From the terraces to the top...hopefully!

[deltablue]

Definitely attracting the attentions of some good names.

[rancer890]

Those are some very good jobs for what you have accomplished so far! From playing in front of 400 spectators to nearly 25,000?

[Raware]

Definitely attracting the attentions of some good names.

Those are some very good jobs for what you have accomplished so far! From playing in front of 400 spectators to nearly 25,000?

It's a big jump to be linked with clubs like those...and flattering too. However, rumours are all they were as nothing materialised. Not that I'm disappointed though as I don't feel ready to leave Coalville just yet.

[Pangaea]

Would be more than a little strange to jump from the tier 6 to tier 1 IMO. You've done excellent so far of course, but a bit strange the game links to such lucrative jobs so early on.

[Raware]

Would be more than a little strange to jump from the tier 6 to tier 1 IMO. You've done excellent so far of course, but a bit strange the game links to such lucrative jobs so early on.

I agree. Not a moan but it is a bit strange to potentially jump from the BSN to the Championship, although some managers have done it in the past (Nigel Cloughs move from Burton to Derby springs to mind) but it doesn't happen often. Either way, I didn't get offered anything so it doesn't matter now .

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2014/15 : Preview

League expectation
-------------------------
Blue Square Bet Premier : Board expectation - Stay clear of relegation : Media expectation - 24th (out of 24)

Cup expectations
---------------------
FA Cup : 4th Qualifying round

FA Trophy : 1st round

Transfer budget : £0k
Wage budget : £3.79k p/w
Current wage bill : £3.66k p/w

Season tickets sold : 195 (+117 from last season)

My views for the season ahead… : The step up in quality should now be more apparent with some good teams in the league and given our media pre-season predictions of finishing bottom and the board wanting us to avoid relegation, my expectations have to match them. If we can avoid an immediate return to the Blue Square Bet North, I’ll be more than happy.

[CityAndColour]

I don't think those job offers are that unrealistic to be honest - when you consider this is a young manager who has had three straight promotions and three of those job offers are for L1 clubs. A manager like that would be in demand I think - Southampton may just want to rebuild and feel a young manager with such a ridiculous success rate is worth a punt on.

Any manager that gets three consecutive promotions to the BSP I think would be seriously looked at by any L1/2 clubs that had a vacancy, and maybe even a few Championship ones.

[hursty2]

Come on The Ravens, another promotion!

[HotChocolate]

I agree with CityAndColour on the job prospect so great news on the interest

[Raware]

I don't think those job offers are that unrealistic to be honest - when you consider this is a young manager who has had three straight promotions and three of those job offers are for L1 clubs. A manager like that would be in demand I think - Southampton may just want to rebuild and feel a young manager with such a ridiculous success rate is worth a punt on.

Any manager that gets three consecutive promotions to the BSP I think would be seriously looked at by any L1/2 clubs that had a vacancy, and maybe even a few Championship ones.

I understand what you're saying as quite a few managers IRL make the step up from the BSN/BSP to L1/L2 level. I think what Pangaea meant was jumping from the BSN to the Prem, or at least I think he was as he said from tier 6 to tier 1. As you say, I don't think it's unreasonable to think a struggling L1/L2 side would look to a successful manager a couple of leagues below them.

Come on The Ravens, another promotion!

Indeed! I think we may have hit the glass ceiling now though after such a rapid rise.

I agree with CityAndColour on the job prospect so great news on the interest

It's nice to feel wanted

[Raware]

Our second stadium expansion has been completed, taking the total capacity of Owen Street to 4000 (1020 seated). Not massive I know but it’s definitely a step in the right direction .

[dagoonerfan]

Going for a cup run this season?

[Raware]

Going for a cup run this season?

I should be so lucky! Besides our one amazing FA Cup run in my first season, the cups haven't been that successful for us over the years .

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2014/15 : Mid-season update

Blue Square Bet Premier : We knew we were going to be in for a difficult season and it’s been just that so far as we hit the halfway mark of the season with ourselves languishing above the relegation zone, just 8 points above it. While we seemed too good for the Blue Square Bet North last season, I can’t help but feel that we’re not quite good enough for the Blue Square Bet Premier and maybe our rapid rise through the divisions was too quick; maybe we could’ve of done with a few consolidation seasons in the BSN. Relegation is still most definitely a possibility for us and considering our recent 8 match winless streak, we need to turn things around quickly or face an immediate return to the Blue Square Bet North. The man I’m pinning our hopes on is our usual saviour, Alan Lynch who’s grabbed himself 13 league goals so far (14 in all competitions). He must continue his good form throughout the remainder of the season though for us to stand any chance of survival…and of course, avoid injury, something which we’ve not managed to do this season with at least 3 players out at the same time amongst the squad.

