Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Knocking on the Door (1)
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[Chicken President]
Chicken President was a brand of chicken that had been selling like hotcakes in Korea recently.
This franchise had managed to set up dozens of Chicken President outlets across the country in just five short years.
And that wasn't all.
"The company is also enjoying massive popularity in Korea with its chicken breast brand."
Richard Geers explained, pointing at the screen at the far end of the conference room.
Ma Jeong-woo, seated at the head of the table, struggled to keep a straight face.
"Chicken breast sales alone broke through 25 million pounds—about 50 billion won—in revenue last year, with operating profits of..."
You couldn't just sign a sponsorship deal willy-nilly.
They were sponsoring us because they saw the club as a marketing tool.
So, it made sense to dig deep into the company.
What if the sponsorship got yanked midway, or they went bankrupt? That'd be a loss.
The process was pretty complicated, too.
'Shaia's probably gonna be swamped...'
A quick glance showed dark circles under Daniel Sha, the marketing team lead.
He'd have a ton of back-and-forth with Chicken President's marketing rep.
In fact, his mind was already racing through the next steps.
'Media exposure plan... fine-tuning the contract terms... hospitality for the meetings... licensing... hmm.'
While Sha mulled it over, Richard Geers continued his polite rundown.
The more he heard, the more impressive it got.
And the CEO of Chicken President was a bigger footy fan than expected.
"Mr. Kim Sol-ro, the CEO of Chicken President, has followed European soccer for years and even dreamed of buying a club someday."
Lately, he'd rediscovered Bolton through their YouTube channel.
What really hooked him was the Man United win, and he'd been pushing for a sponsorship ever since.
Jeong-woo fought back a smug grin and nodded.
'In the end, it's all thanks to me.'
He'd put the team back on the Korean map via YouTube when it was fading away, and the Man U victory had landed them in headlines, pulling in way more buzz than imagined.
Of course, he had a stray thought.
'Solo, huh. Kinda sad.'
After a good while,
Jeong-woo raised a hand and cut to the chase.
"So, what's the sponsorship amount looking like?"
That was the key question.
Still, he kept his cool.
Unshakable calm, no matter the storm—like a rock, not a poem.
'Yeah, a leader's gotta stay solid!'
Geers flashed his trademark grin.
"As main sponsor, they've proposed 400,000 pounds—around 800 million won. One-year term."
"Whoa, fuck."
The curse slipped out unbidden.
It topped Wigan's preseason sponsorship, even for a one-year deal.
Not 100% thrilled, though.
'One-year contract? Seriously?'
The short term screamed uncertainty.
'They might be testing our draw. Wait for this season's results before renewing or upping it...'
Locking it in now wasn't a bad move.
But,
Sniff sniff—!
Jeong-woo flared his nostrils.
Smelled like there was more money to squeeze.
He cleared his throat with a cough.
"Anyway, can we set up a meeting with their CEO?"
Time to talk turkish.
* * *
[<Hornet> Bolton Wanderers on the Verge of Sponsorship with Korean Chicken Giant 'Chicken President'...!]
[<Blackroad> One-Year Deal! 400,000 Pounds (800 Million Won) Sponsorship Talks Nearing Close...!]
[Will Bolton Wanderers Sport 'Chicken President' Logo on Jerseys from January Next Year? Club Owner Meets CEO on September 4th!]
Even unconfirmed, Wanderers fans were buzzing.
- : Whoa! Bolton finally landing a solid sponsorship?
- : Hell yeah! They outbid those Latics bastards. Bet they're shaking in their boots!
- : Thanks, Chairman! Your promo push paid off. Fingers crossed for the win!
League One-wise, it was a hefty sum.
If it went through, it'd rank 11th among 24 teams for one-year deals.
Previously, 22nd.
Korean fans swarmed the YouTube channel, hyped.
- <LifeIsTenThousandMiles> : Alright, tide's high—paddle hard! Reel in more buzz and snag a Samsung sponsorship next!
