Epilogue
I like to think that Ben, who’s playing Fulham’s last match of the season not too many miles away at Craven Cottage, can hear the cheering that rings out round the Redmarsh stadium when the ref blows the whistle on Crawford United’s final game. We’ve known for some weeks that none of the other teams could catch us at the top of the league table, but that doesn’t stop the crowd from going bananas.
There’s clapping and whooping as Craig comes tearing towards the dugout with the rest of the team in hot pursuit. We flood out onto the grass to meet them, along with all the reserve players, to give everyone bear hugs and high fives. Then, as if by some unspoken understanding, the players gather round to scoop Dad, Cassie and I up into the air above their heads, and I can’t stop laughing as the cheers from the stands get even louder– I think it’s fair to say we’re all having the time of our lives.
Once we’ve been safely deposited back on the ground, our wonderful team turn and applaud the opposition, making their way back across the pitch to shake their hands and wish them luck for the following season. Although they’ve missed out on a promotion, they’ve still finished in the top five so their future looks promising.
But for us, to end the season with a win in front of a four-thousand-strong home crowd, a step up into the league above and enough money in the bank to know the club is guaranteed to survive– and not just survive, but flourish– I can’t even describe how incredible it feels. There’s such a jumble of emotions– glee, wonder, delight, disbelief. It’s overwhelming and extraordinary and I think we all shed a few happy tears.
If I thought I couldn’t be any happier, that’s proven wrong when Ben walks into The Fox some hours later, his grin as wide as ever. His hair’s still wet from the shower and he’s wearing a purple cotton sweater, which he tells me he’s been saving especially for this evening.
‘Congratulations, babe,’ he says, sweeping me into an embrace that makes my dad do an exaggerated eye roll. By now he’s used to our public displays of affection, but he still pretends he doesn’t like it.
‘Well done, Mike,’ Ben says, holding his hand out to shake Dad’s. Then he turns to kiss Cassie on the cheek. ‘Looks like you didn’t need my help after all,’ he says. ‘You absolutely smashed it.’
The party is in full flow around us. Our lads will have a few weeks off after tonight, so they’re planning to really go for it. And Ben and I have another reason to celebrate– as I spend so much time at the Whitehouse now anyway, he’s asked me to move in with him. We’ve been waiting till he starts his summer break from Fulham so we’ll have plenty of time for packing and unpacking boxes. We’re even going to order some coloured bed linen, and a shoe rack for the hallway.
It’s going to feel quite strange not seeing the players for our usual three-times-a-week meet-ups, but during our conversations about renewing their contracts, not one of them showed any desire to leave Crawford United, so it won’t be long before we’re all back together. Even Craig, who always seemed to have one eye on a bigger prize, is excited about the challenges being in the new league will bring.
I see a different person in him now to the one who first joined the club. Where there used to be imperiousness, there’s now just pride and team spirit. Ben and I have even joined him and Phoebs for a couple of those double dates we once talked about, now I finally understand what she sees in him. She’s even calling him her boyfriend these days, after almost a year of one-night stands.
The atmosphere in The Fox is buzzing. It’s clear everyone is so proud of what we’ve achieved together. I lose count of all the kind words, handshakes and back slaps from fans and players alike, and I don’t think I’m the only one whose cheeks start aching from the non-stop smiling.
When Olly finally rings the bell for last orders, everyone turns and raises their glass for one last time to me, Dad and Cassie, and three cheers ring out round the pub. I like to think we deserve it– it’s been a helluva ride. Then in a final heart-warming moment of the season, as I look round the room at our newfound family, Craig thumps his fist on his chest and kicks off a chorus of ‘We’re Crawford till we die!’