103 Walker’s Farewell Part 1 (1/2)

Chapter 103: Walker’s Farewell Part 1

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was already November, and the matches of the league were becoming more packed. However, Tang En's job remained the same, leaving the team's training to Kerslake and occasionally giving Wood some guidance. After the match with Arsenal, everyone knew George Wood's impressiveness when it came to man-marking, as well as his weakness in zonal marking. So, the coaching staff intentionally reduced his man-marking practices, and instead let Wood participate in more Rondo trainings to train his zonal marking sense. Tang En and Kerslake both agreed that George Wood was a defense genius, and that as long as he trained properly and accumulated more experience during matches, this kid's future would be bright.

On the other hand, Tang En also focused more of his attention toward the future. Although Doughty did not give him a definitive date for his return, Tang En reckoned that it would be around the winter break. If it were any later, there would not be much use. If it were earlier, it was unsure if Doughty would have finished the things that he had planned to do.

As if to confirm the information that Tang En had searched on the web the other day, Nottingham Forest's stock prices continued to fall, and had already dropped all the way to 19 pennies per unit.

He knew that it was the time for Edward to act. No, perhaps he had already acted on it.

Then, it was time for him to act, as well.

A scout is a staff-member that could not be lacking in any professional football club. They were familiar with a specific place's football environment, had wide connections, were well-informed, and had a discerning eye. It was an essential profession that provided the football teams with fresh blood.

The amount of money required to hire a scout was quite considerable. The expenses were not limited to the scout's salary, but also included the travelling fees, lodging fees, equipment fees, and even the fees used to bribe the family members of the players. Nottingham Forest, which had fallen into a financial crisis, obviously did not care much about their scouts. As a result, most of their scouts left, and there were only three scouts left at the moment—58-year-old football scout Ian Storey-Moore, 35-year-old Dave Johnston, and 43-year-old Colin Hudson.

The latter two were often outside, and were not even locals of Nottingham. They would write letters back to the clubs irregularly to inform about the place where they found talented young players, as well as attach footage of that person's play—should the conditions permit. It was almost impossible to find them on the team's training grounds.

As the other scout, Mr. Storey-Moore was in charge of scouting for players in the Nottingham surroundings, and, theoretically, he should occasionally have been seen on the training grounds. Tang En thought for a while. Ever since he became the first team's manager, Tang En had not even seen Storey-Moore even once at Wilford, even though it was said that during that period of time, Storey-Moore had appeared on the team's training grounds before.

This person's whereabouts were elusive. Now that Tang En needed his help, he didn't want to hear that he had to wait at the training grounds for his appearance?

Tang En decided to find Walker, as he must know Storey-Moore's phone number and home address. If Storey-Moore could not be found in the club, then Tang En would phone his house and pay a visit to him.

He just did whatever he had in mind. Tang En was not worried in the slightest bit about the awkward situation if he were to meet Collymore in the first team's training venue. That was because he knew the chances of Collymore appearing at the training venue at that time were near zero.

The team was not performing well, and that idiot seemed to have resigned himself to it.

When Tang En reached the first team's training venue, the team's training had already ended. The players were either showering and changing in the changing room, or they had already left the training grounds.

He saw Walker and another old man standing together, their moods did not appear to be very good. The old man had his back to Tang En while he shook his head, while Walker repeatedly said something.

Tang En hastened his steps and approached them, waving toward Walker who was facing him. Walker saw Twain and said something to the old man, before walking toward Twain.

”Tony, why did you come here to find me? Ever since you went to the youth team, you haven't come here even once.”

”Of course, you know, I don't wish to see Collymore. But I came here today with a favor to ask of you. Des, do you know Ian Storey-Moore's phone number and home address?” Tang En asked.

Hearing the name that Tang En uttered, Des was momentarily stunned before he turned around and laughed. ”You came here at the right time, Tony.” He used his eyes to signal to Tang En, to look at the old man behind him. ”You see him?”

”Who is he?” Tang En asked in bewilderment.

”The person you're looking for, Mr. Ian Storey-Moore, the team's top scout.”

”Ah? Thank God!” Tang En clapped his hands. Such a coincidence! He had appeared in front of Tang En right when Tang En needed to find him. ”Thank you, Des.” He patted Walker's shoulders, before walking toward the old man.

”Hey, Tony, but…” Tang En seemed to have not heard Walker, as he continued walking. Looking at his back, Walker sighed, ”Forget it.”