Ben had high hopes for John.
From early days Ben would take out his son to practise his football. It pleased him to see John develop a love for the game. It was even better to see that John had a talent for it. Ben was keen to nurture it and channel it especially as he, himself, was never able to transfer his own love for the game into anything further than the occasional five-a-side kickabout with his work colleagues. So in John he had someone who could fulfil dreams and accomplishments he had longed for and could never achieve.
Ben did not put that pressure on John. He saw the delight his son took in the game – watching as well as playing. He loved how his son would follow him to the games and ask questions afterwards as well as get fully involved in the action during the game. Ben was keen not to douse that fire and passion for the game.
That did not mean there was no challenge for John. By example and instruction the son was taught the importance of discipline and consistency. Even after the season ended, John knew he had to maintain the training. He had to stay in shape, he had to apply the same exercises to develop his understanding of the game. He knew that his Dad would be watching and noting any infraction and there would be more work to be done when the standards slipped a little.
John soon was recognised by his school for his skills and then a youth team in the community asked him to join them. Before long his skills and abilities as well as his level-headed temperament was spotted by a number of professional clubs and there were a number that approached his Dad to sign for their academy. Every offer was considered carefully by father and son. The son was grateful for the father’s support and the father felt it was important that the son was kept a pivotal part of the decision-making. This is how they agreed on the club to sign for. It wasn’t one of the larger clubs who offered and it wasn’t the most lucrative deal proposed. It was about the sense that they felt John would be treated properly in the infrastructure and there would be opportunities to develop in a supportive environment.
This was the opportunity that John capitalised on fully. His father’s constant constructive comments in his ear let him know what real progress he was making and how important it was to keep his feet on the ground and not get carried away. Management at the club were suitably impressed at his dedication and offered him his first professional contract which he signed particularly wanting his Dad to be by his side when the signing was made official. John’s name and reputation had been doing the rounds with the fans so his first team debut was met with much excitement, but nothing could have prepared them for the impact he made. He motivated those around him to lift their game and played an incisive part in the upturn in fortunes for the club.
Even when he suffered the occasional setback through injury, the squad were impressed by his attitude. Rather than sulking and becoming withdrawn, he would be a source of positive vibes with the physios and others recovering from injury. He would support the team fully from the sidelines and when he returned from injury he would never forget those who were still suffering.
Despite offers from bigger clubs, he remained committed to his first club and over the years of service was able to see them gain promotion to the top league and cup success on a few occasions. He was known for his integrity and compassion. He served his team with distinction over twenty years as a player and when finally his time to retire came the accolades and tributes poured in not just from around the country, but from around the world. His contribution to the club, the sport and the community were unstinting and understated but not unnoticed.
It came as a surprise to him, but not to those who loved and respected him, that the club put on a tribute ceremony to mark his retirement. At the large affair, John was interviewed and asked what was behind his years of success in the game. John looked next to him at the man who had been his inspiration from an early age.
“This is all possible because of some good friends and great managers and coaches. Over all though, it’s because of my father. He believed in me, he trusted me and he always had high hopes for me. Not putting pressure down on me to be crushed by the hopes, but always supporting me and lifting me to recognise I could live up to those high hopes.”
(Photo by Hillie Chan on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 