The FM 'Give Youth A Chance' Challenge

[supersaint]

Grats Andehlson - wtg!

Lvl 9 vs League 2: With 30 mins left, do you think I stand a chance of a shocker?

[supersaint]

Oh well - 3 mins later of the screenshot, they equalized... But 1-1 and a replay away will give some more cash in the bank

[thezogsageordie]

Finished first season, winning league despite scoring less goals than matches played

Dont know wether to be embarrassed or not

Got a feeling that next year is going to be tough

Can you post Westfield (Hastings) team stats possibly?

[Thistles * player]

Oh well - 3 mins later of the screenshot, they equalized... But 1-1 and a replay away will give some more cash in the bank

You must be (comparatively) minted after that run!

[supersaint]

You must be (comparatively) minted after that run!

Sure (if I knew what that meant in non-english english :P )

6th of October: FA Cup 3rd Round (home, draw)
10th of October: Sussex Charity Cup (home, lost)
13th of October: FA Vase 2nd Round (Away, won)
17th of October: FA Cup 3rd Round Replay (away, ???)

The board is delighted about FA Cup (Superb), and dissappointed with Charity Cup (poor)...
Hello??? Might it have something to do with the fact that the lads played for their life against Oxford 4 days earlier? We were 27 mins away from direct qualification to 4th round, but they whine about the ****** Charity Cup... Jeez

[supersaint]

Can you post Westfield (Hastings) team stats possibly?

Sorry, I dont have the stats for last season, if thats what you are looking for?

[mackemforever]

I feel with you tomo... I did too, but it seems like we are starting to play football now. Changed 442 to 442 Diamond Wide, and after a couple of games I suddenly getting more and more goals from open play

4-1 latest against Godalming, 1 goal from corner, 3 from open play (SC*2 + AMC*1) - had 8 out of 15 on target, which is some kind of a record

Thanks for that tip.

Just changed to a 442 Diamond and had my first good match in a while.

Using a standard 442 I had played 8 in the league, won my first 2 and drawn the next 8.

Switched to the 442 Diamond and won my next match 2-0, away from home, against a team that were heavy favourites.

Thanks.

[supersaint]

Glad I can help someone

The record for me with the two different tactics:
442 Flat: 4-2-0 7-3 (6 open play)
442 Diamond: 4-2-0 13-5 (10open play)

I scored 6 goals more and let in 2 more, which means it for me is a better tactic/formation. Even though I scored fewer goals from open play (8.77%), it creates so many more chances, and more goals from my forwards(5 vs 3) that I can live with scoring a bit more from corners

[supersaint]

They obviously do everything to throw me out of all cups. I always draw better teams than myself it seems (all but one this season) - Now its FA Vase 4th round against Bishop Auckland

[ANDEHLSON]

You got far enough

Just started the new season. Got a few 5-star (assistant reports) youngsters but since 3 of 09/10's 5-star players werent good enough to warm the bench I guess it doesnt mean a lot

But 2 are fairly promising (compared to previous year's 5-star flops)

Tony Stone (F C)
Stuart Gillespie (M R)

According to my assistant manager they would be leading stars for most Northern League D1 sides. We'll see

[thezogsageordie]

Sorry, I dont have the stats for last season, if thats what you are looking for?

I was just hoping for a SS of the list on General View/Info. I hear that someone I work with is one the game as he plays for Westfield, whose clubhouse was recently burnt down in an arson attack!

[ShanghaiNugget]

Just completed my pre-season, was tarting around the world for a bit of cash -

4-0 Whitchurch Utd Reserves
1-1 Deal
1-1 Blue Star (Sri Lanka)
2-3 Nooristan (Afghanistan)
1-0 Kickers (Afghanistan)
0-5 San Lorenzo (Argentina)
1-4 Vélez (Argentina)
1-0 Bridgnorth

At least we won a game against a foreign team! And after looking at Afghanistan's national team, it's nice SI listed USA as a fierce rival.

Two potential stars on my books are Marvin Lambert, a centre mid, and Micky Godfrey, a striker with an attractive finishing attribute!

First league against Verwood, bring it!

[mackemforever]

I just noticed one weird thing you can do at this level.

You can still fine a player 1 or 2 weeks wages if they get sent off.

I just fined one of my players a weeks wages, a massive £0, after he got sent off and he is apparently annoyed at being fined £0.

[ANDEHLSON]

Lucky players... I got a £110 fine from the FA

[gcah2008]

I'm going to give this a bash. I love getting sacked.

