dafuge's FM12 challenge

[CityAndColour]

Also my scouts just returned me this gem:

David Connolly

16 years old and in England's u19 squad, yet he has never been at a club before and was unattached. Very strange but I'm not complaining.

[Rattlesnake_85]

Hi everyone
Congratulations to all those who have achieved promotions and success. To those who have not keep going!!
just a quick request to save me from looking through over 2k posts could some one post a link to the team logos for this challenge please

many thanks

[Brizza]

Is this the most ridiculous penalty decision in the history of the world....ever? Not that I'm complaining!!

Is that a lightening strike that hits him for the penalty?

[Drew the Cookie Eater]

Drew. FC United. Coca Cola League One. 2015/2016

Table - Too easy, way too easy this season, apart from Sheff United and Brighton, the rest of the league were a joke, my attacking fron line were superb, back line were solid as a rock, just simply fantastic, and we set a new record for points accumulated as well

Graph - Matchday 24 onwards, way too easy, I'm guessing it's my tactics, teams are unable to cope with my front line, which is encouraging.

Transfers - Those that were not good enough for the step up were let go, whereas I brought in some quality from abroad, most of which were too good for League One.

Squad - Some fantastic performances from certain members of the squad this season, most notably Harald Meyer, solid at the back, and was a threat from the right wing when he ventured forward, I have big hopes for this kid, I beleive he can make the step up to not only The Championship, but also the Premier League as well; Lubomir Michalik was superb this season, an experienced head is always vital at this level, unfortunately he is nowhere good enough for The Championship, so a replacement is needed; Lawrence Leek was superb just like Michalik, fasntastic at the back and a threat up front from set pieces, a big season for him next season; Pavel kalivoda, wow, what a season from the young man, 11 goals and 17 assists from the left wing, what a fantastic seasona nd I will be hoping for more of the same next season; Phillip Foy is my player of the season this year, doesn't have the best technical attributes, but he has an eye for the goal and the way my wingers and midfield played, he was given plenty of opportunities at goal and took most of them.

Finances - Another F.A. Cup run proved to be beneficial to the club, a 4-0 defeat away to Arsenal £££

Promotion

Aims for nest season:

Improve the squad.
PROMOTION

[Swinburn]

I strayed a little bit ahead in my game, so there's two updates here... so very long post.

FC United of Manchester
Season 5 - 2016/17 – League One
Preseason - Media Prediction: 24th
We're Getting There...

Club Info

Into League One. Again, we were all predicted for failure. Another spoiler alert, this didn't happen.

The Season
Yet another fantastic season. We got promoted via the playoffs! Some nasty bloody playoffs they were too. The semi final was a tense moment. Completely blanked out at the end and forgot to screenshot my position graph, finances and confidence. It's okay though, I remembered to do it for the Championship season.

League One Table

AFC Wimbledon v FC United | FC United v AFC Wimbledon

FC United v Coventry

Transfers | Squad (1) (2)

FC United Awards

Fan's Player of the Year
Ondrej Srom
This guy was a little gem! 47 league games, 23 goals. Could not rate him higher. Fantastic little find and quite versatile too, being able to play at MR quite a lot during the season and still keep the scoring up!

Top Scorer
Ondrej Srom
See above.

The Jordan Swinburn Award (The Surprise of the Season award)
Getting promoted.

The Millward Player Choice Award (Manager's Player of the Year)
Ondrej Srom
Gotta be Srom.

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13         Blue Square North         1st           Promoted - Champions 
2013/14         Blue Square Premier       13th          Survived Relegation
2014/15         Blue Square Premier       2nd           Promoted - Playoffs
2015/16         League Two                3rd           Promoted - 3rd
2016/17         League One                4th           Promoted - Playoffs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FC United of Manchester
Season 6 - 2017/18 – Championship
Preseason - Media Prediction: 24th
One Last Step...

Club Info

Championship time! Just one more step! One again predicted by everyone to crash and burn.

The Season
Easily the best season yet. Without a shadow of a doubt. You'll see why! At one point in the season, I decided that I only wanted regens in the squad. Hense all the releases. Gutter of the season was Bertrand getting sold over my head though. He was a good good player.

Championship Table | Position Graph

Transfers | Squad

Finances | Confidence

The FA Cup Run
This season, we had an absolutely unbelievable cup run. It started roughly, with a 1-1 draw to Swansea. In the replay, we won 1-0. Then came the big test... Liverpool, at Anfield. I don't know how, but we delivered, winning 1-0. Things got a bit easier from here! Wigan at home in the 5th round, and we beat them 2-1. Then came Championship Hull in the 6th, only cementing the theory of my quarter final luck. We'd just beaten these 3-0 in the league, so I expected a win... and we delivered, just. 1-0 win.

So, we were in the Semi Final of the FA Cup. And then the worst happened. Our frequent worst enemy came out of the hat. Blackburn Rovers. Ever since I came into the Football League, Blackburn had knocked me out of the League Cup. In League Two, they won 6-2. League One, 3-1. This was our time for revenge. And revenge is what we got. Fantastic 3-1 win! The final beckoned!

In the other semi final, it was Manchester City v Southampton. I attended this game, as any manager would, and it went all the way to extra time. I was praying for a Southampton win... and then, out of nowhere, City scored. And it was over. City had won, so I had it all to do in the final. Talk about Mission: Impossible! So, Man City v FC United in the FA Cup Final of 2018...

And this happened...

Absolute heartbreak. We absolutely dominated that game. Dominated! Yet we lost by 1 goal. We completely caned City in every way but scoring. Absolute heartbreak.

FA Cup Fixtures

However, one good thing came from that cup final. Manchester City had already qualified for the Champions League. So, you know what that means...

Premier League AND Europa League, here FC United come!

FC United Awards

Fan's Player of the Year
Cyril Eto'o
Yes, we signed Eto'o. Cyril Eto'o! Absolute beast this guy... except in the cups. Guy couldn't score to save his life in the cups. In the league however, 24 goals in 38 games. Great talent, and also our top scorer.

Top Scorer
Cyril Eto'o
See above.

The Jordan Swinburn Award (The Surprise of the Season award)
The season itself! The fact we got over 100 points in the league, getting first, but also got into, yet lost (somehow!) in the FA Cup Final, was astounding. This was easily the best season I've had in the Championship on this challenge for 3 years.

The Millward Player Choice Award (Manager's Player of the Year)
Cyril Eto'o
It couldn't have been anyone else.

Aims For Next Season
Stay up, get another glorious cup run, and have a good crack at the Europa League! Bring it on!

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13         Blue Square North         1st           Promoted - Champions 
2013/14         Blue Square Premier       13th          Survived Relegation
2014/15         Blue Square Premier       2nd           Promoted - Playoffs
2015/16         League Two                3rd           Promoted - 3rd
2016/17         League One                4th           Promoted - Playoffs
2017/18         Championship              1st           Promoted - Champions, FA Cup Finalist

And we're completely updated!

[Dan BHTFC]

22 games into my first season in the Premier League and I have 34 points. Looking back at past seasons 40 has been enough to stay up, I'm aiming for 45 just to be safe!

[glennuk]

22 games into my first season in the Premier League and I have 34 points. Looking back at past seasons 40 has been enough to stay up, I'm aiming for 45 just to be safe!

What position does that put you in?

[Dan BHTFC]

What position does that put you in?

I am in 8th place, mid table safety at the mo

[GreyedOutMan]

You're in 8th after 22 games and still only aiming to avoid relegation?! Show some ambition, man!!

[Swinburn]

I am in 8th place, mid table safety at the mo

Grr! I'm struggling in the Premier League in 16th. Can't get a win at all. In the cups and Europe though, I'm absolutely fine, getting huge wins! Don't get it at all.

[Dan BHTFC]

I'm nearer the relegation zone than I am the top!

[Swinburn]

So, yet another huge cup win. 5-1 against Wigan. Don't know why we can't do this in the league.

[GreyedOutMan]

I bet you're closer to a Europa League spot - and probably even a Champions' League spot - than a relegation place though!

[ScottishSteven]

Well I decided to keep going with Canvey Island despite worries over the reputation drop, and the fact that I basically only have 14 first team players this year, and it's fair to say I've been pleasantly surprised.

We've won our 1st three matches of the league including a thumping 5-0 win away to Havant & Waterlooville.

This match however had my bum making chocolate buttons for the last 11 mins or so! The 444 fans certainly got their money's worth in this one!

I'm really surprised at the marked difference in our performance this season though, as we look like an inferior side on paper compared to last year, yet we're performing much better. It's not even as if I have made any tactical or training changes? Not complaining though!

[Brizza]

Well done Swinburn and Drew! Looking forward to finishing up my season tonight and joining you in the Prem. Europa League football though - wow. Amazing achievement.

[Swinburn]

Well done Swinburn and Drew! Looking forward to finishing up my season tonight and joining you in the Prem. Europa League football though - wow. Amazing achievement.

Europa League going very well, I've already secured first round place with a game to go. Only lost to Benfica in my group so far, which features Trabzonspor and H. Tel-Aviv. One game left, against Benfica.

[CityAndColour]

Finally, heading into my sixth season, we are the subject of the Pitchero focus.

[GreyedOutMan]

C&C - they do several of these in pre-season. Usually you see your own team there....

[Swinburn]

Ouch. Werder Bremen in the next round of the Europa League. In the event I somehow win, Fenerbahce or Rubin await.

[CityAndColour]

C&C - they do several of these in pre-season. Usually you see your own team there....

I know, I mean it's the first time I've seen my own team in it.

[DizzyIzzyB13]

Chippenham Town F.C. 2013/2014
#24 - DizzyIzzyB13
2nd in Blue Square Premier (Play-offs) (pred: 24th) | Transfers | Finances | Position Graph | Player Stats 1, 2

The League

We had an excellent season, spending the majority of it in and around the play-off places. A late season surge almost saw us take the title, going undefeated in 7 league games in March and securing me the March Manager of the Month award, but Wrexham's strong form held up while we lost our final two games to settle for second place and a spot in the play-offs.

