5: A gem in the eighth-tier league

After seeing off the difficult female reporter, Sophie Green, Lin Feng rubbed his slightly throbbing temples.

Dealing with the media was more exhausting than he had imagined, especially since she clearly had a strong desire to investigate.

However, all of that was secondary right now.

He refocused his attention on the team's most core problem — the lack of a strong offense.

The scan results from his Player Radar for Hartlepool United's forwards were simply disastrous. With a striker like Adam Boyd, who was weak in confrontation and hesitant in front of goal, how could they even dream of promotion? Impossible!

He had to find a true goal-scoring machine!

Lin Feng took a deep breath and immersed his consciousness into the World-Class Club Development Platform in his mind. He directly opened the Player Radar module. This time, he didn't waste time on Hartlepool United's player list, but instead, he mentally entered a name into the search bar — "Jamie Vardy."

"Searching player: Jamie Vardy. Consuming system energy: 1 point."

The system prompt sounded, and Lin Feng's current system energy dropped from a paltry 10 points to 9. He didn't care in the slightest, his eyes fixed on the player information interface that opened in his vision.

"Player Name: Jamie Vardy"

"Current Club: Stocksbridge Park Steels F.C. (Northern Premier League Division One South, Eighth Tier League in England)"

"Age: 19 years old"

"Position: Forward"

"Current Ability (Overall): E+"

"Potential Rating: S-Class!"

"Key Attributes (Current): Speed 82, Explosiveness 85, Shot Urge 90, Aggression 88, Stamina 75, Strength 60, Technique 62, Dribbling 65, Heading 55, Willpower 92, Professionalism 60 (Unstable)..."

"Hidden Attributes: Injury Tendency (Low), Performance in Big Matches (Extremely High Potential), Adaptability (Medium), Loyalty (Below Medium), Ambition (Extremely High)"

"Player Profile: Currently playing for Stocksbridge Park Steels F.C. in the eighth-tier League of England, while also working as a technician in a medical equipment factory to make a living. Due to a street fight incident in his early years, he is currently under curfew and wears an electronic tag. He has an unruly personality but possesses a strong desire to score goals and an unyielding fighting spirit."

"System Assessment: A rough gem! Absolutely a rough gem! Host, this person possesses all the potential to become a World-Class striker! It is recommended to sign him at all costs!"

"S-Class Potential!" A surge of ecstasy instantly coursed through Lin Feng's entire body!

Although his current overall ability was only a pitiful E+, that speed and explosiveness above 80, along with that terrifying 90 points in Shot Urge and 92 points in Willpower—this was an exceptional talent even in League Two! Not to mention that dazzling S-Class potential!

Eighth-tier League! Medical equipment factory technician! Electronic tag!

These labels, which would be seen as blemishes and troubles by ordinary people, shone with golden light in Lin Feng's eyes!

"He's the one!" Lin Feng slapped his thigh hard. This was like a pie falling from the sky! This was his biggest advantage — information asymmetry!

A future Premier League champion and Golden Boot winner, a legendary striker who broke the Premier League's consecutive goal-scoring record, was still toiling in the eighth-tier League, earning only thirty pounds a week because he wore an electronic tag!

If he didn't get him, he would have been a time traveler (transmigrator) for nothing!

Lin Feng suppressed the excitement in his heart, immediately stood up, and quickly walked out of his office, directly knocking on Old John's door next door.

Old John Mcdonald was looking troubled over a pile of player data. Seeing Lin Feng enter, he quickly stood up: "Boss, you're looking for me?"

"John," Lin Feng got straight to the point, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "I've discovered a very promising striker. I need you to scout him."

Old John's spirits immediately lifted. The club had just resolved its debt crisis, was the boss going to start bringing in new players? He quickly asked: "Oh? Which club is he from? What's his level?"

Lin Feng calmly said: "Stocksbridge Park Steels, a striker named Jamie Vardy."

"Stocksbridge... Park Steels?" Old John's brows instantly furrowed, and his face showed confusion and disbelief. He had never heard of that name before; it was clearly not a professional League team. He hesitated, asking: "Boss... if I may be so bold, what tier is this team...?"

"Northern Premier League Division One South, eighth tier," Lin Feng said indifferently.

"E-Eighth tier?!" Old John's eyes nearly popped out; he thought he had misheard. Gold mining in an amateur League? And the eighth tier at that! This was absolutely preposterous! His scouts, at the very least, went to the National League (fifth tier) to observe players!

"Boss, are you sure? Eighth-tier players... their level..." Old John's tone was full of doubt.

He really couldn't understand why this young boss would set his sights on a place that wasn't even close to professional football.

Lin Feng's tone carried an undeniable authority: "John, I am very sure. This person will be a key figure on our team's frontline in the future. You just need to confirm his basic situation and then tell me your opinion."

Looking at Lin Feng's deep and confident eyes, Old John opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words.

He remembered that a few days ago, Lin Feng had also told him in such a certain tone that the financial problem would be resolved, and as a result, nearly a million in debt truly vanished within a day.

Could it be... that this young man had another judgment that he couldn't comprehend?

"Alright, Boss." Old John sighed. Although he was still full of doubts, he chose to trust him for now. "I will arrange to scout him as soon as possible."

"No," Lin Feng shook his head, "This time, I'll go myself."

Old John was stunned again: "You're going yourself?"

"Yes," Lin Feng nodded, "For a player like Vardy, he might have a difficult personality, so we need to show enough sincerity. Moreover, there are some things I need to discuss with him in person."

He knew that to convince a "troublemaker" like Vardy, scout reports alone wouldn't be enough; a blueprint for the future and genuine financial sincerity were both indispensable.

Lin Feng returned to his office and immediately began to act. From the club account's reserved fund of £342,000, he approved a travel expense of £500 for accommodation and transportation to South Yorkshire, and a small minimum compensation fee that might be paid to Stocksbridge if they were willing to release the player.

He opened his computer and began to search for routes to Stocksbridge and local accommodation information.

South Yorkshire was not too far from Hartlepool, but it still required several hours of driving.

He planned to set off early tomorrow morning.

Just as Lin Feng was actively preparing to recruit Vardy.

Inside the Hartlepool Mail office, Sophie Green was meticulously organizing her interview notes with Lin Feng.

She replayed the recording over and over, carefully considering every word Lin Feng used.

"Hartlepool United will bring surprises to everyone..." Lin Feng's calm yet certain voice echoed in her ears.

Sophie's brows furrowed slightly. This young Chinese boss was full of mysteries.

He lightly attributed the source of the huge funds to "lucky investments," but Sophie always felt that things weren't that simple.

And his plans for the club's future, though grandly stated, deliberately avoided many specific details.

"Surprises?" Sophie's fingertips tapped lightly on the desk, her eyes gleaming with thought, "What kind of surprises? Starting with player acquisitions, or changes in training methods?"

She keenly sensed that Lin Feng was by no means a dreamer who only spoke big words. His calmness beyond his age and his decisive action in resolving the debt crisis both proved that he had his own trump cards.

"It seems that Hartlepool United's recent transfer movements and changes on the training ground will be the first area I need to focus on," Sophie wrote heavily in her notebook.

She decided to uncover all the secrets of this man from the East.

PS: Vardy actually wore an electronic tag because of a bar fight, but the time was February 2007. Here, for plot purposes, it has been moved up by six months.