King's Lynn Town: Rising from the Ashes

[Johnny Drama]

King's Lynn were finally put out of business in 2009, wound up with £77,000 in debts it was over. Just a few years prior to this the Linnets hit the dizzy heights of the Blue Square North with Julian Joachim leading the line. In 2010 out of the ashes King's Lynn Town FC were formed they had a successful debut season as they reached the quarter finals of the FA Vase and finishing runner ups to St Neots in the United Counties Prem. They were unlucky to have not won the league having accumlated 103 points in any other league and they certainly would have won the title! With last seasons near miss behind them they are favourites to go up this season.

The only current squad players I plan on using are

Jack Defty - The clubs all time top scorer, will need him to fire them in to get us up.

Luke Thurlbourne - Ex-Southend youngster, also had a spell in the BSS with St Albans. Combatative midfielder will be a certain starter.

Patrick Bexfield - Full back equally adept at playing on the right in midfield.

Callum Reed - Full back who can also play in the centre, will likely be deployed at right back allowing Bexfield to play in midfield.

Jamie Thurlbourne - Left sided player can sit at full back or wide midfield.





Seeing how small the squad is I need to bring in reinforcements soon. I need urgently a goalie, some centre halves, a couple of central midfielders and someone to partner Defty up top.

I have a wage budget of £1,000 a week.




My Aims
Club To Turn Professional - Completed 2019
To Get Promoted to the Football League - Completed 2019
To become the bigggest club in Norfolk
To Win The Premier League
To win the Champions League
To win the World Club Cup
To get a stadium named after me
To produce a future England Captain from my youth set up
To get to top of the hall of fame
To break the world transfer record

International
To win the African Nations Cup - Completed 2023
To win the Copa America
To win the Gold Cup
To win the Asia Nations Cup
To win the European Championship
To win the World Cup

[Johnny Drama]

Some of the new signings

The non-league Rory Delap


Veteran striker and penalty taker


Finnies partner at the back


My playmaker

[Johnny Drama]

The complete list of signings


The squad according to my assistant


My First 11 will be
GK Atkinson
RB Reed
CB Abraham
CB Finnie (Limited)
LB Waters
RM Heath (Support, Wide Midfield)
CM Barrett (Support, Advanced Playmaker)
CM L Thurlbourne (Support, Ball Winning Midfielder)
LM J Thurlbourne (Support, Wide Midfielder)
FW Thoma (Attack, Target Man)
FW Adeyinka (Attack, Poacher)

[Johnny Drama]

August 2011

6th August
Wellingborough 0 King's Lynn 3 (UCL)

A winning start as manager, Adeyinka made an instant impression scoring in the first five minutes. He added a second and then substitute Killian Gallagher tapped in from Luke Thurlbourne's corner, i'm not sure what was worse our corner routine or their defending. Either way three points on the board now!


13th August
King's Lynn 4 S & L Corby 0 (UCL)

We played superb they didn't even get a sniff, Atkinson didn't make a save all game. It was Adekinya who was on hand to put the ball in the back of the net again as his brace set us up for the win. We added goals through Thomas and Abraham.

20th August
King's Lynn 5 Corsham 0 (FA Cup)

The board want us to reach the 4th qualifying round and a cup run would be ideal as it would boost the finances. We duly delievered and picked up a £750 winners cheque. Over 1,000 fans sawus demolish Corsham with veteran Craig Thomas bagging a hatrick. Colin Heath tapped in from close range and then new signing McGhee headed in the 5th from late on. I was delighted with the 5th goal as it was from a long throw from Finnie.

27th August
Thrapston 1 King's Lynn 1 (UCL)

We conceded first and we looked horribly out of depth against them we only had one chance in the first half and thankfully we converted it. Atkinson pumed the ball up the pitch, Adekinya ran through and as all four of their defenders chased him he squared it just behind them and Craig Thomas managed to just slide on the end of it to poke it in. We clung on or the point in the second half.

League: 5th

[CityAndColour]

Some fairly achievable goals there.

[Johnny Drama]

September 2011


3rd September, FA Cup
Prescot 1 King's Lynn 1

I am banking on a bit of a cup run as I remember on a similar game to this on FM10 they were the only thing that stopped me going into the red. We had a dream start when Adeyinka scored a diving header in the 4th minute but we couldn't hold onto the win, I would fancy my chances at home.


6th September, FA Cup
King's Lynn 2 Prescot 1

We deserved the win and the £1,500 we picked up will pay for nearly half a months wages. Plus we managed to get in over 2,000 people for the cup game so that should see us make some decent cash this month. Adeyinka scored the opener again with a close range effort, Killian Gallagher added a second late on when his toe punt went in off the post. Presot pulled one back late on but it was too late.