- <NoGirlfriend> : Congrats, Bolton Wanderers! Grab tons of cash and sign killer players! ^_^
- <DreamingAngel> : Pisses me off. If I ran a company, I'd dump 100 billion won into Bolton right now!
Old-school Wanderers fans, decades deep, felt a pang of nostalgia.
- : Back when we roamed the EPL, sponsorships averaged 20 million pounds—320 billion won. Now we're thrilled over 400k? Haha.
But that was a tiny minority.
Most were stoked, dreaming of top-tier signings.
Then Kierzbull media dropped a mock-up article, and fans recoiled for a whole new reason.
Assuming the deal, they'd unveiled next January's Chicken President-logoed kit.
And it was shockingly bad.
A grinning chicken head plastered smack in the chest.
* * *
Maybe scars from last season's near-demotion under Derek Scott.
Early predictions had trashed Bolton, but they were defying them.
August 25th, League Two Round 2.
Bolton Wanderers VS Lincoln City
77th minute.
[Owen Pressais, who struck early, threads it deep left!]
Swish—!
[Oh! Pak! Slips between fullback and center-back in a blink!]
Thwack—!
[Pak's one-touch shoooot—!]
Goal—!
[Goooaaal! Bolton Wanderers! Pak bags his second straight game goal, setting the Wanderers dancing!]
Bolton mauled Lincoln City—another freshly promoted League Two side—like they did Bradford City.
Commentators stayed hyped.
[Lincoln can't handle Pak's pace!]
Spot on.
Prodigy Pak's bursts were insane.
Post-Man U, he was awakening.
Owen's pinpoint long ball drops at his feet? No more dallying—he processes direct, deadlier now.
League Two newbies couldn't cope with the speed.
[Pak's sprints are like lightning strikes! Rising star vibes!]
Added time: Sensuous Ruff's volley sealed 3-0.
League Round 3: Loan kids from Man City, Frank Gerrard and Cole Palmer, shone vs. promoted Newport.
Gerrard: 5 interceptions, 6/7 tackles—shackled Newport.
Palmer, right winger: underlaps, taps Owen's through ball home.
1-0 winner.
Three straight wins.
Bolton hit 4th in League One.
Top three also unbeaten, more goals, alas.
* * *
Late evening.
Plop plop—!
Fat raindrops hammered the parked car window.
Post-Newport win, Bolton and Citizen Parish radio stations sang praises.
Car radio was no different.
[Hot streak continues from last season's end! Muamba! Bolton legend with plenty to say?]
[Yes, sir. Mouth's itching all day.]
[Must've been thrilled?]
[Thrilled? Been buzzing since relegation escape.]
Fabrice Muamba, Aaron's Bench regular, sounded flushed over the airwaves.
He was smitten with Bolton's owner-manager.
[Last season: 11W-3D-4L. Preseason excluded... but toss 'em in? 19W-3D-4L including these wins! Believable? Huh?!]
Absurd chuckles leaked through.
They cited stats, still disbelieving, then added,
[Doesn't matter his past job. He's proven his worth to the Wanderers. Overwhelming results and love for the team!]
Also,
[Some'll nitpick: 'Just three games! Two against promoted nobodies!']
[Words for them?]
Aaron Bench chuckled.
Muamba paused, lowered his tone, then bellowed.
[First... fuck! Then watch. Where's Bolton at mid-half-season? Eyes peeled! Might pry 'em open myself. Haha.]
Passenger fiddled with radio dial.
Kierzbull channel: more Bolton love.
Turf channel: transfers.
[Ma says at least one more signing before window shuts. Who?]
[Goalkeeper boost? Or center-back.]
[Yeah, Shields aside, CBs are meh. Championship push means elite GK and CB needed.]
Click!
Passenger killed the radio.
Got the gist.
Driver, 50s guy munching donut, side-eyed him.
"Decided?"
Midlife driver asked.
Passenger: 190cm tall, 100kg beast, swept dreads lightly.
Flashed white teeth.
"Wanna join Bolton."