First published in 2021 in Great Britain by

  Barrington Stoke Ltd

  18 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7LP

  This ebook edition first published in 2021

  www.barringtonstoke.co.uk

  Text © 2021 Alan Gibbons

  Illustration © 2021 Chris Chalik

  The moral right of Alan Gibbons and Chris Chalik to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in any part in any form without the written permission of the publisher

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library upon request

  ISBN: 978-1-80090-065-3

  Contents

  1 The Hulk

  Goalkeeping history

  2 Small goal, big keeper

  Great goalies

  3 Push up!

  Danger! Goalkeeper at work!

  4 Flattened

  Goalkeeping howlers

  5 The best

  Goalies’ goals

  6 Keeper for keeps

  Chapter 1

  The Hulk

  It isn’t easy starting a new school halfway into the year. Most kids who do start late are quiet to begin with. It takes them time to fit in. They sit at the back of the classroom. They stand at the edge of the playground looking lonely and left out.

  Not Shane Logan.

  I had never met anybody like Shane Logan.

  When he started, he hit our school like a wild wind, like a hurricane. He came into our classroom one Monday morning with our Head Teacher, Mr Rust. Shane slammed the door behind him and the whole room shook.

  Mr Rust stared at Shane. He didn’t like kids making noise. Shane didn’t notice. He just stood in front of the class with his feet apart and his arms crossed over his chest, as if he was waiting for a fight.

  “What’s up with the Incredible Hulk?” my mate Danny Osu asked, nodding to Shane.

  “Beats me,” I said.

  Mr Rust looked at Shane again, as if he was trouble. Shane ignored him.

  “This is Shane Logan,” Mr Rust said to our class. “Shane has just moved here from Yorkshire.”

  “Leeds,” Shane said with a growl in his voice.

  “He thinks he’s a big grizzly bear,” Danny said, shoving me with his elbow.

  “He sounds more like an earthquake to me,” I told him. “Did you ever hear anybody that loud?”

  Our teacher, Mrs Ali, smiled at the new boy.

  “Let’s all say hello to Shane,” she said, then added, “You can sit over there, next to Peter.”

  Mrs Ali pointed to the empty seat next to me. Shane stared for a moment, then he stomped over and slumped into the chair. The legs scraped on the floor. Mr Rust gave Mrs Ali a sideways look, shrugged and left the room.

  Mrs Ali turned back to Shane and smiled again. “We’re in the middle of a Maths lesson at the moment,” she said. “I’ll get you a book at break-time, but for now you can just listen to what we’re doing.”

  Mrs Ali was about to carry on with the Maths lesson when Shane’s hand shot up.

  “Do I have to stay in at break to get my book?” he asked.

  “No, Shane, don’t worry,” Mrs Ali said. “I’ll get the book. You can go out with the rest of the class.”

  Shane put his hand down, but it was back up a minute later.

  “What if I want to write something down in this lesson?” Shane asked. “I need something to write on now.”

  “You don’t need to write anything down for this lesson,” Mrs Ali explained again. “But I can give you some paper if you want.”

  “Can I have a pencil too?” Shane asked. “I haven’t got anything to write with.”

  That made Danny laugh.

  Mrs Ali wasn’t used to being asked so many questions. Her voice sounded funny when she replied, “All right. I’ll get you a pencil and some paper.”

  She sighed and placed a sheet of paper and a pencil on his desk. Shane looked at us and grinned.

  “Pencil and paper is good,” he said with a smile.

  “I am glad you’re happy,” Mrs Ali said.

  She had to force herself to smile this time.

  *

  We were working on our Maths problems when Shane leaned across.

  “Hey, Peter, do you guys play football at break?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I told him. “Lunch-time too.”

  Shane nodded and said, “Great. I’ll join in.”

  He didn’t ask us. He told us.

  When the bell went, Shane followed us out into the yard.

  “Let’s play,” he said. “Who’s got the ball?”

  I showed him the ball.

  “What’s this?” he asked. It was lighter than a normal football.

  “The school doesn’t let us have a proper football,” I explained. “In case people who aren’t playing get hit by it. We have to make do with a lighter one. It’s got something to do with health and safety. We get a proper ball when they let us out on the big field at lunch-time – but only when it’s dry.”

  “This is like a beach ball,” Shane said, rolling it with his foot. “It’s too light. It could go anywhere.”

  As if to prove his point, Shane booted it. The ball flew over the fence and into the street, bouncing down the pavement.

  “What did you do that for?” Danny asked. “That’s why we keep the football on the ground. Don’t just launch it.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” Shane said.

  Then they were in each other’s faces, ready for a fight. I grabbed Danny’s arm.

  “Don’t be stupid,” I said. “Let’s get the ball back. We’re wasting time.”

  Their stand-off was over as soon as it had begun. Danny and I went up to the fence and got a passer-by to throw it back.

  “Thanks,” we said.

  “Can we try to keep it on the ground this time?” I asked Shane. I added the magic word so he didn’t get angry again: “Please.”

  Shane looked at Danny, then he looked at me. Then he grinned.

