"All right, David, don't get so worked up. Let's talk. I have an idea!" Ethan said with a smile as he put an arm around David Pace's shoulder.
The two walked toward the side of the pitch, where the supporters' cheers remained deafening.
For Droylsden supporters, this preseason match was always a festival.
"All right, Ethan, let's hear it. I'll listen to you!" David Pace said, unable to argue with him.
In truth, he was deeply grateful to Ethan, although he knew Ethan was equally grateful to him and Droylsden. It was precisely because they both remembered what the other had done for them that their friendship had become as close as that of brothers.
"Yes, Ethan, just tell us what you're thinking. This nagging fool is driving me mad!" Walsh said as he walked over and gave David Pace a light shove.
His complaint immediately prompted a round of teasing from David.
Ethan paused, then pointed toward the supporters in the stands.
"Let's establish a charitable foundation. Every year, we'll transfer all the revenue from this match into the fund, then use it to help supporters and residents in the Droylsden and Newton Heath communities. We can turn this fixture into a permanent annual cup competition and make the charitable foundation a lasting institution."
David Pace and Walsh were both surprised.
This was the third year New Manchester United had played a preseason friendly against Droylsden. Honestly, David would certainly support the idea of turning it into an annual cup competition.
The proposal to establish a charitable foundation made him admire Ethan even more. He understood exactly how much influence such a project could give the clubs within their communities, particularly as both were still competing in the lower divisions. It would undoubtedly strengthen their standing among local supporters.
Newton Heath and Droylsden were neighbouring communities, while New Manchester United and Droylsden were also located close to one another. Cooperation between the two clubs would bring enormous long-term benefits to both.
After all, a football club's roots lay within its community. Murdoch's attempt to acquire Manchester United had ultimately failed because the government had taken the opposition of local supporters into full consideration. That alone showed how crucial community support and identification were to a club's development.
At the same time, it was a charitable cause that would greatly enhance the clubs' public image.
More than any potential benefit, however, David Pace was pleased simply because it would help people.
"That's a fantastic idea, Ethan. I fully support it!" David agreed without hesitation.
"Yes, Ethan, I think it can work as well!" Walsh added.
Ethan smiled. "Since we all agree, I'll get it started. I'll personally donate another one million pounds to the fund. Once the foundation has been established, I'll also arrange for professionals to manage the money and place it in secure investments."
"You're an investment expert admired by countless people on Wall Street, so you've certainly considered this more thoroughly than I could. However, I don't have as much money as you, so I'll personally contribute another five hundred thousand pounds."
David paused before continuing.
"But I have one suggestion. The foundation should be called the Red Rebels Charity Foundation!"
Ethan and Walsh exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
Wasn't David clearly giving all the credit to Ethan's club?
"No, David. I've already thought about it. It should be called the Red Rebels and Droylsden United Charity Foundation," Ethan argued, but David immediately stopped him.
"Ethan, listen to me," David said emotionally after Ethan fell silent.
"All this time, you've been helping me simply because I once helped your club when it needed somewhere to play. You've spent the past two years repaying that favour.
"Ethan, I truly don't know how to thank you. This time, you have to listen to me!"
David looked toward the supporters in the stands and smiled.
"Do you know how badly I once wanted to lead Droylsden into the professional leagues? But after years without progress, I came to understand that football is impossible without money. My own capabilities were limited, and at one point, I became completely disheartened.
"But Ethan, you appeared like a ray of light in the darkness.
"Under your leadership, New Manchester United have continued to achieve remarkable results. In only two years, you've already become a professional League Two club. You also invited me to invest in Umbro with you, and now I've made a considerable amount of money.
"That has made me even more certain of one thing. You were right!"
Ethan and Walsh exchanged another glance, both clearly surprised by David's sudden declaration.
Ethan had always helped David from his own perspective and had never expected anything in return. Even when inviting him to invest in Umbro, Ethan had taken into account David's familiarity with the business environment in Britain and Northern Europe. He had simply wanted to help him.
He had never expected David to regard him as a benefactor.
"I've thought this through, Ethan. The foundation will be called the Red Rebels Charity Foundation.
"Also, I know your club is looking to establish affiliate clubs. You can count Droylsden among them. We only hope you won't look down on us because we're currently playing in the Northern Premier League!"
With David having gone that far, there was little more Ethan could say.
"David, don't be ridiculous. Ethan would never think that!" Walsh said, slapping him on the shoulder.
