The Press Unleashed
Scene Setup
Date & Location
Late May 1990, just days after Duke Rewark's full acquisition of Luton Town. The setting: the musty, flickering press room at Kenilworth Road. The air smells faintly of stale coffee and nervous anticipation. A half-full room of local journalists, regional radio voices, and the occasional national camera crew fills the seats. Tension lingers like fog.
Host (clearing throat):
"Ladies and gentlemen, please—thank you for coming. Welcome to Luton Town's first press briefing under our new ownership. With us today is Mr. Duke Rewark, who, as of May 20th, is the 100 percent owner of Luton Town Football Club. Mr. Rewark—thank you for joining us."
Duke (standing, composed, steady):
"Thank you all for being here. Let me start by saying how proud I am to stand before you—right here, in Luton, where my journey truly began."
(A brief ripple of murmurs crosses the room. Pens click. A camera lens focuses.)
Q&A Section
Journalist 1 (Local Paper):
"Mr. Rewark, why Luton? Of all the clubs in the First Division, there are more stable, more commercially attractive options. Why take this risk?"
Duke (with measured calm):
"Simple. Because this is my hometown. I was born here. I was raised here. I grew up watching this club, week in and week out. Kenilworth Road isn't just a stadium to me—it's home. And when you love something that deeply, you don't invest halfway. You commit. Completely.
I know we're not the biggest or the richest—but I believe the reward will be transformational."
(Some scribble in notepads. Others exchange glances.)
Journalist 2 (National Sunday Paper):
"There's already talk of significant player sales. Multiple names dropped from the squad list. Fans are worried the team is being gutted before a vital season. Can you clarify?"
Duke (leaning in, steady):
"I understand the concern. Change is never easy. But rebuilding means making difficult decisions. My team has evaluated the squad and identified players who weren't fitting the system we intend to implement. That's not panic—that's planning. Strategic. Targeted.
And let me be clear—we're not just cutting. We're adding. New coaches. Fresh talent. Smarter infrastructure. Everything we do now is for the long-term strength of this club."
(Dean shifts in his seat near the back. His expression unreadable.)
Journalist 3 (Regional Radio):
"You mentioned infrastructure. Fans still remember the plastic pitch in the mid-80s—it didn't go down well. How do we know this isn't just another gimmick?"
Duke (smiling, briefly):
"I hear you. That's not my style. My team's already on it. Dean's leading the effort to modernize the facilities. Practical improvements—seating, access, safety. Not gimmicks. Real changes. You'll see results before the season kicks off—within three months."
A Tense Turn
Journalist 4 (International Sports Weekly):
"If we may speak plainly… who's backing you? There's little public record of your experience in football. Some are calling this reckless. A vanity project. How do you respond?"
(The room stiffens. Jack quietly shifts beside Duke. A camera zooms in.)
Duke (calm, but with an edge):
"First of all, I hold a professional coaching license—so let's put to bed the idea that I know nothing about football. While I won't be taking over as head coach now, you will see me on the sidelines as an assistant this season. I intend to learn the craft from the ground up. When the time comes—and only when I'm ready—I'll step into the role fully.
I'm not here to play games. I'm here to build. I won't reveal every card just yet—but know this: I'm not just an owner. I'm a steward of this club's future."
(A few journalists lower their pens, startled by the clarity. Others exchange glances again.)
Closing Statements
Host (interjecting):
"Thank you, Mr. Rewark. One final question: What happens next?"
Duke (rising, voice steady but strong):
"Now? We stabilize. Then we build.
Here's the plan:
Stadium upgrades – Already underway. I want every supporter to feel welcome, safe, and proud from the moment they walk in.
Squad restructuring – Yes, we're moving pieces. But only to bring in the kind of talent that aligns with our philosophy—smart, hungry, and future-ready.
I won't promise Premier League survival today. But I will promise this: We will fight for it—intelligently, every single day. On and off the pitch."
(As the cameras flicker off and the press begins packing up, Duke stays standing for a beat longer. He scans the room. The doubters. The curious. The hopeful.)
Duke (quietly, to Jack):
"This is just the beginning."