Onto the cup competitions and it’s been hit and miss for us with us once again going out at the 4th round Qualifying stage of the FA Cup, this time to Lowestoft of the Blue Square Bet North but making it to the 2nd round of the FA Trophy where we play Bishop’s Stortford away. If I’m honest, I couldn’t really care about cup competitions this season, my only aim is to keep us in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

My aims for the remainder of the season… : Simple…to stay up!

[dagoonerfan]

Best of luck, your league looks very tight

[deltablue]

I'd be happy sitting in your position.

[Raware]

Best of luck, your league looks very tight

Thanks, it is very tight. I think even teams as far down as 10th still have a chance of making a push for promotion.

I'd be happy sitting in your position.

I'm more than happy with our progress so far this season. Avoiding relegation is my only aim.

[B.W.G]

Doing well so far,hope you can keep your head above the water

[Pangaea]

Pretty good debut season in the Blue Square Premier so far. You're already 8 points clear of relegation, despite a bad run of form recently, so I have all faith in you surviving. That said, some of the most fun in FM is had in nailbiting relegation struggles

[Raware]

Doing well so far,hope you can keep your head above the water

Me too!

Pretty good debut season in the Blue Square Premier so far. You're already 8 points clear of relegation, despite a bad run of form recently, so I have all faith in you surviving. That said, some of the most fun in FM is had in nailbiting relegation struggles

Absolutely. It's actually a refreshing change to have a relegation battle on my hands, which is what we should have after such a rapid rise through the divisions. I do try and play the game as realistically as possible (including transfers and scouting) so when we had 3 straight promotions, my interest in this save did wane a little. But this season has regained my interest in the save .

[Raware]

Despite us struggling in the Blue Square Bet Premier this season, I must be doing something right as I’ve received my first job offer



I’ve asked to delay the decision for a week but I think I already know that I will reject the offer as they’re struggling in League One, have a fairly poor squad, have financial issues and look likely to be relegated. Plus, I’d like to try and take Coalville to the Football League before looking to move…if I move that is.

[Deisler26]

Not the Maaaahnkey 'angers! Anyway, did the job offer not feel good or you knew that it wouldn't?

[City2000]

I certainly feel you have warranted the interest being shown in you, continuing to do a fantastic job at Coalville

Nice to see Lynch still banging the goals in!

[HotChocolate]

If you've rejected, it's definitely the right choice

[Raware]

Not the Maaaahnkey 'angers! Anyway, did the job offer not feel good or you knew that it wouldn't?

Jeff Stelling would be proud! I rejected the offer as it just didn't feel right. Hartlepool are in a poor state and I feel that they're on a downward spiral...fast.

I certainly feel you have warranted the interest being shown in you, continuing to do a fantastic job at Coalville.

Nice to see Lynch still banging the goals in!

Thanks City2000. I still can't believe anyone hasn't made a bid for Lynch since he's knocking the goals in every season.

If you've rejected, it's definitely the right choice.

Yep, I rejected it as it just didn't feel right financially and looking at the squad and the club overall they look in a poor state.

[Raware]

Despite our recent successes over the past few seasons, we’re still struggling financially and can’t seem to make any kind of profit. So, it seems that after numerous cash injections to keep the club afloat, our chairman has finally decided that the time is right to hand the club over to other investors as I received these pieces of news in my news ticker…





Good or bad news…I’m not sure. Hopefully, whoever takes over gives us more financial clout than we currently have.

[HotChocolate]

Yep, I rejected it as it just didn't feel right financially and looking at the squad and the club overall they look in a poor state.

Financially insecure!?

In comparison to me they're rolling in it. Got 3x the amount of wage budget I have!!! Fuming!

[dagoonerfan]

What would you do if it was a tycoon?

[Raware]

Financially insecure!?

In comparison to me they're rolling in it. Got 3x the amount of wage budget I have!!! Fuming!

In comparison to our current wage budget at Coalville, they have 8x the amount of what we have! But still, overall they look in a worse financial state than we are. You know when it just doesn't feel right?

What would you do if it was a tycoon?

I'd probably wet my pants, childish I know . It's something I've never had on any FM, along with having a stadium named after me and of course having a son.

[Pangaea]

A fan takeover would be interesting though. Do they offer funds? Never had that, nor the three things you mention.

[HotChocolate]

I can understand the 'not feel right' feeling. I usually only go for jobs that you just know you'll enjoy!

[AK22]

Things a bit more tricky in the BSP then

I'm not surprised the club's finances aren't too hot; considering how many stadium improvements they've had to make, it just isn't sustainable for a Level 6/7 club to make so many upgrades in a short space of time. Success comes at a price in FM!

