Chapter 56: Revenue Surge
Last Christmas, Bayswater Chinese had neither the means nor the money to hold any events.
The holiday was cold, quiet, and uneventful.
This year was different.
After wrapping up Round 24 of the Championship on December 17th, the squad did a light recovery session the following morning. That afternoon, Yang Cheng led the team to visit the club's new training complex.
Part of it was to show the players the design and layout of their future training home.
Yang Cheng specifically highlighted the plot on the north bank of the Brent Reservoir, where the first-team training ground and player dormitories would be built.
Phase one, currently under construction, would house the youth team training facilities and offices.
Many players had heard plenty about the new base, but for most, this was their first time seeing it in person.
It was a clear sign of Bayswater Chinese's long-term ambitions.
If this were a short-term project, they wouldn't be sinking cash into a fixed asset like a training ground. That kind of money could go straight into the first team for immediate returns.
But Yang Cheng was making a statement—he wanted the players and everyone at the club to believe that the management was committed to long-term development.
After the tour, Yang Cheng took the squad to Silver Jubilee Park for a Christmas event co-organized by the club and several local kindergartens and elementary schools.
It was the first time in club history.
The event was football-themed, and the club had prepared personalized gifts for every child who attended.
It was part of their effort to engage with the local community.
In Yang Cheng's previous life, the Brent and Wembley areas became hubs for relocated London residents. He knew this area would be key for building a long-term fanbase.
Lin Zhongqiu was mildly concerned about costs, but Yang Cheng planned to stick with it.
He also sat down with Dan Ashworth and others to discuss youth development.
Yang Cheng made his stance crystal clear: the club's investment in youth development would not waver.
"I'm prepared to go five—even ten—years without seeing results," he said.
Like the training complex, youth development was a money pit with no immediate reward.
But it showed commitment.
He wanted to reassure everyone inside the club.
And for proof it could work, just look at Manchester City under the Abu Dhabi group.
Their early youth investment paid off years later when they began selling academy players for significant sums. In a country like England, where homegrown players are at a premium, youth development is not a bad bet.
Of course, turning a profit from it? Highly unlikely.
…
After the community event, the team returned to central London.
Last year, they couldn't afford a Christmas celebration.
This year was different. The team was flying high, revenues were strong—and Yang Cheng wasn't going to be stingy.
Long before the holidays, he'd arranged for each first-team player to bring their families to London for Christmas.
All accommodations were arranged at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, close to the club and offered at a steep discount.
During the week before and after Christmas, the club covered round-trip airfare and hotel costs for all families.
Yes, the first team only had 21 players, and most were from the UK or nearby countries—travel costs weren't astronomical.
Still, this was unheard of in the Championship.
Being the first time, and with a skeleton staff, the event wasn't perfect. But the club's sincerity was felt by all.
Players and families alike were understanding.
At the Christmas banquet, everyone gathered together. Yang Cheng made a few important announcements.
The club would add a League Cup bonus and significantly increase the Premier League promotion bonus.
The room erupted in cheers.
Reaching the League Cup semifinals as a Championship team was rare.
Yang Cheng's talk of going all the way wasn't just lip service—it reflected ambition.
He then dropped another bombshell:
The club had signed a deal with German bus manufacturer MAN to purchase two state-of-the-art "Lion's Coach" luxury buses.
The second-generation "Lion's Coach," released in 2003, had won the Red Dot and iF Design Awards—and was a best-seller globally.
Each bus was custom-made, costing £350,000 (around €500,000).
Even by luxury coach standards, that was steep.
But the specs? Top-tier.
Fridge? Of course.
Mini-kitchen and bar? Included.
On the road to away matches, the team could cook and dine onboard.
Each trip would include a driver, chef, and staff.
The total investment: £700,000—just for the buses.
Add in long-term staffing costs, and it became a serious commitment.
But Yang Cheng thought it was worth every penny.
Players cheered again, loving the decision.
Bayswater Chinese didn't have international fixtures yet—but within the UK, the longest trip from London was to Leeds (about 300 km), and Newcastle wasn't much farther (around 450 km).
Most domestic travel was by coach.
Some wealthier clubs flew, but that was rare.
So owning buses was essential.
Until now, Bayswater Chinese had rented theirs—poor quality.
After Yang Cheng arrived, he spent a bit more to rent something better.
But even that didn't compare to a fully custom-built coach.
With their own drivers and staff, players could relax and avoid unnecessary surprises.
Here, Yang Cheng didn't hesitate to spend.
