166: Global live broadcast of the "Official Announcement Day"

Inside the press conference room at Phoenix Training Center.

Flashbulbs popped continuously, and the whispers of reporters merged into a low hum.

At exactly 10 AM, Lin Feng pushed open the doors to the press room.

He wore a well-tailored dark blue suit and walked steadily towards the stage.

Park Jeong-hee, Samsung Group’s Global Vice President, followed closely behind, carrying a thick contract folder.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here on this special day.”

Lin Feng stood at the microphone, his voice clearly reaching every corner of the press room.

The reporters below instantly fell silent, all their attention focused on the young club owner.

“Today, we will witness one of the most important moments in Hartlepool United Football Club’s history.”

Park Jeong-hee walked to Lin Feng’s side and gently placed the contract folder on the table.

“I am honored to announce that Hartlepool United Football Club and Samsung Group have officially signed a ten-year stadium naming rights and strategic partnership agreement.”

The air in the press room instantly grew heavy.

Reporters held their breath, awaiting the number they had been speculating about for weeks.

“The total value of the contract is eighty million British Pounds.”

As soon as Lin Feng’s voice fell, the entire press room erupted in a commotion.

Camera shutters clicked like machine gun fire, reporters frantically pressing their buttons.

“From today, our home stadium will officially be renamed ‘Samsung-Northern Dragon Arena’.”

John Cross, chief football reporter for the Daily Mail, was the first to raise his hand.

“Mr. Lin, this contract breaks all commercial records in League One. What do you think this means for the team?”

Lin Feng smiled slightly, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

“It means the world has started to take the name Hartlepool United seriously.”

“Samsung Group chose to cooperate with us not because of our current League, but because they saw our future.”

Sarah Winters, a reporter from BBC Sport, immediately followed with a question.

“Eighty million British Pounds for naming rights is top-tier even in European football. How do you respond to external doubts about ‘money football’?”

Lin Feng’s expression became serious.

“Money cannot buy victory, but it can create the conditions for victory.”

“This fund will be entirely invested in the club’s infrastructure development, youth training system improvement, and team strength enhancement.”

“We want to build the most advanced training base in Europe, we want to have a world-class youth academy, and we want every player who wears a Hartlepool United jersey to have the best environment for growth.”

Park Jeong-hee took over the conversation, speaking in English with a slight Korean accent.

“Samsung Group chose Hartlepool United based on full recognition of Mr. Lin’s management philosophy and the team’s development prospects.”

“We believe that this team will become an unstoppable force in European football in the near future.”

The press conference lasted for a full hour.

The moment Lin Feng and Park Jeong-hee shook hands for a photo, global media went wild.

BBC immediately interrupted its morning news broadcast for an urgent breaking report.

Sky Sports’ football experts debated the far-reaching impact of the contract fiercely in the studio.

ESPN reporters even connected with the Commercial Directors of Barcelona and Real Madrid, asking for their opinions on the matter.

Meanwhile, at Goodison Park in Liverpool.

David Moyes sat in his office, his eyes fixed on the live news broadcast on the television screen.

His face was frighteningly grim, and his clenched fists showed his inner anger.

“Eighty million British Pounds?”

Moyes suddenly stood up, his chair scraping loudly across the floor.

“How can a League One club get a contract like that?”

Assistant coach Alan Irvine cautiously entered the office.

“Boss, the players are waiting for you in the meeting room.”

Moyes took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner rage.

He knew that this press conference was not just a commercial act, but also a psychological tactic.

Hartlepool United’s owner wanted to use this method to put pressure on Everton.

“Tell the players, the tactical meeting starts in five minutes.”

Moyes’ voice was low and firm.

In the meeting room, Everton’s players were discussing the news they had just seen.

Tim Cahill shook his head and said, “Eighty million British Pounds, that’s an astronomical figure.”

Mikel Arteta frowned, deep in thought.

“This Lin Feng is not simple. He chose to release this news on match day, clearly intending to affect our mindset.”

Phil Neville snorted.

“It’s just psychological warfare. We’ve been fighting in the Premier League for so many years, what kind of situation haven’t we seen?”

“A bunch of League One kids, trying to scare us with money?”

Moyes pushed the door open, and everyone immediately fell silent.

The Scottish coach walked to the tactics board, picked up a marker, and drew a large 'X' on the whiteboard.

“Forget their money!”

Moyes’ voice echoed in the meeting room.

“Forget their stadium! Forget those damned media reports!”

“At Goodison Park, with our strength, we will shut them up!”

“Let them know that football is not something that can be bought with money!”

The players were infected by their coach’s passion, and fighting spirit began to burn in their eyes.

Neville was the first to stand up.

“Exactly! We’ll show these upstarts what real Premier League quality is!”

Cahill also clenched his fists.

“They think they can do whatever they want with money. Tonight, we’ll teach them a lesson!”

Moyes looked at the players’ reactions with satisfaction.

He knew that anger was sometimes the best source of motivation.

Meanwhile, Hartlepool United’s bus was speeding down the highway.

