"Idiot!" A loud shout interrupted the young man's dream. "Robert, you scoundrel! How dare you go to a nightclub again? Have you forgotten what happened last year? I'll tell your father, and you'll be in for a beating, Robert!"
"Come on, don't accuse me unfairly. I was just talking about it," Robert replied.
"Alright, alright, let's leave these small matters for later," the old man, Swagger, intervened to stop the argument. "Let's get down to business. William, I assume the hotel staff has told you why we're here?"
"Of course," William smiled. "With so many people gathered around the Four Seasons Hotel, the staff had to find out why." His smile made the ten fan representatives a little embarrassed, but only slightly. After all, the team was their primary concern. Whatever happened to the hotel was its own issue; it was just bad luck that William happened to be staying there.
"I know you're here about the head coach. To be honest, I don't like Ranieri. I don't see even a hint of a championship-winning coach in him. He's like a tinker, always just patching things up. Even if I gave him a transfer budget of 100 million pounds, he probably wouldn't know who to buy."
"100 million pounds for transfers?"
"Are you serious, William?"
At that time, only super clubs like Real Madrid could afford a transfer budget of 100 million pounds. For Chelsea, which had always been struggling financially, this sum was unimaginable.
"Of course," William continued. "And not just that. I also plan to expand the stadium, make it more modern. If I can rent a suitable stadium as a temporary home ground, I would even consider demolishing the old one and building a brand-new stadium for more than 60,000 spectators. It would be the most luxurious private club stadium in the world, and I'd be willing to spend 500 million pounds if needed."
"My God, am I dreaming? Today isn't April Fool's Day, is it?" one fan exclaimed in shock.
Ignoring their excitement, William continued, "Also, I'm thinking of building a modern training facility. The only question is whether the London government would allow me to purchase 200 acres of land for it."
"What's so difficult about that?" Swagger grumbled. "William, your plans would bring jobs and increase tax revenue for all of London. If any of those politicians dare to refuse, I guarantee they'll never get a vote from a Chelsea fan again," he said, glaring at the others. "What do you all think?"
"Absolutely. If they want our votes, they have to work for Chelsea. Otherwise, they're traitors, and traitors go to hell."
"Right, traitors go to hell! Anyone standing in the way of the team's revival is an enemy. We've waited far too long. I don't want to die before I see Chelsea win a championship. I want my gravestone to say, 'Here lies a man who witnessed Chelsea's victory.'"
"Swagger, you're spot on! My God, just imagining it makes me excited. If I can take the news of Chelsea's victory to heaven, all those old-timers up there will be shaking with envy."
"You idiot, Robert, what are you doing?"
"Filming! I need to capture this moment. Just think, this is the most sacred moment, the first step in Chelsea's revival. Years from now, when I'm old like you guys, I'll show it to my descendants and tell them their father, their grandfather, was part of this sacred meeting. It'll be like the Twelve Knights of the Round Table, and William is our king. We are the ten knights, drafting the holy Chelsea revival plan. Guys, don't you think we should record this moment?"
"Robert, you idiot, for once you're doing something right. Of course we should record this! My God, just make sure you capture me well. If you make me look ugly, I'll kill you."
"Quiet, you fools! Don't you see William is here? You need his permission to film," Swagger reminded his companions. He didn't think it would be okay to include William in the video without his consent.
"No worries," William waved it off. There was nothing confidential about what was being discussed today. In fact, spreading the news would not only reassure the fans but also strengthen their confidence in the Devonshire family.
William wanted the fans to know he had the money and was willing to spend it on the team, even on infrastructure projects that had long-term benefits but low immediate returns. This would gain him more support.
On the other hand, investing heavily in infrastructure during an economic crisis would certainly attract global attention. The modern era's economy thrived on exposure, and increased visibility could lead to more revenue and allow Chelsea to compete with championship teams for fans, especially in Asia and the Americas.
So, William smiled at Robert and said, "Make sure you film me looking good, or I'll ban you from visiting the new training facility, and you can forget about taking pictures with the players."
"No, that would be worse than not having a girlfriend," Robert wailed dramatically.
"Hahaha!"
After the laughter died down, a fan hesitated and asked, "William, are you saying that we could participate in the new training ground meet-and-greet events?"
"Yes, not just you guys. I have an idea, still in the works, where each season the team would select 210 fans to visit the new training facility, meet the players, play games, and have meals together. Out of those, 100 spots would be for fans from England, 100 from other countries, and the remaining 10 would be reserved for a special 'Chelsea Fans Who Inspired Others' award that I plan to launch on the club's website. This initiative would encourage fans to do good deeds, take care of their families, and contribute positively to society. It would enhance the team's social impact. All travel, lodging, and meals for the selected fans would be covered by the club or by me personally."
"What do you guys think of this plan?"
"It's great! The fans will love it, and the team will gain a much better public image. We support it," Swagger said, rubbing his hands together hesitantly. "But to avoid impacting the team's finances, I think it's best if you cover the costs personally."
"FK, Swagger, I love you!" Robert, still holding the camera, shouted. "Only you would dare say that to William, but you're absolutely right!"
"Hahaha!" William laughed along with them. These guys were truly die-hard fans, refusing to allow anything that could harm the team, even if it was just a few hundred thousand pounds. "Alright then, if it makes you happy, I'll cover the costs."
Once the laughter subsided, William clapped his hands. "So, whether or not these plans take shape, or how much progress we make, depends on my interest in the team." After a brief pause, seeing the serious expressions on their faces, William continued, "My interest is what determines what I do. So, will you support the transformation of the team?"
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