Gavin Hart at Great Yarmouth Town

My best player is undoubtedly my 15 year old goalkeeper. I lack any strikers. Many of my youths are better than my older players already.

[supersaint]

I was just hoping for a SS of the list on General View/Info. I hear that someone I work with is one the game as he plays for Westfield, whose clubhouse was recently burnt down in an arson attack!

Ouch
Paul Thomas GK
Tommy Williams GK
Andy Stanley GK
David Jones GK
Callum Martin GK
Dave Faulds DR
Danny Dawson DRC
Nathan Winters DRL
Gary Collins DR
Noel Prescott DL
Andy Ward DLC
Michael Hyde DLC
David Grieve DL
Sean Hall DC
Greg Steadman DC
Darren Kelly DC
Martyn Broad DC
Tom Armstrong DC
Jamie Lloyd DM, M C
Matthew Eastwood DM, M C
Terry O'Connor M RL
John Potts M R
Kwame Yahaya M R
Jamie Folkes M R
Nathan Judge M L
Carl Masters M L
Darren Ashby M C
Richard Lee M C
David Burton M C
Karl Joyce M C
Sam Birch M C
Anthony Heywood AM RLC
Liam Smith AM RLC
Joseph Simpson AM L
James Brown AM L, ST
Ben Paterson AM C
Conor Sinclair AM C
John Rice AM C
James Breeze ST
Ashley Smith ST
Jeff Dean ST
Bob Bates ST
Stuart Thompson ST
Jamie Cain ST
Adam Baxter ST


Thats the squad they have - Only one player have left since last season, Michael Needham.

Tell me if he is there, and who it is and I'll give you his stats

[tomo_whufc]

Just wondering people, you knw when u link the url, how do you change it to what you want to call it for e.g 'Gavin Hart at Great Yarmouth Town' instead of http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/6057/yarmouth.jpg

[supersaint]

Just wondering people, you knw when u link the url, how do you change it to what you want to call it for e.g 'Gavin Hart at Great Yarmouth Town' instead of http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/6057/yarmouth.jpg

[URL ="http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/6057/yarmouth.jpg"]Whatever you want to name it[/URL]
Without the space between URL and =

Im on a roll now:
Wick (H): 3-0
Chichester(A): 2-0
Peaceheaven(A):3-0

Wick was 4th when I met them, Chichester 8, Peaceheaven 1st - Im now top of the league with 3 points and 3 matches in hand

And the goalscoring have really changed after switching from flat 442 to Wide Diamond - Im already up to 30 goals, only 3 goals less than I scored whole season last year

And my top goalscorer overall has one goal more than last years had

[gcah2008]

Getting on quite well, considering this rubbish team. Yet to concede in competitive matches.

Results

Look how I stacked up on friendly matches, trying to earn some cold hard cash.

[tomo_whufc]

So my first season was over with Worcester Park and I was fairly happy with the team after being predicted to come 21st and ending up 17th in the league.

I reached the 3rd round of the FA Vase and the 2nd round of both The Combined Counties Cup.

However, some how they were dissapointed in with the league position :S

Roll on next season

[supersaint]

Doing well there guys

You know top flight players complain about fixture congestion and too many matches?

Well, Im currently on 5th of February - We have so far played 25 league games and 25 cup games, and have 13 league and at least 2 cup matches left.
Thats 65 matches - for a Level 9 team

[Thistles * player]

Thought I'd give this a go, seeing as I play my teams home games at Tavistock's pitch, and recently played a friendly against Tavistock AFC U18's. (I play for the other Tavy team)

[supersaint]

Finally finished 2nd season.

Board expected play-offs just after being promoted to Level 9, demanding people...

Highlights

1. Finished #1 in league
2. FA Cup 3rd round - Losing to Oxford after replay
3. Finalist Sussex Senior Cup
4. Winner FA Vase Cup

Teams from higher leagues beaten in cups

1. Bromsgrove (Southern Premier, FA Cup)
2. Chesham Utd (Southern 1st Div, FA Cup)
3. Kettering (Blue Square Premier, FA Cup)
4. Whitehawk (Isthmian 1st Div, Sussex Senior Cup)
5. Lewes (Blue Square South, Sussex Senior Cup)

Economy
Made a profit of £86K this season, which would have been a loss without the prizemoney of £87K
The board have given me a transfer budget of £10K and wage budget of £2K. I guess I dont need the transfer budget, so I just have to put it into the wage budget instead then

All in all a good season - now I just have to live up to the board expectation of a playoff place

[Lower Leagues Rule]

Des Tiny's Stone Dominoes
Hopefully not falling like the name suggests

Well I have started a game as the Stone Dominoes in NW Counties Div 1, I quite like the size of my starting squad, but the players look average at this point. Des Tiny is a Scottish-born Kiwi who has come back to take over on of the smallest clubs in England. The youth team looks alright as well.

