Chapter 159 The special one

In the Miner’s Bar, fans are discussing the itinerary for tomorrow’s away game.

Although they are Tyne fans, they do not travel with the team to every away game.

It’s mainly an economic issue.

Tickets and travel expenses for watching an away game are not cheap. If you go to every away game, it will be a big burden accumulated over a season.

But tomorrow’s game is different, almost every Tyne fan wants to be there.

Because that is a new chapter in the history of the Tyne club and everyone hopes to be able to witness it on site.

It’s just that tickets for away games are limited and not everyone can buy them.

The most die-hard Tyne fans can get some tickets through official channels.

The rest you have to grab by yourself.

Only three people from the group of fans at the Miners Bar managed to get tickets.

They are Robbie Dixie, Jon Berg and Theo Collins.

These three lucky ones will represent everyone to cheer for Tyne tomorrow.

Today everyone gathered here to see the three of them off and help them make the banners to be displayed tomorrow.

On a piece of foldable cardboard, Ryan is hand-drawing a slogan. The font border on the slogan has been drawn. All he has to do now is fill in the border to make the text stand out.

As he finished painting the final exclamation point, the slogan appeared in its entirety:
“Champions League, here we come!”

There are no fancy words or well-designed puns. The slogan is simple, easy to understand and speaks directly to the heart.

“Not bad, not bad! Very good!”

After Ruian finished drawing all the slogans, everyone applauded and cheered.

After Ryan dried the last stroke of ink, he handed the sign to Robbie Dixie and reminded him, “Put it away and don’t lose it.”

Dixie took it with both hands very solemnly: “Don’t worry, Ryan. I will take it there intact and bring it back intact.”

Bar owner Theo Collins also assured: “When we come back, I will hang this sign on the wall of the bar. Of course, I will keep it well, Ryan.”

This slogan has seen a lot of big scenes, and it is the first slogan in the history of the Tyne Club to enter the Champions League. It is very commemorative and really deserves to be hung on the wall of the bar and become part of the history of the Tyne Club.

Although there are many similar slogans, they are still of great significance to the miners’ bar.

Jon Berg suddenly made a suggestion: “Write another sign, Ryan.”

Ryan looked back at the old man. “What are you writing, Jon?”

“Goodbye, Tyne’s child.”

After hearing what Berg said, the bar fell silent.

Then Ryan nodded and picked up the pen: “OK.”

He began to outline the text on a piece of white paper about A2 size.

When the others saw Ryan start to draw, they didn’t raise any objections and just watched with their heads down.

Tang Lin observed this scene from the side.

He noticed that when the landlord mentioned making a slogan for Sonny Dean, the people in the bar did not respond actively, but they did not object. Instead, they just watched Ryan start writing.

It seems like they are also conflicted inside…

It didn’t take Ryan long to create a simple slogan.

“Goodbye, TYNE’s Boy”

He gave it to Berg, who held it up to try the size, then folded it up and put it away with great satisfaction.

“That’s it, hopefully you’ll see us tomorrow when you watch the live show on TV, guys, ha!”

※※※

After leaving the Miner’s Bar and walking back home, Tang Lin couldn’t help but ask the landlord:
“Mr. Berg, there is something I don’t understand.”

“whats the matter?”

“In my opinion, most of Tyne’s fans are relatively moderate – you see, after having the investment from Middle Eastern capital, the team’s performance has not improved immediately, and it has still been relegated every year. But I see that many of you have a good attitude and will still go to the scene to support… Not only that, you are very tolerant of many players in the team, and it is rare to see you boo players from your own team. But you only booed Dean before? Isn’t he the ‘Son of Tyne’?” Tang Lin asked the question in his mind.

This question has been in his mind for a long time.

He discovered this from the first time he went to watch Tyne at Leeds Park.

Tyne fans have great hostility towards Sonny Dean, a local player.

He didn’t understand why this happened – of course he had heard those bad rumors about Dean, but he felt that even so, there was no need to hate a player who was trained by the local youth training system so much, right?
After all, water flows to the bottom and people go to the top. With Tyne City avoiding relegation every year, why can’t people go to a top team to pursue a better career?

Although it was a bit abstract that Dean announced his next club before the team had successfully avoided relegation… he felt that the hatred of the Tyne fans around him towards Dean was not just because of this.

To be honest, if he was willing to take the time to search online, he might be able to find the answer to this question.

But he felt that since he was surrounded by Tyne fans, why bother looking for answers online? Why not just ask the people around him directly?

You can also find out what real Tyne fans think.

After hearing Tang Lin’s question, Berg did not rush to answer, but asked: “Tang, have you heard of Bert Taylor?”

Tang Lin nodded: “I probably know that he is the greatest player in the history of the Tyne Club.”

Bob Taylor is also known as “Longbow Taylor” because his name “BOW” means bow, and he is good at scoring long shots and has a tough style of play, so people gave him the nickname “Longbow”.

He played for Tyne for a total of ten seasons, scoring a total of 202 goals in all competitions, making him the club’s top scorer in history.