He also authorized other upgrades across the club—hardware and infrastructure.
The squad's response? Overwhelmingly positive.
Yang Cheng couldn't have been more pleased.
…
Back at the table, Yang Cheng sat between Lin Zhongqiu and Xia Qing.
He'd personally invited her.
"So? When are you coming over to help me?" Yang Cheng asked with a grin.
Xia Qing smiled. "Still thinking about it."
"Come on. You really want to keep being a corporate finance drone with no future?"
For weeks, Yang Cheng had been calling—cough, recruiting—her nonstop.
"Look at us. Half the season gone, and our income's exploding," he said proudly.
Xia Qing knew. She'd seen the numbers herself.
Matchday revenue had soared.
That was thanks to London's population and the growing fanbase.
Twelve home matches so far, average attendance around 12,000.
After expenses, they'd netted over £5 million in matchday income alone.
And that didn't include the two League Cup matches against Southampton and Portsmouth—both sellouts.
Those two games, despite slightly lower ticket prices, still brought in close to £1 million.
So, just from home matches, they had already cleared £6 million in revenue.
That's why Yang Cheng could afford Christmas events, family travel, and two luxury buses.
Of course, it still paled in comparison to Premier League income.
"Come on. Hand in that resignation letter already," Yang Cheng pressed.
Xia Qing laughed and shook her head. "You're ridiculous. I still have to go through the process, you know?"
"No worries," Yang Cheng grinned. "You said it—go through the process. I'll wait."
Xia Qing giggled again. What a shameless guy.
Across the table, Lin Zhongqiu downed his drink in silent anguish.
So I've been replaced, huh? Cast aside like an old rag?
Still, he had to admit: Xia Qing was better than him.
Yang Cheng had already discussed it with him—once Xia Qing joined, Lin would return to China to work with Yang Cheng's father in real estate.
By the way, Yang Cheng's dad was doing better than ever back home.
After Liu Xiang won Olympic gold, the company's product line exploded in popularity.
Apparently, the phones wouldn't stop ringing with eager distributors.
Real estate was booming too.
Yang Cheng didn't mind.
As long as the old man stayed out of the UK and didn't drag him down, he was fine with it.
…
After chatting with Xia Qing and comforting the heartbroken Lin Zhongqiu, Yang Cheng headed over to talk with Brian Kidd and the coaching staff—mainly about squad matters.
"I think we need to expand our coaching team—especially someone who can help refine individual technique."
Yang Cheng spoke quietly to Brian Kidd.
"Piszczek needs some serious defensive training," he added.
Kidd understood: Yang Cheng had decided to bet on the Polish player.
After the Portsmouth match, Yang Cheng had asked Piszczek to switch to right-back.
Desperate for minutes, the player agreed.
In the past four games, he had started two at right-back—and played all 90 minutes.
He'd done well. Better than Kevin Foley. Especially going forward.
But there were weaknesses too—poor positioning and limited defensive technique.
Not surprising, given he was a former winger and striker.
"Next match is against United. Their left wing is Giggs, and the right is Ronaldo. What do we do?" Kidd said grimly.
Just hearing Ferguson's name made his face tense up.
"Capaldi is a liability on the left. He's been exposed over and over. We'll probably have to go with Danny Collins," he said.
"Right. Collins doesn't offer much going forward. But what about the right? If Piszczek can't hold it down, we're in trouble."
Yang Cheng sighed.
"Forget United—every team these days attacks from the wings. We already need to double up on Capaldi's side. We can't afford problems on the right too."
Capaldi clearly couldn't cut it as a starter anymore.
But he was still decent going forward—and Yang Cheng didn't have a replacement lined up.
Especially not mid-season.
Tactically, they'd have to cover for him.
That made the right side even more critical.
Yang Cheng was placing big hopes on Piszczek.
"You know," Kidd said suddenly, "I might have just the guy."
"Oh?"
"Danny McGrain. Celtic legend. Played right-back, sometimes left. Retired in '88, then went into coaching. Between '92 and '94, had a brief spell in charge—not great. But since then, he's been working in Celtic's youth academy."
"I know him well. Maybe I can convince him."
"You think he's the right fit?" Yang Cheng asked.
"He was a brilliant fullback. And he's got a gift for teaching technique. I think he's worth a shot."
"Alright. I trust your judgment," Yang Cheng said, smiling and giving him the go-ahead.
He really didn't have a better option.
He'd tried asking Steve Round at Middlesbrough—but got turned down.
If Brian Kidd vouched for McGrain, Yang Cheng was willing to bet on him.
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