[supersaint]

Des Tiny's Stonbridge Dominoes
Hopefully not falling like the name suggests

Well I have started a game as the Stone Dominoes in NW Counties Div 1, I quite like the size of my starting squad, but the players look average at this point. Des Tiny is a Scottish-born Kiwi who has come back to take over on of the smallest clubs in England. The youth team looks alright as well.

Stone? Not Stoned?

GL

[Lower Leagues Rule]

No not stoned haha, though our game against the reserves is not looking so good at 1-1, though I do like my Youth MR, he is the third best in the squad, but has clear potential at 16 haha, may just start him and build the squad around him. Not only did we draw 1:1, but the friendly brought a huge crowd of 0 to our ground.

[Azeryk-]

Supersaint - Are you noticing any speed issues now that you've done a couple seasons; as I swear I can already feel some slowness when clicking anything?

[supersaint]

Supersaint - Are you noticing any speed issues now that you've done a couple seasons; as I swear I can already feel some slowness when clicking anything?

Hmm, not really. Might be because Im used to FM being slow on my laptop anyways

[Sheep UK]

Well here i go first time signing up for a challenge, wish me luck with my local side of Grimsby Borough who have only just got into level 10 bless 'em

http://img32.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=danielpearson.png

[gcah2008]

Supersaint - Are you noticing any speed issues now that you've done a couple seasons; as I swear I can already feel some slowness when clicking anything?

I have speed issues anyway. Takes about an hour for the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.

[Sheep UK]

just finished pre-season and i only lost one! which was to norwich in league one and it was only 2 - 0 which is very respectable i had a nice 4 - 0 win in there which was nice and another good thing my under 18's gave me a run for my money and i just pipped them 2 - 1

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1483/grimsbyborough3.png

[ANDEHLSON]

Hmmm.. stupid board

9% Confidence! (salaries)
Their comment
15% is out of control?!

So 143€ out of 1059€ is out of control...

[tomo_whufc]

Takes so long to load after the FA Vase games... Ahhhhh

Good note is that I won 3-0

[gcah2008]

Hmmm.. stupid board

9% Confidence! (salaries)
Their comment
15% is out of control?!

So 143€ out of 1059€ is out of control...

Has your team decided to turn semi-pro, which sometimes happens? Then all your players will be demanding paid contracts

[ANDEHLSON]

Yep my team turned semi-pro. Problem is I dont care so I didnt renew anyone's contracts (after turning Semi-Pro). Just can't afford it...
Basically I am only paying my U19 squad

[Marky Mark!]

Hi guys, I am still going on with my FM09 GYAC challenge, does anyone mind if I post in here (clearly noting that it is the 2009 version of the challenge) so that I have some people following my team?

Let me know if anyone objects, otherwise I'll post my updates in here.

Thanks!

Mark

[tomo_whufc]

Well the half way point of the season has come around fairly quick, another season for Worcester Park which has been so inconsistent with us sitting fairly average in the league table. However, there has been some good points so far in the season.

Due to the 'great?' youth facilities we have been able to bring through some first-team youth players. The best of the bunch is the left-back who started playing for me at the age of 15, Stuart Hall. The attacking midfielder who has been hit with a bad injurying but has come back stronger, Steve Dukes and lastly, the best finisher in the team, at a remarkable... 7! Matt Johnson. However, there has been one Mr.Consistent for me and that is, Dale Willmott, his peformance in the Tokyngton match was outstanding. Without him we could be much worse off!

Even though the league has looked very dull, we have had one hell of a cup run! We were unfortunate to be knocked out of the FA Vase cup in the 2nd round but have been amazing in the Combined Counties Premier Cup knocking out 2 premier side and one division one side, the main highlight being the latest one, 2-1 win over high flying Cove. Also, we are still in the Combined Counties Division One Cup

All in all, looking forward to next half

[tomo_whufc]

6 games unbeaten! Up to 10th, We've got hope!

[Azeryk-]

Hmm, not really. Might be because Im used to FM being slow on my laptop anyways

Thats what I'm hoping for as I got a new PC this time around, just don't want to reach the football league and find out it's running uber slow.

