Chapter 41
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: End of Era, Rovers.
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League Cup followed by FA Cup victory.
The moment Captain Southgate lifted the trophy high, even with his battered face, celebratory fireworks exploded, marking the finale of Wembley's last match.
This game marked the end of Wembley Stadium, which would later be demolished and reborn as the New Wembley Stadium.
And the Blackburn Rovers became the team to claim the final victory at the old Wembley!
I slowly walked onto the field after the ceremony.
Security tried to stop me, but Dalglish shouted.
"Stop! That's our boss!"
"!?"
"Sorry about that."
Dalglish himself brought the winner's cup alongside Southgate as I pushed past security.
"Young Boss, this is the trophy you created!"
"The reporters are over there~."
As Dalglish and Southgate pointed toward the British press, I called one more person.
"Yoo Sung-chul!"
"!"
"Rino!"
The first player I signed, the first Korean star I brought over.
After calling them both, I gestured to the reporters to snap photos here and hoisted the FA Cup trophy I'd received from Southgate high into the air.
Camera flashes erupted—it was a day that promised front-page headlines in tomorrow's papers.
The "Wild Rovers" chant echoed through Wembley as a neatly dressed, large-framed elderly gentleman approached.
"Mr. Lee?"
"That's me."
The old man extended his hand to me without preamble.
As I shook it, he leaned in close to whisper amid the noisy atmosphere.
"Congratulations from the heart. I'm David Davies from the FA."
"Ah, finally meeting you. Lee Dae-hyun."
The BBC alum who chaired the British Olympic Bid Committee and served as secretary of the Football Association.
And the man who would approve my interim 'acting owner' title from the Blackburn Rovers acquisition onward.
"You've taken Jack Walker's shares and led the team to victory."
"You'll grant me official owner status, right?"
"Hahaha. You're aiming to be the EPL's first foreign top-flight club owner? I'll push this achievement through the FA today, so wait for the good news."
Reporters snapped away especially furiously at my handshake and chat with David Davies.
With me mingling naturally with Britain's heavyweights, the press was taking keen interest.
That day, we popped champagne, toured pubs around London singing victory chants for Blackburn, and mingled with fans.
Wrapping up business in London, I prepared to head home.
Ian Wright Declares ‘This Season is My Last’ Retirement.
Rose at Arsenal, Finished at Blackburn. A Legend Retires.
Ian Wright had announced his retirement.
He'd been instrumental in escaping relegation last season, lifted team morale, brought his sons Shaun and Bradley along, won the League Cup and FA Cup, and now retired honorably.
"Ian, you've worked hard all this time."
"I'm truly grateful to Mr. Lee for letting me end it this way."
"I've secured a spot for you at Blackburn."
"!"
"Take the role of club ambassador. Stay with Rovers while Shaun and Bradley grow."
Ian would make a fine mentor for future administrative roles.
We shook hands, and his retirement ceremony was set for a preseason friendly against Arsenal before next season's opener.
This season's results: 4th in the league, FA Cup winners, League Cup winners.
Relegated: Wimbledon, Watford, Sheffield Wednesday. Top scorer: Kevin Phillips, naturally.
Myth of the Second Divisioners. Cinderella Blackburn's Kevin Phillips with 30 League Goals.
Aiming for European Golden Shoe. Phillips, from England's Pride to Europe's Top Striker.
Kevin Phillips: ‘I Dedicate This Honor to Rovers' Boss Mr. Lee Who Believed in Me.’
Leading with this season's biggest success, Kevin Phillips, James Beattie returned to Blackburn too, showing promise as a prospect with 7 goals and 7 assists in 26 games.
FA Cup win, Kevin Phillips' Golden Boot, and next—Kenny Dalglish's resignation.
"King Kenny, resigning from Blackburn again?"
"What's the reason for the sudden resignation? Heading to Liverpool or another team?"
Dalglish smiled at the reporters.
"It was promised when I joined Blackburn last year. 1+1 contract, and now I'm resting. Heading back to my hometown Glasgow."
