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Chapter 259 Because We Were Rained

"Ha! This is the first time I've ever seen someone beg so brazenly..."

"What is he thinking? Why should we give them our ticket revenue?"

"What does the fate of Exeter United have to do with us?"

After watching the video of the man who claimed to be an Exeter United fan, people in the Miners' Bar were buzzing with discussion.

Most people were baffled by Olson's request.

Although he described the predicament his team was facing in the video, it was really difficult for the bystanders listening to him to empathize with him based on just a few words, a few photos, and a few short video clips.

Exeter United is not the only team in England that has faced financial crises or even gone bankrupt and dissolved.

Let alone lower-level teams, even Premier League and Championship teams have had precedents of being placed in administration.

Even the oldest football clubs in England have faced the brink of bankruptcy.

After all, England has the longest history of modern football development, and over time, all sorts of strange things can happen.

Everyone's really used to it...

If we were to empathize with every team on the verge of bankruptcy, then we'd all be doing nothing but pitying others.

But human emotions are limited; how can one possibly have emotions towards all objects without discrimination?

So after seeing this video, many Tyne fans had the same expression as "an old man on the subway looking at his phone".

However, Jon Berger voiced a different opinion:
"I don't think it's necessary to be so harsh on someone who's desperate and resorting to any means necessary. I believe that if there were truly no other way, this Exeter United fan wouldn't want to beg online like a beggar..."

Upon hearing this, Robbie Dixie, who was standing next to him, agreed: "That's right, guys. Think about it, we were once on the verge of bankruptcy. If it weren't for the influx of Middle Eastern capital, who knows what we would be like now?"

Both of these highly respected fans in the community have said so, and the previous voices have indeed become much quieter.

It's not because everyone admires or fears these two people, but because what they say makes sense.

Especially what Dixie said, that their Tyne family had almost gone bankrupt.

If it weren't for their good fortune in attracting Middle Eastern capital... who knows what league their team would be in now, or if they would be able to chat so happily about their team's performance in the Champions League on a sunny afternoon...

Compared to Exeter United, Tyne is lucky because they are a Premier League team, not a League Two team that no one pays attention to.

Seeing that no one objected, Ryan pressed his advantage: "That's why I wanted to show you the video. I think we can really help them!"

Robbie Dixie was quite surprised this time: "How can we help them? You're not thinking of donating money to them, are you?"

While he disagreed with the dismissive and indifferent tone used to discuss the potential bankruptcy of Exeter United, it didn't mean he believed he could solve Exeter United's problems.

In other words, he might not agree that Tyne should give all the ticket revenue to the other party; he just didn't want to say anything hurtful.

Ryan waved his hand: "Where would I get that kind of money?"

"So you want to call on us to raise funds for them?" someone in the crowd asked.

Ryan raised his voice: "Of course not! We don't need to give them a single penny. As for whether the ticket revenue should go to them, that should be negotiated between the two clubs themselves, and it has nothing to do with us ordinary fans. Whether Tyne Club agrees or refuses in the end, I think it's all reasonable, and it's not up to us ordinary fans to interfere... But I think we can at least do one thing, which is to try our best to go to the games and fill up Lize Park Stadium, it's that simple."

After he finished speaking, the bar fell silent for a moment, and everyone seemed to be deep in thought.

Next Wednesday's League Cup match is not an important one. The opponent is too weak, and the outcome is a foregone conclusion. In addition, with two matches in a week, the manager should field a rotation of substitutes to give the key players more rest.

In addition, it was a weekday, a weekday.

How many fans will choose to go to the stadium to watch the game?

Putting aside others, some people in the miners' bar would rather come to the bar to drink and watch the game than go to the stadium.

Jon Berger understood why Ryan was making this appeal: if more people went to the game, ticket revenue would increase.

If Tyne FC agrees to donate its ticket revenue to Exeter United, Exeter United will receive more funds to help them out of their predicament.

Thinking of this, Berg glanced at Ryan and teased, "Looks like the alcohol hasn't completely soaked your brain yet, Ryan."

Dixie understood Ryan's intention, and he was even more curious: "Ryan, why do you want to help Exeter United?"

“Because we’ve been rained on too…” Ryan said with a sigh.