[york stokie]

Just reached half way through the first season with this challenge. I am Meir KA, and we are sat in 4th place joint on points with 2nd place after 21 games. Not a very exciting team to watch though, good defence but poor strike force means that only scored 11 and conceeded 11 in these 21 games!
Best 4 players so far this season are regular back four, with 17 year old centre back Michael Russell looking like a good prospect.

[Sheep UK]

just been on a nice 7 game not conceding spree (don't know how) just 4 points off the leader and on a 8 game unbeaten streak, also i have only scored two goals from open play the rest are from corners and penalties (which i've had 3 games in a row!!) http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/189...byborough4.png

[BlackEnd]

Just saw this topic and thought why not? :P I need a break from my Newcastle team anyway. So I started a new game with this database loaded, made a new manager... for Bloxwich United in English West Midlands Premier League Division

Manager -

Team -

Wish me luck!

[supersaint]

I just love some of the name of teams in lower league

And sometimes the name combinations made by FM, makes me giggle. My DR scored a goal at home and I found myself saying "Dyke scores at the Crouch"

One thing I dont like, is all the cups - After five months of the season (end of December), we have played 16 league matches and 17 cup matches. We have at least 2 cup matches and 26 league matches left. That makes it a total of 61 matches this season - last season we played 69 matches... Poor semi-pros

And thanks to the cups, Im currently 3rd in the league with 5 games in hand

[supersaint]

Nice going York and Sheep Just dont get too excited by the good defending - its just because ai strikers are even more crap than your own

GL "Don Corleone"

[BlackEnd]

@super - Thanks :P So far I am enjoying a fair amount of goodluck it seems. Almost at the end of midseason and i'm sitting at the top of the table. My strikers blow monkey bits, miss penalties, and score no more than a maximum of 3-4 goals every 5 matches but hey, a draw is better then nothing My defence seems to be quite amazing and has blocked a lot of goals.

I'll post the league table once I reach midseason...a couple hours I guess if I can stop watching star trek :P

Its funny how after a goal the commentary goes "The stewards struggle to hold the fans back!" and there are like 65 people watching the match lol

[am i lost]

So I have decided to give this a go. I am not expecting to do very well but it looks like fun and a definite challenge.

Just taken over AFC Emley in Northern Counties East Division 1. Here is my profile.

[am i lost]

Ok what is with all the cards at this level, didn't have a problem in pre-season but just played my first league game and had six yellow cards and one red card. Didn't think too much of it, played my next game which was in the cup and got five yellow cards and three red cards. Checked my tackling instructions and it is at default.

Anyone else having this problem? Or have I just been a little unlucky?

[roberto922]

I was looking for a reason to do a new level 10 save for the small club to big club extended edition, I think I've found one Gonna go look at clubs now.

[gcah2008]

Ok what is with all the cards at this level, didn't have a problem in pre-season but just played my first league game and had six yellow cards and one red card. Didn't think too much of it, played my next game which was in the cup and got five yellow cards and three red cards. Checked my tackling instructions and it is at default.

Anyone else having this problem? Or have I just been a little unlucky?

All players have bad tackling stats. And other bad stats too. So I'd expect alot of cards, and penalties.

[roberto922]

Say hello to the new manager of Croydon Municipal

[tomo_whufc]

Just beat them actually

[Minarin]

Decided to try this challenge as done something similar in FM2009. Managing Croydon Municipal as its close to my nan's house.

My profile: http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/p...85/profile.jpg

[supersaint]

Lots of fouls, lots of cards = looking at position worst on this, light tackling no matter what position and increase closing down a little bit

[Minarin]

One question. with staff, can you hire staff who came through your youths but you released them?

[Shroom420]

One question. with staff, can you hire staff who came through your youths but you released them?

That is a great question i didn't think about it.
It would apply to players you sold aswell (either your choice or the boards)

[BlackEnd]

So a nice twist of events. Bloxwich United was taken over by a tycoon who gave the club 2k(zomgh4x) and has changed the status of my club from Amateur to Professional. Funny thing is he hasnt given me any wage budget....how am I supposed to offer players a full time contract?

And now my players have started asking for fulltime contracts :| The goalkeeper is asking for 1800 a week!! Is he mad?

EDIT 2 - Holy mother of....

[tomo_whufc]

WHAT 5M!!!! Ill be lucky to get a packet of cheese and onion crisps for my transfer budget.

[iacovone]

That is hilarious! £5m at that level is obscene. Weird you have no wage budget though! You should be able to get your youth facilities up very high with that money though

[MeLikeFM]

transfer transfer money to wage budget.

