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Chapter 261 We Will Fill the Stadium

The biggest highlight of the sixth round of the Premier League was Tyne's 8-0 away victory over Mercia United.

Before the match, no one thought it would be the focus of this round; it was just an ordinary game.

As a result, Tyne, who was in a frenzy, turned the match into the focus of everyone's attention.

After the game, countless media outlets analyzed Tyne's performance.

Mercia United's "brave" attacking performance against Tyne in the first half was one reason, but it cannot explain why they still conceded five goals in the second half despite tightening their defense.

Professional commentators and journalists wrote articles analyzing McNeil's tactics, which placed higher demands on each player. They could not only be good at playing in their original positions, but also be able to play in other positions.

For example, Tyne's full-backs often need to be able to play as wingers; it's not enough to just be good at defense but lack attacking ability.

This is why Anderson Nova, who only joined the team this season and is younger and less experienced than Charlie Cohen, has been able to quickly become a key player on Tyne's current team.

Because his offensive ability is superior to Charlie Cohen's.

At the same time, Charlie Cohen also made changes, getting more involved in the offense.

Therefore, he assisted Barnabas in scoring a goal in this match.

This goal is truly the best illustration of McNeill's new tactics:
The two full-backs charged all the way to the vicinity of the opponent's penalty area and finally completed a successful link-up play.

During this attack, the other players from Tyne were coordinating with the two full-backs. Wang Lie, Miguel Ribeiro, and Vitini all squeezed into the penalty area, along with Van Ginkel, making a total of four people in the penalty area. When Charlie Cohen crossed from the left at a 45-degree angle, Massia United all thought he was going to cross to these people in the penalty area.

Unexpectedly, his cross went directly to the far post, finding right-back Barnabas, who had cut inside from the wing to the edge of the penalty area.

At that moment, Barnabas was almost unmarked when he received the ball.

His decision after receiving the ball was also decisive; he controlled the ball and took a shot in one smooth motion.

This fully demonstrates that this was not a spur-of-the-moment attack.

Instead, they practiced the offensive tactics repeatedly on the training field.

Unlike last season's 9-0 home victory against Sofia United, Wang Lie's contribution to this 8-0 win was actually not that significant.

Because he left the field early after completing his hat trick.

After he left the field, Tyne scored three more goals.

Moreover, when he's on the court, Tyne's offense isn't completely ineffective without him.

For example, in Wang Lie's first goal, Ribeiro actually had a better chance, so Cabella was looking for Ribeiro. However, the pass wasn't good; it hit a Macia United defender and, by chance, fell to Wang Lie, who then scored with his exceptional individual skill, breaking the deadlock.

If Tyne can replicate this attacking performance in every game from now on, they might actually create quite a stir in the league and Champions League this season.

With six rounds of the league completed, Tyne remains in first place – they are tied with Clayton Sports on 16 points, but Tyne sits ahead of Clayton Sports on goal difference.

When Tyne first appeared at the top of the league standings, many Tyne fans thought it was just a flash in the pan. They celebrated to seize the fleeting opportunity to enjoy themselves – after all, if they didn't celebrate then, they were afraid they wouldn't have the chance to celebrate later.

They don't care about the many sarcastic and disdainful voices from the outside world.

Who would have thought that from the third round onwards, they would remain at the top of the league and never relinquish their position.

This performance has truly proven many of their critics wrong.

Of course, the league has only played six rounds so far, so we can't say that Tyne will still be in this position at the end of the season based on the current rankings.

So people like Lawrence Dadomo would pour cold water on everyone's enthusiasm.

However, given Tyne's 8-0 victory over Mercia United, giving them a commanding 18-goal lead and putting them atop the table, it's hardly convincing to say that Tyne's hot form hides some concerns. Most people wouldn't believe it at this point.

Moreover, Tyne's next match is not a difficult Champions League group stage game, but a League Cup match against a League Two team.

If you can sweep an English Premier League team 8-0 away, what do you think you'll do when you play a League Two team at home?

It could very well be another big win.

Look at the current situation of Exeter United, Tyne's next opponent. The game hasn't even started yet, and everything is already a foregone conclusion.

It's uncertain whether this club can continue to exist; they haven't paid salaries for two months.

It is said that the club has entered the countdown to bankruptcy administration.

Even if it is placed under trusteeship, it will be difficult to change the club's situation. After all, very few people are willing to take over this insignificant team.

The team might go bankrupt and disband before winter even arrives...

※※※

Tom Charlesley put down the phone, took off his glasses, and then pinched the bridge of his nose, looking very tired.

He was truly exhausted, both physically and mentally.

He spent the whole morning making phone calls. A consortium had previously expressed interest in acquiring him, but when he contacted them again today, they changed their minds.

This indicates that they intend to use the funds in areas where they can create greater value.

I just don't think Exeter United is worth acquiring...

But Charlesley really couldn't refute such a response.

As a League Two team, Exeter United is as ordinary as can be. It has neither a glorious past nor widespread influence. It is only well-known in its own city of Exeter. Outside of this port city, there are very few people who know about or support it.

