(FM11) A most excellent adventure (or a very bogus journey!)

[withnail316]

August

WPL Haverfordwest 5-0 Prestatyn
A great way to start the new season, but there were a couple of disappointments along the way. An early red card for central defender Naylor was frustrating, but more so was yet another Richards injury. He missed 4 months last season, and now he's out of action again...luckily only for a couple of weeks, but enough to miss the European tie. The goals were scored by Hopkinson (2) Loy, Robinson and Rooney.

Champions League Play Off first leg
Shamrock Rovers 2-2 Haverfordwest
A cracking game, although how we didn't lose it I'll never know. 2 goals from Rory Loy put us in a decent position, although the injury problems continue, with Loy picking up a knock. I'll have to play the second leg without 2 of my 3 first choice strikers.

WPL Carmarthen 1-2 Haverfordwest
Goals from Martin Reilly and Simon Basham ensured another three points.

Champions League Play Off second leg
Haverfordwest 1-0 Shamrock Rovers
Fraser Robinson was the difference in a really tight game. Felt very fortunate to progress.

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WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Aberystwyth
Goals from Bridge-Wilkinson and Fraser Robinson ensured another three points.

[withnail316]

Shamrock should be fairly easy.

Must confess I thought the same when the draw was made: anything but! Very, very lucky to go through.

[withnail316]

OK, I'm getting really frustrated with Richards and his injuries. He's far and away my best striker (image below) but he's ALWAYS injured!

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In his two years he's picked up EIGHT different injuries, and he's spent more than nine months of his Haverfordwest career in the physio's room. He's going to miss another 4 weeks now, which means he'll be out of some of my Champions League games too.

[cerud]

Ouch! Hopefully he's the only injury and it doesn't cascade like it always seems to.

[withnail316]

September

WPL Bridgend 0-4 Haverfordwest
Two each from Loy and Richards, but yet again Richards has picked up another knock.

CL Group F
Olympiakos 4-0 Haverfordwest
A truly awful performance sees us hammered in Europe again. An early red card for skipper David Cowan did us no favours, but we were utterly spineless.

WPL Haverfordwest 4-0 Afan Lido
2 from Loy, one from Robinson and Naylor's first ever goal secured the victory. However, Cowan got his second red card in two games...

WPL Bangor City 0-1 Haverfordwest
Tim Hopkinson with the only goal of the game, ending a 10 hour drought in the process.

CL Group F
Haverfordwest 0-3 Arsenal
The final score was harsh as they scored twice in the final 5 minutes, but no complaints at the defeat.

[deltablue]

Olympiakos must have hurt.

[withnail316]

Olympiakos must have hurt.

Very much so, especially as we just didn't turn up. I'm targeting the home game against them as a great chance for my first ever CL point.

[withnail316]

October

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Llanelli
Goals from Rory Loy and Phil O'Halleron continued our perfect start to the league season.

Loosemore League Cup
Bridgend 0-7 Haverfordwest
Is it possible to get bored of winning? Yes. Bridgend are the equivalent of us against Barcelona... goals from Higgins, Hopkinson, Richards, Loy, Mitchell, Robinson and an OG.

WPL TNS 0-1 Haverfordwest
Nathan Rooney won this one with a screamer from 30 yards.

CL Group F
AC Milan 6-1 Haverfordwest
First time I've tried all out defence in the CL. It was only 3-1 with 15min to go, and then Pato ran riot. Ouch. Richards with our goal.

WPL Haverfordwest 3-1 Neath
Goals from Richards, Higgins and Hopkinson secured another three points and maintained our perfect start.

Loosemore League Cup Quarter Final
Haverfordwest 1-1 TNS (aet, 4-5 on pens)
Yet another penalty shoot out defeat, as Fraser Robinson missed the decisive kick. Much like my defeat in the League Cup final of a couple of seasons back, we should have buried them in normal time. Another year that the treble will pass us by.

WPL Bala 1-1 Haverfordwest
Gah. Richards with the goal, but a late red card for Matty Hughes allowed Bala to grab a leveller from the spot. However, YET AGAIN we lost Richards for another 4 weeks. It's just ridiculous!

[withnail316]

Seriously considering selling Richards. 50 goals in 85 games, but he spends so much time on the sidelines. He's been at the club for 30 months, and for 10 of those he has been injured.... I don't think I've ever had such an injury prone player.

[MAtty__B]

I'd sell him. Having a solid striker available will make a huge difference in your group stage efforts. I tend to steal a a couple results just because I land one solid scoring chance during games, plus there is always that annoying U19 rule...

[cerud]

Sounds like the sort of player who is injured for a month from a hangnail... Might be time to make some money off of him. Time to sell.

