69. The Big Reunion

 It was the beginning of November 2025 and the end of another Cambodian season. There were big plans though for EDC during the break and not just mine and my recruitment team's in the Christmas transfer window. The year 2025 marked the ten year anniversary of the formation of Electricitie du Cambodge FC and to celebrate a big end of season bash had been organised which was to be attended by 'anybody associated with the club over the past decade.' This included former players (who had made at least ten appearances), any backroom staff past and present (which would be enough to fill most party venues alone) and any season ticket holders who have held them for 5 years consecutively or more. The party was to be held in a large hall on the premises of the Electricity Company which the football team is part of. 

I had mixed feelings about this end of season knees up. On the one hand I enjoyed a good party and get together and it would be nice to catch up with a few old faces. On the other hand, after our pretty average season where we ended up going into freefall towards mid-table with more leaks in our defence than a sinking ship, coupled with the fact we were knocked out the cup by a bunch of kids I didn't think we had all that much to celebrate.  

There was a second reason.. (Yes you've guessed it) While things had been going pretty well with Charlotte over the past six months since we got together, the thoughts of her looking stunning in the same room as a load of ex EDC footballers, some of which she'd had previous relations with, filled me with a touch of dread. Then there was the chairman, Hem Vutha who would most certainly be there too.. and Daravon, unless he was on his police duties, Math Fasal would qualify also if he showed up and Keo Udom too... Maybe I was just being stupid and paranoid and a tiny bit possessive but so far I had managed to keep Charlotte and EDC separate, even on match days and it seemed to work. Even though she attended all the games she could, work permitting, Charlotte always kept a low profile which suited me down to the ground. We would often meet up alone after games in the evening. 

This party would put her right in the mix again with the very people who thought she was a "loose woman," had previous relations with, or those who had tried to warn me off her. I had avoided the subject of Charlotte with Nen Borey and my backroom staff on purpose and some of them did not even know we were still together. This party of course would blow the cover off this facade as soon as we stepped in the room.

Charlotte was looking forward to the evening immensely and I said nothing to her on this issue as I did not want to upset the apple cart.

The night before the party we went out to one of our favourite restaraunts together and the subject of old EDC players came up. Charlotte was quite opinionated about which players she'd liked (in a footballing sense) and which ones were not so good. One of the names that came up was Sung Rot, who of you may remember has had two spells at the club to great effect and another was Um Makara, who had only recently left us and Leap Bo who to her mind had potential to be a good midfielder before he moved on. She tactfully didnt mention the players whom she had relations with, K.Udom, Veasna and Daravon in particular who had been three of the best players to pull on an EDC shirt over the past decade. 

The evening arrived and Charlotte did not disappoint in a low cut, figure hugging red dress, with that stunning glossy dark hair flowing seductively down her back and shoulders. I still had to pinch myself that she was my girlfriend. 

I adorned a boring suit and tie which paled into insignificance compared to my better half, whose beauty shone brighter than any floodlight ever could. 

We arrived by taxi and strode hand in hand into the Great Hall of the Electricitie du Cambodge headquarters in the middle of Phnom Penh. 

The hall was opulently decorated in the dark blue colours of EDC, with rows of circular tables with seats around them. There would be a three course meal before an end of season awards ceremony, a speech from Hem Vutha and then a disco. A DJ was setting up in the corner of the room. 

There were already some people there, including Nen Borey, Chan Vannak and Sok Chanraksmy. This was not the welcoming committee I had hoped for. I shook hands with them and exchanged pleasantries but I could tell there was an element of surprise as to the presence of the part Cambodian part Fillipino beauty stood next to me. 

It took Mrs Borey, Nen's wife, a short, stern looking woman in her 50s who joined us from the bar to break the ice.

"So you must be Charlotte then? I like your dress, it really suits your figure..".. and away they went on a little girly chat about dresses and hair.. 

The women bonded while us men stood like a defensive wall in front of the bar. I bought Charlotte and I a drink, while the other men dispersed as more people started to enter the room. 

They were interrupted by the presence of Hem Vutha, who strode towards her. My heart sank a little as he approached, knowing what I knew about their relations. They exchanged pleasantries and embraced. They seemed genuinely happy to see eachother and that despite ending their relations years ago had remained on friendly terms. He complimented her on how she looked. I stood there with a fake smile on my face hoping he would b***** off soon.

