In Britain, football has never been just a sport; it carries deep roots in community culture.
Every year around Christmas, clubs from the Premier League down to the lowest-tier amateur sides hold numerous community events to thank and give back to the fans who have supported them through the years.
Some people might ask, how many football clubs are there in the UK?
The answer is, no one knows for sure.
Some might scoff. Isn't that ridiculous? It's nearly 2021, and you still don't know?
Honestly, no one does.
According to the latest statistics from the English Football Association (FA), over 40,000 clubs are registered with the FA.
For England, with a population of just over 50 million, that means there's roughly one FA-registered club for every 1,000 people.
These clubs are everywhere—in the bustling streets of major cities, in small towns, and even in the most remote areas. Some say that wherever there are people in England, there's bound to be a football club registered with the FA nearby.
The reason the actual number is unknown is because many more clubs are unregistered.
These clubs have reached into every community and every corner of England, spreading football culture throughout the country.
Each Christmas, these clubs become especially active, engaging in various ways to give back to their supporters.
Many people wonder why the Premier League doesn't have a winter break.
The answer lies here.
In England, the post-Christmas period is when clubs give back to fans.
Not only should there not be a break, but there should be more matches, and even bigger fixtures scheduled.
It's similar to the Spring Festival film season in China, when all the major films are released in clusters.
Because during that time, moviegoers go to the cinema with their families.
Likewise, during Christmas, fans go to the stadium with their families.
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Since the completion of the new stadium, especially after the opening of the Westfield Shopping Centre and the high street, Leeds United has partnered with its sponsors and the City of Leeds every Christmas to organize various vibrant events.
Some events are held deep within the community, while others take place around the Amazon Stadium.
As a result, whether there's a match or not, the area surrounding the stadium is always bustling with tourists.
The entire club is mobilized, with players split into different groups, visiting nearby communities, nursing homes, children's hospitals, and special needs facilities, taking part in various activities and delivering carefully prepared gifts from the club.
This is a very important tradition for Leeds United.
Especially in recent years, as Leeds United's reputation has grown, its fanbase has expanded beyond Leeds to cover all of Yorkshire, and even some fans from Cheshire make special trips to watch Leeds United matches.
The various events organized by the club also attract numerous tourists, both domestic and international.
Leeds United's Amazon Stadium is considered one of the most dreamlike football stadiums in the world. Combined with the surrounding food and entertainment, it naturally draws in countless fans.
This has created a festive, carnival-like atmosphere around Amazon Stadium, with celebrations going on well into the night.
On Christmas Eve, Leeds United held a grand victory celebration at the AXA Centre.
Unlike previous years, this year's event was much larger.
In addition to club players, youth players, coaches, and staff, the invite list also included their families, club partners, legends, and fan representatives.
It was an unprecedentedly grand event for Leeds United.
The club invited renowned chefs from the UK and Europe to cater the event, as well as famous British singers and bands, and prepared a Christmas dinner for all in attendance.
In fact, Leeds United routinely invites singers, bands, and other performers to every home game. This is standard practice aimed at enhancing the atmosphere and encouraging fans to stay longer around the stadium.
In past years, the Christmas dinner parties were never this extravagant.
This year was different.
What stood out even more was that, in the past, it was always the club CEO, Fernando Lucas, who delivered the speech. Even the chairman, Su Qing, rarely appeared. But this time, Gao Shen gave the speech personally.
This was remarkable.
Everyone knows Gao Shen's influence, not just at Leeds United, but across European and world football.
When Fernando Lucas introduced him in detail, the room erupted in thunderous applause, cheers, and even screams.
On behalf of the club, Gao Shen first thanked all the players, coaches, staff, and partners for their strong support.
He stated that Leeds United's current success could not have been achieved without the collective effort of everyone involved.
"This is not just my achievement, nor is it only the achievement of my management team. It belongs to everyone here. On behalf of Leeds United, I sincerely thank you all!"