[withnail316]

November

CL Group F
Haverfordwest 1-3 AC Milan
No disgrace in this one, we even took the lead through Tim Hopkinson, but Milan were just too strong.

Welsh Cup
Holyhead 0-3 Haverfordwest
Goals from Loy, Hopkinson and Reilly see us safely through.

WPL Port Talbot 1-3 Haverfordwest
One from Hopkinson and two OGs secured another win.

WPL Prestatyn 0-1 Haverfordwest
Fraser Robinson was the difference in a weakened side ahead of our Champions League encounter in midweek.

CL Group F
Haverfordwest 1-4 Olympiakos
Gutted. I had this targeted as my first point, but after just three minutes I was behind. Hopkinson got us back into it, but ultimately we just weren't good enough. Feel quite disheartened, and I'm beginning to think about taking my 'World Class' reputation elsewhere...

WPL Haverfordwest 4-1 Carmarthen
2 for Hopkinson, 1 for Loy and one for Robinson ensure we hammer our rivals and get the CL game out our systems.

[withnail316]

I'd sell him. Having a solid striker available will make a huge difference in your group stage efforts. I tend to steal a a couple results just because I land one solid scoring chance during games, plus there is always that annoying U19 rule...

Yeah, it would probably help, but I keep thinking "he's only 20, he'll get stronger..." plus he just keeps scoring when he's fit.

Sounds like the sort of player who is injured for a month from a hangnail... Might be time to make some money off of him. Time to sell.

And yeah, I'd get a decent fee for him, but with £15m in the bank I'm not too motivated by money right now. I might just try and find another striker anyway and accept that Richards will spend half the season out every year.... to be fair to him, despite his injuries he's still got 20 goals a season! Can't grumble too much...

[deltablue]

Pity you're so far off the pace in Europe, as the Olympiakos games brutally showed.

[withnail316]

Pity you're so far off the pace in Europe, as the Olympiakos games brutally showed.

Yeah, they're just miles ahead of me. It'd almost be beneficial if I didn't qualify next year and went into the Europa, but if I make the play off i'll want to win it!

[withnail316]

December

WPL Aberystwyth 0-3 Haverfordwest
Goals from Loy, Richards and Hopkinson secured another league win.

CL Group F
Arsenal 3-0 Haverfordwest
Another one of those games that was pretty rough on us. It took them 65mins to break us down, and the other 2 were scored in the 85th and 90th minutes. Much better performances against Arsenal than the other sides.

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WPL Haverfordwest 3-0 Bridgend
Goals from Hopkinson, Reilly and Basham secured another league win.

WPL Afan Lido 0-3 Haverfordwest
Goals from Hopkinson and Robinson (3) kept up our great league form.

WPL Haverfordwest 3-0 Bangor City
Two for Hopkinson and one for Richards secures yet another win, and is a good way to finish the year...

[withnail316]

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Mid season report 2015/16

Despite my disappointment with how Europe has gone, it's been a fairly decent half of the season. Still unbeaten in the league and bags of goals scored sees us flying at the top of the league. The league cup was disappointing, but penalty shoot outs are always a lottery. I'm considering making some significant squad changes in the Summer, and completely overhauling the squad, especially in midfield. Both Higgins and Bridge-Wilkinson are likely to be leaving, and perhaps Mitchell as well. I'm also going to need to consider replacements for Murphy (33) and Cowan (34 in March), although both are still quality.

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Off the field there's £15m in the bank, and the board have announced plans to expand the stadium. Hopefully that means extra seats, which will help for European games. In other news, there's a hell of a lot of interest in my record goal scorer Hopkinson, but hopefully I can keep him. He's still got plenty of time left on his contract, but it might just be worth me offering him another.

[deltablue]

Hope it's a big stadium increase, got loads of money for it.

[withnail316]

Hope it's a big stadium increase, got loads of money for it.

Can't see it being huge, especially as my average gates aren't even 50% of the current capacity, but any increase in seating has to be a good thing.

[withnail316]

January

WPL Llanelli 0-4 Haverfordwest
Two own goals, one from Basham and another from Richards put our closest challengers to the sword.

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 TNS
Richards and Alan Lynch's 1st of the season secure another win. Lynch had gone FIFTEEN hours without hitting the net beforehand.

WPL Neath 0-2 Haverfordwest
An OG and a Richards header secured the points, and although we lost our goalkeeper to injury after 10 minutes without a sub on the bench, we still kept a clean sheet. It was also the 200th win of my career.

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Bala
Robinson and Hutchinson grab us another win.

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Port Talbot
A double from Richards secures yet another win.

