Chapter 34: The Dream Grows
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The morning at Broadfield Stadium was cold. Frost covered parts of the training pitch, and the players could see their breath as they went through their drills.
Crawley Town were preparing for their League Two game against Grimsby Town the next day. Niels tried to stay focused, but his mind kept going back to the FA Cup.
The 2–1 win against Leyton Orient two days earlier was still fresh in his mind. It had been a big result, especially after everything that had happened to him.
For a moment, he remembered Wigan's FA Cup run. He was sure it had been in 2013, although another part of him thought it might have been 2012. He couldn't remember properly anymore.
Since finding himself in 2010, his memories of the future had become mixed up. His time playing FIFA after 2025 felt like something he had dreamed rather than lived.
He wasn't sure how much longer he could rely on those memories.
The players continued training around him.
Korey Henry ran over to Luka Radev.
"Luka, you getting that Orient goal framed?"
Luka smiled and flicked the ball up before catching it.
"Nah. I'm saving the space for Wembley."
Max Simons heard him and shook his head.
"Grimsby first. Stop talking rubbish and focus."
The group laughed.
Niels smiled as well. Moments like this helped. He was still trying to understand this new life, but being around the team made things easier.
He opened his notebook. Most of the page was filled with notes about Grimsby's tactics. He had also written down a few things about the FA Cup draw in the margins.
There was still a lot he didn't understand.
But at least he had a plan.
For now, that was enough.
Training was focused on what they expected from Grimsby. The players worked on quick passing to deal with the press, using the wings to create space and set pieces to prepare for the physical side of the game.
Niels watched closely as the session continued. His old gamer instincts still helped him notice things other people might miss.
Luka was looking sharp. His passing was quick and accurate, and he rarely needed more than one touch to move the ball.
Korey was doing well on the wing too. He kept making runs behind the defenders and finding gaps.
Toby, one of the reserve players, chased after every loose ball. He wasn't the most talented player in the squad, but he never stopped working. Jamal Osei noticed it as well and gave him a small nod.
Kieron Marsh wasn't having the same kind of session. He misplaced a pass, and the ball went out.
Niels walked over.
"Eyes up, Kieron. You're better than that. See the run and trust yourself."
Kieron nodded.
"Yeah, boss."
Reece Darby, standing nearby, gave him a tap on the shoulder.
"Keep going, lad."
Kieron smiled and got back into the drill.
A few minutes later, Max stopped for a drink. He looked across at the empty stands for a moment.
Niels walked over.
"You alright, Max?"
Max looked at him.
"Just thinking about Orient. That win felt different."
Niels nodded.
"It did. But it only matters if we use it. We've got Grimsby tomorrow."
Max took another drink and nodded.
"Yeah. We'll be ready."
Near the edge of the pitch, a few Crawley supporters had gathered by the fence. They wore red scarves and watched the training session while quietly chanting.
"Red Devils! Red Devils!"
Niels looked over at them. Seeing the fans there reminded him that this wasn't only about him. The players were doing this for the club and the people who followed them every week.
When training finished, Niels called everyone together.
"Listen up. Grimsby are going to be tough. They're strong, physical and they don't give you much time on the ball. But we beat Orient for a reason. We worked hard and we believed we could win. We need the same attitude tomorrow."
The players nodded.
Niels looked around the group before adding:
"Also, we might have one or two new players joining us soon. So be ready to welcome them."
Korey immediately raised his eyebrows.
"Come on, boss. Who are they?"
Niels smiled.
"You'll find out soon enough."
The players started talking among themselves.
Luka leaned towards Dev Patel.
"Bet it's some Brazilian wonderkid."
Dev laughed.
"Or maybe someone who's here to take your place."
Luka pushed him lightly.
"Not happening."
Later that day, the players gathered in the clubhouse to listen to the FA Cup Fourth Round draw on an old radio.
Everyone was waiting to hear who Crawley would get.
Niels stood near the wall with his notebook in his hand. He was nervous, even though he tried not to show it.
The presenter read through the teams.
"Crawley Town... will face... Barnsley, at home."
The room immediately erupted.
Korey shouted and jumped up from his seat. Dev raised his fist in the air, while Tom Whitehall started laughing.
"A Championship team? We're ready!" Tom said.
Luka was already smiling.
Jamal was more relaxed. He simply nodded and looked around at the others.
Barnsley would be a tough opponent. They were a Championship side and had plenty of experience at that level. But playing at Broadfield gave Crawley a chance.
Niels thought about some of the FA Cup shocks he remembered from his old life. He tried to remember Portsmouth's run in 2008, but once again, he wasn't completely sure about the year.
The memory disappeared before he could hold onto it.
Outside the clubhouse, a few local reporters were waiting.
"Can Crawley keep the run going?"
"Do you really think you can beat Barnsley?"
The players and staff barely had time to answer before the fans started chanting.
"To Wembley! To Wembley!"
Niels looked towards the supporters and smiled.
There was something building around the club now. Everyone believed they could go further.
Later that night, Niels sat in his small office. The FA Cup draw was still on his mind when his phone rang.
It was Claire.
"Thiago's deal is getting close," she said. "São Paulo are willing to talk about £200,000, but they would prefer a loan with a buy option at the end."
Niels listened.
"And Baxter?"
"That's almost done. Everton have agreed to the loan. The paperwork should arrive tomorrow."
Niels nodded even though Claire couldn't see him.
"What about Smalling?"
"No chance. Fulham won't negotiate."
"And Campbell?"
