New boy Smithy can't understand why everyone is so excited about a player on the football team called "Bengo". Bengo's been absent for the first few games of the season and starts the next game on the bench, so surely he can't be that special?

But when Bengo finally takes to the pitch, he's easily the best player Smithy's ever seen - putting in perfect crosses and generally running the opposition ragged. 

So why is Bengo left on the bench so often, and why does he seem to bottle it when any strong tackles come his way?

Alan Gibbons trained as a teacher and through working with young people discovered his literary voice. He started writing fiction for his pupils and published his first novel in 1993.

Alan has also appeared on the BBC education programme Writer's Block, the Blue Peter Book Awards, radio 4's Front Row, and is a regular contributor to TES, Junior Education, Carousel, Books for Keeps and other journals.