The brisk air whistles past the news reporters heads, with the promise of a big announcement to come from Division 6:46 young squad Reubenfica, they brace the cold.
The club's president walks onto the stage with a young but slightly ragged looking man, he begins to talk.
"It's my pleasure to bring you all here today, we have some incredibly exciting news. I only wish it was in better weather! However, I am sure you will all agree this is worthwhile as long term fans of the club yourself"
Mumbles amongst the crowd start to beckon as word spreads about who the mysterious bearded man might be. Someone shouts out "JEFFERY" as the mumbles get louder, people are seeing the former self-proclaimed "Chosen One" behind the beard.
The President continues
"It's our absolute pleasure to welcome, former multi-division winner and league commissioner, Jay Jeffery. I'll pass it onto him, it's best he tell his story of how he ended up here"
Jeffery walks up to the mic
"Thanks for that, it's a pleasure to be here. I'm eager to get started and meet the lads, but first I feel I owe the Jersey Thunder fans, my former club, as well as those following my career an explanation
"A few years ago, I made my return to management. Having started and forged my career as 'The Chosen one' back in 2006, I had 4 great years of managing. Then I found myself needing something else, I went travelling. People at the time called me selfish, but I was 15 when I started my journey and at 19 I needed to find something else.
"After a few years of travel, I decided to return to my home country, Jersey, and try to make a name for myself there. I started the Jersey Thunder after becoming manager of a local club, I managed to gain promotion in my first season and fully turn their club around. However, it was all too soon, shortly after the second season started, I found myself wanting more again, the spotlight was too much to handle while, without trying to sound cliche, I found my purpose.
"So I left and I didn't really give an explanation. Well, given my leaving of the club so quickly last time, I felt it was right to do that now. The truth is I didn't do it correctly, I did speak with the club privately but that was it. I know I meant a lot to the fans, especially being a home-grown lad.
"That is in the past though, I'm three years older and three years wiser. I can not guarantee I will stay for my whole career here, but what I will tell you is I will be fully upfront about anything I plan to do. Starting with this season and the next, you have my full commitment.
"Obviously, I am a long way from home here in Otago, New Zealand but this is where I've finally settled, the one place apart from home that I've actually considered living full time, and now I am here it's where I want to be.
"Whatever happens, by the time I am finished, the club will be in a better place than it was before. After all, I am the chosen one and I was chosen to do this job, I've been given full powers to do what I see fit from top to bottom of the club, the president has tremendous faith in me and I expect to repay that. Setting expectations right now, this season is over and it's about blooding our talented youth pool and looking to next season.
"We have a very small squad, though it's talented and I believe we can push for promotion next season it is very small. Don't expect much of a cup run for this reason. However, I will be going for the league, starting with some young players to be brought in to shape the future. The first thing will be looking to bring in a couple of old friends from the Jersey Thunder.
"Finally, the president has given me and my team permission to change the name of the club. This will be done at the end of the season and there will be an open discussion in the city hall about potential names, this will be happening no matter what. Reubenfica is not it's historic name, the club is a New Zealand founded club and we want to return to these roots.
"I want to thank you all for coming out today, I wish you all a safe journey home and hope you enjoy the football to come."
Jeffery walks from the stage, everyone looks around in bewilderment, reporters realize that their small town club in the suburbs of New Zealand has just got a young, talented and experienced manager that could genuinely take them to the promised land, or he could leave them high and dry like his home-town club.
Plenty of time to see what will happen, but it's going to be a hell of a ride.
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