In previous FM years, what has the final patch meant if you don't start a new game?

I don't want to start a thread about the 10.3 patch, as it's pretty obvious it would get closed.

However, in previous years of FM (eg. FM 2010), I'd like to know what significant changes the final patch made to the game, if you didn't start a new game after installing it? I had planned to have my Milan save just until the last patch came out, but I'm now quite attached to it, and don't want to give it up unless the final patch makes a huge difference to the game.

I realise that this year it could be different, but in previous years what changes has the final patch made to existing games?

Some changes will only occur if you restart. Others will occur no matter what.

The bug and ME fixes will be incorporated into your current save game. The data changes will require a new game to be started.