On March 21, New Manchester United traveled to Christie Park to face Morecambe. Despite conceding twice in the opening ten minutes, they completed a remarkable comeback through goals from Juninho, Krzynówek, Hleb, and Žigić, winning 4-2 and taking a decisive step toward the championship!
When the team returned to Manchester after the match, they received a warm welcome from the supporters. As the team bus entered Newton Heath, fans followed in droves, as though New Manchester United had already secured the league title.
The outside world was also highly optimistic about New Manchester United's title prospects, especially after looking at their remaining five league fixtures. Apart from away matches against Hayes and Northwich, the other three were home games against Dover, Southport, and Leek.
Of those five teams, Leek, like New Manchester United, had been promoted that season. They were currently 16th in the league and had not yet escaped the threat of relegation, although their chances of staying up looked good.
Southport and Hayes were ninth and eleventh in the table. They could no longer challenge for promotion, but they did not need to worry about relegation either. With little left to play for, they were unlikely to pose much of a threat to New Manchester United. Northwich, on the other hand, were hovering just above the relegation zone and might cause them some trouble at home.
The remaining home fixture against Dover was scheduled for March 25. As far as the club was concerned, it was a match they absolutely had to win.
Although the club had only been established for two years and possessed a young squad, New Manchester United had always given people the impression of being composed. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they were extremely difficult to beat. Whenever a crucial match arrived, they rarely disappointed, as shown by their performances against strong opposition over the previous two seasons.
The March 25 fixture was also vital to Dover's hopes of securing a playoff place. The entire Dover squad placed great importance on the match, and their players were prepared to give everything against New Manchester United. Even so, they could not gain the slightest advantage at the City Stadium.
3-1. New Manchester United ruthlessly knocked Dover out of the top five!
New Manchester United also fielded their strongest lineup for this match. Žigić and Crouch partnered each other up front, with Krzynówek and Hleb on the wings. Juninho and Poulsen played in central midfield, while the back four consisted of Evra, Abidal, Distin, and Steinsson. Almunia started in goal.
Žigić, who had been outstanding that season and had already scored thirty league goals, showed a fierce desire to add to his tally from the opening whistle. His teammates were also more than willing to help, creating two goals for him.
Before the match, Scarlett had published an article in the Manchester Evening News. After contacting The FA and examining the relevant records, she discovered that the National League's single-season scoring record belonged to Davey of Farnborough, who had scored thirty-two goals during the 1992/93 season.
Žigić was now extremely close to breaking that record, and he still had five matches remaining.
What Ethan found even more curious was that, after scoring thirty-two goals that season, Davey had been hailed as England's most promising young striker. He transferred to Tottenham Hotspur that summer, moved to Oxford United two years later, and then began drifting through the lower leagues.
So, would New Manchester United be able to keep Žigić that summer?
Birmingham, who had already secured Steve Bruce as their next manager, were currently fifth in the league and had a strong chance of promotion. However, the situation was the same as in the previous two seasons. Would they once again fall at the final hurdle?
From Bruce's perspective, many of New Manchester United's players were highly impressive, including Žigić, Krzynówek, Poulsen, Essien, Evra, Juninho, and Abidal.
Given his eye for talent and the fact that he had worked with them for an entire season, there was no way he could fail to recognize their quality and potential.
However, Ethan could not possibly satisfy all his demands. New Manchester United were not a charity. With promotion to League Two approaching, Ethan intended to challenge for the title and continue climbing through the divisions. If Bruce poached all of his best players, what kind of team would New Manchester United have left?
Besides, Ethan did not believe Birmingham could afford that many of them.
To guard against Bruce's impending attempts to sign his players, Ethan brought forward the contract renewals that had originally been planned for after the season. The basic wages of the current squad were increased across the board. Žigić, in particular, was offered twice his previous salary. The club also promised to apply for a professional work permit for him the following season under the special talent provision, allowing him to continue playing for the team.
However, this made matters more complicated for Essien, who also needed a work permit. Ethan was currently considering whether to loan him out for a year before applying for one the following season.
