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2026-27: December Standings and Awards

So we have already made a very good start, winning both games and moving in the right direction. The Club was in 7th when I took charge, and already those two wins have seen us rise up a couple of places as well putting us just three points behind third placed Arsenal. I'm determined to get the team into the Champions League in this initial half season and then it will allow us to put the building blocks in place to kick on further after that.

City might be twelve points ahead of us but if we can finish second or third then that will be a heck of an achievement considering the shocking start to the season the side had.

We didn't have much luck in the Premier League's Monthly Awards. Of course if I had been in charge for a full month then I might have had a shout for my first ever Premier League Manager of the Month award, but it will come I'm sure. Manchester United's Diego Simeone took that ahead of his cross city rival Thomas Tuchel. That said, Thomas Lemar, my French creative genius, took third place in the Player of the Month award. He's certainly been very good in my first two matches.

That said, we had this bombshell to deal with:


I've asked him to reconsider and see if I can get one more season out of the cultured Dutchman. If not, a world class central defender will definitely be on one's shopping list this summer. He will be very hard to replace.

2026-27: December Summary

MATCHDAY 19 - Saturday 26 December 2026
LIVE ON


My first game in charge of Liverpool, the biggest challenge of the career so far, came around. Visiting Anfield on Boxing Day were a Newcastle United side, still floating around in mid-table, and potentially a banana skin of an opener. With both Club Captain Virgil Van Dijk and fellow Dutch defender Jeroen Heerkens still on the comeback trail from injury, I decided to adopt a back four with England captain Trent Alexander-Arnold given licence to get forward as often as he liked with Kieran Tierney playing left back instead of fellow Scot Andy Robertson. The engine room would see Frenkie De Jong sit deep and allow Mateo Kovacic to support the attack. Thomas Lemar and Mohammed Salah would play the wings with French wonderkid Karim Camara playing directly behind Romelu Lukaku.

I felt it gave us a real good chance of winning, and had quality in every position.

My fears of Newcastle springing a surprise came true in the 11th when De Zan drilled in a low shot at the near post, not the prettiest goal to concede. We needed a quick response otherwise the crowd could really get frustrated and the heat would immediately turn up a few notches. Thankfully we were only behind for four minutes, Salah intercepted a pass from Diaz and immediately counter attacked before finding Lemar wide on the left who then swing in a perfect cross for the Egyptian to head in only his fourth of the season. The Kop End was jubilant and they were celebrating again in the 19th minute as we took the lead. Once more Lemar was the architect, his free-kick caught the Magpies sleeping and Kovacic stabbed in from inside the six yard box.

The game was turned on its head completely as we scored our third in the 27th minute, and it was Lemar who scored it. The French star picking up a pass from Camara to finish low past the exposed keeper. A great response and one that pleased me no end. If the first Newcastle goal was bad to concede, their second which came nine minutes before half time, was the stuff of nightmares. With Joe Gomez out of position completely, Newcastle counter attacked us with ruthless efficiency, scorer of the first goal De Zan squaring the pass perfectly into the path of Ruiz who finished with aplomb and leaving Alisson with no chance at all.

The next goal would be vital and I just knew we had to get it, it would certainly ease the nerves in the stadium and those I was experiencing. It owed so much to a surging run from Tierney who charged down the left wing with Newcastle defenders trying their damnest to keep up, The Scot measured a cross to the far post which Camara headed it down for Fernando Almeida, on for a under-par Lukaku in the 66th minute, to direct his own header home. Some impact inside two minutes by the Portuguese striker off the bench. We sealed the deal and the three points nine minutes from time when Lemar scored his second of the game, albeit with a deflection off Ruiz which wrong footed the keeper, from just inside the penalty area. The perfect beginning, eventually, despite a few scary moments.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Vallejo, Tierney ©; De Jong, Kovacic; Salah, Camara, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Fernando Almeida (for Lukaku 66), Nelson (for Camara 73), Rodri (for De Jong 73), Venegas, Stevens, Robertson, Firmino.
Man of the Match: Thomas Lemar (Liverpool)
Attendance: 53,922

MATCHDAY 20 - Tuesday 29 December 2026
LIVE ON


The Christmas period is always a hectic with games being played in a short space of time, so less than 72 hours after seeing off Newcastle at Anfield we travelled down to London to face Arsenal. The pre-game discussion saw a bit of disrespect from Arsenal's Swedish Head Coach Mats Gren who publicly questioned some of my senior players and their commitment. That was all I needed to fire up the boys, time to make him eat those words with a large portion of humble pie. I decided to name an unchanged side for the trip to the Emirates which meant Lukaku led the line despite a less than spectacular performance in my first game in charge of the Reds.

He wasn't much better here and was surprisingly lucky not to be hooked again, and if he doesn't buck his ideas up then I'll consider taking him out of the team despite him being the team's top scorer. We decided to be less attacking here, despite keeping the same formation and personnel. Arsenal had their chances but they failed to make them count, so it was a real smash and grab raid. In the 27th minute our counter attacking skills saw us take the lead as the rain fell constantly in North London, Lemar down the left wing and a cross to the far post which was nodded home by Salah. We scored the second with eleven minutes left, Osvaldo tripped Lemar after an inswinging corner by Kovacic. The Frenchman picked himself up, and drilled it perfectly right into the bottom corner despite the keeper going the right way.

Two wins from two, and the perfect way to start from my viewpoint. Gren's choice of words pre-game had certainly backfired on him.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Vallejo, Tierney ©; De Jong, Kovacic; Salah, Camara, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Venegas (for Camara 23), Nelson (for Venegas 72), Rodri (for Kovacic 82), Fernando Almeida, Stevens, Robertson, Firmino.
Booked: Vallejo, Tierney
Man of the Match: Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Attendance: 60,432

2026-27: In The System

We have had a breakdown of the players that will form the basis of our first team squad here. Now it's time to look at some of the fringe players and other youngsters.

Could any of these break through into my first team squad?

GOALKEEPERS:
31. Sean McCARTHY

DEFENDERS:
34. Nick POINTON
35. Richard WARBURTON
37. Sebastian BUNK
39. Jamie GOUGH
40. Brian GODDARD

MIDFIELDERS:
7. Victor Manuel ROQUE
8. Sidney GUISTE
32. Patrick ROBERTS
38. James BARKER

FORWARDS:
33. Grant BENTLEY
36. James WILSON

Of these, I will be probably looking at moving on Patrick Roberts for sure. The former Celtic loanee, three times over, has only made seven appearances since signing for £25 million from Southampton in the summer of 2025. He's 29 years old as well and I cannot see him shifting some of the first team anytime soon. We might have to cut our losses on him but that will be a good £110K a week on wages saved.

The others are all either late teens or early twenties with Sidney Guiste looking a good talent for sure. Guiste, 20, is a regular in the England Under-21 squad so it'll be good to see him develop. Perhaps a loan move might just see him take his game to the next level. As for the others, I'll see what happens under my backroom staff which has been boosted by the arrival of Steve Stone, Shay Given, Cillian Sheridan and Richard Cresswell who all decided to follow me to Anfield from Deepdale.