Never had a fans trust takeover, so will be interesting to see if that works any differently to a regulation takeover. I'm predicting you won't get any investment, though!

[Raware]

After months of long and drawn out discussions regarding the clubs future, we finally have new owners in the form of a fans trust. While it’s not the millions of pounds of investment I wanted at least the club is back in the hands of the fans…



…and at least the new chairman has given me a chance to maneuver in the transfer market now by freeing up some cash…however, that comes in the form of a £325k bank loan in which we’ll be paying back £1.5k per month.

[Raware]

A fan takeover would be interesting though. Do they offer funds? Never had that, nor the three things you mention.

As you can see, they haven't invested any funds but have taken out a loan which does free up a little bit of cash for us, in the short term of course.

I can understand the 'not feel right' feeling. I usually only go for jobs that you just know you'll enjoy!

My feelings too. I don't want to go to a club where I won't be enjoying myelf.

Things a bit more tricky in the BSP then

I'm not surprised the club's finances aren't too hot; considering how many stadium improvements they've had to make, it just isn't sustainable for a Level 6/7 club to make so many upgrades in a short space of time. Success comes at a price in FM!

Never had a fans trust takeover, so will be interesting to see if that works any differently to a regulation takeover. I'm predicting you won't get any investment, though!

A lot more tricky in the BSP, which I expected really.

As you say, it just isn't sustainable for a Level 6/7 club (we were actually a level 8 club when I took over ) to make so many upgrades in a short space of time. But we have to look at the long term and making the upgrades we have are necessary if we want to progress to the next level even if it means going into debt.

You were right about the lack of investment too. No money; but a loan which will help us out in the short term.

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2014/15 : Review

Blue Square Bet Premier/Blue Square Bet Premier progress/ (Due to an issue regarding the selection of fixtures, I’m not able to provide a screen shot of the league fixtures) : We knew we were going to be in for a difficult season and an immediate return to the Blue Square Bet North was very much a possibility with everyone tipping us to go straight back down. But after a slow start to the season which left us perilously hanging above the relegation zone at the mid-season point, we managed to string a few results together to go on and finish mid-table, 13th in fact to by far surpass the boards and my own expectations!

FA Cup : Out at the 4th Qualifying round stage again to lower league opposition . We just didn’t turn up.

FA Trophy : Out in the early stages of the competition again but really my priority this season was to stay in the BSP.

Transfers : Again, our poor financial state meant we had to look to the free transfer market if we wanted to get players in. And we did as some good players joined us this season in the form of Steven Gregory, Adam Marriott, Alex Goodman, Hichem Slimani, Liam Dick, Callum Gallgher, Steven Lennon, Elton Monteiro, Chimdi Akubuine, Jamie Richards, Jake Buxton and Bruno Pilatos.

Squad : I did worry that given the pre-season predictions from both the media and our board, we’d really struggle to stay in the Blue Square Bet Premier this season. But I needn’t had worried as the group of players we brought in gelled well with the existing players we had to eventually help us finish well above where we were predicted to finish. As usual, and I seem to say it every year now, Alan Lynch was our star player as he hit 20+ goals again for the 4th season in a row which now takes him to a record 89 league goals for the club (for a player that scores so consistently, I’m amazed no club has tried to come in for him yet). I was also pleased with our Angolan connection on the right side of our squad as both Bruno Pilatos and Laste Dombaxe seemed to form a quick understanding and produced some fine displays throughout the season. One other area I was pleased with this season was the newly formed central defensive partnership of Jake Buxton and Jamie Richards who will be key for us over the next few years due to our current defensive duo Marlon Broomes and Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro leaving the club at the end of the season. Both players have been fantastic servants to the club and an integral part of our rapid success of the last few years. But age catches up with us all and they were caught out a few times this year at this level. Should either of them go into coaching/scouting though, I’ll definitely look to bring them back to the club such is the fantastic service they’ve shown to us over the last few years.

Finances : Looking a lot better now we’ve got a new board and chairman but that’s only down to a £325k loan that they took out. Hopefully the reason we went into debt (stadium expansions) will start to repay us over the next few seasons in the form of higher gate receipts.

My views of the season… : A great season for us especially as no-one gave us a chance of survival this season.

My aims for next season… : People will still have us down as one of the weaker teams in the division but I’m hoping for another season of consolidation. Mid-table again and I’ll be happy.

Career Summary

Season   Team               League          		              Position   Achievements
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2011/12  Coalville Town     Evo-Stik League First Division South       1st      League Champions
2012/13  Coalville Town     Ryman Isthmian League Premier Division     1st      League Champions
2013/14  Coalville Town     Blue Square Bet North                      1st      League Champions
2014/15  Coalville Town     Blue Square Bet Premier		       13th     -

[deltablue]

Bit more of a challenge this time.