In the play-off semi-finals, we were matched up with Farnborough. A goalless draw in the away leg took us back to Hardenhuish Park, where I expected a tense tie. But I was pleased to be disappointed, as we brushed them aside 4-0 to regain our mojo just in time for the play-off final. We were matched up with a Dagenham and Redbridge side who'd just lost to Ebbfleet in the FA Trophy final on the same Wembley pitch just a week earlier. Richi Barroilhet's 51st minute goal sent us ahead. We seemed to be coasting into the Football League... until the 80th minute, when disaster struck. Dutch centre back Arsenio Halfhuid tripped striker Sam Williams in the middle of our half and recieved his marching orders. Suddenly, we were forced onto the back foot, and Dagenham and Redbridge threw everything at us for 10 minutes. In truth, we were lucky to only let in the one goal in normal time, managing to drag ourselves into the extra period. I shuffled the pack, reorganising my players to try and provide a more solid defence. It seemed to work, as we forced a corner 6 minutes into the extra period and Sudanese substitute defender Gemi Yagoub headed it home to hand the lead back to us. But even as we celebrated holding on to the half, a futher setback occured - Luke Hendrie, a midfielder who was filling in in defence was stretchered off injured, leaving us with 9 men to hold off 15 minutes of all-out assault. They threw everything at us, coming closer and closer, even hitting the woodwork.... until Richie Barroilhet chased a long clearing free-kick, headed the ball over the keeper and put us 3-1 up with 5 minutes to go! And so, we held on, securing promotion with a 3-1 victory! FOOTBALL LEAGUE HERE WE COME!

The Cups (FA Cup (Expectations: 3rd Qualifying Round) | FA Trophy (Expectations: Learn from the experience of competing))

Bizarrely, our FA Cup campaign opened with us already exceeding expectations - the board expected me to reach the third round, despite the fact we'd been seeded to start off in the 4th qualifying round. On a more positive note, we had our first home game in the FA Cup under my stewardship after last seasons 6 successive away ties. Our opponents were rivals Swindon Supermarine from the southern Premier Division. Althouh the scoreline didn't quite reflect it, we comfortably eased past them with a 1-0 victory. We followed that up with a visit from Stalybridge Celtic in the first round, securing a solid 3-1 victory. In the second round, our parent club Swindon Town came to visit. we'd played them in pre-season friendlies in the last three seasons (including the 2011-12 seson when I wasn't in charge) and lost all three by a combined 9-0, so I knew it wasn't going to be an easy game. In front of a record 4,000 attendence, we managed to hold on for a goalless draw to take them to a replay at the County Ground. We gave our all, but ultimately the superior fitness of a full-time team shone through, and we exited the competition, losing 2-1 after extra time.

In the FA Trophy, we opened up with a win over Salisbury in the first round, Richie Barroilhet's first minute strike being enough to send us through. The second round presented us with the opportunity to avenge our defeat in last season's third round against Kidderminster Harriers. A 1-1 at Hardenhuish Park set up a replay at Aggborough. However, despite our best efforts, they proved too strong for a tired side, and sent us out of the competition 4-2.

The Players

Top Goalscorer: Richie Barroilhet, 27
Top League Goalscorer: Richie Barroilhet, 23
Most Assists:: Jamie Maclaren, 11
Highest Average Rating: Will Evans
Fan's Player of the Year: Richie Barroilhet

Team of the Year



Internationals: Zak Ansah, Ghana U-20s; Phil Bassett Wales U-19s; Nikos Georgiou, Cyprus U-21s & U-19s; Jamie Maclean, Malta U-21s; Ivaylo Stanchev, Bulgaria U-19s; Gareth Swattridge, Wales U-19s

The Staff

Manager: Isabella Bianchi
Assistant Manager: Jack Ward
Coaches: Louis Adamson, Ralph Duncan, Matt Heywood, Paul James (Fitness), Kevin Kelly, Scott Peat (Goalkeepers)
Physiotherapist: Steve Bradbury
Scouts: Wayne Beadle, Anthony Howe, Sam Marriott, Neil Pringle, Matt Shawcross, Ross Williams

The Finances

Although we're not doing too badly cash-wise, the decision of the board to invest in a new stadium has given us signficiant debts and a drain on our resources. In addition, the fact that the club has turned professional is going to change the amount players are going to demand from us, meaning we could face significant troubles next year. Sigh.

The Future

Next year is all about surviving, trying to build up enough cash to advance the club forward and working on ensuring we can improve our facilities.

CLUB HISTORY

SEASON	LEAGUE	POS.	Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/13	BSS	5th	Promoted via Play-offs
13/14	BSP	2nd	Promoted via Play-offs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TROPHY CABINET

None

MANAGER AWARDS

Blue Square Premier Manager of the Year - 2013/2014

Blue Square South Manager of the Year - 2012/2013

Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month - March 2014

[Swinburn]

I need some stability in the league, so I'm resorting to signing non-regens. First one in, Khouma Babacar. For some reason, he's transfer listed. Got him in for 3.8m. Alan from Sao Paulo (RB Salzburg IRL) should be following him in.

[Dan BHTFC]

END OF SEASON



HENDON F.C - Season 2025/26
League Table | Squad | Transfer In / Out

Our first season in the top flight and a top 10 finish. We started well then our form dipped towards Christmas, I thought we weere going to do a Blackpool! We found a few wins, confidence grew and we made a good finish. I didn't make many signings but I can see I need more quality in this squad if we are to break into a Euro place although we were only 3 points away at the end.

Season      Division                    Position        Cups
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13     Blue Square South           6th             F.A Cup 3rd Qual Rnd, F.A Trophy 2nd Rnd
2013/14     Blue Square South           5th             F.A Cup 2nd Qual Rnd, F.A Trophy 1st Rnd
2014/15     Blue Square South          12th             F.A Cup 3rd Qual Rnd, F.A Trophy 2nd Rnd
2015/16     Blue Square South           9th             F.A Cup 2nd Qual Rnd, F.A Trophy 1st Rnd
2016/17     Blue Square South           1st             F.A Cup 2nd Rnd, F.A Trophy 4th Rnd
2017/18     Blue Square Premier        10th             F.A Cup 4th Qual Rnd, F.A Trophy 4th Rnd
2018/19     Blue Square Premier         1st             F.A Cup 5th Rnd, F.A Trophy Winners
2019/20     npower League 2             9th             F.A Cup 3rd Rnd, Carling Cup 1st Rnd, JPT 1st Rnd
2020/21     npower League 2             1st             F.A Cup 2nd Rnd, Carling Cup 1st Rnd, JPT Semi-Finals
2021/22     npower League 1            15th             F.A Cup 3rd Rnd, Carling Cup 1st Rnd, JPT 2nd Rnd
2022/23     npower League 1            14th             F.A Cup Semi Finals, Carling Cup 1st Rnd, JPT 2nd Rnd
2023/24     npower League 1             1st             F.A Cup 4th Rnd, Carling Cup 1st Rnd, JPT 1st Rnd
2024/25     npower Championship         1st             F.A Cup 5th Rnd, Carling Cup 3rd Rnd
2025/26     Barclays Premier League    10th             F.A Cup 5th Rnd, Carling Cup Quarter Finals

Next Season Targets

*Top 8 finish
*Get to the Carling or F.A Cup Final

[Dan BHTFC]

Wow, I have an amazing board who really wants extra income LINK

[Swinburn]

Wow, I have an amazing board who really wants extra income LINK

That's unreal.

[Astelan]

This is challenge has been the greatest amount of fun I think I have ever had in FM. Love reading everyones little updates that everyone posts. Playing as Worksop and doing ok, Season 2 and we are pushing hard in BSP. C'mon Tiggggrrrsss!!

Many thnx to Dafuge, DizzyIzzy, Swiburn, Dan, C&C.. your posts are great, keep them coming!

[Dan BHTFC]

That's unreal.

Tell me about it! My thinking is that my ground cannot be extended any more so that mean another new ground is on its way

[Junior89]

#103

Marine FC – Season 1 (2012/13) Blue Square Bet North

Media prediction: 22nd
Final position: 11th
Squad 1 Squad 2
Transfers

Competitions
Well, that was quite a pleasing season overall. As expected everyone I thought would be decent preseason turned out not to be good enough so I ended up taking advantage of non-contracts to bring in over 50 players throughout the season, and getting rid of the players from the last regime who were on ridiculous wages compared to their ability. But this never really had an adverse effect on the team’s performances throughout the season – playing an extremely narrow and very rigid 4-4-2, counter attacking with pacy wingers and strikers seemed to suit the team and the system was quickly picked up by new recruits. It provided a decent defensive platform (strikers at this level miss so many chances that on paper it looks even better than it did on the pitch) and was able to expose teams too keen to push their fullbacks up; our record against the top 5 was W5 D5 L2 in all competitions. Unfortunately when we had lots of the ball we didn’t really know what to do with it and we drew or lost far too many times against the teams at the bottom (we were spanked 5-0 at home by Solihull Moors and lost to bottom of the table Harrogate who only won another 5 games all season for instance).

We managed to reach the QF of the FA Trophy but then came up against a very impressive Welling team – it was obvious from the first few minutes that their pace and dribbling was going to cause us huge problems. It’s rather annoying that the gate money isn’t shared in this competition or the FA qualifying rounds since it does mean that it’s financially better to play for a replay when you get an away fixture.

Players
Callum Williams GK – reinforcing my feeling that star ratings for GK are not very informative at this level, I had a 4.5 star keeper who kept moving out of the goal-mouth on crosses allowing tame headers to bounce into the net or dropping the ball in a crowded penalty area, whereas 2 star Callum managed to avoid conceding such howlers throughout the season.

Jamie Grimes and Ollie Monguel (no I don’t know how to pronounce that!) DC – these two distinguished themselves from my other centre-backs with their consistency. Reasonably pacy and good in the air they will be my captain and vice-captain next season.

Shane Murray and Graeme MacGregor MC – both came in the second half of the season but they appear to be able to perform to their capabilities and complement each other well, they’ve also booked a first XI place next year. I have them for 2 more years on £6k a year contracts!

Ryan Bowman ST – he’s on a lot of money, but I know it can be difficult to find strikers that will actually manage to put the ball into the net so 21 goals as a deep-lying foward was enough for me to sign him on for another 2 years.

David Goldsmith and Marcus Carver ST – more second half of the season signings but again both of them seem to be able to get goals as poachers so I’m hopeful they’ll help us get more goals next season.

Andy Gavin DC, MC – he only turned 17 in February so frankly his consistency is astonishing. A super-sub who would come on when a starting centre-back or defensive minded midfielder was having a mare and steady the ship, I genuinely can’t remember a terrible performance from him. Strong in the air, strong in the challenge, sensible in possession – can you tell I love this guy? I hope to see him develop at the club for a long time.

Finances
Which leads me to the finances! This was a big thing for me since I don’t really want to run up huge debts and get totally unrealistic board injections while still a nonleague club (as happened to me last year.) I really don't understand how this works – my board gave me £190k to spend on player wages, I spent £110k of that and still ended up losing £40k over the season. I didn’t ask for anything extra from the board – no more staff than allowed, hired staff on wages nowhere near the maximum I could offer, no facilities improved – our attendances averaged 400 which is the same or more than most BSN clubs and had 7 money-spinning friendlies. Why would the board get this so wrong? How come the club was promoted with healthy finances but a wage bill that I couldn’t afford to maintain? And how on earth are the other clubs able to afford the wages they offer?

