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2.42. Max Best Wins It All (Part 1 of 1000)

42.

"How do you feel?"

"I feel good. I feel concentrated. I feel like I'm driving safely."

The fact that I didn't want to chat while driving was a minor source of friction in my r...

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2.41 - The Karma Before the Storm

41.

Revenge Fantasy Minus 8 Days

Henri: Are you still on the bus from Gloucester?

Me: Yeah. Still like 3 hours left. Did everyone you invited turn up? View Post

2.40 - Play On

40.

Football glossary: Play on. Continue the game! Your player was kicked, but you have the ball in an advantageous position. So play on!

***

Saturday, 10th December

<...

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2.39 - The Devil Is In the Detail

Dear Patrons. As you know, I also write operettas. This one is called Ted Sings to His Readers:

- Would you like a double chapter?

- No we deserve much more!

- Would you ...

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2.38 - The Attention Game

Hey! Do you like AI generated fan art? No? Well, close your eyes and scroll down about 4 inches.

2023-03-22 09:44:56 +0000 UTC View Post

2.37 - Double Dribble

Quick note - I'm sure you sometimes think 'this story is top but the footy bits are slightly unrealistic'. Not so! Remember Darlo vs Kettering? So many red cards? Check out last night's View Post

2.36 - Side to Side


36.

I flopped against the back cushion and felt something cold and wet press against my back. For a second, I worried I'd spilled something on Henri's nice sofa, but it was just my...

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2.35 - Do Better

Double chapter, almost a treble! This chapter is best served with a small bag of Cadbury's Mini Eggs and a big bag of red wine.



35.


We still ha...

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2.34 - The Max Best Manifesto

34.

By Saturday morning I had turned into a human brick. A few times, I woke up and wanted a sausage butty or to pee but simply couldn't move. My legs were eight times their normal weight. He...

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Max Best IRL

Hi all!

Quick unexpected bonus content.

In the Discord chats, one Club Legend told us he was inspired by Player Manager to get back on the pitch after a long break...

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2.33 - Go For the Corner

33.

We got into position for the second half. The crowd had visibly diminished. I hoped they were inside somewhere, buying beers, and hadn't fucked off home.

"Best!" Caveman was yelling...

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2.32 - Kettering Town

32.

Friday 2 December

On Friday morning we did a light training session, just loosening up and going through the match plans one last time.

I ate in the canteen and really had a l...

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2.31 - Here Endeth the Lesson

31.


Sunday felt like climbing out of a hole. First, I got a lunchtime text from Emma. Just a light kind of 'checking in' message. I responded in kind. I guessed that Gemma had told...

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2.30 - Yellow Cards

30.


I paused as Henri opened a car door for me. "Enchanté," I said.

"I'm opening the door for Gemma. You get in the front."

"Why?"

"Because you're a pro...

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2.29 - Poking the Bear

29.

The coach pulled over. The rest of the first team craned their necks in baffled amazement as I stepped off and got cozy at a random bus stop on Princess Parkway. I felt a bit odd wearing ...

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2.28 - All Out Attack


28.

"Well played, Webby, lad," Cutter called out, and gave the guy a pat on the back as he left the pitch.

That was my answer, then. Cutter needed me more than I needed him.<...

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2.27 - Monkey Island

27.

Henri's bed was so incredibly comfortable and I was so terribly fatigued that I overslept. I jumped out of bed and zoomed to training. To save three seconds, I even left my kit bag on the...

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2.26 - Holy Moses

26.


While I was touching a couple of fingers to my neck to see how fast my pulse was going, a couple of young women approached our table. White, thin, fake tan, high-waisted jeans,...

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2.25 - Copa Mundial

25.


I read through the perk - twice - then looked at James. "Would you like to help me with a project?"

"Oh. Yes. Probably. What is it?"

"Two things. One. You're a big ...

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2.24 - Timing

24.


So much of football is about timing.

Egypt are due to play in the first World Cup, but miss their connecting ship to Uruguay. If only they'd arrived, they might have won,...

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2.23 - Whoever Has Will Be Given More

[Triple. Chapter. Triple chapter. Again!]


23.

I knocked on the door of a shitty terraced house in north Manchester. If you don't know what a terraced house is, don't...

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2.22 - No Backsies

22.


Alfy took the kick off and had a little go at us. Trying to get a quick equaliser. I shuffled and slid and kept the shape. I even sprinted to help Colin, the prick, out of a ja...

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2.21 - A New Light

[Triple length chapter! Grab TWO coffees!]


21.

Guys slapped each other as I walked through the changing room. Get a load of this!

Dudes got out of my ...

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2.20 - Managing Expectations

20.

Dirt. Dirt and decay. Dirt, decay, and debris.

Sweat. Stale sweat, the stink of sweat, dried sweat, sweaty beanbags, discarded sweaters, bags of socks both sweaty and discarded.

...

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Player Manager: The Audiobook

I don't listen to many audiobooks myself because I fall asleep, wake up to hear who the killer is, then go back to chapter 2 and find the whole thing is ruined.

But 50% of the comments I see ...

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2.19 - Jam Tomorrow

19.


Wednesday, 16th November

I was first onto the training pitch again, getting my day off to a good start by smacking free kicks at goal. 5 right foot, collect the balls, ha...

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2.18 - Whitby Town

18.


I had a hearty lunch in the staff canteen - apparently it was the done thing to load up on carbs the day before a match. The goalies were great company but were puzzled that I ...

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2.17 - Top Gear

17.


I demanded the minivan keys from a very, very reluctant Pat.

"I'll drive you, lad. Where are you off ta?"

"Please hand over the keys, Pat."

"You're not insure...

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2.16 - Digs

16.


Football glossary: Digs. Digs are cheap, shared accommodation owned or run by a football club for use by their junior players.

***

At around 6, Henri kicked us out....

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2.15 - The Fast Track

15.


There was a minor logistics issue. Because I'd walked to the restaurant and Henri had arrived in his impractical two-seated Lotus Seven, he would have to drive me to my car, an...

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