The Next Big Thing
Chapter 86: Fans Rage

Chapter 86: Fans Rage

Trevor sat in his home, the weight of the Covid lockdown pressing down on him. It had taken away the one thing that had always brought him true joy, and he didn’t say this lightly, given that he was surrounded by his wife and two kids.

Football had been Trevor’s obsession since he was a little kid—perhaps a little too obsessed for those who knew him. He had been introduced to the sport by his father, just as so many kids in the UK were. The passion for the game—and for a particular team—had been passed down. Trevor had fallen in love with Derby County, affectionately known as "the Rams" by their supporters.

A lifelong fan, he had stood by Derby County through thick and thin, facing tough rivals and their fans, always staying loyal to the team he loved.

Just a few months ago, Trevor had been living the dream. Since the appointment of Wayne Rooney—the Manchester United and England legend—as Derby County’s manager, the atmosphere around the club had transformed.

When Trevor first heard the news, he was furious. Like many other fans, he thought the club was just chasing headlines, using Rooney’s name to boost ticket sales and merchandise. His frustration boiled over when he learned Rooney would also take on the role of player-coach. Trevor had shouted in exasperation, "So, what are we now? The Saudi or American clubs? Letting big names use us as their retirement home!" a notion not many shared as they believed even a semi-retired Wayne Rooney on the pitch could do some serious damage and he was quickly proven wrong.

Wayne Rooney had revolutionized the team. He tweaked the lineup, giving opportunities to players who had previously warmed the bench while reducing the roles of older, slower players. He shifted the team’s tactics to a fast-tempo style, reminiscent of his Manchester United days, where speed and youthful energy reigned supreme. The changes paid off, with young talents like Jason Knight stepping up to shine and Max Bird thriving in his new role as a fullback, showcasing his speed and defensive solidity.

However, no one captured Trevor’s heart more than then 15-year-old sensation: David Jones. Initially, Trevor had been one of Jones’s harshest critics, lambasting the club for signing someone so young. But the teenager turned out to be a revelation. David Jones became the spark the team desperately needed, lifting them from the brink of despair. At the start of the year, Derby County had been languishing in 16th place. Now, they sat 11th, with renewed hope and ambition.

Trevor’s most vivid memory was their match against Manchester United. Though Derby ultimately lost, it was a spectacle. They had gone toe-to-toe with the Red Devils and, for a brief, magical moment, led 2-0. Sure, Manchester United wasn’t the powerhouse they once were, but they were still third in the Premier League, trailing only a Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City and a Klopp-managed Liverpool, fresh off a Champions League triumph. That night, Trevor dared to believe in miracles again, all thanks to Rooney’s leadership and a teenager named David Jones.

In Trevor’s book, a 3-2 loss against Manchester United—where they had even held a 2-0 lead—was a huge plus. It was undeniable proof of how much the team had grown. And Trevor wasn’t blind to the fact that the driving force behind this transformation was the now 16-year-old prodigy, David Jones.

Trevor had been quick to change his tune once he realized just how talented the kid really was. He wasn’t too proud to admit when he was wrong, and this time, it was easier than ever to own up to it. After all, being wrong about David Jones meant one glorious thing: his beloved football club was finally good again.

Derby County’s resurgence under Rooney’s leadership and Jones’s brilliance had reignited Trevor’s hope. The team was playing so well that he began to dream of something he hadn’t dared to imagine in years—a genuine fight for a Premier League spot next season. For the first time in ages, optimism coursed through him as he envisioned a brighter future for the Rams.

His body was shaking just thinking about it.

This was a day he had longed for—a day that finally brought a flicker of joy since the lockdown began. Football was back. Sure, he wouldn’t be able to head to the stadium and soak up the electrifying atmosphere, but at least he could watch the sport he loved again. And what a start it had been! Just the day before, Manchester City had humiliated Arsenal with a 3-0 thrashing that left fans buzzing.

But for Trevor, the real highlight wasn’t City’s dominant performance. It was the prospect of seeing his own team, Derby County, in action against Millwall. The anticipation of the match was bittersweet. He was gutted that he couldn’t attend in person, especially because Millwall had a reputation for having the most aggressive fans in England—perhaps even in all of Europe.

It was at The Den, Millwall’s stadium, that Trevor had experienced his first football fight. He and his brother had gone toe-to-toe with Millwall supporters. They both took quite a beating that day, but Trevor, in his twisted way, had loved every second of it. He relished taunting Millwall fans, thriving off their fiery reactions. He’d fought there so many times that he’d even made a few unlikely friendships with their fans over the years.

