The Trial
by
Andrew J Keir
In ma heid, the stadiums ay the world are abuzz: the Neucamp crowd is screamin, “OH–LAY, OLAY, OLAY, OLAY … AN–DAY … AN–DAY …”, Auld Trafford trembles wi the thunder ay sixty thoosan Manc feet, an at Parkheid they ur jumpin up an doon in the jungle.
Ah focus oan the joab in hand, finish tyin ma laces, an stumble tae ma feet: studs clunkin oan polished tile.
Ah suck in ma flutterin guts, take a deep breath an push open the door tae the tunnel: a funnel tae a better wurld. Ah jog doon the narra corridor tae the light, resolvin tae dae ma best: efter aw, ah’ve skipped ma Inglish Standart Grade fir this – no that ah wid ay passed ennyway.
Emergin pitch-side, ah look at the empty Subbuteo stands and tell masel that Partick Thistle isnae such a bad place tae begin: TV fitba guru Alan Hansen stertit here, an he wiz captin ay Liverpool!
Me an the other lads oan the trial are split intae two. We play acroass half the pitch, usin five-a-side goals. Ah get the baw at ma feet an play a wan-two wi ginger heided Brian fae Stirlin. When it comes aff, ah jink roon the big Paisley boy, an run fir goal. As ahm teein up ma shot, ah sense the wingback comin in hard oan ma right. Ah hear ma shin crack afore ah feel the nerve endins scream: fuckin agony so it is.
As ahm stretchered aff, through the pain, an inklin ay the enormity ay whits happened begins tae dawn oan me. Ah cannae stoap greetin, an ah feel the tears bilin oan ma hot cheeks.
Eventually ah get a needle in ma airm an ah feel better – Story ay ma life!
Copyright 2011 by Andrew J Keir
Ah focus oan the joab in hand, finish tyin ma laces, an stumble tae ma feet: studs clunkin oan polished tile.
Ah suck in ma flutterin guts, take a deep breath an push open the door tae the tunnel: a funnel tae a better wurld. Ah jog doon the narra corridor tae the light, resolvin tae dae ma best: efter aw, ah’ve skipped ma Inglish Standart Grade fir this – no that ah wid ay passed ennyway.
Emergin pitch-side, ah look at the empty Subbuteo stands and tell masel that Partick Thistle isnae such a bad place tae begin: TV fitba guru Alan Hansen stertit here, an he wiz captin ay Liverpool!
Me an the other lads oan the trial are split intae two. We play acroass half the pitch, usin five-a-side goals. Ah get the baw at ma feet an play a wan-two wi ginger heided Brian fae Stirlin. When it comes aff, ah jink roon the big Paisley boy, an run fir goal. As ahm teein up ma shot, ah sense the wingback comin in hard oan ma right. Ah hear ma shin crack afore ah feel the nerve endins scream: fuckin agony so it is.
As ahm stretchered aff, through the pain, an inklin ay the enormity ay whits happened begins tae dawn oan me. Ah cannae stoap greetin, an ah feel the tears bilin oan ma hot cheeks.
Eventually ah get a needle in ma airm an ah feel better – Story ay ma life!
Copyright 2011 by Andrew J Keir
