There was a book of short stories that I read as a kid that I’d like 
to read again. 
 
One of the stories was about this (African?) footballer who had a 
special kick. He could kick a soccer ball so that it would bend around 
so completely it went past the goalkeeper more often than not. 
Scientists studied his feet and kicks, but they couldn’t figure out 
how he did it. 
 
I believe the story ended with him being somehow frozen in a kicking 
pose. 

I read the story in a library around 1988. Other stories in the book? Well, I
vaguely recall a couple, but the problem is I don't know if they came
from this book or a different one altogether.
 
For what it's worth, the stories are: 
 
One was called Perfect Paul, and was about this smug kid who was
always right and made sure everyone knew about it. Something happened,
and the twist was he ended up being a social worker in the worst part
of the city.
 
The other story was about some girl who had this fantasy of being a
pop star. She imagines herself standing at the side of the stage,
hearing her screaming fans, and repeating to herself, "Me".
I can't recall how that story ended.

Where can I get this short story?

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Clarification of Question by markabe-ga on 07 May 2003 03:14 PDT

wolvies,

The Goalkeeper's Revenge is not available in any of the public
libraries in my area. Could you give me a plot synopsis or something?

That wouldnt be 'The Goalkeepers Revenge' would it ? All I remember
about that collection of stories was something about oranges, but I
kind of assume there would be at least one football one in it!

Hi,Markabe,

You have asked this question before (ID 126277) - and you didn't get
an answer.

Wolvies suggests "The Goalkeeper's Revenge", and that was my first
thought when you first asked the question, back in December last year.
 But neither of those other stories you recalled rang a bell with me. 
I recall the oranges story, also one about a man suspected of
smuggling goods out of his works yard because every evening he went
past security wheeling a wheelbarrow with his packin (= lunch box) and
nothing else, in it.  It drove the head of security wild, and he never
realised the chap was smuggling out wheelbarrows!

There was also a story about a soapbox race.  But I cannot remember
any details about the title story - I do not recall the hero being
frozen in a kicking pose, but that is not to say my memory is right in
this.  I think the book was published in the 70s, maybe even earlier!

"The Goalkeeper's Revenge" was written, I think, by Bill McNaughton. 
I wonder if the title story was taken from the original collection and
re-published along with the two you recall in an anthology of short
stories by various authors.  It's the sort of thing publishers do!

I don't know if I have helped, or just muddied the waters, but it may
jog someone else's memory!  Hope you get an answer tis time, R2L.