Gareth Cadwallader

The Fantasy Player Gareth Cadwallader

On his way to his Club's Pre-Season Assessment in Dubai, rising star, Ardro Holst, sees a child caught in the crush of a mob of adoring fans. He reaches out to grab her. But you can't just rescue someone that way these days.

These days, sports stars have more followers than countries have people and earn more than entire economies. They live the manicured lives of ultimately desirable products, digital profiles curated and careers micro-managed by their Agencies. They can't just step out of their vehicle and rescue a girl - without consequences.

Ardo Holst is 'basically a happy guy', who 'never fouls'. He's an accident prone charming philosophical upcoming super leaguer in a brave new world of on-screen football. His hands matter in a way that Maradona's shouldn't have, and he's after his first gold star.

Meet Ardro, his team, his family, his bosses, his heroes, agents, and the women in his life, on and off the 'pitch'. Not that he notices quite everyone or everything in the hurly-burly of the 'streams' and deals and personal appearances. This gentle, archly clever, futuristic and funny story is not just about football, or how in the relentless real time spotlight of streaming updates young Ardro goes about unravelling one well-meant gesture that risks extinguishing his promised scintillating future and his chance of love.

It's about what's real and what's not real, the vulnerability of the idol and... the power of the team.