Football Fiction

R. Crockett Howard

Description

An interactive fantasy football adventure game in which the reader acts as the star player. Based upon a role-playing concept, the reader is challenged to appear as a substitute midway in an international football match alongside a team consisting of fictional players. They must then seek to score the goals in order to 'win' the story, although depending upon their performance their team may also lose or draw, or they might be injured, substituted and even sent off. Football Fiction places an emphasis on team-work and self-determination, stimulates decision-making, and encourages football fans to enjoy reading. The book contains differing results dependant upon decisions made, and can be re-read time after time after time. Suitable for all football fans aged 8+, and no upper age limit!

Sujets

• Role-playing

Informations

• Publié par: Andrews UK
• Date de parution: 11 octobre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781782343301
• Langue: English

Extrait

Title page
HOWARD R. CROCKETT
PRESENTS
FOOTBALL FICTION
ENGLAND V ARGENTINA
THE FANTASY FOOTBALL ADVENTURE WHERE YOU ARE THE HERO!



Copyright page
Copyright © Howard R. Crockett 2012
Digital version by Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com
Howard R. Crockett has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.
All names and characters in this work are imaginary, and bear no intentional resemblance to any person, living or dead.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be produced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.
Published 2012



About the author


Howard R. Crockett graduated from the University of Kent, Canterbury, with a BA (Hons) degree in History. He is a writer, an artist/cartoonist and also an accomplished musician. His interests include motorcycling, travelling, the paranormal and good company wherever he can find it.



England v Argentina
Welcome to another edition of FOOTBALL FICTION, the fantasy football adventure series where YOU, the reader, play the role of the star striker.
In today’s match, England play hosts to a football nation known for its extravagant but ruthless style: Argentina. The stadium is completely packed to full capacity with the supporters of both teams, a blaze of colour as the red and white of England clashes with Argentina’s pale blue and white.
It is now mid-way through the second-half of the game and Argentina currently enjoy a 1–0 lead, having scored early on after the half-time break. Yet although the opposition’s flowing pass-and-move style has caused England some difficulties, the home team have themselves also had some good chances, and they can very well consider themselves unlucky to still be trailing by a goal behind.
England have responded brightly, and they are showing some real spirit and dogged determination as they relentlessly press forward and attack the Argentine goal-area. Your opponents are using a system based upon a midfield diamond formation, and their expert knowledge of this type of tactic is giving them a distinct advantage over the more rigid 4–4–2 system employed by England. Additionally, Argentina are also particularly dangerous in the counter-attack.
However, the England Manager is under a great deal of expectation to get a good result, and he therefore decides upon a tactical change. He has much need for a player in possession of both speed and skill. A player who has the talent required to break through Argentina’s formidable defensive line. A player who has the ability to score goals. A player who can win this match for England. That player, your manager has decided, is YOU!
But it will not be an easy task to achieve. Whether this match ends with a win, a draw or in defeat will totally depend on how YOU play. This game will eventually be decided by the choices that are to be taken by YOU, and it is only YOU who can make those choices which will be so important. Alternatively, you may possibly get injured, or substituted, or you might even get shown the red card and be sent off. It all depends on just how YOU play the game.
During a convenient stoppage time in the match, you enter the game as a second-half substitute with the job of turning this contest around. As you replace a tired team-mate and take up your position on the pitch, the England supporters welcome you with a loud cheer.
YOUR FOOTBALL ADVENTURE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!