Welsh Cup 4th round
Haverfordwest 4-0 Waterloo Rovers
A solid win in the cup, inspired by Steven Richards (who inevitably hurt himself later!) He scored 2 and made 2 more, including an OG and Joe Jones' first of the season.

[withnail316]

February

WPL Llanelli 1-4 Haverfordwest
Another win at Llanelli, and Rory Loy finally ended his drought with a hat-trick. Tim Hopkinson also got his 20th of the season, the fourth season in a row he's scored 20+.

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Neath
Two goals for Richards ensure the run goes on, and also...

Uploaded with ImageShack.us The title was retained on 13th February, and after 24 games. It was the same date as Bridgend got relegated, too.

WPL Port Talbot 1-0 Haverfordwest
Incredibly poor performance which brought our unbeaten league season to a shuddering halt.

Welsh Cup Quarter Final
Haverfordwest 3-0 Bryntirion
Goals from Hopkinson, Basham and Higgins see us safely through and into the semis.

[withnail316]

March

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Bangor City
Higgins and Richards were the difference here.

WPL Aberystwyth 3-2 Haverfordwest
Not a great performance, but we should NEVER have lost this. Our goals came from Richards and Hopkinson.

WPL Haverfordwest 2-1 Llanelli
A pretty poor peformance, but a second half leveller from Richards and a stoppage time winner from Robinson ensured the points.

[cerud]

Congrats on retaining the title!

[withnail316]

Congrats on retaining the title!

Cheers, man. Big changes planned for next season though!

[withnail316]

April

WPL Haverfordwest 3-3 Port Talbot
Mental game. Started awfully and found ourselves 2 down, only for Richards and Loy (2) to turn the game on it's head. We then conceded in stoppage time. Since winning the title, performances have dropped big time, as has morale.

Welsh Cup Semi final
Haverfordwest 3-1 Afan Lido
Goals from Rooney, Hopkinson and Loy see us safely into the final once again.

WPL Bangor City 1-0 Haverfordwest
Another one of those shocking performances where we just can't put the ball in the net, and they had one great chance and took it....

WPL Neath 1-3 Haverfordwest
Much better performance, goals from Rooney, Higgins and Richards secure three more points.

WPL Haverfordwest 3-0 Aberystwyth
Changed all three strikers ahead of the cup final, and all three scored. Reilly, Lynch and Robinson on the scoresheet.

[withnail316]

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The Welsh Cup Final

Saturday 7th May 2016
The New Saints Vs Haverfordwest County AFC
Esbjerg Atletikstadion, Esbjerg (DENMARK!!! Hmm)

Well, I'm pretty sure the venue is a bug. Welsh Cup final in Denmark? Interesting! Anyway, back to it. As ever I'm feeling pretty confident of my chances of winning a fourth Welsh Cup, especially against a side I finished 32 points clear of in the league. However, our form has been pretty average in the last few months, although they did beat me on penalties and made the League Cup final. I pretty much have an entire first XI to choose from, and it might just be the final appearance for several of them. Still, hopefully they'll leave with another shiny medal...

First half

What a first half! We started the game very brightly, and after just 12 minutes we were in front. A great through ball from Rooney split the TNS dfence wide open, and Tim Hopkinson smashed in from 18 yards. Seven minutes later it was two, Danny Murphy's curling near post cross was fired in on the volley by Rory Loy and just before the break it was three. Steven Richards' header came back off the bar and then just over the line off the unfortunate Steven Lynch for an OG. Cruising.

Half time: Haverfordwest 3-0 TNS

Second half

Very quiet second half, but nine minutes from time Steven Richards put the icing on the cake, sliding home from close range

Full time

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[withnail316]

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Haverfordwest County AFC: Season Summary 2015/16

League

Media prediction: 1st
Finished: 1st (champions)

Cups

Welsh Cup: Winners
League Cup: Quarter Finalists

Top scorers

Steven Richards (33 apps/ 25 goals)
Tim Hopkinson (47 apps/ 24 goals)
Rory Loy (39 apps/ 22 goals)
Fraser Robinson (37 apps/ 14 goals)

Positives

Well, another season, another two trophies. Really strong in the league again, securing the championship after 24 games, although a little complacency crept in towards the end of the season which explained our late slump. If I look solely at our domestic form, it's very different to be anything other than positive, and just for good measure we've now gone 6 years without losing a domestic match at home (penalty shoot outs aside, that is!)

