End Game Jamie Johnson

How come he's at Hawkstone and you're not?

He's not even Foxborough material,

and we all know what rubbish players they sign.

You've got no chance here.

What happened between me and you was a long time ago.

It was a mistake.

Well done, everyone!

And now we've just got the matter of the final to win.

St George's Park, where the England team train.

Every scout in the land will be there,

and none of you need reminding how massive this is.

And I'm going to make sure that it's me that gets the next trial.

-Cos you're going to throw the final.

-What?

You're going to make sure Kingsmount lose,

unless you prefer to get kicked out the academy.

They see this and you'll be history.

Now, what's it to be?

It is now a choice of Home or Away, and, Curtis, coming to you.

-Can I have home please?

-Home.

Which Kingsmount player consistently tries the unexpected

but ultimately fails when it comes to the penalty kick?

-WHISPERING

-Do you know?

-Do you know?

-I don't know.

-It's got to be him, hasn't it?

I think it's Jamie Johnson.

It is! You're right. Well done! APPLAUSE

LAUGHTER

Johnson!

Porridge and banana.

Brown toast on the way. Complex carbohydrates.

Looks like we've got a sports nutritionist in the house.

That's breakfast of champions, that is.

Porridge and banana kept Gordon Strachan playing

till he was 40-odd.

You don't have to eat it if you don't want it.

I'll do anything to give me a better chance today.

Promise me you'll put all thoughts

of scouts and academies out of your head.

Your mum's right. Focus on the job in hand.

Thornlake Grammar. They're a slick outfit.

Well, they wouldn't be in the final if they were rubbish.

Fast, expansive. Their game management is second to none.

I just want to know about their weaknesses.

He's setting the scene.

They play a 2-3-1 formation

with a central midfielder arriving late in the box during attacks.

The wide midfielders break with pace - serious pace.

Serious pace. Get to the weaknesses!

Their main threat is this man, Jethro Stevenson -

star man at Hawkstone Academy.

Skill, power, pace. What a player!

Yeah, yeah. We know how good they are.

They won 5-0 in the last semi.

But how can we beat them?

-Isn't that your job?

-Who are you?!

Why are you here?!

It's better to be slain facing forward with a sword in your hand

than to die with an arrow in your back.

OK. And now in English.

He means you've got to attack them.

-HE SIGHS

-Oh, no. Sounds risky to me.

Go on. Go on, Harry. Go on, Harry. Get in there, Harry.

OK, OK. Bring it in, bring it in.

Come on, Kingsmount. Let's be having you.

All right.

Before I go any further, I've got a surprise for you.

-Oh, yes!

-Yes!

-KIDS GROAN

-That's disgusting.

-Printed specially for today.

-What is that?

If you look like champions, you'll play like champions.

-Oh, look, Jamie, there it is.

-Oh, St George's Park.

Sweet.

This place is incredible.

-Look at those pitches!

-That must be where England train.

Oh, amazing!

All right, don't leave your boots on the bus, Kingsmount.

Cheers, mate.

HE CHUCKLES

Nice threads.

Hope you've not forgotten what you're going to do today.

I'm talking to you.

I'm not doing it.

You are.

You're going to make sure Kingsmount lose

or you know what will happen.

If I show them your silly little video,

you'll be out of Hawkstone in seconds,

and no academy will touch you ever again.

Hiya, love. I recognise you.

You're his friend from Hawkstone.

Mum...

Isn't it lovely that you can be so friendly before such a big game?

Exactly how it should be, if you ask me.

Did you have your energy bar?

I brought you another one just in case.

See you later, mate. Good luck today.

What a lovely lad.

Proper sportsman.

Here.

This place is incredible.

If you can't play football here, you might as well give up.

-Thanks for that.

-I was only saying...

I think they know what you were saying.

He's right, though.

It's now or never, for all of us.

I just wanted to wish you good luck.

Thanks.

You must be nervous.

I don't do nerves.

You're a better man than me.

I would have given anything to play a game like this at their age.

How are you setting up?

Actually, it's none of your business.

Come on, Hilary. We're all on the same side here.

I get it. You want to see the team win.

The difference is, it's my job to make that happen.

Listen, I don't mean to tread on anyone's toes.

I was just curious.

If you'll excuse me, I have a team talk to deliver.

So...

Of course.

Of course.

This Jethro kid,

never let him out of your sight, Harry.

If he decides that he wants to go to the little boys' room

halfway through the game, you go with him, yes?

You, Johnson -

follow my instructions at all times.

I don't want none of this gung-ho business up in here, you get me?

And if they've got the ball, we defend as a unit.

All of us. OK?

-OK?!

-ALL:

-Yes.

All right.

-You all right?

-Fine, sir.

-You sure?

-I'm just trying to focus.

Focus.

Good word.

Close your eyes.