[buzz2k7]

Brilliant signing this season
Maybe you can put a push for the playoffs next season

[Pangaea]

Very solid debut season that. Something to build on for the future.

[City2000]

Real nice solid season there, something to build from.

And I was wondering where Marlon Broomes had got to!

[AK22]

Echoing what others have said already, that was a solid season of consolidation. Should be able to push on a bit next year

Excuse my immaturity, but the child in me thinks it's hilarious that you've got a Dick with the potential to be one of the best at the club I hope you've got a good tutor!

[Raware]

Bit more of a challenge this time.

Definitely!

Brilliant signing this season
Maybe you can put a push for the playoffs next season

I was pleased with some of the signings we made this year, they definitely helped us stay away from the drop. Not sure about the push for the playoffs though but I hope you're right.

Very solid debut season that. Something to build on for the future.

Thanks Pangaea. It gives us a very good base to build from.

Real nice solid season there, something to build from.

And I was wondering where Marlon Broomes had got to!

Thanks City2000. Marlon Broomes has been excellent for us over the past few years but has started to show his age is catching him up this season as he got caught out a few times. I think he's done well though to carry on playing till 37. I'm feeling it when I play now and I'm 31!

Echoing what others have said already, that was a solid season of consolidation. Should be able to push on a bit next year.

Excuse my immaturity, but the child in me thinks it's hilarious that you've got a Dick with the potential to be one of the best at the club. I hope you've got a good tutor!

Thanks AK. Hopefully 13th or above for us next season.

No need to excuse the immaturity...I giggled myself especially when my coach sent me a message saying that he'd compiled a report on Dick!

[HotChocolate]

From 1st three times in a row to 13th. Bit of a fall?

[roganp]

Not much to add on top of what everyone else has said, definitely a very solid season. Can see you pushing up a few places next season

[rancer890]

Booo you weren't champions this season!

Get that league winning streak started again ASAP.

[cerud]

Well...I guess you're allowed one season like that But still, a decent season in which you'll be able to grow and steady the squad in preparation for League play. Well done!

[Raware]

From 1st three times in a row to 13th. Bit of a fall?

How the mighty fall eh? Well, hardly mighty

Not much to add on top of what everyone else has said, definitely a very solid season. Can see you pushing up a few places next season.

Thanks roganp. That's the aim, progression. I don't think we're good enough just yet though to progress to a promotion push next season.

Booo you weren't champions this season!

Get that league winning streak started again ASAP.

I'll settle for three straight league titles (even if they were Mickey Mouse titles ). I think it may be a while now though before we get our league winning streak back on as there's some good teams in the BSP and the gulf between leagues is now becoming more apparent.

Well...I guess you're allowed one season like that. But still, a decent season in which you'll be able to grow and steady the squad in preparation for League play. Well done!

Thanks cerud. My only aim this season was just to avoid relegation so to have a season like we did I've got to be happy .

[hursty2]

'The club will return to the hand of the thousands of fans'. Oh yeah definitely thousands.

Good solid first season in the BSP.

[Raware]

'The club will return to the hand of the thousands of fans'. Oh yeah definitely thousands.

Good solid first season in the BSP.

Ha ha, it made me laugh too considering we sold a massive 195 season tickets this season!

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2015/16 : Preview

League expectation
-------------------------
Blue Square Bet Premier : Board expectation - Safe mid-table position : Media expectation - 24th (out of 24)

Cup expectations
---------------------
FA Cup : 4th Qualifying round

FA Trophy : 1st round

Transfer budget : £6k
Wage budget : £4.09k p/w
Current wage bill : £4.93k p/w

Season tickets sold : 198 (+3 from last season)

My views for the season ahead… : The media once again have us down as dead certs for the drop but after our performances last season, I’m confident that we can match last seasons mid-table finish. To back up my belief of a mid-table finish are the signings we’ve made during pre-season. It’s been a while since I’ve been excited at pre-season but the signings of Robbie Willmott on a free, former Brentford man Janjic Zlatko on a free, Michalis Tsakogiorgas for £6k and Mihai Popa on a free, both from Colwyn Bay, Todd Kane from H&W Welders on a free and Jordan Pearce from Blyth on a free lead me to believe that we’ve added some real quality to squad, quality that we were missing last season.

[Nobby_McDonald]

The club goes into the hands of the thousands of Coalville fans according to the news item.

That with an average of 740

[psychonaut]

Good luck for the coming season. I think you made the right decision not to join Hartlepool - it's a grim place.

