He was indeed busy . Being a Premier League manager was completely different from being an English Football League Championship team manager . Therefore, he could only smile at Ian MacDonald's words .
"Oh, yes, I need to tell you something, Tony . I'm planning to hang up my boots . "
Twain did not react at first . "Hang up your boots?" What was the gatekeeper hanging up his boots for? But soon he understood and raised his voice in surprise . "You're retiring!"
"Yes, my health isn't so great . My kids are adamant that I quit . " Ian cleared his throat . "Initially I had said I would resign from the club next January . But I think I'm going to wait until the end of the season . I want to see the team go a little further . When the players stop playing, don't they normally say they're hanging up their boots? Well, I want to hang up my boots too!" Ian grinned and chuckled .
Twain was at a loss for words . He knew that Ian was in bad health and had been in the hospital for a period of rest some time ago . The club had temporarily transferred a security guard from the youth team to help out . At that time, Twain had felt unused to seeing a stern, cold-faced uniformed security guard at the gate day in and day out, and not that old man who always smiled and greeted everyone .
Considering the elderly man's health, leaving the post was indeed a wise choice, and Twain had no reason to stop him . That was also why he was at a loss for words .
Seeing that Twain was quiet, Ian said, "But it's good . Now, I can go watch a live match . It's been a long time since I last watched a Forest game at City Ground . Sometimes . . . " He looked back at the radio on the table . "It's uncomfortable to listen to the radio here and not watch the game . "
Twain's lips quivered . "You're still not used to it?"
"Of course I am . After all, I've worked here for more than ten years . " MacDonald turned to look at the inside of the training base . "When I first started standing here, it was Brian Clough's last season with the Forest team . I can still clearly remember the day when 'Big 'Ead' (Brian Clough's nickname) bid farewell to this place . He was alone, holding his dog as he walked out . . . " MacDonald pointed to the road in front of the gate and waved his hand . "When he passed me by, he said to me: 'Goodbye, Ian . I wish you all the best . ' Then I said: 'Good luck to you too, sir . ' Then he walked away without turning back and was gone .
"I've seen a lot of people walk out of this gate and never come back . Sometimes I think, 'It's really unlucky of me . Just when I was getting close with them, they're all gone . The Forest team was also relegated . ' Then I saw more people come in, the Forest team was promoted, and relegated again, promoted again, and then relegated… After we were beaten by Manchester United by 1:8, they came here listlessly to start another new day of training . That was a tough time .
"Do you know what I thought when I first saw you here, Tony?"
Twain shook his head .
"I thought, another unlucky chap!" Ian MacDonald guffawed . He laughed so happily that he coughed .
Twain laughed with him .
"I had seen many new managers smugly take on their new roles and leave here without a choice in the end . I had no hope for you at all . At the time, I was worried about whether the Forest team would disappear from here because of bankruptcy . I think many people were worried about that . No one cared about how the new manager was . "
"I had seen many new managers smugly take on their new roles and leave here without a choice in the end . I had no hope for you at all . At the time, I was worried about whether the Forest team would disappear from here because of bankruptcy . I think many people were worried about that . No one cared about how the new manager was . "
"But you've proven that you're different, and the most special one . Thank you, Tony . "
Twain was about to say something when he saw MacDonald wave his hand in the direction behind him, "The chairman's car is here, Tony . "
The red-colored Audi A6 stopped beside Twain during their conversation .
"Good morning, Ian!" Evan Doughty poked his head out from the driver's seat to wave at Ian MacDonald .
"Good morning, Mr . Chairman . " Ian slightly nodded, and then said to Twain, "Goodbye, Tony . "
"Goodbye, Ian . "
"Let's go, Tony!" Evan beckoned to Twain and motioned for him to get in the car . "Bye, Ian!"
"Goodbye, Mr . Chairman . "
"Goodbye, Mr . Chairman . "
Twain got into the car . Evan restarted the engine and drove through the gate of the training base . He looked back and could not see Ian MacDonald . Maybe he was back in the small guardhouse .
Even though there was no training today, he still had to be there to hold his post .
"Hey, Evan . "
"Yes?"
"Ian told me just now that he'll retire when the season is over . "
Doughty looked at Twain, and Twain pointed towards the front . "You're driving . "
Evan Doughty turned his head back . "Is it because of his health?"
"Yes . His children don't support his continuing as a guard at the training base . "
Evan Doughty turned his head back . "Is it because of his health?"
"Yes . His children don't support his continuing as a guard at the training base . "
"Ian MacDonald has been working here for thirteen years . He's the last witness of that era, isn't he? When my father took over the team, he had already been working here for a long time . "
Twain leaned back on the seat and said, "All the old people are gone . "
"Isn't that nice? The cycle of life . You see what the media says about us? 'The Young Forest team'! I like that label, young and full of vitality!"