Juninho and Schmeichel remained in the club's highest wage bracket. Their experience and ability were beyond question, and no one inside or outside the squad objected. The next tier included Poulsen, Abidal, Distin, Krzynówek, Evra, Hleb, Crouch, Essien, Olić, and Steinsson.
Darren Lyons and Karl Marginson had decided to retire at the end of the season. They would then accept Ethan's invitation to join the club's coaching staff, learning while gaining practical experience.
Jonathan Matten, Richie Wellens, Kevin Evans, Stephen Smith, Danny Collins, and Roy Williams had also been informed that their contracts would be terminated, allowing them to leave on free transfers.
Although these players had not featured often for New Manchester United over the past year, their abilities had still been recognized by other clubs. At the very least, the fact that they had managed to earn places at New Manchester United was proof of their quality. With Ethan's approval, David Pace was speaking to them individually, hoping to bring the entire group to Droylsden.
Ever since selling his businesses and investing in Umbro alongside Ethan, David Pace had become increasingly impressed by Ethan's business methods. He followed Ethan's lead in commercial matters, and his approach to football was much the same.
His current plan was to bring this group of New Manchester United players to Droylsden, win promotion to the National League the following season, then climb to League Two, Division Two, Division One, and finally meet New Manchester United in the Premier League.
Droylsden was also based in Manchester, making it a good option for players who had already grown accustomed to living in the city.
The vast majority of New Manchester United's players readily signed the new contracts offered by the club. After all, they had won a championship with the team and earned promotion. Moreover, judging from what Ethan had told them, the club would continue increasing its investment the following season and would once again compete for the title.
As Evra had said, this was a club creating a legend, and staying meant becoming part of that legend.
However, Žigić and Krzynówek said they wanted some time to consider their offers.
There was nothing Ethan could do but agree. In any case, he was not particularly worried. Their contracts were still far from expiring, and no club could take a player from New Manchester United without his approval.
While the club worked on renewing contracts and raising player wages, New Manchester United maintained their excellent form during the final few National League matches. First, they defeated Southport 3-0 at home, with Žigić scoring again to surpass the National League's single-season record with his thirty-third goal of the campaign.
Then, on April 8 and April 15, they defeated Hayes and Northwich away from home, winning 2-0 and 3-2 respectively.
The match against Northwich was particularly difficult. Fighting desperately to avoid relegation, the home side played as though they would not stop until they had won. Despite falling two goals behind against New Manchester United, they managed to draw level.
Fortunately, in the closing moments, Abidal scored from an indirect free kick delivered by Juninho, helping New Manchester United secure all three points once again.
Their winning streak during the crucial final stage allowed New Manchester United to secure the National League title with one match remaining. Therefore, when they hosted Leek on April 22, the City Stadium was packed once again, and the supporters sang the New Manchester United club anthem throughout the match.
In their final league match of the season, New Manchester United convincingly defeated Leek 4-0.
New Manchester United thus won the National League title with a three-point advantage over second-placed Kidderminster. Žigić finished as the league's top scorer, having scored thirty-five goals in thirty-eight appearances.
Kidderminster, Morecambe, Boston, and Dover finished second through fifth and would compete in the playoffs in late April and early May for the other promotion place.
On the night of the victory over Leek, Bruce gathered the entire squad and did not allow them to join the supporters' celebrations. On May 8, the team still had the crucial FA Trophy final to play. Although their opponents, Nuneaton, were not especially strong, it was still a final.
Bruce was right to remain cautious.
Nuneaton caused New Manchester United considerable trouble in the match, especially with their defensive organization. They had clearly studied the methods other teams had used to contain New Manchester United, and their approach was highly effective, particularly against the spearhead of the attack, Žigić.
However, New Manchester United were the kind of team that grew stronger when facing stronger resistance. The tougher the opponent, the more determined the players became. When Nuneaton succeeded in stifling New Manchester United's attack, Juninho stepped forward at the crucial moment.
In the 53rd minute, Juninho curled his trademark free kick directly into the net.
Three minutes later, Juninho was involved again. He spread the ball from the center toward Krzynówek on the left flank, and Krzynówek delivered a cross for Žigić to head home.
2-0!
After New Manchester United scored twice in quick succession, everyone knew the result was no longer in doubt!
(To be continued.)