Concerns

Continuing to struggle in Europe is still a concern, although qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League for a third time in five seasons isn't to be sniffed at. Still, I'm intending on using this summer to make several changes to the squad, with players such as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Higgins and Andrew Mitchell on the way out. I'm also considering devising an 11 who sit out of the domestic cup competitions, playing only in the league and in Europe, and I also need to work on our shape for those huge European clubs. Going to devise an Italian style system so we sit in, rather than leaving ourselves wide open. Might take a bit of tweaking!

Ambitions

Win the league, and finally take a point in the Champions League! Adding some real quality to the squad is high on the agenda too, which will see some loyal players on the way out the door. (Ruaidhri Higgins has made more than 100 league appearances in his 4 years, but at 31 his time is now up. I MUST add quality to midfield to stand any chance in Europe, as well as a dominant defender. I'm just hoping that this time I can finally make some headway in the transfer market.)

League table

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Player of the season

Steven Richards

Average attendance

530 in league (increase of 21)
663 overall (decrease of 2)

[withnail316]

Just thought, being 3 games away from my 300th at the club, it seems a good time for a roll of honour...



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Honours

League Champions: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Welsh Cup Winners: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

League Cup Winners: 2011, 2013, 2015
Runners Up: 2014

Top scorers:
Tim Hopkinson (237 apps/ 128 goals)
Alan Lynch (153 apps/ 77 goals)
Rory Loy (117 apps/ 71 goals)
Steven Richards (104 apps/ 67 goals)

My record

Played 297
Won 212
Drawn 37
Lost 48
Win ratio: 71%

[JackJCFC]

Good season once again. Strange to see the final in Denmark!

[deltablue]

I burst out laughing when I saw that, Esbjerg's an even more random place to have it within Denmark itself.

[MAtty__B]

I'm also considering devising an 11 who sit out of the domestic cup competitions, playing only in the league and in Europe, and I also need to work on our shape for those huge European clubs.

Good call on this strategy. I have done it with my Haverfordwest squads in the past and it works out quite well. Its awesome for developing players for future top 11 or just to build up their rep to sell on.

[withnail316]

Good call on this strategy. I have done it with my Haverfordwest squads in the past and it works out quite well. Its awesome for developing players for future top 11 or just to build up their rep to sell on.

Yeah I thought so. I'd have done it earlier but I was trying to keep squad numbers to a minimum. Having said that, I'm beginning to regret not adding any other leagues, especially as I think with our rep increase we'd have a great chance of unearthing some corkers from the continent.

[JackJCFC]

You can always add them using the add league feature, it just takes until June for them to appear. I think France would be a good one to add. You should also scout Croatia as they often have some hidden gems.

[withnail316]

You can always add them using the add league feature, it just takes until June for them to appear. I think France would be a good one to add. You should also scout Croatia as they often have some hidden gems.

I'm playing FM11 fella, so I can't I'm afraid.

[withnail316]

Now then, decisions.... Can I take a vote here please folks?

Now this season is over do I:

A) Continue with this career as I am, or..

B) Start again at H/west, but open more leagues giving me a chance to find more talent.

Would be pretty tough to leave this one, but the other leagues would certainly open a few more targets that could improve the squad...

Cheers.

[deltablue]

Tough choice, but if it was me I wouldn't feel right starting all over again so going for A)

[withnail316]

Going to leave this open til this evening and see what the vote suggests, and go with that. Fingers crossed it doesn't have to be decided by 'paper, scissors, stone'!

[JackJCFC]

Keep going. I done what you did on FM 11 with only Wales and England loaded and still managed to become a decent european team i.e making the 1/4's of the champions league. It took a bit longer than it does on FM 12 but its very much do-able.

[withnail316]

Keep going. I done what you did on FM 11 with only Wales and England loaded and still managed to become a decent european team i.e making the 1/4's of the champions league. It took a bit longer than it does on FM 12 but its very much do-able.

Good advice. I guess I'm perhaps underestimating the value of making the group stages (even if I'm getting hammered) because that's still a good achievement from a Welsh side, it's just a little disheartening at times that I can't attract the type of player who'd greatly improve us. Having said that it's only 6 years into the career, so very much early doors!

[JackJCFC]

6 years is still very early in the grand scheme of things. By 2025 i recon you'll be a regular in the group stages and should be challenging 2nd/3rd.

[withnail316]

On a completely unrelated note, Tim Hopkinson is getting better and better. Very decent strike record for a player signed in the first weeks of the career...

[Tho]

Been following this for a while now (along with JackJCFC's progress too) and just thought i would have to made an account to stay stick at it. Myself and a friend are currently attempting to take the welsh league by storm via a network game (does not help that he lives in Korea, the time difference is killing me) and it may seem tough, but you have to remember that you are barely a club compared to the other clubs in the Champs league.