Close your eyes.

I want you to forget about everything else.

The only thing that matters

is that we bring the trophy home to Kingsmount where it belongs.

OK, eyes open.

OK, now let's go and get it!

Come on, Kingsmount!

Come on, Kingsmount! Heads up!

Are you all right?

-COMMENTATOR:

-'St George's Park,

'the home of English football

'and today a suitable setting

'for a game of this importance.

'The Inter-school Football League Cup final,

'Thornlake versus Kingsmount.

'An expectant crowd have gathered here

'for the culmination of an unbelievable season.'

Here they come.

'It has all come down to this.

'A combination of focus and nerves on the players' faces.

'There'll be a fair few scouts present,

'and I wonder which Jamie Johnson will be turning up today.

'His mercurial talents are something to behold when he gets it right.

'Big day too for those proud parents and friends.

'Kingsmount are lining up in a defensive 4-1-1,

'while Thornlake will start more on the front foot -

'a 2-3-1 formation for them.

'And interestingly, these two captains do know each other.

'They are team-mates at Hawkstone Academy,

'but on opposing sides today.'

Try to relax, Mr Hansard.

I'm not here to relax. I'm here to win.

Those nerves will transmit to the team.

We need good karma today.

Karma?

It's a Sanskrit word referring to the spiritual principle...

I know what karma means.

HE SIGHS

'The referee tosses the coin.

'Looks like Thornlake have won that first battle.

'So, we are underway at St George's Park.

'Thornlake straight into their stride,

'looking to get Jethro Stevenson on the ball.'

Harry, what did I tell you?

Stick to Jethro.

'Look at him go.

'Stevenson surges past one, two, three, four players!

'There was power behind that too, and a good save from Jack Marshall.

'Excellent play from Johnson, to Simmonds.

'Tackled by Stevenson.'

-Come on, Dillon, keep it up!

-Come on, Kingsmount!

'It's all Thornlake at the moment.

'Now Stevenson...bamboozles Dillon Simmonds!

'Here he goes again! Oh, it's hit the crossbar!

'Kingsmount under pressure, as Johnson clears.'

Come on! Get your head in the game!

Come on!

Glad you got the message.

'Looks like words between Stevenson and Simmonds,

'two team-mates and rivals both striving for the upper hand.

'Simmonds in trouble again, here.

'The Thornlake captain has certainly started this game the better.

-'Another important block by Marshall.'

-Come on!

'Coach Hansard trying to get his team going.

'Oh, silky skills from Thornlake.

'Kingsmount can't get anywhere near the ball,

'and Jethro Stevenson passing it now.

'He's given the ball away,

'but comes back with a crunching tackle

'on Dillon Simmonds.'

Oh, come on!

'Kingsmount need their captain out there,

'but he seems to have gone missing.'

-What's wrong with him?

-Oh, just try and relax.

-Easy for you to say.

-He's just having a bad game.

My Dillon doesn't do bad games. Something's up.

-COACH HANSARD:

-You're the captain, come on!

Get your head in the game!

'Here comes Stevenson again.

'Oh, it's a nutmeg on Hansard, who just can't get close to him!

'He easily brushes off Simmonds.

'Now for the shot...

'Oh, that's quite magnificent!

'It's been coming for a while now.

'The half-time whistle goes,

'but let's just enjoy that moment again.

'He put them on their backsides.

'Kingsmount have been torn apart.'

-Come on, it's one goal. Is not over yet.

-She's right.

We can still do this.

Come on, Kingsmount. It's not over yet.

We're playing the wrong system, here.

Harry can't handle Jethro.

'So, 1-0 to Thornlake here at St George's Park,

'and Hansard has got work to do.'

We're like strangers out there!

We've got our tactics all wrong.

-I beg your pardon?

-We're letting them play.

Leave the tactics to me, OK?

-We're not putting them under enough pressure.

-Jamie...

I'm telling the truth.

You were right, sir.

That guy, Jethro, is a great player, and Harry's doing a great job,

but we're not playing to our strengths.

Really? And what are you suggesting, Miss Marshall?

Me and Harry swap.

He's the most agile player in the team.

He'd have stopped all the shots that I did.

-What?

-I've seen him in goal before at training. He's quality.

And what are you going to be doing?

I'll come out and try and keep Jethro quiet.

It's only a suggestion. I'll stay in goal if you want.

Harry?

Fair enough.

Let's see what you can do in the outfield.

That doesn't change the fact that we're being overrun in the midfield.

Are you all right for the second half?

Look, you can tell me if anything's wrong, you know?

OK.

Right, come on, Kingsmount!

It ain't over yet!

-What's up, Dillon?

-Leave me alone, will you?

We need to get back out there.

I'm not coming.

I know you've had a bad half, but you can still turn it around.

-Says who?

-We need you.