[B.W.G]

A solid first season in the BSBP,hope you can improve on your 13th place finish and maybe have a good cup run along the way

[HotChocolate]

Up the Ravens!

[Raware]

The club goes into the hands of the thousands of Coalville fans according to the news item.

That with an average of 740.

I'm just happy with an average of 740!

Good luck for the coming season. I think you made the right decision not to join Hartlepool - it's a grim place.

Thanks . I too think it was the right decision to turn down the Hartlepool offer no matter what Jeff says! .

A solid first season in the BSBP,hope you can improve on your 13th place finish and maybe have a good cup run along the way.

Cheers. I'm hoping for a similar cup run to the one we had in my first season where we reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup to help our finances. But we've not had much luck in the cups the past few seasons.

Up the Ravens!

Raware's black and white army!!!

[City2000]

Thanks City2000. Marlon Broomes has been excellent for us over the past few years but has started to show his age is catching him up this season as he got caught out a few times. I think he's done well though to carry on playing till 37. I'm feeling it when I play now and I'm 31!

I'm lucky, i'll turn 31 soon but i'm a keeper so i've got years left in me yet

Good luck for the year ahead!

[Raware]

I'm lucky, i'll turn 31 soon but i'm a keeper so i've got years left in me yet

Good luck for the year ahead!

You hope you have!

[deltablue]

Well it's far more 'thousands' than Sun's Bengal Tigers,

[City2000]

You hope you have!

Very true! Although in FM terms i'm just about to hit my peak

[Raware]

As the season gets into full swing now, the rumour mill has started with myself being linked to the vacant Wigan Athletic job. While they’re struggling in the Premiership and look very likely to be relegated and while at this stage it’s only a rumour, should an offer be made I’m not sure what I’d do.

[abulezz]

It depends on what you want from the save really - Wigan could be a good chance to jump up a few leagues, but, if you are like me and relish the prospect of taking a small team and leading hem to success, Id say stick with them!

[deltablue]

Probably not with them bottom.

[psychonaut]

Breaking into the Football League with Coalville seems like a much more exciting challenge than getting Wigan back to the Premier Division...

[City2000]

For me it would depend on whether or not I was enjoying it at Coalville still, if you are starting to think about moving on then it may be best to do so. I do agree with the lads above though and think it would be a much more rewarding challenge to get Coalville into the Football League.

[Raware]

It depends on what you want from the save really - Wigan could be a good chance to jump up a few leagues, but, if you are like me and relish the prospect of taking a small team and leading hem to success, Id say stick with them!

Probably not with them bottom.

Breaking into the Football League with Coalville seems like a much more exciting challenge than getting Wigan back to the Premier Division...

For me it would depend on whether or not I was enjoying it at Coalville still, if you are starting to think about moving on then it may be best to do so. I do agree with the lads above though and think it would be a much more rewarding challenge to get Coalville into the Football League.

Thanks for the thoughts lads . I think I agree with you all in that it'll be a lot more rewarding trying to get Coalville into the Football League especially after taking them so far already. I didn't really matter anyway as it was only a rumour in the end and no offer was made for me. Former Middlebrough striker Lee Dong-Gook was the man they gave the job to.

However, this rumour has just been banded around...



...closely followed by this...



I've asked to delay the decision for a week.

[abulezz]

As for this one, I think it should be an easy decision - stay!

[City2000]

I would turn that one down myself, I think there are better jobs waiting for you out there.

[AK22]

I wouldn't go back to Dundee, not matter how much they paid me

[rancer890]

Turn it down. Easy decision.

[Raware]

As for this one, I think it should be an easy decision - stay!

I would turn that one down myself, I think there are better jobs waiting for you out there.

I wouldn't go back to Dundee, not matter how much they paid me

Turn it down. Easy decision.

Thanks for the advice fellas . I did actually contemplate accepting...for a second . I would like a stint in Scotland at some stage though I think.

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2015/16 : Mid-season update

Blue Square Bet Premier : It’s been a lot more of an enjoyable experience so far for us this season than this time last season as we sit surprisingly in a play-off place at the halfway stage dispelling the media’s prediction of another relegation battle. It’s not that we’ve improved in front of goal but rather we’ve improved defensively as we’re shutting teams out and turning games round to draws which we would’ve lost last season. Alan Lynch leads our goal scoring charts as usual as he’s found the back of the net 12 times this season while his new strike partner Michalis Tsakogiorgos has also found the onion bag a few times as he’s claimed 6 goals so far. The big difference though is the new additions we’ve made to the squad as they’ve brought both quality and consistency to the team, something which we were lacking last season. As I mentioned Michalis Tsakogiorgos has settled in well scoring 6 goals but it’s the arrival of Mihai Popa who I’ve been impressed with as not only has he scored 4 times already for us from the right wing but he also recommended Iulian Popescu to us who looks fantastic for this level. While the arrival of our new players has put us well over my wage budget, I feel they’re worth the risk and could take us to that next level that we’re after; an established BSP side with a realistic chance of promotion to the Football League.

