Chris Rac was right. In Wilford Lane, between the youth team training base to the north and the first team training base to the south, Evan Brown. Dogetty and Tony. Don ran into it.

Seeing Don approaching him, Evan asked aloud, "Did you go find me, Tony?" ”

Almost at the same time, Donn asked, "Are you looking for me, Evan?" ”

The two were stunned, then laughed together.

"That's good. Lo and behold, Tony. The two of us have a very tacit understanding, and we will definitely cooperate well in the future. Evan smiled as he stood in front of Donn.

Don shook his head slightly: "Evan, do we cooperate?" ”

"Of course not yet, but ...... Maybe there will be one in the future. What are you looking for from me, Tony? ”

"What's the matter with you, Evan?"

"It seems that we all have the same purpose, let's go, talk as we go." Evan patted Don on the shoulder.

Don didn't move, he pointed to the guide, and then pointed to the north: "Which way to go?" ”

Evan looked up at the path ahead of him that was paved with yellow leaves: "Just walk on this road." ”

It was late autumn, and in the summer the path had been shaded by dense trees, and Donn had been hesitant about his future. Now the narrow road surface has accumulated a thick layer of fallen leaves. Stepping on it makes a popping sound, and it is soft as if walking on a carpet. Half a year passed in the blink of an eye...... "Tony, what do you think of Collymore as a coach?" Evan asked, looking down and stepping on the fallen leaves.

"It's a light year away from him as a player." Don replied.

"Well, I can see that, too. He's not fit to be a coach, at least not right now......"

"Then why did you choose him in the first place?"

"This ...... I can't tell you, Tony. But I can tell you one more thing. Evan shook his head.

"Huh?"

"Be prepared." Evan paused and looked at Don and said.

"What are you prepared for?" Don spread his hands.

Looking at Donne's innocent expression, Evan smiled: "Tony, do you want me to say everything?" ”

"Okay, okay, I see." Don raised his hand to show that he knew what Evan meant. "But can you tell me when it is?"

"No, you can't. Because I don't even know it myself. But ......," Evan looked up at the sky, "it should be soon." ”

Don originally wanted to find Evan and take down the matter of Wood beating Collymore, and if Evan must fire Wood, then he would resign and leave with him. Unexpectedly, he waited for such great news - yes, I will be back at the City Stadium soon! Go back to where I should be!

Just when Don was secretly happy, Evan poured cold water on him: "Oh, I forgot, there's one more thing...... Maybe it's better to let you know in advance. ”

Don sniffed a bad smell from Evan's tone. He looked at Evan and waited quietly for him to finish.

"You may ...... It's time to pick a new captain, Tony. ”

"What?" Don understood the meaning of Evan's roundabout words. "Dawson is leaving the team?!"

Evan nodded.

The news came as a shock to Donn, and it wasn't just the pillars of the team that were leaving. He remembered Michael. Dawson's departure from the Forest team was in January 2005, and that's just over a year away!

"How can this be ......," Donn muttered.

'Dawson was disappointed with my decision to put Collymore as manager, the team went on a winless streak and he lost confidence in the team. And, you know, for the young players, the super team is obviously a little bit more appealing. Evan explained from the side. He did not shirk his responsibilities.

"Which team?"

"Huh?"

"Which team is Dawson going to?"

"Tottenham Hotspur."

Really...... Don suddenly remembered another person, and he asked, "Who else is leaving besides Dawson?" ”

Evan looked at Don with some surprise: "How do you know there's anyone else leaving?" That's right. Also on his way to Tottenham with Dawson was Reid. ”

Nothing has changed except that time has changed...... The players involved in the transfer, where the transfer went, etc., there is still one question to determine.

"How much did Tottenham pay for the two of them?"

"Eight million."

"Pounds?" Donn asked.

"Pounds." Evan nodded.

The same goes for the transfer fee.