Chapter 27: In within touching distance

Everything was rosy in the Werribee City garden so to speak as the team entered March. The unbeaten run had stretched to a remarkable 16 games, and to go on a sequence like this: it takes some doing regardless at whatever level you play at. With the gap being eight points between the Bees and third placed Langwarrin, Basil was starting to think that something special was unfolding.

Those pundits who had written Werribee at the start of the season, and in December, were starting to be served with a large portion of humble pie and served cold too. Basil opened the latest edition of the Herald Sun, the local newspaper, and saw the following:


Talk about high praise indeed in a few paragraphs. A sudden glow appeared on Basil's face, and maybe a wry smile too. A few moments later, the predictable email came from John Waddell.


John's words really hit a point with Basil; it was like he knew what Basil would be like even before that first ever meeting last July. But Basil knew, and he consistently stressed it when floating ideas with John, it was purely a team effort that had gotten Werribee where they are at the moment and always would be. Because of the way Werribee had progressed, this was probably why Kyren (Harrison) had been poached to become the new Preston Lions Head Coach and John himself was also attracting attention elsewhere. Basil knew he wouldn't stand in John's way should he want to become a manager in his own right but if he stayed put then it would be just grand.

Basil looked to the skies, knowing whatever would happen next would happen for a reason as always. Football had always been a cut-throat industry, Basil had seen managers come and go a plenty, now he had to continually prove that he was not going to be labelled a one season wonder but there might be a time when Werribee had been taken as far as they can. But that could wait, for now.

Chapter 26: Love, well promotion, is in the air

The Bees were still buzzing at they entered February, the month of love. For Basil, the only love he was craving was nine points from the three games that Werribee were to play. Well there was no chance of Jessica Miesel was there? With just three points sharing the top four, Basil knew all too well that a loss could really set the Bees back. Not only would it ruin the unbeaten record but also conceivably send them out of the promotion spots which the team had worked so hard to be in all season.

Basil knew if they could make these three home games count then quite possibly, the P word could be thought of more seriously. It had been banned until now just in case it allowed complacency to creep in; and Basil certainly wouldn't allow that at all.

Matchday 14: Werribee City 3 - 2 Moreland City

The first game in February saw Werribee take on a mid table Moreland City side that had parted with long standing manager Adrian Mathers just a week before. Mathers had been in charge for six years at Moreland and played for them for nine before deciding to take up the manager's role at Altona Magic in the division above. For the game, Basil made a couple of changes from his last line-up. Lisandro Paz was given a well deserved rest with Omar Ammache taking his place on the right wing; and Brandon Zaffina was swapped for Jamie Gorgovski in central midfield.

The Bees took the lead in the 24th minute and what a goal it was. Ammache dispossessed Christopher Cristaldo with one touch and then with his next, played a superb 50 yard pass onto the bootlaces of Alec Goodwin who smashed it over the head of the advancing keeper and into the top corner for the striker's eighth of the season. And that's how it remained until the 52nd minute when it led to three goals in eight minutes. City drew level when Cristaldo's free-kick had Alex Baird flapping at and Conor Rafferty headed in his first career goal unchallenged. Then four minutes later, the visitors led. Tom Lakic backed off Cristaldo a touch, and that was all the former Werribee man needed to create himself a chance which ended up with an arrowed finish into Baird's bottom left hand corner from the edge of the area.

Inspired by harsh words from Brush on the touchline, Werribee were level on the hour. A long range effort from Matteo Ballan was charged down by City's Tobias Haegele but the rebound was fortunate to land at the feet of Michael Holden who took one touch before placing it past the stranded keeper. Could either side find a winner? Yes they could, and it was Werribee. With six minutes to go; Ballan planted a free-kick into the penalty area and central defender Julyan Collett got his head onto it first to plant a header beyond Kieron McDowell to clinch all three points for Werribee City and make it 14 unbeaten.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar; Pistininzi (Parkinson 71); Ballan, Gorgovski (Murray 68); Ammache (Paz 76), Holden; Goodwin. Unused Substitutes: Elasi, Dunn, Davies, Kessie.
Booked: Goodwin
Man of the Match: Alec Goodwin
Attendance: 465
Position After Game: 1st


Matchday 15: Werribee City 2 - 0 Goulburn Valley Suns

Bottom placed Goldburn Valley Suns arrived at leaders Werribee City hoping to pull off the surprise result of the season on the day after the day of love. However, there was no love shown by the home side as they strolled to yet another win and make it 15 unbeaten. Wingers Paz and Holden were on target with first half strikes and the Suns had no response. The opening goal came in the 26th minute when a high and deep cross from Nicholas Bavcar wasn't claimed by Declan Maiorano in the Suns goal but landed at the feet of the recalled Paz who drove home his fifth of the season from the acutest of acute angles.

The second and decisive goal came in first half injury time. Another deep cross from Bavcar which had the Suns all at sea, and Holden (rested from the start but on as a substitute for an injured Ammache) drove a low effort across Maiorano and into the bottom corner for his fifth of the campaign. Potential banana skin well and truly avoided.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar; Pistininzi (Murray 72); Gorgovski, Ballan; Paz, Ammache (Holden 32); Goodwin (Elasi 64). Unused Substitutes: Parkinson, Dunn, Kessie, Davies.
Man of the Match: Nicholas Bavcar
Attendance: 224
Position After Game: 1st

Matchday 16: Werribee City 3 - 0 FC Bulleen Lions

Werribee City finished their three game home stand with a comprehensive defeat of a FC Bulleen Lions side that have slipped down the table considerably. The Lions were surprise leaders after three games but now find themselves potentially being drawn into a relegation scrap whilst the Bees continue their incredible season at the top. Werribee made three changes from the side that saw off Goulburn Valley Suns in their last game with Holden, Zaffina and Nathan Elasi came into the starting eleven; Ammache, Gorgovski and top scorer Goodwin making way.

Three goals in 14 minutes proved to be the difference; and with results going their way, the Bees now hold a six point lead at the top of the table. That opening goal came in the 32nd minute when Paz clipped in a cross to the far post where Holden headed in his sixth of the season and third in as many games. The others arrived either side of half time. Goal number two came from another header; this time powerfully headed in by defender Collett for his second of the season following a Ballan corner. Lions keeper Wyatt Chant hadn't covered himself in glory in trying to save those but he stood no chance when the Bees scored their third 50 seconds after the restart. Paz scampered away down the right and his pinpoint cross found Goodwin, on for the injured Elasi, and the striker headed in his ninth of the campaign.

It just seems to get better and better for Basil and his Bees...

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar (Parkinson 63); Pistininzi; Ballan (Gorgovski 74), Zaffina; Paz, Holden; Elasi (Goodwin 31). Unused Substitutes: Ammache, Dunn, Kessie, Murray.
Booked: Pistininzi, Ballan
Man of the Match: Lisandro Paz
Attendance: 670
Position After Game: 1st

With six matches left, these are the standings:

Chapter 25: The Invincibles?