Reputation
WTF? 52 non-playable clubs are now rated as higher rep than me, a mid-table BSN, FA Trophy quarter-finalist. I have the same rep as Met Police for goodness sakes! WTF?

Next Season’s Goals

1. Reach the playoffs
2. Breakeven
3. Develop a more attacking formation to hopefully attract more fans (also since 3 of 4 wingers were poached at the end of the season I can’t rely on my previous tactic to work).

Season      Division                    Position         Noteworthy Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13     Blue Square North           11th             F.A Trophy QF

Any tips on report style appreciated.

[G_D_K]

HASTINGS UNITED (#68) Season 2 2013/2014
Table -- Squad -- Position -- Transfers -- Reputation -- Confidence (Competitions - Transfers)

The Season
Season 2 turned out to be a good one. We had a slow start in the beginning, but hit a good run of form about the time the cup matches started up. A couple of new signings finally gelled with the rest of the team, and Hastings was off to the races. Unfortunately, it was a race to second place, as Ebbsfleet took an early lead and never looked back. A great run of 15 matches undefeated put us solidly in contention for the playoff spots, until disaster struck. Fixture congestion (due to a pretty good cup run, as well as a couple of postponed away matches) caused a sever fitness issue. This was compounded by (or even caused) sever injuries to key players. New signing (Striker) Sean Cassidy missed 5 weeks from early January to a twisted ankle. Young striker Molyneaux missed 6 weeks from mid January to a sprained ankle. My star centre-back Tunnecliffe missed 3 weeks in mid February to a thigh strain. Just when it seemed like I was about to have a full squad, playmaking midfielder Padraig Byrne went down for three weeks in mid-march to a twisted knee. In all, I had 7 or 8 multi-week injuries simultaneously—this brought the run to a crashing end, and pushed me out of the playoff spots for a while.

However, the team kept its spirits up (we never suffered a morale problem), kept their heads up, and pushed forward. Come the final 4 matches of the season, they were right back in the thick of things, nosing in and out of the fifth playoff spot (actually hitting as high as second place temporarily)…but with a margin of 1 points’ difference between 5 contenders, it was always going to come down to the final match of the season. Match day 42, level on points with 3 other teams (Ebbsfleet had long clinched the first spot, and Dartford was comfortably sitting in 2nd with a 3 point advantage over the next four teams), we only had to match or exceed on other team in order to advance. (Our goal differential meant that even if we loss, as long as one other team lost, we were through). And, what a match it would be…our final match, home, to rivals Eastbourne Boro --- one of the teams in the mix for the playoffs. A draw (or better) would be enough to see us through.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out quite that way. An entertaining match and controversial refereeing saw Hastings lose 4-2. This wouldn’t be the first time this season that I blasted the refs during the post-match interview, nor would it be the first time the FA remained quiet about my outburst. (Though, I did sit out match…38 or 39, I forget which due to some of my comments  ). Fortunately for us, Farnborough dropped a couple of goals to already-relegated Staines, their loss sealing our playoff place.

The playoff semifinal was drawn against 2nd place Dartford, a team which took 4 points in our head-to-head matchup during the season. A lively, if scoreless first half, saw us pepper the opposition with shots, but unable to put the ball in the net. That changed in the 69th minute, as sub striker Molyneaux caught a defender in possession just inside the 18 yard line, took a step, and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. The home crowd erupted in cheers. However, Molyneaux wasn’t quite finished yet, as, on 76 minutes, he scored the biggest goal of his young career, racing onto a through ball from right midfielder McCartan, racing into the box, and driving a ball low to the keeper’s right into the corner of the net. The crowd of nearly 3150 were ecstatic.

But, we still had an away leg to tend to, and it got off to a bad start. Star of the first leg Molyneaux went off injured in the 7th minute of the game. And, for some reason, it seemed at times we were playing 11 on 13, as the referees showed exteme bias towards the hosts, culminating in a straight red for star striker Mannion in the 57th minute for “catching boyle with an elbow” --- (in the same commentary “Boyle surely took a dive there”). So, still up 2-0 on aggregate, but playing down a man (or three, if you count the refs  )we had our work cut out for us. Fortunately, our back had frustrated Dartford all day, and, despite conceding the bulk of the possession throughout the game, Dartford was only able to capitalize once, as the lads somehow contrived to allow Charlie Sheringham free on a long ball in the 87th minute (we were playing a corner up at their end) which he blasted past the keeper from 25 yards.

The match ended 1-0, and we were through to the final against Truro...but it looked to be rough going. My appeal against the red card for Mannion was denied. Molyneaux was out 3 weeks. Striker Cassidy was away on international duty. That left me with my right mid/striker and 5th string striker King up front. In desperation, I brought up one of my top prospects from the recent youth intake and gave him a run in the final. (I’d hoped his 14 finishing, easily the top rating of any of my remaining strikers, would help). However, it was unlikely left-midfielder Konstantinos Laifis who gave our side the lead in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a mistake from the keeper (he collected, then dropped, the through ball from my right winger) and calmly finishing his chance. It was his second goal for the (short) season, and was the one that mattered most. Centre back Josh Jirbandy doubled our lead in the 52nd minute with a towering header from a corner, and, that was it. Hastings were through to the BSP!!!

Top highlights---as in our first season, we had a pretty good goal differential….we ended 3rd in goals scored at 76, 5th in goals allowed at 50. (Ebbsfleet managed 91 goals to 36 allowed, a whopping 55 G.D!) Unfortunately, I missed some of the individual and team records before the season cycled over, but the last I had checked, Tunnecliffe had been 2nd in AVR, 1st in Interceptions, 1st in Key Headers, 9th in tackles, and 3rd in MoM awards. Unfortunately, he did not take the player of season award, which went to Michael West of Ebbsfleet, who tallied 9 goals, 24 assists, and 6 MoM with an AVR of 7.4.

I actually had 3 players on the shortlist for player of season..Tunnecliffe, Byrne, and Mannion. Might be the most of my own team I’ve seen on that shortlist 

CUPS: A much better round of cup competitions than my first year (3QR in both cups then). In the FA Cup, I had easy lower league home ties vs Ilford and Weston-super-Mare (3-0 and 4-0 respectively), before facing my first challenge in the form of BSP Dag & Red. A stoppage time goal from Chris Molyneaux ensured a replay away at Victoria Road, however, the higher division team completely outclassed me, and I succumbed to a 4-1 defeat, ending my FA Cup in the 4QR.

The FAT saw a slightly better run, starting with a 5-1 demolishhing of fellow BSS outfit Hampton & Richmond in the 3QR, which put me through to the cup proper. A stoppage time goal from Striker Ben King gave me the home win against Kingstonian in the 1st round, putting me through to BSP Dover away at the Crabble Athletic Ground. We were huge underdogs, but the lads responded magnificently. Down 1-0, Mannion grabbed an equalizer in the 52 minute with a deft lob over the advancing keeper. Dover responded right back in the 55th minute, but again Ben King came through, blasting a 25 yarder from a narrow angle in the 76th minute, giving us a home replay. At this point in the season, with internationals and injuries, we were hurting…but goals from Mannion and ML Finlay sealed a 2-1 win and a trip to Edgar Street, where we faced in-form BSP Hereford. At this point, fitness, injuries, and fixture congestion caught up, and we went out 2-0.

Not the greatest of runs, but a little extra for the coffers, and hope of better things to come.



Players of Note

My choice for player of the season…backed by the fans----Jordan Tunnecliffe. Signed in my first season as a player who would push me forward, he did just that, anchoring a stingy defense that only came in fifth in goals allowed due to his own injury in the spring. His 7.28 AvR outdid his first seasons (7.25) and led the team. 7 MoM, 5 goals, and 2 assists has firmly cemented his place in the hearts of the fans.

Ethan Mannion, again my leading goalscorer, tallying 24 times in 51 appearances this season. He added 13 assists and 6 MoM awards to this total. His pass rating of 80%, and his 46% SoT (top 5 among strikers if I recall), led to a pretty decent 7.15 AVR for the season. I took a chance in early January and signed him to a £575/wk contract, praying we would win promotion so I could afford it without off-loading too much  It paid off!

17-year old Chris Molyneaux had another pretty good season, though with some extra players up front, I used him as part of a rotation rather than full-time. (Trying to keep him from a repeat of his injury-ridden first year). Making 16(19) appearances, he managed to grab 12 goals and an assist. Of course, his two goals in the home leg of the playoff semi-final will forever be remembered as the catalyst which propelled us forward! A serviceable 6.98 AVR, he added 2 MoM awards to his tally. We’ll have to see if he has what it takes to succeed in the BSP, as his training charts haven’t been overly impressive. Hasn’t peaked yet…but might need better training grounds to see his potential 

Striker Sean Cassidy was brought in to provide some extra power up front, partnering with Mannion and rotating with Molyneaux. Missed some crucial games due to international youth call-ups, managed 12 goals and 6 assists in 33(4) appearances. Overall a welcome addition, and tipped to be potentially better than Mannion. A more physical player, he can muscle his way through tackles that cause both Mannion and Molyneaux problems. A bargain for the coming year at only £100/week 

Midfielder Padraig Byrne was brought in at the beginning of the season to help James Brace control the middle of the pitch. Together, they worked admirably, notching 90 appearnces between them and providing a solid platform for both offence and defence. Byrne’s 13 assists, 3.17 Tack/game, 4 MoM, and 7.14 AvR had him on the shortlist for BSS Player of the season. Resigned at the end of the season to another year at £400/week.

Finally, this my “Young player of the Year” Dalvinder Malessa. Was the top rated youngster from the 2013 graduating class, I immediately slotted him in at the left back position to start the season. Along side Tunnecliffe and Jirbandey, he fit in perfectly, despite his youth. He put in 36(4) appearances, notching 5 assists, 4.03 tackles/game, and 2 MoM awards, enroute to a solid 9.94 AvR. Not a bad first season! Very solid progress on his training charts, coaches are predicting he might make League One in the future. Easily my top youngster!


Other Notes of Interest

As seen above, Hastings is no longer the lowest rep team of the BSS/BSN divisions, several teams (but, not until the promotion actually occurred. At the time of the playoff final, I was 2nd bottom of all BSN/BSS teams). Still bottom of all BSP teams, but definite progress upwards finally! There are a total of 8 BSN/BSS teams I am now ahead of reputation wise, while the closest BSP team is some 30 spots above me (200? 300? Rep points…more? <shrug>) I’ll take the progress I’m seeing…

Named over-achieving team of the BSS (again!)