[luque4life]

Been keeping an eye on this for a week or so now and thought, meh why not start.

So here's the personal profile of the new manager of Team Northumbria of the English Northern League Division Two.

I've always been a fan of the lower leagues on Football Manager but never something quite this extreme... it should be a fun challenge.

At first glance our squad doesn't look up to much at all but we do have a number of players with pace and acceleration over 12 and a youth striker with finishing and composure of around 10, so it's not all that bad...

Here's my first three league results;

Won 1-0 vs. Sunderland Ryhope CA (Away)
Won 3-2 vs. Guisborough (Away)
Won 3-1 vs. Hebburn (Home)

So not a bad start at all.

[tomo_whufc]

Well well well, from my last post it seemed as if it was going to be another mediocre season, how wrong was I

From my last post we were sitting 17th in the league. After that post we went on a 14 game unbeaten run in all competitions which saw me going up to 2nd in the league and the main highlight the 3-0 victory over Farnborough Resevers, thanks to a certain Josh Rhodes who decided to come into form in the second half of the season. However, this run had to end somewhere and it did, After this we struggled to pick up points but Worcester Park were able to secure a succesful 12th place in the league (predicted 17th).

We also had the small matter of the Combined Counties Premier Cup. We were in the semi-finals with there being a suprising 3 D1 teams and one PREM team. We were drawn against Sport London e Benfica who was one of the 3 in the D1 teams. After a hard fought game, we were able to win 1-0 in extra-time thanks to a well placed header from Andy Dawson. So we were there!!! The first final in 90 years in the Combined Counties Premier Cup. We were against the underacheiving Mole Valley who finished below us. The game ended 1-1 and unfortunately it went to penalties and the even more unfortunate thing was... we lost 6-5 on penalties! However, we did earn some good dough out of it

And yes, we had another small matter, the Combined Counties Divison 1 Cup. We were also in the semi-finals in this and were drawn against high-flying, top of the table, Knaphill... We won 2-1! Couldn't believe it, hadn't beaten them in the past 2 years in the league and decide to beat them in the cup, typical. So we were in another final! This time this one was against the semi-finalists in the other cup, Sport London e Benfica. However, we had some injuries and we had a fairly weak side out and were taught a lesson with us losing 2-0. However, we did earn some good dough out of this, aswell!

So all in all, a very succesful season. Next season here we come!

[minisav]

Well, might as well give this a go. I've taken over at South Park

[gcah2008]

I have got to January and I'm 16th of 19 teams in the league. Fortunately, with no relegation places, they are calling that a mid-table position. I'm still in the FA Vase. Lower I come this season, less expectation I will be set next season, I hope.

Edit: Just won in the FA Vase 4th round Replay, go Great Yarmouth Town.

[BlackEnd]

That is hilarious! £5m at that level is obscene. Weird you have no wage budget though! You should be able to get your youth facilities up very high with that money though

Yea the first thing I did was make a board request to improve youth facilities.

transfer transfer money to wage budget.

After I got the 2.5mill transfer budget, the board gave me 9k wage budget. i just upped it to 14k and signed all the players on full time contracts. Finally can load my training schedules :P

[MeLikeFM]

Great job mate, good luck

[minisav]

Sold 45 season tickets and won my first game 2-0. Awesome

[gcah2008]

I'll give an update while I wait for the inevitably long FA Vase.

I came 15th (of 19) last season. I forgot about renewing my staff contracts, just holidayed some summer. So had to sign 2 obscure staff, assistant manager and physio.

Second season and I've finished my 18 friendlies within a month, getting over £250k in gate receipts. Tasty! Now, I've won my first 3 league matches! My expectations in the league are to just enjoy the experience, so I can't really get sacked, I guess? :P

[minisav]

Lost 1-0 the next game. The fans are saying I should have played a 15 year old striker. He may become my new impact player.

[gcah2008]

Thought I might as well show my friendlies.

[am i lost]

So just finished my first season with AFC Emley in the Northern Counties East Division 1. Finished 4th which meant a playoff against Daisy Hill. Dominated the game, Daisy Hill got a man sent off, but we just couldn't find that goal. So it was off to penalties, and after missing are first two I knew it was not to be our day. Daisy Hill go up with a 3-2 victory on penalties. Will give a more in depth season review a bit later on.

[Boynebattler]

Think you're right about the odds being f*cked.

What the f*ck is this all about?

I would hate to see the odds on the team they do fancy

[Boynebattler]

Think you're right about the odds being f*cked.

What the f*ck is this all about?

Thought I might as well show my friendlies.