We can't beat this lot with a man down.

You'd be better off without me.

Of course we wouldn't. You're one of our best players.

Dillon, you need to tell us what's wrong.

I can't.

We're your team-mates.

We came here to win this game together.

And what if one of us didn't come here to win?

'Welcome back to St George's Park.

'The teams back out on the pitch, and a change I can see already.'

-Why is Harry in the goalie top?

-And Jack's not there.

-Or Dillon. Or Jamie.

-All the others have been out for ages.

Why hasn't he come out? I can't do this. I'm going in there.

-What?

-Well, I can't just sit here.

-Joanne, wait!

-I'll deal with this, Dad.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, I've got it.

Listen, love, I'd be feeling exactly the same way,

but you've got to let him stand on his own two feet.

You said it yourself, he's checked his levels.

He's going to be fine. I'm sure he'll be out in a minute.

Come on.

All those missed passes, they were deliberate?

I didn't have a choice.

You'd have lost us the game just to keep your place at Hawkstone?

-Let him speak, Jamie.

-Why should I?

He's thrown the game, all to protect himself.

We need to tell Hansard.

-Wait a minute.

-Wait for what?

-We can get this game replayed.

-Or abandoned altogether.

They both cheated - Dillon and Jethro.

None of this would have happened if we wouldn't have made

that video of Boggy in the first place.

-I'm sorry.

-Hansard's going mad out there.

-We need to tell him.

-Tell him what?

That Dillon's been trying to throw the game.

Helping Thornlake win.

Listen, what Dillon's done is wrong,

but we can still win this game if you start playing properly...

-We've given them a goal start.

-..and we all get stuck in.

You can't let Jethro do this to you.

You need to stand up to him.

We got half the game left.

Let's win this trophy and deal with Jethro later.

'Here come the missing Kingsmount players.

'The question on everyone's lips -

'do they have an appetite for the fight?

Oh, that's it. Go on, son!

He's put her outfield.

Come on, Jack!

'A surprising development here,

'as the Kingsmount coach has made a straight swap in positions

'between his grandson Harry Hansard

'and the irrepressible Jack Marshall.'

-Let's do this.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

'Here we go, then.

'Johnson. Marshall, who sensibly finds Johnson.

'Even when the tackle comes in, who's there?

'It's Marshall.

'Encouraging Johnson to go for it...

'and a very important save!

Come on, Jack. Stick to him like glue!

'Marshall snapping at the heels of Stevenson, shutting him down.'

Get in there!

'Oh, big tackle, Dillon Simmonds!

'The boy is back in the game!'

I've told them everything.

There's no way you're winning this game.

'Harper into Simmonds. There's a bit of space.

'It could open up for him here!

'It's an excellent save!

'Well, this is much more like it from their captain.

'Marshall, she's through again!

'Keeper does well.

'Her work rate has really made a difference,

'as Stevenson has to off-load to Jones,

'the other danger man for Thornlake.

'He's made room...

'Unbelievable save from Hansard!'

Well done!

'Well, Simmonds just looks a different player in this half,

'dancing through again.

'Now, this is Johnson...

'And Kingsmount are right back in this!

'We've really got a game on our hands now!

'It's Thornlake one, Kingsmount one, as Hansard finds Simmonds again.

'Well, the tables have really turned, here.

'Good run from Johnson, back into Simmonds...

'who scores!

'What a comeback!

'They have turned it around, and Kingsmount lead 2-1!

'Now, Elijah Jones has won Thornlake a corner...

'Good delivery!

'And who's there but Captain Reliable

'to restore parity in this ding-dong of a game!

'Johnson now with silky skills,

'but he's shown too much of it to Thornlake.

'Chance of a counter, here.

'Elijah Jones is through...

'And, oh, that is the pick of the bunch!

'All from an uncharacteristic Johnson mistake.

'He's been so disciplined up till now.

'Outrageous finish, and only two minutes left on the clock.'

Get back in position. It ain't over yet.

'Here comes that girl again. Well, she's not giving up.

'Steals from Stevenson.

'Wide to Johnson, who's looking to make amends.

'Simmonds is making the run...

'We've been here once before... Must be!

'Oh, what a shocker!

'Dillon Simmonds has missed a sitter!'

'It's a nice touch from Jamie Johnson.

'Great spirit, but really they should have scored.'

Come on, Kingsmount.

I think that was my favourite bit of the whole game.

How long?

By my reckoning, time's up.

'Last throw of the dice as Hansard finds Johnson.

'A silky flick.

'Now drops his shoulder.

'They need something special, and that might be it!

'That was stunning, but he can't do it all on his own!

'There's a runner on the far side!

-'Jack Marshall!'

-WHISTLE BLOWS

'Would you believe it!

'We're going to penalties!

'What a game of football!

'I've seen it all now!'

