Chapter 56: Hodge’s Honor Part 3
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After Tang En left the fans and returned to the bus, Walker came over and said, “I saw you and Mark Hodge together just now. What did you talk about?”
Seeing Walker’s concern, Tang En shrugged his shoulder. “Nothing much. It was just a normal conversation between a manager and a fan. He wants Forest to win the last match, that’s all.”
Hearing this, Walker did not say anything.
“And, Des, I think you’re worrying for no reason. Though you all hate him, I do not think he is as you described. I mean, he doesn’t seem like a bad person…”
Walker interrupted Twain, “A bad person does not always look like one. Some people are gentleman, good husbands, and nice people when their minds are clear. But if they are drunk, god only knows what they will do!” Walker waved his hand in exaggeration. “Hodge is that kind of person exactly. You think he looks okay? That is just because he is not drunk yet.”
As Tang En was about to say something, Walker added on, “And with Mark Hodge, the time when he is drunk is way more than when he is sober.”
On the first training day after returning from their away match, there were not as many fans as last time. Probably because Hodge and his gang did not come.
Tang En thought about it.
He had never seen Hodge and his group at the training ground before, but they showed up to cheer and encourage the team after they lost an important match. Because of this, Tang En found it difficult to associate them with the football hooligans who fought with others and ruined teams’ images.
Although they were not polite and well-mannered men, they did contribute to the team, didn’t they?
In his 26 years, Tang En had not had any experience with fake football hooligans, let alone real ones. He lacked some awareness about them and did not understand why the people around him treated them so harshly, when they were not bad, just more enthusiastic about the team. They said that the presence of football hooligans would cause bloody fights, but so far he had not seen Hodge and his group display any radical actions.
Michael brought little Gavin to watch the team train. They had just come over from watching George Wood. When the team finished their training and was resting at the side, Tang En walked over to talk to Michael and tease the adorable Gavin.
That’s when he noticed someone beside Michael. It was Mark Hodge. The two of them seemed to be talking over something, but soon both of them became excited. He had only seen Michael become that angry at the match with West Ham United. Both of the men were cursing at each other and making big gestures.
Though he knew that it probably wasn’t any of his business, Tang En decided to find out what was going on. He was still very curious as to why Mark Hodge came looking for Michael at the Forest Bar that night.
“Michael! You think this is okay? The association has gone down hill ever since you left. We need you to come back and lead us…”
“Hodge, I want nothing to do with you. Naughty Forty is yours, not mine.” Michael yelled. “John, Bill, and me have been gone for 14 years. We have no connection. This is for the best, and we will not have any any more contact! Goodbye, Hodge.” After Michael said this, he was about to take Gavin’s hand and leave.
“Wait… Michael! Are you really willing to abandon us and abandon the association?!” Hodge shouted.
“Why would I leave all this behind? For me, Gavin and Fiona are my everything.” After he said this, Michael was done with Hodge and started to leave the training ground.
“Millwall’s sons of b*tches are coming strong this time! We cannot lose to them! Don’t you miss the times you and your partners fought together? Don’t you care about our association’s image and reputation? Hey!” No matter how hoarsely Hodge screamed, Michael never stopped and looked back.
“B*stard!” Hodge hollered at Michael’s back. “You are such a betrayal, you b*stard!”
“This is why you are so concerned with Forest winning over Millwall?” Hodge was shocked when he suddenly heard this voice come from off to the side.
“Mr. Twain…”
Standing inside the fence, Tang En looked at him quietly.
“Eh… you do not understand, Mr. Twain. It is very complicated.” Hodge lost his train of thought. He had not expected the manager to appear beside him suddenly. “Millwall’s one of the associations that provokes us. They laugh at our team and our association.”
“So what? My team will beat their team, and they’ll look like idiots.”
“That’s right, Mr. Twain. You can beat them in the match, but what about me?” Hodge pointed to himself and said, “I have to beat them outside the match. Actually, we are doing the same thing after all. You fight for the honor of your team, and we do the same! Our love for Forest is undisputed, and I would even say that there is no one else who could support Forest more than us! And love Forest more than us! We have cheered for Forest ever since Brian Clough’s generation, and it has been 24 years! We fought with Forest!” Hodge became more and more excited the more he said. He opened his arms as if he controlled the whole world, reflecting a fanatical light from his eyes.
But Tang En was not moved by these words and simply shrugged his shoulders.
“Maybe this is true. Twenty-four year ago… I have forgotten what was I even doing back then. Hodge, I do not care what you plan to do. That’s your business. However, I am here to tell you to stop badgering Michael. Maybe he had some connection with you before, but that was in the past. Michael loves his son and his family very much now.” As he said the words, he thought it was a lousy speech.
Hodge nodded, “I know, of course. I know that he loves his son. But…”
“Everyone has their right to choose, do they not?” Tang En grinned. “Respect others’ choices.”
After hearing what Tang En said, Hodge was quiet. He lowered his head and fell into deep thought.
“I have to go back, now. Goodbye, Mr. Hodge. I will win the last match, but not for your honor. For mine.” Tang En waved and turned back to the team.
Watching Tang En leave, Hodge muttered, “No, it is for our honor, Mr. Twain.”