10th September, UCL
Daventry Utd 0 King's Lynn 3

Our first league game in a few weeks and a good win, Abraham was the star of the show as he once again showed his danger from set pieces as he headed in twice. Carl Thomas added the third with a powerful shot from close range as he latched onto a ball from Heath.


17th September, FA Cup
King's Lynn 3 Northwood 0

Back to cup action and Northwood were the favourites and they are above us in the pyramid but we outplayed them and another crowd of over 2000 should prove to be a good month financially. Heath scored the opener with the first good goal we have scored all season. Adekinya made it 2-0 when the keeper made a hash out of an easy save. Jack Defty gets his first of the season having now recovered from an injury in pre-season training.


14th September, UCL
King's Lynn 2 Desborough 0

Another one sided affair I just wished we were more lethal up front as we could of had a lot more. Carl Thomas finally got things underway as he fired one in from 8 yards out after winning the ball from the defender, I have never seen a forward slide tackle as much as Thomas. Barrett made it 2 when they failed to clear a corner and he poked it in from close range.
Thomas, Barrett

21st September, UCL
King's Lynn 2 Irchester 0

Barrett is finally becoming the playmaker I intended him to be and he's come good at the right time, Luke Thurlbourne need a rest and the forwards are struggling a bit. He actually scored a good goal curling it in from the edge of the area. Abraham scored his 4th league goal of the season when he tapped in at the backpost from Jamie Thurlbourne's free kick.


24th September, UCL
King's Lynn 1 St Ives 1

Bit of a let down after some of the recent results. Abraham had his first bad game as he gave away a penalty to give themthe lead. We couldn't seem to get a look in at the other end, I decided to switch to"overload" eventually we managed to equalise with Jamie Thurlbourne scoring with a powerful strike from just inside the area.

[iHeadHunta x]

Good start

[deltablue]

Looks like a good set of players.

[Johnny Drama]

I haven't had internet for a few days so I got a bit aheadof myself. I am walking the league, signed a few guys in January David Fagan and Monday Awoyomi who have performed exceptionally.




We done well in the FA Cup biggest result turning over Histon, we went out in 2nd round (actually 4th qualifying round) at hometo Hayes & Yeading. We had a few good home ties so the finances are looking good.




Nice to get a mention but there is noway i'm leaving this job for a while yet/

[deltablue]

Great going so far.

[Plobdork]

keep going really interesting so far!!! (install logo pack maybe???)

[Johnny Drama]

King's Lynn 2011/2012 Review

United Counties Prem: 1st
FA Cup: 4th Qualifying Round

Fans Player of the Year: Aaron Waters
Top Scorer: Monday Awoyomi 24
Most Assists:Luke Thurlbourne 15
Most Man of the Match: Carl Thomas 6







Out
Jack Defty - Good enough but has proven to be very injury prone and I couldn't justify paying him £250 a week when I have better options.
Craig Thomas - Played well for us but tailed off at the end, at 39 he's only going to carry on declining.
Matthew Atkinson - Signed a pre-contract agreement with TNS, so gave Malek the reigns in the second half of the season and he proved good enough.

Also out are Wayne Finnie and Robbie Harris. Nick Heath (Holbeach) and Brian McGhee (Dereham) leave on short term loans.

In
Brought in 7 players but mainly all back up players as I don't plan on changing my first 11 too much, Most likely to make an impression are.






From my youth candidates only one will be given a run in the first team and thats this guy.

[Lenzar]

Your run in the FA CUp was greatly helped by the fact that after drawing with Preston, you instead played the replay against Prescot.

[Johnny Drama]

Your run in the FA CUp was greatly helped by the fact that after drawing with Preston, you instead played the replay against Prescot.

Good spot

[Johnny Drama]

We were predicted to finish 6th in the league and so far we are doing pretty well unbeaten after 8 games. We seem to have some discipline problems though as we have had a few players sent off and it hascost us points where we have been unable to hold onto the win.

Monday Awoyomi has continued on from last seasons exploits as he tops the charts with 8 so far. Also chipping in with goals are Adeyinka whose got 5 and Jamie Thurlbourne with three. Joe Lennox has fitted in well so far scoring once and getting a few assists. I decided to re-train Daley as a left midfielder so he can cover on either flank rather than brigning in a back up for Thurlbourne.



The FA Cup has been good so far with wins over Mildenhall (after a nervy replay) and Waltham Forest. Next up in th cup is Eastwood from the BSN I hope to try and hold them to a draw at their gaff and hope for the best at home. We got some really impressive attendances last year at home in the cup and I am hoping the same here as it will be a welcome boost to our finances.

[deltablue]

Good start.

[Johnny Drama]

The FA Cup run continues



Stourbridge away in the next round

[Johnny Drama]

We have kept up with the pace so far and I think we stand a good chance of going up this year. Monday Awoyomi is still my top scorer with 26 league goals and 21 in all competitons.