He had previously contacted many wealthy individuals and businesses in Exeter, hoping to get their help.

Finally, one company has given a clear and positive response.

However, the other party also raised a more practical issue: acquiring or investing in a club is not as simple as buying a bottle of milk at the supermarket; it requires time and complicated procedures.

Therefore, it is impossible for the other party to complete all the preparations before the club enters bankruptcy administration.

But if Exeter United is indeed placed under administration, things will become very complicated, and some things will not go according to the club's own wishes...

If possible, he hoped the other party could settle everything before the club was placed under trusteeship.

So today he made several phone calls to negotiate with various parties, but still did not get a positive result.

Just as Tom Charlesley was feeling utterly exhausted, his cell phone, which was lying beside him, started ringing and vibrating.

Someone called him.

The ringtone gave Charles a jolt of excitement—at this moment, any call could mean an opportunity, as it could be from an investor or a middleman.

Although the caller displayed on his phone screen was a local journalist he knew.

Journalists often have extensive networks, which might bring them new leads.

He answered the phone, and before he could even speak, the person on the other end impatiently asked, "Tom, has the club contacted Tyne Club?"

"Huh?" Tom Charlesley was taken aback, not understanding what his journalist friend was talking about, so he asked, "Contact what? Why contact Tyne?"

"Haven't you been paying attention to the news online?" the reporter asked, puzzled.

"I'm sorry, I've been very busy lately..."

“Okay…” the other person sighed, then said, “I’ll send you a video. Watch it yourself, and you’ll understand why I asked you if you’d contacted the Tyne Club…”

After saying that, the reporter hung up the phone abruptly, and at the same time, a new message appeared on Charlesley's phone.

It was a video sent by this reporter.

Before he even pressed play, he recognized an old face in the very first frame of the video—Jamie Olsen!

What is the connection between Jamie Olsen's videos and Tyne?
With this question in mind, he clicked on the video.

Wearing an Exeter United jersey, Jamie Olsen introduced himself in front of his phone camera: "Dear Tyne fans, hello, my name is Jamie Olsen, an Exeter United fan. Exeter United are your opponents in the third round of the League Cup next week..."

Then Olsen introduced Exeter United to Tyne's fans, explaining what kind of team it was and his feelings for the club.

Next, I will tell you about the problems and difficulties that Exeter United is currently facing.

Finally, he addressed the Tyne club:

"I beg that next Wednesday, when Tyne hosts Exeter United, my dear Tyne fans, you will all be able to come to the stadium to watch this game, which is a foregone conclusion for you. I also beg that Tyne FC will donate all the ticket revenue from our match against you to Exeter United..."

Tom Charlesley put his hand to his forehead, finally understanding why he had contacted the Tyne Club...

Who would have thought that a stadium maintenance worker at the club would actually film a video directly demanding ticket revenue from Tyne Club?
Although his attitude in the video was relatively humble, some things, no matter how polite you are to say them, can easily provoke dissatisfaction...

Charles Lee didn't know if Tyne Club had seen the video, but even if they had, they probably wouldn't have contacted him.

After all, who would proactively contact someone to give money when they are being asked to do so?
Therefore, it is indeed up to us to contact the Tyne Club about this matter.

However, Charlesley did not intend to send a letter to Tyne Club immediately, but instead searched for relevant information on his computer.

After searching for a while, he picked up his phone again and left the office.

Exeter United is a very small club, and Charlesley knows every part of it inside and out.

So he quickly found Jamie Olsen outside the stadium, busy with his colleagues.

"Jamie," he greeted him, walking over to Olson and saying, "Is it convenient for us to talk?"

The colleague looked at the two of them strangely.

Olsen, however, had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on, so he put his tools aside, took off his gloves, and followed Charles Lee to the side.

Once it was just the two of them left, Charlesley asked, "Did you really film that video? Or was it some kind of AI-generated composite?"

Olsen shook his head and said, "I filmed it, it wasn't AI-generated."

He then cautiously asked, "Did I cause the club to be cyberbullied?"

Since releasing the video, Olsen has been subjected to a barrage of criticism online, with all sorts of insults directed at him, and the insults themselves being quite harsh.

He doesn't care about his reputation online; he doesn't care how much people criticize him.

But if Exeter United gets criticized because of him, that's definitely not what he wants to see—you can criticize me, just don't criticize the club…

Seeing his reaction, Charlesley quickly waved his hands and shook his head: "No, no, it hasn't come to that yet. I'm just curious how you came up with the idea of ​​doing this? Getting Tyne to give us 45% of their ticket revenue..."

“Uh…” Olsen scratched his thinning hair. “I just thought of this by going out of context with the rules, and then I went back and searched to see if there were any precedents, and found that there really were… but those were all thirty years ago. I just wanted to give it a try…”

"How's the effect?"

Olsen shook his head: "I don't know. But some Tyne fans did reply to me online, saying they support us and they'll mobilize more Tyne fans to go to the game..."

