Levi spent the next few days in the Butcher's Knife Stadium office, even staying there overnight because his house on distance had been taken back.
"You are definitely the first club owner on the street in the history of football!" Walsh joked with Levi every time they met, then suggested whether Levi should stay at his house for a few days and wait to rent a new place before moving in.
Levi refused every time because Walsh was married and had a three-year-old child. The family of three was very welcoming, and Levi didn't want to be an extra burden on their lives.
But living in the stadium office had its perks, at least it was much more convenient.
The newly formed club was really busy, and almost everything had to be finalized by Levi.
The warm-up match had been scheduled. The first one was against Droyston, set for July 8. By that time, Droyston would have been training for two and a half weeks. After discussing with the team coach over the phone, David Pace decided to accept New Manchester United's invitation.
The game would be held at Butcher's Knives Stadium, with all the ticket revenue going to Droyston. New Manchester United wouldn't take any money.
This was Levi's decision to show gratitude for David Pace's support of New Manchester United.
The second warm-up match was also in the Manchester area against the Leif RMI team. Since Droyston would also hold a warm-up match, New Manchester United would play away against them.
Additionally, there were three other warm-up games against low-level teams near Manchester. New Manchester United would be playing away, and the home team would share ticket revenue with them.
Don't think that the low-level team's ticket income is insignificant. In fact, for an amateur team, it is quite substantial.
Take Butcher's Knives Stadium, for example. It can accommodate up to 3,000 fans, but in reality, it can arrange 4,000 tickets, each selling for £5, which amounts to £20,000.
Of course, in the low-level amateur leagues, no team ever fills their stadium, whether it's a warm-up match or a regular league game, even the FA Cup when a Premier League team visits. So Levi and the others originally didn't expect to sell out the first warm-up match. They thought it would be good to have ticket income of £10,000.
But in reality?
On the second day after the club's announcement, just one day later, more than 400 tickets for the first warm-up match were sold. Even David Pace found such sales results incredible because Butcher's Knives Stadium is in the suburbs, and many fans who bought tickets live in urban areas. This meant at least three hundred fans would drive to support them.
"Maybe this warm-up match will be the first time Butcher's Knife Stadium is sold out!" David Pace said with emotion.
He was both a loyal Manchester United fan and the boss of Droyston, so he was feeling a mix of jealousy and happiness.
"This is just the beginning; it might not always be this way." Levi smiled humbly.
"How many season tickets have you sold?" David Pace asked with concern.
"More than three hundred. How about you?" Walsh replied casually.
Just then, a call came in, so he walked over to answer it.
Pace shook his head sadly. The club he had run for so many years wasn't doing as well as a newly established club. This frustration was quite a blow.
"We've sold less than 50 season tickets!" Pace admitted with a grin.
"It's okay, it's okay. Haven't you just begun?" Levi said, feeling embarrassed but also deciding that if the ticket income was really ideal, he would pay David a maintenance fee for the stadium. After all, David refused to collect rental fees, but maintenance costs were inevitable.
"By the way, are these our jersey designs for the new season?" Levi pointed at several artwork designs Pace had brought and shifted the topic.
"Ah, yes, this is the style I asked the company's designers to design for you. Take a look!" Pace opened the seal on the artwork, took out a few design drawings, and spread them out.
New Manchester United's home jersey design adhered to the spirit of the Red Devils, using red as the main color. It looked very similar to this year's Manchester United home jersey. The most prominent feature was the zipper collar. The left side of the zipper had the New Manchester United logo, and on the right was the logo of jersey sponsor David Pace Clothing Company. The zipper was where the chest sponsor logo should be, but because New Manchester United couldn't find a chest sponsor, it was unnecessary.
"They've already copied the Manchester United club, and they want to copy their jerseys too. That's ... not kind!" Levi thought.
"David, I think this style should be changed, and the color too! It's too similar to the Manchester United home jersey." Levi shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Pace nodded, "Well, what changes do you want to make?"
