That morning in Nailsworth, the cold air pierced Arief's bones as he stepped out of his small, modest flat. A thin fog enveloped the small town, giving it a quiet atmosphere that was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the streets of Magelang, which he had left far behind.
Today was not a normal day. Arief stood with his chest slightly puffed out, but his steps felt heavy. He carried a small bag containing only a few documents, his mobile phone, and of course his favourite pair of football boots, which were already quite worn out. Those boots had taken him through various terrains, from the potholed fields of Walthamstow to the super-modern gym in Moscow.
However, this morning, he stood in confusion. The company that was supposed to give him a job and a bright future? Gone without a trace. Arief received a final phone call a few days ago saying that the position had been cancelled for no apparent reason. Instantly, his little world in Nailsworth seemed to collapse.
With his AFC B and UEFA B coaching licences, Arief knew he was no ordinary amateur coach. He had previously led Leyton, a seventh-tier English league club, to several important victories. Moreover, his experience working with Spartak Moscow had given him insights into professional football that few ordinary people possessed.
But now, it all seems futile. He smiles bitterly as he recalls this.
Along with that, there is another burden weighing on his mind. He is not alone in this world. Behind him, waiting for him, are three wives and nine children scattered across various countries, each with different stories and hopes. What if he fails here and is unable to provide for them? What if he has to return home empty-handed?
Arief reaches into his pocket and looks at the family photo he always carries—Natalia with her two sons, Sari with their six children, both grown and young, and Dewi, who has not yet been blessed with children but is always full of enthusiasm.
Suddenly, a sentence from an old friend in Walthamstow rang in his ears: "Arief, football is like life. Sometimes you are led to the left, but you have to dare to kick to the right. Nothing is certain, but you have to keep playing."
With renewed determination, Arief took a deep breath and walked towards the small coffee shop he usually visited. There, his life story would begin to unfold again alongside other characters who would make this journey even more colourful.
"This is just the beginning, Arief. The real game hasn't started yet," he whispered to himself.
***
Arief opened the door to the small, dimly lit coffee shop, a place that had become like a second home to him over the past few weeks. Inside, he was greeted by the aroma of strong coffee and the low murmur of conversation from the locals taking a break from their morning activities.
In the corner of the room sat Roy, a middle-aged man with a thick moustache and a slightly plump body. He was the owner of an amateur football club in Nailsworth and had tried several times to get Arief to work with him, although in the end it always came to nothing due to bureaucratic and financial constraints.
"Arief! You're here again," Roy greeted him with a thick English accent, holding up a cup of coffee. "Still hanging in there? That's a rare thing to see around here."
Arief replied with a wry smile. "Still looking for a way, Roy. The situation isn't clear yet, but I can't go home empty-handed."
Roy laughed and shook his head. "You're like a Premier League club manager, carrying that heavy burden. But rest assured, the world of football is full of surprises."
Sipping his coffee, Arief recounted how he ended up in England with hopes of finding work, which later faded away. The conversation then flowed to topics surrounding local football—small clubs, hidden potential players, and dreams of bringing Nailsworth Town FC to a higher level.
"So, where do you want to start?" Roy asked seriously.
Arief stared at his cup of coffee, which was now almost empty. "Maybe I have to start from the bottom again. Build a solid team, even from scratch. With my experience in Russia, Indonesia, and England, I'm sure something can be built."
Roy nodded in agreement. "That's not bad. And don't forget, you have me here as your loyal supporter. And don't forget, you have to be ready for the funny surprises from the amateur players—sometimes they're crazier than you can imagine."
Arief laughed. "In that case, I'm ready. Let this drama unfold with a bit of comedy so it doesn't get too stressful."
That conversation marked the beginning of Arief's journey to build a new life in a foreign country, while still thinking about his family back home and using football as a bridge to strengthen his spirit.
With a growing determination, Arief promised himself that he would turn his dreams into reality—not just for himself, but also for those he loved.
***
The following days in Nailsworth brought Arief a new routine that was both challenging and fun. His meetings with Roy were not just about coffee and plans, but also about getting to know the unique and colourful characters of the local players.
