2025-08-18, 12:54 AM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2025-08-18, 10:12 AM by Ghost. Edited 1 time in total.)
Word Count: 1838
Apologies for the length! Hope it is not too boring.
(Previous article referenced)
OOC Note: This is entirely an RP piece.
---
It is I, your recently enlightened beat writer. Since my last piece on our Welsh shot-stopper James Asprey, I have found myself taking a more relaxed approach in my assigned quest to learn more about the media-and-people-shy ‘keeper. This season I have come to learn that this is a footballer who cares not for the fame or the riches, but simply for the enjoyment of the game.
Following my last interaction with Asprey and with reports coming out from the Seoul camp that his contract situation is still uncertain with barely days left until its expiry, I feel in my gut that things are not quite what they seem. It is this that has given me the courage to reach out to Asprey’s agent to request an interview, and to my astonishment Asprey has agreed.
My boss, understandably, is over the moon. A first ever interview with James Asprey, exclusively ours! A stark contrast to my boss’ incessant moaning throughout the season about me following a boring character who is a million miles from drama at all times – forgetting of course that he is the one that assigned me to follow Asprey in the first place!
---
Asprey is due to arrive at the studio any moment now, and as I sit here waiting with notes in hand, I think back to the last time I spoke with him as it has played on my mind all season. “Are you feeling okay, James?” I asked him. His response, although just a polite nod indicating he was okay, suggested otherwise. I couldn’t put my finger on it most of this season but as news and rumours started to swirl following the announcements of contract extensions, transfers, and the SSL expansion, the answer hit me and everything seemed to make sense. But unlike these bloodthirsty colleagues and peers who are quick to draw and even quicker to fire in their hunt for headlines, I’d rather hear it from the man himself. The truth can put to bed any of the false rumours circulating out there and I feel he is someone who right now needs help getting it out there.
A clunk of a door handle – he’s here. I stand from my seat and turn to face him, offering an outstretched arm as he reaches me. Returning a shy, nervous looking smile he shakes my hand. “Thank you for coming, James.” I gesture to the seat opposite me, eager to sit him down and get to the bottom of his contract situation and feelings within the SSL.
As he awkwardly settled into his seat, I noted his choice of attire for the interview – a plain black t-shirt, ripped jeans (assumedly by design) and most unexpectedly, a pair of boots. Not the typical attire you come to expect of the modern day football player for sure. It occurred to me that despite following the player for a few seasons, I know almost nothing of the man himself.
“Let’s get into it, shall we?” A quick glance down at my notes as a reminder and back up to Asprey who offers another shy smile that does little to hide his now obvious nervous disposition.
“I am sure you are aware, there have been rumours and statements made about your future out there in the news currently, and I would love to get straight to it and hear the truth from the man himself, but first, how are you enjoying the SSL?”
As I gloss over the subject of his future and the rumour mill, he shifts in his seat – almost agitated it seems. He pauses for a bit as he considers his response, taking a deep breath before he does so.
“I do love the game,” Asprey pauses. Long enough for me to sense he is holding back. “the tactical side of it, anticipating moves, preventing danger, bonding with a team. That, I love.”
“I sense there is a ‘but’ hidden in there somewhere,” I almost feel bad for probing so hard this early on. The last thing I want to do is put him off ever speaking to me again. “are there aspects of the game or even the SSL that you are not enjoying?”
Asprey shifts in his seat again, clearly uncomfortable with my line of questioning but he seems intent on trying to answer as best he can.
“Belonging… has always been a struggle of mine,” he offered, all while his eyes are glancing around the room as if considering his escape options. “and when you feel like you don’t belong somewhere it can really drag you down.”
“We are talking about Seoul Mythic here?”
“Sure, but not exactly.” Again Asprey shifts in his seat. I choose not to probe this time, instead offering him the time and patience to find the right words that he is clearly struggling to find.
“Please, don’t get me wrong, I think there are some great people at Seoul Mythic. But in a box of cubes and spheres I am a jellyfish. The same applies among my peers in the SSL though – I’m not sure I fit in there either but just need time.”
I’m not sure with the time and patience given to him he managed to find the right words, but I nod in response and clarify for my own sake; “So you don’t think you fit into the dynamic at Seoul, and perhaps the entirety of the SSL, correct?”
