Alan Combes

Football's not the only Game Alan Combes

Aaron Chapple is 17 and football-mad. Along with a growth spurt that boosts his height, the mysteries of hand-eye-foot coordination click into place, and his dreams of becoming a professional footballer feel within his grasp. Even the manager of his youth team begins to take an interest. Then a friend persuades him to move from his established team. When Aaron first joins them, newly-formed Grove Celtic can't even muster a full team and his first sight of manager Jaffa dismays him. Has he given up his place in a successful team to follow an eccentric who travels everywhere by bicycle? His bridges are well and truly burnt behind him, but the cosmopolitan mix of players in his new team begins to intrigue him. As does Jaffa. Why do they know so little about him?Tensions are not confined to football. When Aaron starts to date Izzy Green, rivalry for her affections spills over on to the pitch where he finds himself up against the thuggish Graham Kay who has no intention of playing a fair game whether for love or sport. If only Izzy was as passionate about the game as he was, Aaron would not find himself with such a hard balancing act. Things get no easier as his quest for professional recognition takes an unexpected turn and family problems threaten to engulf his ambitions. Through a maelstrom of conflicting responsibilities, Aaron faces the toughest decision of his life.