Chapter 3 Unexpected Birthday Gift

In recent years, his footprints have spread across Europe, traveling to various places for study. While enriching his experiences, he has also gained the most direct understanding of the different styles of football in Europe

The other is the name of a football club

When Andrew was captivated by the beautiful blueprint described by Audrich, he began to study law seriously, aiming to become a lawyer, which is a prerequisite for becoming a broker

Barnett left East London to study finance courses in West London, planning to officially enter the financial market next year

As winter gives way to spring, entering the year 1987, Audric's life follows a routine. His elder brother Barnett, immersed in the London Stock Exchange, attempts to integrate into this ruthless game that spares no one. Cautiously, he refrains from recklessly investing his capital.

This is the thought of Audrich after careful consideration; he aims to leverage his advantages as much as possible. In the future, numerous stars and benchmark players will still be young adolescents, and with the impending transformative era in world football ten years from now, the benefits that player agents can obtain will be immeasurable

The guests who came here are also quite curious; the youngest son of the Hall family has been away for a long time, rarely returning throughout the year. It is said that this young man is studying to become a football coach outside, which is truly surprising.

Now, he can be considered a tall, rich, and handsome man

Son, happy birthday

Audric smiled and did not mind, then turned to look at Andrew, who was now in his early twenties and remarkably handsome. The two did not embrace; instead, Audric directly snatched the wine glass from Andrew's hand. The two brothers shared a hearty laugh, conveying everything without words

After releasing his mother, Aldridge stepped forward to embrace his father, smiling as he said, "Your belly is quite frightening."

The Heysel tragedy of the 1980s was merely a symbol of the football hooliganism incidents in England, which were numerous and suppressed by domestic media, literature, and government efforts to quell and cover up. Millwall and West Ham United are representative teams within this context

As time passed, Aldridge's insights into football matches underwent a qualitative enhancement. In his view, there is no coincidence in every goal conceded, and every goal scored is also difficult to attribute to luck. He believes he is now standing at the threshold of becoming a football coach

It was not until the end of 1987 that Aldrich realized this idea

Amelia excitedly stepped forward to embrace Aldrich, kissing him gently on the forehead

To speak frankly, Millwall was only promoted from the third division to the second division last season, and they completed their relegation battle last season. This season, not to mention aiming for the top league, at the very least, they need to establish a firm footing. The team is currently in a period of growth, yet Audridge finds the matches involving Millwall rather dull.

Conservatively estimated, Barnett's total wealth has now exceeded 200 million pounds, and it is on an upward trend. Not only is he quite well-known in London, but he has also established friendly cooperative relationships with numerous business families in North America

Millwall Football Club

Arthur, with a cigar in his mouth and a benevolent expression, smiled without speaking

Aldridge often goes to the Lion's Den to watch the matches of the Wild Lions Millwall, but he always returns disappointed and frequently feels a strong aversion towards the actions of the Millwall fan group

The economic prosperity that lasted for several decades after World War II finally reached its peak, and the economies of Europe and America swiftly entered a phase of recession following Black Monday

Over the course of a year, Audridge accumulated a considerable amount of knowledge regarding football tactics. He not only engaged in self-study but also perused various books. However, he subtly sensed the need for more systematic and professional training, which led him to contemplate furthering his education in football coaching.

In every competition year, Aldridge would leverage his memory to earn considerable returns, in 1988, 1990, 1992, ...

Aldridge's return coincides perfectly with his birthday. He does not mind having a party at home, especially since the Hall family is quite prominent in London these days, a status that cannot be compared to that of wealthier outsiders.

When Aldridge truly began to immerse himself in a coaching perspective and study game footage, he realized that his previous viewpoint as a spectator was highly inadequate. Especially when watching matches on television, he could only see a small portion of the football game for the majority of the time. Even though that portion might be exciting, it could not encompass the overall context of the entire match.

In the second half of 1986, the three sons of the Hall family advanced on their respective paths in pursuit of their ideals

If Millwall is to play against West Ham United, then the hooligan fan groups will become frantic within half an hour of receiving the news. The outcome of the match is of no importance; rather, the conflict outside the stadium will persist from before the match begins until after it concludes.