May have to start a thread about our adventures. I do believe we have just started our 6th season.

[withnail316]

Been following this for a while now (along with JackJCFC's progress too) and just thought i would have to made an account to stay stick at it. Myself and a friend are currently attempting to take the welsh league by storm via a network game (does not help that he lives in Korea, the time difference is killing me) and it may seem tough, but you have to remember that you are barely a club compared to the other clubs in the Champs league.

May have to start a thread about our adventures. I do believe we have just started our 6th season.

Cheers for the comment Tho, and good luck in your game.

Welcome to the board, btw.

[MAtty__B]

I've replayed with Haverfordwest about 3 times. I find the saves seem to follow the same pattern because when I play I make all the same moves or similar moves. The most recent restart I did, I changed a few things about how I played the game and it has been pretty enjoyable. That's my advise for what its worth. You could also sim a head a few years and pick up Haverfordwest 2 years into the game. Although, they may not be in the Principality anymore :-|

[withnail316]

OK, from those that have responded there's a clear consensus for me to continue, so that's what I'll do. Back onto it then!

[JackJCFC]

OK, from those that have responded there's a clear consensus for me to continue, so that's what I'll do. Back onto it then!

Good luck

[deltablue]

Hope that choice pays off.

[cerud]

Good choice on continuing

[withnail316]

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Pretty pleased with the announcement about the ground. Didn't want anything too big that would take about 100 years for me to sell out, but that does increase our capacity for European ties by 100%. Still trying to twist their arm to the training facilities again too, but alas, no luck as yet. The youth facilities at least is a good start.

[withnail316]

And cheers for your well wishes, lads. Back on the case...

[JackJCFC]

It took me 20 years to get the board to increase the seating/capacity. Your lucky!! The extra revenue should help anyway.

[withnail316]

It took me 20 years to get the board to increase the seating/capacity. Your lucky!! The extra revenue should help anyway.

Takes the ground up to a massive 3,000 (with 2,000 seats....) And I agree, although with £15m in the bank I'm not too concerned about that right now, I'd rather they'd have done the training facilities to help attract a few better players. I've got sooo many targets with scouts out left, right and centre, but none of them are interested!

[JackJCFC]

Takes the ground up to a massive 3,000 (with 2,000 seats....) And I agree, although with £15m in the bank I'm not too concerned about that right now, I'd rather they'd have done the training facilities to help attract a few better players. I've got sooo many targets with scouts out left, right and centre, but none of them are interested!

That's what i currently have in my Carmarthen save.

All you need is one overachieving season and europe and the players will become interested. What's the rep of the league like at the moment?

[withnail316]

That's what i currently have in my Carmarthen save.

All you need is one overachieving season and europe and the players will become interested. What's the rep of the league like at the moment?

Must confess, I hoped qualifying for the CL group stages might count as "over achieving" ;o) And it's one and a half stars, fella. How about yours?

[JackJCFC]

Must confess, I hoped qualifying for the CL group stages might count as "over achieving" ;o) And it's one and a half stars, fella. How about yours?

Overachieving would be getting 3rd in the group stage . I'm currently on 3 stars, 22nd in europe, although it has been as high as 14th. It's very difficult to go better than 3 stars without other teams in the league making progress.

[withnail316]

Overachieving would be getting 3rd in the group stage . I'm currently on 3 stars, 22nd in europe, although it has been as high as 14th. It's very difficult to go better than 3 stars without other teams in the league making progress.

Yeah, I'm hoping that somebody rises from within the ranks to challenge me next year, which will at least give me hope of them joining me in Europe. Old foes Llanelli have been on the verge of a takeover for 18 months now, so hopefully if that comes off they'll be up there (although hopefully not too close!) I'm at least now on a par with League Two in England, which has opened a few more doors in the Bosman market.... which is a start! Oh, and the board have now agreed to do the training facilities too...

EDIT: Opened, not happened. Eejit.

[MAtty__B]

Yeah, I'm hoping that somebody rises from within the ranks to challenge me next year, which will at least give me hope of them joining me in Europe. Old foes Llanelli have been on the verge of a takeover for 18 months now, so hopefully if that comes off they'll be up there (although hopefully not too close!) I'm at least now on a par with League Two in England, which has happened a few more doors in the Bosman market.... which is a start! Oh, and the board have now agreed to do the training facilities too...

Man. In my save Port Talbot had a take over by a tycoon in the first year, but continue to suck.I considered leaving to take the job because its such a waste of a great opportunity

[JackJCFC]

Man. In my save Port Talbot had a take over by a tycoon in the first year, but continue to suck.I considered leaving to take the job because its such a waste of a great opportunity

How much money do they have? i really hope someone in my save gets a tycoon.