After the goalless draw at Langwarrin, Basil glanced at the league table in front of him. Sure the team were still unbeaten and that was a good sign but one result could change that. How would the team respond to a defeat considering this was something that has become alien to them so to speak.

One evening whilst relaxing, for once, Basil tuned into one of the local radio stations and predictably enough there was a phone-in going on. What he heard next raised his eyebrows a bit:

"Up next we have Greg on line number 3, and he wants to talk soccer. Hello Greg."
"G'day mate, yeah I want to talk about my team." Greg stated.
"And who's that? Manchester United, Liverpool in Pom land?"
"Nah, Werribee City mate."
"Oh..."
"They're doing brilliant this season mate I tell you, they haven't lost a game."
"That's impressive."
"Sure is, we've got this new Head Coach and he's done so well. Basil Brush's his name."
"They're managed by a puppet?"
"Nah, I'm being serious mate. That's his actual name, and for a Pom, he's brilliant."
"Good to hear, do you think they will go unbeaten all season then Greg?"
"Hey, why not. Let's be optimistic here, they can become The Werribee Invincibles!"

And at that point, Basil switched the radio off and thought. "The Werribee Invincibles", sounded just awesome. He looked online and much to his surprise, this hadn't ever been done in Austraila like EVER! Sure he had heard of the original Preston North End Invincibles of 1889, the Arsenal one of 2004 and most recently the Celtic one in 2017 when the Bhoys won the league and both domestic Cups but wouldn't it be nice to be such illustrious company? However, Basil was not one for getting ahead of himself as his late father always tried to instil in him, preferring to keep those size 7 feet firmly implanted on the ground.

A few days later came the predictable email from John Waddell, outlining February's fixture list.


Yeah Basil had seen his Youths Manager Kyren Harrison leave the Club the day after the Langwarrin draw. The 34 year old had decided to leave the Bees for Preston Lions who feature in the division below on a one and a half year contract. Basil could have stepped in his way and caused a bit of friction but would that have been wise? In hindsight, not. An advertisement for his replacement was drafted as soon as the Lions announced Harrison, but as Basil and Werrribee entered February: nobody had been appointed.

Could Basil and the Bees keep this unbeaten campaign running?

Chapter 24: Still leading the way

There were only two games in January for Basil and his Werribee City league leaders as the campaign shifted to the second half of the season, the real business end of proceedings. With the team unbeaten, they had certainly put themselves in a great position to be promoted to NPL Victoria - 1 for the 2020-21 season. Surely they weren't going to collapse in a fashion that would have drawn comparisons with dear old Devon Loch. To the uneducated, this was a horse owned by the Queen that inexplicably slipped yards from the winning post in the 1956 Grand National and lost out.

Basil was determined as ever that he wanted to finish the season promoted in his début campaign, and if the team could bag the title then that would be the real icing on this particular cake.

Matchday 12: Manningham United Blues 1 - 3 Werribee City

Werribee City continued their unbeaten run in the 2019-20 season to an astonishing 12 games after dismantling hosts Manningham United Blues at the David Barro Stadium. It was a comprehensive loss for the home side, and pushed them into the relegation places. The visitors made a single change to the side that drew 1-1 with Moreland Zebras in their last game, Nathan Elasi being replaced in a straight swap by Alec Goodwin. It was actually the returnee who gave the Bees the lead two minutes from half time when he volleyed home after Alex Dao's weak defensive header landed at his feet. It was his sixth of the season.

However, the Blues stunned Werribee with an equaliser as the game entered first half injury time. As a cross came from the right, Bees central defender Julyan Collett and Blues striker Dean Lorenzi challenged for it but the referee saw Collett challenging a bit too much forceful than he should and pointed straight to the spot. Veteran Blues defender Filippo Gattari assumed responsibility from twelve yards and sent Alex Baird the wrong way with a perfect penalty into the bottom corner. Yet the Bees regained their lead in the 57th minute and it owed so much for the creative skills of Matteo Ballan as much as the finishing of Goodwin. The midfielder carved open the home defence like a knife through hot butter with a 50 yard pass straight to the striker who took it on before finishing with aplomb for his seventh of the campaign.

Still there was time for a second penalty in the game, and this time it was awarded to Werribee. With just quarter of an hour left to play, Mario Clark was adjudged to have fouled Lisandro Paz in the area, and Ballan was given the chance to wrap up the win. The schemer made no mistake with the second perfect penalty of the game, giving Luke Gallo in the home goal no chance whatsoever. It was his second of the season. Difficult away game conquered.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov (Davies 88), Bavcar; Pistininzi; Ballan, Zaffina (Murray 66); Paz, Holden (Ammache 73); Goodwin. Unused Substitutes: Elasi, Dunn, Parkinson, Kessie.
Booked: Pistininzi, Zaffina
Man of the Match; Matteo Ballan
Attendance: 432
Position After Game: 1st

With the games now scheduled to be every other week until May, the break came at a good time for Basil and Werribee. It was enabling the players to be more refreshed when it came to game time, and a fully fit squad could only be of benefit for all concerned. During the latest break, the Club received a boost when central defender Collett agreed a one year extension to remain at Galvin Park Reserve. The 30 year old had been the subject of some transfer speculation prior to agreeing terms but to tie down one of the Club's most experienced players was seen as a good bit of business for Basil and Werribee.

But it wasn't all good news, Brush had identified another experienced defender in Diogo Ferreira to become one of his first signings for 20-21. Yet the centre half signed for Hamilton Wanderers in the NZ Premiership at the same time as Collett agreed his new deal at Werribee. But not to be disheartened, Brush saw it as one door opening and one door closing. Who knows, Ferreira could be a close season signing if push comes to shove. A couple of teenage midfielders in local A-league squads also took Brush's eye. Brush was planning for a future, knowing quality will be needed to take this team to the next level. Should Werribee lack ambition, Basil was adamant in his own mind he wouldn't hang around when his contract expired in the summer of 2021.


Matchday 13: Langwarrin SC 0 - 0 Werribee City

It could have been better, Basil lamented to himself as the Bees endured a goalless draw with promotion rivals Langwarrin SC at Lawton Park. Despite being the visitors, Werribee were the better side throughout the ninety minutes. However, once more their lack of killer instinct came back to haunt them as they managed just a paltry three shots on target from 21 attempts. "Not good enough." Basil mumbled to himself when the final whistle shrilled.

The biggest miss came ten minutes into the second half when the Bees were awarded their second penalty in as many games. It came about when home midfielder Vince Lia slid in on Paz and remarkably the referee pointed to the spot, leaving everyone (including the Werribee contingent) surprised. As designated penalty taker, Ballan stepped forth but this time the midfielder's effort lacked any sort of conviction and allowed Nikola Roganovic to make an easy save. So still unbeaten, could this run last to the end of the season? That's going to be a real test of character Basil thought as he stepped onto the bus home.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar, Pistininzi; Ballan, Zaffina (Murray 66), Paz (Ammache 82), Holden; Goodwin (Elasi 72). Unused Substitutes: Parkinson, Dunn, Kessie, Davies.
Booked: Zaffina
Man of the Match: Nikola Roganovic (Langwarrin SC)
Attendance: 574
Position After Game: 1st

So with nine games to play, these are the standings:

Chapter 23: What do the experts know anyway?