“Correct yes, thank you.”
Asprey looked a little relieved that I apparently understood his point, and with that my suspicions were confirmed. He was in fact not okay when I asked him at his product promotion event, and his reported appearances in public have taken a sharp downturn since – especially towards the end of this season.
“Then, and I apologise for diving straight into this, the rumours about your contract situation and future are true?”
“Depends who you ask.” Asprey shot back quickly. Although he still looks uncomfortable, the determined look in his eyes suggests he is now ready for this line of questioning.
“It has been suggested that negotiations are ongoing over your contract situation at Seoul, correct?”
“The only part that is correct is that it has indeed been suggested. The statement itself is false."
I am suddenly aware that my heart is beating louder. This was unexpected from a usually very reserved Asprey. I’m getting somewhere, a breakthrough – is this the journalist rush my peers are always chasing?
“Could you clarify for me?”
“Absolutely,” Asprey takes long breath before straightening in his seat. “an extension was offered to me at the start of this season and I informed management of my intention to see out my contract and join free agency at the end of it. I explained how I was feeling and to be fair, rather than drop me from the team they kept me involved and hoped that by the end of the season I would change my mind. My mind has not changed.”
“So you are not currently in negotiations to extend your contract with Seoul? Why have there been reports to the contrary?”
“You would have to ask those who are making those claims.” Asprey snapped back, perhaps irked by the existence of contrary information.
“In fact,” Asprey continued, “the SSL expansion announcement brought my final decision forward. Understandably, Seoul wanted clarification at that point to help them make a decision for their protection list and I confirmed that my mind had not changed. I would be leaving Seoul at the end of my contract.”
“But it was reported that the Catalunya organisation had to make a tough decision between their more developed ‘keeper and yourself for their expansion draft protected list, and ultimately they had to choose Catalunya’s Twinkletoes over yourself.”
My response elicited a wry smile from Asprey momentarily, and with it he revealed his apparent annoyance at the reports and speculation about him in the media. He clears his throat and continues.
“In the discussions about my decision for the future, I was offered protection for the expansion draft. I turned this down, reaffirming my desire to leave.”
There it was again, that rush. Seeing Asprey charged by the questioning and hearing him speak so directly to refute claims only further stoked this fire – for both of us it seems. It felt almost as if I were freeing Asprey from a cage and he was rewarding me in return.
“If you don’t mind me saying, you seem pretty frustrated by the claims made in the media about you and your contract situation. Why is that?”
“Look,” Asprey took another long breath, seemingly to collect himself before continuing. “I have learned quickly that as a footballer these things are going to happen during the course of my career. I just prefer the truth and what’s out there just isn’t that.”
“So what’s next for James Asprey? Your contract expires in a couple of days, do you have anything lined up that you would like to share with us?”
“Free agency,” Asprey replied bluntly. “I need to work on myself and free agency will give me the opportunity to do that for at least the next season.”
He looked a little tired. Perhaps the rumours and having to address them today in a manner completely out of his comfort zone and against the character he has shown the past few seasons had taken their toll. It took me right back to his product promotion event and how he looked when I asked if he was okay. I think it is fair to say my suspicions were right – Asprey wasn’t happy.
“I won’t push you any further James as I can tell this has been quite the unwanted experience, but I do have to thank you for agreeing to this and for being so open and honest with me.” I stand from my seat and offer my hand to signal the end of the interview much to Asprey’s surprise. He seemed grateful that the ordeal was over already as he shook my hand and after a few further exchanges of thanks and well wishes, he turned to head for the exit.
“James,” I called out as he reached the door, curiosity getting the better of me. “why did you agree to speak with me today but never before?”
Asprey looked back over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised in confusion. He paused briefly before offering a smile. “You never asked before?”
His response sat with me for a moment while he continued out of the room. Really? 3 Seasons I have followed this man and I had not once asked for an interview? It dawned on me that he was right, and that perhaps I am completely out of my depth in this job…
Before I let that completely sink in, I should probably publish this article and burn the internet down in the process. Then I can have a long think about my career choice.
Thank you for reading,
Your once again beleaguered beat writer.