"Zip-up collars are indeed very popular. Manchester United's jerseys are selling well now, but I don't think these jerseys are comfortable to wear. I suggest using a round collar. The collar can be made in other colors. The two pull cords should connect directly to the collar. I think the two pull cords should be one green and one gold."
"The Green Gold Army?" Pace immediately understood what Levi meant.
Green and gold were the colors of Manchester United's predecessor Newton Heath's jersey. So, many people also called Manchester United the Green Gold Army, but later Manchester United's jersey design gradually abandoned these two traditional colors and changed to red.
"Yes, I think our jerseys should use a bit of retro material. I hope everyone who sees this jersey will remember our Newton Heath!"
Speaking of it, Levi outlined the style of the jersey he wanted in his mind. Finally, he came up with a brilliant idea.
"The jersey is red, the shorts are pure white, and green and gold for the lines on both sides. The material should be mesh, if possible. Put the New Manchester United logo on the left and your company name as the main sponsor."
"We?" David Pace was surprised.
"Yes, David, you've helped us a lot, lending us the stadium and taking charge of our jerseys. You are our main sponsor. I think no matter how hard we try, we can't find a better sponsor than you!" Levi said sincerely.
"But ..." David Pace was a little flattered.
"No buts, David. If you don't accept it, you don't have to make that jersey!" Levi insisted.
After hesitating for a moment, Pace shook his head helplessly and pointed at Levi. He wanted to say something in gratitude, but felt it would be too formal. In the end, he just had a grateful look in his eyes.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll head back. I'll have the designer make the changes according to your requirements, then bring it back for your confirmation, and we'll produce it immediately!"
After that, David Pace left.
As soon as he left, Walsh came back in, looking worried.
"What's wrong, Andy?" Levi looked at him, thinking something had happened.
Walsh sat down in front of Levi and handed out a notice from the FA. "The FA has taken into account the special circumstances of the Northwest Division B this year, so they've decided to adjust the first opener and let us play away against Lick CSOB."
"Why? Weren't we supposed to play at home?" Levi was surprised.
"Yes, but our current season ticket sales should reach about 800. Do you know? Even many professional clubs in the C level may not sell that many. So the FA has to consider if our opponent's stadium can handle playing against us."
Levi was a bit distressed. He never expected that being too popular with the fans would become a problem in the amateur league. This was a strange situation he had never heard of before.
"If that's the case, you have to negotiate with the FA. Make sure our home games don't conflict with Drouyden's home games. Otherwise, I don't know what to do." Levi could only smile bitterly in the end.
Could he refuse the FA's arrangement?
However, sharing a stadium with another club was indeed a big problem. Just look at AC Milan and Inter Milan. But building their own stadium was unrealistic, at least for now, because Levi didn't have that kind of money!
"Yeah, that's why I talked to the FA for so long. I'm afraid of such a conflict. But honestly, Levi, I don't think renting Butcher's Knife Stadium long-term is a good idea."
"I know, but for now, renting is our only option. We should first look at the stadium situation this year and pay attention to any vacant stadiums nearby. When the opportunity arises, we need to rent a stadium entirely for us, or at least one that doesn't conflict with our game schedule."
"Agreed," Walsh felt the same way. Sharing a stadium was too troublesome.
Then they discussed some of the jersey designs Pace had brought over. Walsh also agreed with Levi's previous design, thinking that adding green and gold, along with retro fabrics, would resonate with fans.
They then discussed the New Manchester United club logo.
This was designed by Walsh in a bar, brainstorming with members of the Red Rebels. The shield in the middle symbolizes the spirit of the Red Rebels to defend the soul. The surface of the shield is divided into two layers. The top has a sailing boat, representing Manchester's port trading city, and the same red and yellow stripes as Manchester United's earliest previous team logo, representing nobility.
Although it was a brainstorming design, Levi still felt the team logo was too simple. Whenever there was an opportunity, he would find someone to redesign it, preferably