"Come on, Adam!!! You can do it!!!"
"I know!!! Allan, Mr. Charles said I can definitely do it!! I'll be a star earning thousands of pounds a week!!! By then, the pair of sneakers you like will only be my daily salary!!!"
"Can I ask for another set of sportswear?"
"Of course!!!"
Next to the training ground of the Luton Youth Training Camp, two black children—one taller, one younger—stood with their arms crossed, shouting confidently as if the entire world were theirs. Their voices carried across the pitch, drawing amused looks from nearby players and coaches. A burst of laughter echoed around them.
The two boys looked strikingly similar, almost mirror images, clearly brothers with the same tight, curly hair. The older one—Adam—wore a red vest that hung loosely on his thin upper body. His sports shorts sagged well below his knees, making him look as if he were wearing an oversized skirt, an appearance that drew a few chuckles from the watching kids.
"What are they here for?" Gao Bo asked as he turned toward his youth training supervisor.
Steve Powell didn't seem certain either, so he motioned over a youth coach.
"They came for a tryout, sir!"
"Tryout?"
"Yes, they were introduced by Mr. Charles, a part-time scout."
A look of realization crossed Powell's face. He turned back to Gao Bo and explained, "Mr. Charles is a physical education teacher at a middle school in Luton. We've signed a scout agreement with him. If we sign a player he recommends, he receives a reward ranging from one hundred to one thousand pounds."
Gao Bo nodded. In England, part-time scouts were everywhere, and grassroots talent often surfaced through people exactly like this.
He remained genuinely curious about how English clubs identified young prospects. Since he had coincidentally encountered a trial day, he watched the proceedings with interest.
What he didn't realize was how much pressure his presence created. The academy players on the pitch had practically been set on fire. Every dribble, every pass, every sprint was executed with exaggerated intensity. Their eagerness, however, twisted the match into a chaotic showcase of individualism. Forwards who received the ball immediately tried to take on defenders alone, ignoring teammates in better positions. The flow of play had broken down entirely.
Gao Bo watched the disorganized scene and shook his head slightly. He turned toward the youth coach. "When will the trial players come on?"
"Usually we arrange for them to play in the second half."
Gao Bo nodded. "But I think this match is meaningless now."
He gestured toward the pitch.
Steve Powell followed his gaze and sighed. Football was a team sport, yet the moment the head coach appeared, these kids abandoned teamwork and turned the match into personal highlight reels.
"Let them go up and try now."
Since the head coach had spoken, no one objected.
Soon, Adam—the young black boy who had come for the trial—stepped forward, ready to enter the match.
A circle of academy players gathered around him, grinning and whispering among themselves. To them, Adam looked nothing like a footballer. He seemed indistinguishable from the skinny teenagers often seen hanging around poorer neighbourhoods. He was short and thin, lacking the typical athletic frame. They quietly wondered whether someone like him could survive even a physical duel, let alone shine on a football pitch.
Even the youth coach beside Gao Bo did not seem optimistic.
"What do you think of him, Tom?" Gao Bo asked.
The youth coach, Tom Doyle, studied the boy who was about to come on.
"He's too thin, and he's too short, sir."
Gao Bo remained noncommittal. The boy did not look capable of much on the pitch. His posture was awkward, and he looked barely one and a half meters tall.
"How old is he? And what's his current height?"
"Born in 1991, seventeen years old, one hundred sixty-six centimeters tall," Tom replied, checking the data sheet.
Gao Bo glanced at the name printed on the form.
Adam White.
"A winger?"
"Yes, that's what the information says. And he has never received any formal football training. At his age, it is already late to begin professional training. If Mr. Charles hadn't recommended him, he wouldn't even have this chance. Honestly, sir, I think this trial is a waste of time. Without professional training before the age of seventeen, it's extremely difficult to make it out of an academy."
"Oh…" Gao Bo nodded. The journey from youth academy to professional football had a harsh elimination rate. Many children in youth systems never reached the professional stage. For lower-division teams like Luton, producing a major star was even harder. Football demanded talent, and gifted children often drew the attention of major clubs long before smaller teams like Luton could intervene.
Adam White entered the pitch shortly after. Since he was a winger, he was naturally placed on the flank.
During a brief break in play, Tom called his players together to reset their focus. When the match restarted, the situation improved dramatically. No one dared to dribble blindly into defenders anymore or refuse to pass as they had before.
Adam White soon had a chance to receive the ball. The diagonal pass slipped in behind the defender with surprising speed. Adam lifted the back of his foot and cushioned the ball gently into control, bringing it neatly under him.
Gao Bo's eyes lit up.
That first touch looked good.
But only moments later, Adam lost the ball. When the defender closed in, he attempted a feint, but his balance gave way. His foot slipped, his weight shifted the wrong direction, and he toppled straight to the ground.
