Cove Bay Pirates/STI v. City Merchants/NTI - The Ultimate Rivalry - This Time It's For Real!!!

Here we go again! Thanks for your patience while I sorted the errors out and apologies once more. However, we can now start with a clean slate and see who come out on top.

The Background (It's a little different this time...)

For many years, the Treasure Islands (a group of islands rich in natural resources situated in the Caribbean) had no footballing pedigree. Under the colonial rule of the French, any good players were whipped off to French acadamies at a young age and ended up playing in the French leagues. Some even appeared for France at international level as FIFA refused to grant the islands full membership and so football floundered despite a strong love for the game from the inhabitants.

That all changed recently, however, as the islands received their long desired independence due to many prominent groups wanting greater access to the islands for investement and use of the natural resources. Under immense international pressure, France relinquished control of the islands and independence was gained.

This brought great joy to many youngsters around the islands whose dreams of footballing glory could now be realised in the colours of their own nation. In the Northern Treasure Islands, which had developed from a merchants trading post into a major international business centre offering tax dodges to the world’s rich, Capital City Merchants FC was established. At the same time in the Southern Islands, famed for their world class casinos (which rob the world's rich of their tax-free earnings from the North ) and dark past as a haven for pirates, Cove Bay Pirates was formed. Both teams received huge investment particulalrly in youth facilities as a great buzz was building up around the up and coming generation of youngsters.

Alas, attempts to bring these two clubs together only served to create a huge rivalry. Over the course of a few games, the Cove Bay Pirates consistently came out on top and this led to all sorts of accusations. The Northern merchants complained that the bookies from the South had offered bribes to the officials and the FA to ensure complete dominance and maximum gambling profits. The league fixtures they played were duly scrapped causing the Southern Islanders to accuse the North of having key FA members and officials in their pockets in an attempt to gain the upper hand. (Thanks for the idea Valencia )

Accepting that any games domestically would always be rife with allegations and disputes, the Treasure Islands FA made a surprising move, inspired by the English F.A.s ‘Game 39’ plans for holding matches abroad - they decided to take the two clubs abroad to play in a mutually acceptable ‘neutral league’. The French FA, desperate not to lose a valuable pool of talent, immediately offered to host the clubs but were flatly refused. Holland was chosen instead due to its reputation for equality and tolerance plus the fact that two 1st Division sides, TOP and FC Omniworld, had recently folded allowing the City Merchants and Cove Bay to join with ease.

The split was so acrimonius that the two sides of the Islands refused to even join up to play as one national team and made seperate applications to join FIFA. Both applicaitons were accepted on condition of finding a continental confederation to accept them. Both groups of islands promptly joined the North American confederation (after an attempt to join the SOuth American one only caused untold problems ).

And so the stage is set: Capital City Merchants and Cove Bay will finally go head-to-head once more in the Dutch leagues and the Northern and Southern Treasure Islands will face off interntionally in the North American arena.

So you know the history, you’ve seen the teams: Which team will be more succesful in the league? Which nations’ players will rise to the top of world football? How will the new nations fare in international competition? And who will come out on top when these fierce rivals go head-to-head on the pitch? Now it’s time for the rivalry to begin! (again )

The Players

These are the people who will represent the teams and clubs.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Cove Bay Pirates FC (Southern Treasure Islands)

Username Player Squad No. Position

DodgeeD Jason de Mire 9 ST

El Sid Heinrich Kroeger 1 GK

macca69 Maccaniniho 26 DC

crhealy Craig Healy 5 MC

whitehead Adam Flash* 8 DM

Squirriel Nathaniel Ball 30 DL

BP_Doosra Brendanio 99 ST

ridleys Bobinho 44 ST

rtik-1-one Rtik Carlos-Powell 64 DL

PaulHartman71 Paul Hart - ST

GazTheDood Captain Gingerbread - ST

Adamw Adam Wilkinson - AML

Gypsum Adam Clatworthy - AMC

Pezz Juan Carlos - AMR

Aqnfiqw Elliot Druce - AMC

Man City Supporter Gwilym J. James - AML

Davesafc David Sunderland - AMR

Lfcfannic Iker Reina 4 GK

Valencia Rich Denton - DR

Ssestig The Stig - DC

Bloodstreaks Eduaddo - DC

Tommywright Tommy Wright - DC

Whoopy D Ramiro Hujsak - DR

Capital City Merchants FC (Northern Treasure Islands)

