Chapter 15: Warm-Up Plan

David wanted to confront the two giant clubs, but he knew that venting frustration in his office was all he could do. For now, he had no leverage against the two behemoths. Though unwilling, he swallowed his frustration. He believed the tables would turn, and Notts County would rise to prominence. One day, their triumph would be the ultimate revenge, a glorious moment when the giants' dominance would crumble.

Pushing aside thoughts of the two clubs, David began contacting other Premier League teams for warm-up matches. However, without exception, these clubs declined his requests. The only club that agreed was Derby County, but they demanded a £50,000 appearance fee.

David was outraged. "They're treating us like beggars!" he thought. Furious, he rejected Derby County's terms outright.

In the days that followed, David wrestled with the issue. It wasn't about being unable to pay the fee; it was about principle. Agreeing to such demands would make Notts County look desperate. He refused to let his club be seen as weak or subservient. Determined to find a solution, a sudden idea struck him. A club's name popped into his mind, and he couldn't help but grin.

Was there a more fitting warm-up opponent than Juventus?

David's gaze shifted to a globe, pinpointing Italy. Juventus was one of the most prestigious clubs in Italian football and, interestingly, had a historical connection with Notts County. When Juventus was founded, they adopted their iconic black-and-white striped kit from Notts County, England's oldest professional football club. Despite their separate trajectories over the past century, the two clubs had maintained a friendly relationship.

Juventus seemed like the perfect choice.

The only hesitation David had was Juventus' chairman, Luciano Moggi. Known for his controversial dealings and the infamous "Calciopoli" scandal that later rocked Italian football, Moggi wasn't someone David wanted to engage with. Still, this was merely a warm-up match. David reasoned there was no harm in extending an invitation.

With his mind made up, he instructed his secretary to send a formal request to Juventus for a friendly match. As expected, Juventus agreed but offered an alternative—instead of traveling to England, they invited Notts County to Turin.

For Juventus, the match fit perfectly into their preseason plans. They were looking for weaker teams to fine-tune their tactics, and Notts County's offer allowed them to uphold their reputation as gracious hosts.

With the Juventus fixture secured, Notts County's warm-up schedule began to take shape. The plan included:

A home game at Meadow Lane against Northampton Town, another Second Division team. Two matches in London against Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace. Queens Park Rangers, freshly relegated, were also preparing for a season in the Second Division. A trip to Turin for the Juventus match. A final friendly against Championship side Manchester City before the season's start.

Of these five opponents, only Northampton was at the same competitive level as Notts County. The remaining fixtures featured clubs from higher divisions, including the European giant Juventus. The challenging schedule promised to thoroughly test Notts County's squad and provide invaluable experience.

David was particularly excited about the first warm-up match. Despite his nominal role as an assistant coach, he rarely visited the training ground. But this time, he planned to watch every minute.

Long-Term Vision for Notts County

For David, the warm-up matches were just one step in his larger vision for the club. He firmly believed that youth development was the cornerstone of sustainable success. While a strong first team was essential, building a top-tier youth academy was even more critical.

That summer, David allocated a significant portion of the club's funds to constructing a state-of-the-art youth training facility. With over £70 million still in the club's account after transfer spending, he ensured the project would be funded without compromising the team's immediate needs. He hired a renowned British construction company to design the facility, ensuring it would be one of the best in Europe.

David's vision didn't stop at the youth academy. Plans for a new training base and a modern stadium were also taking shape. While the current training ground was sufficient for now, Meadow Lane's 20,000-seat capacity was a limiting factor for the club's ambitions. A modern stadium would be essential for future growth, particularly if the team achieved promotion to the Premier League. However, building a stadium was a costly endeavor, requiring at least £150 million. For the moment, it remained a long-term goal.

David wasn't worried about funding these projects. He anticipated a significant financial opportunity in the near future—an event in the United States that, if leveraged correctly, could provide the resources to not only build a stadium but also position Notts County among Europe's elite.

With his plans in motion, David's focus returned to the present. The upcoming warm-up matches were not just about preparing the team for the new season but also a statement of intent. Notts County was no longer content to linger in the lower leagues. Under David's leadership, they were laying the foundation for a future of success and glory.