Talk about getting the team season fit - How ya get west brom to accept, i just started a new save for this challenge with AFC Liverpool and even the teams on offer just keep saying "no" grrrrrrrrrr

*EDIT*
Just got Boro & Leeds amongst others now so its fine

[Boynebattler]

Alright chaps - been looking around the forums and love this challenge section, this one in particular caught my eye, Ive been a member for while now (Mostly Browsing) but thought i'd get involved.

Ive just started a save with AFC Liverpool in the North West Counties Division One. The Media prediction for us is to finish 1st "Pressure" although haven't really had a look around the squad yet, maybe they will be right.

Here's a quick look at my FACILITIES

and my FREINDLIES

[gcah2008]

Talk about getting the team season fit - How ya get west brom to accept, i just started a new save for this challenge with AFC Liverpool and even the teams on offer just keep saying "no" grrrrrrrrrr

*EDIT*
Just got Boro & Leeds amongst others now so its fine

They have to be on the list, and play them at the right time. I got a league with West Ham, Wigan and San Lorenzo, so I made loads from them playing each other too

I finished the league in 7th, after a poor finish to the season. I was 2nd with 9 games to go. Lost in the semi-final of the Eastern Counties League Cup on penalties too. Atleast there is a great side, my under-18's won their U18 league. So my youth is somewhat decent.

Time to create some more money-making friendlies!

[Boynebattler]

So, just finished season one, and boy am i not used to this low level of football management , however all water under the bridge now, and we'll move on.

Managed to finish 9th after being 15th for 60% of the season lying in 15th and was knocked out in 1st rd of all comps barring one, my own league comp - managed a Quarter Final in that, but who am i kidding, this wa the 2nd rd -

Below is the link which details all the essential info from the season in one picture, managed to cut and paste crop ect... on photoshop so its better than 3-4 different pictures.

SEASON ONE REVIEW

So onto season 2, lets hope we can grow as a team, after all my avge age of squad is just 22

[gcah2008]

I've finished my third season now. I'll be playing a fourth season in the 10th tier. This is getting frustrating. Finished 7th. Made it past the first qualifying round of FA Cup too.

However, I have added some history to the club with a wonderful trophy.

[Marky Mark!]

As no-one has objected to my proposal to continue updated my FM09 GYAC game in here (currently in the 2023/24 season), I will post my updated in here shortly, and also a quick summary of the club achievements to date given it's my 15th season in charge!

[Boynebattler]

Made it past the first qualifying round of FA Cup too

I also am in level 10 - (NWC Division One) and was not entered into any stage of the FA Cup is this the case for teams in this division as the NWC PRemiership teams do go in it, but there was no entry from my league.

[Gareth Keenan]

Well, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to manage my local side of Westfield.

Manager Profile

Should be fun, or insanely difficult... hopefully both.

[Stephanie McMahon\'s Secret Lover]

That is a great question i didn't think about it.
It would apply to players you sold aswell (either your choice or the boards)

Nope they must ALWAYS be at your club. Once you release them they are gone forever.

[Stephanie McMahon\'s Secret Lover]

Welcome aboard Gareth.

Remember...

Success is NOT an option! Then you'll enjoy the challenge.

[gcah2008]

I also am in level 10 - (NWC Division One) and was not entered into any stage of the FA Cup is this the case for teams in this division as the NWC PRemiership teams do go in it, but there was no entry from my league.

No, it's just that not all level 10 teams enter FA Cup. Same is actually true in real life I believe. However, it goes on a 'seeding' type of system, so top xx teams qualify from each level 10 division. I got in with 7th, but wasn't in the year after I finished 15th.

You get the idea?

I've just finished arranging my friendlies leagues and cup for the 4th season. I'm expecting alot of gate receipts and TV revenue.

Bradford, Anderlecht and Zamalek in friendly league.
Notts County, Northampton and Farnborough in friendly cup.
Bradford, Tigre and Zamalek in friendly league. (TV)
Anderlecht, Standard Liege and Rangers in friendly cup. (TV)
Nunthorpe Athletic in friendly match.
Aston Villa, Birmingham and Anderlecht in friendly league. (TV)
Rangers, Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano in friendly league. (TV)
Genoa, Atalanta and Lazio in friendly league. (TV)
Anderlecht, Rayo Vallecano and Tigre in friendly league. (TV)
Ludlow in friendly match.
Leicester City, Derby County and Notts Forest in friendly cup.
Anderlecht, Rayo Vallecano and Tigre in friendly league. (TV)
Ilford, Nantwich and Rugby in friendly league.
Anderlecht in friendly match.
Fritwell in friendly match.