"Hahahaha…"
The kids on the sideline burst into laughter. Adam scrambled up awkwardly, brushed the dirt off his knees, and tried to chase after the play. However, he stumbled again after only a few steps and fell once more.
Tom shook his head slightly.
His balance was far too poor.
Adam's subsequent performance could only be described as disastrous. He lost almost every physical confrontation. Whenever an opponent leaned into him, his thin frame was instantly displaced. His speed did not seem impressive either. Even when he controlled the ball well, his acceleration was not enough to escape pursuing defenders.
The first half ended quickly, and Adam trudged toward the sideline with his head lowered.
It looked as if the trial was finished.
Tom thought so as well. He closed the notebook in his hand with a quiet sigh. The two brothers on the sideline quietly packed their belongings. They seemed to understand that they had failed the trial.
Gao Bo, however, felt a faint sense of pity. Adam's earlier touch had been excellent, so why did he look so clumsy throughout the match? Players with good ball feel usually possessed solid balance.
"Show me his information," Gao Bo said.
Tom hesitated for a moment, then handed over the information card.
Adam White:
Advantages: fast speed, good technique.
Disadvantages: streetball origin, poor team awareness.
It was just a few simple lines.
Fast speed?
Gao Bo touched his chin. He certainly had not seen any speed during the trial.
He glanced over at Adam, who was lifting a worn khaki backpack onto his shoulders. The boy was not tall, but his feet were noticeably wide.
Wait.
"Wait a minute!!" Gao Bo suddenly called out.
"Adam… your trial is not over yet." He turned to Tom. "Change his shoes. Give him a new pair."
Gao Bo stared at Adam's footwear.
They were worn-out, nearly bald studded boots.
He glanced at the pitch. Despite England's usual rain, the weather had been dry recently, but the ground crew had watered the real-grass field before training began. Playing on watered turf with worn-down studs would make anyone slip, lose balance, and look slow.
"Sir, did you call me?" Adam turned around, genuinely surprised. He believed his performance had been dreadful. Street football and professional football were worlds apart; whatever brilliant tricks worked in alleyways meant nothing here. His brief dream of becoming a star felt like it had shattered, but that was fine. It had only been a fantasy sparked by Mr. Charles recently. His next goal, he thought, should be finding a stable job and getting his brother out of the slums.
"Where did you play before?" Gao Bo asked with a warm smile as he approached.
"My brother is Manor Park's street football king!!" Allan White said proudly, lifting his chin.
"Manor Park…" Gao Bo looked at the two boys with sympathy.
Manor Park, lying just northeast of Stratford in London's East End, was technically part of Greater London, yet it remained one of the city's most neglected districts in 2008. Overcrowded housing, struggling immigrant communities, and active gang networks gave the area a harsh reputation. Drug trafficking, illegal rentals, and street crime were commonplace. It was the kind of place that stripped away any romantic illusions about the British capital and showed the hard reality beneath the surface.
Hearing the question, Adam's chest puffed with pride for a moment.
"Have you ever played on a real grass pitch before?" Gao Bo asked.
The pride immediately vanished.
"Manor Park… doesn't have a grass park…" Adam said softly, almost trying to justify himself.
At that moment, Tom returned with a pair of fresh boots.
"I didn't expect someone your size to wear a size forty-three," Tom remarked.
"Put them on, kid. Try again." Gao Bo patted Adam's shoulder. "Remember, this is your last chance."
Adam stared at him in disbelief. "I still have a chance?"
"Of course." Gao Bo raised one finger. "Last chance. You'd better show me your strengths—your real strengths. Your strongest point."
"Understood, sir! Just watch!" Adam's mood shifted instantly. He removed his ragged old boots and slipped into the size-forty-three Adidas studs Tom had brought.
After fastening them, Adam jogged a few steps to test the feel, then broke into a smile.
"The second half begins!!" Tom clapped his hands sharply, calling the players back onto the pitch.
Adam took a deep breath and stepped onto the pitch. The second half began almost immediately. Morning training for most age groups had already ended; only the U18 and U19 squads trained in both sessions. Luton Youth Academy cooperated with local middle schools, so the younger players trained in the morning and attended classes in the afternoon.
At this moment, nearly all the young players had gathered along the edge of the pitch. They watched Adam with amused expressions, remembering all too well how clumsy he had looked earlier.
The second half settled quickly. Gao Bo kept his eyes locked on Adam. He genuinely hoped the young man who had sparked his interest would show him something more in this half. Adam's first touch earlier had impressed him deeply. That kind of control was no accident.
But the other players clearly had little trust in Adam now. Nearly three minutes passed after kickoff, and he still had not touched the ball.
"He can't even get the ball now," Tom said, still unconvinced.
"At least he hasn't fallen down," Gao Bo replied, growing more intrigued.
