Chapter 13: first match
Matchday at Pride Park was like no other. The streets outside the stadium buzzed with excitement, fans pouring in with scarves and jerseys, discussing the much-anticipated lineup. Inside, Wayne Rooney paced the dressing room, preparing for his first official match as Derby County's player-manager.
The lineup dropped an hour before kickoff, and as phones buzzed with notifications, fans reacted swiftly. Trevor, a lifelong Derby supporter, sat with his friends in the South Stand, frowning at the announcement.
"David Jones? Who's that?" he barked, scrolling through the lineup on his phone. "A 15-year-old? Starting? Are we running a football academy now?"
One of his mates tried to calm him down. "Come on, Trev. He must be good if Rooney's starting him."
"Good? He's a kid!" Trevor grumbled. "I've got wines older than him. This is ridiculous!"
The commentators chuckled at the reactions filtering through social media. "Well, Derby fans seem divided on this decision," one of them quipped. "It's bold, putting a teenager in such a high-pressure game. Let's see if Wayne Rooney's faith in young David Jones pays off."
The Tunnel
In the stadium tunnel, David stood near the back of the line, his hands trembling slightly. The roar of the crowd was deafening, even from here. It wasn't just noise—it was expectation, excitement, and pressure all rolled into one.
"You ready, kid?" Rooney appeared beside him, his tone calm but commanding.
David nodded, though his voice betrayed his nerves. "Yeah... just taking it all in."
"Good," Rooney said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's big, because it matters. But remember, you're here because you earned it. Play your game."