However, talking about the wage budget risk, I received this option in my news ticker. Obviously with such a great first half of the season, I’ve altered my expectations to a top half finish which coincidentally falls in line with our current wage total .

As for the cups…well, as usual we’re out of the FA Cup before Christmas as Swindon Town beat us 2-0 in the 1st round but we’re still in the FA Trophy where we meet Oxford United in the 2nd round. I’m not holding my breath though as Oxford are seen as strong favourites for both the FA Trophy and the League after coming down from League Two last season.

My aims for the remainder of the season… : Now I’ve increased our expectations to a top half finish, that’s what the aim for the remainder of the season has to be. While we’re flying high in the league at the minute, I’d have to be foolish if I thought a push for promotion was likely for us this year…maybe next season but not now.

[City2000]

Going great, Popescu looks like he could play a couple levels up, great signing.

[cerud]

Much better season than last so far, Raware! As for the offers you're getting...I always play as though it were me, so I usually go if the offer is good. My loyalties can be bought with wages and prestige However, there's a couple of teams that will always have my heart.

[deltablue]

Starting to move forward again I see.

[roganp]

Cracking start in the league . Popescu looks an excellent signing for BSP side.

[AK22]

Much improvement upon last season, so far. It's impressive to see you above teams such as Oxford and Crewe, who you would think are 'too big' for the BSP.

I wonder if Popescu is any relation to the legendary Gheorghe of Spurs and Barcelona fame?!

[B.W.G]

Brilliant start in the league,hopefully the side will be able to reward you loyalty.

[DazRTaylor]

Awesome mate

[Raware]

Going great, Popescu looks like he could play a couple levels up, great signing.

Cheers City2000. I have our right wiger Mihai Popa to thank for Popescu as he recommended him to me .

Much better season than last so far, Raware! As for the offers you're getting...I always play as though it were me, so I usually go if the offer is good. My loyalties can be bought with wages and prestige. However, there's a couple of teams that will always have my heart.

Thanks cerud. I try and play as if it was me too, the two offers I've had so far just didn't feel right despite being higher rep leagues. Like you I can also be bought and also have a couple of teams that will always have my heart.

Starting to move forward again I see.

Hopefully it continues!

Cracking start in the league. Popescu looks an excellent signing for BSP side.

Thanks roganp. I'm hoping Popescu can fulfil what looks to be exciting potential.

Much improvement upon last season, so far. It's impressive to see you above teams such as Oxford and Crewe, who you would think are 'too big' for the BSP.

I wonder if Popescu is any relation to the legendary Gheorghe of Spurs and Barcelona fame?!

Cheers AK. I'm surprised at how much Crewe and Oxford are struggling this season. Oxford are actually odds on favourites for the title this season!

Gheorghe Popescu went through my mind too when I signed Iulian . Now Gheorghe was a player as were his compatriots Hagi and Dumitrescu who I loved watching.

Brilliant start in the league,hopefully the side will be able to reward you loyalty.

Cheers B.W.G. I'm hoping so too.

Awesome mate.

Cheers mate

[Raware]

When I first signed Irishman Alan Lynch 4 and a half seasons ago when I first took over as Coalville Town manager, I never imagined how much of an impact the man would have on 1) Coalville Town as a club and 2) my FM career. The man has been nothing short of immense for me during my time with Coalville Town and has to rank as one of my best, if not the best signing I’ve ever made (a big statement I know). In just 4 and a half seasons the man has just notched up his 100th league goal for Coalville Town and considering those goals have come in 4 different leagues, each league rising in quality as we’ve progressed, I think that’s a great achievement .

If I’m honest, I’ve never heard of Alan Lynch and while yes, although his goals have come in leagues which aren’t known for their quality, to score as consistently as he has earns my FM respect. So I’m curious…has anybody else ever heard of him and if so, how has he performed for you?

[Nobby_McDonald]

Going very well.

[HotChocolate]

Amazing start to the season, lets hope you can keep it up!

[Plobdork]

Great read great to see coalville up there inspired me to start one with colne fc wish me luck!

[Raware]

Going very well.

Amazing start to the season, lets hope you can keep it up!

Thanks fellas .

Great read great to see coalville up there inspired me to start one with colne fc wish me luck!