[MAtty__B]

7 mill in the bank, up to 3 mill in transfer budget.. and up to 44,500 in wage budget. They are 11th in the league and would be on the verge of relegation if not for Bridgend. Next year when Neath comes back they could be waving good bye. Its sad because I was so excited when I read about the take over. thought I would end up with a team to really challenge me. I am kind of tempted to manage them myself with a second manager.

[JackJCFC]

7 mill in the bank, up to 3 mill in transfer budget.. and up to 44,500 in wage budget. They are 11th in the league and would be on the verge of relegation if not for Bridgend. Next year when Neath comes back they could be waving good bye. Its sad because I was so excited when I read about the take over. thought I would end up with a team to really challenge me. I am kind of tempted to manage them myself with a second manager.

You could always take control of their summer transfer window, buy a few decent players, leave then see how they get on. Would be a shame to see a team with a tycoon go down.

[MAtty__B]

You could always take control of their summer transfer window, buy a few decent players, leave then see how they get on. Would be a shame to see a team with a tycoon go down.

Does that mean I can have a rule about never losing to them too? haha. Good point. However, would that have a negative impact on the team because they will continue to have manager turn over? I assume it will take a couple transfer window take overs to get that team right.

withnail316, sorry for highjacking the thread.

[withnail316]

Don't apologise fella, not a problem at all. A tycoon takeover does sound interesting, although as I'm discovering it's not just about having money. If you can't attract the players you can't sign any! Having said that, if they aren't at least improving their infrastructure they're absolute morons!

[withnail316]

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Probably a good time to post this.... getting there, slowly but surely.

[withnail316]

Well, it's been an exceptionally busy window, and several great servants to the club have left. But more of that when it's not 5am.... for now I'll just leave this here..

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[JackJCFC]

Good to see the league getting better. Thats a tough draw in europe in my opinion, good luck.

[deltablue]

I think that'll be relatively simple.

[withnail316]

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Haverfordwest County AFC: Season preview 2016/17

Media prediction: 1st
Board expectation: Win the championship

So it goes without saying that yet again the board expect the title, and as predicted I've been busy with transfer activity, both with arrivals and departures. I expect every player I've signed this year to be in and around the first team, unlike season's gone by. Unfortunately I forgot to screenshot the budget (which I'm annoyed about as it now makes the thread inconsistent! ) but the details are below:

Transfer budget: £2.4m
Wage budget: £38,000p/w
Current wage bill: £23,000p/w

So let's start with the departures. There's been a lot of experience leave the club, even in the younger players who have gone. Between 4 of them they've played more than 400 league games for the club, so it's been a huge upheaval, but it was certainly needed to freshen things up. Going out then have been:

GK Scott Christie (free to Livingston)
CB Matty Hughes (£16,000 to Shrewsbury)
ST Martin Reilly (free to Shrewsbury)
CM Andrew Mitchell (season long loan to Dundee, fee of £40,000 agreed)
CM Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (retired)
CM Jarret Rivers (free)

I'd considered adding both skipper David Cowan and midfielder Higgins to that list, but in the end I decided to keep both of them, at least for another year. However, both will have smaller roles this season. Ultimately I think all of the players who've left have been replaced, but we shall see. I was a little disappointed not to make a little more money in transfers, but it's not a huge concern. I have however spent a few quid myself.

Coming in have been:

21 yo CB/CM Nick Morgan (£500,000 from Fulham)
19 yo CM Andy Bradley (£425,000 from Livingston)
20 yo CM Andy Bermingham (free from Celtic)
18 yo CM Dave Farrar (free)
24 yo ST Gonzalo Barretto (free- my first foreign player)
17 yo RB Chris Richards (2 year loan from Everton)

We've also taken options to sign both Steve Basham and Steve Naylor, both of whom were on loan last year. Here's a couple of images...

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I'm confident both will really improve me, and as they're only youngsters they should just get better and better. Now I just need to find a couple of additional U19 players for this stupid rule....

[withnail316]

Good to see the league getting better. Thats a tough draw in europe in my opinion, good luck.

I think that'll be relatively simple.

I'm somewhere in between. A lot will depend on how my new players gel, but I do fancy my chances.

[JackJCFC]

Bradley looks like a good addition to the squad.

[withnail316]

European qualifiers

CL 2nd Qualifying round 1st leg
Haverfordwest 4-2 Dinamo Tbilisi
We came into this game a little rusty after only managing 2 friendlies, and with several new players we were still trying to adjust. It told as well, at least defensively as we conceded two away goals. However, up front we were sharp as ever with Loy, Hopkinson and Richards (2) gave us something to defend in Georgia.