Gao Shen pointed out that Leeds United are currently leading the Premier League by a wide margin, sitting at the top of the table. This is a gratifying transformation and indicates that the adjustments made over the past period have paid off.
He emphasized that the club had just completed a round of updates and upgrades.
The oldest player in the squad is veteran José Fonte, 37 years old, still active in the first team, though rarely playing.
Captain Vardy has also seen reduced playing time this season, due to the outstanding performances of Haaland and Alvarez, as well as Rashford's ability to play as a center forward. This has significantly limited Vardy's minutes.
The captain is already 33. After winning the Premier League Golden Boot last season, he felt he had fulfilled a long-held dream and relaxed a bit, which led to a dip in form.
This is completely normal.
The oldest regular starter is goalkeeper Alisson, who is 28.
Then comes Ruben Dias, Rashford, and Ramsdale, all just 23.
In other words, aside from José Fonte, Vardy, and Alisson, the oldest player in Leeds United's regular rotation is only 23 years old.
That's astonishing.
But this is the team currently topping the Premier League.
Gao Shen promised that the team's main focus in the near future would be stability. Maintaining the current roster while continuing to improve competitiveness.
"I want to say, our goal is not just to win one or two titles. We aim to remain competitive for championships in the long term!"
This lofty ambition is not empty talk. It is backed by solid achievements.
"Since finishing fourth in the Premier League in the 2015/16 season, this is now our sixth season. We are one of only two clubs that have never dropped out of the top four. Since the 2016/17 season, we have never been lower than third. So I can proudly say, we are a top Premier League club!"
Gao Shen's words received thunderous applause from the crowd.
Leeds United primarily develops its own youth players, so nearly everyone present came through the academy. Their sense of identity and emotional bond with the club is very strong.
That's why they take pride in the club's achievements.
And on the pitch, they will fight for Leeds United until their last breath.
Gao Shen also promised that the club would steadily raise the wages and benefits of its players, coaches, and staff. But this would take time.
"Salary control has never been easy. As you all know, many clubs have collapsed because of mismanagement of wages. That's why we've always been extremely cautious."
"But I promise that Leeds United will raise the team's salary structure over the next two years."
At present, Leeds United's salary cap is £200,000 per week, and only three players earn that figure.
Haaland is not one of them.
As Gao Shen explained, wage increases must be controlled and guided carefully.
Blindly offering top wages would be irresponsible.
In fact, the current harmony in the Leeds United dressing room is directly related to their wage structure.
It's a complex issue.
Over the next two years, Leeds plans to increase their top salary to £250,000 per week. Once that's done, the wage bill will likely be maintained at that level. This would rank Leeds among the top four, possibly top three, in the Premier League in wage expenditure.
Still, it won't match Manchester City or Manchester United.
Of course, if a player becomes impatient and insists on a bigger contract, Leeds United would have no choice but to sell.
Finally, Gao Shen declared that he was very satisfied with Leeds United's current situation.
"I believe that, with the strength we've demonstrated, we're fully capable of competing with the best clubs in the Premier League, in Europe, and around the world. I have full confidence in all of you."
"Here, I want to sincerely thank everyone for your hard work and dedication over the past period. I hope you'll continue to work hard and push Leeds United forward!"
From now on, there is only one goal.
To be champions.
"All the titles!"
Gao Shen's confident declaration lit a fire under everyone present. They all stood and cheered, answering his call and expressing their belief and expectations for the club's future.
First the Premier League, then the Champions League. Only Leeds United can reign supreme in football!
This was the first time that Gao Shen and Leeds United had so openly revealed their ambitions.
Because everyone knew, given Leeds United's current strength and overall competitiveness, the time had come.
If they still didn't take the next step, then this golden generation would inevitably leave for other clubs.
That would be a huge loss for Leeds United.
More importantly, Gao Shen was about to lose his advantage as a transmigrator. Before that happens, he had to leave behind a competitive core for Leeds United, laying a solid foundation for the club to contend in European football for the next several years, or even the next decade.
(To be continued.)