This time, though, he would have to settle for watching the game from home. While it stung not to be there in the thick of it, Trevor eagerly awaited the match, heart pounding with excitement. Derby County versus Millwall—it didn’t get much better than this.

So, while Trevor sat in his living room, casually watching the news—there being no match on yet—the chaos of his household unfolded around him. His kids were racing around, yelling and laughing, completely ignoring his shouts of, "Calm down, will you?!" Instead of listening, they bolted upstairs, their footsteps thundering like a herd of elephants.

His wife appeared moments later, arms crossed and clearly unimpressed. "Trevor, stop scaring the kids!" she snapped.

"I wasn’t scaring them," he mumbled defensively.

"Well, if you’re not going to keep them in line, you could at least make yourself useful," she retorted, pointing toward the kitchen. "Go wash the plates."

With a sigh and a grumble that could rival a disgruntled teenager, Trevor hauled himself off the couch. He shuffled into the kitchen and began tackling the pile of dishes, muttering under his breath about how football was his escape—not this.

As he finished, his son timidly approached, looking shy and hesitant. "Daddy... your phone," the boy said softly, holding it out to him before darting off again like he’d just handed over a live grenade.

Trevor dried his hands and glanced at the screen. The call was from John, a friend who loved football—and Derby County—as fiercely as Trevor did. With a mix of curiosity and anticipation, he answered the call.

"Hey, John," Trevor said, his voice still tinged with irritation from the kitchen drama.

"Mate, have you seen the news?" John asked, his tone anxious and hurried.

"What news?" Trevor replied, a bit confused but now slightly intrigued.

There was a pause before John blurted out, "Dude... David’s leaving!"

Trevor froze. For a moment, he thought he’d misheard. Then the realization hit, and he shouted, "WHAT?!" so loud it made the windows rattle.

"Trevor!" his wife yelled from the living room. "Will you keep it down for once? You’re worse than the kids!"

Ignoring her, Trevor clutched the phone tighter and hurried to the garage, shutting the door behind him. His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "John, you better be pranking me right now," he hissed, his heart pounding in his chest.

"I’m not, mate. Just check Fabrizio," John said, his voice heavy with seriousness.

Trevor’s hands trembled as he fumbled with the phone. He didn’t even bother hanging up on John, simply minimizing the call and opening Twitter. His thumbs swiped and tapped frantically as he typed in Fabrizio Romano, his stomach in knots as he braced himself for whatever bombshell was waiting for him.

Trevor stared at his phone, the headline blaring like a siren in his mind:

🚨 Manchester United are set to sign 16-year-old England-born Derby County talent for $18 million — a record transfer for Derby County! 🔴✨ #MUFC

The words blurred as his heart raced.

The young winger, who has been sensational this season with 12 goals and 7 assists in 14 games, caught United’s eye with a stunning goal and a penalty won against them in the FA Cup 5th round — Both teams’ final matches before the break.

Agreements have been reached between both clubs. ✅ Personal terms are also agreed. It’s just a matter of time before the deal is finalized.

This is a very exciting transfer for Manchester United, as they secure one of the most consistent young players in England’s Championship. 🌟📝 Here we go soon! ⏳

"Shit. Shit. SHIT!" Trevor muttered, his voice rising with every word. He knew how bad this was. The key to their incredible run—the reason Derby had gone from survival mode to a team with genuine hope—was leaving. His dreams of promotion, of finally clawing back to the Premier League, were crumbling right in front of him.

"Hey, mate, are you there?" John’s voice came through the phone, snapping Trevor out of his spiral.

Trevor grabbed the phone, pacing the garage like a madman. "Fuck, dude! He’s really leaving!"

"I told you!" John said, his voice strained.

Trevor clenched his fist, anger bubbling to the surface. His mind was spinning, not thinking rationally, only reacting. "That little brat! I knew there was a reason i didn’t like him at the start there was something about him I didn’t like. now i know it! He’s a snake!"

"Trevor, come on," John said, trying to calm him down Knowing how his friend can be despite their love being similar Trevor had always been more hardcore, but Trevor barely heard him.

"No, no, no, John. We have to do something," Trevor said harshly, his voice sharp and desperate. "We can’t just let this happen. This kid—this kid—was our golden ticket, and now he’s gone. Just like that?!"

John hesitated. "Mate, what are you even saying? He’s 16. What are you gonna do, block the transfer yourself?"

But Trevor wasn’t listening. He was too caught up in the storm of his emotions, too furious at what felt like the ultimate betrayal.

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