The FA Cup dream eventually came to an end when we came up against League One side Notts County.



I never expected to win I just hoped for a big side for a share of the gate receipts, that month we made over £25k profit, that sort of cash will pay the wage bill for about 6 months.

I also added a few new player to my squad, I decided to only sign players from now on that could make an immediate impact.



Jake Inglis is our first International player having got his 2nd cap after joining. Is considered a lot better than Jamie Thurlbourne. I will still kee Thurlourne as he can play at left back as well so it gives me extra cover for Waters.



Comrie is our new number one keeper better than Malek and Ritchie. Ritchie has alot more potential than Malek so I will let Malek go.

[Lenzar]

Heh, I knew the Canadian national team was bad, but capping a player who plays at the 8th tier? Sheesh! No wonder Owen Hargreaves wanted to play for us!

[Johnny Drama]

Heh, I knew the Canadian national team was bad, but capping a player who plays at the 8th tier? Sheesh! No wonder Owen Hargreaves wanted to play for us!

Yeah I was quite surprised he opted to join us, he could definitely play at a higher standard I just hope to keep holld of him for a few years or for as long as I can afford the wages.

[Johnny Drama]

Its pretty tight between us and Leiston who also just beat me 2-1, Julian Joachim rolling back the years to get the winner. They should be contenders as they hae the highest wage bill in the league (we're 2nd). Tilbury and Sudbury were my early challengers but have failed away completely. At the other end of the table Romford looked buried at Xmas with only one win and 7 draws but a dramatic turn around has seen them pull themselves out of the relegation zone.

We have a few tough games to play still with trips to Harlow ad Maldon & Tiptree.

[City2000]

Looking good, good luck

[Mazaveli]

Very shocked to see a career play of my home town! Hope you can get the good times rolling again.

[Johnny Drama]

Very shocked to see a career play of my home town! Hope you can get the good times rolling again.

Cheers mate, the good times are indeed rolling again!



The last few games Leiston seemed to lose their heads and we won with ease, they won't be too dissapointed as they went up via the play offs. We have been placed in the Northern Premier League and have been tipped to finish 11th but we were given 3-1 about winning it. This is the level the club were at when it went bust so I will look to consolidate our position and then brigng in a couple of players. I am looking into signing young players that could make an immediate impact. A few people have left on free transfers and that has freed up the wage bill, Dave Fagan refused to sign a new contract so Chester offered him a new deal and I somehow wrangled £5k out of the deal so I am delighted with that even though he was one of my better defenders.





Aaron Waters once again was voted fans player of the year, a bit surprised I thought Awoyomi was a shoe in!

[Johnny Drama]

2012/2013 Review

Fans Player of the year: Aaron Waters
Top Scorer: Monday Awoyomi 32
Most Assists: Luke Thurlbourne 14
Most Man of the Match: Monday Awoyomi 9


Aaron Waters has now been added to the favourite personnel.

I showed Waters in the last post sohere the best of the rest



My star midfielder, he chips in with a fair few assists but I would say most of them are from corners he isn't exactly a creative whizz.



Lennox was on a free after being released from Bristol City he started slowly but he soon turned into an integral part of the side and has kept Daley out of the side. In the goals a fair bit.



Star man always in the goals, some of them look hilarious so not sure if its down to him being good or the keepers being inept, he always seems to break free of the defence so I think his pace is the key attribute.



Our Canadian international! Chipped in with a few goals and has settled in well, i'm sure he could play a lot higher so hoping to either sell him on for some cash or keeep hold of him and watch him help us fly up the leagues.

[deltablue]

Not many internationals at that level.

[Johnny Drama]

I have finally paid my first transfer fees since joining the Linnets signing two very special young players.




Gus Jack was my first signing and a bargain at £500 my scout said he would be the best centre back at the club and loads of potential and just 15. He looks like a great catch and I am delighted we got a quality defender as we lost Fagan and Gallagher.



When I got the scout report for Cox and then looked at his profile I knew I had to sign him. I saw Crewe who are now in the Conferernce were sniffing around him so I would have to be quick. I decided not to attempt to try and bargain for a fee and go straight to compensation. It cost me the £5,000 I got for Fagan but I wasn't expecting that money anyway.

Cox could be the player that fires us to promotion

[Johnny Drama]

Have just finished pre-season and thanks to a hoe friendly with Norwich which nearly 5,000 people watched we made 12k which is handy since we spent £5,500 on transfers. We are currently £100k in the bank and even though we are now allowed a wage budget of £3,200 per week I have kept it under 2k.

My key players for the season will be

Dominic Comrie - Former Preston keeper, rejected a few bids from Chester in the summer, kept 12 clean sheets in 28 games last season,

Gus Jack - Only a kid but with Fagan gone I need him to step up and partner Fagan.

