My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 33: The Yorkshire Derby

However, instead of looking scared of the manager’s threat, both Jack Clarke and his captain Morrison laughed. It started out with some chuckles, as if they couldn’t believe the absurdity of it, but then it broke out into full side-aching laughter right there on the touchline.

The fourth official didn’t know what to do in this situation, but he eventually reminded the players that it was time to play football once again. The two rebels quickly wiped their tears and got back into position.

Rio saw the smiling face of Clarke as he jogged back to the wing and couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Despite everything that happened and the threat of never playing in the Championship again, the kid was in good spirits.

"That was quite an expression your Gaffer had," Rio commented, jogging past him.

"Haha, yeah wasn’t it fantastic? He looked like a tomato about to explode," Clarke replied, grinning.

"But aren’t you worried about what he said at the end?" Rio couldn’t help but ask. Inwardly he felt guilty; sure, he might have unlocked Clarke’s potential, but what good would that be if the kid was rotting in the reserves next week?

"I’d rather rot in the reserves than play hoof-ball for that dinosaur," Clarke admitted, his grin fading into a serious determination.

Rio let the boy’s words simmer in his mind, choosing not to reply as he faced the restart. The once-timid winger now had a dangerous glint in his eye as he received the ball and performed an exaggerated step-over, driving straight at Rio.

’Holy crap!’ Rio cursed inwardly as he saw the ball flash past his ankles at the last moment, causing his tackle to completely hit air.

’That dribble was alive...’ He was shocked, yet inwardly he felt any sign of guilt fade away.

"Nice move!" Rio called out, turning to chase.

The next play was a cross to the back post which seemed to drift away from the striker ever so slightly. However, the striker still managed to get contact on the ball, heading it just wide.

"Heh, this is more like it," Rio remarked, feeling a grin tug at the corners of his lips.

Now that Clarke had cleared his mental block, the runs he made were sharp, no longer like a terrified robot afraid of losing the ball. It was as if he had a complete rebirth right in the middle of a muddy Elland Road.

As if to back up this notion, the next run that came his way bamboozled Rio greatly. He had been expecting the cut-inside, yet he was fooled by the sudden burst of pace down the line, mistiming his interception terribly.

"Foul! Free kick."

Yet instead of being downcast about conceding the foul, Rio sent a thumbs up to Clarke while getting up from the mud, unable to keep the excitement from his face.

Next up was the corner kick. After seeing that they had chosen to fight, the Rotherham defenders’ depressed faces had been replaced with their usual aggressive demeanor.

Rio stood near the post and was approached by his captain, Cooper.

"It looks like whatever you said to them worked. Great job, lad," he said, giving Rio a pat on the back.

"Thanks, but I’m a little worried for those two. I don’t know if you could hear, but Evans was saying that he’d make sure they wouldn’t play in this league again."

Seeing as his provocation had been the catalyst for the rebellion, he thought that he should know the consequences.

However, instead of looking worried, Cooper pointed to something near the tunnel.

"Huh?" Rio moved his attention over and saw the Sky Sports cameras which were pointed directly at the technical area.

"Don’t worry, the whole country saw that. We even got the unfortunate tantrum that the manager threw before storming off. Once the board sees that, he’ll be sacked before the bus leaves the parking lot," Cooper continued, with a cheeky smile.

Rio’s eyes widened in surprise before he let out a hearty laughter. It turned out that he had been worried for nothing. Perhaps the captain had already known such a thing would happen, because managers like Evans rarely survived public meltdowns.

"Goal kick!"

The free kick sailed over the bar, putting an end to the Rotherham attack. Leeds still led the game 1-0, with Rotherham yet to find an equalizer.

The game continued, yet it felt as if both teams had entered a new gear. Rotherham played as if everything was on the line, dredging up every bit of energy and heart they could muster in order to claw themselves back into the game.

Clarke stepped up to take a throw-in and managed to launch it deep into the box. The striker flicked it on, and the ball sailed into the top corner for a shocking equalizer. He almost skipped back to the center circle, cheering as if he had just won the Champions League.

This made the score 1-1, sending the away fans into a frenzy. With the absence of Manager Evans screaming at them, they celebrated greatly, sending out high-fives and hugs as Clarke pointed to the badge.

However, this late rally did not last as Rio, on his final sprint of the game, cut inside from the left and curled a screamer into the bottom corner, winning the match 2-1. He finished off the game with some masterful ball retention near the corner flag, not even giving Clarke a chance to touch it again.

Despite losing, the Rotherham squad didn’t seem down. They were busy shaking hands and swapping shirts, a content look on their faces as if they had enjoyed every moment of their freedom.

"Thank you, Spaniard. You showed me that football is fun again." Clarke approached him, his face still filled with a grin despite the sweat and mud.

Rio couldn’t help but smile back, shaking his hand.

"I hope that we can play each other again in the Premier League," he said.

Clarke shook his head, "Didn’t you hear the Gaffer? I’ll probably be sold to League One in January." Even though he said this, he didn’t seem upset.

Morrison too nodded, a refreshed look upon his veteran face.

Rio couldn’t help but laugh, "What if I told you that Sky Sports recorded everything and that Evans will probably be fired by morning?"

The two went silent as their jaws almost dropped to the muddy floor.

"Y-You can’t be serious... Please tell me you’re not joking." Clarke was the first to speak up, moving closer and grabbing Rio by his jersey. The desperation in his face was enough indication of how much he wanted to stay at this level.

"I promise. No owner will listen to a manager who abandons his team on live TV. You’ll be free to continue playing, so don’t worry about that."

Clarke dropped to his knees, still clutching Rio’s shirt. It was as if all of the strength had left his body as the wave of relief swept through him.

"Thank you..." Those were the only words that he could mutter before breaking into a laugh, overwhelmed with emotion.

Morrison seemed a little more reserved but he still came forward and bowed to Rio in thanks.

"You may have won the points today, lad, but I still feel like we won something bigger." He smiled gently before picking up his young teammate and taking him back to the tunnel.

"Let’s meet again at the top!" Rio shouted to them after a while, receiving a wave back in acknowledgment.

DING

[Mission Completed: The King of the North]

[Reward: Skill ’Heavy Metal Football’ Acquired]

[Reward: C-grade Charisma Oil Added to Inventory]

[Reward: "The Yorkshire Derby" Scenario Unlocked]

Rio looked at the notification, then at the cheering Leeds fans. He was cold, muddy, and exhausted.

But damn, it was fun.