Page 66 of Dominate
Camden, Tanner, Booker, and I are seated at a long table up on an elevated stage. There are microphones positioned between each of us, and Gary Austin stands at a podium beside me.
The room is filled to the brim with over one hundred reporters, cameramen, photographers, and various team staff members who are standing off to the sides. This is the first official announcement from England concerning their World Cup squad, and the people are excited for what’s about to be shared.
Austin clears his throat, and the chatter in the room mutes instantly as he begins speaking.
“Thank you all for being here today. I won’t be announcing the entire twenty-three-man squad for England today. That will be released at a future date so that those men get their quality time.
“What I’m about to tell you all is a bit unorthodox, and that is why I’ve called this special press conference.
“The Championship League clubs have been making insane headlines as of late. Games have been utter chaos in the best way possible. Honestly, football fans are losing their minds with highlights of this calibre.
“And when great things like this happen, it is a genuine fear that the World Cup tournament will be anticlimactic. I mean, historically, coaches keep their game plans very simple with national teams. You can’t expect these athletes to get together for a couple of camps and some friendlies and have the kind of chemistry that they do with their own teams they play with every day.
“But, I’m shaking up England’s team this year. I’m dipping into the Championship clubs for my squad because there is certainly the quality of playing that I’m seeking. And there’s a set of brothers whom I think can bring the spirit of football to an all new level for England and the World Cup.
“When you have four boys and a father who’ve lived, slept, and dreamt about football their entire lives, it’s something you notice.
“Are there Premier League players who are more qualified to be on my squad? Absolutely. Are there four people more dedicated to the sport of football who have cleaner records and higher statistics? I’m sure there are. Are there four brothers who have more heart, more passion, more love for their family and this game? No. There is not.
“That is why I’m calling up all four of the Harris Brothers for the World Cup team. After what I’ve seen this past week at a private camp I held, I’m convinced they will lead England in this tournament and bring home some new gold trophies for our country.”
Austin backs away from the podium and the press explode with questions, one after another, after another. My brothers and I look at each other. Our faces are composed on the outside, but anyone looking close enough can see that fire, that spark. That game time moment of adrenaline that shoots through an athlete’s entire body right before a big play.
With a small nod to my brothers, I turn my focus back to our manager.
“Coach Austin, what about Tanner Harris and his questionable judgement last season?”
Austin pins the reporter with a menacing glower. “I’m well aware of Tanner’s past, and I’m not concerned about it in the slightest.”
“Coach, don’t you think Booker Harris is a bit too young? A bit too inexperienced? He’s only played for his father’s team.”
Austin scoffs and shakes his head. “The Cup has had seventeen-year-olds play before. And have you seen the size of Booker Harris these days? He towers over his oldest brother, whose position on the squad is being doubted by none of you, I’m sure. Booker is fit and he’s a fine keeper. He’ll do the job well.”
“Coach, can you remark on the bad blood between Vaughn Harris and the Manchester United Football Club?”
“No, I cannot. Vaughn Harris has not been asked onto my team, so his history with Manchester United is of no relevance to me. The only thing I know about Harris is that he runs a top-notch club in Bethnal and he was a joy to watch in the 80s.”
“Coach! Coach! Gareth Harris’s home was burglarised three months ago. There are rumours that it was foul play within the league. Players angry at you for inviting four brothers over other more qualified players. What do you say to that?”
My brow furrows. I quickly slide forward to the mic, giving Austin a nod that I want to take this one. “I’ve been told the incident is still under investigation. Unfortunately, no one has been caught.”
Austin’s eyes are narrowed at the reporter as he adds, “And if there are rumours of foul play within the league, I hope they catch the bastards who committed that crime. Any athlete not man enough to see that this game is about a hell of a lot more than statistics isn’t a player I want to coach on my team.”
Austin sits down in the chair opposite the podium, his forehead covered in a sheen of sweat as he takes a drink from his glass. The team publicist comes out next, announcing that my brothers and I will take a few questions before concluding the conference.
A male reporter catches my attention in the front row. “Gareth, how was the secret camp you just completed with your brothers?”
I lean forward to the mic. “It was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. World Cup or not, I’m thankful that Austin gave me the opportunity to play alongside my brothers again.”
“Tanner, how does it feel to be playing with your twin brother again? Were you angry at him for signing on with Arsenal?”
Tanner laughs and shakes his head. Tucking his long hair behind his ears, he leans into the mic and says, “You’re bloody well right I was angry. He doesn’t call, he doesn’t write. I don’t even remember the last time he sent me flowers.”
The reporters erupt into laughter as Tanner winks at Camden, who just rolls his eyes.
Tanner returns to the mic and says, “No, I wasn’t angry. I was proud as hell. I’m proud of all my brothers every single day.”
“Booker Harris! When is the new baby arriving? Are there going to be wedding bells in your future?”