Aaron Waters - Vice-Captain and fans player of the year two years on the spin.

Jake Inglis - Versatile midfielder with an eye for goal.

Monday Awoyomi - 50 goals in 64 appearances in the league, I hope he makes the step up.

Rob Cox - The future of King's Lynn, will play as my target man. If he struggles at first I have back up in McGhee and Rugg to give him a break to ease the pressure on him.


The media predicts an 11th place finish I am hoping for a play off spot which I think is viable unless we have a bad run of luck with injuries to key players.

[Johnny Drama]

Great debut for Cox!

[Johnny Drama]

Another great result and good to show Fagan he made the wrong choice leaving us. The media gave us no hope and after the first 45minutes neither did I. We were up against it all game but Rob Cox scored on the counter late on. Gus Jack was amazing at the back and picked up the man of the match award. In the 6 league games so far the two youngsters have picked up the man of the match award between them every time. I know its early days but I think we have to go up if they stay fit. Here is a screeny of them to show the impact they have had. Rob Cox also got a call up or the England U'19 squad he didn't have the best of games but he was being fielded at left back which explains alot. If he keeps making those squads I can see him moving up the leagues quicker than I hoped.













Great start although if you take Coxy's goals out of the equation we would only be on 12 points. We have took on a few of the bigger sides with Chester and AFC Flyde both predicted to be in the top 3, although the media have got it wrong so far with Frickley and Newcastle Town tipped for relegation.

[City2000]

Flying start no reason why you can't get another promotion here.

[Johnny Drama]

We have had a good cup run in both previous seasons and we done well again this year. The highlight was knocking out Conference side Northwich Victoria 1-0 away with Rob Cox getting a late winner. We have benefitted financially every year because of bumper home crowds although this year we were drawn away every time. We eventually crashed out in the 1st round at AFC Wimbledon



We were unlucky but they were the btter side, I was praying to take them to a replay just to give us another £5-10k which could be the difference between making a profit or a loss at the end of the season.


We are still going well in the league sitting 2nd but with only one win in our lat five games I am hoping it is just a glitch. Gus Jack and Rob Cox have been magnificent. We have had some injury problems lately but I think the worst is over now. Here is a look at the table

[abulezz]

Tied for top - there are worse places to be Its been an impressive season thus far, hopefully you'll be on top of the table before long.

[Plobdork]

rob cox ....? Funny name but yet he's a brilliant player

[Dejay]

Going well, keep it up.

[Johnny Drama]

The title race is hoting up and it looks alot tighter than it did before. I think I can hang on and clinch promotion. I have to really we have lost £25k this year. I have about 15 players contract expiring butI dont want to renew unless I know we go up and can afford their wages or wont be good enough or if I have to cut some bigger wage players to keep the club afloat.

[Johnny Drama]

Thanks to my star signings we managed a third successive promotion and we are now into the big time, the Blue Square North. Rob Cox's 31 league goals helped a lot and was no doubt the best player in the league. In fact my reports say he has the potential to be a decent League One player, his value is upto £70k and Scunthorpe enquired but were put off with my £500k + 40% sell on.





As you can see although we did okay in the FA Cup without the bumper home crowds we lost a fair bit of cash. The trouble is another season like this and we will be struggling or sure. With this inmind I decided to keep the same squad and only bringing in players who will go straight into the first 11 or cheap back ups for suspensions and injuries.

The major signing of the summer for us was Simon Hooper on a free from Cambridge University Press, this club has got one of the good youth set ups I think as they have some decent players and have risen from The Eastern Counties Division 1 to the Isthmian Divison One North. Fitzroy Ritter a promising right bac might get some game time Robert Connelly a Scottish defender will see some action no doubt as he brngs our CB count up to 4.


Leaving us is Jamie Thurlbourne I offered him an extension of his deal but he turned it down for Colwyn Bay who more than doubled his wages to £350 per week. I have a fair few players whose contracts expire at the end of this season but I am waiting on our FA Cup progress before I agree to new deals for some of them. Also out the door where Jordan Rugg, Sean Daley, Patrick Bexfield and Brian McGhee. They have been bit part players and I felt tht I was better off with the £300p/w being spent elsewhere.

I am looking to finish midtable at least and want to push us back into the black so I can continue to invest in our youth set up.

[deltablue]

Up again!!!

[Johnny Drama]

We had an excellent FA Cup run even taking a couple of football league scalps. We got a let off in the replay against Morecombe when they missed a last minute penalty. We had a couple of sell outs at home which netted an £85k gate receipt each time and I think we get half of that. When we got to the 5th (3rd round) round I was hoping for a Premier League team away to net a huge profit we got Portsmouth at home but were hammered as expected. We are now £300k in the black and got our junior coaching made up to satisfactory.