As the fireworks lit up the night sky over the Yarra River, Basil took stock of the last 12 months. It had certainly been a bit of a whirlwind for sure. He had started the year 2019 as a Civil Servant and playing his last season as one of Stocksbridge Park Steels most senior semi-professionals; now he was embracing 2020 as a full time football manager albeit on the other side of the world. Quite a change in fortunes for sure.

What would 2020 bring him? A date with Jessica Miesel perchance? Nah, too much a long shot that one. He viewed he had more chance of winning a small prize on the Victorian State Lottery than a hot date with Ms Miesel, the actress from Atlanta; Georgia who stars in the medical drama "The Resident." No, then the realism hit him.

He could be a title winning manager before half the new year would be out, providing Werribee continued to do what was expected of them. Now how good would that feel? The following morning on the first day of 2020, Basil awoke to John Waddell's latest fixture email which read the following:


John Waddell's words certainly rang true, Basil felt he was blessed to have such a knowledgeable assistant at Werribee. Imagine how much he would probably have struggled without the steadying influence of the 53 year old. However, something else caused a raised eyebrow, the local pundits had been talking about the season so far. Despite the team being unbeaten, the only side in the division to be, the pundits still didn't believe Werribee had what it takes to get promoted to NPL Victoria - 1.

The pundits had the Bees down to finish third by the time the final ball was kicked in mid-May. Langwarrin SC were the new favourites to win the title with Moreland Zebras now predicted to finish in the second promotion spot. Werribee and Brunswick City would miss out if those pundits had their way. "Is that so?" Basil said to himself. "Guess Basil Brush is going to have to make these pundits eat their words," he mused. Basil hated been written off despite the superb start he had had.

Time to make a statement again.

Chapter 22: Merry Christmas Werribee City!

Basil looked at the December games that the Bees would play, all of them away from home. What kind of fixture planning do they do here; he muttered to himself. Sure he was used to playing back to back home or away games in his playing career, but playing three away games straight, well he hadn't seen anything like it. Well, he had but that was when he was watching the NHL. Still it was a chance for him and his Bees side to really make a statement and put a bit of daylight in what was a very tight division.

Matchday 9: North Geelong Warriors 0 - 0 Werribee City

Werribee City made it nine games unbeaten with a goalless draw in Geelong. The Warriors were second best to their table topping visitors throughout, and failed to force Bees keeper Alex Baird in the whole ninety minutes. Bees manager Mark Duell cut a very frustrated figure in the visiting dugout, seeing his side waste chance after chance in a game they dominated. Michael Holden, scorer of the winner against Brunswick City seven days ago, went the closest to breaking the deadlock: his 65th minute shot thudding against the post and away from danger. Warriors keeper Marko Stevanja kept his side in it throughout with a series of important saves but the Bees will see this as two points dropped for sure.

The game also saw the Bees give a début to new signing Omar Ammache as a second half substitute.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett, Parkinson ©, Bavcar; Pistininzi; Zaffina, Ballan, Paz (Ammache 64), Holden; Goodwin (Weaver 73). Unused Substitutes: Petrov, Dunn, Murray, Williams, Gorgovski.
Man of the Match: Tom Lakic
Attendance: 196
Position After Game: 3rd

Basil knew his team needed extra firepower, they had scored just nine goals in those nine games unbeaten. Therefore it came as a welcome relief when on the Monday after that Geelong draw, striker Nathan Elasi agreed to join the Bees as a free agent on a two year deal. What made it better for Basil, the wage budget was still under control and the board were still happy with him. Hopefully the new signing could help out as it was becoming clearer that Shaun Weaver wasn't good enough. But would the new signing have an instant début on the Saturday at Northcote City? That was something Basil was toying with in his mind.


Matchday 10: Northcote City 1 - 3 Werribee City

After the frustrating goalless draw in Geelong where Werribee should have really hammered their hosts, Basil's attentions turned to the next game against Northcote City, and he surprised the team by making two changes. Dropped were skipper David Parkinson and striker Alec Goodwin. Replacing them were Daniel Petrov and in an instant début, Nathan Elasi, whilst Julyan Collett skippered the team. And it seemed to be groundhog day for the Bees in that first half, wasting chances after chances and leaving Brush to cut an exasperated figure on the touchline. The far from impressed manager made his feelings known at half time as he ripped in his shell shocked side.

Those words seemed to fire up the Bees as they seemed to be better in the second half, and they opened the scoring in the 58th minute when Lisandro Paz bombed down the right wing to cross to the far post where fellow winger Michael Holden beat Paul Petrovski with a neat half volley for his third of the season. As débuts went, Elasi had a steady one and with 18 minutes to go the striker made way for Goodwin. Seconds later, Werribee had gone 2-0 ahead when a cross from Matteo Ballan was met by a pinpoint header by Goodwin, his first touch and a fourth goal of the season. What an impact!

Sensing they could score again, Werribee looked for a third and got it in the 74th minute. A beautifully weighted pass inside the home left back by Brandon Zaffina found Paz in a pocket of space and he angled a low drive under Petrovski for his fourth of the campaign. Home right-back Paul Swithenbank headed in for Northcote two minutes later but that proved to be just a false dawn and Werribee were back to winning ways, and back in the promotion places.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett © (Davies 67), Petrov, Bavcar; Pistininzi, Zaffina, Ballan; Paz, Holden (Ammache 82); Elasi (Goodwin 72). Unused Substitutes: Parkinson, Dunn, Kessie, Murray.
Booked: Collett
Man of the Match: Lisandro Paz
Attendance: 442
Position After Game: 2nd

Matchday 11: Moreland Zebras 1 - 1 Werribee City

After getting back to winning ways seven days ago, Brush surprised all and sundry when he named an unchanged side for the trip to Moreland Zebras: their last game of 2019. This meant that new signing Elasi kept his place ahead of Goodwin who had scored in that 3-1 win at Northcote City, the new boy's second successive start. However once more the Bees failed to convert the chances they were presented with and put their hosts to the sword. It would certainly come back and bite them, right?

Sure enough it did when the Zebras opened the scoring 12 minutes from time, Cameron Watson reacting first to the loose ball after a spot of ping pong football in the Bees penalty area following an Aaron Turner corner kick. With time running out, it looked like Werribee would lose their first game of the season but with just a couple of minutes left; they scored a dramatic equaliser. A free-kick from Ballan was blocked by a resolute Zebras wall and back to the schemer who swung it wide right to Mark Pistininzi and the defensive midfielder's low cross was turned in from close range by former Zebras striker Goodwin, who had been introduced as a substitute for the ineffective Elasi. It was the striker's fifth of the season.

