Chapter 55
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Project 'Blackburn Master Plan'
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Blackburn's season opener was a grand affair, drawing 33,000 home fans to the stands.
"Fantasy Star!!!!!"
The first match against Bradford.
In the 27th minute of the first half, Roberto Baggio took a short pass from Damien Duff, who had dribbled forward, and smashed home a non-stop volley for an instant goal.
Baggio, scoring on his debut in the opening game, clenched his fist to prove he was still a world-class fantasy star even in the Premier League.
Later in the second half, Duff, who had been stellar in the first half, cramped up.
Everyone expected Gareth Barry to come on, but Heinze's choice was Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The promising youngster, who had shown potential in 20 games as a right winger last season, now lined up on the left.
But Shaun Wright-Phillips delivered the full "little bullet man" performance on the left side too.
They pushed through the midfield, advanced with short passes to the flanks in a passing game.
And with Kevin Phillips sidelined today, James Beattie latched onto Shaun Wright-Phillips's assist and rifled home with his left foot.
Beattie scored the goal, but Shaun Wright-Phillips celebrated even more wildly.
It was like he was proving, "Even if Luis Figo showed up, I'm still me."
A satisfying 2-0 win in the opener.
Heinze, whose "Osram" bulb had shone brightly throughout the match, was all smiles after the victory, hugging each player like a fatherly "Don Uef" in full mode.
After the final whistle, I congratulated the team and the manager before hopping straight into the car.
The match had kicked off at 2 p.m., and I had a dinner appointment that evening.
"Congratulations on the win today, Vice Chairman."
I still had some time, but cheering so wildly had left my dress shirt soaked with sweat.
"I should shower first, change into fresh clothes, then head out."
"Understood."
Even thinking back on it now, it was a thrilling victory—my body was still buzzing with adrenaline.
Our team had more ambidextrous players than most clubs.
Figo, Yoo Sung-chul, and Phillips could play on either flank, making it easier for Heinze to rotate long-term, which earned high praise.
For now, Heinze said the flanks were covered and he'd request central players when needed, so I could just relax and enjoy the season.
After showering, the hotel's in-house tailor brought a new suit tailored on-site, and I dressed to the code before heading out.
Daeyang Group staff waiting outside guided me to the car, and we arrived at a grand Gothic mansion as dusk fell.
This was the late Jack Walker's Blackburn residence, now used as the Walker Foundation's event hall.
Stern-faced guards in suits approached the car at the entrance.
"May we see your invitation?"
When I rolled down the window and handed it over, the two guards checked it, spotted me, and said,
"Mr. Lee, the new owner of Blackburn?"
"That's right."
"Today's game was brilliant. Baggio was unreal."
"Thanks."
The guards were Blackburn fans too, giving thumbs up and opening the gate.
The opulent hall was packed with Blackburn's elite: film producers, BBC regional executives, prestigious professors, glamorous women in stunning dresses, and politicians from across Lancashire.
"Mr. Lee."
Linda Mattiessen and Stanley Mattiessen spotted me and came over to greet me.
"Mrs. Linda, Mr. Stanley, good evening."
"You came to my brother's invitation."
"We have a lot to discuss."
"I heard you're doing some massive development on Father's land."
Linda murmured softly, her expression a mix of emotions.
"I don't like how Asian tycoons from Hong Kong or Japan build those mismatched glass palaces for real estate."
"It's not that kind of real estate development."
"Well, whatever my two brothers decide, I'll go along with it. Let's see."
The couple exchanged greetings, brandy glasses in hand, then moved on. I mingled naturally, greeting Blackburn's notables one by one.
Then Hyde Walker, the host of tonight's party, raised his glass high and pointed at me.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you please, look here!"
"!?"
"Our club's owner, Mr. Lee, who brought us two sports stars, Roberto Baggio and Luis Figo, to Blackburn today?"
Hyde openly introduced me, drawing all eyes at once.
"Father achieved league glory with Rovers. Let's give a standing ovation for this Asian friend to take it even further."