Thanks Plobdork. I presume Colne FC are your local side? I'd of liked to have played with my local side really Long Eaton United FC who also play at Level 9 but there wasn't an available database or one that I knew that was as realiable as uncle rons. So I chose my next closest local team and that's Coalville Town as the Father-in-law supports them.

Gald this save has inspired you and good luck in taking Colne FC to the heights of English football! .

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2015/16 : Last day of the season

I usually only do three updates a season but with things looking so tight on the last day of the season, I feel it’s worthy of an update …

With a great first half of the season for us, I was expecting us to fade away in the second half of it and end up finishing mid-table, which considering the media expected us to finish bottom of the league again would be a great achievement for us. However, we’ve managed to continue our great form from the beginning of the season to leave us sitting in the play-off places on the last day of the season with a chance of claiming the title and things looking very tight at both ends of the table.

Admittedly, the odds are in the favour of Darlington, Fleetwood and Eastleigh (who actually came up last season from the BSS and have made an incredible impact on the league) but there’s still a chance for us, especially looking at the fixtures on the last day of the season. League leaders Darlington meet 2nd place Fleetwood while 3rd place Eastleigh play Ebbsfleet who narrowly missed out on a play-off place. We face Chelmsford who despite it looking the easier game out of the title race games, they’re fighting for their life and some would argue it’s the most difficult game out of the three.

One things for sure, what ever happens it’s going to be a rollercoaster of a last day of the season for both ends of the table!

[Raware]

Edit : Having look at the last day table and fixtures again, I'm actually wrong . I thought there was a chance of us claiming the title as I thought Fleetwood were on 76 points but they're actually on 77 points, the same as Darlington which means that with Darlington and Fleetwood playing on the last day, mathmatically we can't claim the title. A win for either side would obviously leave one of them finishing on 80 points and a draw would leave them both on 78. Even if we win our game, we'd only finish on 77 points so 2nd is the highest we can finish.

I guess I need to pay more attention in future!

[CityAndColour]

Even if Fleetwood were on 76 points you still couldn't win the title, but still a fine season.

[Raware]

Even if Fleetwood were on 76 points you still couldn't win the title, but still a fine season.

True. I think I need to polish up on my maths .

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2015/16 : Review

Blue Square Bet Premier/Blue Square Bet Premier progress/Blue Square Bet Premier fixtures : Well, a fantastic first half of the season for us put us in a play-off place at the midway point of the season but with the strength of the league and the lack of depth in our squad I was expecting us to fade away in the second half of the season. But we didn’t as we maintained our great form to go on and finish 3rd and qualify for a play-off place .

Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs : We went into the play-offs with no real expectations so it wasn’t a surprise when Eastleigh (who are new boys to the division themselves this season after winning the BSS last year) beat us 2-0 in the Semi-Final 1st leg. After that defeat I wasn’t too hopeful for the 2nd leg, but we showed great character to get back into the game as Jamie Richards grabbed his 11th goal of the season to make it 1-0. We needed one more goal to take the game to extra time but it wasn’t looking likely…but then that man, Alan Lynch, right on cue, popped up in the 89th minute to save us and take the game to extra time . That last minute goal seemed to spur us on and somewhat deflate Eastleigh, understandably as it was left to Mihai Popa to grab the winner and send the fans into raptures as we went through to the final. Unfortunately for us though, whether we used all of our energy or luck up in the semi’s, we didn’t perform in the final and after all of the seasons hard work, it ultimately meant nothing as AFC Telford beat us 1-0 to take their place in the football league next season.

Still, we can have no complaints about the season considering we had no aspirations at all of promotion this season.

FA Cup : Out in the 1st round as Swindon Town deservedly beat us 2-0.

FA Trophy : We made it all the way to the Semi Final this year where after a 1-0 win in the 1st leg against Fleetwood put us a step closer to the final. But Fleetwood fought back in the 2nd leg and grabbed themselves an injury time winner to ensure it would be them in the final. They ended up losing to Colwyn Bay in the final.

Transfers : We made some key signings this season with the arrival of Robbie Willmott (who left later on in the season), Zlatko Janjic, Michalis Tsakogiorgas, Mihai Popa, Todd Kane and Jordan Pearce all of which I briefly touched upon in the pre-season report. As the season progressed and with the squad looking thin and jaded we made a few other signings as in came Danny Potts, Iulian Popescu, Gunnar Porsteinsson and Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo all on free transfers.