OK. Five penalties each, then sudden death if we're still level.

Who's up for taking one?

Jamie? Are you sure?

OK. Gilboy, you can go first.

Harry, you're second.

Dillon third. Jack, you're fourth.

Jamie, you take the fifth, OK?

Now, stay calm, stay focused, stay on target.

-Now, who are we?

-ALL:

-Kingsmount!

-Who are we?!

-ALL:

-Kingsmount!

-Who are we?!

-ALL:

-Kingsmount!

Let's go show them!

'It has all come down to this -

'the dreaded penalty shoot-out -

'and first up, Terry Benjamin,

'who's never taken a penalty before.

'A lot of pressure on his shoulders...

'Made it look effortless!

'Ben Gilboy.

'And he's certainly taken the ball with purpose.

'Looks very confident...

'With good reason!

'1-1.

'Nathan Hunter has been a solid performer for Thornlake.

'Never lets them down.

'And doesn't plan on starting now!

-Come on, Harry.

-Good luck, Harry!

'Harry Hansard, who was dominated

'by Stevenson in the first half,

'but really came into his own

'in goal in the second.

'How will he cope with

'the pressure here, though?

'And the goalie scores!'

-Yes!

-Yes!

'Julian Ward.

'Diminutive in stature,

'but he has been Herculean

'in this tournament so far.

'Goalkeeper tried to put him off.

'And it's hit the woodwork!

'First blood to Kingsmount!'

Come on, Dillon!

'Extra pressure now on Dillon Simmonds.

'Whatever happened at half-time

'really shook life into the Kingsmount captain.

'He's looked a different player since the break.

'Can he handle this big moment now?

'No doubt about it!'

Get in there!

'Now, Thornlake's star performer, Jethro Stevenson.

'A 100% record from the spot in the past.

'He is their Captain Reliable.

'This...where Thornlake need him most...

'It's saved!

'And advantage to Kingsmount now!

Oh!

'Jack Marshall.

'This is the chance to end it all, right here, right now.

'Score this kick to win the game.

'But it's not to be!'

It's all right!

What does that mean, then?

If they score their next one,

we need our last one to win.

It's fine, Jack. Don't worry about it.

'To keep them in it, Billy Balding.

'This impressive young man,

'one of the more imposing figures in the Thornlake team.

'Oh, so solid.

'Keeps his team's hopes alive for now.

But this kick now can win it for Kingsmount.

'Jamie Johnson looking to banish his Panenka demons

'from earlier on in the tournament.

'But it all comes down to this now.

'What will he do?

'This is your moment, Jamie.

'Have you got what it takes?'

'Oh, yes, he does!

'What a strike from the young man!

'He has shown everyone here today what an exciting talent he is.

'When they needed him most, Jamie Johnson delivered!'

-You did it, Jamie!

-We all did it!

That penalty was first class, though.

We're Kingsmount! We're the champions!

THEY CHEER

You know what champions get?

'And presenting the trophy today

'is Hawkstone's captain and top goal scorer Theo Baines.'

Well played, guys. Well deserved victory.

Who's the captain?

You should go.

-You're the captain.

-You deserve it more than I do.

Well, somebody needs to pick up the trophy.

Well played. And what a penalty.

Good man.

'The winners of the Inter-school Football League Cup - Kingsmount!

'What a victory! What a story!

'And what a privilege it's been

'to win at such an exciting team performance

'and to get a glimpse of what the future holds...'

That was an incredible effort by all of you. Well done.

-Cheers, Miss.

-Thanks, Miss.

-Thanks, Miss.

-Very proud.

Jack, that was an outstanding performance today.

You showed real leadership.

Mr Hansard and I have been talking

and we both agree that next season we should make you team captain.

Thanks, Miss.

-You've got no idea what you've done.

-I don't care any more, Jethro.

-You do what you like.

-You're finished at Hawkstone.

I was out of order to make that video of Boggy,

and I'll take whatever punishment I get.

And so will you when they find out you tried to blackmail me.

That was amazing.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thanks, Mike.

Well done.

You did a great job.

Thanks.

Come on, Kingsmount. Let's do this.

We were going to go out and celebrate tonight.

Do you fancy joining us?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, why not?

Great.

I don't suppose you saw any Hawkstone scouts there,

did you, Mike?

No, I'm sorry, Jamie.

Excuse me. Excuse me, sorry to interrupt you,

but are you this lad's parents.

Yeah, I'm his mum.

-What's your name, son?

-Jamie Johnson.

I gather you're not attached

-to any professional academy, is that right, Jamie?

-Mm-hm.

That was an impressive performance today.

I wondered whether or not you might like to join us for a few days

so we can have a look at you.

Just a minute. Which team are you from?

We'd love to have you down at Foxborough,

if you're interested in joining an academy, that is.

Foxborough?!