The Scout Jamie Johnson

You're just a cheat. Get him off me!

Another incident like that and you'll be off the team for good.

Whatever's gone on between us in the past

has got nothing to do with Jamie.

You've left me no other option than to ban you until further notice.

Something's definitely gone on between him and Hansard.

-What do you mean?

-I don't know, but I swear I'm going to find out.

# One, two, three, four! #

CHANTING: Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, Jamie!

Well, another thrilling win, Jamie, another electric performance.

How do you feel?

Well, you know, it was a team effort.

It felt pretty good getting the hat-trick, though.

What went through your head when you scored the third?

Because it was an unusual celebration.

It was just a little something my grandad used to do when I score.

I guess I was trying to send him a message to say this win's for him.

-A bit of an inspiration, is he?

-The best.

And has he always been, you know, a bit handy with his fists?

What?

HE SIGHS

Mike! I mean, it's not like you see it every day,

two grandads and a full-blown WWE knock-down.

-What did he say about it last night?

-Nothing. He went out.

But I thought you did your Subbuteo thing every Wednesday?

Not this week.

Anyone would think he's avoiding you, or something.

So how's your grandad, Jamie? World-famous nobody!

Who's he taking on next? I'm on your card.

Leave it, Dillon.

Remember, you're on a warning.

Mess up again and you're off the squad, so don't let them get to you.

I like Jack Marshall.

She reminds me of me.

You could do with someone like her in your team.

The talent, the attitude.

Level head, too.

He thinks he's so much better than us because his grandad went pro.

But Mike Johnson, he's just a thug.

Who's a thug?

Jamie's grandad. Would you say it's weird how he went for Hansard?

I know. Looked pretty personal to me.

He was just about to get well stuck in when the Savage arrived.

Personal? What do you mean?

You don't get that angry until you seriously hate someone.

I'd say they've got history.

Do you reckon they knew each other before, then?

It's a good job you're cute, Harry!

See you at lunchtime, yeah?

Didn't you say your grandad played for Foxborough Youth?

Back in the '70s.

Him and Mike are, like, properly old.

Maybe they were at Hawkstone and Foxborough around the same time?

Maybe they were rivals? We should ask your grandad.

He won't tell us anything. He never talks about his past.

I only knew he got signed because Mum told me.

But Indira's right. There's more to this.

What we need is a date.

Ah! Dillon, Harry. Just the lads I want to speak to, bring it in.

Now, a little bird tells me that there's going to be a scout

-at the Cup match tomorrow.

-You are kidding!

That means you need to be early to bed, OK?

You need to be well rested.

And, uh, keep it to yourself.

Sir, what was it like when you got scouted?

Yeah, when was it again, Grandad?

Did you mean back in the day, when there was no electricity

and footballs were made of pig skins?

Were trials different back in the...1960s?

It was 1977, actually.

Made my debut the following year.

Mum said you were an amazing striker. One of the best.

HE CHUCKLES Well, I don't know about that, mate.

But, you know, I did work hard.

Nobody wanted it more than me.

What happened again, Grandad?

Well... SCHOOL BELL RINGS

Well, off you go. Back to class.

Usually, when it's lasagne day, I'm all over it.

But today I barely have the will to lift my fork.

It must be love, Boggy.

What's this? Are you going out?

With an actual girl?

-What's her name?

-Nancy.

And we're not exactly going out.

What he means is, they haven't met yet.

Mm.

We do a lot of messaging. I even wrote her a letter once.

But, you know, you don't want to rush things.

Basically, you're scared.

-Terrified.

-You need to ask her out.

-No way!

I can't do that.

How else are you going to know if the feeling's mutual?

Indira does know what she's talking about.

But what if she meets me and she's disappointed?

Boggy, one of the things that makes you so amazing is,

you don't know how amazing you really are.

Look, I won't pretend there's work much work to do here,

lots of work,

but by the time I'm finished, Nancy will be begging to go out with you.

What does she mean by "by the time I've finished"?

What's she going to do to me?

Don't look so scared. She doesn't bite.

Do you?

There's nothing here from 1978.

And what are you two doing in here?

You know you're not allowed in the ICT suite at lunchtime.

Yes, miss, we were just finishing our assignment on local history.

