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Chapter 7 - Levi's New Manchester United

For the next few days, Levi was incredibly busy.

On the second day of the traversal, Levi decided to name the club Manchester United FC "FCUnitedManchester" on the spot, and referred to it as FC Manchester United for short. However, everyone inside the club preferred to call it New Manchester United, affectionately nicknamed the Red Rebels.

With four vacancies still available in the Northwest Division B of England, the FA granted New Manchester United direct entry into the division. However, this was contingent upon the FA informing the other Northwest Division B clubs, and New Manchester United could only join with the consent of the majority of the clubs.

Generally, as long as the FA approved, other clubs wouldn't object.

As David Pace had promised earlier, he offered the Butcher's Knife Course to New Manchester United for free. This meant that New Manchester United didn't need to find a new stadium for at least a year. Instead, they secured a temporary training ground in Newton Heath.

Newton Heath held significant importance in the eyes of Manchester United fans as it was the birthplace of the Manchester United club.

The agreement to allow New Manchester United to conduct weekday training in Newton Heath garnered immediate attention from British newspapers, sparking a new wave of hype for the club.

For fans of New Manchester United, training in Newton Heath was akin to a homecoming celebration.

After finalizing the home and training grounds, Levi rented a small office near the Newton Heath training ground as the temporary office location for New Manchester United. The official office staff temporarily consisted only of Levi, Walsh, and David, who volunteered to help. They were still in the process of recruiting a clerk for administrative tasks, albeit with a modest salary.

On the day of New Manchester United Club's establishment, Levi refrained from celebrating. After all, it was just one of over 7,000 amateur clubs in England. There seemed to be nothing worth celebrating at that point.

"If one day we make it to the Premier League or have our own stadium and training ground, then I'll definitely throw a celebration that resonates throughout Manchester!" Levi politely declined the suggestions from the Red Disk Fan Club to celebrate.

With the World Cup in France fast approaching, the world's attention was focused on the tournament. Consequently, the amateur club set up in Newton Heath, Manchester, England didn't attract much attention. The local newspaper in Manchester briefly reported on it, but space was limited.

Following the establishment of the club, the selection of trial players came to an end.

According to statistics, over 1,300 individuals participated in the seven-day trial, although some seemed to have merely come along for the experience. Among them, taxi driver Jim and others made it through the preliminary examination out of more than 500 people.

The feedback from the FA indicated that this number was undoubtedly a new record for all startup club trials, far surpassing the second-place candidate by a significant margin.

Out of more than 500 players, only seventeen would be selected, showcasing the rigor of the trial process while ensuring the strength of the New Manchester United club. Many newspapers even concluded that New Manchester United had already secured the Northwest Division B championship for the upcoming season.

Although the final list of seventeen players hadn't been released yet, it wasn't difficult to discern the qualifications of those selected.

Rodriguez Giggs, the younger brother of Ryan Giggs, couldn't be overlooked. At 21 years old, he possessed speed, technical prowess, and although he might not make it to professional leagues, he was more than capable in amateur leagues.

Recognizing Giggs' talent early on, Levi had signed a contract with him in advance, offering a weekly salary of £60 from New Manchester United along with additional bonuses.

Karl Markinson, a 28-year-old professional player who had played for the Rosellum team of England B for three years before moving to the National League, was another notable addition. Hailing from Manchester, he fully supported Levi's initiative to establish New Manchester United.

Darren Lyons, a right forward, may not have been fast, but his height of 185CM and excellent jumping ability gave him an edge in aerial shots. What truly set him apart was his precise crosses and powerful shots, earning him comparisons to Beckham.

Jonathan Matten, a 22-year-old striker who had previously played in the English National League, was also worth mentioning. His grandfather was Charlie Matten, a well-known figure in football, and he willingly dropped down five levels to join New Manchester United in the Northwest Division B.

With these high-level recruits, along with others from top leagues, New Manchester United was already being touted as the favorite to win the Northwest Division B league championship, despite being a newly-formed club.

Despite the optimism surrounding the team's prospects, Levi remained cautious. He continued to seek advice from Steve Bruce, consulting him on various aspects of team management and player contracts.

Bruce, in turn, provided detailed answers to Levi's queries, offering suggestions and support for New Manchester United's current situation. He emphasized the importance of establishing a youth team, underscoring its significance as the foundation of any club.

Furthermore, Bruce assisted Levi in purchasing training equipment, recognizing the financial constraints faced by the club. Levi expressed his gratitude, acknowledging Bruce's invaluable contributions to New Manchester United's development.

Meanwhile, Levi addressed the club's financial concerns by leveraging his knowledge of upcoming events, such as the French World Cup. With careful consideration and strategic betting, he managed to secure funds for the club while avoiding drawing undue attention.

As Levi shifted his focus back to the team, he realized the need for additional players, particularly in positions like left-back and goalkeeper. Despite the challenges, he remained determined to find suitable candidates to strengthen New Manchester United.

Reflecting on the scarcity of left-footed players in European football, Levi pondered potential solutions. Amidst his deliberations, a familiar name resurfaced in his mind—an individual with the talent and skills they desperately needed.

With renewed determination, Levi resolved to explore this lead further, leaving no stone unturned in his quest to build a formidable team. As he delved deeper into the club's development, he remained steadfast in his commitment to realizing their shared dream of success.