Apologies for the length! Hope it is not too boring.
(Previous article referenced)
OOC Note: This is entirely an RP piece.
---
It is I, your recently enlightened beat writer. Since my last piece on our Welsh shot-stopper James Asprey, I have found myself taking a more relaxed approach in my assigned quest to learn more about the media-and-people-shy ‘keeper. This season I have come to learn that this is a footballer who cares not for the fame or the riches, but simply for the enjoyment of the game.
Following my last interaction with Asprey and with reports coming out from the Seoul camp that his contract situation is still uncertain with barely days left until its expiry, I feel in my gut that things are not quite what they seem. It is this that has given me the courage to reach out to Asprey’s agent to request an interview, and to my astonishment Asprey has agreed.
My boss, understandably, is over the moon. A first ever interview with James Asprey, exclusively ours! A stark contrast to my boss’ incessant moaning throughout the season about me following a boring character who is a million miles from drama at all times – forgetting of course that he is the one that assigned me to follow Asprey in the first place!
---
Asprey is due to arrive at the studio any moment now, and as I sit here waiting with notes in hand, I think back to the last time I spoke with him as it has played on my mind all season. “Are you feeling okay, James?” I asked him. His response, although just a polite nod indicating he was okay, suggested otherwise. I couldn’t put my finger on it most of this season but as news and rumours started to swirl following the announcements of contract extensions, transfers, and the SSL expansion, the answer hit me and everything seemed to make sense. But unlike these bloodthirsty colleagues and peers who are quick to draw and even quicker to fire in their hunt for headlines, I’d rather hear it from the man himself. The truth can put to bed any of the false rumours circulating out there and I feel he is someone who right now needs help getting it out there.
A clunk of a door handle – he’s here. I stand from my seat and turn to face him, offering an outstretched arm as he reaches me. Returning a shy, nervous looking smile he shakes my hand. “Thank you for coming, James.” I gesture to the seat opposite me, eager to sit him down and get to the bottom of his contract situation and feelings within the SSL.
As he awkwardly settled into his seat, I noted his choice of attire for the interview – a plain black t-shirt, ripped jeans (assumedly by design) and most unexpectedly, a pair of boots. Not the typical attire you come to expect of the modern day football player for sure. It occurred to me that despite following the player for a few seasons, I know almost nothing of the man himself.
“Let’s get into it, shall we?” A quick glance down at my notes as a reminder and back up to Asprey who offers another shy smile that does little to hide his now obvious nervous disposition.
“I am sure you are aware, there have been rumours and statements made about your future out there in the news currently, and I would love to get straight to it and hear the truth from the man himself, but first, how are you enjoying the SSL?”
As I gloss over the subject of his future and the rumour mill, he shifts in his seat – almost agitated it seems. He pauses for a bit as he considers his response, taking a deep breath before he does so.
“I do love the game,” Asprey pauses. Long enough for me to sense he is holding back. “the tactical side of it, anticipating moves, preventing danger, bonding with a team. That, I love.”
“I sense there is a ‘but’ hidden in there somewhere,” I almost feel bad for probing so hard this early on. The last thing I want to do is put him off ever speaking to me again. “are there aspects of the game or even the SSL that you are not enjoying?”
Asprey shifts in his seat again, clearly uncomfortable with my line of questioning but he seems intent on trying to answer as best he can.
“Belonging… has always been a struggle of mine,” he offered, all while his eyes are glancing around the room as if considering his escape options. “and when you feel like you don’t belong somewhere it can really drag you down.”
“We are talking about Seoul Mythic here?”
“Sure, but not exactly.” Again Asprey shifts in his seat. I choose not to probe this time, instead offering him the time and patience to find the right words that he is clearly struggling to find.
“Please, don’t get me wrong, I think there are some great people at Seoul Mythic. But in a box of cubes and spheres I am a jellyfish. The same applies among my peers in the SSL though – I’m not sure I fit in there either but just need time.”
I’m not sure with the time and patience given to him he managed to find the right words, but I nod in response and clarify for my own sake; “So you don’t think you fit into the dynamic at Seoul, and perhaps the entirety of the SSL, correct?”
“Correct yes, thank you.”