See Tony. Donn bowed his head and said nothing, and Evan thought he was unhappy with the deal, so he explained, "Tony, you know...... Eight million is not a small amount for a Forest team that has just gone through a transfer crisis and we have no reason to refuse that offer. ”

Don shook his head slightly: "I understand...... I understand. Eight million, eight million...... But, Evan. I ask you a question, and please answer me seriously. ”

"You say, Tony."

"Why did you leave your business in the United States behind and promise your old-fashioned father to come back to England and take over this club in crisis? What's the picture? You're a businessman! Please don't tell me anything about filial piety to my father, for the love of the Forest team! ”

Hearing Donn's question, Evan was silent for a long time. Don didn't press him to answer his own questions, just stood by the side, waiting for him to speak.

Tony...... If I say, it's about making money. Do you believe it? Evan looked at Donn.

Don was also looking at him, making sure from the look in his eyes if he was lying. "I believe it. But do you know that there are countless football clubs in the world, how many of them make money? ”

"We have our own plans for this, Tony. I'm the chairman of the board of directors of the club, I'm in charge of running the team, so I don't want her to make me lose money. Didn't Manchester United make money for the Edwards family? ”

Don didn't know anything about running a club or anything, and he didn't want to dwell on Evan in an area he wasn't familiar with. So he changed directions: "Very good, you have your own plan. Do you know how many sources a football club's financial income comes from? ”

"Of course." Evan nodded, "Television broadcasts, various sponsors, player transfers, ticket revenue, and other related products and facilities for commercial development. ”

"Ha, looks like you've really put a lot of effort into it, Evan. Okay, you take Manchester United as an example, or a target...... Let me tell you from my professional point of view, how to make money. Donn held out a finger, "TV fees are a big part of the revenue, and the more games your team is televised, the more royalties you get." You know that very well. ”

"Hmm." Evan nodded.

"So which do you think is more than the broadcast fee of the First Division or the broadcast fee of the Super League?"

"Super League ......, of course"

"Good. So how many broadcasts do you think a bad team in the First Division can get? We're in the First Division, are we getting a lot of TV pay? We're not like every other team that has experienced an economic catastrophe. ”

"Tony, that situation is complicated, if the Reading Power Digital Station hadn't gone out of business, we wouldn't have worked so hard......"

"Well, I know. So let's talk about sponsors. What kind of team will attract more world-class companies to sponsor it? Vodafone, Nike, Adidas, Opel, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Fly'emirates...... Wait, what kind of team can attract them? Is it okay for a bad team to fight in the First Division? ”

Evan wasn't stupid, he already knew what Don was going to say.

"I know Evan wants to make money, but what is the basis for being able to attract capital? The team must have good results, be promoted to a higher league, win championships, and win honors! Attract the attention of the world! Then we can talk about other ...... You know this better than I do. What is the basis for winning championships and honors? Great players, stable team! Now you've sold the captain and the main left wing-back for that damn £8 million! Don paced in front of Evan, waving his arms, a little emotional, "If you wait a few more years, you can sell for eighteen million or even thirty-eight million!" Why? Because we can get to the Super League, we can get the trophy, they can be in the national team! When the time comes, the price will rise, and countless clubs will rush to talk to you about their transfer fees, and you can sit on the ground and start the price, and the lion will open his mouth...... It's all up to you! ”

Donn paused for a moment, and his tone softened a lot: "Evan, I understand your difficulties, the club needs money...... You want to make money, I want honor, we all have big goals. But a team that will only sell its main players and hope stars is destined to have no future. If you believe me, I can lay a solid foundation for your money-making plan, I can't help you make money, but I can help you win. Do you believe me, Evan? ”

He looked at Evan, and Evan looked at him.

"I believe in you, Tony."

Donn nodded, "You're right, Evan. We have a good understanding and we will cooperate very well. Well, Dawson and Reed are already in the past tense, let's stop talking about them. Is the club's debt settled? ”

"Settled, ten million pounds...... That's not a small amount. ”

"It's a total of 10 million in the past few years, right?"

Evan laughed: "That's right, my dad has already paid some off, I paid off all the debts after I took over, and when you come back, it will be a completely healthy and debt-free Nottingham Forest!" ”

(To be continued)