[MeLikeFM]

Your players will be knackered, good luck

[gcah2008]

Your players will be knackered, good luck

I have about 50 players, including youths. I also have a week without a game before my first league match. My team should be okay

The only problem I could have is bad confidence if I take numerous smashings.

[Boynebattler]

gcah2008 - thats gonna be a lot of revenue generated
(cool)
Whats ya bank balance like now, im on saeason two, just started ansd ive got £227k

[gcah2008]

gcah2008 - thats gonna be a lot of revenue generated
(cool)
Whats ya bank balance like now, im on saeason two, just started ansd ive got £227k

I've been working out how to get better and better revenue each year. At the end of last season I was up to about £1mill balance. I'm probably going to double it with this season's friendlies.

[Boynebattler]

I've finished my third season now. I'll be playing a fourth season in the 10th tier. This is getting frustrating. Finished 7th. Made it past the first qualifying round of FA Cup too.

However, I have added some history to the club with a wonderful trophy.

I've been working out how to get better and better revenue each year. At the end of last season I was up to about £1mill balance. I'm probably going to double it with this season's friendlies.

In the words of the A team's Col. John "Hanibal" Smith

I love it when a plan comes together"

Superb mate

[gcah2008]

Thanks. Hopefully I can actually get out of this division now. My original youths are starting to develop, I think.

[Boynebattler]

Im thinking ive got about 3-4 years at least to get out of tthis hell hole, i mean i go on arun of 2-3 wins and think ive got it, then lose to bottom o league at home, frustrating isnt it, but bloody great.

[gcah2008]

I know exactly what you mean. I started one of my season's with 6 consecutive wins, thought I'd romp it. Then halfway through the season, couldn't even get a point for love nor money.

Friendly results
Confidence
Finances

Got completely destroyed in most of friendlies. Not much effect on either team morale or board confidence. Then there is my wonderful finances, £1.7mill+ of my turnover is from gate receipts and £1.3mill+ from TV revenue.

And my board has finally considered training and youth facility upgrades.

[Boynebattler]

Got upto December in season two, went to my dads to whatch the darts and when i come home, my game is not on and when i reload it its upto Aug,

So i'm just gonna start again, see if i can make a better start.

This is why there is a autosave option.

[gcah2008]

Unlucky Boyne.

I'm coming to the end of the 4th season, I'm third in the league and I've won the Norfolk Senior Cup. Hopefully I can end it with promotion this time.

[Boynebattler]

Unlucky Boyne.

I'm coming to the end of the 4th season, I'm third in the league and I've won the Norfolk Senior Cup. Hopefully I can end it with promotion this time.

Any luck with the promotion mate

[gcah2008]

Third

My board has.... expanded my youth and training facilities... agreed another youth and training facility expansion.... turned the club professional...

[Marky Mark!]

FM09 GYAC - Mertyr 15 yr Recap - Mary Mark!

Hi all, I am going into my 15th season of this challenge on FM09 with Mertyr (I am not buying FM10), and have been updated my career here: http://community.sigames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

However, with this new thread appearing, I thought it would be best to share my updates in this new thread, and whilst I'm at it I'll also provide a quick 15 year history of my time at Merthyr:

2009/10 (BSS): Finished 2nd in my first year in the BSS, and gained promotion through the playoffs in my first attempt
2010/11 - 2014/15 (BSP): 5 years in the BSP, during which I managed to win my first trophy, the FA Trophy. I finished 2nd in my 5th season of the BSP, and again won promotion through the playoffs to League 2
2015/16 - 2018/19 (League Two): 4 years in League Two, in my 4th year everything came together and I managed to end the season champions of League Two!
2019/20 - 2020/21 (League One): Two very tough years in League One, the 2nd season saw me finish 21st, 3 points away from saftey, and relegated back to League Two
2021/22 (League Two): Finished 3rd in my first season back in League Two to secure automatic promotion back to League One, and also managed to win the Johnsons Paint Trophy!
2022/23 (League One): A fantastic first season back in League One, where I managed to finish 3rd, just missing out on automatic promotion to the Championship! I won mean Playoff semi-final, but lost the playoff final 3-4

In addition to just missing out to promotion to the Championship in 2022/23, something fantastic happened... as part of a board takeover (2nd one for the club), in addition to giving the club a couple of million in cash, the new chairman decided to upgrade the youth and training facilities (which were both average initially) - after the upgrade they are both world class and cannot be upgraded any further! With this great bit of new, I'm confident that a push into the Championship (and maybe one day the Premiership?) isn't too far away.

