Chapter 91
Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: This is Bolton Wanderers (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A few days earlier.
Harvey Alonde, who ran a camping supply shop in Kersley within the Bolton Civil Parish, had been under considerable stress lately.
To put it simply, business just wasn't picking up.
The location didn't have much foot traffic to begin with.
"Not like there are any proper tourist spots developed here. Why keep stubbornly hanging on...!"
Three hours without a single customer, and his wife was letting out irritable grumbles while cleaning the interior.
"Ahem."
Alonde pretended not to hear and quietly slipped outside.
Tick, tick!
He wedged a cigarette between his teeth and flicked the lighter flint. Alonde furrowed his brow ever so slightly.
"It's not like the lack of customers is my fault."
Alonde had taken over the camping supply shop from his father.
Two years in, and the monthly earnings barely covered living expenses before vanishing like dust.
Sales just weren't that high to start with.
"It's mostly the location's fault."
Whenever his wife nagged him, Alonde would mutter complaints to himself.
Always bringing up the location issue.
In truth, Kersley was the part of Bolton closest to Manchester.
Anyone touring Manchester would opt for a nearby hotel over some peripheral spot like Kersley.
Sure, Brits were a nation comfortable with camping, but this place was another story.
There simply wasn't much to see.
"Even for Bolton, Preston, or Wigan matches, it's the same."
Lately, he too had been fretting more than usual.
*Really just shut it down?*
Swish!
Sensing danger on instinct, Alonde hurriedly pinched the cigarette between his thumb and forefinger and tucked it behind his back.
"Smoking your life away in front of the door every damn day with no customers! Let's switch to food instead. You won't even pretend to listen!"
Right on cue, his wife stormed out past him, nagging away.
She didn't forget to shoot him a glare with eyes sharp as axes.
An awkward smile was the best Alonde could manage.
It was right then.
"Excuse me!"
"Yes!"
At the sound of an unfamiliar man's voice, Alonde instantly flashed a shopkeeper's grin and bolted toward the source of the noise.
"Bolton Wanderers...?"
Alonde eyed the man before him, brow furrowing just a touch.
Not a customer, that much was clear.
The slight-framed fellow, a good head shorter than him, nodded with an awkward smile.
"Yes, sir. I was hoping to collaborate with you, so I came by. Mind if we step inside for the details? Ah, and I'm Daniel Sha, marketing team leader for Bolton—sorry for the late intro!"
* * *
The present.
"It's been well over ten months since I arrived in England."
Harvey Alonde listened intently to the black-haired man before him.
*This is Bolton's owner...!*
The man wore a relaxed smile as he introduced himself and tossed out some light chit-chat.
In the meantime, Alonde glanced around.
The rectangular conference room held not just him but a few others.
One seemed familiar—Alphonse, who ran the travel agency in Farnworth.
"Among them..., the most striking thing has been camping."
Even as Alonde scanned the room, Jeong-woo pressed on, eyes half-lidded.
"England feels so at home with camping culture. Supplies for sale everywhere you go—even along roadsides. Folks pitch tents wherever there's space to crash."
Those seated, Alonde included, nodded along.
Jeong-woo narrowed his eyes with intent and tilted his head.
"I've picked up on their customs too. Unlike in Korea, it's mostly one tent per person. And..., when buying food or water, everyone grabs just their own share—practically a rule."
This was news to Jeong-woo himself.
Korean camping usually meant splitting everything evenly.
"In Korea, they haul massive tents where two or even three can bunk down."
Alphonse across the table reacted with surprise.
Another nodded as if it tracked.
"For families..."
"For mates."
"Ah. Wouldn't that get..., a bit cramped?"
Jeong-woo answered with a bright smile.
The casual back-and-forth stretched on for a good while.
Jeong-woo smoothly steered things, mentioning how he'd learned about pub crawling.
"Hopping from pub one to two to three for drinks—that hit me as so fresh yet cool. Toss in camping, and it's even more magnetic. Or pair it with train trips."
The locals around the table beamed with pride at a foreigner showing such keen interest and fondness for British ways.
Naturally, Jeong-woo kept eyeing their expressions while musing to himself.
*National pride hits everywhere, not just Korea.*
Some more time slipped by like that.
At last, Jeong-woo cut to the chase.
"Which brings me here. We're setting up a campsite at University of Bolton Stadium."
"A campsite...?"
Alonde furrowed his brow slightly.
Daniel Sha had mentioned it days ago.
A campsite opening soon—full details at the meeting.
*But why me?*
He sold camping gear. Related, sure, but no obvious reason to drag him in.
Still, a new campsite nearby wasn't all bad for his business, so he had some hopes.
That was why he'd shown up.
Of course, the promise of a little gift helped.
Catching Alonde's mix of curiosity and skepticism, Jeong-woo chuckled and went on.
"Koreans live at a pretty hectic pace."
"I know—they're workaholics who give Jews a run for it. Haha."
"So Korean campsites run a little different."
What came to Jeong-woo's mind was Seoul's Nanji campsite and glamping spots.
Bring your own tent if you want, or just roll up to a fully kitted-out setup.
From there, Jeong-woo laid it all out.