Asprey looked a little relieved that I apparently understood his point, and with that my suspicions were confirmed. He was in fact not okay when I asked him at his product promotion event, and his reported appearances in public have taken a sharp downturn since – especially towards the end of this season.
“Then, and I apologise for diving straight into this, the rumours about your contract situation and future are true?”
“Depends who you ask.” Asprey shot back quickly. Although he still looks uncomfortable, the determined look in his eyes suggests he is now ready for this line of questioning.
“It has been suggested that negotiations are ongoing over your contract situation at Seoul, correct?”
“The only part that is correct is that it has indeed been suggested. The statement itself is false."
I am suddenly aware that my heart is beating louder. This was unexpected from a usually very reserved Asprey. I’m getting somewhere, a breakthrough – is this the journalist rush my peers are always chasing?
“Could you clarify for me?”
“Absolutely,” Asprey takes long breath before straightening in his seat. “an extension was offered to me at the start of this season and I informed management of my intention to see out my contract and join free agency at the end of it. I explained how I was feeling and to be fair, rather than drop me from the team they kept me involved and hoped that by the end of the season I would change my mind. My mind has not changed.”
“So you are not currently in negotiations to extend your contract with Seoul? Why have there been reports to the contrary?”
“You would have to ask those who are making those claims.” Asprey snapped back, perhaps irked by the existence of contrary information.
“In fact,” Asprey continued, “the SSL expansion announcement brought my final decision forward. Understandably, Seoul wanted clarification at that point to help them make a decision for their protection list and I confirmed that my mind had not changed. I would be leaving Seoul at the end of my contract.”
“But it was reported that the Catalunya organisation had to make a tough decision between their more developed ‘keeper and yourself for their expansion draft protected list, and ultimately they had to choose Catalunya’s Twinkletoes over yourself.”
My response elicited a wry smile from Asprey momentarily, and with it he revealed his apparent annoyance at the reports and speculation about him in the media. He clears his throat and continues.
“In the discussions about my decision for the future, I was offered protection for the expansion draft. I turned this down, reaffirming my desire to leave.”
There it was again, that rush. Seeing Asprey charged by the questioning and hearing him speak so directly to refute claims only further stoked this fire – for both of us it seems. It felt almost as if I were freeing Asprey from a cage and he was rewarding me in return.
“If you don’t mind me saying, you seem pretty frustrated by the claims made in the media about you and your contract situation. Why is that?”
“Look,” Asprey took another long breath, seemingly to collect himself before continuing. “I have learned quickly that as a footballer these things are going to happen during the course of my career. I just prefer the truth and what’s out there just isn’t that.”
“So what’s next for James Asprey? Your contract expires in a couple of days, do you have anything lined up that you would like to share with us?”
“Free agency,” Asprey replied bluntly. “I need to work on myself and free agency will give me the opportunity to do that for at least the next season.”
He looked a little tired. Perhaps the rumours and having to address them today in a manner completely out of his comfort zone and against the character he has shown the past few seasons had taken their toll. It took me right back to his product promotion event and how he looked when I asked if he was okay. I think it is fair to say my suspicions were right – Asprey wasn’t happy.
“I won’t push you any further James as I can tell this has been quite the unwanted experience, but I do have to thank you for agreeing to this and for being so open and honest with me.” I stand from my seat and offer my hand to signal the end of the interview much to Asprey’s surprise. He seemed grateful that the ordeal was over already as he shook my hand and after a few further exchanges of thanks and well wishes, he turned to head for the exit.
“James,” I called out as he reached the door, curiosity getting the better of me. “why did you agree to speak with me today but never before?”
Asprey looked back over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised in confusion. He paused briefly before offering a smile. “You never asked before?”
His response sat with me for a moment while he continued out of the room. Really? 3 Seasons I have followed this man and I had not once asked for an interview? It dawned on me that he was right, and that perhaps I am completely out of my depth in this job…
Before I let that completely sink in, I should probably publish this article and burn the internet down in the process. Then I can have a long think about my career choice.
Thank you for reading,
Your once again beleaguered beat writer.
![[Image: SSL-Signature-Asprey-v2-Sep25.png]](https://i.ibb.co/LDnLr2Yv/SSL-Signature-Asprey-v2-Sep25.png)