Interesting 100th game in charge -- just happened to be the playoff final against Truro!
Best week of season

Team best XI
Overall best XI --- 5 new players inducted

Finances -- about £200k in the red. Decent cup runs, and 3 (small) cash injections from the board, have kept things manageable. Still need to turn this around in the coming season. Another cup run will certainly help there.
Budget wise, with the promotion, I’ve been given £4.8k (up from 3.6k) to work with. I decided not to push my luck and try for an increase---deciding that avoiding relegation is a good enough goal this year . After dumping a bunch of players I don’t think will help at the new level, I’m sitting on £3.8k/week, but have what I think is a solid foundation. Will try to bring in a couple players on the cheap to provide some depth in key areas, but I’m happy, for now, at what I have.

Season 3 manager profile

New Team Records
Highest League Position: 5th in BSS
Highest Gate Receipts: £24K v Dartford, playoff semi-final (~3150 attending)
Biggest Win: 6-0 v Chelmsford (Away)
Highest Scoring Game: 4-4 v Maidenhead (Away)
Highest Scoring League Game: 4-4 v Maidenhead (Away)
Most games without losing: 15 30.11.2013-5.2.2014
Most games without scoring: 2 3.0.2013 - 14.0.2013

New Individual Records
Top Goalscorer: Ethan Mannion --- 24
Top League Goalscorer: Ethan Mannion --- 19
Most Assists: Ethan Mannion --- 13
Most Man of Match: Jordan Tunnicliffe --- 7
Most League Appearances for club: Josh Jirbandey --- 138
Most League goals for club: Ethan Mannion --- 30
Youngest Player: Dalvinder Malessa --- 16 yr 117 days (at home, vs Lewes, 10.8.2013)
Fastest Goal: Ethan Mannion --- 26 seconds (v Hampton & Richmond, FAT 3Q rd, 30.11.2013)



Other competition winners

EPL: Manchester United (Relegated—Wigan, West Ham, Birmingham)
Championship: Norwich (Promoted – Fulham, Middlesbrough) (Relegated – Millwall, Derby, Peterborough)
League 1: Huddersfield (Promoted –Carlisle, Hartlepool) (Relegated – Port Vale, Tranmere, Charlton, Plymouth)
League 2: Rotherham (Promoted – Shrewsbury, Northampton, AFC Wimbledon) (Relegated – Wrexham, Cheltenham)
Blue Square Premier: Kidderminster (Promoted – Fleetwood) (Relegated – FC Halifax, Tamworth, AFC Telford, Eastleigh)
Blue Square North: Barrow (Promoted -- Alfreton) (Relegated – Guiseley, Lowestoft, St. Albans)
Blue Square South: Ebbsfleet (Promoted – Hastings Utd) (Relegated – Bishop’s Stortford, Staines, Kingstonian)
Regional Premier Div promotions: Basingstoke, Weston-super-Mare, Northwich, Corby, Harrow, Tooting & Mitcham (Still no low-rep clubs! Harrow and Tooting at 1150 seem to be the low of the season)

Cups:
FA Cub – Everton
Carling Cup – Wolves
Community Shield –Tottenham
Johnstone’s Trophy – Carlisle
FA Trophy Welling

UEFA Champ league group stage qualification: Man Utd, Man City, Everton
UEFA Champ League Best placed playoff: Chelsea
UEFA 4^th Qual Rd: West Brom (FA Cup Runners up), Liverpool (5th in EPL)
UEFA Europa League 3^rd Qual Rd: Wolves (Carling Cup Winners)

   Year                Division                          Position                    Other achievements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13              Blue Square South                    10th            FA Cup 3rd Qual rd, FAT 2nd Qual rd
2013/14              Blue Square South                    5th             Promoted via Playoffs, FA Cup 4Q rd, FAT 3rd Round, Manager of Year runner up

Goals for 2014/2015
Avoid Relegation! (50-1 odds to start season, predicted 24th. 2 of 4 teams promoted last season got relegated.)
Cup runs---1st round proper of FA Cup, At least semifinals of FAT
Manage budget---shrink deficit!

[Swinburn]

Congratulations on the promotion GDK!

In an attempt to get some stability, I have continued the spending spree. Joining Khouma Babacar is Andy Polo from Genk for 1m, and record signing Davide Santon from Newcastle for just 6m!

[Swinburn]

I don't get this at all. 14th in the league, can't win for toffee... yet we just beat Liverpool 4-0 in the League Cup. Makes no sense at all.

[glennuk]

Just finished the most INTENSE, nervewracking, emotional rollercoaster of a season ever. I really have not been this involved since forever.

This season involved me throwing chairs (A new high...or low....for me) punching computers, screaming at the monitor and getting numerous stomach/head aches hahaha but it has been worth it for my most enjoyable season yet!!!!!!

[Dan BHTFC]

Second Premier League season started well, hopefully European football is coming to Hendon!

[Swinburn]

In the second leg of the Liverpool League Cup semi final, we draw 2-2. Victor saves us from dropping our cup luck, even if it was a second leg. Meaning I'm in the League Cup Final, where we'll face Chelsea. Going to be very very tough.

Over in the FA Cup, we're into the 4th round. We're having to do a replay though after Chesterfield (in the Championship) held us to 0-0. Not good enough. Hoping that changes.

[Gypsum]

My brief flirtation with an automatic promotion place in the Championship has ended thanks to a poor run of form. Should be good for the Playoffs though, mostly because there's a huge drop-off between 6th and 7th place.

[Swinburn]

My brief flirtation with an automatic promotion place in the Championship has ended thanks to a poor run of form. Should be good for the Playoffs though, mostly because there's a huge drop-off between 6th and 7th place.

Good luck! Hope you can join the Premier League lot in here.

Eventually! We record a league win! First one since the shock beating of Southampton! 4-1 v Blackburn.

I now have 4 cup games in a row. Chesterfield in the FA Cup, Werder Bremen twice in the Europa League 1st Knockout Round, and then Chelsea in the League Cup Final.

[Welsh Wizard]

#23 - Tooting & Mitcham - Premier League - 2017/18

League Table
Graph
Player League Stats

A great season did expect to struggle but first few results put the doubts to the back of my head. Finished 3rd but held the top spot more than any other side but the draws vs lower sides cost us in the title race.

Squad Stats
Transfers
Finances
Facilities

Finances looking very good and the youth and training facilities are getting improved but only I had to state the board could a favor to me after the increase of profile I've done with the club
3 more players in after the transfer update I did.

Eric Ali
John Kelly
Tom Russell

Key Player Profiles

Germán Villa
Leandro Almeida
Sergio Apud



Fixtures
Group

Great run for our first time in euro. Sporting away was just to much of a test to get through.



Fixtures
Final

Great run to the final where the very early red card put us in a very hard place but we managed to come back and win.



Fixtures

 

Career Overview

|  Season           Team        | League  |  League Finish |               Achievements                            |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|  2012/13    Tooting & Mitcham |  BSS    |       1st      |  BSS Champions/FA Trophy Winners/3rd Round of FA Cup  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |  2013/14    Tooting & Mitcham |  BSP    |       1st      |  BSP Champions/FA Trophy Winners/3rd Round of FA Cup  | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |  2014/15    Tooting & Mitcham |  L2     |       1st      |  L2 Champions/JPT Winners/6th  Round of FA Cup        | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  |  2015/16    Tooting & Mitcham |  L1     |       1st      |  L1 Champions/JPT Winners/5th  Round of FA Cup        |  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |  2016/17    Tooting & Mitcham |  Champ  |       1st      |  Championship Champions/League Cup Winners            | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |  2017/18    Tooting & Mitcham |  Prem   |       3rd      |  Champions League Qualifiers /F.A Cup Winners         | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Swinburn]

Nicely done Welsh Wizard! I have to ask, how the hell do you manage 3rd in your first season! I'm stuck down in 16th!

[XaW]

I'm gonna take a little brake from this save now. Getting tired of playing in England, but I think I'm gonna return.. Might try Gundos in the mean time...

[Gypsum]

My top scorer with a respectable 23 goals this season has just broken his goal drought which lasted... 18 hours! Hopefully he'll be back on form just in time for the playoffs!

[Welsh Wizard]

Nicely done Welsh Wizard! I have to ask, how the hell do you manage 3rd in your first season! I'm stuck down in 16th!

Thanks

Think my change to 41221 has played it's part and gived us a balance and the players I've signed fit perfectly. Based on this season a sigining or 2 for first team and better depth in some positions and the title is not out the question.

[Swinburn]

Okay, this is getting absolutely ridiculous. Is anyone else experiencing a lot of 90th minute equaliser/winners for the other teams? I know on the Dafuge Chat (shameless plug), there's been a lot of these. Starting to think it's a very ridiculous bug.

Cardiff 3 -3 FC United
FC United 3 - 3 Fulham
Werder Bremen 3 - 3 FC United

[GreyedOutMan]

Thanks

Think my change to 41221 has played it's part and gived us a balance and the players I've signed fit perfectly. Based on this season a sigining or 2 for first team and better depth in some positions and the title is not out the question.

Does not winning the EPL in your first season count as you coming "unstuck"? You always said you would at some point!

[Sideshow Robbie Earle]

#81 - Kingstonian. Season '14-'15. Blue Square South.

BSS position: 1st League table
FA Cup: 4QR
FA Trophy: 2R

Summary: A real surprise to get promoted, considering I had no wage budget to speak of, and was predicted a relegation struggle. We looked to be heading into the play-offs, but long-time leaders Eastleigh suffered an appalling loss of form that co-incided with my team properly getting their act together, and we overhauled them in the last game of the season. Past positions

Transfers: Transfers The usual turnover of youth prospects and very few established players as their wage demands are too high to justify.

Future prospects: Hard to predict how things will work out next season. A lot depends on the wage budget, if Chairman Hearn can open the purse strings a little.

1213 - BSS 5th (lost in play-off final)
1314 - BSS 12th (FAT runners-up)
1415 - BSS 1st (promoted)

[Swinburn]

After beating Werder Bremen 1-0 in the 2nd leg of the Europa League 1st Knockout round, we're through! Fenerbahce await. For now though, it's Chelsea time in the League Cup Final!

[Welsh Wizard]

Does not winning the EPL in your first season count as you coming "unstuck"? You always said you would at some point!

3rd is my best ever for 1st time in prem so still climbing. I wish I had a few relegation battles along the way

[Swinburn]

3rd is my best ever for 1st time in prem so still climbing. I wish I had a few relegation battles along the way

Trust me mate, you really really don't :P

[Drew the Cookie Eater]

Thanks

Think my change to 41221 has played it's part and gived us a balance and the players I've signed fit perfectly. Based on this season a sigining or 2 for first team and better depth in some positions and the title is not out the question.

Oh you're using the 4-1-2-2-1 as well?

I've used it since League Two, and I have to say it's a fantastic tactic.

[Swinburn]

Oh you're using the 4-1-2-2-1 as well?

I've used it since League Two, and I have to say it's a fantastic tactic.

What sort of 4-1-2-2-1 are we talking? DM - 2 CMs - AML/AMR?