Really? Yeah, it's one of the local football teams.

Harry?

We were supposed to finish it last night

but we wanted to get some extra training in before the match.

Are you going to dob us in to Mr Grant?

Local football history, you say?

Ah, we've already tried that site, miss.

Special members' area.

All the football history you could want.

That is well impressive!

-You're a Hawkstone fan?

-18 years and counting.

Right, you've got ten minutes to get what you need and that's it.

-So, 4pm, your house.

-4pm?

Are you ready to do this?

Are you ready to enter the lion's den?

You make it sound like I'm going to be eaten alive.

They might have had when you were weak, Boggy, but with my help,

you'll be strong.

Click that one, end of season, do "match report".

"Foxborough coach seeks ban for Johnson after Hansard injury."

Result!

-Are you around to practise later?

-Maybe.

Mum said she wants to have dinner as a family.

-Jeremy's cooking. I'll call you later, yeah?

-Cool.

MOBILE BUZZES

Get out of here, Simkins! Right now!

TOILET FLUSHES

Not rushing off, are you?

Thought we could have a quick chat.

My lucky day(!)

Cos we've been reading all about your grandad.

'78 Youth Cup final. It was a quality game for Mike Johnson.

Caught the keeper off his line, scored the winning goal.

Yeah, that goal won them the tournament.

No wonder you're always going on about him,

and what a legend he is, to go on to play pro for Hawkstone.

Can you move, please?

My grandad played in the '78 cup final, too.

And just like Mike, he'd been signed to go pro, for Foxborough.

But it never happened. Do you want to know why?

Your grandad smashed his leg up.

Dirty tackle. Ruined him.

As if!

Ended his chances. Never played again.

What? You don't believe us?

Mike's told me all about that final. Nothing happened with Hansard.

Now, can you move?

So, you've seen the match report from the actual Hawkstone records?

Whatever that is, I'm not interested.

"Foxborough's wonder kid Hilary Hansard

"was injured today in a shock tackle from centre forward Mike Johnson.

"Hansard is expected to be out of action for at least six months

"and his future with the squad is now in doubt.

"Johnson, whose position is under review,

"has refused to comment."

Told you all about the cup final, did he?

Keep it. We made you a copy.

You three again? What's going on here?

Nothing at all, miss. Right, Jamie?

That is barbaric!

Ow! Stop!

Only a couple more. No-one likes a monobrow.

All done.

What are you going to do with that?

Give you a new hairstyle - mash you up a bit.

Mash me up? I'm not a potato!

Urgh...that feels like I've had jelly poured on my head.

And speaking as someone who's had jelly poured on his head,

I should know.

Right, so, we need to be thinking about your killer line.

My what line?

The line that's going to knock her dead.

Oh. I've got that one covered.

I'm going for Shakespeare's Sonnet 29.

Uh...no, you're not doing that.

I'm not?

You're not her English teacher, Boggy.

You're her bae, her boy, so OAO.

OAO?

I'm confused.

CAMERA SNAPS

Right, here we go, I've got it.

"Be my one and only, and my bae.

"X X X X X."

Less poetry than I would have hoped.

You're a liar.

You wanted me to think you're this amazing player everyone loved.

But it was nothing like that, was it?

What are you on about?

I know all about you and Hansard. How you lost it in the final.

How you took him out.

Funny how you left that bit out when you told me the story.

Jamie...you've got the wrong idea here.

So you didn't break his leg?

In the heat of the game, I did tackle him, yes,

but I never meant to hurt him, not like that.

You always go on at me to watch my temper.

You couldn't control yours then and you can't control it now.

Jamie...calm down.

Let's talk about this. Let me explain.

Or what? You're going to lose it with me and all?

Ah-ha!

What are we doing with that?

Have you had much experience in kissing girls?

What?

This definitely helped when I was starting out.

You need a bit of imagination,

but it definitely helps with the technique.

I am NOT kissing a citrus fruit.

Suit yourself, Boggy, but a woman likes her man to be prepared.

-COMPUTER CHIMES

-Oh, she's online!

She's reading the message.

CHIMING

What's happened?

Uh...she went offline.

That can't be right.