Introduction to the team
Playing alongside you in today’s match are ten talented footballers. Some are experienced international players who have appeared in many competitions and tournaments. Others are exciting new youngsters at the beginning of their international careers. Together you make up a well-disciplined, determined team which plays fast and attacking football that is very entertaining. Your team-mates are as follows:
1. PAUL NELSON. GOALKEEPER. AGED 31.
Highly experienced international footballer who is popular with the media and the fans alike. He has built a solid reputation for being a reliable ‘keeper with a superb positional sense.
2. JIMMY BANKS. DEFENDER. AGED 18.
A fantastic young talent. Having made a name for himself in the domestic league, he has earned his place in the international team through merit and looks set to become a permanent member.
3. CRAIG ASTON. DEFENDER. AGED 22.
Versatile defender who is comfortable at either Right-back or Left-back. A highly rated player who is set to make a big impression performing at international level.
4. LEE SMITH. DEFENDER. AGED 26.
An experienced Centre-back who is equally adept at dealing with threats both in the air and on the ground. Strong at tackling, he also likes to get forward whenever possible to support the attack.
5. STEVE SANDERS. DEFENDER. AGED 27.
Has claimed this Central-defensive position as his own by way of a long series of excellent performances at this level. A strong and consistent player.
6. JAY CANNON. MIDFIELDER. AGED 26.
The England Captain. A combative, tough-tackling player who provides steel in the centre of midfield. He is also gifted with a powerful shooting ability and he is a prolific goal scorer. A world class footballer.
7. TONY YORKE. MIDFIELDER. AGED 29.
An incredibly talented international player who prefers to play on the right wing. He has been acknowledged as one of the best crossers of the ball in the game. His passes can often decide the outcome of a match.
8. ADAM MOSWELL. MIDFIELDER. AGED 21.
A young player with tremendous potential and who has become a regular feature in the England squad. Sublime skills and the ability to perform dazzling trickery are his trademarks, and he is very adept at terrorising opponents.
9. ANDY KNIGHT. STRIKER. AGED 26.
A fantastic goal rate has ensured that this fast, talented forward is a first choice selection for the England team. Ever threatening and always hard working, he will cause a great many problems for any defence.
11. MARK FULLER. MIDFIELDER. AGED 27.
Left-sided midfielder credited with excellent passing of the ball. His intelligence is matched with exhilarating pace, which he likes to use in order to harass defenders.



Rules of play
Before you begin the match, it is essential that you familiarise yourself with the correct means of progress.
When you begin, you will notice a series of entries which are numbered from 1 to 80. After reading the first entry, you will be offered a choice of three different courses of action to take: A , B , or C .
You must choose ONE of these, and go to the numbered entry as instructed. At the end of each entry, a similar decision will need to be taken unless you are otherwise given a direct instruction.
It is important to remember that the entries will make no sense if they are read in numerical order.
It is essential therefore that you read the entries that you are instructed to read. You must continue this process until the end of the match, or until you are injured, substituted or sent off!
Finally, during the game you are required only to follow instructions and to make your decisions. There is no need for the rolling of dice, or for point scoring systems.
So, now that you have been introduced to your team-mates and been instructed as to the rules, you may now proceed onward and take up your position on the pitch…
YOUR FOOTBALL ADVENTURE IS READY TO BEGIN!





1
The vast audience of England fans applaud as you run onto the pitch and instantly make your way towards Argentina’s penalty area. As Mark Fuller prepares to take a free-kick, your England team-mates jostle for position against their opposing defenders. The Referee eventually blows his whistle and Fuller swings the ball into the box. Argentina’s Goalkeeper rushes off of his line and tries to make contact with the ball, but Steve Sanders manages to clip it with a back-header. The loose ball spins wildly across your opponent’s goal-area, encouraging the excited England fans to leap up onto their feet in anticipation, but an Argentine defender hooks it away to clear the danger back into the midfield. The ball drops back down and Adam Moswell reclaims possession. Spotting you in a favourable position, he then slips a clever pass through to you. Now is the time to make your first decision of the match. Do you:
a) Chip the ball over towards Andy Knight? Go to 9.
b) Pass the ball along to Tony Yorke? Go to 6.
c) Head the ball back to Adam Moswell? Go to 4.





2
Jay Cannon rushes up to the ball and he unleashes a fierce shot from the edge of Argentina’s penalty area. Your opponent’s ‘keeper throws himself across to his right as he desperately dives to make a save, but the sheer power of the England Captain’s shot sends the ball screaming past him. But England are unlucky this time around. Although your opponent’s Goalkeeper was beaten, Cannon’s blistering shot travels wide of the wrong side of the post and the Referee awards Argentina with a goal-kick.
Go directly to 18.





3
As Yorke’s cross curls into the box, you sprint forward to meet it. The Argentine Central-defender fails to mark you properly, allowing you to have a free run as you rise up into the air and smash the ball goal-bound with your forehead. Your header is incredibly powerful, but Argentina’s Goalkeeper is in a superb position to make a save. As soon as he catches the