Berg saw that Tang Lin had a general understanding of Bert Taylor’s information, so he skipped the introduction of his achievements and said directly:
“‘Longbow Taylor’ is the greatest player in the history of our Tyne club. He is not only trained by Tyne itself, but also played for Tyne for a long time. In addition to him, Tyne has actually trained many excellent players in history, but none of them spent the peak of their careers in Tyne.”

Tang Lin understands this. After all, Tyne’s own strength is too poor, and the past history is unremarkable. Any ambitious and capable players will probably not stay in Tyne. Or if they choose to stay in Tyne, their career will not be brilliant.

“But in fact, the most glorious period of Longbow’s career was not entirely in Tyne. He came from Tyne’s youth training and played in Tyne’s first team for two seasons, but then he was signed by Hackney Knights because of his outstanding performance. He played for the North London giants for five years and helped Hackney Knights win a Premier League title. Then he returned to Tyne at the end of his peak period and played here until his retirement.”

Mr. Berg continued.

“Tyne is a small team and we know very well that we can’t keep those talents here – we can’t expect every young talent to be like Bert Taylor, who will refuse the temptation of other giants at the peak of his career and choose to stay in or return to Tyne. Just like a young bird will leave the nest and its parents when it grows up.”

Tang Lin was even more puzzled: “Since you are so tolerant to others, why not to Dean?”

Mr. Berg smiled: “In fact, we had the same idea about Dean at first. You know, when Dean was still in the youth team, he showed great talent and became a highly regarded supernova in the English football world. We did think so at the time. We thought Sonny Dean would follow in the footsteps of others and become another genius who left his hometown after showing his talent, and he couldn’t even wait to play in the first team…

“You know, the big clubs are getting more and more aggressive in poaching players nowadays. In the past, they would wait for outstanding players to show their abilities in the first team before signing them. Later, talented players who emerged in the youth team also became their ‘prey’. Later, they even didn’t let go of the kids in the youth team… Because of this, Tyne can no longer keep young talents.”

After Tang Lin heard this, a picture emerged in his mind:
In the past, the wealthy clubs would at least just harvest the leeks and wait for the leeks to grow out before harvesting them again.

Now we start digging directly from the roots of the chives.

“…So it’s not easy to train a player from a young age to successfully play for the first team. Like other Premier League teams, Tyne started to recruit players from all over the world. Vitini is the one we brought from Brazil. Vitini is good, but he is different from Dean. We have a special feeling for Dean…”

Mr. Berger talked as he walked.

And Tang Lin just listened quietly beside him.

“From the youth team to the youth team, Sonny Dean has said more than once in interviews that he will not leave Tyne and his career will always be tied to his hometown team. He really rejected those clubs that came to poach him, stayed here, and successfully promoted to the first team and played for the first team…

“We fans, watching him progress from the youth team to the first team step by step, is like watching our own child grow up. Every time he makes progress, we are happy for a long time. Can you understand this feeling, Tang?” Tang Lin nodded: “I understand. The feelings you have poured into him far exceed those of other players.”

“Yes, there are so many Tyne players, but in the minds of us Tyne fans, Sonny Dean is completely different from them. He is ‘the special one’.”

Mr. Berg continued:
“Dean’s performance in the first team later earned him a market value of 100 million euros. Many big clubs, even those in Europe, offered him a job. Tyne had already been acquired by oil capital, so we no longer had to sell players for money. But if the players wanted to leave, it would still be difficult for us to keep them… that’s how small teams are.”

He laughed at himself.

“But Dean didn’t?” Tang Lin asked.

Mr. Berg nodded. “Yes, Dean didn’t. He didn’t leave the team. Facing the offers from those European giants, the 5-year-old responded by signing a ‘1+’ contract with Tyne. I still remember what he said at the contract renewal ceremony…

“‘It has been my dream since I was a kid to play for Tyne. I also have a dream, which is to play for Tyne forever and retire here. Now I am getting closer and closer to this dream!’

“You know what, Don? At that moment, many Tyne fans, including me, thought of ‘Longbow’ Taylor. Even Taylor himself said that Dean would be his best successor at Tyne. We thought, finally, Tyne has another legend that belongs only to us. To be honest, we don’t really care what brilliant results Dean can bring to the team, we just want him to play at Tyne until he retires… When he retires, the whole of Newcastle will applaud him, because he is ‘Tyne’s boy’ and he deserves it.”

After hearing this, Tang Lin already knew the answer to his question without Mr. Berg continuing to talk.

After all the affection that Tyne fans had poured into Dean, how could they accept his “betrayal”?

If there had been no love, then Dean’s departure would not be a big deal, just an ordinary player transfer.

But it is precisely because we once loved each other deeply that the separation is so unforgettable.

But Tanglin thought of the game between Tyne and the Scouse people. Although Dean was scolded by everyone in the stands because he wasted several opportunities.

But when he assisted Wang Lie to score and was substituted, everyone still applauded him.

