The Best Kept Secrets

[Matt_no_7]

Chapter 91

With the season over things became increasingly boring. Warner celebrated coming second in the European Golden Boot awards by netting a hat trick in a 7-0 win against San Marino then a brace against Hungary in a 3-1 win in Englands Euro qualifiers. At home i was settling into a life of parenthood nicely despite the lack of sleep, tons of nappys and a cranky wife. While looking over the Leeds website i looked at the jobs available and found that there were a couple of coaching positions open at the club. They were starters positions but they paid way more than i was earning at my current job. In my younger days when a career as a player became a pipe dream i completed my coaching badges upto Uefa level but never used them as after 6 months i couldn't find a job within the game. After talking it over with the missus i applied just on the off chance i'd get the job and then waited.

Over the summer months Sean Gregan, Gary Kelly, Seyfo Soley, Neil Sulivan all agreed to moves away from the club as Batty sought to rid the team of it's weak points. England kicked off their Confederations Cup with a 4-0 win over the Solomon Islands. Matt Warner and Dan Harding were called upto the squad, Warner was a shoe in but Harding was the suprise selection but i firmly believe he has the talent in order to become a full international sooner rather than later. Batty with his new transfer budget dived into the transfer market head first with bids for Pedro Mendes and former Chelsea foward Mateja Kezman. He also made it know that the budget this season was small and warned fans not to expect such a big spending spree this time round. He is rumoured to have around £8m to spend and will be looking for some bargains and hopefuly to sell some of the dead weight in the team in order to fund moves for more players.

During a lazy Friday at home, watching This Morning the phone rang. I put down my bowl of cereal and wandered over table and picked up the ringing piece of plastic, it was my dad...

Dad: Turn on Sky Sports news, quick!

Me: Why?

Dad: Just do it

I turned over and was stunned at what i saw and heard..

"Our main story today comes from Elland Road where in a press conference ealier this morning, Leeds United Chairman Ken Bates has announced he is to retire and sell the club. He said that while he has enjoyed his time at the club, poor health has foced his hand and he will sell the club within the next couple of weeks to a mystery bidder in a deal which is believed to be around the £25m mark. In his time at the club he has helped take Leeds back to the top of English football but admitted that it was now time to retire and do new things away from football."

I was speechless to say the least, but that was only the beginning...

[Matt_no_7]

Chapter 92: New Beginnings

As i said, that was only the beginning for Leeds and for me as a couple of weeks later on another lazy morning the phone rang,

RD- Hello?

LUFC- Good Morning, may i speak to a Mr. Reece Daniels please?

RD- Speaking...

LUFC- Hello, i'm Jane, i'm calling from Leeds United Football Club, i have Jackson Wheeler wishing to speak to you.

RD- Who?

LUFC- Let me just put you through, please hold...

JW- Hello Mr. Daniels, Jackson Wheeler here, how are you?

RD- Confused, how can i help you?

JW- I've just looked over your application form concerning the coaches positions we have available and i'm calling to offer you an interview, this afternoon say 1pm?

RD- Yes that would be great.

JW- Ok, i'll see you at 1.

The phone went dead and i ran up the stairs to get ready. By 1pm i was at the club and walking into the lobby before being greeted by a youngish gentleman in a suit jacket and jeans. He reached his hand out and i shook it before he escorted me upto his office.

JW- Please take a seat and we'll get right down to business. Would you like a drink?

RD- No, but thanks for the offer.

JW- Ok, lets get down to it, my name is Jackson Wheeler, i'm the new owner and chairman of Leeds United Football Club. I've looked over your application and although you applied for a entry level coaching job, i have a more interesting offer for you if you're willing to listen to it.

RD- Of course.... what is it?

JW- First team coach. Due to Sam Ellis retiring we've promoted from within the current staff and now have an opening for a first team coach. You have the relevent qualifications for the post and while a little inexperienced i believe you could become a valuable part of our coaching staff.

RD- Are you serious? This isn't a wind up or something is it?

JW- *Laughs* No, not a wind up. We want someone who is close to the club, has a soft spot for the team and what it stands for. You have been a fan since you were born and attended nearly every game for the last 20 years. You and Batty have the same loyalty i'm looking for in my staff. So what do you say?

RD- Errmm, yes yes yes and...yes.

JW- *laughs* Well then, welcome to Leeds United.

We shook hands and by the end of the afternoon i had signed a 3 year coaches contract worth £400 a week. I'd be coaching the likes of Warner, Walton and Coloccini. After i signed i rushed home and rang... everybody really. While i wouldn't start until the beginning of July i was already nervous. The missus assured me i'd do fine and i should stop worrying. I finished my current office job, had a big party to celebrate and soon i'd be coaching the team i've loved since i was brought into this world. Jackson Wheeler announced his take over and through news reports i gained a bit more information on my new boss. At the age of just 25 he inherted the family company and in the space of a decade turned the quite small family building firm into company worth nearly £890m with an annual turnover of nearly £160m. His firm built Coventry City's Ricoh Arena and various stadiums in the states. His father was English but his mother was American and after spending most of his life in America he decided to expand the business' overseas links and when he gained the Coventry City deal he fell in love with the game all over again after a long absence from taking any real notice in the game. His father told him of the great clubs of his time with the likes of Forest, Liverpool and Leeds United being mentioned in many a bedtime story and when the chance to own one of the former greats came up he didn't hesitate in snapping it up. With his business thriving he decided to expand his empire in other ways and independently bought the club and sought to take it to new highs by pumping £75m into the team with the idea that the money would help the team sustain itself without any need for further investment. Wheeler has given Batty £25m of that to spend on transfers in order to break the team into the Champions League within the next 2 seasons.