Around the table are seven directors — including old-school traditionalists and younger, corporate-types — ready for answers.
At the far end, KENNY BARKER, a sharp-tongued ex-player turned director, leans forward with folded arms.
KENNY BARKER
Let's get to it, Bill. We've had a dozen applicants with solid lower-league experience, some even with promotions on their CVs. And you go and appoint Eric Dempsey?
BILL WATTERSON
(A calm nod)
Yes. Because he's the only one among them who actually thinks beyond the next matchday. The rest gave us five-year plans built on clichés. Eric gave us vision.
MURIEL WELLS, an elegant woman in her late 50s and the club's financial director, interjects.
MURIEL WELLS
Vision doesn't pay wages, Bill. We're already stretching the budget. What exactly convinced you that this… "young journeyman" is worth the gamble?
LAWRENCE LOONEY
(Leaning forward)
Let's be clear — Eric's not a YouTube coach or a clipboard poser. He's saved clubs with no money, no backroom, and no fans. Bologna were sinking. He got them seventh in Serie A with kids and castoffs.
GREG HARPER, a data analyst and board member in his early 30s, nods.
GREG HARPER
To be fair, I ran some models. Eric's defensive transitions at Botev Plovdiv? Among the most efficient in Eastern Europe. His pressing game is structured chaos — risky, yes, but modern.
KENNY BARKER
(Scoffing)
He managed in Bulgaria, Greg. You ever tried motivating a bunch of half-fit part-timers on a Tuesday night in Eastleigh?
BILL WATTERSON
(Stern)
That's exactly why we need him. He's seen the glamour, but he's done the grit. He's not some outsider with a podcast — he's slept in dressing rooms and trained players who couldn't afford shin pads.
MURIEL WELLS
But his attitude? The press conference raised eyebrows. Called the club "laughed at." Said we'd never escape the National League unless we back him.
LAWRENCE LOONEY
(Quietly)
Because he's right.
The room stills for a moment.
LAWRENCE LOONEY (CONT'D)
We are laughed at. We've been in this league how many years? Close calls, poor recruitment, mid-table mediocrity — rinse and repeat. And all we ever say is "next year."
BILL WATTERSON
Eric told us the truth. The question isn't whether we like it. It's whether we're finally going to do something about it.
KENNY BARKER
He's not exactly Mr. Personality with the players either, is he? There's been murmurs already. He's intense. Abrasive.
GREG HARPER
(Leaning in)
But that's what drives performance. The best managers are divisive — ask Klopp, ask Simeone. If the dressing room's too comfortable, it's too soft.
MURIEL WELLS
Still, we have shareholders to answer to. If he goes rogue, if this explodes—
BILL WATTERSON
(Interrupting, firm)
Then I'll take the heat. Not you. Not the club. Me.
KENNY BARKER
So he's your hill to die on?
BILL WATTERSON
If it means dragging this club into the 21st century and finally giving it the ambition it deserves?
(Steely)
Yes. He's my man.
TRINA SMITH
I met with him yesterday about scheduling. Polite. Focused. Knew the academy names by heart. Even asked about one of the injured U18 lads.
That quiets the room. Even Kenny shifts slightly in his seat.
LAWRENCE LOONEY
We can give you safe, predictable — another caretaker. Another roundabout season.
(Then)
Or we can back a man who wants to rewrite the script.
KENNY BARKER
And if it backfires?
BILL WATTERSON
Then at least we go down swinging. Not sleepwalking.
The board members glance at one another. No one speaks for a moment. Finally, Muriel exhales.
MURIEL WELLS
Fine. But if he asks for a private jet or under-soil heating, I'm walking.
LAWRENCE LOONEY
You've got my word. No jets. Just grit.
GREG HARPER
I'll prep his first data packet. I want to see what he does with it.
KENNY BARKER
(Low, grudging)
Let's hope you're right, Bill. Because if he turns out to be all fire and no finesse…
BILL WATTERSON
(Shrugging)
Then we start again. But at least we tried.
BILL WATTERSON
Before we wrap this up, there's one more thing I want you all to understand. Eric Dempsey didn't take this job for the money — God knows we don't have much of it to throw around. He came here because he believes he can build something.
KENNY BARKER
(Grumbling)
Hope he's got a hard hat and a miracle in his coat pocket.
LAWRENCE LOONEY
(Leaning in)
He's already building. Quietly. He's brought in Debbie Anderson on his own terms.
This gets some puzzled looks from the board. Muriel raises a brow.
MURIEL WELLS
The blonde from Slough? The analyst?
LAWRENCE LOONEY
That's the one. Graduate in Sports Analytics. Worked informally with Brentford's B team, written tactical breakdowns that the likes of The Athletic have quoted. She's sharp. Smart. Fresh eyes.
GREG HARPER
(Grinning)
I've read some of her work. That woman's more forensic than our entire analytics team combined.
KENNY BARKER
(Still skeptical)
So what? She's never held a proper backroom job. Never dealt with a dressing room. We're not a lab — we're a football club.
BILL WATTERSON
And that's exactly why we need different minds in the room. Eric knows how to manage players. Debbie knows how to read them.
He taps the table lightly with his knuckles.
BILL WATTERSON (CONT'D)
This isn't just about Dempsey. It's about moving into a modern identity. Football's not what it was in '94 when you could run a 4-4-2 and tell lads to lump it to the big man. It's evolved. We either evolve with it, or get buried by it.
KENNY BARKER
(Sighing)
I've played enough bad pitches to know what burying feels like…
A few chuckles from around the table lighten the atmosphere.
MURIEL WELLS
Alright. Let's assume we're on board — for now. What does Dempsey want? Specifically.
LAWRENCE LOONEY
Nothing outrageous. Time. Trust. And no meddling from upstairs.
BILL WATTERSON
And a little flexibility on recruitment. He's looking at players outside the usual net — foreign leagues, released under-23s, fringe talents. High risk, maybe… but high ceiling.
GREG HARPER
(Leaning forward excitedly)
Actually, one of his targets? A Georgian lad released from a Polish second-division side — his pressing stats were off the charts. Could be a steal.
KENNY BARKER
(Sarcastic)
A Georgian? From Poland? Christ, are we turning into a United Nations Select XI?
LAWRENCE LOONEY
No, Kenny. We're turning into a football club with ambition.
A moment of silence. Then Muriel closes her folder with a firm thud.
MURIEL WELLS
Fine. He gets his window. But I want weekly updates — honest ones. Not fluff. And if it all goes south, I want an exit clause clearly laid out.
BILL WATTERSON
Understood. But if it goes right… we'll be sitting on something special.
KENNY BARKER
(Smiling thinly)
If it goes right, I'll buy the Georgian kid a pint myself.
LAWRENCE LOONEY
He's 18, Kenny.
KENNY BARKER
Then I'll buy him a lemonade.
The board laughs — not hearty, but real. The ice has cracked, if not melted completely.
BILL WATTERSON
Let's call it. We've made our move. Back him — or don't. But we've been in the shadows long enough. I'm ready to gamble on the light.
Everyone stands slowly, gathering papers and mugs. Chairs scrape softly on the wood floor. As they start to file out, Muriel turns back to Bill.
MURIEL WELLS
Bill?
BILL WATTERSON
Yeah?
MURIEL WELLS
For what it's worth… I hope you're right. Not just for the club. For all of us.
BILL WATTERSON
(Sincerely)
So do I, Muriel. So do I.