In the current New Manchester United squad, the most valuable player was undoubtedly Jonathan Matten. This former National League striker scored 53 goals for New Manchester United in the past season, setting a goal-scoring record for the tenth tier.
Based on external evaluations, Jonathan Matten's market value was around 50,000 pounds, making him the most valuable player in the team.
But that was an external evaluation. In Ethan's mind, the most valuable player at New Manchester United was Evra. This future world-class left-back was a priceless treasure. So, even before the league ended, although several teams from higher divisions expressed interest in Evra, Ethan rejected them all. Evra himself had also repeatedly stated that he would stay at New Manchester United.
In fact, it was not just these two New Manchester United players who attracted interest.
David Bell, a striker who had been the third choice up front last season behind Jonathan and Giggs, also managed to score 11 goals and provide 7 assists in his limited appearances. It could be said that he performed well.
According to Ethan's plan, he would carry out a professional transformation of the team this year, which included having several players, including David Bell, sign full-time contracts.
However, he did not expect that someone had already beaten him to it.
"Alright, have a good one, David!" After saying that, Walsh hung up the phone and walked into the living room with a disappointed expression.
Besides the office desk, Ethan's office also had a tea table surrounded by sofas, following his usual habit.
At this moment, Bruce, Cassel, and of course, Ethan, were sitting on the sofas.
"He still decided to leave?" Ethan's tone was a bit stiff.
Just yesterday, David Bell suddenly called Walsh, saying he had decided to sign with a team from Northern Premier League Division One. They promised him a full-time contract and a decent salary.
Although Ethan responded immediately, promising David Bell a full-time contract and having one drafted right away, it was clearly too late.
"David said he has already signed the contract with them. His departure will bring the team three thousand pounds in transfer income!" Walsh said with a bitter smile.
"Forget his three thousand pounds! I spent three million pounds to buy Newton Heath!" Ethan cursed indignantly.
Although he had long prepared himself for players coming and going, he actually hated the feeling of being kept in the dark, yet being unable to stop it.
"Also, David revealed some news," Walsh said tentatively, seeing Ethan's expression.
"What?" Ethan immediately sensed something was wrong.
Although New Manchester United were in a low-level amateur league last year, and no matter how well the players performed, they might not attract the attention of high-level professional teams, what about higher-level teams in the amateur leagues?
"Teams are contacting our key players, including Carl Makinson, Stephen Smith, and Darren Lyons!"
Upon hearing this, Ethan was surprised at first but quickly calmed down. "It's fine. Carl, Stephen, and Darren are all full-time players we signed, and they've signed for at least three years. As long as we don't agree, no team can take them away!"
"Even so, it's better to give them a call and understand the situation!" Cassel reminded from the side.
Ethan nodded, stood up, walked to the desk, found Makinson's number in the address book, and dialed.
"Hey, Carl, are you at home?" Ethan asked with a smile.
"Yes, Boss. I'm sorry, my son is too noisy!" Makinson said apologetically, then took the shouting child aside, likely heading out of the room.
"Boss, you're calling me now because some teams have contacted me, right?" Makinson was not stupid.
Ethan smiled awkwardly. "I know you're on holiday and didn't want to disturb you, but I still hope to understand your thoughts."
"Boss, I'm almost 29. I've been in the National League for a long time, and no big team will look at me. If it's another amateur team, I'd rather stay at New Manchester United. At least I'm happy here."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Carl. You know, you're one of our core players and among the first batch of full-time players at our club. You're very important to us."
"Thank you, Boss. Don't worry, I won't leave!" Makinson said with a chuckle.
After hanging up the phone, Ethan turned back and smiled at Bruce and the others, who immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Carl Makinson's ability was considered quite good in the amateur leagues, and at 28, he was in his prime. It could be said that he was one of New Manchester United's most important players.
Of course, he was not indispensable, because in Ethan's philosophy of team building, no one was indispensable!
On this point, Ethan's philosophy aligned well with Bruce and Cassel's.
After Carl Makinson, Ethan called Stephen Smith and Gary Turner. Both assured Ethan that despite receiving invitations from higher-level teams, they chose to stay at New Manchester United.