There was even more joy in the visiting dressing room at the end, despite them only taking a point. Leaders Brunswick City had suffered a surprise 2-1 loss at Manningham which meant the Bees would end the first half of the season, top of the pile and unbeaten in eleven.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar (Parkinson 77); Pistininzi; Ballan, Zaffina; Paz, Holden (Ammache 72); Elasi (Goodwin 63). Unused Substitutes: Kessie, Dunn, Davies, Murray.
Booked: Pistininzi
Man of the Match: Cameron Watson (Moreland Zebras)
Attendance: 561
Position After Game: 1st

So this is the table at the end of the first half of the season:


Definitely good reading indeed as Basil munched his way through the four course Christmas Day dinner that the hotel had cooked. Despite being over 10500 miles away from his family, the sight of being a table topping manager more than made up for it. Merry Christmas Werribee City indeed!

Chapter 21: Life's Been Good (with apologies to Joe Walsh)

As Basil relaxed in his hotel room a few hours after the Brunswick City victory, it gave him plenty to time to reflect. Four months had elapsed, almost five, since he met Angus Brown in that Melbourne restaurant and agreed to become the new Head Coach of Werribee City. And what a ride it has been so far, he contemplated. Considering that this was Basil's maiden journey into the cut throat world of football management, it had certainly gone well for the Englishman.

The decision had been a successful one so far.

With the halfway point of the season looming on the horizon, Werribee were very handily placed indeed to get promotion at the first time of asking but Basil was not counting any proverbial chickens. One defeat and they could easily back down to fifth if results went against them, that's how Basil was seeing it in the bigger picture. The build up week had seen Brush make yet another signing, this time picking up 22 year old winger Omar Ammache who signed on non-contract terms. With Lisandro Paz and Michael Holden playing well in the wing roles, Brush saw his latest acquisition as a very useful back up to call upon. It also met the board's approval as this was yet another player signed under the age of 23. Brush was certainly trying to build something for the future.

That was one new face in, but time had run out to get a second one in. Striker Nathan Elasi had been on trial with the Bees for the last four weeks, and the former Melbourne City striker had done well. He had played 4 games and scored four goals which was exactly what Brush was looking for, someone who could put the ball into the back of the net and provide good competition for first choice striker Alec Goodwin. Whilst his demands weren't over the top, Brush was concerned that the board wouldn't be happy with him signing a 30 year old journeyman striker. But eventually gut instinct took over and a contract was offered.

Predictably midweek saw yet another email from John Waddell with December's fixture list so Basil could update his planner.


Could the Bees kick on further and strengthen their grip at the top? The board were certainly pleased so far, so it was safe to assume that things were going to plan. December would be pivotal, it was just about taking advantage and making sure complacency didn't kick in. As the team boarded the bus bound for Geelong, Basil was reminding his players exactly that. They had built themselves up to be a force but now the target was firmly on their backs, everyone else wanted to beat them. No room for taking things easy, winning games builds team morale and smiles on faces. Time to shine brighter than ever before.

Chapter 20: Top of the Pops

Having managed to win their last two games, Basil and Werribee headed into the remainder of November with a great deal of confidence about them. The monkey was off the back but there was no reason to sit back on one's laurels. Once you win one, you want to win the next one and the next one. However winning games is all well and good but it puts a bit of a target on your back for you to be shot at. Basil never believed in complacency as a player, he certainly wasn't going to believe it as a manager. Could the Bees maintain their unbeaten start to the season?

Matchday 6: FC Bulleen Lions 0 - 1 Werribee City

The Bees headed into game six feeling good, their hosts likewise. The two sides had played each other in pre-season, the Bees taking the honours that day with a 4-0 humbling but the Lions had improved since then. Going into the game, the Lions had made a very strong start to the new season: lying no lower than second. Given they were at home, this would be the biggest test so far for Basil and his side. By the end of it, they would have passed with flying colours. One goal was all that it needed when a deep cross from the recalled Nicholas Bavcar saw Alec Goodwin escape his markers and loop home a header for his third of the season. What a way to celebrate your new three year contract!

The Bees were unlucky not to win by more with Goodwin, Lisandro Paz and Brandon Zaffina all going close. It was the perfect away performance, that 27th minute winner being the icing on the cake.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett, Parkinson ©, Bavcar; Pistininzi; Zaffina (Murray 71), Ballan; Paz (Davis 81), Holden; Goodwin (Weaver 90). Unused Substitutes: Petrov, Dunn, Davies, Gorgovski.
Booked: Collett
Man of the Match: Alec Goodwin
Attendance: 662
Position After Game: 1st

Ahead of the game against second placed Kingston City, Basil again took advantage of the trial option. Arriving at Galvin Park Reserve was experienced 29 year old striker Nathan Elasi. Elasi had, in 2009-10, played at the top level when he played seven games in the A-League with Melbourne Victory but had had a nomadic career since. His most recent stop had been Wollongong United in the Illawarra Premier League where he scored a season best 15 goals in just 22 games; could he be the perfect back up for Goodwin with Shaun Weaver failing to impress? it was no risk with a possible reward.

Matchday 7: Werribee City 0 - 0 Kingston City

That game against Kingston would see the Bees extend their unbeaten start to the season to seven games; but relinquish the top spot after Brunswick City defeated North Geelong Warriors 3-1. It was a game which Werribee had the best of the chances with Matteo Ballan going the closest to breaking the deadlock in the 44th minute with a long range strike that thudded against the post before bouncing against the post. Kingston City offered few chances of their own, Todd Dekker heading straight at Alex Baird when well placed and substitute Steve Duvcevski replicating Ballan with a long ranger that clattered the post with the keeper scrambling across his line.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett, Parkinson ©, Bavcar; Pistininzi; Ballan, Zaffina (Murray 84); Paz, Holden (Davis 65); Goodwin (Weaver 84). Unused Substitutes: Petrov, Dunn, Davies, Gorgovski.
Booked: Bavcar
Man of the Match: Faisal Sakhizada (Kingston City)
Attendance: 481
Position After Game: 2nd

Matchday 8: Werribee City 1 - 0 Brunswick City

It's eight games unbeaten for Werribee City; a new Club and League record, as a single Michael Holden goal was enough to defeat Brunswick City at Galvin Park Reserve. The win was also good enough to see the Bees reclaim top spot at their visitors expense, and continue their good start under manager Basil Brush. The rookie English manager has overseen a resurgence of the Bees, and he has to be proud at what his team is achieving. That only goal came four minutes after the restart when Matteo Ballan played a superb ball inside the Brunswick right-back and Holden angled a low shot across Sebastian Mattei and into the far corner. It was the left winger's second goal of the season.

