On July 7, Sheffield United's gathering day finally arrived.
The training base was bustling with people from the morning on this day.
Many fans who came from the city waited at the door early with signs in hand, hoping to get autographs and take photos with their favorite stars.
Maher arrived here wearing sportswear and in a good mood. He has longed to join Sheffield United and today he finally had the opportunity to officially integrate.
"Let's go in first."
Jolson followed behind him and Gilbert, introducing as he walked: "The team has three main processes today: physical examination, photo shoot, and the team competition in the afternoon."
"We're going to have a competition this afternoon?"
Maher was a little surprised, as not many teams would play a game on the first day after they were regrouped.
"Perhaps you and Gilbert haven't realized how difficult this 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 this mercenary group sooner rather than later, 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 any financial crisis and with good performance in recent years, is very attractive to players.
How come the failure to get promoted to the Super League last season led to a personnel crisis?
"Is there an internal conflict?"
He looked at Jolson, trying to judge from his expression whether his guess was correct.
Unexpectedly, the latter did not hide it. After a wry 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."
"You can say that?" Gilbert on the side widened his eyes. This news was really explosive.
"It's not a secret, not even who the successor is."
When Jolson said this, his tone changed again, this time with admiration: "Gary Speed, you should be very familiar with him."
"It's him."
Maher's expression changed. Not to mention Gilbert, who grew up in England, even he had heard of this name.
A living fossil of British football, the first person to reach 500 appearances in the English top league, the person who scored in the top league for 18 consecutive seasons, and the young coach who committed suicide in a bizarre way while serving as the coach of the Welsh national team.
"He's coming 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, it is still there."
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, it can also be called a half sports director."
Without him continuing to speak, Maher had already seen that Jolson should be a direct descendant of Gary Speed's faction and had an average relationship with the current head coach.
"You will meet him later. He is the one who 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 quite a few people.
More than an hour later, the three people who had completed the physical examination walked towards an administrative building.
"Is the next step the modeling photo shoot?"
Gilbert was looking forward to it. "Those photos used when introducing the starting lineup during the game broadcast?"
He also imitated the basketball stars in watching the broadcasts, such as crossing their arms in front of their chests and laughing with their teeth bared and their heads tilted back, which was very funny.
"Not only that, it will also be used in making pre-match posters and player posters."
Jolson patiently introduced the two new players to the professional team. He has been acting as a guide and doing his best in the past few days.
Maher and Gilbert had actually already understood it based on what he said in the car.
He wanted to exchange this effort for the two's efforts for Sheffield United this season. None of the three of them mentioned that matter again, but they kept a tacit understanding in their hearts.
Maher feels that Jolson's handling of the matter was not rational. From the current perspective, it is really difficult for the two newcomers to take on the responsibility of saving the team.
Besides, they are not big-name stars, and they are not here to help alleviate poverty through technology, so it is impossible for them to work without putting in effort.
However, people do behave irrationally when they are extremely fond of or extremely hateful.
A good example is Arsenal, Mr. Wenger.
He sacrificed his own future and stayed with the team through the most difficult period.
"However, let's still go for a brief signing ceremony first."
Jolson led the two to the base's administrative building and headed toward the media room. "Mr. Gary Speed has been waiting for you there."
Maher was a little excited. He looked at Gilbert and then quickly followed. They both wanted to meet this senior in the football world.
"Creaky." 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 us. It was deserted and there were only a few cameras, which seemed to belong to the club.
For young players who have just come out of the youth team and have no statistics in the professional arena, it is indeed difficult to get the attention of the media and newspapers.
But this wonderful first time still made Maher feel novel and excited.
He glanced around and then locked his eyes on the front of the media room.
Standing there was a middle-aged man wearing a navy blue suit, a blue and white tie, and a white shirt. He had a very distinctive figure and gave people a sense of competence, but there was fatigue in his eyes.
"Welcome, both of you."
Gary Speed forced a smile, walked over slowly and held out his hand, "I was supposed to meet you earlier, but I was delayed because I went out a few days ago."
"Good morning sir."
Maher walked up to him, shook hands with him, gave him a light hug, and then walked aside.
After Gilbert finished the greeting, the two of them sat at the table in front of the media room under the guidance of Gary Speed.
"The club welcomes both of you very much."
Gary Speed smiled and placed two contracts in front of the two men, and said politely: "You are the team's last two signings this season and the team's last reinforcements. I hope you will be happy here."
Then, he picked up a pen and opened the contract in front of him. "I believe you have already seen the details at Arsenal. After the signing is completed, you will be an official member of Sheffield United."
Maher nodded slightly, picked up the pen beside him, and wrote his name in several places on the contract.
"Click, 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 men, "Let's take a photo together."
Maher took over his No. 31 jersey, which he had chosen before arriving. July 7 was his birthday, so it was almost time.
As a winger, the best jersey numbers are of course 7 and 11.
But this number had already been taken by players with more experience in the club, and as a newcomer, he definitely had no chance.
Holding his jersey, Maher stood on the left side of Gary Speed with a genuine smile.
Gilbert was on the right side of Gary Speed, smiling just as brightly.
"Click! Click!" The shutter button was pressed quickly and the flash kept flashing, recording this moment.
The two young men in the camera look happy, with bright eyes, full of expectations and longings for their future.
As for the middle-aged man in the middle, he squeezed out a smile of expectation from his tiredness and gave a thumbs up.
Any first time is worth remembering, and this day is no exception.
(End of this chapter)