So, that is the short history of my club, now onto the 2023/24 season update!

[MeLikeFM]

Hi all, I am going into my 15th season of this challenge on FM09 with Mertyr (I am not buying FM10)

Me neither, keeping it real Mark

[Stephanie McMahon\'s Secret Lover]

Keep it going Mark we're reading mate.

[Marky Mark!]

FM09 - Merthyr 2023/24 Season Update - League One - Marky Mark!

2009/10 - BSS, 2nd - Promotion through playoffs!
2010/11 - BSP, 18th - Setanta Shield Qtr Final
2011/12 - BSP, 6th - Setanta Shield Qtr Final
2012/13 - BSP, 18th
2013/14 - BSP, 14th - FA Trophy winners!
2014/15 - BSP, 2nd - FA Trophy Semi-Final, FA Cup 3rd Round, Promotion through playoffs!
2015/16 - League Two, 20th
2016/17 - League Two, 13th, JPT S Quarter Final
2017/18 - League Two, 9th
2018/19 - League Two, 1st, FA Cup 3rd Round, League Two Champions!
2019/20 - League One, 16th, FA Cup 3rd Round, Carling Cup 3rd Round, JPT S Semi Final
2020/21 - League One, 21st, FA Cup 4th Round, Relegation
2021/22 - League Two, 3rd, FA Cup 3rd Round, JPT Winners!, Automatic Promotion!
2022/23 - League One, 3rd, FA Cup 3rd Round, Lost in playoff final

2023/24 - League One, 2nd, FA Cup 4th Round, Automatic Promotion!

After just mising out on automatic promotion last season the team managed one better this season by finishing in 2nd place, and by doing so securing promotion to the Championship! Despite finishing 2nd the season could have gone either way, with Merthy managing wins in games they didn't really deserve to win, and despite sitting in 3rd or 4th for most of the season, managed to save their best till last and climb into 2nd place come the end of the season.

2024 League Table and Graph

Whilst there were again contribution from all players, one player in particular stood out, and that was young striker Mark Quinn

Another injury interupted season meant he could only play 39 matches, but he manged 26 goals, 7 assists, 12 MOM and an average rating of 7.33, breaking the previous record of 7.32 set in 2009. He also League One Top Goalscorer runner-up and part of the League One Players Select. There is now a lot of interest in him, but hopefully the lure of Championship football will keep him at the club!

Seasonal Best XI and Overall Best XI

A short update by me this season despite the sucess, that is because I am in the middle of an engrossing debut Championship season! Hopefully I'll have more good news to report shortly!

New Club Records
Highest League Position: 2nd in League One
Most Games Without Losing: 15 - 31.10.2023 to 10.1.2024
Most Games Without Conceding: 7 - 31.10.2023 to 2.12.2023
Highest Average Rating: Mark Quinn - 7.33 (38 apps)
Most League Goals for Club: Marcus Griffiths - 242
Youngest Player: David Powell - 16 years 10 days v Plymouth (A) Carling Cup 1st Rnd 16.8.2023

[Thistles * player]

Great stuff Markymark, is your squad completely home grown?

Also, are they all welsh or have some second nationalities cropped up?

[Marky Mark!]

FM09 GYAC - Merthyr 1,000 Apperances Challenge - 2023/24 Update

Matthew Harris, MC, 35: 764 apps in 18 seasons
After managing 15 apperances last season, I wanted to give him a few more in his last season, but with his stats plummeting and a place in the Championship up for grabs I couldn't manage it, so he didn't add to his tally of last season, and retires with 764 apperances, the current Merthyr record, around 100 apperances ahead of the next closest player. Unfortunatly I don't have a pic of his stats prior to retirement (though I can tell you they were pretty awfull), but as you can see he has stayed on as a coach, becoming the 3rd ex-player to become a staff member.

Rob Simpson, DC, 31: 672 apps in 15 seasons
After a solid season last season he was again interupted by injury this season and only managed 35 apperances this season. Given the lack of any decent up and coming defenders to replace him, he will probably stay in the starting lineup for the next few years at least and should be able to overhaul Harris' record, but will come well short of the 1,000 apperances mark

Chris Thompson, GK, 25: 454 apps in 9 seasons
53 games this season, and although he has not yet reached the half way mark of the challenge, is still on track to reach it if he can stay injury free and playing for the next 11 seasons (and of course not be poached by another club!) - still unlikely, but it is getting slightly more likely with each passing season...