Chapter 23: Fire in the Cold
Chapter 23: Fire in the Cold
The wind bit sharper that night, and Broadfield Stadium stood under a curtain of freezing mist, the floodlights punching through like searchlights. Every breath steamed. Every boot that touched the pitch sounded heavier.
The FA Cup Fourth Round.
Crawley Town vs Oldham Athletic.
No fireworks. No glamour. Just a lower-league battleground under a cold sky.
But for Crawley, this was everything.
Inside the changing room, you could almost feel the nerves humming off the walls. Luka sat staring at his boots. Simons paced like a soldier before battle. Jamal leaned against a locker, eyes closed, headphones in—but Niels could tell he wasn't listening to music.
He stepped forward.
Didn't shout.
Didn't pace.
Just spoke—calm and low.