[deltablue]

Good run, though Portsmouth were a bit heavy.

[Johnny Drama]

Cant believe we didnt go up, ill post a full review tomorrow

[iHeadHunta x]

Ah A brilliant season coming 2nd, a stepping stone for next year !

[deltablue]

So close you'll probably do it next time.

[Johnny Drama]

Well after just missing out on promotion I decided to trim the squad a little and some decided to leave as I wouldn't give in to their pay demands. Wesley Atkinson wanted £500 a week and with a budget of £4.5k p/w that was out of the question.

I did agree to give that much to Rob Cox for a one year extension, we are going to need his goals to fire us up.




Although interest in him is high and if we get a good enough bid I will sell as that would set the club up financially for sometime and he has been that good that I want to see him succeed at a higher level.



I have been slowly increasing the junior coaching each season and we are now at satisfactory we now have a few made their way into the first team Janoi Berry a right back who will probably be my first choice and defensive midfielder Wayne Turl. Turl got moved up last year and played 16 games and done alright and with a few players leaving he will be a regular.

This is the squad I expect to fire me to the Blue Square Premier




A few of them are out of contract and I cant afford to pay them what they want so I am taking my chances that they hang about on rolling deals, Adeyinka has been like that over a year and is on £65 p/w for a few deal he wants 700. Some players are on pay as you play deals (non-contract) as that is the only way they would sign. I risk losing them for nothing but at least if they get injured I am not paying anything.

[Johnny Drama]

We are right in the hunt again and despite a shaky start we have recovered well. Rob Cox has been a big part of that having scored 24 league goals so far, he as singlehandedly won us a few games and this team will be a hell of alot worse when it is time for him to move on. Burnley and Notts Forest have been and scouted him but we have yet to receive an offer for him. Gus Jack my other youngster just signed a new deal keeping him here till 2018. He has been at the backbone of the defence the lat two and a half years and I hope that carries on somewhat.

We are doing well in the FA Cup as we have made it through to the third round for the second year in a row. We are away to Championship side Millwall would of preferred a Prem club but I still hope to make a bit out of this. We need to as I stupidly got our traning facilities upgraded at a cost of £95k and we are currently £77k down on the year so one more cup pay day will hopefully see us do okay this year.

My plan of leaving players on rolling contracts has comeback to haunt me when Ayowomi broke his leg and not long after Tashan Adeyinka joned Blue Square South side Braintree. I did sign one player a left midfielder Rune Rasmussen. I havn't had any cover for Jake Inglis and it came up on my news feed that he was on trial at Colwyn Bay and I snapped him up, he has got 5* potential but that could mean anything with my staff, i've put up a screenie below

[deltablue]

He looks pretty good.

[Johnny Drama]

I was convinced this was lost when their second went in, when I saw we pulled one back I thought it was nothing more than a consolation goal but no Joe Lennox became a legend in my eyes with the equaliser. I nearly released him in the summer but decided to keep him on encase Caballos got injured.

If we beat them in the replay we go to either Exeter or Notts Forest.

[deltablue]

Wow, great way to earn a replay.

[Johnny Drama]

Got beat 3-1 in the replay, at leats we had 5,733 attend the replay. We are back in profit or the season (for now).

Would of loved to have beaten them as we would of gone to Forest so would have earned fair bit.

Now to concentrate on getting into the BSP!

[HotChocolate]

Someones had way to much red bull.

Great going

[Jpr]

Next time I check this thread you'll be in the prem at this rate haha! Good work

[Johnny Drama]

The gap was 10 points we are wearing t down but not sure if i'll have enough time to get back in front.

[deltablue]

You probably can, but will need a lot of favour.

[HotChocolate]

Be a tough battle, Chester are pretty strong in FM so you'll have your work cut out.

[Johnny Drama]

We fell quite short of Chester in the end but this time managed to get up via the play offs at the second attempt. Corby who had a late run to make the play offs gave us a bit of trouble but we went through 3-2 on agg. I didn't want Colywn Bay in the final and was glad when Droylsden got past them. The final was very tight and it took us till extra time to break the dead lock when Rob Cox scored the winner. He was sensational all season I still can't believe a big club hasn't come in for him yet. Here is a screenie of the beast



I just missed out on this guy, Colwyn Bay gave him a trial but by the time I noticed he had already joined permanently, would of made a serious strike duo in the BSP

[Johnny Drama]

I knew we wouldn't be able to hold onto him forever! Got £170k up front and then £40k a month for the next 18 months, we also get 200k once e has scored 20 league goals. The £40k a month will come in handy as I have increased our junior coaching again to excellent and it means we are spending 35k a month on our youth set up so we should hopeully turn a profit still for the next few years.







