The Man Who Sold the World

This is a diary using the 1989/90 database I found on this site and I am using the FMTRE editor to make transfer fees abit more realistic for the time as no one at the time would pay 14 million for Zidane etc. So please enjoy


The Man Who Sold the World
The story of Adam Bell

This story begins like all good stories down at the pub. The year is 2014 and Adam Bell is the manager of pub team who are now bottom of the Hooch Tri-counties second division region C league called The Winchester Wonders. 'I wonder how long he'll last' is now a famous chant from the fans including Adam's family. The record of said manager is now at a awesome [2-3-12] He is stood in the pub with the players talking about the 5 – nil thrashing that their had just received was nothing but some bad lucky and ridiculous refereeing.

'Come on lads, I don't care what that idiot says! Who in this day and age actually uses the back pass rule anymore. I mean without that free kick we would of only lost 4 – nil and I think we might have brought it around!'

'Adam shut up!' says Matt Cunningham [Winchesters star striker with 2 goals this season] 'Me and the lads have been talking and we think it best that you step down.'

'What do you mean?'

'Look Adam....mate, you arent good at football. The only reason we let you be the manager was because you can drive the team bus to away games.'

'What?!? We are a matter of games away from gelling completely and we will be playing like world beaters.'

'Adam, we were playing like headless chickens out there this evening and it is because every two seconds you change your mind. One minute it is 4-4-2 then its 4-5-1 and then we had that horrible game when we played with no number 9....'

'In my defense we won that game....'

'It was against the under 14 scouts, Even then we had to bribe their striker with a can of tizer and half a curly whurly to miss a penna.'

'So thats it?'

'Yup pretty much. Still mates?'

Matt holds his hand out and Adam just shrugs it off and turns away. Matt and the rest of the team simple walk out of the pub leaving Adam to his thoughts. We fast forward a few hours and Adam is now drunk on his own talking about how under his guidance this pub could of made it to the champions league final in 5 years. He has the ideas and the plans to get their he just needed the team to believe in him again Adam looks behind a bar and sees a picture of the infamous class of '92.

'Fergie had it easy with you lot didnt he? I bet all he had to do is sit and wait for you all to mature and he had one of the best teams in the country. Wait a second....'

At that moment Adam starts writing on a place mat and after a few moments he looks down and sees it. The formation that will not only get him his job back but also get him to the big time. Adam slides off his chair and excitedly grabbed the place mat and made his way into the night. He eventually sees the team outside of 'G8' nightclub.

'MATT?!?'

Matt doesnt notice

'MATT?!?'

Adam runs across the road

'MATT?!?'

Matt turns around and watches as Adam runs across the road only to turn to his right and see a bright light staring at him.

Blank

'Cough'

'Gaffa, get up?'

“Cough*

'Gaffa you are going to be late?'

'Leave me alone Steve I had a rough night last night.'

'Who is steve gaffa?'

Adam opens his eyes to see a man he has never seen before standing over his bed. The man dressed in a full black tracksuit. Adam shoots up out of bed.

'Who the hell are you?'

'Gaffa its me Alex? Alex O'Donavan? The club have sent me down to collect you for the press conference.'

'Press conference?'

'How much did you drink last night?'

'Not much but I feel like I been hit by a bus, anyway are you gonna tell me who the hell are you? And what press conference?'

'Like I said gaffa, I am David O'Donovan your assistant manager and the press conference is your first one for Manchester United Football team.'

Adam begins to laugh

'Who put you up to this? Was it Veronica? Nah this sounds like something smithy would do.'

'Boss who are these people?'

'You know find well who there are....Alex'

Adam winks

'...but I am going to stay onto the next bus.'

'Nice one boss, now would you kindly get dressed or we are going to be late.'

'Ok no problem...Alex'

Adam laughs as he gets up and begins to get ready. Adam has the 3 s' and makes his way outside but it is not outside how he remembered it as the street is completely different not to mention everyone is dressed with reebok. Adam sees someone wearing a frankie says relax t-shirt. Adam laughs again.

'Smithy has went to some length here mind.'

Adam and Alex get into the car and make a quick twenty minute drive.

'So Ass man?'

'Ass man? Boss?'

'Well you are my assistant manager right?'

'Right boss'

'So can you explain how in the hell I have went from managing a pub team to one of the greatest team ever?'

'I thought I said we are going to united not Liverpool.'

'How can you even say that? Man Utd have won....'

'nothing in years hence why Fergie got the sack?'

'What the hell? Come on Alex everyone knows Fergie finished on top.'

'If top means mid table.'

'Ok I will continue to play along. So he finished mid table was sacked and now why have the board to decided to pick me?'

'Well you just won the reserve league title by the highest margin ever, so the board decided that 'what the hell? Why not try and give someone young a chance....'

'Thats nice of Smithy'

'...and if you mess it up they have already lined up a few continental managers to replace you if it all goes tits up.'

'Well I better hope I do well.'

Alex points out of the window and says

'We're here....'

The car pulls up. Adam and Alex get out of the car and Adam cannot believe what he is seeing. Its Old Trafford but not as big and as grand as he knows it. It was that moment it has began to dawn on him as the former chairman of Manchester United walks up to him....

'Hello Adam, my name is Ed Woodward and welcome to the theatre of dreams'

Adam look at the sign and thought to himself.

My name is Adam Bell. I had an accident and woke up in 1989. Am I mad? In a coma? Or back in time? Whatever’s happened, it’s like I’ve landed on a different planet. Now maybe if I can work out the reason. I can get home.