Upon hearing this, Charlesley pressed further, "Are you still in contact with those Tyne fans?"

When asked about this, Olsen was a little embarrassed: "I...uh, I left them a message asking about the progress, but they didn't reply..."

Before coming, Charles had already done his research online; he was well-prepared. Hearing Olson's hesitant manner, he knew Olson was also aware of the details, so he stopped beating around the bush and said to Olson:

“I’m very grateful that you’ve gone this far for the club, Jamie. I also understand your feelings for the club… We will discuss the ticket revenue with Tyne.”

“But Jamie, I think it’s best not to get your hopes up too high. Tyne has no reason to help us, and if they really refuse our request, we can’t say anything, you understand?”

Jamie Olsen nodded somewhat dejectedly: “I understand, Mr. Charlesley. But I still hope Tyne Club can help us out. After all, what are a few hundred thousand pounds to them? They're so rich; a little bit of it between their fingers would be enough for us to live on for a year…”

“That’s their money, Jamie. No matter how rich they are, it’s their own money. We can’t assume that just because they have money, they should be generous.”

After speaking with Olsen, Tom Charlesley patted him on the shoulder and said, "Whatever the final outcome, I thank you on behalf of the club for your contribution, Jamie."

After saying that, he turned and left.

After saying goodbye to Olsen, he took out his phone and texted the reporter from earlier: "John, want a news story?"

※※※

Ryan rested his chin on his hand, listlessly staring at the message on his phone.

The message came from Olsen, an Exeter United fan, asking about the progress of his promise to unite with Tyne fans to support Exeter United.

This message was actually sent by the other party yesterday.

This occurred after Tyne defeated Mercia United 8-0 away from home.

The other party waited until Tyne finished his Premier League match before asking, which seemed to be intentional, in order not to disturb Tyne's fans' focus on their team and Mercia United's league matches.

Because the league is obviously more important than a League Cup third-round match against a League Two team.

It has to be said that Jamie Olsen seemed a bit ungrateful in the video, but he's actually a very decent person...

Ryan had no answer for Exeter United fans who were eagerly awaiting good news.

So far, there haven't been many Tyne fans responding to them.

It seems like nobody really cares about saving Exeter United.

We have sailed from the River Tyne into the ocean, and our goal is the stars and the sea. What does the life or death of a League Two team have to do with us?

Our interest should be in the Premier League, and the Champions League...

Perhaps this is what many Tyne fans are thinking now.

They had already begun to float up into the clouds, so naturally they would no longer glance at the increasingly insignificant land beneath their feet.

Just as Ryan was lost in thought, Robbie Dixie exclaimed beside him, "The event we started is trending locally!"

Ryan was still in a daze when someone next to him asked, "What activity?"

“Of course it’s that ‘Let’s fill the stadium’ thing!” Robbie Dixie said, waving his phone. “I’ve seen so many people commenting on the hashtag that they’re going to join the call and go to the games!”

Ryan only came to his senses after hearing Dixie's words, and he immediately switched to the local section of the social media.

Sure enough, the hashtag "Let's fill the stadium" appeared at the top of the local trending topics list!
He started swiping the screen, and messages scrolled down one by one:
"#Let's fill the stadium# I saw that video too. Anyway, I'll be there in person!"

"#Let's fill the stadium# Actually, I think this Exeter United fan is right. Our club doesn't lack ticket revenue from this match. Even if we lose a few hundred thousand, it won't affect our club's finances at all. In that case, why can't we give the money to Exeter United, who needs it the most?"

"Guys, we, the 'Port Workers' Fans Association,' have decided to heed the call of the 'Miners'! Tyne fans should unite, just like they say—we've been through the rain! We know it's not good to be in the rain! So we should hold umbrellas for others! #Let'sFillTheStadium#"

"Sorry I only just found out about this. I completely agree with my 'Miners' brothers, I will be going to the game! And I also support the club donating all ticket revenue to Exeter United! #Let'sFillTheStadium#"

"#Let's fill the stadium# I've been to Exeter, my aunt lives there... I have to say, the football there is really pure. It's a small club, but whenever there's a home game, the stadium and the stadium are full of fans... They love their hometown team so much, just like we love Tyne!"

……

There were many similar enthusiastic comments, which left Ryan dumbfounded. He murmured, "Why all of a sudden..."

Jon Berger laughed and replied, "Maybe it's because after the match against Mercia United, everyone can finally focus on the upcoming games..."

Tang Lin offered another explanation: "I heard that some media outlets reported on this, especially the local Newcastle media. While they were looking for hot topics related to the League Cup match, they unearthed the story of that Exeter United fan..."

Ryan didn't continue reading; instead, he switched back to his private chat with Exeter United fan Olsen, whose question was still at the bottom of the chat history:

"Hey Tyne's friends, excuse my bluntness, but I'd like to ask how many people will be going to watch the game live?"

Ryan's fingers flew across the keyboard as he responded to the other person's question:

"Sorry for the late reply, Exeter United friend. But I think we can assure you, man... we'll fill the stadium!"

(End of this chapter)