I'm using 4-2-3-1 at the moment, and it seems to be doing okay in the cups.

[MikaelS]

I'll like to know too. My 4-4-2 sucks atm

[Gypsum]

Lost 4-2 on aggregate in the playoff semi-finals to Norwich. No surprise really, given our form late in the season and our lack of a left-back.

[Drew the Cookie Eater]

What sort of 4-1-2-2-1 are we talking? DM - 2 CMs - AML/AMR?

I'm using 4-2-3-1 at the moment, and it seems to be doing okay in the cups.

That's the one, add the European youngsters during the summer, and you're basically set for promotion.

[Swinburn]

GET IN! FC United win the League Cup! Amazing 4-1 win against Chelsea!

Still, WHY CAN'T WE DO THIS IN THE LEAGUE?!?!?!

[Utdchamp]

GET IN! FC United win the League Cup! Amazing 4-1 win against Chelsea!

Still, WHY CAN'T WE DO THIS IN THE LEAGUE?!?!?!

I'm in the final as well. Meeting Liverpool for the first time ever.

[Gypsum]

Gypsum's Worksop town - Championship - 2017/18


League position: 5th / Position chart / Playoff semi-finalists

FA Cup: 4th round

Transfers

Finances

General squad info


Star players:
1- Mehdi Lazaar - A striker who I signed back in League 2, and surprised me with his quality performances at this level. Missed the playoffs with injury.
2- Andreas Lerby - A fantastic Danish centre-back who joined us last season.
3- Derek Wright - Impressed after joining in January last season, and continued his good from. Our top scorer with 24 goals, despite an 18 hour goal drought towards the end of the season.

Notable mentions: Stuart McNeil - A talented young Scottish keeper who was brilliant for me. Jonas Pettersson - Our Swedish striker who struggled a bit more with his lack of pace in the Championship, but was still deadly in front of goal. Bernd Hofer - Was a fantastic German left-back, who was unfortunately sold by my Chaiman for £1.7m.

Other information: While the Worksop stadium was being renovated to become a 6255 capacity all-seater arena in line with Championship requirements, we played at Doncaster's Keepmoat stadium setting some impressive attendances and earning good money from gate receipts. Going home was a bit of a disappointment.

   Year                Division                          Position                    Other achievements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13              Blue Square North                    1st
2013/14              Blue square Premier                  12th                       FA Cup third round
2014/15              Blue square Premier                  3rd                        Moved into new stadium / Playoff winners 
2015/16              League 2                             3rd                        Automatic promotion / FA cup 5th round
2016/17              League 1                             1st                        FA Cup 4th round
2017/18              Championship                         5th                        Championship playoff semi-finalists

[Eman]

Hendon - Blue Square Bet Premier - 12th - 2014/15

Perhaps a more eventful season off the pitch as the club was taken over by a consortium of Paraguayan businessmen, which has helped to partially relieve the financial situation through periodic cash injections. I also realised that the cause of the club debt is the multimillion pound stadium which is being built and should be ready for next season.

On the field, the aim of staying up was comfortably achieved. although the team started a little sluggishly, we slowly climbed out of the relegation zone and up the table to eventually settle for 12th place. Hopefully next season we can build on this and at least make the play-offs. The poor cup form continued, as we only won one cup game (in the first round of the trophy).

My best performer was new signing Nicholas, who was short-listed for player of the season, and won fans' player of the year. Wright had another good season and Connolly was another key player. Unfortunately he signed a contract with Shamrock Rovers, so won't be playing for us next year which is quite a blow. Several other players also left during the season, which I assume was for money, as they went to teams in lower division, for higher wages. I'm hoping that the new owners will give me a bigger budget so that it's easier to tie players down. Rossi, who was signed halfway through the season also deserves a mention, and hopefully he can fire the team to victory in the next campaign.

Table - Past Positions - Squad - Fixtures 1 2 3 - Transfers

Season      Division                    Position        Cups
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13     Blue Square South           6th             F.A Cup 1st Rnd, F.A Trophy 3rd Rnd
2013/14     Blue Square South           1st             F.A Cup 1st Rnd, F.A Trophy 3rd Rnd
2014/15     Blue Square Premier         12th            F.A Cup 4th Qual Rnd, F.A Trophy 2nd Rnd

[GreyedOutMan]

3rd is my best ever for 1st time in prem so still climbing. I wish I had a few relegation battles along the way

You sod! :P we all hate you!! :P

[Swinburn]

Sweet mother of all things football. Just beat Fenerbahce 1-0 in Turkey in the first leg of the 2nd Knockout Round of the Europa League. We actually won by a single goal, and didn't concede, putting in a fantastic defensive display! What is going on?!

Oh, back to normal. 3-3 in the second leg. We JUST scrape it through. JUST!

[Ncfc_king]

I'm going to give this a shot! Looks fun any tips?

[Alegeeter]

After a very long holiday abroad, I felt it was time to come back to England. I stumbled across the Billericay job and hope to create history with them as we journey up the leagues to national and continental glory !

Reasons for choosing Billericay are that I really liked the save I had with them in FM10 and also to complete the challenge with them, which didn't happen last time due to a corrupt game.

[Welsh Wizard]

Oh you're using the 4-1-2-2-1 as well?

I've used it since League Two, and I have to say it's a fantastic tactic.

How you got your CMs set-up? I've got them both a AP/Attack which they are both suited for I find one stands out and does quite a bit better than the other did play a DLP support role a few times with another CM and seemed to have a lot more options so unsure what to do this season and might be getting another player more suited to AP/Attack

What sort of 4-1-2-2-1 are we talking? DM - 2 CMs - AML/AMR?

I'm using 4-2-3-1 at the moment, and it seems to be doing okay in the cups.

Yeah thats the one. One ST seems to be best. I've gone from 442 to 41212 to 4411 to 41221 Throughout the league.

[Swinburn]

Well, this is an interesting turn of events. After the Fenerbahce game, I thought we were back to old ways... then we beat West Ham 2-1 in the league, then Spurs... then Man Utd. Unbelievable. We have some form!

[Ncfc_king]

I've gone with Weymouth.

How do i do the click link thing so i can upload my profile?

Thanks

[grff]

FC United of Manchester
Season 5 - 2016/17 – Blue Square Bet North
Pre-season - Media Prediction: 24th

Back to back promotion achieved!!!

League Table| Progress | Squad | Transfers

The club went into the new season with a sense of dread as the media had predicted a very difficult fight against relegation. The first few results were an eye opener to the increase in standards as defeats were experienced. Gradually the players adapted to the division and survival was a possibility, but promotion was not even thought about. The season went on and I expected the usual slump but it never came, resulting in promotion being clinched on the second to last weekend of the season.
I am amazed and can't really explain how it came about! lol.

Targets for the 2015/16 season

1. Survive in Blue Square Premier ACHIEVED
2. Reach FA Cup 1st round ACHIEVED
3. Expand the scouting range FAILED

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13         Blue Square North          4th           Reached play-offs 
2013/14         Blue Square North          9th           Reached FA Cup 1st round
2014/15         Blue Square North          3th           Highest finish to date        
2015/16         Blue Square North          1st           Promoted                           
2016/17         Blue Square Premier        1st           Promoted

Targets for new season:

1. Survive in League Two
2. Reach FA Cup 3rd round
3. Expand the scouting range

[Swinburn]

I've gone with Weymouth.

How do i do the click link thing so i can upload my profile?

Thanks

You mean this?

CSKA BEATEN! We go into the Europa League quarter finals against Ajax! Arsenal in the League Cup semi next...

[Crispypaul]

Crispypaul (no.52)
Bradford Park Avenue

2014/15
nPower League Two

League: 2nd
We nearly won it but Wrexham sneaked it on the last day on goal difference.

FA Cup: 5th round
An excellent run, beating Reading and Bristol City before Premier League Blackburn proved a step too far.

League Cup: 1st round
Unfortunately we got hammered away at League One winners Doncaster.

Johnstone's Paint Trophy: 2nd round
We got a bye but couldn't take advantage, losing away to League One Notts County.

Key Players:

Zah Ansah - continued his excellent form from the previous season.

Thomas Cruise - had a brilliant Cocktail of performances throughout the season, although my Eyes were Wide Shut when his defending was Risky Business.

Louis Almond- moved to left wing after playing as a poacher in the BSP and chipped in with a few assists.

Lauri Dalla Valle - linked well with Ansah.

Sead Hajrovic - the Swiss U21 player was a rock at the back.

Aims for season

- Try not to get relegated!
- Do a bit better in the JPT and League Cup
- Convince my board to let me scout outside the UK and Ireland

Season        Division            Position                 Achievements
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13       BSN                 1st                        Champions, Promoted
2013/14       BSP                 1st                        Champions, Promoted, FA Trophy Winners
2014/15       L2                   2nd                       Runners Up, Promoted

[GreyedOutMan]

Harrow Borough | Season 2015/16 | Blue Square Premier



Table | Positions Graph | Squad | Finances | Transfers1 | Transfers2 | Transfers3

An interesting season. It looked like a relegation struggle up till November, when I got in a bunch of quality players, and turned things round. Through March it looked like we might even sneak a playoff place, but I was perfectly happy with a mid-table finish in my first season in the BSP. To be honest, it was a boring season - but that was exactly what I needed as it was, after all, my first season in a higher league.

Financially the club was in a terrible position, as you can see. However, Average Attendances are steadily rising and with a new stadium around the corner, I hope it will quickly improve. Attendances are almost capacity for friendlies which means they will be far more lucrative this pre-season. Also, given that the poor financial situation is partly due to the stadium payments, I'm hoping my board might see sense and realise the need for a cash injection, and soon. This will allow me to push for league and then professional status.

EDT: After I wrote this, we were taken over! The new board said they would provide no cash injection, but suddenly my debts were cleared! No idea how, if they didnt provide the cash injection!!! We're not exactly rolling in it - this is definitely no sugar daddy, but having the debts cleared is a massive boost.

Cup runs this year were disappointing once again, we need to get a proper cup run together to boost the finances.

Key Players
Matthew Paterson* - showed his quality on the bigger stage, 27 goals in a newly promoted side is amazing.
Joseph Dadoo - cemented his place as Paterson's partner.
Josh Williams - almost 250 interceptions. Very impressive defending, has now become the key defender.
Louis Harris - Mr Consistent. Extremely high pass ratio and good performances all year.
Giasoumis Avgousti - the best of the new signings this year. Solid defensive midfielder which is vital when you're an underdog.

(*= fans' player of the year)

Disappointing seasons from expensive players Bruna and Serrano, I'm hoping their performances will really pick up next year. The latter was a pain - I kept getting his signing vetoed by the board, and had to release a load of players before I could afford him. Really hoping next year will be a different story from the Spaniard.

The team of the year - never arrived!
The historical best XI - never arrived!