The game saw both sides be guilty of spurning chances but ultimately the Bees would prevail thanks to the winger's strike, and pundits are now speculating what next the team will achieve.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett, Parkinson ©, Bavcar; Pistininzi (Murray 90+3); Ballan, Zaffina (Gorgovski 71); Paz, Holden; Goodwin (Weaver 74). Unused Substitutes: Petrov, Dunn, Davis, Davies.
Man of the Match: Michael Holden
Attendance: 473
Position After Game: 1st

So this is how we fare at the end of November:

2026-27: Looking at the Squad

Alisson is still the undisputed first choice at Anfield, having arrived here from AS Roma in 2018. He's not getting any younger though, he's 34, so I will definitely have to look at getting in a new number one once he makes a decision to retire. Perhaps my Dutch keeper from Preston could be a choice? The back up to Alisson is 20 year old Englishman Ertem Stevens who has come up through the ranks and is capped for England at Under 20 level but is very much inexperienced in terms of first team football. Other than Stevens, we have a promising 16 year old in the system but nothing else.

DEFENDERS:
2. Jeroen HEERKENS
4. VIRGIL van Dijk - Club Captain
12. Joe GOMEZ
20. Jesús VALLEJO
26. Andrew ROBERTSON
63. Kieran TIERNEY
66. Trent ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

A very experienced First team defence with Van Dijk, the Club Captain, now 35. Robertson, who apparently wants a new challenge having achieved everything he can here, is also in his thirties whilst Heerkens is the only under 25. The others are late twenties but I think this might be one area I need to focus my transfer dealings. Get young and hungry defenders that can be the backbone of a squad for a number of seasons because an aging defence is not going to win trophies every season.

MIDFIELDERS:
5. Frenkie DE JONG
6. Ben WOODBURN
10. Mateo KOVACIC
13. Reiss NELSON
14. Thomas LEMAR
15. Eduardo VENEGAS
17. Karim CAMARA
19. RODRI

Midfield has a good combination of young and experience with players such as Kovacic and Lemar being supplemented by exciting young talents Venegas (23) and Camara (20). Camara definitely looks like he could be a bit of a superstar in the years to come so we will be doing everything we can keep him at the Club. Thomas Lemar might be 31 but he's still a class act whilst Kovacic will always provide goals from midfield as I have already seen first hand at international level when England faced Croatia. We're so stacked with quality in this area of the field that Ben Woodburn, scorer of 38 goals in 88 Welsh internationals, can't get into the first team.

FORWARDS:
9. Roberto FIRMINO
11. Mohamed SALAH
16. ADÁN
18. Fernando ALMEIDA
21. Romelu LUKAKU

Not much in the way of depth here although I could call on the French wonderkid that is Camara, Lemar or Woodburn should I have a striking injury crisis hit me. I think this also will be one of the areas that I will be looking to add one or two extra names to in the summer with Firmino already deciding to hang up his boots up at the age of 35. Salah is 34 so I'm half expecting him to follow suit in the next season or two whilst Lukaku is in his early thirties as well. Come the start of the 2027-28 season, we could have a whole forward line but like all my transfers, I won't pay over the odds for my transfer targets.

OUT ON LOAN:
Youri TIELEMANS (MI) - at Southampton until 30/6/2027
Tümay Işak (GK) - at Maidstone United until 1/1/2027
Michael HILL (DE) - at Motherwell until 31/5/2027
Nicholas HIGGINS (DE) - at Hibernian until 31/5/2027
David BUTTERWORTH (MI) - at Wigan Athletic until 30/6/2027

2026-27 Season Expectations

League first; the board are wanting the team to qualify for the UEFA Europa League which to some is the poor man's Champions League as the prize money isn't as good. I have joined the Reds with the team sitting in 7th place which ironically is the final Europa League spot so if I stay where I am then I'll have achieved what they want. However, me being me, wants to go a bit better than that.

We start my reign just three points behind Tottenham and they are in the final Champions League qualifying spot. I want to gate crash those Champions League spaces because this Club deserves to be in there. They have had a very upside down season so far but finishing in the top four is certainly not beyond us.

The current Champions League campaign sees us in the last 17 where we face Borussia Mönchengladbach of the Bundesliga. So four games and we could achieve this particular objective. The Mönchengladbach tie sees us away in the first leg which suits me down to the ground, it's my first taste of this actual competition by the way, my objective for the game will be to keep it tight at the back and nab the odd away goal or two before ideally finishing the job back at Anfield.

A tougher examination is presented with the FA Cup, nothing less than a place in the showpiece Final at Wembley will be deemed good enough. Our road there starts with a home tie against Leyton Orient of League Two. I've already decided that in games against opponents of L1 or lower then I'll combine the team with some first team and some fringe players. Anything of Championship standard or a fellow Premier League side will see the first team be shipped out. Nobody wants to be the victim of a giant killing, and it certainly wouldn't down well here considering the size of the Club itself. This is Liverpool.

So the Carabao Cup predictably enough is considered the least important of the four competitions we find ourselves in. As I join, the team are just two games away from reaching the Final. We face fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in our last four match up with the first leg at SJP. The other semi final is between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea. The incentive is that if we win it, then we will have automatically made it into the Europa League so despite the board's view: I'm seeing this tournament as important as any other one. The team have beaten Bristol City, Derby County (on penalties) and trounced Southend United to get to the final four: the last game played a week before my arrival in L4.

All in all, I think we can still end up with a very good season providing it starts to click almost immediately. That's the issue I face, implementing my style on a squad packed with internationalists in every position.

As soon as the Jaguar turned off Walton Breck Road into the stadium, the flash bulbs were popping like they had never gone before in my football managerial career. Almost nine seasons ago, I walked through a leisure centre in Midlothian to become a football manager: now I was walking into what seemed to be an absolute cauldron.

Mr Delcroix opened the door and stuck out a hand. It was the warmest handshake ever.

I had been to Anfield many a time as a supporter, and also on the Stadium Tour. The buzz I was getting was quite simply phenomenal, proper hairs on the back of your neck type buzz. I had never experienced it anywhere to be honest, not even when I was given the England Head Coach's role in summer. This really was something else.

We walked into the Press Room where I was unveiled to scenes of journalists holding dictaphones and microphones with more and more camera flash guns popping every second. Compared to just one single solitary person when I was appointed at Edinburgh City back in 2018, this felt almost surreal. I had to literally pinch myself that it was really happening to me.

Am I following in the steps of greats such as Shankly, Paisley and Dalglish, I asked myself in my head as I took the barrage of questions.

After thirty minutes, which to be honest felt like thirty bloody hours, the final question was asked and answered before yet more photos in the Main Stand. The massed media departed and I was sat there with Mr Delcroix, smiling. It was then when the giant figure of Virgil Van Dijk appeared up the staircase.

"Mark, you're the new manager right?" Van Dijk said whilst thrusting a right hand out to shake.
"Yeah I am Virgil. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm the Club Captain here, I'll get you to meet the Lads at the AXA Training Centre in the morning. 9:00am start, yeah?"
"Sounds good Virgil, sounds good."

And he was gone. So the adventure now has taken a massive upturn. Just hope I can deliver what they want.

Liverpool can today confirm that the appointment of Mark Duell as the Club's new manager on a three year contract.