So even though you hated him so much, deep down you still loved this “Tyne kid”, right?
So when Mr. Berg suggested making a farewell sign for Dean, no one else objected.

No matter what, I have loved him before, and I hope he will be fine in the future…

※※※

Xiao Cheng was waiting where the visiting team’s bus arrived, waiting for Wang Lie’s autograph.

Tyne’s visit to London to play an away game is a good opportunity for him.

However, he couldn’t go to watch the game in person because the ticket prices for this game were raised very high and it was no longer affordable for an ordinary student like him.

So he just wanted to get an autograph from Wang Lie here and he would be satisfied.

This was what he had planned to do the last time he went to Newcastle to watch a game – to wait at the home team bus drop-off area before the game and ask for Wang Lie’s autograph.

As a result, he didn’t even get to watch the entire second half because the train was late. In order to catch the return train, he had to rush to the train station as soon as the final whistle blew.

Where is the chance to get an autograph?

This time he must get Wang Lie’s autograph, which would be the perfect ending to his season.

Just …

He glanced to the side again and saw a fan wearing a Kensington jersey next to him.

Kensington’s home jersey is blue, just like Tyne’s home jersey, so this guy doesn’t look out of place among the Tyne fans.

Xiao Cheng was a little concerned, not understanding why a Kensington fan was here…

The two games today will end in a fight to the death. Brother, aren’t you afraid of being beaten here?

Just when Xiao Cheng was secretly complaining in his heart, the fans at the scene became agitated – Tyne’s bus drove over!
For a moment, Xiao Cheng was no longer concerned about the Kensington fans around him. He turned his head to look at the bus that was slowly stopping, his eyes full of anticipation.

As the bus door opened, Tyne players got off one by one and the fans cheered.

After Wang Lie came down, Xiao Cheng yelled at the top of his voice: “Brother Wang! Brother Wang, Brother Wang! Brother Wang! Here! Brother Wang!”

His hysterical roar successfully attracted Wang Lie’s attention, and the latter really looked over here in the direction of the sound. After seeing Xiao Cheng dancing with joy, he walked over.

Xiao Cheng was so excited that he handed over the photo and marker he had prepared: “Brother Wang! Brother Wang! Please sign for me, Brother Wang!”

When Wang Lie took his photo and pen and signed, he kept chattering excitedly: “Thank you, Brother Wang, thank you! I followed you all the way from Soflian to Tain, Brother Wang, you are my youth!”

Wang Lie signed his name and handed the item back, smiling and saying, “Thank you.”

Xiao Cheng quickly took out his phone again: “Brother Wang, can we take a photo together?”

“Of course.” Wang Lie motioned for him to turn around and take a selfie.

So Xiao Cheng turned around with his phone in hand, while Wang Lie leaned forward, and the two of them took a selfie together.

“Thank you, Brother Wang, thank you, Brother Wang!” Xiao Cheng was so excited that his voice was filled with tears. “I am complete, Brother Wang, ha!”

A Tyne fan nearby came up to ask Wang Lie for his autograph and took a photo with him.

As Tyne’s top star, Wang Lie is naturally the most popular.

Xiao Cheng was still not satisfied. Taking advantage of the opportunity when Wang Lie was taking a photo with others, he turned around and used the front camera of his mobile phone to forcefully take a “group photo”.

Then he noticed the Kensington fan next to him.

He did not go up to Wang Lie to ask for an autograph or take a photo – Xiao Cheng thought this person was a Kensington fan who liked Brother Wang.

Now it seems obvious that it is not…

So what is he doing here?

Just when Xiao Cheng was confused, the Kensington fan suddenly became excited, waving his arms and shouting, “Sonny! Sonny!”

Sonny Dean, who was about to pass behind Wang Lie, was stopped.

Then the Kensington fan pulled out a picture of Dean and handed it over: “Please sign it for me, Sonny!”

Dean saw the Kensington team logo on the other person’s chest and hesitated, not knowing whether he should sign.

Because so far he is still a Tyne player.

When the other party saw that Dean did not take the photo and pen, a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes.

At this moment, Wang Lie, who was busy signing autographs for others, said, “Sign for him, Sonny. Maybe he is your first fan in Kensington?”

After hearing what Wang Lie said, Dean took the thing from the other party and signed his name on the photo.

“Thank you! Thank you!” The Kensington fan who received the autographed photo was overjoyed and put it away carefully.

He also told Dean: “Good luck next season, Sonny!”

Dean grinned, but his smile was not very natural.

After this Kensington fan, several more Tyne fans came to Dean for autographs and photos, and Dean met their requests one by one.

Then he and Wang Lie walked towards the special passage.

After entering the passage, Wang Lie patted Dean on the shoulder and said, “Not bad, now you have a fan! How does it feel?”

Dean shrunk his neck and touched the tip of his nose: “I owe him this. I’ll pay him back next season…”

If Tyne beat Kensington in this game, then Kensington might not even be able to play in the Europa League.

The debt of gratitude can only be repaid after he comes here next season.

(End of this chapter)