It was amazing how many former players had turned up. Suon Veasna, Tum Saray, Nan Punlock, Moun Nara nowadays a bright young coach. Keo Udom was there thankfully with what looked like a girlfriend, a bonny dark haired girl in a navy blue dress. Maol Daravon appeared along with Mrs Daravon who upon entering the room looked daggers at Charlotte, who of course was her husband's former mistress. Sung Rot appeared seemingly alone and Um Makara, who had come along with Sok Oeun Pidor. Current players were also present too such as Pelap Taboula, club captain Chea Samnang and young Samnang Nhem who surely must be up for a few awards after his performances this season. 

Then over to my right.. no way! ... In walked none other than Ahmed Abdi aka The Cambodian Pele with not one but two girls on his arm, both of seemingly Southern European origin with long dark hair, and legs that were longer than the Mekong River.. What the hell was he doing here...? Did he even make ten appearances during his EDC career?

According to Nen Borey the man from Somalia was now plying his trade for FC Ayia Napa in the Cypriot league and having rather a good time by the looks of it as well as earning a few quid in the sun.. I had to hand it to him. It was not long ago that he had turned up suddenly at my training ground with no shoes on his feet, begging to join the club... How he managed to convince not one but two girls to make the several thousand mile trip with him from Cyprus to Cambodia is beyond me but I guessed that was none of my business... 

Charlotte was also looking around the room with intrigue as to which players had turned up. Many of the them cast an eye Charlotte's way as she fluttered her eyelashes and occasionally ran her fingers through her hair as they passed. Hmmm....

She seemed particularly interested in Sung Rot my former attacking midfielder who had left us for the lure of professionalism but things had not quite worked out.

Um Makara and Pidor had also not gone unnoticed by my girlfriend as playful pleasantries were exchanged. Soon after she rubbed my shoulder, gave me a small peck on the cheek and left my side to mingle among these ex-footballers. Alarm bells started to ring in my head...

We sat down for dinner and Charlotte was one of the last people to take their seats, as she was too busy having a high old time chatting up ex-EDC midfielder, Leap Bo, who seemed rather taken with this flirtatious 33 year old woman in his midst.. and I knew exactly where he was looking. This was going worse than I had feared...  

What should I do? One did not want to make a big scene of it and it become a soap opera, but one could not let this idly pass.. 

I could see that Charlotte's actions had not been unnoticed by the Boreys who were also sat on our table. Mrs Borey in particular seemed fascinated by the comings and goings of my other half..

Charlotte sat and smiled sweetly at me as she poured a glass of wine which was in ready supply on the dinner table. I'd counted this was her third and we had only been here for just about one hour..

Was she trying to embarrass me? What had I done wrong? 

As we waited for our starters to arrive, Charlotte began eagerly texting on her phone.. Had she swapped numbers with half a dozen footballers already?? Was she arranging to meet with them..? I was getting angrier and more paranoid by the second. I was just about to grab the phone off her under the table when.....

My phone message alert went off. Charlotte turned to me and gazed into my eyes, smiling warmly and adoringly at me.

I read the message discreetly under the table. It read:

Don't Worry Mr Football Manager, you are still and always will be my number 1.. This is all for a very good reason and you will see why by the end of the evening. Trust me! Love Charlotte XXX

As I read the text her hand briefly rubbed my shoulder and she gave me a little wink. She was up to something, but maybe, just maybe it was not as bad as it seemed...

The starters arrived and as we ate the delicious traditional Cambodian fish soup the conversation on the table turned to the progress of the team. Mrs Borey seemed surprisingly interested in this subject.

"We need a new defence Mr Rudd..," she ordered bluntly, taking a mouthful of her soup.

"Well y'know we have a few targets in mind, this is certainly an area of the team which needs strengthening." I replied. We conceded too many goals last season."

"And what do you think Charlotte?" enquired the table's matriarch.

Charlotte smiled, rubbing my shoulder.. "I'm sure Jonathan will sign some good players for the team this season. It is amazing to see so many ex-footballers have turned up to celebrate ten years of EDC. It is a testament to Jonathan and the club that they have turned up, such is the respect for all he has done for the club."

