Michael Sterling sat in his kitchen eating toast. He was trying to read a tactical report but his hands were shaking. The pressure was immense. The whole town was painted red. There were flags in every window. Even the statue of the town mayor in the square was wearing a Barnsley scarf.

His phone buzzed on the table.

It was Arthur Milton.

Michael picked it up immediately. "Arthur? Is everything okay? Did Kenji run too much? Did Diego eat a teammate?"

"Boss," Arthur said. His voice sounded strange. It was breathless. "I need you to come to St. Mary's Church. Right now."

"The church?" Michael asked confused. "Why? Are we praying for a win?"

"Just come," Arthur said. "And wear a suit. A nice one."

The line went dead.

Michael stared at the phone. A suit? On a Saturday?

He ran upstairs. He put on his best black suit. He looked in the mirror. He looked like a manager ready for a press conference. Or a funeral.

He grabbed his keys and drove to the church.

St. Mary's Church was a beautiful old stone building in the center of town. When Michael arrived he saw the team bus parked outside.

"What is going on?" Michael whispered to himself.

He walked into the churchyard.

There were twenty players standing on the grass. They were all wearing club suits.

Diego Nunez looked like a nightclub bouncer. His suit jacket was straining across his massive shoulders. He looked uncomfortable.

"Boss!" Diego shouted waving a hand. "This tie is trying to strangle me. Can I take it off?"

"Keep it on Diego," Michael said. "Where is Arthur?"

"He is inside," Kai Sora said. Kai was sitting on a gravestone wearing sunglasses. He looked very relaxed. "He is hyperventilating. I told him to breathe in a square pattern but he is panicking."

Michael ran inside the church.

Arthur Milton stood at the altar.

The old scout did not look like a scout today. He wore a tuxedo. A black tuxedo with a red bow tie. His white hair was combed back perfectly. He held his cane in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other.

"Arthur?" Michael walked down the aisle.

Arthur turned around. His face was pale. "Michael. You are here. Good. I need a best man."

"Best man?" Michael blinked. "Arthur are you... are you getting married?"

"Yes," Arthur said straightening his tie. "To Martha. You know Martha. The lady from the bakery who gives us free donuts."

"I know Martha," Michael said. "She is wonderful. But Arthur... the game is tomorrow. Why today?"

Arthur looked at the stained glass window. The sun was shining through it painting the floor in colors.

"Because Michael," Arthur said softly. "I have loved that woman for forty years. I promised her I would marry her when I had success. For forty years I was just a scout in the mud. I was nobody."

He looked at Michael. His eyes were wet.

"But now? Now we are a Dynasty. Now I am a Director of Football. Now I can give her the wedding she deserves. And I wanted to do it before tomorrow. Because win or lose... I want to be a winner today."

Michael felt a lump in his throat. He stepped forward and hugged the old man.

"You are a winner Arthur. Today and tomorrow."

"Good," Arthur sniffed. "Now go get the boys. Martha is arriving in five minutes. And tell Diego if he tackles the priest I will fine him two weeks wages."

The ceremony was chaos. Beautiful chaos.

The church was full. Not with family or friends but with the Barnsley first team squad.

Shaun Higgins stood at the door acting as security. He crossed his giant arms and glared at anyone who walked past.

"Name?" Higgins grunted at the organ player.

"I am the organ player," the little old man squeaked.

"You look suspicious," Higgins said. "Go in. But I am watching you."

Inside the church Kai Sora and Kenji Sato were sitting in the front row.

"Why are we whispering?" Kenji asked loudly.

"Because it is a church Kenji," Kai whispered. "God is sleeping. Do not wake him up."

Then the music started.

Everyone stood up.

Martha walked down the aisle. She looked beautiful in a simple white dress. She held a bunch of red roses.

When she reached the altar Arthur started to cry.

It was not a silent cry. It was a loud happy sob.

"Oh Arthur," Martha smiled taking his hand. "You soft old fool."

The priest began to speak.

"We are gathered here today to join Arthur and Martha..."

Michael stood next to Arthur holding the rings. He looked at his team in the pews.

Danny Fletcher was wiping his eyes. The Prince was a romantic.

Jamie Weston was recording it on his phone probably for TikTok.

Isaiah King was trying to whisper a joke to Finn Riley but Finn kicked him in the shin.

It was perfect.

"Do you Arthur take Martha to be your wife?"