Username Player Squad No. Position

JoseRR Roberto Dos Santos 25 ST

NeoAC Ryca Roseau 18 AM/FC

blakcats Pablo Gonzalez 9 ST

SJ234 bob mcbob 4 AMC

BenArsenal Ben Cee 3 DR

Haowan Haowan 11 AMC

Robert_296 Robert Boyle 7 ST

Lardman CDB General Specific 77 DM

route1 Cabinboy Pendros 2 DL

fmfulhamfan de Sila Santos 72 DR

TH14Gooner Theo Henry Gooner 23 DC

AB-forever Grégory Le Quack 84 GK

coldkohmew Jack Harrow 13 GK

Super_lampard Arthur White - ST

Walcott’s Wonderkids Trevor Tobago - AMR

Pjtopor Rebel Israel 5 DC

Dirty1982dec Dirtinho - AML

ThfcJoe Joe Richardson - AML

Fudger Diego Polo - AMR

Benroscow Ben Roscow - D/WBL

PoopyPants Spud - DC

Parker Parker Reynolds - DM

Tep Zepi Jackie Chan - DC

</pre>

Full profile screenies to come later

* In a major coup, Cove Bay Pirates managed to get a Northern Treasure Islander on their team. How will this affect his relationship with his teammates at club and international level? Time will tell...

Good good

Game set-up, aims and expectations

The main aim here obviously is to track the progress of the players at these two clubs through their club and international careers.

As well as the Dutch league, I will be running the all divisions from England, top two from Spain, Italy and Germany and top flight only from Belgium (as a few player were heading that way last time) and France (just for some extra heat ).

I will post screenies of the players and squads at the end of each season basis. Updates will be given at various stages throughout the season for the clubs/nations and there will be transfer window updates for the players. I will also post news of anything else of particular interest that pops up in the game.

There will be match reports for the rivals’ clashes at club and international level as well as relevant screenies and stats. Once the players move on from the clubs (as they inevitably will), I will keep a ‘Rivals watch’ going, looking out for any of the players coming up on opposing teams elsewhere in Europe.

All I ask from those of you invloved is to post as often as you can: let’s say once a season game time at least. If you don’t seem to be posting, then I won’t mention your player so much. For the regular contributors, I will feel much more inclined to give news and respond to requests.

I'm starting from the beginning again so I will keep track of who is posting as though we are going from the beginning again as well. A few people didn'T post in the last thread so I will expect them to this time.

So, heres a few new questions to get you thinking:-

How will the clubs perform in the league second time around? Will one (or both) of the teams manage to get promotion again?

Who will be first to move? Where will the players go?

How will the national teams fare? Will they be able to qualify for the World Cup or perform well enough to get invited to the Gold Cup?

By the way, in order to avoid confusion and save space for myself, I will be deleting the screenshots from the previous thread from my photobucket account soon. I figure they are not needed anymore but I just thought I'd warn you

Hope its second time lucky and we don't lose to those pirates so humiliatingly again...

kk good, nice to see thsi is back up and running hopefully i can put my poor international form behind me and start again.

Time to prove NTI can actually compete. Good to see you got this back up so quickly Dodgee KUTGW!

I hope Nathaniel Ball gets a good few domestic games this time

Good Luck Mate

Come on you Merchants! And also, say no to fixture bugs.