"I believe you know quite a lot of the ex-footballers who have played for EDC, Charlotte, enquired Mrs Borey abruptly.

"Well yes I do from watching the team every week." replied the girl in the red dress.

"And off the field?" interrogated Mrs Borey in a stern voice.

"Kim, enough.." ordered the normally reserved Nen Borey.

"Well the way you have been flitting around the room like a little butterfly amongst these hmm very attractive young men,."

"KIM Enough!" ordered Nen slightly raising his voice. I'm so sorry Charlotte and Jonathan she's had a bit too much wine."

This rather awkward conversation was mercifully interrupted by the master of ceremonies who wished to welcome us all and introduce the Chairman, Hem Vutha and the CEO of Electricitie Du Cambodge Energy Company, Long Sophorn, a petite little man in a neat suit and with a bald head.

Once this little introduction was over the main courses were served, a traditional Cambodian coconut fish amok. The meal passed without incident and Mrs Borey kept herself to herself throughout.

After the meal had finished it was time for the awards and speeches. The CEO, Long Sophorn started off with a rather boring speech about how proud the energy company was to have such a successful football team. I even got a little mention and round of applause from the room as being the person to bring the first silverware to the club. Then chairman Hem Vutha took over, saying how proud he was to set up a successful club and one that has maintained their C-League status consistently over the past decade. Blah blah blah! No mention that we should be going professional though.... So to the awards ceremony.

End of Season Awards

Fans Player of the Season – Samnang Nhem

Young Player of the season – Samnang Nhem

Signing of the Season = Sam Chea (surprisingly)

Top Goalscorer – Pelap Taboula (16 goals)

Highest Average Rating – Samnang Nhem 7.30

There was a little surprise for the audience at the end as

Samnang Nhem Wins Cambodian Player and Young Player of the Year!

It was a big night for the young lad who is barely old enough to have a beer to celebrate..

My young striker has had a season to remember, having starred prominently for the first team, winning his first full international cap and now winning the coveted Cambodian Premier League Player of the Year! Well done Samnang!  He has also bagged the Young Cambodian Player of the Year Award too! He is the future of Cambodian football. Let's hope we can hang onto him in the Christmas Transfer Window.

Hope he has a big mantlepiece..

Som wins Cambodian Goalkeeper of the Year

Sokundara Som wins Cambodian Goalkeeper of The Year as EDC players continue to sweep the board in the end of season awards!

After the awards ceremony it was time to dance the night away as the DJ played his first song. Guess who was first on the dancefloor... Yes the lady in red Charlotte herself.... As my girl twerked and twirled and shook to the music, so the ex-footballers congregated as they danced with her one by one. Sung Rot, Um Makara, Sok Oeun Pidor and Leap Bo were all in there taking it in turns to dance with my girl!

It seems strange, but all I could think of was Delboy from Only Fools and Horses.. "Play it cool Trig, Play it cool..."

I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Nen Borey.

"Jonathan.. I tried to tell you what she was like. She's a maneater and showing her true colours tonight. I'm sorry you had to find out like this"

"Nen Nen.. thankyou for your advice, but I know my girl and I trust her."

This was a brave thing to say as Charlotte was now Beyonce to Sok Oeun Pidor's Jay-Z.. full sl*t drops and all.. to Crazy in Love....

There was another tap on my shoulder.. Mrs Daravon..

"Well, a leopard never changes its spots I see...," she scorned shaking her head.

Even the Cambodian Pele weighed in..

"Hey Boss I love your girl's style man.." as he strutted his way onto the dancefloor, closely followed by his two girls.

I ventured onto the dancefloor to keep an eye on things, trying to jig along to the music. She took my hand for a few moments and pulled me close, giving me a full smacker on the lips and winked at me. It was then I twigged what she was up to. It was a bit of a shot in the dark, but my mind flicked back to the conversation we'd had the night before in the restaurant... I looked onto the dancefloor and it struck me that these were all Charlotte's favourite footballers from EDC.. Sung Rot.. Um Makara, Leap Bo .. surely Pidor would be up there as well.... Hmm What was she up to?

What was Charlotte up to? What will happen next? Find out next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game! 

Read Part 70 The Transfer Honey Trap Here!