David Vassall's father was an ex-England international centre-forward, so when David starts at Repington, there are high expectations for the school football team. In his trial match, however, despite having some natural talent as a footballer, he "funks" - chickens out of tackles - a big taboo in school culture. Vassall is villified - and falls foul of the bully Birtles. The irrepressible, charismatic McPhail, however, see more to the situation and takes Vassall in hand. Without a decent centre-forward, the house and school team look set to decline. Will the bullies, or Vassall and his few good friends, prevail? Stanley Horler was the father of the football novel, On the Ball! is one of his best.