  “Will do,” Shane said.

  He played football the same way he walked into a classroom. He was loud and he was strong. He shouted orders and knocked the other kids out of the way to get to the ball. The trouble was, Shane didn’t have much control and the ball just kept running away from him. He was all energy and no skill.

  “How do we tell Shane he’s annoying people?” Danny said. “He’s like a wild thing.”

  “I have an idea,” I said.

  I turned around and called Shane over.

  “You’re tall, Shane,” I said. “Do you want to go in goal at lunch-time? You know, just give it a try … for now.”

  Shane grinned. “Goal’s good,” he said.

  GOALKEEPING HISTORY

  Today, everyone knows what the goalkeeper does and what they wear – but did you know things were very different in the early days of football? Here are some of the ways the goalie’s role has changed over the years.

  The first football rules didn’t even mention goalkeepers

  The game began to develop into what we know as football in the nineteenth century. Back then there was no such thing as a goalkeeper – at least not in the way we think of the role today. Instead, any player was allowed to catch the ball as long as they didn’t run with it in both hands. It wasn’t until 1871 that goalkeepers were introduced into the rules and other players could no longer handle the ball.

  Keepers could handle the ball anywhere on the pitch

  After the position of goalkeeper became part of the game, the rules on what they could and couldn’t do kept changing. At one point they could handle the ball anywhere on the pitch. The rule that says goalies can only handle the ball in the penalty area wasn’t introduced until 1912.

  Goalkeepers haven’t always worn gloves

  Today, professional goalkeepers rarely play without gloves. But before the twentieth century, hardly anyone wore them. Some goalies found other things to help instead, such as Welsh player Jack Kelsey, who used to rub chewing gum between his hands to help him grip the ball! One of the first players to start wearing gloves was Argentinian Amadeo Carrizo in the 1940s.

  Goals didn’t always have nets – or even a crossbar

  In the nineteenth century, most football goals didn’t have a net or a bar across the top of the posts. This meant the ball was often kicked high above the goalposts and created many arguments about whether or not a goal had really been scored. It wasn’t until 1882 that the rules changed to say that a crossbar had to be placed across the top of the goal and the ball had to be kicked under it. Ten years later, the first net was used in an FA Cup final.

  Chapter 2

  Small goal, big keeper

  Putting Shane in goal during the next game at lunch-time was the right thing to do. He took to it right away.

  It was autumn, just before half-term, and it was really warm.

  “It’s called an Indian summer when it’s warm at this time of year,” Mrs Ali said.

  We didn’t care what it was called. The sunny weather meant the school field stayed dry, so we didn’t have to play on the yard. At lunch-time we could have a full-scale match with a proper ball. The teacher on duty acted as referee.

  We learned a lot more about Shane during that game.

  For starters, he would yell his head off if you gave the ball away in your own half.

  “Look what you’re do ing,” Shane barked at Danny. “You could have given a goal away.”

  Ten minutes later it was my turn to get screamed at. I tried to pass the ball upfield, but the pass was too short. Shane had to rush out to clear the ball. He yelled in my face at the top of his voice.

  “That pass was rubbish,” Shane shouted.

  He tapped his head.

  “Think before you play it,” he told me.

  “I am thinking,” I said.

  “Not hard enough,” Shane grunted.

  I glanced at Danny. It was like having Mr Rust in goal, always giving orders.

  The next thing we learned was that Shane was fast on his feet for a big guy. Hamad, who was playing for the other team, got the ball and ran straight at me. I backed off and backed off. Suddenly, Hamad moved the ball left and struck it sweetly. I spun round and saw Shane flying across the goalmouth. He tipped the ball over the crossbar with his fingertips.

  “Great save!” I gasped.

  Shane wasn’t interested in my praise.

  “Couldn’t you see what Hamad was going to do?” he demanded. “You’ve got to stay with your man.”

  “Sorry,” I said.

  It was definitely like having Mr Rust in goal.

  The third thing we learned was that Shane did things you didn’t expect. Hamad got the ball again and sprinted into our penalty area. He dropped his shoulder and struck the ball with the inside of his foot. Shane was already going the wrong way to save it, but he stretched out a long leg and cleared the ball over the crossbar.

  “That save was amazing,” Danny said.

  “It had to be amazing,” Shane said, his face bright red. His eyes were hard. He roared at Danny, “You were supposed to be marking him.”

  “I did my best,” Danny said.

  “Yes, well, your best wasn’t good enough,” Shane snapped. “Do better!”

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” Danny shot back. “You’re not my dad.”

  We didn’t know why then, but that comment from Danny put Shane into a rage.

  “Shut your mouth!” Shane yelled. “Just shut your mouth and do your job!”

  Danny was stunned. “What did you say?” he asked Shane.

  “What’s up?” Shane said. “Are you deaf as well as stupid?”

  The teacher on duty, Mr Dunne, came over.

  “Break it up, lads,” he said. “It’s only a game.”

  Shane glared at Mr Dunne, but he didn’t say anything. That was the fourth thing we learned – that Shane had a temper.

