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GLORY! BY CHARLIE BRITTAIN
Glory! is a 17 chapter-long novel written for teenagers and adults of both sexes, not necessarily football fanatics. It tells not only of the excitement and thrills but also of the lows in a teenager's battle for success in a man's world. Ollie Paine is eighteen years old, academically brilliant and a wonderful soccer player. When he gives up a place at Cambridge University to play for Chenham City, his headmaster, Mr Swann, tells him: "Football is for thickies! You are not thick!" He sneers about Ollie expecting "Glory, glory all the way". Glory, however, was not what was in store for Chenham City, newly promoted from Division One to the Premiership. Then manager Geoff Anderson decides to play some youngsters from the Reserves. He includes Ollie Paine. Chenham City's fortunes suddenly improve and Ollie becomes a star overnight. He is mobbed by persistent fans, something which almost drives him to a nervous breakdown. Enforced time-off through injury however, gives Ollie time to take stock - and to write this book!
Ollie comes from a very ordinary background, the son of village newsagents. His family figures largely in his story and a key theme is Ollie's concern for his dying grandfather. Ollie is a character with guts, the sort of guts needed to take a penalty in the last minutes of a Cup Final. He wobbles from time to time, but does not let his supporters (or readers) down. Ollie writes in the first person, in a chatty, accessible style. He starts (and finishes) by saying he is quite ordinary really and throughout he seems to be saying, "Is this really happening to me?" This Story is Copyrighted, if in doubt, please read COPYRIGHTS section at TALESetc.com |