In our best 11 sadly we have hada few players leve. Kyle McFadzean and Kenny O'Brien were on non=contacts and left to join other sides. Jim Geraghty has gone to Waterford and Cox is at Derby.


To replace them I have signed

Javan Vidal - Versatile player, primarily a right back but can play in midfield as well.

Simon Francis - New right back will compete with Vidal

Paul Pugh - Signed from some Welsh club for £28 compensation, promising centre half.

Ian Hooley - Will be Jack's partner at the back former Man City youngster.

Ovvind Engh - Norweigan striker, capped 28 times at U'21 level. Will be pinning a lot of my hopes on this guy.

Pantelis Kallimanis - Greek striker on a free from Worcester, will partner Engh up top.


My target for the season is to consolidate as I think anything else without Cox would be unrealistic

[deltablue]

Pity that he had to leave.

[iHeadHunta x]

Just read this whole thread, making some remarkable progress!

[Dejay]

Shame he left, he looked quality. At least he didn't go on a free. You've made some awesome progress.

[HotChocolate]

No real problems again, good luck next season although I have a feeling you wont need it

[Johnny Drama]

Normally I don't get too worried about these reports as from what i've seen before is that they generally keep you on. However I have never had anything live the second report, I cant believe the cheek of the guy to come to the game! If I get sacked here i'll dedicate my career to ruining DJ Campbell's

[iHeadHunta x]

:L Youve done a fantastic job so you should keep your job!

[deltablue]

I'll be amazed if they get rid of you.

[abulezz]

LOL at DJ Campbell! Thats one of the funniest things Ive read

You really should make his life hell wherever he goes!

[Dejay]

Haha at Dj Campbell. Gunning for your job. You've done too good to be replaced.

[HotChocolate]

If I was you and you lost your job, I'd kick off, big time!

[Johnny Drama]

Had the takeover and they kept me on, DJ Campbell has become manager of FC Halifax so he's off my radar for now. The new Chairman has also invested £450k to upgrade the training and youth facilities.

[Johnny Drama]

It was a tough year and for a while we were flirting with relegation but an amazing run saw us nearly pip Carlisle to the play off spots but we lost our last two games to Chester and AFC Wimbledon. Prior to these losses we went on a 14 match unbeaten run getting 32 out of a potential 42 points.

With ROb Cox gone I was worried as to where the goals would come from, Engh didn't have the best campaign scoring only 11 in all competitons but thankfully my scouts pointed me into the direction of Jamie Garrett who was our top scorer with 20 league goals. Other big players for us were Gus Jack who I have now tied down to the club till 2020, right back Simon Francis, left midfielder Rune Rasmussen and the versatile Javan Vidal.

We got to the 2nd round of the FA Cup crashing out in a replay to League One Mansfield and we went out in the third round of the FA Trophy away to Ebbsfleet. At the end of the season I let some players go who have been a bit part of theclu the last few years. Jake Inglis our occasional Canadian International was not given a new deal with the emergence of Rasmussen I couldn't justify giving him £500 a week. Joe Lennox who had been here for 5 years left as he just wasn't good enough anymore. Monday Awoyomi wanted £600 a week and that was far too much for someone who only scored 2 goals so his time has come aswell, he was a good player for us and his 86 league goals helped us get to the Conference.

I made a big thing about youth since joining the club consistently improving the facilities and junior coaching when finances have permitted. This year Ollie Whitbread was the star pupil 2* for CA and 5* potential I was dissapointed when he turned down my offer to join St Albans in the Conference South for £6k compensation rising to a potential £18k.

I have made my first signing of the summer as I forked out to bring in an ex-England international.



More good news came my way when we finally got a parent club, I am hoping to snag a few loan deals to try and get us into the football league.




It was a bad year for Stevenage who found themselves relegated for the 3rd time and now drop into the Conference South. I think the league has got somehwat harder this year as Colwyn Bay have finally been promoted and they seem to have a good squad, Cambridge UP continue their dramatic rise from obscurity as their excellent youth set up and constantly selling out Histon's Glassworld stadium they must be in a good position with players and finances. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go up. Other sides to watch are Chester, Carlisle, Torquay and maybe even St Neots who had a great end of season to escape relegation.

Elsewhere in the world of football Man Utd won the Premier League, Rob Cox's Derby were relegated from the Premier League alongside Swansea and Fulham. Cardiff, Newcastle and Birmingham will replace them in the Prem. Portsmouth's decline continues as they enter League One. Wrexham get promotion to the Championship alongside Burnley and Middlesbrugh as their rise continues while Peterborough head back to League Two. Brentford couldn't overcome a 10 point deduction and see themselves relegated to the Conference alongside Plymouth.

Man City do a domestic cup double, Leyton Orient pick up the JPT and Ebbsfleet my conquerers in the FA Trophy go on to win it. Barcelona pick up the Champions League and AC Milan the Europa League.