CL 2nd Qualifying round 2nd leg (2-9 on aggregate)
Dinamo Tbilisi 0-5 Haverfordwest
Rory Loy with a stunning hat-trick, and one each for Hopkinson and Richards Great performance, hurdle overcome.

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EDIT: had to replay the second leg after a crash.... luckily my fortnightly save caught it, and I got another win!

[withnail316]

European qualifiers

CL 3rd Qualifying round 1st leg
Mogren 0-5 Haverfordwest
Another perfect away performance as we march towards the CL play off round. Goals from Chris Richards, Steven Richards, Basham, Bradley and Barretto, we're in total control for the second leg.

CL 3rd Qualifying round 2nd leg
Haverfordwest 3-1 Mogren
Richards, Hopkinson and Loy send us into the play off round. European football secured for another year, be it CL or EL, either of which I'll take.

Looking at the co-efficient ratings, I'm so close to being seeded for these play offs. Maybe next time...

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I think that's going to be a tough one...

[deltablue]

Yep, it was that easy.

[withnail316]

August

WPL TNS 1-2 Haverfordwest
Awful performance, but goals from Richards (his 50th league goal) and Robinson ensure a win on the opening day.

CL Play Off first leg
Partizan Belgrade 3-0 Haverfordwest
A truly awful first leg. Down to 10 men after 4 minutes, we lost Danny Murphy to injury after 10 and Before I knew it we were 3 down. It is looking like mission impossible in the second leg.

WPL Haverfordwest 4-1 Port Talbot
Another messy performance with an early red card, but this time we responded well. Hopkinson (2) Robinson and Richards with the goals.

CL Play Off second leg
Haverfordwest 2-1 Partizan Belgrade
Well, we got a win, but we couldn't overturn the first leg. No Champions League for us this year, but Steven Richards scored another 2 goals.

After being put in pot 3 for the draw I was hoping it would be kind to me. It wasn't:

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WPL Haverfordwest 1-0 Llanelli
Really tight, but we got the win thanks to Tim Hopkinson.

[JackJCFC]

wow tough group. 2 what should be, champions league teams.

[withnail316]

wow tough group. 2 what should be, champions league teams.

Yeah, it's fair to say I was gutted when it came out.

[deltablue]

Salzburg probably not a walk in the park either.

[withnail316]

Salzburg probably not a walk in the park either.

They were the one side in pot 4 I wanted to avoid.... I was hoping for Peterborough!

[deltablue]

I'm not surprised.

[cerud]

Ouch...tough group.

[withnail316]

Right, back on the case with this.... update soon.

[withnail316]

Oh yeah, as if the group wasn't bad enough, AC Milan signed Messi on a free in the summer...

[withnail316]

September

WPL Carmarthen 0-1 Haverfordwest
A 30 yard stunner from Basham won this, although we were very profligate in front of goal.

EL Group G
Haverfordwest 1-3 AC Milan
Well, we went all out defence in this one, and after 25 min were three down. It would seem I need to try something a little different... Rory Loy with the goal, but Messi just tore us apart.

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Neath
Two Steven Richards goals were enough to send us to the top of the table for the first time this season.

WPL Aberystwyth 0-1 Haverfordwest
Another clean sheet, but again we were poor in front of goal. Simon Basham again with the winner.

EL Group G
RB Salzburg 1-3 Haverfordwest
Three James Ashmore set pieces and three Steven Richards headers gave us a great win in Europe.

[JackJCFC]

Good result against Salzburg, not bad damage limitation against Milan either

[deltablue]

Not doing so badly in Europe.

[withnail316]

Good result against Salzburg, not bad damage limitation against Milan either

Not doing so badly in Europe.

First win in Europe for three seasons. Not getting exited though...

[withnail316]

October

WPL Haverfordwest 2-0 Afan Lido
Rory Loy and Tim Hopkinson with the goals...

Loosemore League Cup
Llanelli 0-3 Haverfordwest
With 6 first teamers away on international duty, this was a much changed line up. Even so, we were too strong, and Rory Loy, Tim Hopkinson and on-loan Manchester United youngster Sam Garton sent us through.

WPL Prestatyn 1-4 Haverfordwest
Goals from Garton, Basham, Hopkinson and Richards secured another thumping win.

EL Group G
Haverfordwest 0-0 PSG
A solid defensive display gives us another point in Europe, but I can't help but think we should have won it.

Loosemore League Cup Quarter Final
Haverfordwest 5-0 Barry Town
A Steven Richards hat-trick, and one each for Garton and Hopkinson send us into the semis.