"But… I'm used to having someone to say hello to me every day . "
Evan Doughty was silent for a moment and said, "Of course, the club won't let him leave just like that . I'll consider giving him an honorary title of a 'Lifelong Fan' and reserving a lifetime seat for him in the stands . "
Twain did not say anything . That was what Evan could do as the chairman of the club . What about him? He should prepare a parting gift for the old man too .
But what should he give him?
He was indeed busy . Being a Premier League manager was completely different from being an English Football League Championship team manager . Therefore, he could only smile at Ian MacDonalds words . Oh, yes, I need to tell you something, Tony . Im planning to hang up my boots . Twain did not react at first . Hang up your boots? What was the gatekeeper hanging up his boots for? But soon he understood and raised his voice in surprise . Youre retiring! Yes, my health isnt so great . My kids are adamant that I quit . Ian cleared his throat . Initially I had said I would resign from the club next January . But I think Im going to wait until the end of the season . I want to see the team go a little further . When the players stop playing, dont they normally say theyre hanging up their boots? Well, I want to hang up my boots too! Ian grinned and chuckled . Twain was at a loss for words . He knew that Ian was in bad health and had been in the hospital for a period of rest some time ago . The club had temporarily transferred a security guard from the youth team to help out . At that time, Twain had felt unused to seeing a stern, cold-faced uniformed security guard at the gate day in and day out, and not that old man who always smiled and greeted everyone . Considering the elderly mans health, leaving the post was indeed a wise choice, and Twain had no reason to stop him . That was also why he was at a loss for words . Seeing that Twain was quiet, Ian said, But its good . Now, I can go watch a live match . Its been a long time since I last watched a Forest game at City Ground . Sometimes . He looked back at the radio on the table . Its uncomfortable to listen to the radio here and not watch the game . Twains lips quivered . Youre still not used to it? Of course I am . After all, Ive worked here for more than ten years . MacDonald turned to look at the inside of the training base . When I first started standing here, it was Brian Cloughs last season with the Forest team . I can still clearly remember the day when Big Ead (Brian Cloughs nickname) bid farewell to this place . He was alone, holding his dog as he walked out . MacDonald pointed to the road in front of the gate and waved his hand . When he passed me by, he said to me: Goodbye, Ian . I wish you all the best . Then I said: Good luck to you too, sir . Then he walked away without turning back and was gone . Ive seen a lot of people walk out of this gate and never come back . Sometimes I think, Its really unlucky of me . Just when I was getting close with them, theyre all gone . The Forest team was also relegated . Then I saw more people come in, the Forest team was promoted, and relegated again, promoted again, and then relegated… After we were beaten by Manchester United by 1:8, they came here listlessly to start another new day of training . That was a tough time . Do you know what I thought when I first saw you here, Tony? Twain shook his head . I thought, another unlucky chap! Ian MacDonald guffawed . He laughed so happily that he coughed . Twain laughed with him . I had seen many new managers smugly take on their new roles and leave here without a choice in the end . I had no hope for you at all . At the time, I was worried about whether the Forest team would disappear from here because of bankruptcy . I think many people were worried about that . No one cared about how the new manager was . But youve proven that youre different, and the most special one . Thank you, Tony . Twain was about to say something when he saw MacDonald wave his hand in the direction behind him, The chairmans car is here, Tony . The red-colored Audi A6 stopped beside Twain during their conversation . Good morning, Ian! Evan Doughty poked his head out from the drivers seat to wave at Ian MacDonald . Good morning, Mr . Chairman . Ian slightly nodded, and then said to Twain, Goodbye, Tony . Goodbye, Ian . Lets go, Tony! Evan beckoned to Twain and motioned for him to get in the car . Bye, Ian! Goodbye, Mr . Chairman . Twain got into the car . Evan restarted the engine and drove through the gate of the training base . He looked back and could not see Ian MacDonald . Maybe he was back in the small guardhouse . Even though there was no training today, he still had to be there to hold his post . Hey, Evan . Yes? Ian told me just now that hell retire when the season is over . Doughty looked at Twain, and Twain pointed towards the front . Youre driving . Evan Doughty turned his head back . Is it because of his health? Yes . His children dont support his continuing as a guard at the training base . Ian MacDonald has been working here for thirteen years . Hes the last witness of that era, isnt he? When my father took over the team, he had already been working here for a long time . Twain leaned back on the seat and said, All the old people are gone . Isnt that nice? The cycle of life . You see what the media says about us? The Young Forest team! I like that label, young and full of vitality! But… Im used to having someone to say hello to me every day . Evan Doughty was silent for a moment and said, Of course, the club wont let him leave just like that . Ill consider giving him an honorary title of a Lifelong Fan and reserving a lifetime seat for him in the stands . Twain did not say anything . That was what Evan could do as the chairman of the club . What about him? He should prepare a parting gift for the old man too . But what should he give him?
Chapter end
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