Next season, I will be looking to push on towards a playoff place. I think, given how well we were doing at points this year, I'd be disappointed if I didnt get one, although I dont think I will be able to make the squad strong enough to be confident of winning the playoffs, and it may take another season at this level. But that's fine.

Targets for 2015/16
Survival SUCCESS
Get in a couple of League 2 level players SUCCESS - at least I think so. Avgousti, Golobart, and hopefully, when he finds his form, Serrano, along with Paterson, Dadoo and Bruna, all look good enough.
Put pressure on the board to make us into a bigger club by extending coaching facilities/scouting networks etc - and this starteed in May without my even having to ask, with the board deciding to build a new stadium, which I will move into for the start of next season. This will hamper my finances seriously for a few years, costing £4.1m or rather £11k a month for 15 years, but Harrow Stadium will hopefully prove expandable and thus not simply a money-sink. SUCCESS - more coaches in, and the new stadium now open, means that we should be improving our standing. Next step, professional status.

Targets for 2016/17
At least 10 points more than this year.
A decent cup run - either to the final of the FA Trophy or 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Plug a few holes, especially those left by a couple of first-team departures that are inevitable such as McCormack and Harris.
....And I'd like to replace a few of these with some players who are better than any we already have.


In other news, Citeh won the league, Arsenal won the Cup, and Barcelona won the Champions' League for the first time since 2011.

Season      Division	          Position     Points    Achievements

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2012/13	    Blue Square South         17th      45       Stayed clear of relegation.
2013/14	    Blue Square South          3rd      80       Playoff runners-up.
2014/15	    Blue Square South          2nd      91       Promoted via playoffs.
2015/16	    Blue Square Premier       13th      64       Mid-table finish.

PS - the table on the first page is, as you have all noticed, not in operation currently. We're looking into easier ways of doing it, because with so many entrants, it was just becoming a crazy amount of work and was unsustainable. Will let you know when I know more.

[Swinburn]

Some absolutely unbelievable results! Massive turnaround to the season where we haven't lost since the start of February! In addition to beating CSKA 2-1 on aggregate, we beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup Semi Final, and then Ajax in the Europa League Semi Final in an astounding 8-1 aggregate finish! Complete shock result that! We also beat Wigan in the FA Cup Final 1-0!

So we've won 2 cups, and still have Roma to come in the Europa League final! All of this, and we've jumped from 16th to 7th in the league, with 3 games still to go. Cracking finish!

[Welsh Wizard]

Crispypaul - Great season. You will run out of movie titles soon

GreyedOutMan - Great season. Sometimes it says the new owner will clear debts in a different news item than ones like the takeover complete and the interest in taking over so might of popped up unnoticed. But makes sense if it didn't as most takeovers irl include the debt in the price.

[G_D_K]

Okay, this is getting absolutely ridiculous. Is anyone else experiencing a lot of 90th minute equaliser/winners for the other teams? I know on the Dafuge Chat (shameless plug), there's been a lot of these. Starting to think it's a very ridiculous bug.

Cardiff 3 -3 FC United
FC United 3 - 3 Fulham
Werder Bremen 3 - 3 FC United

Actually, in my second season, I was on the scoring end of a lot of those equalizers/winners in stoppage time. I never did get a full count (might have to go back and check), but I had at least a half-dozen stoppage time goals in both the cups and league matches. Don't remember how many I had against...I'm sure there were at least a couple---but they came both ways for me.

[Swinburn]

FC United of Manchester
Season 7 - 2018/19 – Premier League
Preseason - Media Prediction: 20th
The Cup Team...

Club Information | Squad | Transfers | Finances | Confidence

Key Players
Victor | Alfonso Gonzales Rodriguez-Bobada | Adrian Pillar | Fabian Breuer | Elia Lustenberger




Premier League
League Table | Position Graph
The most annoying season yet. After such a dire start, in February, we must have switched something on. Fortunes changed, and the wins just rolled on and on! From February to May, we didn't lose a game, until losing 2-1 to City in the game before a certain European final. We probably could have stole 7th, but I'm content with 8th!

FA Cup
Fixtures | Final
What happens in this cup run, pretty much happens for the rest of the update. A few too many replays for my liking, but we did it! And in the process, we helped Wigan get Europa League! How nice of us! Most satisfying win was the 1-0 against Arsenal.

Europa League
Because of the rather annoying fixture filter bug, I have to put each round separately, rather than all in one.
4th Qualifying Round | Group Stage Table | 1st Knockout Round | 2nd Knockout Round | Quarter Finals | Semi Finals

Final

Yet again proving that this year, we were a cup side. I had to sign Laste Dombaxe, Conor Hughes and De Nuzzi so I could actually compete in the thing. Only had trouble against Benfica in the groups, sailing through to the 1st round of the knockouts. We beat Werder Bremen, Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow in very close ties. Then Ajax came, who we demolished 8-1. And the final beckoned. And we delivered, winning 2-0. Fabian Breuer getting injured was devastating, but at least we won!

Carling Cup
Fixtures | Final
Yet another example of how, this season, we were a complete cup team. How come we can beat teams like Leicester (Came 3rd last season) and Liverpool 6-1 and 4-0, yet can’t replicate that in the league? It all paid off in the end though, with a complete trouncing of Chelsea in the final. Again, why this can’t be done in the league is beyond me. Nevertheless, it got us our Europa League place guaranteed!

I wrote the above after the final. Little was I to know that the season would completely turn around!



Fan's Player of the Year
Victor
Due to our very goals being very spread out between the squad, Victor only got 10 in the league. But he also got 10 in the domestic cups, and 10 in Europe. This took his tally up to 30 this season. Fantastic player, and during the second half of the season, spent most of it at AML. He played 50+ games and quickly became a fan favourite. Can't wait to see him next year!

Top Scorer
Victor
See above.

The Millward Player Choice Award
Manager's Player of the Year
Fabian Breuer
My German David Silva. Fabian Breuer is an absolutely fantastic player. Without him, we'd not have got in the finals. He always scored when it was really needed. And if he didn't do that, he'd be the most important person in the buildup to another person's goal. His injury in the Europa League final was devastating. I hope he continues this epic form next season!

The Jordan Swinburn Award
The Surprise of the Season Award
Either the unbelievable unbeaten run from February to May or doing the treble with domestic and Europa League cups. Probably the latter.




There's only one thing I want after that season. Top 4. We're perfectly capable of it. I'll even sacrifice my cup runs for it. I'd like to win the three again though. From a player point of view, I want to continue to mould Fabian Breuer into the best player in the world. I've developed a real affection for this team, and the players, and Fabian Breuer is like my little project.

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13         Blue Square North         1st           Promoted - Champions 
2013/14         Blue Square Premier       13th          Survived Relegation
2014/15         Blue Square Premier       2nd           Promoted - Playoffs
2015/16         League Two                3rd           Promoted - 3rd
2016/17         League One                4th           Promoted - Playoffs
2017/18         Championship              1st           Promoted - Champions, FA Cup Runner-Up
2018/19         Premier League            8th           League Cup Winners, FA Cup Winners, Europa League Winners

[Drew the Cookie Eater]

How you got your CMs set-up? I've got them both a AP/Attack which they are both suited for I find one stands out and does quite a bit better than the other did play a DLP support role a few times with another CM and seemed to have a lot more options so unsure what to do this season and might be getting another player more suited to AP/Attack

One is support, the other is a deep lying playmaker, might change it during the summer.

[sam97]

2015/16 season update

Once again out of no expectations we have gained back to back promotions and are now into league 1 !
We never dropped below 6th in the whole season and were playing some great football with every player playing the hearts out !

League table

Past positions

Targets For Next Season:

Hunt the national youth sides for some gems !
mid table finish :P

p.s. sorry the the bobbins update feeling ill but thought I'd just shove it on

[Brizza]

Manager 44 reporting for duty.
Carshalton Athetic - Season 2017/2018 - Championship
sponsored by Sports Direct
Final position: 2nd
Table
Transfers

2017-18 Season Review:

So, we're up in a nailbiting season. Remarkably close at the top of the league. I'd be gutted if I were Wolves! Blackburn had an amazing season, although when I played against them their main tactic seemed to be to set Rochina up for long range screamers - which worked to good effect at their place, as they screwed me out of a game I deserved to win.

I got carried away with my interested list and signed loads of players. Sadly I didn't heed the warning above about having enough Home Grown players, so my sides ended up being a mix of amazing foreign kids and rubbish English players.

The upside of this was, as most of the foreign kids were rated as good enough for the Prem - a) the ones that played carried me through the season b) the ones that didn't play had a decent chance of being shipped out for okay money c) the ones the played started to rouse interest from overseas and I sold some in the transfer window which allowed me to stockpile cash and bring some of the other kids in instead without weakening my side at all.

Cup competitions didn't really happen for me. Tough draws.

Player of the season:

James Leworthy
He stands out for overperforming despite his obvious mediocrity. I tried to ship him out in League One because he wasn't good enough, strangely he ended up as an ever present in the Championship because he was one of the 8-9 home grown players in the squad.

Notable mention for Pedersen too. He has been at the club since BSS and manages to escape the cull each close season. He's now a fully fledged Danish international, I feel a bit ruthless for getting rid of him but he's not going to be good enough for the step up. Although he was home grown, so there's another gap to fill...

Youth prospects

Well, quite a lot of them. Certainly too many to list. I see my interested list has got even better now I've been promoted - should be an interesting close season, so long as I remember to sign some Englishmen!

Close season

We are moving to the Carshalton Stadium at the end of next year, which means that we'll have played in our newly expanded War Memorial Sports Ground for just 16 months. Seems like a waste of money to me, but I've covered their folly with my control over player transfers. We're also spending £3m on the youth and training facilities, plus we can scout throughout the world.

A very good season for club infrastructure!



Bring on the Premiership. Given my struggles with Prem sides in cup competitions, I'm a little unsure how the season will go. I sense there'll be some extortionate wages being paid. I'd like to get into Europe as soon as I can. Time to start building a club properly now.

[Gypsum]

My Chairman's still at it, just sold my best centre-back for £1.9m.

[Crispypaul]

Crispypaul - Great season. You will run out of movie titles soon

Thanks. I'm not sure whether to offer him another deal though as I don't think he'll quite be good enough for the division.

I am trying to sign a regen midfielder from Man Utd though called Ryan Giggs. No relation apparently!

[Crispypaul]

Now this is ridiculous - despite promotion to League One our reputation is still local, is below every team in League Two and five teams in the BSP. And my board still won't allow me to scout outside the UK.

[sam97]

Now this is riduculous - despite promotion to League One our reputation is still local, is below every team in League Two and five teams in the BSP. And my board still won't allow me to scout outside the UK.

Exactly the same here, stupid really !