England under their seond coach since Capello's departure are in danger of not going to the World Cup in Russia. A terrible start for John Carver see's them 6 points off Serbia, Romania's poor away form could be their saving grace though.

2012 Euro's - Poland
2014 WC - France
2016 EUro's - France

[Dejay]

Tough year, shame you didn't go up but nice one with the link with Bournmouth

[Johnny Drama]

Cheers, although they only have one player for loan and he doesn't want to join me. I also forgot to mention DJ Campbell got FC Halifax relegated from BSN.

I have been busy in the transfer window so far

Out
Simon Francis £250k Watford - Was a top player last year and Watford bid £50k and I asked for £250k and they surprisingly agreed.
Luke Thurlbourne £30k St Albans - Decent player but no longer needed.
Nicholas Barrett Free Scunthorpe - Barrett was out of contract, couldn't compete with their £1,200 p/w offer.
Pantelis Kallimanus £80k Spezia - I offered him out for £100k and this is the best I could get, delighted.

In
Elliot Hewitt Free - Replacement for Francis, probably of equal ability and soewhat younger.
Sebastien Williams £150k Askern Villa - My new star midfielder

[Plobdork]

update on rob cox???

[Johnny Drama]

Rob Cox struggled at first to adapt to the Premier League, he ended up with 7 goals in 32 games. I will point out though he did play a fair few of these games as centre half. Derby were relegated and Everton did have a sniff around but thankfully didn't bid for him. I want him to stay there till he at least scores 20 goals so I get the final add on from the transfer. In the Championship he has failed to score in their first three games.

He has moved up to the England U'21 side where he has scored 5 goals in 7 matches.

[Plobdork]

good to see he is succeeding even if it is only at derby....... you never know maybe kings lynn can make a bid for him in a couple of years

[Johnny Drama]

I would love to bring him back at the end of his career, he is rated as an icon at the club and I would love to turn him into a club legend.

[HotChocolate]

A non-league team splashing £150k on a player, big gamble, hope it pays off.

[Dejay]

A non-league team splashing £150k on a player, big gamble, hope it pays off.

Agreed, massive fee. The guy does look class though.

[deltablue]

Agreed x 2

[Johnny Drama]

Yeah I agree it is something I have tried to restrain myself from doing but I see him as the missing piece of the jigsaw. I have a good striker in Garrett, Jack is a top defender and Max Sherwood is a good stopper from my youth academy. With Turl anotheryouth graduate in the middle with Williams the central spine of thetime is quality. Add some creative players on the wings like Rasmussen and Richardson I feel I have a well balanced side that should push on for promotion.

[Johnny Drama]

Mid-Season Report



We have had a great start and sit comfortably in the play offs, it seems much like last year with Gateshead we could hav a run away winner in Ebbsfleet who are yet to be defeated at the half way. Engh has stepped up to the mantle now I am using him just as a striker and not as a wide man as he takes his tally to 17 in the BSP so far. We have been getting some good gates with a lot over 2,000. Our finances could take a turn for the worse soon though. We will receive our last cheque from the Rob Cox deal in January as the 18 months of 40k come to an end, however when he scores 6 more league goals we will net a six figure sum. My new star player Williams had been playing well but has been out the past month with a hip injury that will see him on the sidelines for a while yet.

The FA Cup has been kind to us with firstly a trip to Southern Prem side Bromley and then a home tie to Southport. In the 2nd Round we got League 2 Gillingham at home and a good 2-0 win saw us in the hat for te 3rd round. Hoping for a big draw we got Burnley away. Hoping for agood gate to boost the finances. In the FA Trophy we have Bury Town in the 2nd round which we should win.


The Key Players
Oyvind Engh - 17 goals in 23 games and 8 assists, has been a great partner to Garrett

Kieran Richardson - Has played everywhere from left back to behind the front man. Ever present and has scored 4 and got 7 assists.

Gus Jack - Promoted to vic-captain and has led the defence well. Has put in a string of strong performances.

[Dejay]

Going strong mate, keep it up and finish in the play off's

[Johnny Drama]

Two games left and all to play for, we also take on Newport County in the FA Trophy final so the double is still on!

[Johnny Drama]

With two games to go we drew away to Salisbury and then lost at home to Aldershot. With this we finished 3rd and it meant Cambridge UP in the semi finals they were in great form and beat us 2-1 in each leg. They then beat Colwyn Bay in the final to go up. With the league over we took on 2nd place Newport County, we eased to victory to win my first cup. We won £50k for winning the trophy but I as dissapointed that the final was played at Newport's ground. I was hoping for a day at Wembley.

We also got to cash in on all of the add ons from the Rob Cox deal so we now have over £1M in the bank.

[Plobdork]

how did the "expensive" player do hope he did well 4 u

[iHeadHunta x]

Unlucky in the play-offs but congrats on the cup victory!

