On July 10, Sheffield United's gathering day finally arrived.
The training base was bustling with people from the morning.
Many fans from the city waited at the door early with signs, hoping to get autographs and take photos with their favorite stars.
Maher arrived here in a sportswear, in a good mood. He had longed for Sheffield United for a long time, and today he finally had the opportunity to officially integrate.
"Let's go, go in first."
Jolson followed him and Gilbert, introducing as he walked: "The team has three main processes today, physical examination, photo shooting, and team competition in the afternoon."
"Competition in the afternoon?"
Maher was a little surprised. Not many teams play games on the first day of their return.
"Perhaps, you and Gilbert haven't realized how difficult the club is."
Jolson shook his head and pursed his lips and said, "Including you, Sheffield United has six loan players and four free players this season, which is almost half of the first team.
"If the coaching staff doesn't get familiar with such a mercenary team soon, won't they be unable to conduct pre-season training?"
Maher really didn't expect that the famous 'Blades' Sheffield United would encounter such embarrassment this season.
It stands to reason that such a long-standing club, without a financial crisis and with good results in recent years, is very attractive to players...
How come there was a personnel crisis after failing to advance to the Super League last season?
"Is it... internal conflict?"
He looked at Jolson, trying to judge whether his guess was correct by the other's expression.
Unexpectedly, the latter did not hide it. After a bitter smile, he said, "Yes, the conflict between head coach Kevin and the players is almost irreconcilable. The management is preparing to replace him, but I don't know the exact time. "
"Can you say that? "Gilbert on the side widened his eyes. This news was really explosive.
"It's not a secret. Even who will take over is not a secret."
When Jolson said this, his tone was different. This time he said with admiration: "Gary Speed, you should be familiar with him."
"It's him."
Maher's expression moved. Not to mention Gilbert, who grew up in the UK, even he had heard of this name.
A living fossil in British football, the first person to reach 500 appearances in the British top league, the person who scored in the top league for 18 consecutive seasons... and the young coach who committed suicide in the Welsh national team.
"He came to Sheffield United?"
Gilbert's expression became excited, and he seemed to be a fan of Speed. "I thought he was still playing football."
"Yes, he is still."
Jolson glanced at them and proudly introduced: "Mr. Gary Speed is a registered player of the club and also serves as the team's first assistant coach.
"When the position of sports director is vacant, he can be called half sports director."
Without him continuing, Maher has seen that Jolson should be a direct descendant of Gary Speed's faction and has an average relationship with the current head coach.
"You will meet him later. He also made the decision to sign you this time."
After saying this, Jolson quickened his pace and walked towards the physical examination room, where there were already many people.
......
More than an hour later, the three people who completed the physical examination walked towards an administrative building.
"Is it the next step to take the modeling photos?"
Gilbert was looking forward to it, "The photos used to introduce the starting lineup during the game broadcast?"
He also learned to watch the broadcast, and the stars made the actions of crossing their arms on their chests and grinning with their heads raised, which was very funny.
"Not only that, it will be used in making pre-match posters and player posters."
Jolson patiently introduced the two new players of the professional team. He has been acting as a guide and doing his best in the past few days.
Maher and Gilbert, combined with what he said in the car, actually understood it a long time ago.
He wanted to exchange the two's contribution to Sheffield United this season through this contribution.
None of the three of them mentioned that matter again, but they kept a tacit understanding in their hearts.
Maher felt that Jolson's handling of this matter was not rational. From the current perspective, it was really difficult for the two newcomers to take on the responsibility of saving the team.
Besides, they were not big stars, and they were not here to help the poor with technology. It was impossible for them to work without effort...
However, people do behave irrationally when they love or hate someone very much.
Arsenal has a good example, Mr. Wenger.
He sacrificed his future and persevered through the most difficult period of the team.
"However, let's go to a brief signing ceremony first."
Jolson took the two to the administrative building of the base and walked towards the media room. "Mr. Gary Speed has been waiting for you there for a long time."
Maher was a little expectant. He looked at Gilbert and quickly followed. They all wanted to meet this senior in the football world.
"Squeak." As Jolson quickly pushed open the door of a room and made a gesture of invitation.
A media room of about 100 square meters appeared in front of him. It was deserted, with only a few cameras set up, which seemed to be the club's own.
For young players who have just come out of the youth team, it is indeed difficult to get the attention of the media and newspapers without any data in the professional arena.
But... this wonderful first time still made Maher feel novel and excited.
He glanced around, and then locked his eyes in front of the media room.
There stood a middle-aged man wearing a navy blue suit, a blue and white tie, and a white shirt. His figure was very iconic, giving people a sense of efficiency, but there was fatigue in his eyes.
"Welcome, both of you."
Gary Speed forced a smile, walked slowly and stretched out his hand, "I should have met you earlier, but I was delayed by going out a few days ago."
"Hello, sir."
Maher walked up, shook hands with him, and hugged him lightly, then walked aside.
After Gilbert finished the greeting etiquette, the two of them sat at the table in front of the media room under the guidance of Gary Speed.
"The club welcomes you two very much."
Gary Speed smiled and placed two contracts in front of the two people, and said politely: "You are the team's last two signings this season, and also the team's last reinforcement. I hope you will have a good time here."
Then, he picked up a pen and turned over the contract in front of him, "I believe you have seen the details in Arsenal. After the signing is completed, you will be an official member of Sheffield United."
Maher nodded slightly, picked up the pen next to him, and wrote his name in many places in the contract.
"Click!" The club staff standing behind quickly pressed the shutter of the camera to record this moment.
After signing the contract, Gary Speed stood up, took out two brand new jerseys from under the table, and handed them to the two people, "Let's take a group photo."
Maher took his No. 31 jersey, which he chose before coming here. July 31 is his birthday, and it's almost time.
As a winger, the best jersey numbers are of course No. 7 and No. 11.
But this number had already been chosen by the club's more experienced players. As a rookie, he definitely had no chance.
Holding the jersey, Maher stood on the left side of Gary Speed, smiling sincerely.
Gilbert was on the right side of Gary Speed, smiling just as brightly.
"Click! Click!" The shutters were pressed quickly, and the flash kept flashing, recording this moment.
The two young men in the camera looked happy, with dazzling eyes, full of expectations and longings for their future.
As for the middle-aged man in the middle, he squeezed out a little expectant smile from his fatigue and gave a thumbs up.
Any first time is worth remembering, and this day is no exception.