Even without the ball, Adam's movement stood out. Instead of sticking to the touchline like a conventional winger waiting for passes, he roamed freely across the attacking third, drifting into pockets of space with an unpredictability that contrasted sharply with the academy's structured drills.
"Pay attention to his positioning, Tom," Gao Bo reminded him.
Tom watched more closely. After a few seconds, his expression shifted. "That is… interesting."
"Give him the ball!!!" Tom shouted from the touchline, pointing emphatically at Adam.
When a coach spoke, the players had no choice but to obey, even if they did so reluctantly.
Adam finally received a pass, and what happened next stunned everyone.
As the ball arrived, two defenders were already closing in. Adam brushed the ball with the outside of his right foot, then executed a sudden pivot.
He turned sharply and pushed the ball forward.
What a burst of acceleration.
Gao Bo's eyes lit up instantly.
And Adam did not stop there.
After turning and bursting forward, he carried the ball directly toward the top of the penalty area. Three defenders formed a line across the middle, waiting for him.
"He'll have to pass it now," Tom said.
"Not necessarily," Gao Bo replied, eyes full of expectation.
Adam did not disappoint. He continued driving the ball straight at the defense as if the three players in front of him did not exist. His dribbling rhythm stayed smooth, and his footwork remained tightly controlled. The defenders he had already bypassed attempted to chase him down, but the gap between them only widened.
He was fast — with the ball.
Gao Bo felt as if he were seeing a precious raw gem.
Naturally, the defenders would not let him stroll into the penalty area unchallenged. The first one stepped in aggressively, with another arriving behind him.
But before either defender could fully step in, Adam produced something that made Gao Bo applaud aloud.
He executed a quick body feint, dragging the ball outward as if preparing to cut wide, then suddenly flicked it past the first defender. Before the second one reacted, Adam shifted his body again and changed direction sharply.
Two defenders beaten.
His foot speed was electric.
In that moment, Gao Bo couldn't help but think of Messi — another small, low-centered dribbler with a frightening ability to wriggle past defenders.
After slipping through both challenges, Adam entered the penalty area. Before the next defender could close him down, he fired with his right foot. However, he failed to hit through the ball cleanly, and the shot lacked any real power. The goalkeeper gathered it easily.
A collective sigh spread across the sideline. If he had scored, it would have been a stunning goal.
Gao Bo's eyes were shining. He immediately activated his Scouting Vision skill.
Adam's attributes materialized before him:
Acceleration: 80
Speed: 80
Agility: 83
Dribbling: 82
Technique: 80
Seeing that cluster of red numbers, Gao Bo nearly drooled.
He had found a treasure.
But Adam was far from perfect. His stamina, strength, and shot power were extremely poor. It explained why, after a series of dribbles, he had no strength left in his finish. That deficiency, however, was clearly the result of zero professional training and years of street-court football. Those flaws could be fixed.
And soon enough, Adam produced another highlight.
Receiving the ball on the wing, he drove forward immediately. With raw pace, he blew past a defender who was one or two years older. He pushed the ball into the penalty area and stabbed it forward. This time, the goalkeeper reacted a fraction too late.
The ball rolled into the net.
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!!!!"
Adam sprinted straight toward the sideline and threw his arms around Allan.
The two brothers — one big, one small — jumped and shouted like no one else existed.
"Sign him!!"
Gao Bo pointed directly at Adam, still celebrating, and spoke to Steve, the youth-training director.
Signing Adam was the logical choice.
Gao Bo did not bring him directly into the first team. Adam had never experienced professional youth training before that day. Throwing him from street football straight into the professional environment would have been irresponsible and could easily destroy his development. Young players must be fully prepared — both technically and mentally — before they can withstand the intensity of a professional league. Only then can they continue growing in their careers.
Adam's ball control and technical ability were impressive, but he had countless deficiencies to correct. His teamwork was the most critical issue. Street football encouraged flair and individualism, but professional football existed for one purpose: victory. In his current physical condition, Adam would not survive on a competitive professional pitch.
The academy kids watched Adam with envy. They all understood what had happened. The moment Gao Bo chose to keep him, they knew Adam had caught the manager's eye. It would not be long before his training ground became the first-team base.
Because Adam lived in East London — several dozen kilometers away — Luton Town now needed to arrange housing for both brothers. Naturally, Gao Bo did not concern himself with these logistical details. He was the head coach, not a caretaker for youth players.
Gao Bo spent the entire day at the academy. After the boys finished their training, he returned to his own residence.
Their one-day holiday passed quickly. When the players returned to the training ground, the victory in the first league match had clearly boosted their confidence. Port Vale was not a strong side, but defeating them at home still proved that the squad's two months of training were solid. The players felt validated: the tactical system was working, and the coach's methods were effective. Their belief in achieving relegation survival grew stronger.