[Dejay]

Ahhh no promotion again

Surely next year is your year?

Nice cup win and fantastic finances mate

[Johnny Drama]

how did the "expensive" player do hope he did well 4 u

Didn't set the world alight. Played 34 games 1 goal and 4 assists and an average rating just under 7. I am hoping for more from him next season.

Crawley and Hartlepool relegated and they both look like handy sides and with the two Welsh clubs still there and a few other big clubs knocking around like Carlisle and Tranmere it could be a tough season.

[Johnny Drama]

It has been a perfect season so far, we have been extremely consistent in the league and have been a lot tighter at the back. Max Sherwood is now my number 1 he came through the youth ranks and spent some time on loan last year at Macclesfield in the BSN. Hooper is still here but out of contract, he want to triple his wages which I refuse to do for my now number 2. Gus Jack continues to boss the defence and has played near on 250 league games for the club but is attracting interest from SPL and Championship clubs so I fear this maybe his last season with us. Seb Williams has been consistent but isn't progressing as much as I like. Robbie Luisi who I picked up on a free after being released by Man Utd has made the right midfield role his own, he has also become our second full international picking up 4 caps for St Lucia so far. Engh and Garrett have shared in the goals up top with 3 between them. Kieran Richardson has been the star performer with a rating of 7.42.

We won our first round match against St Neots in our bid to retain the FA Trophy. The FA Cup saw us dispatch Weymouth and then league 2 sides Notts County and Barnet. In the 3rd round we have Sheff Wed away, they are in the Prem soI am hoping for a decent crowd as our finances are going down quickly now we are no longer receiving any money for the Cox transfer.

Speaking of Cox after being relegated with Derby he stayed with them and became top scorerin the Championship with 33 goals as they finished in the play offs and this year he has 16 in 23 games. Surely if they don't go up this year he will seal a move to the Prem.

[Kieran87]

Didn't even realise this thread existed. Well played fella. I had a try and did 2 seasons before the sacking due to finances. Good work. I'm from Gayton so this will always be a special thread and bookmarked just for that.

[Johnny Drama]

Yeah it is hard to balance I have been lucky with cup runs so have managed to stay in the black but if I have a couple of bad years it will fall apart pretty quickly

[Plobdork]

Brilliant season so far kings lynn really are showing why they should not of dissolved!!
League football surely awaits
(screenshot of rob cox?)

[Johnny Drama]

Ill post up a RobCox shot at the end of the season for you, give you a full bio.



Just when I thought the season couldn't get any better, we hold out at Wednesday, we netted about 300k from the gate and with a sell out guarenteed at our place another 45k coming in



Penalty heartbreak for the Prem side! Just as impressive is Northwich Villa of the Northern Premier League knocking out Fulham 2-0. Our reward in te 4th round is Leyton Orient away. I reckon we could do them at home so hopefully we can take them to a replay and ope for a big club in the 5th round.

[Plobdork]

OMG (gay moment )
What a result against a premiership team-- you must feel better than the burnley fans when they beat united!

[Johnny Drama]

I couldnt believe it, especially wen we missed two in a row. Would of loved a better draw though this round. I was hoping for Derby at home to play against Cox.

[Plobdork]

I couldnt believe it, especially wen we missed two in a row. Would of loved a better draw though this round. I was hoping for Derby at home to play against Cox.

honestly can't blame you for wanting that game against derby would truely be a great fm experience!!

[HotChocolate]

Crawley Town, eat yer heart out.

[Dejay]

Cracking result there!

Going strong in the league too!

[glynnbob]

any chance of an upload of this save ive been following this with a passion youve done extremely well. i had an hucknall town save on fm10 where i took em all the way to the prem. it felt brilliant when we got in prem i only live 500yards from the ground too!!!

[CityAndColour]

I wonder if Rob Cox can reach the heights of David Brooks.

[Johnny Drama]

We drew at Orient but lost the replay 3-2. Gutted as we had a big money tie away to Sunderland awaiting us.

[Johnny Drama]

What looked like a certain title has somehow turned into a three way fight. We have completely gone offthe boil in the league, we haven't won in our last six league matches picking up just 4 points. We are into the final of the FA Trophy again after overcoming FC United on penalties, in the final we take on Southern Prem side Buckingham Athletic.

We need to win our two games in hand to put us back on level on points, we have two big games coming up with St Neots (A) and Torquay (H) which will most likely decide whether we have anoter attempt at the play offs again. Hartlepool are already relegated and Joey Barton's first foray into management isn't going well as he has got Salisbury relegated, he should take a leaf out of his old pal Kevin Nolans book as he has Torquay looking like Champions. Carlisle are also on fire and would be right in the mix if they didn't go into administration earlier in the season.