107 Welcome Back Part 1 (1/2)
Chapter 107: Welcome Back Part 1
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Freddy Eastwood's matter was settled very easily. As he was currently playing for an amateur team, he was valued at a very cheap amount. Nottingham Forest only needed to pay £100,000 to take him away from Grays Athletic. Actually, it was possible to not pay a single cent. However, as Tang En felt bad for Eastwood, he still gave the money. After all, it was because Grays Athletic had been willing to take in a striker who had broken his leg, let him participate in matches to keep him in shape, that Tang En was able to see such an energetic Eastwood.
Both parties signed the club transfer agreement. From the first of January onward, Eastwood would be considered a member of Nottingham Forest.
Tang En, who had just returned from Basildon, heard that night that Collymore's team had lost yet another match. He knew that this kid was not far away from stepping down.
On Monday morning, the London Stock Exchange Market was open, and Nottingham Forest club announced through a stock market announcement, the changes in the shares of the club—Edward Doughty was currently in possession of 75 percent of Nottingham Forest's shares through means of purchase.
The news confirmed Tang En's guesses. He also completely understood what Doughty and his financial advisor had been doing for the past half of the season.
What did it mean for someone to possess 75 percent of the shares of an English football club? It meant that that person would be in an authority position higher than the board of directors, and that the entire club would completely belong to him. He could immediately announce the club's exit of the stock market, and make the private limited company with a shareholders' system into a private club. There was also no need for him to go through board of directors' meetings to carry out any new policies and future development plans for the club, including reconstruction, expansion, new football fields, purchase and sale of players, the appointments of the upper echelons of the club… In other words, he would become the emperor of the club, and no one could go against any decision of his.
Even if Doughty were to say ”from next season onward, Nottingham Forest's season ticket prices will increase by 300 percent, and the prices of the food and beverages sold within the stadium are to be increased by 100 percent”, this would become an unchangeable decision despite the fans' protests.
Of course, Tang En believed that Doughty would not be foolish to such an extent.
Tang En took a look at the league's points ranking. As Nottingham Forest had consecutively lost matches, it had already fallen to the fourth last team in terms of ranking. It had to be known that the last three teams of the league would be relegated to League Two after the end of the season. If Nottingham Forest were to really be relegated, the percentage of shares Doughty possessed would no longer matter.
If he wanted to make the team into a money-making machine that served a few people, the team would have to produce good results.
Tang En knew that it would soon be time for his debut.
Edward! Give me a call! Tell me you need me!
Just as Tang En finished shouting in his heart, his phone suddenly rang.
”It can't be that coincidental, can it?” Tang En muttered as he picked up the call.
It was indeed Doughty, but his purpose for finding Twain was not to ask him to return to City Ground Stadium, but to tell him unexpected news.
”Tony, I just received a call, telling me that Collymore has been assaulted in a small alley outside a bar, and that he is currently being sent to the hospital. Do you know any news regarding this matter?”
”Ah?” Tang En was stunned for a while, before shaking his head and said, ”No, I don't know. This incident won't have any negative repercussions, will it?” Actually, he really wanted to say, ”Who assaulted him? I want to write him a letter to express my thanks.” However, thinking that such an incident had happened when Doughty had just taken control over the club, there would undoubtedly be some negative association.
”Maybe yes, maybe no.” But upon hearing Doughty's voice, he seemed to not be worrying much at all. ”I'll make a call to verify. I was afraid that you were somehow related to this incident.”
Tang En thought of someone. Rolling his eyes, he said, ”No, why would it be related to me? You know I've been busy recently with Eastwood's matter.”
”Mhmm. In that case, I'm relieved. By the way, Tony… Are you ready?”
”I've been ready for half a year, Edward.”
Amidst the laughter of the two of them, Tang En hung up the call.
Tang En stood up and got dressed. Although it was already close to 10 p.m., he had to make a trip.
Sophia looked at the old Quartz clock hung on the wall anxiously. The hour hand had already passed 10, while the minute hand was pointed to six. It was already half past ten.
One hour ago, she made Wood go out to buy some things. With Wood's speed that could rival track and field athletes, he only required a little bit more than half an hour to come back. But now...
She heard an anxious knocking sound coming from the door on the first floor. She hurried to the windows and peeped through the small gap in the curtains. The person whom she saw knocking on the door shocked her—Tony Twain!
It is already so late. Why is Mr. Twain here?