His long sigh silenced those who were about to make fun of him.

Because Ryan's words resonated with all the Tyne fans present.

Yes, we've been caught in the rain too.

Don't be fooled by Tyne's recent winning streak in the league and the Champions League, or by his extravagant spending in the transfer market, which makes it seem like he can buy whoever he wants.

But Tyne's fans didn't enjoy these good days for very long.

After all, the Middle Eastern consortium acquired Tyne only four years ago, and its performance has only improved in a little over six months.

Tyne's fans didn't just get soaked... their clothes weren't even completely dry yet!

Is it because we've been rained on that we don't want others to get rained on too?
Robbie Dixie's booming voice broke the silence in the bar as he said, "I agree with Ryan's suggestion. Everyone should try to go to the game next Wednesday and contribute a ticket!"

Jon Berger said, "It's not enough for us to do it alone. I think we should call on everyone online, just like when someone called on people to go to the airport to see the team off to Europe. More people need to get involved for this to happen!"

※※※

Jamie Olsen has been keeping a close eye on his comments section ever since he posted the video.

However, so far, the response has not been very good.

Most of the comments were sarcastic or even abusive towards him.

They accused him of being a publicity stunt and of using moral blackmail.

Olsen wasn't actually angry about the insults, because he knew these people were right to criticize him.

He just wants to attract attention; he wants to use moral blackmail.

He doesn't care about his reputation as long as he can save his beloved team...

If he didn't create a sensation, how could he get his videos to spread quickly online and catch Tyne's attention faster?
He even felt that his video wasn't sensational enough because it lacked any exciting elements and the production techniques were clumsy and mediocre.

It didn't become a "viral hit" as soon as it was posted online.

As for the accusation of moral blackmail... he certainly knew that he was morally blackmailing Tyne Club.

Given Tyne's financial resources, the ticket revenue from this League Cup match wouldn't even be enough to pay their first-team players' weekly salaries.

Therefore, giving up ticket revenue has no impact on Tyne Club.

However, whether or not to forgo ticket revenue should be a decision made by Tyne Club, not by him on behalf of Tyne Club.

Although he used the word "beg" at the end, trying to make himself seem humble.

But he knew he was using the softest tone to say the hardest words. After he said that, Tyne Club really had no choice. If Tyne chose not to donate its ticket revenue to Exeter United, it would be condemned by countless people as cold-blooded—don't be fooled by the many people criticizing Olsen for moral blackmail now; if Tyne really refused, then there would be even more people criticizing Tyne.

So when Olson says it's "begging," it's actually the same as holding a knife to your chest and saying, "If you don't do as I say, I'll stab you."

It is a "threat" in some sense.

But as I said before, Olsen doesn't mind playing the villain in order for his team to survive.

Perhaps if Tyne Club found out about this, they would eventually reluctantly agree to their "beg," while secretly cursing themselves.

That's fine, as long as his Exeter United team can survive.

Olsen thought to himself, his fingers mechanically refreshing the screen, trying to see if there were any valuable replies.

With each page refresh, a few more comments were indeed added.

But the first few comments were still criticizing or mocking him.

He sped past.

Then, at the very end, I saw this comment:
"Love comes from Newcastle. We are Tyne fans, and we will try our best to fill Liser Park on match day!"

They did not say they supported Olsen's demand to give all ticket revenue to Exeter United.

They just said the stadium would be filled on the day of the game.

But this is already the first confirmed endorsement from Tyne fans since Olsen's video was released!

He didn't know if it was some bored group pretending to be a cross-dresser, and he was too lazy to think about that possibility.

He was like a drowning man, preferring to believe that the straw he was grasping was actually a thick tree trunk...

Then keep brainwashing yourself:
His video really caught the attention of Tyne fans!
That might be seen by Tyne Club!

and so……

Perhaps they will seriously consider their plea?

※※※

"The results aren't very good; we're not getting many responses to the topics we post online..."

In the miners' bar, everyone gathered to chat about the latest hot topic—an online call for everyone to go to the League Cup match between Tyne and Exeter United to show their support for Exeter United.