[GreyedOutMan]

Crispypaul - are you a Gooner by any chance? All your key players are Arsenal youngsters!!

[Brizza]

Now this is ridiculous - despite promotion to League One our reputation is still local, is below every team in League Two and five teams in the BSP. And my board still won't allow me to scout outside the UK.

I couldn't scout outside the UK until I hit the Championship.

I'm in the Prem and the only Championship side I am rated more highly than is Hereford. Although that doesn't seem to be reflected in my Interested List. Maybe the reputation of the competition you're in works as a separate modifier to your individual club reputation? There are players I'm bringing in that definitely wouldn't move to a Championship side!

[G_D_K]

Exactly the same here, stupid really !

I really suspect this is due to the rapidness (back-to-back-to-back) promotions --- rep never has a chance to catch up. Media predictions likely last (or near to it) each new division --- no one expects you to stay up...same effect on rep. I noticed in my 3rd season (first in BSP), my rep finally took a jump, though it is still bottom of BSP. Since it doesn't look likely I'll be out of BSP in my first season, I'll monitor my rep and see what happens in the next season or so.

I suspect that if I stay in BSP another year, my rep will slowly move up the BSP tier, and by time I make league football, it'll by high BSP, but no more. Be interesting to see what rep of some of the slower advancing teams is doing.

[Scab]

G_D_K is right. Reputation doesn't change that quickly. Or put in another way, doesn't make that big leaps at a time. We're starting with teams with rep values way below who we're competing against so even winning promotion doesn't necessarily bump the rep up above or indeed to their level. Just keep pushing and it will/should eventually catch up.

[sam97]

Ok cheers there scab and gdk im not gonna get promotion this year anyway im struggling in league 1, massive struggle !

[Biscotti]

The other thing to consider is that normally manager reputation will be taken into account as to whether a player is interested or not, so while the media may consider you to be a club way above your station (the club's rep) they certainly can't deny that you as a manager have worked wonders and will have a pretty good rep of your own.

[shaggy61]

#60 Shaggy61 bedford town Season 2 update

In a complete reversal of last season we started poorly one win in 9 to lie 21st. Improved slowly in the new year, rising upto 6th at one stage before losing the final 5 games to finish 12th, one better than last season. To be fair we have signed a good keeper now but injuries to couple of players hurt badly. More worryingly my cb was my top scorer.....the strikers are rubbish!

2 seasons in and now lots in debt(although we kept to wage limits) we got a new 2 year contract and most players are gonna stay this pre season. With 2/3 additions we should make playoffs next time round, but am going to try and arrange more friendlies this season.

1st season seemed straightforward, 2nd was disappointing, 3rd must be better or we'll be in trouble

[happyalan]

Hi I fancied giving this challenge a go so http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/...0b5cff002b.jpg (Not sure how to put this in so it is visible!)

Northwich Victoria
Anyway Season 12/13

A fantastic season where we absolutely ripped up the Blue Square North with a massive 105 points and +78 goal difference.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Also had a good run to the Second Round of the FA Cup and the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy

We were acknowledged by our peers as I picked up the Manager of the Year and Jamil Adam picked up both the player of the year and top goalscorer.

Start Performers were:

The Jonny Allen Trophy (All time top scorer for Northwich) was for Jamil Adam with 49 goals from 51 apperances
The Pass Master Trophy (Most Assists) for Tom Turton 15 from 26(5) Apperances
The Tuff Tackler Trophy for Samir Bihmoutine 5.14 per game
The Wizard of the Dribble Trophy for Jamil Adam 2.94 a game

Match of the year - Our FA Cup First Round win at Cheltenham....



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Impale]

Oh my word. Sign this player. Most goals I've ever had a single player score in a match (although I'm sure some/many of you have equalled the feat).

[CityAndColour]

I'll never understand this game as long as I live. I was top for I think 32 of the 36 rounds played, on a ten game unbeaten run, four points clear at the top and 15 points clear of the playoffs. Then...



All teams outside the playoff spots. No warning either, just a sudden switch and we were hopeless, conceding rubbish goals, scoring own goals, not having any shots etc. Just appalling and had me almost incandescent with rage. This drops us to 4th, only a few points inside the playoffs and three points off top. A last minute equaliser at Mansfield and an undeserved win at home to lowly Aldershot preserve this position.

Then we somehow turn in two excellent performances to knock off 1st place Lincoln away and 2nd place Walsall at home, to go two points clear with two matches remaining. I still have a tricky away game against 5th place Stockport to navigate, but I am just baffled by our form.

[tapwater]

Wingate & Finchley | Season 2013 - 14

League Table | Graph

Stable season, always linger within the playoff position but never really mount any challenge to the title. Somehow we not scoring as much, but neither we are letting in as much. GD was only +18, which is the lowest within the playoff teams.

FA Cup

Disapponting FA cup run, was hoping to earn some fast cash in this cup run.

FA Trophy

Another bad run, lost @ 2nd round. Not enough depth within the team to manage the cup runs.

Squad | Finances

Club was tookover by new chairman, and injected 450k @ start of season. However, reputation of club does not attract crowd and imagine my average attendance was 422 and 4% by capacity! Kept within my wage budge but still in red for the whole season.

Islam Salme - last year player of the team, but was plague with injuries the whole season. Came back for a couple of game and out for 2 - 3 week. Even lost him @ the semi final of playoffs and out for 10-12 months. Guess I will need to let him go once his contract is up.

Liam Coyde - Saved by this young striker, not exactly the best but did his job when is required. Even scored and tie the final of playoffs. More to come from this fellow i hope.

Goal for next season!

• Really need to work on the $ (again!)
• Cup runs to strengthen club $

Season         Division       Pos               FA Cup             Other Cup              Achievements
2012/13        BSS          5th(PL winner)   1st round        FA Trophy - 1st round        Promotion
2013/14        BSP          3rd(PL winner)   1st round        FA Trophy - 2nd round        Promotion

[happyalan]

Hi

I have made a good start to the BSP but I have a slight problem a number of my players will only sign non-contract contracts which whilst this is great for club funds means they either get snapped up by other clubs (lost a keeper and two midfielders) or I am constantly offering a new contract (1 of my centre backs) each time he is approached by another club - so far he has resigned with me twice! Any ideas if there is something I can do to stop this or has anyone else had this problem. Every time I offer a permanent deal they say no and I have to renegotiate a non-contract deal!

[Drew the Cookie Eater]

Drew. FC United. Coca Cola Championship. 2016/2017

Table - This league ain't got nothing on us I think as far as easy goes, that was pretty much it, to get promoted is fantastic, to get to 100 points was even better, I have come to the conlcusion that my tactics are far too good for this league, whether it'll be good enough for the Premier League, I wont know until next season, but boy, am I excited.

Graph - There you go, proof that The Championsip was too easy for us this season, in the top 10 all season, but I am sure next season will be a different matter, coming up against the likes of Man City, Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea

Squad - Some stand out performances from the boys this season most notably Harald Meyer, signed whilst in League One, the German has been solid throughout the season, and I am confident he will make the step up next season; Lawrence Leek may not have the best stats, but he was solid as a rock this season, he will used as a backup next season, as I have a Barcelona kid coming in over the summer His partner Martin Hruska may not be the best technically, but f**k me, I love him, he was my favourite player this season, as far as ZOMG FANTASTIC!!1! goes, he was it, top top player; Sven Wieß he may be a kid, but wow, he dominated the centre of midfield all throughout the season, he will have a hard time next season, but I'm confident he will prevail.

I was going to include Phillip Foy, but decided to act like a little bitch and demanded a move

Transfers - Same old story, crap went out, awesome talent came in.

Finances - I'm thinking about all that money I'll get next season

Me

Aims for next season:

Stay up, for the love of god, stay up.

[PVentress]

Ok I give up, I'm in

After a year off last year and some procrastination this year i have decided to take charge of Tooting & Mitcham

Lets see if i can get anywhere near Dafuge's immense save of 2010

Profile

[Andrew Haines]

#84 – Hastings United – npower Football League Two – 2016/17 - 6th

Although in my view my team were probably good enough for automatic promotion, we fell short by 14 points finishing in the play-offs. A 6-1 win over Notts County at Wembley saw promotion secured in the play-offs anyway.



My star player was definately left-winger Tomas Kadlec who won the league two player of the season award. I was lucky to get him, my scouting range does not not extend outside the UK and Ireland but Newport County took him on a trial which allowed my to scout him (while he was in the country) and hence sign him.



Two season ago my board announced construction of a 8889 capacity all seater stadium. The loan repayments have crippled the club but we will be moving into the new stadium in October so the extra fans through the gates might help.



I had a quick look at my reputation and there are several Blue Square South teams (and all the Blue Square Premier) with a higher reputation than me despite being in league one.

[Dan BHTFC]

Halfway through 2nd Premier League season and I'm sitting in 4th place, I must get Euro Qualification come the end of the season!

[Gilbster]

#86 - 2017/818 - Gilbster - North Ferriby - League 2 - End of Season Update

Table | Positions | Finances | Transfers

What a tough season. With turning professional, any wage budget I had, was used renewing existing players contracts onto full time, so that they would get some decent training and be able to compete. As a result, I could barely afford any other players into the squad, as obviously full time wages are around double that of the part time wages.

I got in a few loan players, and knew that the season would be tough. It ended up going down to the wire, in the last day of the season. Luckily, we managed to beat Coventry 4-1, and are still in League 2 for next season.

Aims

Sell any unhappy players, I'm sick of them complaining
Free up some wage budget for some good players, can always pad out squad with young players
Try and improve finances somehow
Avoid relegation again!

Career So Far

Season    Division    Pos     FA Cup      Other Cups             Achievements
2012/13   BSN         5th     1st R       FAT 1st R              Promoted via Playoffs
2013/14   BSP         16th    4th QR      FAT 3rd R
2014/15   BSP         12th    2nd R       FAT QF Replay
2015/16   BSP         15th    1st R       FAT 1st R
2016/17   BSP         1st     4th QR      FAT 3rd R              Champions and Promoted!
2017/18   L2          22nd    1st R       JPT1R, LC 1R           Survived on goal difference

[CityAndColour]

Also my scouts just returned me this gem:

David Connolly

16 years old and in England's u19 squad, yet he has never been at a club before and was unattached. Very strange but I'm not complaining.

And, after a season when he made 20 appearances as a 17-year-old, he is moaning about first team football. Crazy.