Maybe she was busy or her tea was ready

or she dropped her phone down the toilet.

There could be a million explanations.

Or the most obvious one.

It's a no.

THUDDING

Oi, Jamie!

Thought I heard you out there.

Miss Savage had a right go at Dillon and Harry.

Won't stop them telling everyone at school, though.

Tomorrow is going to be a nightmare.

Look, forget about everyone else.

All that matters is tomorrow's cup match

and getting down to the final 16.

That's what you should be focusing on.

Or you could come up with some bright ideas

to get Hansard to put me in the team?

Sorry, got to go. See you tomorrow.

Hi, Jamie.

Your mum's running late, so it's just us guys.

Boys' night in. To celebrate, I am cooking my famous toad-in-the-hole.

Secret's in the batter.

I'm not hungry. Sorry.

DOOR CLOSES

-MIKE, ON VIDEO:

-'..has got nothing to do with Jamie...'

I've worked on my pitch. I practised it on my dad last night.

He's going to get kicked off the team...

Hello? Anybody there?

Told you, they're all staring.

Whoa! Boggy, what's with the hair?

I was too depressed to shower this morning.

So, it didn't go well last night?

I've told him not to give up.

Some girls just like to play hard to get.

If anyone needs me, I'll be in the library.

The tragedies section.

Sir, I just wanted to say, I know Nathan's fit again,

and he's your first-choice keeper.

I know he's taller and he's got more experience

but, honestly, I can be just as effective as him.

If you picked me, I wouldn't let you down.

Well...when you decide to pause for breath, Miss Marshall,

do check the board.

Thank you, sir! You won't be sorry!

-I better not be.

-Yes!

Nothing soothes the soul like a chocolate digestive.

Go on, take two.

Can I say something?

It strikes me that whatever happened all those years ago

doesn't change who Mike is now,

what he means to you.

When you think about it, how much does the past really matter?

Why do people keep saying it doesn't matter?

It matters to me.

You might as well take it. We have to play in the same team.

Look, I'm sorry about my grandad, all right?

Grown-ups are idiots.

-MIKE, ON VIDEO:

-'It's got nothing to do with Jamie.

'You lied about me. Do you hear me?'

You are not going to believe what I've just been sent.

Someone filmed the entire fight the other day.

You should have a look.

Your grandad looks like a right nutter. It's brilliant.

Good job he's banned from the match today,

or he might just hit the ref.

SHE EXHALES

Any word, yet?

I don't understand why you think

this is anything other than a rejection scenario.

I know girls.

And I know rejection.

Look, just trust me.

It'll all come good, you'll see.

I do admire your blind optimism.

PHONE CHIMES

It's from Nancy.

She said she'd love to be my B-A-E.

Oh!

Looking the part, Miss Marshall.

I feel sick. I should have never opened my big mouth.

What was it you said to me?

What makes you so amazing is you don't even know how amazing you are.

You'll be great.

All right?

How are you, pal?

INDISTINCT CONVERSATION

Scout. 12 o'clock.

Green jacket.

Keep it to yourselves.

-DILLON:

-They're not going to be able to stop Jamie Johnson.

He's that fast.

We've got the win in the bag.

Oh, shame! Do you think your mum's lonely without your grandad?

WHISTLE BLOWS

-HANSARD:

-Good, Johnson.

Go on, Jamie! Take them on!

THEY GASP

She's going to kill me, I'm already late!

And I spilt half of a skinny mocha down my T-shirt.

-She used to prefer a cup of tea.

-Ha...

Oh, do you want me to stop here with you?

Uh...no, you're all right, you get on.

I promise to give you a full match report later.

Oh, we can make an evening of it.

Great...(!)

Dillon! Dillon!

Ref!

-HANSARD:

-Foul, ref!

-Ref!

Close him down!

Great save, Marshall.

They're all over me, Ref. Get off!

Hey! Sorry I'm late.

You're forgiven.

Hey, this is half empty.

Yeah, well, I underestimated the speed bumps on the way here.

I got one for your dad, he seems OK.

-HANSARD:

-Control the game, Gibbons.

Skills. Use it, Harry!

Oh...

Drive back, drive back.

Save. Block it!

You're joking!

Unlucky, Jack.

