My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 233 The Origin of All Things ([-])

1880-1881 FA Cup semi-final, Darwen played against Oxford University.

Score on the field: three to zero.

The social elite of Oxford University gasped for breath. They had the best minds in the UK, but the current game, this sport, was beyond their imagination.

"I think I see the future of this sport..." muttered one of the Oxford players.

"And the future comes from this group of... textile workers?" His teammates looked in disbelief.

There were only ten minutes left in the game. The players of the Darwen team were evenly spread out on the field. This was a 2-3-5 formation. They came to their respective positions skillfully.

Like an inverted pyramid.

Compared with the popular six-forward formation at this time, 2-3-5 dropped one forward, reducing the overlap of forward roles, while adding more people to the midfield and strengthening the control of passing.

This is not a difficult strategy to think of, and it is an inevitable choice when you decide to switch from a dribbling style to a passing style.

Chen Yao directed his players to run and pass the ball on the sidelines. This was another thing that surprised the Oxford University players. In the past, their tactical arrangements were directed by the captain while playing, and there were many It's a matter of improvisation on the spot, and there is no such detailed off-field guidance.

In addition, the Oxford players keenly discovered that the Darwin players had a good sense of position.

They are generally able to maintain regular positions with each other, and they work well together and pass the ball proficiently.

This can even be described as well-trained.

"The game is not over yet, brothers." Fergie Suter shouted happily, "Let's score another one!"

The players of the Darwen team started to move, and the ball came to the feet of Mikel Arteta. He passed the ball to Tomas Rosicky in front. Rosicky easily broke through the Oxford University team's rushing players and passed Fergie diagonally. Souter.

Their focus was too deceitful, Rosicky thought.

The Darwen team's fast passing made the Oxford University players at a loss. Under the command of the captain, they chased the ball all over the field in panic.

The large-scale running quickly exhausted their physical strength. As a group of people with the best brains in the UK, the Oxford University players quickly figured out one thing: no matter how fast they ran, they could not catch up with the flight and movement of the ball. The speed of scrolling.

However, facing the Darwen team's offensive, Oxford University, whose existing concepts were shattered, was unable to establish a systematic response method in a short time. They could only chase the ball holder in vain, and then kept passing the ball in Darwin. Exhausted physical energy in the ball.

When Fergie Suter received the ball, Oxford's key personnel gathered around Rosicky and there was no one around him.

Jamie Love rushed out with a diagonal stab, Fergie Suter's pass came to his feet, and Love dribbled at high speed into the Oxford University goal.

He fired a low ball as he ran, but the Oxford goalkeeper misjudged the path of the ball.

Four to zero.

The game is over.

"Old Etonians, we're back!" James Walsh threw away his cane like a child and shouted excitedly, "We are the FA Cup final team!"

……

"Dawen can't be an FA Cup winner, not even a runner-up."

FA president Francis Medellin said categorically.

The FA Headquarters, Frederick Street, London.

"Look what this is." Medellin spread a newspaper on the table. "Recruiting a football player - such an advertisement can be published openly in the newspaper. Gentlemen, our football movement is being tainted."

"Sir, this advertisement is not published by the Darwin team." A middle-aged man with a low eyebrow said beside Medellin.

"Charles, I know. But Darwen got off to a bad start, and even if they were eliminated, they actually made it to the final - whether we beat them or were beaten by them, it means this is A disgrace to sport!”

"Mr. Medellin, calm down, I understand what you mean."

Charles Elcouk - honorary secretary of the FA - rushed to reassure Francis Medellin. "What do you understand, Charles?" Arthur Kinnard raised his eyebrows. "What are you going to do?"

"As Mr. Medellin said, Darwen's qualification on the field is our failure." Charles Erkuk said, "I will write to them in my capacity as honorary secretary of the Football Association to inform them of the violation. The competition regulations.”

"Disqualify them, Charles!" shouted Francis Medellin.

Charles Ercook looked embarrassed, "Mr. Medellin, this... this is against the rules."

"That's enough, Francis," said Arthur Kinnard. "If Darwen is directly disqualified, it will be a scandal in the history of football. You should know that we all agree on the principles of fair play."

"Fair?" Francis Medellin sneered, "Arthur, is Darwen fair to us? They recruit players everywhere, and these people eat football! And what about us? We still have to work for this society! You Do you actually think this is fair?"

Arthur Kinnard looked at him and said nothing.

Charles Elkuk also coughed twice and remained calm.

"Okay, okay." Francis Medellin sighed, "Gentlemen, I admire your moral code. Let's ask their representatives to talk about it. If they are willing to let those paid players not play , we can compete with them.”

……

"Despicable, scoundrels, these sanctimonious hypocrites..." James Walsh's hand holding the letter kept shaking, "Do they think they can control British football?!"

"The FA asked us to send representatives to London to hold talks with them." Chen Yao looked at the textile factory owner, "Mr. Walsh, should you go? Or should I go?"

"Let's go together and bring a few more players." James Walsh's face was ashen. "This matter must be explained clearly. Football cannot be controlled by this group of people!"

"By the way." James Walsh suddenly asked, "Can we still win if our hired players don't play?"

"Honestly, James, even without Mikel, Thomas, Bakari, Fergie, Jamie... we could have won."

"Then..." James Walsh hesitated, "Mr. Coach, how about we...?"

It is not easy for James Walsh, a small and barely capitalist, to compete with the top controllers of British football.

What's more, James Walsh knows that some bastards from the Football Association, such as Arthur Kinnard, have deep-rooted relationships with several major banks in the UK, and his factory still relies on the banks to provide him with funds. Turnover.

A momentary dispute of temper can't ruin the family's livelihood.

"Mr. Walsh, please understand that this is not just a matter between you, me and Darwen." Chen Yao looked at the textile factory owner and said patiently, "Football is yours, mine, and millions more." A movement for thousands of people. Now is the crossroads of this movement, the moment to decide its fate.”

"But..." James Walsh still hesitated.

"I understand your hesitation, Mr. Walsh." Chen Yao sighed, "It is unfair to impose responsibilities on you. But please believe that there are many people who want to reform football like you. You can Compromise, it's your right to choose. But please don't make this decision lightly."

James Walsh was still hesitant. He nodded slightly, "Mr. Coach, please go back first. Let me think about it again."

"Goodbye, Mr. Walsh."

After leaving James Walsh's office, Chen Yao glanced at the gray sky in Darwen and walked towards the textile factory.

To his surprise, the textile workers did not break up to drink or gather on the lawn after get off work.

Instead, they split into two groups, clearly separated by lines, and the atmosphere was tense.

Chen Yao walked over quickly and found that one group of people were Darwen's original workers, and the other group were Arteta, Rosicky and Fergie Suter.

"What happened?" Chen Yao walked closer to the two groups of people who were about to quarrel and separated them. "Why don't you go play football? What are you doing here?"

"We heard that the FA is going to disqualify Darwin from participating in the competition." A big worker from Darwen shouted loudly, "We want to participate in the final, as long as you guys don't play!"

"Why?" Jamie Love sneered, "How did you reach the finals without us?"

"Oh, Scottish boy." The big worker's tone was full of dissatisfaction, "We work so hard that we can't even work for eight hours, and our income is so meager. And what about you? Just kick it. You can make more money than us by playing the ball. Without us, how would you reach the finals?!"

(End of this chapter)