The Players: Cove Bay Pirates/ Southern Treasure Islands

Heinrich Kroeger

Iker Reina

Rich Denton

Ramiro

Nathaniel Ball

Rtik Carlos-Powell

The Stig

Eduaddo

Maccaniniho

Tommy 'Wrighty' Wright

Adam Flash (Northern Treasure Islander)

Craig Healy

David Sunderland

Juan Carlos

Gwilym J. James

Adam Wilkinson

Elliot Druce

Adam Clatworthy

Bobinho

Brendanio

Captain Gingerbread

Paul Hart

Jason de Mire

The Players: Capital City Merchants FC/ Northern Treasure Islands

Jack Harrow

Gregory Le Quack

Alfonso da Silva Santos

Ben Cee

Jackie Chan

Theo Henry Gooner

Rebel Israel

Spud

Ben Roscrow

Cabinboy Pendros

Parker Reynolds

General Specific

Trevor Tobago

Diego Polo

Joe Richardson

Dirtihno

Haowan

Bob McBob

Ryca Roseau

Robert Boyle

Roberto dos Santos

Pablo Gonzaléz

Arthur White

I look decent this time! Hope this goes as well as the broken one with an unbeaten record over NTI!

Come on COVE BAY!!!!

and Come on NORTH TREASURE ISLAND!!! yea up the North

Yeah Boy!! My players looking like a future world class centre back!! Lets hope theirs no corruptions this time Also being located in the North American zone means that each country will more likeyl feature in the World cup!!

Bit better than last time. Still crap though.

i look a little better this time with better rushing out but a tad too eccentric for my liking..

i dont mind though !!

great to have this up and running again.. !

to DodgeeD !

Also being located in the North American zone means that each country will more likeyl feature in the World cup!!

should be in the north anyway as the caribbean is north america

The Story So Far....

Not a lot to report as we head into the first 'friendly' betwen our two nations. There have been three games in the league so far and it is Capital City Merchants who have made the better start. They sit 5th with 6 points (P 3 W 2 D 0 L 1).

Cove Bay are curently 11th having collected 4 points to date (P 3 W 1 D 1 L 1).

Onto our first game then

Northern Treasure Islands v. Southern Treasure Islands (Friendly International)

Date: 04.09.07

Venue: Capital City Stadium

NTI Team News - The Northern Islanders had a fully fit roster of players to choose from. The only surprise was the omission of Jack Harrow despite the fact the young goalie has started all games for the Merchants so far

NTI Key Man: Bob McBob

STI Team News - The boys from Cove Bay had had a rougher start to the season and had five players missing for the match. They were - Kroeger (sprained wrist); Rtik (groin strain); Dave Sunderland (calf strain); Gwilym J. James (broken nose); and Jason de Mire (damaged foot).

The last two injuries in particular sparked controversy as allegations of City Merchants gangs and golf clubs arose, but were not proven.

STI Key Man: Elliot Druce

1st Half

The match kicked off in front of 36,000 Northern Treasure Islanders looking to record their first win. The boys from the South were looking for revenge for what they saw as the unjustified removal from the records of the first three meetings between the sides.

STI had the better of the opening period and Paul Hart went close early on with a powerful header. The atmosphere in the stadium, already highly-charged, threatened to boil over very early on as Adam Clatworthy was strechered off after a vicious challenge from Parker Reynolds. It was later revealed that a torn calf muscle will keep the promising left-winger out for 4 months.

STI were unperturbed though and immediately got revenge on behalf of their fallen teammate. Karayaka (a grey who was playing for some reason) broke with the ball down the right and hit a delightful cross which was duly headed home by Paul Hart to give the away side the lead after just 17 minutes.

This goal shell-shocked the hosts somewhat who remained under constant pressure for the rest of the half. Elliot Druce went close on a number of ocassions but Gregory Le Quack was in sparkling form pulling off a number of superb saves.

There was another injury before the break as General Specific pulled a hamstring, whcih will keep him out for a month.

2nd Half

STI came out looking to extend their lead and again were creating the better chances. Only a combination of luck and good defending kept the score the same. Towards the end, NTI started to get back into the match as they chased an equaliser in front of their home suporters. After a few half chances, substitute Robert Boyle was presented with a great chance in injury time. Alas, the striker volleyed wide and with that, the home team's chances ended with the final whistle.

Final Score: NTI 0 STI 1

NTI Stats

STI Stats

Up Next: STI v. NTI (Friendly - 10.10.07)

Cove Bay v. City Merchants (Dutch 1st Division - 17.10.07)

played 30 minutes but was rubbish.

another win for the pirates

we truly are the better squad

its a pity kroeger was injured though..a "grey" played instead of me

another loss but at least I'm first choice right back now

KUTGW

a 6 better than my 5's of before, but will this slight improvement hinder my club form?