Come on, in your positions, let's go.

Surely a foul!

-DILLON:

-That's a blatant foul, Ref!

-HANSARD:

-No more fancy stuff now, Johnson. Keep it simple.

'Come on, Jamie. Make this count.'

-Come on...

-Come on.

'Up and over.'

CHEERING

DISTANT CHEERING

CHANTING: Jamie! Jamie! Jamie!

Whoo-hoo!

Come on!

Al! I'm in space!

-Whoo-hoo!

-Oh, yeah!

-Genuinely impressive.

-I told you.

-HANSARD:

-Go on, geezer! Oh, yeah!

-WHISTLE BLOWS

-Big second half, Kingsmount.

-DILLON:

-Come on, the ball!

Yes! And again!

-HANSARD:

-Skills, Simmonds. Don't lose it.

Go wide!

Have a crack!

GROANING

CHANTING: Kingsmount! Kingsmount! Kingsmount!

Go on, Jamie! Take them on!

Ref!

No foul. Play on.

Come on, Jamie! You can do it!

Uh...score a goal.

Nice anorak.

And I don't mean the jacket.

WHISTLE BLOWS

-HANSARD:

-Unlucky, Dillon. Keep it going. It'll come.

Good save! Yes!

Come on!

Dillon, wide!

Jamie!

Dillon! Dillon...

CHEERING

Oh...

Kingsmount!

Good work, Dillon. Good work, good work.

Nice one, Harry. That's what I'm talking about.

-Well done, Jamie! Well done!

-Good one, Jamie!

CHANTING: Kingsmount! Kingsmount! Kingsmount!

Oh...!

-Ref!

-Ref, foul!

Get up, Johnson, you fancy dan.

Shut up.

Make me, then.

Argh!

WHISTLE BLOWS

What? I didn't touch him, Ref. Get up, Harry.

FINAL WHISTLE BLOWS

Good work, Jack. Good work, Dillon.

-All right?

-All right.

Just wondering if there is time for a chat.

Of course, always time for you, mate.

-Nice one.

-There's Harry, there.

-He's great, yeah.

-Very good player.

I was more interested in the lad over there.

-Dillon?

-Yeah.

-OK, cool.

Dillon? Dillon, can I have a word, mate? Over here.

He is very good.

Head and shoulders.

How are we doing? Are you all right?

I'm Michael Roberts, Hawkstone United.

-Just wondering if I can have a word with you.

-Yeah, sure.

-Good.

-I guess what goes around comes around.

What are you on about now?

That bloke over there. He's a Hawkstone scout.

One little shove and you blew it.

You Johnsons are all the same.

CRUEL LAUGHTER

HARRY YELLS

HARRY GROANS

-KAREN:

-What are you doing, Jamie?

My office. Now.

Are you OK?

It's the other boy you should be concerned about.

Shall I call for you in the morning?

Do you want to tell them?

Jamie's been excluded from school for a week

and there isn't a word strong enough to describe just how grounded he is.

Never meant to hurt him. Not like that.

Don't you dare make excuses!

You were on a warning, Jamie.

Or what? Did you think that was some kind of joke?

Is this the kind of son that I brought up?

Don't, Karen.

If anyone is responsible, it's me.

I don't need you sticking up for me.

You know, they say this is what happens

when a boy doesn't have his dad around.

You end up making allowances, being soft when you need to be hard.

Well, I am telling you, Jamie Johnson,

the second chances stop now.

You're going to put this right. You're going to learn this time.

And until you do, you can forget about football.

Both of you.

-What?

-You can't do that.

Yes, I can, and if it were up to me, Jamie,

you'd never touch a ball again. Ever!

-You can't keep me in here all day.

-Oh, and what about Harry?

He won't be having a kickabout any time soon, will he?

You're going to need to be sharper at your trial tonight.

40 minutes of me down at Hawkstone, and everyone will know who's boss.

I hadn't looked at this for ages until today.

My Book Of Legends.

And I can keep it?

Only if you promise to really think about what's in there.

I've got an assignment you might be interested in,

at the Hawkstone Academy.

This is Dillon, he's here on trial, going in at centre mid.

Yes, Dillon, yes!

Dillon! Work right!

You've got no chance here.