“I told you this Exeter United fan messed up. I think many of our fans hate this guy’s moral blackmail tactics… I can understand his reasons for doing this, but if I don’t like it, I just don’t like it.”

"Perhaps Exeter United is just too unknown, so this matter hasn't garnered much attention or discussion online. Many people probably don't even know about it. You see, hardly any media outlets have reported on it..."

Tang Lin had already heard about this from Mr. Berg and understood the whole story.

Listening to everyone's discussion, he whispered to the landlord next to him, "Mr. Berg, will you be disappointed?"

Jon Berg shook his head: "No. Helping Exeter United is something we should do as a matter of course. If it gets a lot of positive feedback, that would be great. But if it doesn't, there's no need to be disappointed. After all, we can't force everyone to think the same way we do."

Tang Lin then asked, "If not many people respond to your call, will you still go to the game in person?"

"Of course we'll go. Others are others, we are us. We've decided to go, so we absolutely must go."

Tang Lin thought for a moment and said to Mr. Berg, "Then I'll go too."

After a brief pause, he explained:
"I want to see what that League Two team is like."

※※※

"Will, have you seen that video of Exeter United fans online?"

At Soccer City Northumberland, head coach Sam McNeil met with club general manager Will Foster. After exchanging pleasantries, McNeil brought up a matter.

"You mean the one that wants us to give up half of our ticket revenue?"

McNeil nodded and asked, "What do you think?"

“If you were a reporter, I would have turned around and walked away.” Will Foster scoffed.

McNeil laughed: "But I'm not."

"So to be honest, I don't really like the gimmick that Exeter United fans pulled... Even if they contacted us through club channels and discussed this matter, instead they just had a fan make a video and shout at us..."

Will Foster shook his head.

“I don’t even know if this is the fan’s personal opinion or if it represents the opinion of Exeter United… How am I supposed to respond to them? If I say, ‘OK, we agree to give you all the ticket revenue,’ what if they say, ‘This is all just the fan’s personal opinion, and our club doesn’t need Tyne’s charity’? Then we’ll become the laughing stock of everyone.”

McNeil thought Foster's idea was normal, but he had a different opinion: "Perhaps Exeter United didn't expect this, or maybe they were afraid of being rejected, which is why they didn't contact us. But considering Exeter United's current predicament—they haven't been paid for two months, and players are strictly prohibited from exchanging jerseys with opponents after the game; if someone does exchange jerseys, they have to pay for it themselves because they can't afford to give the players new jerseys—I think Exeter United would be very happy to hear that we agree to give them all the ticket revenue..."

After listening to McNeil's long speech, Will Foster fell into deep thought.

Then he said, "You're right, Sam. We can't rule out those possibilities..."

"So, does the club need to give a formal response?" McNeil asked.

Foster shook his head: "No. At least not now. After all, our next opponent is Mercia United, not Exeter United."

After the Champions League match, the sixth round of the Premier League will be played this weekend, with Tyne playing away against newly promoted Mercia United.

Then next Wednesday is the League Cup match against Exeter United.

Will Foster shrugged and grinned mischievously. "Let's talk about it after the game against Mercia United. Let that Exeter United fan wait, as a little interest on our ticket revenue..."

McNeil laughed when he heard this, but he did not object.

It would be quite strange if the club responded now.

After all, Exeter United is not Tyne's opponent in the next match.

The Premier League is more important than the League Cup.

Focusing on the League Cup now will inevitably distract everyone and prevent the players from concentrating on their preparations.

After all, their next league opponent, Macia United, is indeed very weak. They've played five rounds of the league without a single victory, with one draw and four losses, accumulating only one point and ranking eighteenth, third from the bottom...

Faced with such a weak opponent, and further hampered by other off-field factors, who knows what kind of performance Tyne's players will put on?

McNeil didn't want his players to underestimate their opponents in the league, not even a team widely considered a weak team.

And this is an away game, who knows what might happen?
For safety reasons, McNeil had to be cautious.

He doesn't even plan to make extensive rotations in this match, but rather rotate some players to ensure that the remaining players are still the team's mainstays and capable of defeating Macia United away from home.

He doesn't believe that playing a reserve lineup and struggling against the opponent for 90 minutes away from home will improve the team's physical condition.

(End of this chapter)