Victor Kane sat at his desk, his eyes scanning the checklist pinned to the wall in front of him. It wasn't a small checklist. There were at least thirty bullet points, each one representing an offseason task that needed to be completed before he could leave for his sister's birthday. Transfers, preseason matches, training schedules, team morale, player introductions—the responsibilities of being a full-fledged manager seemed to multiply daily. Victor leaned back in his chair, sighing. "This is what I wanted," he reminded himself. "No complaining now."
The club was coming alive with changes, both on and off the pitch. Elena Marlow, the newly minted chairwoman, had made sure of that. Since taking over the position, she had transformed Burton Albion from a scrappy underdog into a club brimming with potential. Victor had to admit that Elena's impact had been immediate and, surprisingly, well thought out. Her initiatives weren't just flashy—they were practical, calculated, and addressed the club's real needs.
Even now, as Victor organized the upcoming preseason schedule, he knew that the changes Elena had pushed forward would ripple through every aspect of the club. The training facilities, for example, were being upgraded as they spoke. Workers were overhauling the gym, setting up new weight machines, and modernizing the hydrotherapy pools. There was even talk of installing a cryotherapy chamber, something Victor had only ever seen at big-name clubs. Elena had also approved the renovation of the recovery rooms, adding state-of-the-art equipment that would give the players access to quicker rehabilitation after injuries.
Victor reviewed the timeline for these upgrades. The facilities would be fully operational in three weeks, just in time to coincide with the tougher preseason matches. That left him with enough time to get the players accustomed to the environment before the new season began. The timing was perfect, but Victor couldn't help but wonder how much of this was just luck. "Probably not luck," he muttered, tapping his pen against the desk. "Elena doesn't seem like the type to gamble on timing."
The stadium renovations were next on the list. These changes were aimed at the fans rather than the players, but they were no less important. Victor had seen the blueprints—a revamped seating arrangement with increased capacity, better accessibility for disabled fans, and even heated seats for the main stands. The concessions area was getting a complete overhaul as well, with plans for new food stalls that included options beyond the usual pies and chips. As someone who spent most matchdays pacing the sidelines, Victor rarely thought about what went on in the stands. Still, it was hard not to feel a sense of pride when he imagined Burton's fans sitting in a gleaming stadium, cheering on their team in comfort.
But those renovations would take time—three months, in fact. And while the long-term benefits were obvious, Victor knew that some fans would grumble about the disruption caused by the construction. He had already heard from the club's marketing team that a small group of season ticket holders was upset about being temporarily relocated to different sections. Victor couldn't do much about that, though. His focus was on the pitch.
The preseason matches were the next item on his list. Victor had spent hours crafting a schedule that would gradually increase in difficulty, allowing the squad to build momentum while also testing their limits. The first two matches were against League Two sides—Mansfield Town and Walsall—teams that would challenge Burton without overwhelming them. These games would be crucial for the younger players and new signings to gain confidence.
The third and fourth matches against Oxford United and Blackpool were more about testing tactical cohesion. Both were strong League One teams, and their playstyles would give Victor a chance to see how well the Snake Tactics System was holding up against higher-caliber opponents. Finally, the preseason would culminate in a match against Preston North End, a Championship club. Victor had specifically chosen this match to push his squad to their limits before the league campaign began.
But it wasn't just about the matches. The training sessions leading up to these friendlies were just as critical. Victor had revamped the entire training schedule, focusing on three key areas: fitness, tactical drills, and synchronization. The latter was especially important given the arrival of Elliot Harper, Marco Silva, and Ryan Caldwell. These players weren't just additions to the squad—they were key pieces of the puzzle that Victor was trying to complete.
Elliot Harper, the young striker from Bristol Rovers, had already shown promise in his early training sessions. His speed and finishing ability were undeniable, but Victor noticed that Harper often hesitated when making runs into the box. It was clear he wasn't used to playing in a system as demanding as the Snake Tactics System. Marco Silva, on the other hand, was adapting quickly. The Portuguese midfielder's passing range and vision were as good as advertised, and he seemed to thrive on the quick, one-touch football that Victor emphasized. Ryan Caldwell, the new center-back, was a different story. While his defensive instincts were solid, his distribution from the back needed work. Victor made a mental note to pair Caldwell with Jamie Allen during training sessions to improve their chemistry.
Victor also planned to test the Pressure Convergence Buff, a short-term tactic unlocked by the Snake Tactics System. The buff temporarily increased team intensity, allowing them to overwhelm opponents during critical phases of the match. Victor wanted to see how it functioned in real-time, so he scheduled a few practice matches within the squad to simulate game conditions.
Outside of training, Elena Marlow had been holding a series of meetings with various departments to discuss the club's direction. Victor wasn't required to attend, but he found himself sitting in on one of the sessions out of curiosity. Elena stood at the front of the room, her presence commanding as she outlined her vision for Burton Albion. The presentation was slick, complete with slides detailing everything from marketing strategies to community outreach programs.
"Our focus is twofold," Elena said, her green eyes scanning the room. "First, we want to build a sustainable club. That means investing in youth development, increasing commercial revenue, and modernizing our infrastructure. Second, we want to create a brand that fans can be proud of. Burton Albion is more than just a football club—it's a part of this community, and we need to reflect that in everything we do."
Victor raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Elena to dive so deeply into the club's identity, but the more he listened, the more he realized how necessary these changes were. Burton wasn't just playing catch-up on the pitch—they were playing catch-up everywhere.
The fans, meanwhile, were beginning to catch on to the club's transformation. Social media was filled with posts about the new signings, the upgraded facilities, and the upcoming preseason matches. At The Yellow Lion Pub, Martin was practically glued to his phone as he read through the latest updates.
"They're saying Harper might be the next Jamie Vardy," Martin said, showing his phone to Gary. "Can you believe that?"
Gary took a sip of his pint. "I'll believe it when he scores twenty goals in a season. Until then, he's just another hopeful."
Liam leaned in, grinning. "Caldwell's a beast, though. Did you see that clip of him winning a header in training? He sent the ball flying halfway down the pitch."
The enthusiasm wasn't just limited to the fans. The media had picked up on Burton's story, with articles praising the club's ambition. "Burton Albion: From Underdogs to Contenders?" one headline read, while another declared, "Victor Kane: The Man Behind Burton's Rise." Victor skimmed through the articles, shaking his head at the hyperbole. "One good season and everyone thinks we're world-beaters," he muttered.
As the days passed, Victor felt a sense of satisfaction as each task on his checklist was crossed off. The transfer deals were finalized, the preseason schedule was confirmed, and the training programs were underway. Elena had even arranged for a media day, giving the fans a glimpse of the squad in action. It was a chaotic but necessary event, and Victor found himself answering questions about everything from the new signings to his expectations for the upcoming season.
With everything in place, Victor turned his attention to his trip home. He packed his bags carefully, making sure to include the signed jersey he had prepared for his sister. He had spent the past few days thinking about what it would be like to see his family again. His mother's cheerful voice, his sister's excitement, even his father's stern demeanor—it all felt oddly distant yet strangely familiar.
Victor sighed as he zipped up his bag. "One step at a time," he told himself. The offseason was complete, the club was moving in the right direction, and his plans for the future were clear. Now, all that was left was to face the past.