The 45 year old joins the Reds from fellow Premier League side Preston North End having built up quite a promising reputation since dipping his toes into football management back in 2018. Duell has had stints in Scotland, Finland and France before gaining his first job in England across the Mersey with Tranmere Rovers in 2023.

Chairman Didier Delcroix explained why he has appointed Duell:

"To manage a club like Liverpool, you need to be a big name and we will feel that we have that in Mark. He's the current Head Coach of the England national side and deals with the top players in the Premier League. You don't get that job without being a quality manager and to have him on board as Liverpool's manager is something special.

He has won trophies wherever he has been and we're hopeful he can deliver for us.

He was always our first choice, and we're delighted to have him on board. We've got the best young manager in the world here at Anfield that's for sure."

The new manager had this to say:

"To be appointed as the manager of Liverpool Football Club is quite simply something special.

This is a name that is synomous with trophies and attractive football which is something that is also close to my heart. So why leave Preston and join the Reds you may ask? Well, this is a club that I have a very close affinity to since I was a youngster. The all red Liverpool kit was the first English kit my father bought me and if I couldn't make it as a player, then I dreamed of managing this team. To follow into the giant footsteps of legends such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish is one of I am so proud of.

I had no hesitation in accepting when Mr Delcroix called to offer me this role. I am thankful though to all my previous teams, most recently Preston, for helping make me the manager that I am. Now let's get winning some trophies at Anfield."

The new manager's first game is on Boxing Day when Newcastle United visit Anfield before the Reds have an appetising away game at the Emirates Stadium three days later. #WelcomeMark

Chapter 19: The Monkey Is Off The Back

As Basil and Werribee City entered November, they were exactly where the pundits had them to be at the end of the season, 6th. But Basil knew there was more to come from this team, and a win would boost the team's confidence no end. What better way to do that by playing the league's strugglers in the next couple of games. Slip up against them and then perhaps questions would start to be asked. Time to show the real potential of the Bees, and who knows what it could lead to.

Matchday 4: Werribee City 3 - 1 Pascoe Vale

At the fourth time of asking, Werribee City recorded their first win of the new season. The Bees did this with a come from behind victory against a Pascoe Vale side that remain in the relegation spots. Vale took the lead after 17 minutes when a Damien Peters corner had Alex Baird flapping at like a window cleaner and Stephen Haztikostas headed in from close range for his first ever Vale goal. However, rallied by their manager, the Bees stung their visitors thanks to impressive performances by wingers Lisandro Paz and Michael Holden. It was Holden who got the equaliser in the 33rd minute; latching onto a cross-field pass from right-back Tom Lakic with a superb volley into the top corner for his 1st goal of the season.

The home side dominated the game from then on, and two goals in the second half secured the three points for Brush's men. Just before the hour, skipper David Parkinson crossed from the left and Jonathan Munoz's weak defensive header landed straight to Paz who made no mistake for his season opener with a low arrowed finish that gave Luke Gavalas no chance at all. Thirteen minutes from time, Werribee clinched the points when Holden danced into the penalty area before picking out Paz who doubled his tally with a precise header into the bottom corner. The monkey was well and truly off the back.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett, Davies, Parkinson © (Bavcar 84); Pistininzi, Ballan, Gorgovski (Murray 70); Paz, Holden; Goodwin (Weaver 70).  Unused Substitutes: Petrov, Dunn, Zaffina, Davis.
Booked: Paz
Man of the Match: Lisandro Paz
Attendance: 494
Position After Game: 5th

Matchday 5: Goulburn Valley Suns 1 - 2 Werribee City

It's two wins in a row for Basil Brush's Werribee City as they came from behind again to record the points; this time against bottom placed Goulburn Valley Suns in Shepparton. The Suns took a surprise lead in the 27th minute when Lakic had hold of Shaun Kane's shirt a bit too much for the referee's liking. Jamie England stepped up, and comfortably dispatched it into the bottom corner despite Baird diving the right way. The Bees equalised in the 57th minute with a penalty of their own when Cory Sellwood tripped Paz as the winger advanced forward. Matteo Ballan assumed responsibility from twelve yards for the Bees, and sent the keeper the wrong way to restore parity.

Eight minutes later and Werribee scored what proved to be the winner. A free kick by Ballan saw home keeper Algazaly come from a ball that he was never going to reach, Julyan Collett headed it goalwards and Paz poached in his third in two games from six yards out. With bigger tests yet to come, Werribee can now go into them with a great confidence building up in the ranks.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett, Parkinson ©, Bavcar (Petrov 64); Pistininzi; Gorgovski (Murray 70), Ballan; Paz, Holden (Davis 81); Goodwin. Unused Substitutes: Weaver, Dunn, Davies, Zaffina.
Man of the Match: Matteo Ballan
Attendance: 199
Position After Game: 4th

So two wins in a row for Werribee and rising up the table, hence Basil felt quite content as he relaxed in the hotel room. The only thing that bothered him now? Whether or not they could maintain this or would lead to a collapse more akin to watching the middle order of the England cricket team.

The journey back to Preston was not the best one, by a long chalk. Not because the team had lost once more, but of the sadness that was unfolding around me.

I had a good 17 months at Deepdale, they had certainly driven my career forwards. I mean I don't think I would have landed the England role if I hadn't taken the Preston role and stayed at Tranmere. I would certainly have remained a lower league manager still trying to build his stock up but Ira Gordon (the then Preston Chairman) obviously saw something in me that the Club liked.

I got them back in the Premiership at the first time of asking, running away with the Championship title. Granted the Premier League is a massive step up in class for a Club such as North End, I wasn't really getting hammered week and week out. In fact, beating current Champions Manchester United was some feat. They're still talking about it now! But there comes a time where you simply can refuse an offer that might only come across once in a lifetime, and that was happening to me right now. I called the team into the training ground, senior and youth squads as one, to announce my departure. And it was emotionally charged to say the least.

"Thanks for coming in today lads, especially the senior players on their day off."
"No problems gaffer." Jasper Schendelaar replied. "What's a matter, you look a bit down."
"I'm alright Jasper, really I am."
"You don't look it gaffer." Kasey Palmer injected.
"Honestly I really am. Anyway I have something to announce."

The players looked at each other as if to think what is going on.

"Today's my last day with you." I blurted out, shedding a few tears.
"What the actual?" Jack Harrison asked. "Has that f**king nobody of a chairman sacked you after all you have done here?"
"No Jack, he hasn't."
"Good job, I'd rip his head off if he had."
"I'm leaving Preston for a new job. It's an opportunity I could not say no to, an opportunity of a lifetime."

There was a hushed silence.

"I'm going to a club that I have had an affinity for since I was growing up, and I'm sorry to leave you all in the lurch."
"Don't be daft gaffer, you're probably realising a dream." Jules Koundé, my skipper, sounded.
"I am definitely doing that Jules. Darren and Lloyd are going to look after you until the Club finds a replacement. You can survive this lads, you're better than the teams below you."
"Thanks gaffer. You'll be a good hire for that new Club, and if you want to take any of us with you then we'll not turn you down."

