For Gao Bo, as the season gradually progressed, the fruits of his pre-season preparations became increasingly evident, showcasing his ability as a head coach.
There was no doubt that Luton's pre-season preparations had been excellent, as reflected in the team's dominant performances on the pitch.
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Time passed quickly, and it was October 11th—the tenth round of League Two, where Luton faced Port Vale.
The entire town of Luton was in a frenzy. Fans wearing Luton's iconic orange jerseys filled the streets, chanting slogans and singing the team's anthem. The spirit of Luton reverberated throughout the town.
Local bars were booming with business, packed with fans who couldn't secure tickets to Kenilworth Road Stadium. Watching games in pubs was a long-standing tradition for English football fans, and Luton supporters stood shoulder-to-shoulder, singing and cheering.
Inside one bar near the stadium, the atmosphere was electric. There was no space to sit, but that didn't matter—standing while watching football was another cherished tradition.
On the TV screens in the bar, the players were already entering the field. When the camera focused on Gao Bo, the entire bar erupted in cheers.
"Gao Bo! Gao Bo!"
Even though they weren't at the stadium, fans chanted his name with unbridled enthusiasm. Meanwhile, at the stadium, the noise from the stands was deafening, causing some reporters to worry if the small venue could handle such a high decibel level.
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By now, Gao Bo had reached near-legendary status among Luton fans.
In the first nine rounds of the league, Luton had won every game, scoring 36 goals and conceding only three. Their 27 points would have placed them eight points clear at the top of the table if not for the 30-point deduction.
This match against Port Vale marked a crucial milestone—if Luton won, their points would finally reach zero. For most teams, this would seem trivial, but for Luton, zero points symbolized a major victory: they would finally climb out of the 30-point deficit and move one step closer to securing safety.
Luton's remarkable form had brought them into the spotlight of major media outlets. The story of a Chinese coach, a team with 30 points deducted, and a squad that had lost most of its key players was initially dismissed as a sure recipe for relegation. Yet, against all odds, Gao Bo had led Luton to nine consecutive wins and was now on the brink of a historic tenth.
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In English football history, no professional team had ever achieved nine straight league wins at the start of a season. Even Chelsea's unbeaten start in the Premier League consisted of eight wins and two draws. If Luton won this game, they would accomplish the unprecedented feat of a ten-game winning streak.
The media were thrilled at the narrative: a young, unknown Chinese coach leading a struggling League Two team to ten straight wins. Gao Bo, now dubbed the "Magical Chinese Coach" by English outlets, had captured the imagination of football fans nationwide.
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Kenilworth Road Stadium was set for a Friday night clash, which meant no overlapping Premier League games. Sky Sports, recognizing the buzz surrounding Luton, opted to broadcast their match live—a rare honor for a League Two fixture. For fans unable to attend, this was a chance to watch their team on TV instead of merely listening to the radio.
Even so, some fans, like the diligent Maxxis, stuck to tradition. Sitting at the gate of the training ground, Maxxis listened intently to the radio commentary while sneaking sips from a small bottle of whiskey. Forbidden by his wife from drinking at home, he had brought the bottle to work to celebrate this special day.
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The voice of commentator Wright-Kinson echoed through the radio:
"Gao Bo! This Chinese coach has led Luton to an incredible nine-game winning streak. With just one more win, they will erase the 30-point deduction!"
The camera frequently cut to Gao Bo, whose composed and youthful demeanor had captured the hearts of fans. At just 27 years old, he was rewriting history in a sport where coaches of color—particularly East Asians—were rare in England's professional leagues.
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Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in a dormitory at Shanghai Jiaotong University, Lin Sen was fiddling with his satellite TV receiver.
An avid football fan, Lin Sen's passion extended beyond the top European leagues; he often watched games from Brazil, Argentina, and even Mexico. On this quiet evening, with no Premier League games on, Lin Sen tuned in to Sky Sports, expecting a Championship match.
When the picture stabilized, Lin Sen was surprised. A League Two match? Why would Sky Sports broadcast this instead of a Championship game?
Just as he considered changing the channel, a figure on the screen caught his attention—the head coach standing on the touchline.
He looked closer.
"Is that… an East Asian coach?"
Curiosity piqued, Lin Sen wondered, Is he Chinese, Japanese, or South Korean?
In his memory, there were no notable East Asian coaches in English football. What could make this one so special? Lin Sen decided to stay tuned, eager to learn more about this mysterious coach and his team.