WPL Barry Town 0-4 Haverfordwest
Goals from Richards, Williams, Bradley and Basham ensure another big win against the newly promoted side.

[withnail316]

Interesting. Rather than expand the stadium, the board have simply made it all seater. Still, handy for European games...

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[JackJCFC]

great draw against PSG!

[withnail316]

great draw against PSG!

Cheers, man. Another update to follow soon...

[withnail316]

November

EL Group G
PSG 1-1 Haverfordwest
A real backs the wall performance, but Bradley's screamer just before the hour gave us our greatest ever result. If it wasn't for the referee's assistant it would have been even better, as Tim Hopkinson slotted home in stoppage time. I actually cheered when it went in! Gutted.

Loosemore League Cup Semi Final 1st leg
Afan Lido 0-3 Haverfordwest
Two from Hopkinson and Steven Richards' 20th of the season put us in a commanding position for the second leg. Good job too as half the squad will be missing on international duty for the second leg!

WPL Haverfordwest 2-2 TNS
Gah. Two goal lead thrown away and the first injury of the season for Richards. He did get his 21st of the season before his knock, which thankfully isn't serious. Fraser Robinson with the other one.

Loosemore League Cup Demi Final 2nd leg
Haverfordwest 2-1 Afan Lido
Rory Loy's double sees us comfortably into the final

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WPL Port Talbot 0-3 Haverfordwest
Two for Garton and one for Rooney opens up a 4 point lead at the top of the table.

Welsh Cup
Lex 0-5 Haverfordwest
Two for Bradley and one each from Hopkinson, Garton and Richards sees us cruise through

WPL Llanelli 0-2 Haverfordwest
A double from Simon Basham was enough to bash (*ahem*) our old rivals, and get manager Andy Legg the sack at the same time... Basham is turning into a good replacement for MBW.

[Tho]

Great result's against PSG. Good news on the stadium upgrade too.

[withnail316]

December

EL Group G
AC Milan 2-0 Haverfordwest
The first of 5 games in two weeks, and I couldn't complain at the result, although the second goal didn't come until time added on. However, it's not all doom and gloom, as we still stand a chance of sneaking through. If we can beat Salzburg and Milan take anything off PSG, we'll go through on head-to-head results. Unbelievable, but certainly possible.

WPL Haverfordwest 4-1 Carmarthen Town
A good recovery after the Milan game, and we were on top from start to finish. Two goals for Hopkinson, one for Garton and another for Rory Loy sent us 8 points clear with a game in hand.

WPL Haverfordwest 1-0 Bangor City
Tim Hopkinson bagged the winner against our closest challengers, his 16th of the season.

WPL Neath 2-2 Haverfordwest
How we didn't get beat here I'll never know. Barretto and Garton with our goals as I made lots of changes ahead of the European tie. Rory Loy was one of those who came in, but he'll now miss FIVE MONTHS with broken foot.

EL Group G
Haverfordwest 2-1 RB Salzburg
Tim Hopkinson and Steven Richards scored the goals in front of a record 2,000 crowd, ensuring the double over RB Salzburg. Unreal.

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(December isn't over, but I HAD to post this!)

[JackJCFC]

Great work, should do wonders for your rep. The money isnt great in the Europe cup but the fact you overcame PSG is impressive.

[withnail316]

Great work, should do wonders for your rep. The money isnt great in the Europe cup but the fact you overcame PSG is impressive.

Money isn't a great concern right now, still have £13,000,000 in the bank, but the rep boost would be brilliant. I'm just lucky PSG never really showed up!

[ManUTactician247]

A bit worrying that it said Haverfordwest were 'expected to qualify', a tad harsh by the media.

[withnail316]

A bit worrying that it said Haverfordwest were 'expected to qualify', a tad harsh by the media.

The media also describe me as minnows in my domestic league, despite winning it 6 times in a row! I've learned to ignore them....

[withnail316]

Right then, so who do you think is in the hat for the draw? Well, Man United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Tottenham and of course AC Milan to name a few. Ouch.

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[Tho]

Not too bad considering who you could have got. Also, if those are in the EURO Cup, who are in their place in the Champions League?

[withnail316]

Not too bad considering who you could have got. Also, if those are in the EURO Cup, who are in their place in the Champions League?

Yeah, I don't fancy my chances of qualifying, mind.

Couple of surprises. Sporting Lisbon, Galatasary, Sampdoria and Spartak Moscow, but largely as you'd expect. Chelsea v Juve looks to be the tie of the round.

[JackJCFC]

Not bad draw, but probably could have been easier. Given your results against PSG you can have some reason to be optimistic!