Squad : I was confident that the squad had more than enough quality to exceed the medias predication of relegation and with the addition of the players we made this season, maybe even quietly confident of a top half finish. But I wasn’t expecting them to make the impact they did as they were at times unplayable. Alan Lynch was again our top scorer for the fifth season in a row as he again hit 20+ goals for the season while his new strike partner Michalis Tsakogiorgas also hit double figures as he claimed 12 goals. One other player who hit double figures was surprisingly our centre half Jamie Richards as he scored an incredible 11 times while Laste Dombaxe became our first international player as he was capped for the Angola main squad for the first time. While the squad did fantastically well this season, they did start to become jaded around February and considering how thin our squad is, I’ll have to look at bringing in some new faces over the summer to prevent burn out again next season.

Finances : We were nearly £200k in the red before our play-off games but those 3 games saw us hit the black again…only just though.

My views of the season… : Despite the obvious disappointment to lose the play-off final, I’ve got to be delighted with our season as no one gave us a chance of survival let alone promotion.

My aims for next season… : I’m tempted to say play-offs after our showing this season.

Career Summary

Season   Team               League          		              Position   Achievements
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2011/12  Coalville Town     Evo-Stik League First Division South       1st      League Champions
2012/13  Coalville Town     Ryman Isthmian League Premier Division     1st      League Champions
2013/14  Coalville Town     Blue Square Bet North                      1st      League Champions
2014/15  Coalville Town     Blue Square Bet Premier		       13th     -
2015/16  Coalville Town     Blue Square Bet Premier		       3rd      -

[B.W.G]

Brilliant improvement on last season but unlucky with losing in the playoff final.

[Nobby_McDonald]

A very good season Raware despite just missing out.

[Pangaea]

So close to another promotion. Must say I like that you're finding it harder to get promoted now though. Games really aren't fun if you fly up the leagues too fast. But maybe you can take the step next season?

[deltablue]

Maybe next year?

[HotChocolate]

The Blue Square Bet Premier league is usually tight, but not that tight!

Unlucky fella, always next season

[roganp]

Unlucky on just missing on promotion, but moving up 10 league places is great progression

[iHeadHunta x]

Unlucky in play-offs but a fantastic career so far.

[buzz2k7]

Is Alan lynch a club legend or icon yet?

[AK22]

Unlucky to miss out on the playoffs, but still, you have to be pleased with a third place finish

A couple of decent signings, and you'll be laughing all the way to the Football League

[Raware]

Brilliant improvement on last season but unlucky with losing in the playoff final.

A very good season Raware despite just missing out.

Maybe next year?

The Blue Square Bet Premier league is usually tight, but not that tight!

Unlucky fella, always next season.

Unlucky in play-offs but a fantastic career so far.

Thaks fellas

So close to another promotion. Must say I like that you're finding it harder to get promoted now though. Games really aren't fun if you fly up the leagues too fast. But maybe you can take the step next season?

Me too. I was a little worried when we were promoted three times in a row but it's starting to level out now.

Unlucky on just missing on promotion, but moving up 10 league places is great progression.

Thanks roganp. It's a massive step for us and puts us firmly up there with the other top BSP teams. Hopefully we can build on this progression.

Is Alan lynch a club legend or icon yet?

He's not an icon yet (he should be!) but he's on the favoured personnel list...as am I .

Unlucky to miss out on the playoffs, but still, you have to be pleased with a third place finish

A couple of decent signings, and you'll be laughing all the way to the Football League

Thanks AK. Yep, despite losing in the final I'm really pleased with how quickly we've progressed in this league. It's just finding those decent signings now .

[Raware]

As I’ve reached the end of the season and having enjoyed a few threads around here recently which have included the Dutch, German and Belgian leagues, I’ve decided to add the Dutch, German and Belgian leagues to my save to 1) see how things are going in Holland, Germany and Belgium and 2) to hopefully manage there sometime in the future .

[Raware]

Coalville Town

Season 2016/17: Preview

League expectation
-------------------------
Blue Square Bet Premier : Board expectation - Respectable league position : Media expectation - 15th (out of 24)

Cup expectations
---------------------
FA Cup : 1st round

FA Trophy : 2nd round

Transfer budget : £0k
Wage budget : £6.27k p/w
Current wage bill : £6.66k p/w

Season tickets sold : 203 (+5 from last season)

My views for the season ahead… : Well the media don’t have us down as relegation candidates for the first time in 2 years and the board are wanting a respectable league position, which lifts the pressure off us after narrowly missing out on promotion last season…my expectations however are to try and match last seasons achievements and reach the play-offs. Anything less and it has to be classed as regression despite overachieving last year. To help us try and do that, we’ve made a few pre-season transfers as in come Femi Ilesanmi, Sean McDermott and Will Evans all on free transfers, Junior from Histon on a free, Emeka Yusuf from Worksop on a free and perhaps my most pleasing signing John Hargreaves from lower league Corby on a free who my scouts tell me has the potential to become a good Premier League striker in the future .