"I do," Arthur rasped. "More than I want promotion."

The players gasped. That was a big statement.

"And do you Martha take Arthur?"

"I do," she said. "Even though he loves football more than he loves food."

"I pronounce you husband and wife," the priest smiled. "You may kiss the bride."

Arthur kissed her.

The church erupted.

It was not polite applause. It was a football cheer.

"YES ARTHUR!" Jamie Weston screamed standing on the pew.

"GO ON GAFFER!" Isaiah yelled.

Diego Nunez whistled so loud the stained glass windows rattled.

Arthur raised his cane in the air like a trophy. He looked happier than Michael had ever seen him.

The reception was held in the church hall next door.

There was no alcohol because of the game tomorrow. Instead there was a mountain of orange juice and a buffet table that looked like it could feed an army.

Diego Nunez was standing by the buffet eating tiny sandwiches.

"These are too small," Diego complained to Kenji. "I need fifty of them to feel anything."

"They are elegant," Kenji said eating one with precision. "You must savor the texture Diego san."

"Texture is for cowards," Diego grunted shoving three into his mouth at once.

Michael stood in the corner watching them.

It was strange. Tomorrow was the biggest pressure of their lives. But right now nobody was thinking about Middlesbrough. Nobody was thinking about the Premier League.

They were just happy for Arthur.

Arthur walked over to Michael. He held a glass of apple juice.

"Thank you Boss," Arthur said.

"For what? You did all the work Arthur."

"For giving me this life," Arthur said. "Last year I was retired. I was sitting in my armchair waiting to die. Then you walked in with your crazy ideas and your laptop. You gave me a purpose Michael. You gave me a family."

He pointed at the players.

Isaiah was trying to teach Martha how to do a cool handshake. Martha was laughing.

"Look at them," Arthur said. "They are good boys. We built something good Michael."

"We did," Michael nodded. "And tomorrow we finish it."

Arthur clapped Michael on the shoulder. "Tomorrow is just a game. This? This is life."

Suddenly a glass clinked.

Danny Fletcher stood on a chair.

"Quiet please!" Danny shouted. "The Captain is speaking!"

The room went silent.

"We did not buy a gift," Danny announced. "Because we have no idea what old people like."

Laughter.

"We thought about getting you a new cane," Danny continued. "But you love that stick too much. So we decided to give you something else."

Danny signaled to Kai.

Kai walked forward holding a shirt.

It was a Barnsley shirt. But on the back it did not say a player name.

It said: JUST MARRIED.

And the number was 1.

"We all signed it," Danny said handing it to Arthur. "And we made a promise. Tomorrow when we win... you lift the trophy first. Before me. Before the Boss. You lift it."

Arthur took the shirt. His hands were shaking. He pressed the shirt to his face.

"You idiots," Arthur choked out. "You beautiful idiots."

Michael felt a vibration in his pocket.

He pulled out his phone. He expected a text.

But it was the System.

[EVENT COMPLETE: THE WEDDING]

[MORALE BOOST: MAX]

[TEAM UNITY: 100%]

[STRESS LEVEL: ZERO]

[HIDDEN TRAIT UNLOCKED: "PLAY FOR THE FAMILY"]

Michael smiled.

The System understood. Football was not just about numbers and tactics. It was about moments like this.

The party continued for another hour.

Diego Nunez danced with Martha. It was terrifying because Diego danced like a cement mixer but Martha loved it.

Kenji Sato cleaned up all the paper plates because he could not stand the mess.

Finally Michael clapped his hands.

"Right!" Michael shouted. "Party is over! It is six o clock. Go home. Sleep. Dream of victory."

The players groaned but they obeyed.

They lined up to hug Arthur and Martha.

"Good luck tomorrow boys," Martha said kissing Isaiah on the cheek. "Win it for my husband. He is too old for the playoffs. His heart cannot take it."

"We will win it for you Martha," Isaiah promised looking very serious.

The players filed out of the hall.

Michael was the last one to leave.

He walked to the door and looked back.

Arthur was sitting on a chair holding Martha's hand. He was wearing the signed shirt over his tuxedo. He looked ridiculous. And perfect.

"See you tomorrow Gaffer," Michael said.

Arthur looked up. His eyes were burning with a new fire.

"See you tomorrow Boss. Let us go and make history."

Michael walked out into the evening sun. "Okay Middlesbrough," Michael whispered. "You are in trouble now."

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