But the next match was not a league fixture — it was a League Cup tie.
The English League Cup, known in the 2000s as the Carling Cup, involved all 92 teams from the professional league system. The competition was created in 1962 by the English Football League (EFL) as a counterweight to the FA Cup, which was controlled by the Football Association (FA). The intention was to provide clubs with an additional knockout competition outside of their league schedule.
Despite its long history, the League Cup never achieved the prestige of the FA Cup, which dates back to 1871 and remains the oldest national football competition in the world.
The League Cup consists of seven rounds. Every match is a single knockout except the semi-finals, which are played over two legs. Opponents and venues are determined by random draw. If a match ends level after 90 minutes, extra time is played, and if still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
The first round includes all Championship, League One, and League Two teams. Premier League clubs not involved in European competitions enter in the second round, while those playing in Europe join in the third.
Historically, the Football League was founded in 1888 and later reorganized several times — most notably in 1892, when it added a Second Division, and again in 1986, when its governance structure was modernized.
For most of the 20th century, it oversaw all 92 professional clubs in England, managing the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions.
However, in 1992, the 22 First Division clubs broke away to form the Premier League, driven by the rise of satellite television and a desire for greater financial control. From that point onward, the Football League — now reduced to 72 clubs — became responsible only for the lower three tiers of the professional system. Its influence diminished sharply, while the newly formed Premier League became the commercial powerhouse of English football.
The Premier League clubs still participated in the League Cup, but mostly out of tradition and obligation rather than necessity.
For top Premier League sides, the League Cup ranked far below the league and below the FA Cup in importance. It was widely viewed as an opportunity to rotate squads, play substitutes, and give youth players competitive minutes. With these clubs fighting in the league, FA Cup, League Cup, and often European competitions such as the Champions League or UEFA Cup, they frequently played close to 60–70 matches in a season. Two games a week was common, and the players' workload was immense. Naturally, many Premier League giants treated the League Cup as secondary.
But for a club like Luton Town, the League Cup was valuable.
Smaller clubs could use it to face stronger opposition, gain TV exposure, and earn important ticket and broadcasting revenue. A surprise victory over a bigger team could bring national attention and become a point of pride for supporters.
Luton's opponent in the first round was Nottingham Forest, a Championship side. Fortunately, Luton drew a home match, avoiding a tiring away trip.
The two clubs had crossed paths last season in League One, but their fortunes diverged dramatically afterward. Nottingham Forest finished as runners-up and earned promotion to the Championship. Luton, however, suffered relegation and now faced a painful 30-point deduction, leaving them battling for survival in League Two.
Gao Bo was very familiar with Nottingham Forest. Despite being absent from the top flight for years, the club remained iconic in English football history. Under Brian Clough in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Nottingham Forest produced one of the greatest underdog stories in the sport. After climbing from the Second Division to the First Division, they went on to win back-to-back European Cups in 1978–79 and 1979–80.
To this day, Forest still holds more European Cups (two) than Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, or Tottenham.
Before the draw, Gao Bo had not planned to invest much energy in the League Cup. Luton's squad depth was thin, and stretching themselves across multiple competitions could affect their league survival. But everything changed when the Football Edge System issued a mission:
[Mission: Win the match against Nottingham Forest]
[Reward: 600 experience points, one random Yellow card, one lottery draw]
A yellow card was tempting. Even if the lottery carried a high chance of producing only a white card, the potential value of a yellow-tier one was too significant to ignore.
In the end, Gao Bo decided to field the main lineup. Early-season fixtures were not yet congested. The League Cup match was scheduled for August 13, while their next league match was on August 18. With five full days between games, the players would have plenty of time to rest and recover.
Gao Bo hoped that if they defeated Nottingham Forest, the second-round draw might give them a Premier League opponent. Such a matchup would bring more attention, higher revenue sharing, and valuable exposure — all essential to stabilizing Luton's finances.
Of course, if the League Cup ever began interfering with league results later in the season, Gao Bo would drop the competition immediately.
The league always came first. Gao Bo had no intention of staying in the fourth tier long. He wanted promotion — and quickly.
However, defeating a Championship side was far from easy, especially one like Nottingham Forest. The club had a reputation for resilience and toughness, much like the city itself. Historically, Nottingham was known for its association with Robin Hood, the legendary outlaw celebrated for his defiance of corrupt authority. In modern times, Nottingham had also gained notoriety: it was ranked among Britain's most dangerous cities by several insurance studies and had been highlighted by police as a hotspot for gun-related crime.
That same gritty, defiant spirit shaped Nottingham Forest's footballing identity. This did not mean they played dirty, but the team carried a certain tenacity — a deep-rooted toughness that came from decades of battling against the odds. After all, they were still a club that once conquered Europe twice.