Well, folks, we have a story about a footballer who’s been through it all. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom – there’s plenty of laughs to be had as we take a trip through the life of Will Smallbone.

Our man Smallbone has just finished up his loan spell at Stoke City after a pretty solid season in the Championship. And let me tell you, Smallbone was feeling the love from the fans at Stoke, finishing up as their third best player of the year. But don’t get it twisted – the real highlight for Smallbone was definitely registering a hat-trick of assists in a 5-1 away win against Sunderland. That’s the kind of stuff dreams are made of, folks.

Now, Smallbone has been living it up with his girlfriend in Hale, and let me tell you, he’s got friends and family coming out of the woodwork to hang out with him. But before he starts partying it up, he’s gotta meet with The Athletic to talk about his future.

Sure, Stoke lost their final home match against Queens Park Rangers, but let’s not dwell on that. Smallbone was on fire, with the licence to get forward, make some sick runs, and even take the odd set piece. And listen, after playing 45 times for Stoke this season, you bet your sweet bippy that he’s earned every single second of that playing time.

But things weren’t always so smooth for Smallbone – he’s had his fair share of injuries over the years. In fact, he’s spent so much time on the sidelines that he was starting to doubt he’d ever be able to play at all. But after a successful season with Stoke, he’s feeling more confident than ever. Touch wood, right guys?

Now, brace yourselves, because things are about to take a bit of a turn. A few years ago, Smallbone had a pretty bad injury during a match against Leicester City. He collided with Timothy Castagne but kept playing, only to find out later he’d actually done some serious damage to his ACL. Ouch.

And if that wasn’t enough, Smallbone also ended up being diagnosed with alopecia. But don’t worry folks, this is where the story takes a turn for the better. Smallbone decided to shave his head, and not only did he own the new look, but he’s also become an ambassador for Alopecia UK. What a guy.

It wasn’t easy, though. As you can imagine, football fans can be pretty brutal, and Smallbone was on the receiving end of some pretty harsh taunting. But with the help of his family, he’s learning to laugh it all off. And honestly, who needs hair when you’re one of the best midfielders around?

Speaking of which, Smallbone is killing it on the pitch these days. He’s got a contract with Southampton until 2023-24, and there’s even talk of an extension. He’s feeling confident, he’s feeling strong, and he’s ready to take the Premier League by storm. Or, you know, the Championship, if that’s where Southampton ends up. It’s all good.

And let’s not forget – the boy’s got skills. He’s quick, he’s got a great balance, and he’s comfortable with both feet. He’s even got five assists and three goals to his name this season. Not too shabby, right?

So there you have it, folks. The story of one man’s journey through the highs and lows of football. But with Smallbone on our screens, we can rest assured that the future of the beautiful game is in good hands. Keep on doing you, Will. We’ll be watching.

Serious News: nytimes