Naturally, Ethan also showed his sincerity by promising to raise their salaries based on the team's situation as a reward for the team's promotion.
However, although Ethan responded quickly, some players still chose to leave. The biggest name among them was undoubtedly New Manchester United's star striker, Rhodri Giggs.
This striker, with excellent speed and a certain level of technical skill, was the second-highest scorer for New Manchester United. Since they could not take Jonathan away, they chose Rhodri Giggs and offered a price of 35,000 pounds. The latter returned to Manchester in person to talk with Ethan, stating clearly that he had no intention of growing with New Manchester United and preferred to prove himself in a higher-level league.
Seeing that Rhodri Giggs was determined to leave, Ethan did not try too hard to keep him. After all, what could he offer besides a higher salary?
But in reality, every club's wage structure was tiered. For example, although Ethan liked Evra very much, he could not give him the highest salary in the team because that belonged to Jonathan Matten.
Even now, Evra was only receiving the third-tier salary. Ethan was preparing to give him a raise, but it could only be to the second tier. After all, Evra was not a core player yet. Giving him too high a salary would inevitably lead to complaints from other players.
Since he could not even offer more money, Ethan felt he had almost no excuse to keep Rhodri Giggs. The so-called future, goals, and grand plans were all illusory. Only the money in hand was real.
Rhodri Giggs clearly wanted a clean break, not forgetting to say goodbye to the coaching staff like Bruce and Cassel before leaving.
...
"Steve, it looks like we'll have to find another striker for the new season!"
As soon as Bruce walked into the office, Ethan spoke with a bitter smile.
From Giggs's farewell just now, Bruce had already gotten the answer, so he could only join in the bitter smile.
"What else can we do? It's hard to keep players in the amateur leagues. Free transfers are everywhere. At least we can recover some transfer fees."
Ethan suddenly understood why Bruce was reluctant to stay at the club long-term. The player turnover was too high. Even if you won a championship, could you keep the players?
A tenth-tier league champion, but there were nine tiers above it, with hundreds of clubs that could easily use a higher status to attract your players. How could one feel secure in such a club?
"I discussed with Andy earlier whether we could hold another trial in July to select some players to fill the squad," Bruce said, sitting down across from Ethan.
"All the transfer fees from Rhodri's transfer can be used to buy players. You pick them yourself. If you find a player you're satisfied with who's willing to come to our team, I'll fulfill your request!" Ethan now wanted to keep Bruce.
If players left, they could be bought again, but if a good head coach left, it would be very difficult to find another suitable one, especially for a low-level team like New Manchester United.
"With those words of yours, our strength next season definitely won't drop!" Bruce laughed with confidence.
"My goal is to win the North West Counties League Division One title next year and retain the Challenge Cup!" Ethan responded with a smile.
Bruce nodded in agreement. Winning the double for two consecutive years would truly show the depth of his coaching ability.
"You guys are too slow!" Walsh's voice came from outside the office.
Then Walsh, who was looking increasingly plump, appeared at the office door, waving a fax in his hand.
"Guys, do you know what this is?" Walsh played a guessing game with the two of them.
But from his expression, it was not hard to see that he was extremely excited.
"Who knows what that thing is!" Ethan replied with a laugh.
Walsh walked over. Bruce tried to grab the fax, but Walsh dodged him.
"Hehe, let me tell you, if you see this fax, it will absolutely scare you to death."
"Really? Let's hear it!" Bruce also looked skeptical.
Walsh gave them a "just you wait" look, then found a chair to sit in and asked leisurely, "Do you know how many promotion spots there are for the National League this year?"
"Wasn't it three?" Bruce said.
"It was in the newspapers long ago!" Ethan added.
Walsh chuckled. "True, but do you know how many teams the FA has put on the shortlist?"
As soon as he said this, Ethan and Bruce both sensed something unusual.
Could it be... could good fortune really have fallen from the sky?
Ethan almost leapt up. Catching Walsh off guard, he grabbed the fax and scanned the list of clubs on the paper. Twenty clubs were competing for three spots, and New Manchester United's name was right there among them.
"Steve... I think we should consider buying a lottery ticket. We're going to hit the jackpot!" Ethan said with great surprise.
(To be continued.)