Dalglish stepped down honorably amid the biggest ovation at Blackburn.
"Kenny, retiring at 50 seems too early, no?"
"Honestly, haven't I done enough? League titles 4 times with Liverpool and Blackburn, FA Cups 3, League Cup 1. No international trophies as manager, but I won 3 as a player."
"Successor decided? Brian Kidd, who originally came as Blackburn manager?"
"Who knows? Our Mr. Lee will decide. I'm off to enjoy retirement."
Dalglish left on a high note amid applause.
One by one, they were departing.
"Ian Wright retires, Dalglish resigns, Chairman John Williams moves to advisor post-season, and into the new millennium, they're going one by one."
Handling matters one by one in the office, my workload doubled preparing for the 00/01 season.
Immediately: next manager appointment, Ian Wright replacement signing, fulfilling my promise of an 'S-class world-class player' to the press—all to complete.
RRRR- RRRRR-
The office phone rang, and I picked up.
"Hello?"
[It's Linda.]
"Ah, Mrs. Mattiessen. What's up?"
[...He's gone. Last night, in front of the family.]
"...."
The person Linda Mattiessen mentioned had passed.
[He went smiling to the end.]
"I'm coming right away."
Jack Walker, the giant who elevated Blackburn Rovers to this point, had passed at 71.
Channel Islands, St. Helier.
[He left a great mark on British business, a great businessman who always lived by the motto ‘Think Big.’]
Listening to the Anglican priest's eulogy, I prepared the chrysanthemum wreath we'd painstakingly obtained with the staff.
"Even here, they pay respects with flowers."
"Mr. Lee, the Walker family says it's fine at the entrance."
"Yes, please do that."
Blackburn staff, of course, but British political, business, and cultural heavyweights gathered.
Kenny Dalglish, who'd gone to Glasgow; Chris Sutton, playing for Chelsea; even Alan Shearer, called Blackburn's betrayer—all in black suits for condolences.
"Virginia Group's Richard Branson, Harrods' Mohamed Al-Fayed, even a memorial wreath in the name of the Royal Family...."
At the time, it came in the name of the Prince of Wales.
"Vice Chairman, here it is."
"Thanks. You didn't have to come."
"The Chairman instructed a formal visit on behalf of the group, as former British Steel chairman and key trading partner."
I took the Daeyang Global wreath prepared by Chief Park and the two hampers from Blackburn staff.
Then entered the Anglican church for the memorial service.
All eyes turned to me as I slowly walked to the altar.
In my left hand, the League Cup; right, the FA Cup trophy.
I carefully placed the two silver trophies beside Jack Walker's casket.
"I kept my promise, Chairman."
I bowed my head in final farewell.
The countless mourners filling the church rose as one, offering deep, prolonged applause.
It was respect for the departing giant—and encouragement for the one ushering in a new era.
Thank you for entrusting me with the club.
I'll lead it to even greater glory ahead.
As I finished my respects, Jack's daughter Linda and son Hyde extended hands for a shake.
"May the deceased rest in peace."
"Mr. Lee, thank you for coming. After the funeral, let's discuss Rovers operations."
I exchanged greetings with the family, then stepped out for air before the memorial mass.
There, in the distance, a black-suited elderly man walked alone.
The white-haired, gold-rimmed glasses figure I'd seen often at matches—Sir Alex Ferguson.
"!?"
"Hey there—"
Ferguson arrived leisurely with a bouquet of condolence flowers.
"You came."
"A heavyweight who gave so much to English football deserves a final goodbye."
The man who'd hurled thorny barbs at Blackburn all season now adjusted his glasses with a smile.
"With Kenny gone and Ian retired, what'll you do alone?"
"Make an even more spectacular season solo. Better results than Man U."
"Still cocky as ever. See you at Old Trafford next season."
Ferguson entered the church with his bouquet.
The funeral that day was solemn and grand.
The end of an era.
And now, preparations to start my true own season.