Who Put The Hero In Clitheroe?

[psychonaut]

After my last saves were eaten by a hard drive monster, I decided to give games a rest for a while - but Euro 2012 has encouraged me to dig out FM again. So...

Game Setup
FM 2012 (Ver 12.2.2)
Using UncleRon's latest version of England lvls 7 & 8.

Leagues Loaded
Belgium (3rd Div & above)
Czech Republic (2nd Div & above)
England (Regional Firsts & above)
France (CFA & above)
Germany (3rd Div & above)
Iceland (1st Div & above)
Italy (Serie C2 & above)
Holland (Jupiter League & above)
N. Ireland (2nd Div & above)
Ireland (1st Div & above)
Scotland (3rd Div & above)
Spain (2nd Div & above)
Wales (Welsh Prem)
Brazil (3rd Div & above)


So, with all those teams to choose from, I decided to hit the randomiser 50 times, and I became the manager of

Clitheroe Football Club
Evo-Stik Northern Division 1 North

A Background
Founded in 1877, Clitheroe are a semi-professional English club currently playing in the Evo-Stik League First Division North. The club plays their home games at Shawbridge, and possess basic training facilities, but lack youth facilities. The club is affectionately known as The Blues.

Although they have never won a competition, the club are enjoying their best success of this decade. Clitheroe finished runners-up in the FA Vase in 1996.

[psychonaut]

reserved for career history

[psychonaut]

LEAGUE RECORDS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
|SEASON  |CLUB                         |DIVISION                |FINISHED |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2011-12 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |2nd      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2012-13 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |4th      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2013-14 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |2nd      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2014-15 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |2nd      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2015    |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Northern Prem  |Resigned |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2015-16 |Yeovil Town                  |npower League 2         |3rd      |
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|2016-17 |Yeovil Town                  |npower League 1         |9th      |
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|2017-18 |Yeovil Town                  |npower League 1         |1st      |
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|2018-19 |Stade Rennais FC             |French Ligue 1          |7th      |
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|2019    |Stade Rennais FC             |French Ligue 1          |Sacked   |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CUP WINS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
|SEASON  |CLUB                         |CUP                               |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2014-15 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik League President's Cup   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|2015-16 |Yeovil Town                  |Johnstone's Paint Trophy          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[psychonaut]

2011-2012 === Clitheroe === Evo-Stik D1N

Season Summary
League
A really good first season in charge. I had a lot of work to do to strengthen the team, but most players were happy to take on contracts which paid an appearance fee, rather than a wage - certainly helped finances. Preseason went well, including surprising wins against Northwich Victoria and Accrington Stanley.

My team put in some really fine performances through out the season. Our scorelines littered with 5, 6, and 7 goals for us. However, it wasn't all good. After a fine start, and a seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the table, we hit a spell of 4 losses on the trot through February, and the title race was blown wide open. Try as we might, we just couldn't regain top spot, and had to settle for 2nd.

The play-off Semi Final pitted our wits against Ossett Town, who we'd had 2 1-1s with in the league. We were poor though, and went down 3-0.

At the end of the season, i signed a new 1 year contract with Clitheroe.



Cups
FA Cup
Beat Deal Town 4-1 in the Preliminaries, but then lost on penalties to Horsham in a 1st Qualifying Round Replay.

FA Trophy
Beat Chatham 5-0 in 1st Qual Rnd, but lost 3-1 to Farsley after a 2nd Qual Rnd Replay.

Doodson Sports Cup
Prelim: Beat Carlton 3-1.
1st Rnd: Beat Kidsgrove 2-1.
2nd Rnd: Beat New Mills 6-1.
3rd Rnd: Beat Burscough 7-1.
4th Rnd: Lost 3-2 v Chasetown.

Lancashire Senior Cup
Beat Accrington Reserves 3-0, to set up a 2nd Rnd meeting with Everton Reserves who beat us 5-1.


Squad
Signed a lot of new players to boost a very weak squad - in fact, most of the existing squad were replaced - and got them to work on my tactics as soon as possible. Took a little while for some players to bed in, but most seemed up for the job from day one. All worked together well, and put in a good season.

Top Scorer: 20 - Abbey Nsubuga.
Highest Avg: 7.27 - Abbey Nsubuga.

All Transfer Activity

[psychonaut]

EURO 2012
Holders: Spain.
Hosts: Poland & Ukraine.

A slightly different set of teams than IRL, but here we go.

Group Stage
Group A
Qualified: Ukraine, Turkey.
Out: Slovenia, Germany.

Group B
Qualified: Croatia, Italy.
Out: Slovakia, Poland.

Group C
Qualified: France, Russia.
Out: Holland, Belarus.

Group D
Qualified: Spain, England.
Out: Portugal, Israel.