  “What was all that about?” Danny asked me as he jogged past.

  “Beats me,” I said. “He’s like a bomb waiting to go off.”

  The bomb didn’t go off that lunch-time. Shane managed to keep the lid on his temper for the rest of the game. But we did learn one last thing about him. He was a great shot stopper.

  Hamad was the other team’s star player. He lost his man again and burst into the penalty area. I stuck out a leg, but I timed it wrong and down went Hamad.

  Penalty.

  “Shane’s going to have a go at me,” I told Danny.

  But this time Shane was too busy to shout. He strode over to Hamad and stared at him. Then he stared at the ball.

  “It’s a small goal,” Shane said, “and I’m a big keeper.”

  Some of the kids laughed. Hamad frowned.

  “Get back on your line, keeper,” Mr Dunne told Shane.

  Shane pulled a face and walked back to the goal line. Hamad stood over the ball. To put him off, Shane started wobbling his legs and waving his arms. Shane was right. He was a big keeper. Hamad did a short run-up … and the ball flew over the bar. The kids on our team crowded round Shane.

  “Did you see that?” Danny said. “Did you see how Shane psyched Hamad out?”

  “Have you played in goal before?” I asked Shane.

  Shane shook his head. “Never,” he said.

  “Well, you’re playing in goal from now on,” I told him. “Lots of us from school play in a Sunday League team, North Park Juniors. You should come along.”

  “We’ve already got a goalkeeper,” Danny said. “Jack.”

  I shook my head.

  “Jack hates playing in goal,” I said. “Look, I’m captain and I say we give Shane a go. Jack prefers playing full-back. Well, what about it, Shane? I’ll clear it with our coach.”

  Shane smiled.

  “I don’t mind if I do,” he said. “Thanks, Peter.”

  When I got home, my dad rang Gary, our coach, to talk about Shane. Gary promised to give the new boy a chance. If Shane did well, he could be our keeper for keeps.

  I rang Shane with the good news.

  “Gary will need to meet your mum or dad,” I told him.

  “No problem,” Shane said.

  GREAT GOALIES

  There have been many great keepers in the history of football, and these are considered to be among the greatest of all time.

  Lev Yashin

  People called Yashin the “Black Spider” or the “Black Panther” because he was so agile. He played for just one club for the whole of his career, Dynamo Moscow. He played in three World Cups and won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Yashin saved over 150 penalty kicks and kept around 270 clean sheets.

  Gordon Banks

  Gordon Banks was the goalkeeper when England won its only World Cup against West Germany in 1966. In the next World Cup in 1970, Banks faced one of the greatest players the world has ever seen, Pelé, when England played against Brazil in Mexico. Pelé headed a shot from close range, but Banks pulled off an amazing save, pushing the ball up and over the bar. Many people consider it the best save of all time.

  Iker Casillas

  Casillas is one of Real Madrid’s and Spain’s greatest ever players. He is known as “Saint Iker” for his amazing ability to save goals. He won five Spanish league titles, three Champions League titles, six Spanish cups, two UEFA Super Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. Casillas was the captain when Spain won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He led Spain to World Cup glory in South Africa in 2010.

  Peter Schmeichel

  Many people believe Schmeichel was Manchester United’s and Denmark’s greatest keeper. He played 292 times for United and won five league titles. His greatest moment was his performance in the 1999 Champions League final, when he captained the team. Schmeichel played 129 times for Denmark and helped his country win the European Championships in 1992.

  Chapter 3

  Push up!

  “No problem,” Shane had said when I’d told him that Gary would need to meet his mum or dad. But there was a problem and it was Shane’s dad.

  Shane and his dad didn’t look a bit alike. Shane’s dad was short and stocky with a thick neck. He had cropped hair that was going a bit grey.

  “Maybe Shane is more like his mum,” Danny said when I pointed this out.

  But in another way, Shane was just like his dad. They were both loud.

  “Right, lads,” Gary said when everyone had arrived for the match on Sunday. “We’ve got two new lads today – Shane and Hamad. You will both be substitutes for now. I’ll bring you on later.” We had finally got Hamad to come along as well. After the way he played at school, he was a must for the team.

  Shane’s dad wasn’t happy. He marched up to Gary and started talking. He didn’t care that Gary was talking to another parent.

  “How come our Shane isn’t starting the game?” Shane’s dad demanded.

  Gary turned and frowned.

  “Sorry,” Gary said. “Do I know you?”

  Shane’s dad just went on talking.

  “I want to know why our Shane isn’t on the pitch from the beginning,” he said.

  He didn’t even tell Gary his name.

  “Oh, you’re with one of the new boys,” Gary said. “I’ve got a form for you to fill in before you go.”

  “You haven’t answered my question,” Shane’s dad said, as if Gary hadn’t said a word. “How come Shane isn’t starting?”

  “I told him,” Gary said. “I will bring Shane on as a sub later. I want to see how the game goes first.”

  Shane’s dad wasn’t finished.

  “I’m telling you,” he said. “Our Shane is a good lad. He should be playing, not sitting on the bench.”

 

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