. As he walked back towards the tunnel he looked up into the stand that was now rapidly filling up with fans and saw his parents and brother clapping him. He shyly gave them a wave but felt very pleased they were there to support him.

The pungent smell of liniment hung in the air, mingling with the sweat of 17 rugby league players. The head coach joined them in the dressing room, going to each player in turn, slapping them on the back and shaking their hand. He gave them a last word of encouragement. As he got to James he gave him a beaming smile.

“Make the most of this opportunity, James.” He said. “We know you’ll do well for us, otherwise you wouldn’t be here!”

“Thank you boss,” replied James. “I’ll definitely do my best and make you proud”.

Outside the dressing rooms the referee blew his whistle to warn the two teams it was time to take to the field for the start of the game, the players gathered in a circle, as a team with arms around each other and readied themselves for the game. James felt like he was in a dream - but it was really happening.

The players from both teams lined up in the tight tunnel and James took his place. He felt very small alongside the experienced players. They all began to move forwards and jostled for position. As they left the tunnel they started to run onto the pitch. The teams were announced and the crowd cheered, clapped and shouted for their teams. It was deafening!

The home team fans in full voice as the loud speaker blasted out Red, Red Robin.

TV cameras were rolling and photographers were busy snapping away ready for the reporters to write their match review and be printed the next day in the local or national newspapers or rugby league weekly publications. Now it was time for the team to pose for their photo and a TV cameraman panned along the row of players. Although James tried to smile his mouth was very dry – his lips stuck to his teeth and it was more of a grimace.

“I must look like a character from Wallace and Gromit” he said. His voice was drowned out with all the noise.

The team captains shook hands with the referee and touch judges. The moment James had waited for for such a long time was finally here. He too shook hands with the officials and handed the match ball to the referee. He felt he would burst with pride leading out the mighty Hull Kingston Rovers.

As the hooter sounded for the start of the game he ran off the field to thunderous applause. His legs felt like jelly but he made it back to the tunnel and his mum was there to meet him.

“Well done, James” she said, wrapping her arms around him. “We are so proud of you. You have been fantastic!”

He was already looking forward to next the time when he could be picked to be the match day mascot once again!

KAREN SHEPHERD