How James Bolton was sold the idea of joining Kerala Blasters at a football camp for free agents

Bolton admitted that the pace of Indian football will take a bit of time to become familiar. | Photo Credit: James Bolton/Instagram

Earlier this week in England, fourth-tier side Fleetwood Town captured a slice of history by beating Arsenal on penalties in the English League Cup fourth round.

It was the biggest result in the club’s existence, and the celebrations at Highbury Stadium resonated thousands of kilometres away in the South of India, where English defender James Bolton now plays his football. He spent two seasons representing The Cod Army, making 63 appearances across all competitions before parting ways with the club this summer.

“I think for a club like that, it’s massive for the community. It’s not the biggest of clubs, but it relies on the community and the fans to keep it running. They just need to soak it up and enjoy whatever comes from it. These kinds of days and nights, they don’t happen in football that often,” Bolton told Sportstar.

And considering his emphasis on the value of fan community, his search for a new club seems to have led him to a fitting destination with Kerala Blasters.

A change of scenery

The 32-year-old admitted that he was at a crossroads on his future when he met Blasters’ head coach Ashley Westwood at a Professional Footballers’ Association Camp - a program helping free agents train and catch the eyes of scouts.

“I think in the UK the market has kind of changed a little bit. Teams are looking for a lot more younger players. And also, I have played in the UK my entire career; I was just looking for something new and out of my comfort zone,” Bolton explained.

“Then the gaffer spoke to me after the camp and said he was interested in me and ended up selling it (the idea of joining) to me. He’s somebody that, in a short time, I think we’ve built a relationship and a trust in each other, which I think is unique,” he added.

And after more than 13 years of playing on British soil for 10 different clubs, Bolton was reassured that he chose the right place to call his new home when the Blasters played in Kochi for the first time this season, against Mumbai City FC.

“When we walked out before the game to check the pitch – this was two hours before kickoff – I’m walking out, and I’m not even in my kit yet, and the stadium was full,” he recalled.

“The atmosphere was like the game had been going on. And that was something unique that I’ve never, never seen before in the UK. I was taken aback by the atmosphere. And it hit home that this is why I’m here. It’s for nights like this. And it was something I’ll remember forever,” Bolton added.

Still early days

But relishing the atmosphere remains incomplete without the results. Two clean sheets in three games was almost ideal if not for the 1-4 drubbing that KBFC was handed by NorthEast United in the second matchday.

Bolton, who has been entrusted with both duties of a right-back and centre-back in his younger days before fully transitioning into the latter role, admitted that the pace of Indian football will take a bit of time to become familiar.

His aerial duties have been solid so far across the three games, but after being accustomed to the high-intensity style of England, Bolton assessed that he will have to learn how to hold back and let the play come to him.

ALSO READ | ‘I feel comfortable’: Madih Talal on time spent in India, overcoming ACL injury, and settling in at Chennaiyin FC

“(Football in India) is different to the UK. I think it’s quite technical, but slower. I think as a defender I’ve previously had an urgency to squeeze the defence up very quickly. And I just think it’s not needed at times,” Bolton noted, jokingly adding, “The heat is definitely different, and you sweat a lot more. Your clothes are heavy; it’s like I’ve jumped into a swimming pool all the time.”

There is a lot more, both on and off the pitch, for Bolton to look forward to as the season progresses. The introduction has been “special”, according to the Englishman, and he believes that the only way to remain upbeat is to keep winning games.

“I think I just want to be part of a successful team. As a footballer, that’s the biggest thing for me.

Because there are so many lows in football, you want success,” Bolton asserted.

“Like the other night (against Mumbai City), the atmosphere and everything was really good. It would have been amazing if we had won. When we’re winning is when people are the happiest. So, that’s exactly what I’m after,” he said.