Even worse,not called up.

Stats also even worse but still decent enough.

I was the key man for STI in that match!!

great update DodgeeD

I have to say well done to keep this going Dodgee D a lot of people would have given up when the game crashed.

Anyway great updates again KUTGW

Broken nose... I bet it was the Capital City branch of the Man United Supporters Club... they've always had it in for me.

What does KUTGW mean, anyone?

Le Quack looks a lot better in this one

And he was MoM in the friendly

Our field players are crap though

Originally posted by Man City Supporter:

What does KUTGW mean, anyone?

It means Keep Up The Good Work

back to winning again!! Haha, even played a full game, very happy.

Played the whole game but a poor rating of a 6

Glad this is going again though

KUTGW

Originally posted by super_lampard:

I have to say well done to keep this going Dodgee D a lot of people would have given up when the game crashed.

Anyway great updates again KUTGW

Well, I found myself really getting into the game so I didn't want to just let it go...

More updates on the way

Southern Treasure Islands v. Northern Treasure Islands (Friendly)

Date: 10.10.07

Venue: World's End Stadium

Preamble - STI would be without Clatworthy, still recovering from the first clash. Craig Healy was identified as the one to watch by the media before the game. On the NTI side, Adam Flash was ruled out with a sprained ankle and Ryca Roseau was set to sit the game out with a bruised thigh. Rebel Israel was the key man according to the media.

1st Half - With STI looking to build on their win in the first game and NTI aiming for revenge, a cracker was in the making. And we were not to be disappointed.

The match got off to a flyer as STI went on the attack immediately. The ball came to Elliot Druce, who played a lovely through ball to Paul Hart. The striker placed a shot past the advancing keeper to score. 1-0 and only 26 seconds on the clock.

From the restart, STI won the ball again. It came to Wilkinson on the left. He floated in a cross and Hart got his head on it and sent the ball sailing into the back of the net. 3 minutes gone and the Southern Islanders were up 2-0

On 13 minutes, Juan Carlos beat his man and advanced down the right. he hit the cross towards.... that's right Paul Hart, who stroked the ball home for his hatrick - only 13 minutes played at this point.

NTI had no choice but to try and force their way back in. The started to get forward and break up the STI attacking moves. It paid off as Bob McBob swung in a corner and Rebel Israel rose at the far post to get his team back in it. 3-1.

The Northern Islanders continued to go forward and had good chances but it was the Southerners who had the best chance before half time as Bobihno saw his shot bounce back off the post. Tempers inevitabley flared as Gooner elbowed Hart in the face yet surprisingly only received a yellow.

2nd Half: NTI came out the stronger side as they chased the game. They had plenty of possession in the final third but failed to convert it into goals. they paid the price on 72 mins as Eduaddo collected a half-cleared corner on the edge of the area and smashed the ball into the back of the net. 4-1.

And yet the boys from the North did not give up. they went on the attack again and provided us with a grandstand finish. A well worked move saw dos Santos pick up the ball in the box. He could have shot but laid the ball back for the incoming McBob to drive home. 4-2 and 10 minutes to play.

NTI threw everything forward in search of two more goals. STI were trying to run down the clock. Brendanio was holding the ball in the corner but saw an opening as he beautifully turned his marker and swung in a cross for sub Jason de Mire to head home. 5-2, game over.

Final score: STI 5 NTI 2

STI Stats

NTI Stats

The Northern Islanders ahve a chance to avenge defeat in exactly one week when Cove Bay host the City Merchants in a league tie

Still looking good, stat wise.

We still can't seem to get a win! I think someone from the South is bribing our manager to tank.......

Injured again.

Started but got a 6. Really cba reading reports anymore as I know what I will have done: not played or come on as a late sub and got a maximum rating of 6

A great re-start to this looks every bit as good as before especially with the South continuing our winning ways over the North although Ramiro hardly featured.

5-2! Get in! Nathaniel Ball's looking better stats-wise this time but it hasn't come out onto the pitch, yet...