I smiled, and hugged each and everyone of the team: players and backroom staff alike. It certainly made me feel a lot better in myself. Ten minutes later, a black Jaguar rolled up to Springfields.

"Mr Duell? I've come to collect you on behalf of Mr Delcroix."
"Right, I'm ready. Good luck lads!"

A raucous round of applause followed, and I stepped into the back seat of the Jaguar. Where was my next adventure taking me?

Thanks for the comments lads as always guys, all will be revealed at the weekend or a few days after that.

The final whistle sounded at the London Stadium, and the majority were in a good mood having seen their team win but equally concerned that despite having 43 shots: they had only scored just the once.

For me, I walked back into the away dressing room and addressed the players.

"Lads, it wasn't to be...again! Once more I'm sounding like a broken record but I'm proud of each and everyone of you. You gave it a good go despite the statistics being in their favour. Now let's get showered, changed and back on that coach home."

With that, I left them be.

Twenty minutes later, the team started to filter onto the bus one by one. The doors of the luggage compartment closed, and I made my way up the steps to the seat which I usually occupied at the front of the bus: headphones in. I could hear the sounds of those players who enjoyed a game of cards towards the rear and did a quick head count.

All present and correct.

"Time to go Albert, we're all on board." I said.
"Right oh Mark." Albert replied.

It was then when I saw the Chairman sat in the front seat, something I hadn't had on the way down as the Chairman had been in a meeting for his stationery business in the City earlier that day.

"Mr Chairman, wasn't expecting to have you on board."
"Mark, we need to talk." Chris said. "Please take a seat."
"OK." I sat down, my eyes transfixed at what the Chairman was going say next. Was he about to sack me on the bus? That would be rather crass if he was.
"Mark, I want to wish you good luck in the future. It pains me to see you go but I'm convinced you'll be good for them."
"Uh?"
"The team that had you on their radar. Well, we've agreed on £1.2 million compensation figure. It was all sorted during half time."
"Right."
"You might as well call the lads in for a little meeting tomorrow morning and tell them."
"Sure. Albert, stop the bus."

Albert stopped the bus, we had travelled all of five miles.

"Jules." I called out, and skipper Jules Koundé made his way down the aisle.
"Yes boss? Anything I can do?"
"Yep, get the lads to Springfields for 11:00am in the morning. I got an announcement to make. Right Albert, we can go again."

And the bus headed north, tears starting to dribble down my face.

Chapter 18: Finally, some good news

It was bothering Basil no end, the protracted discussions with Alec Goodwin. The 23 year old striker was one of the biggest earners at Werribee and was wanting a pay increase to stay a Werribee player. Basil spoke to the player again after the home game against Pascoe Vale, the first in November, but was once again left disappointed.

"Alec, I really want you to stay but I just think we're at an impasse."
"I know boss, but you know how football is these days. I have to look out for myself."
"But you do love this Club right?"
"Yeah, and I respect you as a manager too, but let's talk again in the morning."

Basil drove back to the hotel, convinced that he was fighting a losing battle with his first choice centre forward. Not even the sounds of Fozzy's Do You Wanna Start A War album could cheer him up. Thirty minutes later, Basil pulled into the parking lot at the hotel and exited the vehicle. He was still downbeat as he got into the lift, head slunk low as if his world was about to end. He got his room, ordered a couple of bottles of VB from room service, and just sat there in complete silence; only moving when he needed the toilet and it was time to go to bed.

The following morning Basil's mood hadn't improved, so after finishing his breakfast, he picked up his mobile to call Goodwin. Much to Basil's surprise, the striker answered:

"Morning boss."
"Morning Alec, calling you as we discussed yesterday."
"Yeah. I guess we're going to talk contracts again."
"That's what I was hoping for. Remind me what kind of deal you want? Wasn't it a two year deal at 500 AUD a week?"
"Um..."
"Alec? Alec?"
"Sorry boss. I've been thinking...I've changed my demands,"

Basil sighed, fearing that the striker had moved the goalposts even further away and inched closer to the exit door.

"Right, and they are?"
"I'm looking for a three year deal boss, paying 250 AUD a week."
"Oh..."
"I think I'm being reasonable boss, really I am."
"I see. Well let me do some number crunching. I'll be back in a few minutes Alec."

Basil texted John with the player's demands, and John was straight back in touch. His reply read:


He released the call with Goodwin from hold, and spoke again.

"Alec, sorry about that. Just had to crunch some numbers to see if we can agree to it. Budgets pretty tight as it is."
"Understand boss. So can you?"
"Yeah I think we have a deal in place here Alec."
"Great, can't see any problems from my side either." Send me the contract via email and I'll get back to you. Laters boss."
"Bye for now Alec."

The breakthrough had happened after weeks and weeks of talking. Basil drafted up the new contract for Goodwin, emailed it to the striker and sat there waiting for a reply. Yet the striker didn't respond straight away, in fact days and days passed. It was two days before the next league game when something happened. Basil woke to find an email sitting in his inbox.


A huge smile broke across Basil's face, the saga was over and done with. Alec Goodwin was to remain a Werribee player for the next three years, mission accomplished off pitch. Now to get those wins on pitch and rise up that table.

Chapter 17: Birthday Blues

It was another day in Melbourne, but not an ordinary day as Basil awoke. In fact, it was Basil's 38th birthday and he was on the other side of the world to his family. That didn't stop them from calling him despite the time difference though. Mam, predictably was first, with her usual singing of "Happy birthday" down the line: a tradition that Basil had gotten used to over the years since he first left home in 1997 to become an apprentice at Celtic. Next up was his sister with a FaceTime call and that pleased Basil no end too. Even "The Gaffer" called him to check in and wish him a pleasant day.

Life was still good.

Basil opened the laptop to a couple of emails from John. John's first email was to advise him that the planned loan transfer for Oskar Dillion had fallen through. Dillon was a 20 year old central defender who was on the books of A-League side Western United, and the professional side were looking to loan him out to help with his development. The defender had actually played against Werribee in the pre-season, and Brush had been sufficiently impressed enough to attempt this audacious loan transfer. Dillon had opted to decline the move to Werribee though, and instead go on loan for the season to Oakleigh Cannons who play in the division above the Bees.

John's second email detailed the next round of fixtures which would start in a couple of days time.



Basil digested the fixtures and took a quick glance at the league table. First two games against the 11th and 12th placed teams in the current standings, both winnable. Then the rest would be against sides above Werribee. What surprised Basil though was that FC Bulleen Lions were top of the table, this was a team that the Bees had thrashed 4-0 in pre-season which just goes to show that you should never ever read anything to pre-season friendlies. They mean absolutely nada.

Perhaps he should try again to get Alec Goodwin to sign that new contract? "I'll leave it until after Saturday's game." Basil said to himself. "If he (Goodwin) has a great game then he might realise that the new contract is worth signing there and then." That was the hope, but equally he was prepared for another rejection from the striker. If ever Basil needed some strokes of good fortunes from the footballing gods, now would be ideal.