One player who caught Arief's attention was Tom, an 18-year-old troublemaker with extraordinary talent, but who was lazy about training and preferred to discuss football conspiracy theories on social media. Tom once said, "Coach, if balls could give likes, I would have been a legend long ago!" Arief could only chuckle and be amused by Tom's behaviour.
Then there was Lisa, the captain of the local women's team, who was stubborn and very disciplined, often making sarcastic comments to Arief, "Coach, you're like a masseur, you only know how to press here and there, but you never give any real encouragement." Arief knew that behind those comments lay a hidden respect.
Building this team was like coaching a large, diverse family—some were diligent, some were moody, and some would suddenly disappear without a trace. However, Arief saw great potential in the chaos.
In addition, Arief also has to divide his attention between his family members who are scattered across the globe. Video calls serve as a lifeline, although they are often disrupted by time differences. Natalya, his wife from Russia, always reminds him jokingly, "If you're having a hard time in England, try teaching the kids here how to play football. They need a coach like you, not just Netflix."
Sari, his second wife in Indonesia, often sends videos of their children playing football in the yard, filled with enthusiastic cheers and sometimes funny screams as they fight over the ball. Dewi, his third wife from Bekasi, always sends encouragement and laughter in her text messages.
Amidst the chaos of life and amateur football, Arief begins to rearrange his dreams. He realises that this journey isn't just about winning on the field, but about building hope, family, and courage.
At night, as the sky over Nailsworth darkens with stars, Arief stares at his phone and says, "This is just the beginning. This team and my family, we'll move forward together, even if we have to laugh first before we win."
***
As the week progressed, Arief began to take a different approach. He not only trained their technique, but also tried to understand each player's life. He knew that football was not just about physicality or strategy, but also about mentality and heart.
That day, during training on a grass field that was a bit bumpy, Arief noticed Percy, a player who was often late and seemed to have family problems. During the warm-up session, Arief approached him and asked gently, "Percy, what's wrong? I know you're often late, but you have great potential."
Percy looked down and finally told him about his sick father and how he had to work hard to support his family. Arief nodded, feeling heavy but also compelled to help. He then created a more flexible training schedule for Percy, while encouraging the other players to support each other.
Amidst the serious training, laughter often broke out. Once, Tom proudly showed off his ball-dribbling trick while riding a bicycle, but he slipped and fell. All the players laughed, including Arief, making the atmosphere relaxed and full of enthusiasm.
That afternoon, Arief sat on a bench at the edge of the field while taking a call from Natalia, who was discussing their eldest son's birthday. Meanwhile, Sari sent a video of their children making small flags and banners with the words: "Papa, keep up the spirit!" Dewi sent an enthusiastic voice message adding, "Coach Arief, you are an inspiration to us all, stay strong!"
Arief closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the enthusiasm flowing through him. He realised that this was not just about him, but about everyone who believed in him.
With a small smile, Arief got up and whispered, "This is just the beginning. We will level up, not only on the field, but in life."
***
That night, after a long day filled with training and laughter, Arief returned to his flat with his mind full of thoughts. The streetlights softly illuminated his slow steps, and the cold wind accompanied the silence of the night in Nailsworth.
Upon arrival, he sat down in front of his laptop and opened family videos sent from various parts of the world. The sound of children laughing, the smiling faces of his wives, and the warm atmosphere of home became his energy for the days ahead.
Plong! A message came in from Dewi, "Coach, I'll bring some tasty snacks tomorrow. Training with your team is so much fun, like a big family gathering, full of drama and laughter."
Arief smiled and replied, "I can't wait, Dewi. The team and I need more energy, not just from training but also from being together."
However, behind that small happiness, there was a reality that always loomed. He had to immediately take care of the documents for his work permit and ensure that everything went smoothly so that he could stay in England to develop his career.
The next morning, while preparing to go to the field, Arief received a call from a local football figure offering him the opportunity to participate in a small tournament that could open up networks and opportunities in the world of English football.
With his determination burning brighter than ever, Arief whispered to himself, "This is our first chance, a small step that will take us to the top."
He knew the journey would be long and winding, but with his family as his motivation, new friends by his side, and his burning dream of playing football, he was ready to take it all on with an open heart.