"You've decided it, then. From today onward, Droylsden will become New Manchester United's first affiliate club.
"We won't be stingy, either. Do you know Sulley Muntari from our academy?"
"Of course. That young Ghanaian is very talented. I've heard your club rates him highly!"
Ethan smiled. "We'll loan him to you for the entire season. He won't get enough first-team football with us, so he can gain experience here."
David Pace was immediately delighted.
Sulley Muntari was a highly promising defensive midfielder who had performed well for New Manchester United's youth team. However, the club had allocated its work permit exemption for exceptional talent to Essien this season, which meant Muntari could not play for the first team.
Under those circumstances, a season-long loan to Droylsden was an excellent option.
New Manchester United's defensive midfield options were also very strong this season, with Juninho Pernambucano, Poulsen, Alou Diarra, Essien, and De Rossi. All of them would become prominent players in European football. Although they were still young, they already possessed considerable ability.
"All right, I accept!" David said with a laugh.
He was certain that when he delivered the good news to Droylsden's manager, who was currently struggling to strengthen the defensive midfield, the man would be beside himself with joy.
"I'll submit the proposal for the cup competition to the FA as soon as I get back," Walsh said, appearing even more enthusiastic than the others.
"It will benefit the local community, so I'm sure they'll be pleased to approve it. But the competition needs a name."
"Let's call it the Newton Heath Cup, in memory of the old green-and-gold team!" David suggested with a smile.
Ethan understood his intentions and did not object.
In any case, once the competition had been established, its name would bring no disadvantage to either New Manchester United or Droylsden.
Having settled the matter and confirmed Droylsden as the club's first affiliate, Ethan breathed a sigh of relief.
However, he immediately thought of Liberty Professionals in Ghana, another club he had in mind.
It appeared he would need to find an opportunity to travel there, arrange everything properly, and send the promising young West African talents he knew of to the club.
...
While Ethan was considering the Ghanaian affiliate, the players from both sides made their way onto the pitch.
New Manchester United started the match in a 4-4-2 formation.
Crouch and Olić led the attack. From left to right, the midfield consisted of Malouda, Juninho Pernambucano, Poulsen, and Hleb. Abidal, Terry, Gareth Turner, and Bosingwa formed the back four, with Schmeichel in goal.
Droylsden also fielded their strongest possible lineup.
Jonathan Mitten, Stephen Smith, Richie Wellens, and the other players who had joined on free transfers from New Manchester United that summer were all included.
Apart from the new arrivals, most of the players had previously spent time together.
Before the referee blew the whistle, players from both sides stood on the pitch chatting. Those with particularly close relationships even embraced one another.
Once the match began, New Manchester United took firm control from the opening minute.
Their dominance was especially clear in midfield and defence, leaving Droylsden with almost no opportunities. Jonathan Mitten was completely neutralised by John Terry's close marking.
Central midfield was a major weakness for Droylsden. They gave Juninho far too much time and space, allowing him to dictate play and repeatedly force their defence onto the back foot.
New Manchester United opened the scoring in the twenty-fourth minute when Juninho set up Olić, who broke through and finished past the goalkeeper.
Even after taking the lead, New Manchester United did not ease their attacking pressure.
In the thirty-seventh minute, Hleb cut inside and doubled the advantage with a long-range strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Despite leading 2-0, New Manchester United continued to play with a compact and fluid shape.
The players were especially active with their off-the-ball movement. Although misplaced passes remained frequent, they were always able to regain possession quickly after losing the ball.
Watching from the touchline, Ethan naturally understood that this was the result of the tactical adjustments introduced by Mourinho and Cassell.
Combined with the lack of understanding between the new arrivals, those changes made the team's coordination look somewhat rusty.
However, the greatest highlight of the match was not the goals, but the warmth between the players from both sides.
Whenever anyone went to ground, the nearest player would immediately run over and help him back to his feet, regardless of whether he was a teammate or an opponent.
Of course, that did not mean the match had turned into an exhibition of friendly gestures.
On the contrary, it was played at a genuinely competitive intensity, only without the reckless challenges commonly seen in league matches.
Even Poulsen, who was notorious for his aggressive style and frequent fouls, behaved almost like a gentleman.
What had not changed, however, was that he still committed more fouls than anyone else and even received a yellow card before halftime.
With the match intense yet friendly, the two sides entered the second half.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)