New boy Smithy can’t understand why everyone is so excited about a player on the football team called Bengo. He’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 their coach pulls Smithy off and sends Bengo on in his place, Smithy gets a chance to see him in action. Bengo is 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?

An engaging football story accompanied by fascinating facts about famous substitutes, from reluctant-reader favourite Alan Gibbons.