"He's interested, but his wages could be a problem for us."
Niels leaned back in his chair.
His memories of Thiago came back again. He remembered how good the player had been in FIFA, but he still couldn't tell how much of that memory he could trust.
"Try to get Thiago on a permanent deal," Niels said. "If that doesn't work, we'll take the loan with the option to buy. Just get him here."
He paused.
"And finish Baxter's deal. I want him with us."
Claire laughed.
"You're thinking big, Niels."
"We need to."
"I like it. I'll keep working on it."
They ended the call.
Niels looked down at the paperwork on his desk.
Barnsley in the cup. New players on the way. A team starting to believe.
For once, he wasn't thinking about the future.
He was looking forward to tomorrow.
Sunday arrived cold and clear, and Broadfield Stadium was already busy before kick-off. Around 11,000 fans had turned up for the FA Cup game against Grimsby.
Crawley started with Max Simons, Luka Radev, Korey Henry, Dev Patel, Nate Burgess, Jamal Osei, Tom Whitehall, Reece Darby and Adam Fletcher in goal.
Grimsby started well. Their forwards were strong and they weren't afraid to put in a few hard challenges. Crawley had to match them physically.
As the game started, Niels couldn't help hearing the kind of commentary he used to imagine while playing FIFA.
"And we're off at Broadfield!"
Reece made an early block on a Grimsby winger, bringing a loud cheer from the crowd.
"Good defending from Darby!"
A few minutes later, Luka beat a midfielder and played the ball to Tom. Tom crossed into the box, but Max headed just over.
"Simons! Just over!"
Grimsby responded with a chance of their own. Their striker got onto a cross and headed towards the corner, but Fletcher got across and made a good save.
The fans started chanting his name.
"Fletch-er! Fletch-er!"
Jamal then won the ball in midfield and started another Crawley attack. Dev took a free kick shortly afterwards, but his effort went just wide.
The game remained close until the 32nd minute.
Crawley won a corner, and Luka stepped up to take it. His delivery went into the middle of the box, where Max rose above everyone and headed the ball into the net.
"GOAL! Simons! Crawley lead 1–0!"
The stadium erupted.
Niels punched the air.
"More, lads! Keep going!"
Grimsby pushed forward after the goal. One of their shots went just over the crossbar, while Fletcher made another important save a few minutes later.
The supporters responded with another round of his chant.
"Fletch-er! Fletch-er!"
In the stands, a young fan held up a homemade sign that read:
Red Devils to Wembley!
Niels spotted it and smiled.
Crawley went into half-time still ahead.
The second half was much tougher. Grimsby were throwing more players forward and making the game uncomfortable.
Niels made two changes, bringing on Toby and Ilyas.
Toby immediately started chasing everything, while Ilyas used his pace to cause problems down the left side of the Grimsby defence.
With eleven minutes left, Crawley found the second goal.
Dev received the ball in midfield and played a pass through the defence. Korey collected it on the wing, moved inside and curled his shot into the far corner.
"Henry! Two-nil!"
The crowd went wild.
Niels turned towards the players.
"Close it out, lads!"
Grimsby kept trying until the end, but Crawley refused to give them a way back.
Reece cleared one effort off the line. Jamal stayed composed in midfield, helping the team keep possession. Then, in the final minutes, Fletcher made one more big save, tipping a powerful shot over the bar.
A few moments later, the referee blew the final whistle.
Full-time: Crawley Town 2–0 Grimsby Town.
Broadfield Stadium was still loud after the final whistle.
"We're the Red Devils!"
The chant went around the stands as the players celebrated. Korey was surrounded by his teammates, with Max patting him on the back and Luka laughing beside them.
In the dressing room, Niels stood in front of the squad.
"That was us today. That's the way we need to play. Barnsley are next in the Cup, so enjoy this one, but don't lose focus."
The players cheered.
Dev raised his fist while Tom stood there smiling.
Later, Niels walked towards the tunnel. Most of the crowd had started to leave, but a few supporters were still outside.
"To Wembley, boss!"
One older fan reached out and grabbed Niels' arm.
"You're doing us proud, son. Keep it going."
Niels smiled and nodded.
"Thank you."
He waved as the supporters headed home.
His phone then buzzed.
It was a message from Elise.
Pie's gone wild. Grimsby done! Cup kings!
Niels laughed and typed back:
Haha, thanks!
He eventually returned to his office. The stadium was almost completely quiet now, with only the heater making any noise.
Niels opened his notebook.
Three names stood out on the page.
Thiago. Baxter. Campbell.
His thoughts went back to the players he'd seen in his old life. He remembered Thiago's skill and Baxter's passing, but the memories were still unclear.
There was a knock at the door.
Reece stuck his head inside, still wearing his kit.
"Boss, you were serious about those new players, right?"
Niels looked at him.
"Which ones?"
"Thiago. He's actually coming, isn't he?"
Niels smiled.
"You'll find out soon, Darby. Now go home and get some rest."
Reece grinned.
"Alright, boss."
He disappeared down the hallway.
Niels leaned back in his chair.
For a moment, he thought about Milan, the mentor who had helped him get this far. He could still remember something Milan had told him years ago.
"Dream big, kid, or don't bother."
Niels looked around the quiet office.
The person he had been in 2025 felt very far away now. The FIFA games, the trophies and everything he knew about that world were becoming harder to remember.
This was his life now.
Crawley was his club, and he wanted to see how far they could go.
Thiago and Baxter might be joining soon. Barnsley were waiting in the FA Cup.
There was still a long way to go.