The atmosphere inside the bus was relaxed and confident, with players still discussing the morning’s press conference.

“The boss is too amazing, eighty million British Pounds!”

Walker was so excited he was gesticulating wildly.

“Are we considered a true giant now?”

Vardy smiled and shook his head.

“A giant is not built with money; it’s proven with strength.”

“Tonight is our time to prove our strength.”

Lin Feng sat in the front row of the bus, looking back at the excited players.

“Gentlemen, quiet down.”

The bus instantly fell silent, and everyone looked at their boss.

“The whole world is watching us tonight.”

Lin Feng’s voice was calm and powerful.

“Moyes will be even angrier because of the press conference. He will demand that the team press aggressively from the first minute.”

“And that’s exactly what we want.”

Henderson nodded thoughtfully.

“You mean, let them expend their energy first?”

“Exactly.”

Lin Feng stood up and walked to the center of the bus.

“Remember our ‘triangle passing’ tactic.”

“Release the ball in the simplest, fastest way to deplete their energy and break their will.”

“When they can’t run anymore, that’s when we take over the game.”

Sigurdsson raised his hand to ask a question.

“If their pressing intensity is really high, won’t we be on the back foot in the opening stages?”

Lin Feng smiled at the Icelandic midfielder.

“Being passive isn’t scary; losing patience is.”

“What we need to do is stay calm, stick to our tactics, and wait for opportunities to arise.”

“Remember, a football match is ninety minutes long; it’s not about who makes the first move to win in the end.”

The bus continued to drive on the highway.

The scenery outside the window rapidly receded, but everyone inside the bus was focused on the upcoming challenge.

At 5 PM, Hartlepool United’s bus slowly drove into the Goodison Park stadium parking lot.

This old stadium, built in 1892, exuded a rich sense of history.

The red brick exterior walls appeared particularly solemn in the setting sun, and the tall stands stood like an ancient castle.

The players stepped off the bus, experiencing the majesty of this Premier League stadium up close for the first time.

“This is Goodison Park?”

Maloney looked up at the huge stands, a hint of awe in his eyes.

“It feels even more impressive than on TV.”

Lin Feng walked at the front of the team, his steps still steady, but with a touch more solemnity in his eyes.

This stadium had witnessed too many classic moments in Premier League history.

Countless world-class stars had left their footprints here.

Tonight, he would lead his team to write their own legend here.

A tense atmosphere filled the player tunnel.

Everton’s players were already waiting there, dressed in their blue home jerseys, looking sternly at the challengers from League One.

Phil Neville stood at the front of the line.

The former England international’s eyes gleamed with disdain.

He looked at the young faces of Hartlepool United and turned to Tim Cahill beside him.

“A bunch of kids who don’t know their place.”

Neville’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for Hartlepool United’s players to hear.

“Tonight, we’ll teach them a lesson.”

Cahill nodded coldly.

“Let them know what real Premier League rhythm is.”

Hartlepool United’s players showed no change in expression when they heard these words.

They were used to such contempt and provocation.

Since the start of League One, every opponent had underestimated them like this.

But what was the result?

Twelve consecutive wins were the best answer.

Henderson walked among his teammates, lowering his voice and saying.

“Let them talk. We’ll settle it on the field.”

Vardy grinned.

“We’ll see who teaches whom a lesson later.”

The players began to enter their respective locker rooms to prepare.

Goodison Park’s away locker room, though not luxurious, was well-equipped.

Some classic photos from Everton’s history hung on the walls, silently telling the glorious past of this stadium.

Old John walked to the tactics board and began the final tactical arrangements.

“Remember what the boss said, be patient in the opening stages.”

“They will press aggressively; we need to use passing to wear down their energy.”

“Shawcross, Nelson, you two need to pay special attention to their tall center forward.”

The two center-backs nodded seriously.

“Henderson, your task is to mark Arteta tightly and not let him comfortably organize attacks.”

Henderson flexed his wrists, his eyes determined.

“Walker, Robson, the wing attacks are up to you.”

“Find the right moment to deliver a fatal blow to the opponent.”

The atmosphere in the locker room was serious and focused.

Every player was making their final preparations: checking boots, stretching joints, adjusting their mindset.

Lin Feng pushed the door open, and the entire locker room instantly fell silent.

He looked around, meeting the eyes of every player.

“Gentlemen, do you remember what I said when we first met?”

The players recalled that distant summer when they were just a group of unknown young players.

“I said we were going to make history, to make the world remember the name Hartlepool United.”

“Tonight is when we deliver on that promise.”

Lin Feng’s voice was not loud, but every word resonated in the players’ hearts.

“Goodison Park has witnessed countless great moments. Tonight, we will also leave our mark here.”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t back down, play our own football.”

“Remember, you are not fighting for a League One club; you are fighting for your dreams!”

Burning fighting spirit ignited in the players’ eyes.

They formed a circle, stacking their hands together.

“Hartlepool United!”

Everyone shouted in unison.

The sound penetrated the locker room walls, reaching every corner of Goodison Park.