Date: Saturday, 31 January 2026Location: Valley Parade
The wind hadn't settled all morning. Not vicious—but insistent. Whispering across Valley Parade with the kind of chill that didn't bite, just stayed. Lingered. Crawled into collarbones and the backs of knees. It pressed at the advertising boards like an unwanted guest, ruffled the corner flags just enough to make them fidget.
Jake stood near the sideline, long coat zipped to the base of his throat, one foot resting lightly on the painted touchline. Arms tucked in. Still. The crowd hadn't filled yet, but the air was already tense—like something had arrived before the noise. His eyes didn't follow the ball. Didn't scan formations. They watched for weight. For tempo. For the invisible thread between player and pitch. A good warm-up always spoke in rhythm.