[glennuk]

#42 - Bury Town Fc - Glenn Crane - 2015/2016 - End of Season Review - L2 - 5th - PROMOTED Via Playoffs
Fixtures 1 - 2 - 3Table


The League

Well this season started off as i expected, inconsistent form and a team which looked like they barely knew how to play football let alone a team that continually defies expectations. The season started with alot of frustration. We were losing matches we dominated and conceeding goals that would put sunday league footballers to shame. Our morale was not too bad, but we just couldnt put our passes together.
Some signings came in with massive expectations, and just didn't live up to their ability, players who were U21 internationals just couldn't find the back of the net, or play that through ball. It was nothing short of depressing.
Team meetings came and went, all of them (fortunately for me) were successful in raising morale, however that increase in morale never seemed to see a relevant increase in performance.
We were coming to the mid way point in the season, and it looked as if it was going to be a non event. We weren't bad enough to be worrying about relegation, and we were miles away from the play off places, in lots of respects i wished i could fast forward through the season and start afresh next campaign. After two losses, the most recent to Oxford away, an own goal from RB Todd Kane, and a dissapointing 0-1 scoreline, something happened.
Maybe it was my team talk, maybe it was a tweak to the starting line up, maybe it was just time they pulled their fingers out of their......Anyway, suddenly i had a victory, a 3-1 against Aldershot, followed next game by a 5-1 against accrington, in which Zac 'The Answer' Ansah found form to pull out a hat trick, followed by victory upon victory, culminating in one of the best runs of my mangerial career. FOURTEEN, yes 14 wins in a row saw us suddenly climb the table in tremendous fashion. Three games left and we were third in the league.......BUT THEN.....Zac Ansah got injured....our top goalscorer and best player...

For some reason the football gods decided they weren't going to let us gain 15 wins in a row. We went down 0-2 to Stockport (20th in the league) however we did manage to pull it back in the 2nd half to 2-2 and were still third, next game if we won we would be almost guranteed promotion. We drew again, the heartbreak of a 90th minute goal from Jamil Adam (Wrexham). Amazingly we were still third, playing 4th place Southend at home, a win would gurantee promotion, a draw would make us rely on other results. 0-0 with 75 minutes to go, other results showed that this would leave us in 4th place (The playoffs) we pushed forward, went all out attack, and conceeded a goal from a counter attack. The game ended 0-1, we had lost. We were down to 5th, and the play offs awaited.

The playoffs
We drew Aldershot in the Playoff Semis, was this fate? The same team we had started our amazing 14 win run against. We would play away at first, and i knew this was a slight disadvantage but it didn't matter.
We started off with a bang, a Jordan Robertson 2nd minute goal had the fans going wild. The game was back and forth from then on, they had shots followed by our counter movements. Before we knew it the 90 minute mark had came, after a goal to level from Aldershots Bevans on the 69 minute mark, and reply from george moncur on the 85th. We were set for a nice 2-1 victory when out of the blue David Martin scored for Aldershot, a lack of concentration maybe, i was furious....well until my mood changed, with 97 minutes on the clock Robertson scored again, to give us a vital win and to have me dancing on the touchline, we had a vital Victory!
Playoff Semis leg 1

We went into the second leg knowing we need a draw to get us through. Would i change tactics and play defensive? Or counter attack their every move.....WOULD I HECK!!!
Zac Ansah was back from Injury, and would start his first game. However it was Lee Carpenter from the Right Wing who would give us an early lead after 6 minutes. With 2 gaols in front, i decided to go to my backup tactic which was to counter their every move....well i wanted the win, and knew that if they scored i would have been tempted to attack attack attack, but i had to be smart, this was the future of Bury Town Football Club. It turns out that everything they threw at us was stopped by my excellent defense, Corbin Ong and co were on top form.
1-0 Was the final score and we were in the finals......against......SOUTHEND (The team who beat us on the last game of the season) Could this be fate? Would we get revenge, or would they dissapoint us again, and stop us another time from gaining promotion.
Playoff semis leg 2

Playoff Final
Southend, the team that had dissapointed us just over three weeks ago, and stopped us from gaining automatic promotion. Southend the only team to have beaten us since the start of february, Southend the team that i was desperate to teach a lesson, we were destined for the Premier League and the club that tried to take that dream away from us is a club that would pay.

An even game from the off, with both teams having chances. It was 0-0 and not the most exciting playoff final to ever happen. Half time was coming and we were just about the better team. At the stroke of half time we gained a free kick 30 yards out, Joe wright stepped up the plate. He played a beautiful ball in the box, plonked straight onto Robertsons head, who became man of the moment again as he put is in front just before the whistle was blown for half time. Time to counter attack again. I told the boys we were close enough to feel the trophy and to get out there and continue their good work. They DID NOT dissapoint, breaking down any Southend attacks and testing the opposition keeper, until the 63rd minute in which a Wright corner and a Corbin Ong header sealed Southends fate. 2-0 final score and we had got Revenge, sweet sweet Revenge, and we promoted and going to LEAGUE 1.
Playoff Final


The cups
The cups once again were not a goal for our club. League form is more important and i feel cups just clog up the fixture list. So once again we played mainly reserves, or players in need of fitness.
We got into the quarter finals of the Johnstones Paint Trophy North, but lost to L1 Bradford.

We lost in the first round of the Fa Cup away at BSP side Tamworth.

We were not too bothered about either result, and although the money from an FA cup run would be nice, i ultimately feel as though our success has been because of the lack of cup runs.

Summary

Here is the final Table
Position Graph
Transfers In/Out Pt2
Fixtures Pt1 Pt2 Pt3

Key Players
Zac Ansah - Once again Zac tops the list of key Players. Quite simple because when he plays the whole teams plays to a different level. 19 goals in 34 league starts and after having some time in the treatment room it was another pretty spectacular season from the youngster. Is showing signs of progress in training almost monthly, and my coaches are rating him more and more as each season progresses. Really want to keep him all the way until the premier league even if it is only as a cameo player.

Stijn Lourens - A good player, and he is part of 3 Cbs that i had to rotate, because of injury/suspension/calls ups. He is however a stunningly able player. Who has alot of potential and could be another one to stay with the club for some years. Over 40 games player for the club with a decent average rating and 4 goals to boot. Can also play RB where he has filled in from time to time.

Marco Appiani - A end of January signing, who has immense ability and potential, another one of 3 which i have and will have to continue to rotate. Played 10 games scored 3 goals and an Average Rating of 7.28, not bad at all. He has great stock coming from Milan, and having 2 first team apperances for them before he was let go.

Corbin Ong - Another player to feature AGAIN in the key player column. 38 games this season with 6 goals, and an average rating of 7.12, my captain and another player who i want to take as far with me as possible.

Michele Vitali - A guy i found without a contract in the Italy U20 squad. 20 games, 3 goals and 3 assists. Took him a while to settle but i persisted and gave him more chances and he eventually became a huge part of the first team. Hope he can fulfill his potential which could see him hang around at the club for years to come.

Lee Carpenter - Another guy who has featured here before and who is excelling in training. Has added to his wales caps and has had an amazing season from a MR (Winger) position. 10 goals and 16 assists in 49 games. A player who i never want to see leave the club, despite alot of interest. Now has 6 caps for wales and was voted Fans Player of the year.

Other News
I was Manager of the Year once again.
New Sponsorship deal worth 35k a year.
Over 10k extra wage budget for next season.


Next Seasons Aims
1. To continue to develop some of the young talent in the squad.
2. Keep our finances in the black for the entire season.
3. Would it be too much to ask for another promotion? I think with this squad....maybe not.

   Year                Division                          Position                    Other achievements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012/13              Blue Square North                    2nd                        Playoff Winners
2013/14              Blue Square Premier                  9th                       9th Place, FA Cup 1st round (Oldham)
2014/15              Blue Square Premier                 2nd                        Playoff Winners, Fa Trophy Winners
2015/16              League 2                            5th                        Playoff Winners

[CityAndColour]

(13)

CityAndColour - Canvey Island - 2017/18 - BSP

Final Table (1st, promoted as champions)

This was a really emotional season. We were top for most of it and seemingly cruising (despite being predicted 24th), then four losses in a row in March seemed to have squashed the title challenge. However, we re-grouped and beat fellow contenders Lincoln, Walsall and Stockport in consecutive games to secure the title and league football next season.

The board announced plans for a new stadium, while I rejected approaches from Huddersfield and Swindon, relegated from the Premiership and Championship respectively. Both would've been interesting challenges in a different save.

Cups

FA Cup - Lost 2-5 at L2 side Cheltenham in the 1st Round.
FA Trophy - Lost 1-2 to BSS side Ebbsfleet in the 2nd round.

Aaron Carter - Another great season, despite poor attributes. I'll be looking to replace him for next season and keep him as a back-up.

Raymond Hanna - Another good campaign from the Ulsterman. Contributing seven assists from full back was a nice bonus.

Carl Barrett - Had a superb season, running the show in midfield. Led the league in assists and was flawless from the penalty spot.

Karim Annan - His season was wrecked by injuries, but when he did play he was electric. Always performed in the big games too.

Joakim Skaane - Sitting unattached in Norway's u21 squad after being released by Odd, he signed after a successful trial. Scored 16 in his first 15 games but tailed off a little after that. Still finished second in the league golden boot, scored against England's u21s and made Norway's preliminary World Cup squad. Nottingham Forest and West Ham seemed to maintain an interest in him throughout the season.

Next season...

Given I've been promoted ahead of schedule, anything above survival will be a bonus. I like L2 in this regard as there are only two relegation spots and seven promo/playoff ones. I'd like a better performance in the cups too, especially given my finances will take a hit with the new stadium.

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2012/13 - 9th Blue Square South
2013/14 - 2nd Blue Square South (lost in playoff semis)
2014/15 - 3rd Blue Square South (lost in playoff semis)
2015/16 - 1st Blue Square South (promoted as champions)
2016/17 - 8th Blue Square Premier
2017/18 - 1st Blue Square Premier (promoted as champions)

[Thebaker]

I had a quick look at my reputation and there are several Blue Square South teams (and all the Blue Square Premier) with a higher reputation than me despite being in league one.

I'm surprised by this since i'm in the same year in 2016/17, have just finished 14th, having only won the FA trophy up till now. Looked at my rep and i'm the lowest L2 side, there are 16 BSP sides, all bar 3 were ex-league sides like Carlisle, Luton, Tranmere etc. Only 1 BSS side is above me oddly that is Woking.

Edit: at start of 17/18 season there are only 11 BSP sides above me in rep and 1 L2 below me.
Also are there other factors involved in the rep of your club like managers rep and rep or ability of players at the club? Does it change when you buy or sell players?

[Britrock]

G_D_K is right. Reputation doesn't change that quickly. Or put in another way, doesn't make that big leaps at a time. We're starting with teams with rep values way below who we're competing against so even winning promotion doesn't necessarily bump the rep up above or indeed to their level. Just keep pushing and it will/should eventually catch up.

When talking about rep, Leeds is probably a good example. Even when they were in league one, their rep would have been higher then most teams in the championship and even some in the prem. It takes a while for a club to build up a reputation and not to be looked at as a flash in the pan who'll disappear in 5 mins.