Barnett approached and embraced Aldridge affectionately, whispering in his ear: "I have placed your birthday gift in your study, I am sure you will like it"

Bang

Aldridge was very restrained at the party, yet he was able to engage in cheerful conversation with everyone who approached him, showcasing his elegant demeanor

Audridge turned his head to look at the couple standing beside him, Brother Barnett and Sister Leah, who appeared to be a perfect match in both talent and beauty

The front gate of the villa was wide open. Audric walked in carrying two large suitcases. Several luxury cars were parked along the broad road, but Audric paid them no mind. After circling around the fountain in front, he arrived at the main door. He set down his luggage and knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside. Audric then pressed the doorknob and pushed the door open directly.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Hall family

In such circumstances, Aldridge appeared disinterested in the match against Millwall, despite the presence of a rising star within the team: Sheringham

Audridge studies football tactics every day. As the birthplace of modern football, England is known today for its rough style of play. However, overall, English football has made an indelible contribution to the development of world football, even though the WM tactical revolution led by Arsenal, the factory of football, is no longer in vogue half a century later

Since Aldrich started working part-time at Sander's shop, the local thugs in the community have indeed refrained from causing trouble in the store. Noticing Aldrich's obsession with football match recordings, Sander always makes a point to seek out more match tapes for him during restocking, especially recordings of matches from other European leagues

Since arriving in this era in the summer of 1986 and becoming the youngest son of the Hall family, eight years have passed in the blink of an eye

Barnett dotes on the two younger brothers as if he were their father

The taxi stopped in front of the villa in the eastern suburbs of London. Audridge paid the fare and tip, and with the help of the taxi driver, he took out his two large suitcases from the trunk.

Andrew discovered that Audridge was studying football match videos every day. Upon inquiry, he learned that Audridge aspired to become a coach in the future. Consequently, Andrew also wished to pursue this direction. However, Audridge advised him to become a talent in an emerging profession: a manager.

He curiously opened the folder and examined it closely, only to be surprised at the end to discover that it was a contract document for the ownership of a football club

Aldridge wishes to focus his attention on the field, yet there is an unmistakable sense of regression in English football. This is not surprising, as English clubs banned from participating in the three major European cups are currently out of sync with Europe. Moreover, the second-tier league inherently lacks technical quality and is deficient in tactical sophistication. The prevailing strategy of long passes and aerial balls, characterized by brute force and physicality, often results in players and the ball being driven into the goal, providing a rather straightforward visual experience

On the day after Black Monday in October, Barnett returned home late at night, his face filled with excitement and his voice trembling as he told everyone at home: We have struck it rich

The wealth of the Hall family has grown as if propelled by a rocket. When the European economy was in recession, Aldrich suggested that the eldest brother shift the investment focus to emerging markets in Asia. Before the Asian financial crisis swept through, the Asian economy was indeed an unparalleled choice for accumulating wealth

Barnett, through borrowing and leveraging in the financial markets, managed to earn hundreds of thousands of pounds despite having limited capital. Subsequently, he took advantage of the low prices to acquire many stocks that Audridge believed would perform exceptionally well in the future. With the financial backing from his older brother, Audridge officially dropped out of school and embarked on a professional training path to become a football coach.

Soon, the 86/87 Division Two League will come to a close. Millwall has performed slightly better than last season, but has not yet achieved a remarkable leap into the top league like the Crazy Gang of Wimbledon. However, Sheringham will return to the team next season after the end of his loan, and it is expected that the team's performance will see significant improvement

As he opened the door, a dazzling sight greeted him; his mother, Amelia, set off a firework, and countless colorful ribbons fell from the sky, landing on Audric's flowing golden hair

In Sander's video store, he is able to study an exciting match repeatedly for a week or even longer, jotting down notes and sketches in his notebook, meticulously analyzing the positioning of both attacking and defending sides, player movements, the trajectory of the football, and so on.

A considerable number of guests arrived in the hall, most of whom were acquaintances from the neighboring community, as well as several old classmates and colleagues of the two brothers and their parents

Aldrich, after a moment of astonishment, revealed a smile. Before him was a sea of people in the grand hall on the first floor, and in front of him stood the elegantly dressed Amelia and his father Arthur, who had gained weight in recent years

Andrew often fantasizes that those unattainable football superstars are his clients, and just being able to get close to them feels like a dream.

He stared intently at the two names in the contract

These individuals, apart from a very few like Aldridge, are mostly unfamiliar to me

One belongs to him.

Then, Aldrich gazed at the vast expanse of the estate-style villa behind him, his heart filled with boundless emotions

The outbreak occurred in October 1987

On May 20, 1994, Audrich flew back to London from Zurich to attend a teaching seminar organized by FIFA. As he took a taxi towards East London, he gazed at the retreating scenes on the street, his handsome and refined face filled with a sense of bewilderment

It was not until late at night that Aldrich finally ascended to his room. He first arranged his luggage properly, consisting of two large trunks: one for clothing and the other for books and documents. He intended to place the books in the study, but inadvertently noticed a folder on the desk

He attributes such emotions to having been accustomed to high-level matches characterized by fluid tactics in his past life, which naturally leads to a lack of enthusiasm for rough and brutal games. It is indeed true that once one has seen the vast ocean, it is hard to appreciate mere water. On the other hand, the environment in which he watches the game also plays a role; sitting among Millwall fans, he has no time to quietly enjoy the match, as his ears are constantly filled with the fans' insults and threats of violence.

Aldrich did not understand financial investment in his previous life, but he was a good student, and the textbook notably mentioned the infamous "Black Monday".