Cove Bay v. Merchants Preview

The first league game is coming round and the current situation in Division 1 looks like this.

As you can see, both teams are in dire need of a win, which should add some extra spice to the ocassion. (The poor form of the two sides seems to be down to some idiot forgetting to set the Dutch leagues to 'full detail )

Cove Bay Team News: The home team are still without their two long-term lay-offs. Clatworthy will be out for another 2 months and Adam Flash is likely to be out for another 1-2 weeks. Craig Healy is being touted by the media as the one to watch on this side.

City Merchants FC: Just one absentee for the visitors. It seems that on a night out prior to the game Alfonso da Silva Santos wondered into one of the less reputable bars of Cove Bay and came round the next day with a gashed head, which will cause him to be out of a ction for a week. The press have cited Ben Cee as the player who could make a difference.

So, with both teams in need of a win to kickstart their season, who will come out on top? Report coming up

Come on the Pirates!! Aaaaargh!!

2nd Half: NTI came out the stronger side as they chased the game. They had plenty of possession in the final third but failed to convert it into goals. they paid the price on 72 mins as Eduaddo collected a half-cleared corner on the edge of the area and smashed the ball into the back of the net. 4-1.

Oh yeah! Awesome! First international goal!

Come on ye pirates! Y'arrr!

An assist in the not-so-friendly and an 8!

Keep up the updates DodgeeD, this is gonna be fantastic!

Originally posted by DodgeeD:

Craig Healy is being touted by the media as the one to watch on this side.

Am i really that impressive in Midfield?

Good to see us beating the North but shame bout the league position!

KUTGW

Damn i just knew that we wouldnt do as well in the league this time, also Gonazlez has worse stats than last time

Cove Bay Pirates v. Capital City Merchants FC (Dutch First Division)

At last, the long awaited league match-up is here

Starting Line-Ups

1st Half: This time, the boys from the North came flying out of the traps, determined to make up for the international defeats. And it was the Merchants who took an early lead. Roseau collected the ball centrally and played a perfect through ball for Dirtihno to slot home. 0-1 after 4 mins.

Roseau turned from hero to villan though as he failed to deal with a simple clearance from a corner playing the ball straight to Elliot Druce, who played the pass to Bobihno. The striker duly knocked th ball past the keeper for the equaliser.

More drama in the 27th minute as Esjas (some Dutch bloke the AI signed for Cove Bay on a free ) scored, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Then, disaster struck for City Merchants. A simple backpass came to Harrow but the goalie had a heavy first touch and the ball ran straight to Bobinho. He hit it first time into the empty net.

Just before half time, the temperature went right up as Haowan clattered into Healy and got his marching orders as he picked up his second yellow.

2nd Half: City Merchants came out needing to score but having to play 45 minutes with only 10 men. Cove Bay set about killing the game, trying to hold possession and not take risks. As a result despite being a man down, the Merchants had the better chances and positions. But they couldn't get back into it. Gonzaléz went closest as he broke through the defence to shoot into the side netting. He also forced the Cove Bay into a couple of decent saves. Ultimately, the sending off prevented City Merchants getting back into the game. And after it started so brightly too...

Final score: Cove Bay 2 City Merchants 1

Cove Bay Stats

Merchants Stats

As you can see, Capital City Merchants made a good game of it and were unlucky to lose really with a red card and two errors leading to goals. Manager Ruud Krol had special praise for Bobinho after the game though.

SO another Cove Bay victory but it was definitely the closest match yet. I will do an update with league positions and player stats when the winter break comes around. Next rivals' clash will be the first game back at the end of January Can the Merchants finally get the win they've been looking for on their own turf?

I got another assist but also got injured

How long am i out for DodgeeD?

unused sub wp Ryca Roseau

Originally posted by aqnfiqw:

I got another assist but also got injured

How long am i out for DodgeeD?

Just two weeks with a bruised leg. You'll be fit for the next big match

Originally posted by Robert_296:

unused sub wp Ryca Roseau

Robert Boyle scored AND got a 7 in City Merchants last game before the winter break. Hopeully a sign of things to come

yay one goal all season.

Not as much action as last time for the Captain.

Ahhh well, still excellent updates.

KIU.