Eyes around the table, Alonde's included, grew wider by the second.
"So?"
"Yeah. We're scouting folks for rentals. Could source from outside, but this is for Bolton's growth—we brought you in."
Half right, half sales pitch.
Win-win potential was the real hook.
A Bolton campsite meant demand for gear and management. Alonde checked both boxes—two birds, one stone.
"Not just basic tent rentals—we'll slot in high-end glamping too, where you show up with nothing but the clothes on your back. Flashier than the lousy local lodgings people gripe about. Pricey, yeah, but bump the rates and call it good. Extras..."
Jeong-woo gestured toward the Bolton stadium with one hand.
"This setup's more than enough. For tenants, it's like a showroom. Separate note— we'll cut deals for related shops to set up. Pick the right ones, of course..."
"We're handing you this spot at fair rates. Neighborly cooperation and all."
Jeong-woo's eyes glittered with dollar signs as he preached coexistence.
The plan kicked off right after league round nine wrapped.
Prep work was already in the bag.
Coaching duties through matches, then owner hat on to hash it out with the Bolton council head over that wide-open field.
Outcome: access to the flat expanse right by University Stadium for a cut of fees.
Follow-up with district cash infusion, and construction began.
Electrics, plumbing—bam, massive central showers.
Washing stations too.
"Joint promo with season ticket perks—you know, discounts, perks. Heh heh heh."
Jeong-woo spread his arms wide, face lit up like he'd glimpsed paradise.
"Plenty competitive. Fresh food corner overhaul, plus Korean BBQ vibes and global grill kits on offer."
"Big piece is the marketing angle. Take movies—they drop tie-ins or media blasts to lure tourists."
Everyone was hooked. Even Hee-won, in the know beforehand, gawked from the side.
"Travel agencies handle full service for package buyers. Staff up big—lots to hire."
Jeong-woo tacked on with a head shake.
"Transport, itineraries. Your bread and butter, right?"
"Our Bolton pulls average crowds of 37,000, plus 1.7 million subs on the official channel."
Alonde, no stranger to YouTubers, jolted at the 1.7 million figure.
Jeong-woo lowered his hand and rubbed his chin.
"YouTube channel promo coming soon too. Someone'd do it anyway."
"See that over there?"
No time to think—Jeong-woo jabbed at the window.
Alonde's head turned naturally.
There sprawled the finished mega-shower block amid vast open land.
Room for hundreds of tents easy.
Jeong-woo wrinkled his nose with a grin.
"That's prime real estate, nutrient-rich yolk and all. The spot sells itself as promo. We're prioritizing locals like you for the mutual win. Neighbors, yeah?"
That final "neighbors" line had them all nodding in unison, like gospel truth.
"So, pore over those docs and mull it. Ah, can't drag it out too long...!"
"Just gotta sign?!"
"I'll go first!"
Game over.
Hee-won on the left shot up and bellowed at the surging crowd.
"Form a lineeee!"
* * *
Two weeks flew by.
In that span, Bolton notched wins in league rounds 14, 15, and 16 straight.
"Woooah!"
"I'm Owen!"
"Then I'm Park! See how fast I am!"
"I'm faster, so I'm Park!"
Korean soccer YouTuber Kim Deok-bae beamed at the kids visible behind his phone cam.
The children romped across the close-cropped grass.
"Viewers, looks like our Park ace has real pull with the kids. Already five, six... nah, too many to count in his initials jerseys."
Weather clearer than ever.
Sky a sharp blue, fluffy clouds drifting lazy.
Live viewers crested 10k meanwhile.
Kim Deok-bae ambled along, panning the surrounds.
"That's University of Bolton Stadium right there, subs. Walkable... near five minutes."
Mid-chat with viewers, the foreground had them spamming awe in the cam.
: Whoa, what's this place? Campsite at University Stadium?
- : Watched Bolton live like two months back—no such thing then. Lodging was way out too. Got scammed on taxi en route...
Simple reason for the questions.
Across the broad field stood caravans galore alongside classic big camping tents.
Locals lounged in hammocks or fired up BBQs all around.
"Tons wondering where we are, huh?"
Satisfied with the buzz, Kim Deok-bae finally grinned and swung the camera.
Boom—the entrance sign grabbed every eye.
[Welcome to Bolton Glamping Caravan Campsite, all you Wanderers!]
* * *
"Crazy bastard. Goes money-mad, now pulls off wild genius like this. Heh heh."
"What about you? Cousin from Korea's over in England. Ain't like this is Gyeonggi Bolton City."
"Firewood flying off shelves at camp. Even packed the lottery gear. Just add sugar—poof! Owner buddy's for moments like this, right?"
Hee-won snickered on.
"Owner perks—total chillville. Pfft, Mansour who? Not jealous, nope! Heh heh heh."
At Hee-won's jab, Jeong-woo flung his arms wide, tipped his chin high, and crowed smugly.
"I *am* Bolton's Mansour!"
"Mansour's overkill—call it Bong Kim Seon-dal, English edition."
Mid-laugh at the quip, Jeong-woo's face twisted oddly as his lips twitched.
*'Hang on, Bolton City's Mansour...? Chillville...?'*