70 Progress

The match ended and Tony was unsuprisingly appointed as the player of the match. It was only just a title in the academy leagues without any trophy or award. This wasn't Tony's first Player of the match as he had gotten a few other Player of the Match awards in past matches but in this match he had gotten it due to his hattrick.

There was no outstanding skill gotten from the blackburn players as Tony could only choose a defending skill of B- as he gradually continued to also improve his all-round play and other abilities.

*****

Coach Taylor informed Tony to come over to his office after training for a one on one meeting after training on Monday the following week.

When Tony got into his office and sat down, Coach Taylor began the discussion after the niceties by informing Tony that he was very happy and satisfied with his performance as a striker in the match, and would place him there in some select matches in the future so he should continue to train hard and study the role of the striker better.

"But there are also two other main reasons for this meeting today. First is that the club has decided to enter into negotiations with you for a new and improved contract."

Immediately Coach Taylor said that, Tony didn't know when he had jumped up and began celebrating. Then after some seconds he quickly composed himself and sat back down.

"Thank you very much Coach for your trust and faith in me, I promise to continue to give my best on the pitch."

It was basically the goal of all players in an academy, which was to have a longer contract with a professional club and becoming a full fledged player as it showed the club had faith in the players ability.

Not that it was surprising to Tony that they had offered him a new contract due to his ability. But it was how soon and decisive the club had acted by offering him a new contract after just being with the club for a few months.

After some seconds, Coach Taylor gave Tony some time to settle down back before he continued his discussion.

"Also we have been contemplating allowing you to go out on loan in the January transfer window, but we have decided against that as this is still your first ever season in an academy. So we would still like to further improve and develop your all round play as you still have some places to work on and also make your foundation of the basics more solid while also giving you some minutes in the cup competitions with the first team."

Tony was a little bit shocked about the possibility of a loan move this early, but with further explanations from Coach Taylor he could understand their reasoning on him staying with the club longer.

Tony nodded his head in agreement as he expressed his approval on the clubs plan about him, while he also began day dreaming if it would have been possible for him to have been loaned out to one of the smaller premier league club and he would have made his professional league debut in his first ever season with the club.

That would have definitely been a record of some sorts in recent times, for a player to play in the first division in his first ever year in an academy or club as most players trained for years since when they were young while climbing into the various academy youth teams.

But having a chance of making his general debut of the first team in a cup competition was also very good as it would definitely give him a better opportunity to show the senior team's coaches and the fans his ability more.

Tony felt It was definitely progress, before he heard Coach Taylor resume speaking, drawing Tony's attention away from his thoughts and back to reality.

"We would get in touch with your mom to begin negotiations on your contract. So from next week Monday you will go join up with the first team training till their next first team cup match which should be on the following saturday."

"You will be training with the first team for the duration of the week. If you impress the coaches in training you might get an opportunity to make your debut in the cup match."

"After that you would still majorly be training with the youth team, only when you are in contention to play in a cup match for the first team, will they request for you to go join them for trainings before the match."

Tony was ecstatic at the thought of training with the first team players and the opportunity for him to look at the skills of the first team players with his system scanner and maybe copy one or two of the skills of some of the players.

Tony had met some professional players in the past and even collected autographs, but he had not been lucky to meet any of the players at a close proximity since he got the system.

Coach Taylor went on to explain some of the rules to Tony, on how he was eligible to only play in the cup competitions since you are still considered to be a home grown player since you have been in England all your life, even though this is just your first year with the club. But how he was not eligible for the league competition due to another rule.

When they were done, Tony hurried home to go share the news with his mom, as he knew she would be the only person at home at this time of the day.

"Tony!" "Mom!"

Tony and his Mom both spoke at the same time just as he had opened the front door to enter into the house. He had also heard his mom excitedly call out his name just as he had also called out her name.

He immediately knew the club had already quickly called her and informed her about entering into negotiations for a new contract.

He hugged his mom and then excitedly explained to her everything about the meeting with Coach Taylor.

He also told his dad and brother later in the evening when they were both back at home.

"Wonderful news!!. It's been long I went to go watch a first team match due to me always wanting to watch you in the academy matches." Tony's dad was ecstatic and excitedly declared after he had congratulated Tony.

Tony's brother also congratulated him before they decided to celebrate it by going out on a Family dinner which insisted on being his treat.

Later in the night Tony also informed his close friends about the opportunity and during training the next day, he told some of his close academy teammates that he might be training with the first team throughout the next week.

They were happy for Tony but couldn't help but be a little envious at his opportunity of training with the first team and maybe being involved in the cup match.