Applause erupted from around the room.
A few approached for handshakes, sharing words about the Rovers team.
Amid the splendor, Hyde quietly pulled me aside to a reception room inside.
Inside were a burly man puffing a cigar and Hyde's brother, Elliott Walker, Jack Walker's second son.
"Mr. Lee, Rovers got off to a good start."
Hyde whispered to me.
"Lord Kraft, the peer in the House of Lords."
Hyde introduced the cigar-chomping mafia-boss-like figure as a British upper house senator, so I greeted him first.
"DY Global? That Korean company's doing a ton of business in the UK."
"Father studied at the Anglican cathedral, so our family holds Britain dear."
"Oh, you're a parishioner?"
"Not quite that far, but..."
We started with small talk, and soon the room echoed with laughter.
It turned out Lord Kraft's predecessor was a Korean War vet and Commonwealth general in Korea, speeding things up.
"You've cooked up an interesting city development plan. Zoo, museum, cultural center around Blackburn?"
"If the city donates the land as a gift, I'd like to build several libraries too."
In real estate development worldwide, firms create a foundation for local donations—standard practice.
The safest bets were education libraries or children's hospitals.
"Why a zoo?"
"As outlined, there's none around here. Blackpool, Manchester, Chester were once famed Commonwealth tourist spots, but now more visitors head to northern France or Spain, and tourism's declined."
"Hmm, did you plan this yourself?"
"I conceived it, but parent company Daeyang Global will back it."
"Then the scale's huge. Needs Lancashire county and Blackburn council approval."
"I'd also propose involving local development and honoring native notables."
"?!"
"This land belongs to the Jack Walker Foundation. How about naming the street 'Jack Walker Street'?"
"!"
Hyde and Elliott Walker's eyes widened.
A neighborhood named after their father.
Before leaving, our Blackburn office staff had shared this insider tip.
'Blackburn council—regardless of party—is talking about naming a road for the Walker Foundation's local investments.'
'You sure? It's not impossible locally.'
'Straight from Blackburn city hall reporters. One said if it happens, he'll break the story first—big gift to get it.'
I pulled it out now with the senator present.
The Walker brothers were moved; Lord Kraft nodded around his cigar.
"You paint a big picture, but if it succeeds, it'll be Lancashire's top landmark."
Hyde Walker grabbed my hand firmly.
"Mr. Lee, I didn't expect such respect for Father and our family from an outsider."
That touching... well, yeah, it was touching.
In business, move hearts, and the game's won.
"This guy's not just here for the football team—he came with real businessman mindset."
"The world's wide, and there's much to do."
Those words came from someone long gone...
"Agreed. This'll be massive—the Blackburn Plan. I'll rally my network."
"As foundation chairman, I back it."
"Thank you."
2-0 football win, 5-0 business triumph.
"Total project cost: minimum 1 billion, up to 1.5 billion pounds!"
[No, you said real estate—what is this, building a whole neighborhood landmark?!]
"Urban development will boom massively in Korea soon. Post-IMF, bankrupt builders merging, bulking up for redevelopment and new town frenzy."
Urban development business.
One Korea-UK joint firm survived the restructuring: UK's UKO urban developers, partnered with Daeyang Environment & Energy as UKO-Daeyang, now under Daeyang Global.
UKO was famed for UK urban projects; lead architect Phil Stark was renowned in France and UK, his designs world-famous.
[Ugh... yeah, if it works, it's huge.]
"Bring the entire ops team to the UK."
[Got it. I'll push hard.]
If this succeeds, for two years I could splash tens of millions on football—no family complaints.
And two years from now? What's the global event?
With Father's go-ahead secured, I grabbed my phone and raised both hands high.
"Alright, now off to the London away game."
Next up: Arsenal away at Highbury Stadium.
A chance to witness Heinze vs. Wenger's tactical showdown live.
Back to club owner Lee Dae-hyun mode, prepping for VIP seats.