Quarter Final
Italy p0-0 Ukraine
Croatia 0-1 Turkey
England 0-2 France
Spain 1-0 Russia

Semi Final
Italy p2-2 Spain
Turkey 1-2 France

FINAL
Italy 1-2e France
@ NSC Olympiyskyi, Kyiv
Att: 63,647.

[psychonaut]

2011-2012 Ups & Downs

PREMIER DIVISION
Champions: Manchester United.
CL Qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City (2nd), Tottenham Hotspur (3rd), Liverpool (4th).
Europa L Q: Arsenal (FA Cup runners up), Chelsea (5th), Everton (6th).
Relegated: Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic.

NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners: West Ham United.
Promoted: Cardiff City, Southampton.
Relegated: Leeds United, Doncaster Rovers, Crystal Palace.

NPOWER LEAGUE 1
Winners: Sheffield Wednesday.
Promoted: Bournemouth, Charlton Athletic.
Relegated: Walsall, Colchester United, Wycombe Wanderers, Exeter City.

NPOWER LEAGUE 2
Winners: Swindon Town.
Promoted: Rotherham United, Gillingham, Shrewsbury Town.
Relegated: Accrington Stanley, Hereford United.

BSB PREMIER
Winners: Gateshead.
Promoted: Lincoln City.
Relegated: Darlington, Bath City, Tamworth, Southport.

BSB N
Winners: Stalybridge Celtic.
Promoted: Altrincham.
Relegated: Vauxhall, Guiseley, Eastwood Town.

BSB S
Winners: Woking.
Promoted: Salisbury.
Relegated: Dorchester Town, Eastbourne Boro, Farnborough Town.

RYMAN PREMIER
Winners: Wealdstone.
Promoted: Cray Wanderers.
Relegated: Met Police, East Thurrock, Hastings Utd, Horsham.

EVO-STIK S PREM
Winners: St Albans.
Promoted: Hemel Hempstead.
Relegated: Cambridge City, Barwell, Banbury, Frome.

EVO-STIK N PREM
Winners: Chester.
Promoted: Frickley.
Relegated: Burscough, Kendal, Stockbridge, Whitby.

EVO-STIK N1N
Winners: Radcliffe Boro.
Promoted: Woodley Sports.
Relegated: Salford, Wakefield.

EVO-STIK N1S
Winners: Grantham.
Promoted: Ilkeston.
Relegated: Brigg, Lincoln Utd.

RYMAN D1N
Winners: AFC Sudbury
Promoted: Enfield Town.
Relegated: Great Wakering, Potters Bar.

RYMAN D1S
Winners: Bognor Regis.
Promoted: Dulwich Hamlet.
Relegated: Whitstable.

EVO-STIK S1C
Winners: St. Neots.
Promoted: Rugby Town.
Relegated: Chertsey, Barton Rovers.

EVO-STIK S1SW
Winners: Tiverton.
Promoted: Mangotsfield United.
Relegated: Sholing.

PROMOTED FROM COUNTY LEAGUES
King's Lynn, Wivenhoe, Scarborough Ath, Dunstable, Bracknell, Gresley, VCD Athletic, Horsham YMCA, Whitley Bay, Spennymoor, Aylesbury Utd, Tring.


CUPS
FA Cup: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool.
League Cup: Manchester United e2-1 Everton.
JPT: Bournemouth 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday.
FA Trophy: Barrow 2-0 Newport County.

Champions League
Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid.
@ Allianz-Arena, Munich
Att: 66000.

Europa League
Manchester City 5-0 Schalke
@ National Arena, Bucharest.
Att: 55200.

[psychonaut]

2012-2013 === Clitheroe ==== Evo-Stik N1N

Season Summary
League
More of the same, I'm afraid. Although this season we very nearly finished mid-table. A good start to the league, including a 7-0 win on day 1, seemed to herald some success was on the way, but injuries and suspensions, coupled with exhausted players started to take a toll on performances. By about February, we were sitting in 8th, and looking poor, but the teams around us were pretty close on points. March and April were better months for us, and we rescued our season, getting a 4th placed finish, and a play-off spot.

The play off semi final had us up against Mossley, who had beaten us in both league encounters. It was to be the same again, and we lost 2-0.




Once again, as the league season ended, Clitheroe offered me another 1 year contract, which I signed.

Cups
FA Cup
After a 6-1 win v Tunbridge Wells in the Prelim Rnd, we went down 3-2 to Weymouth in the 1st Qual Rnd.

FA Trophy
Made it to the 3rd Qual Rnd, after beating Marlow 5-1, and shocking Farnborough 1-0. But Bath City then beat us 3-0.

Evo-Stik President's Cup
Made it to the Qtr Final. Sadly, my Ass Man was in charge, as the FA had given me a touchline ban. He made one wrong tweak too many, and we lost 1-0 v New Mills.

Doodson Sports Cup
Out in the 1st Rnd, beaten 2-1 by Witton Albion a.e.t.

Lancs Senior Cup
Beat Kendal 2-1 in the Prelim round, and then succumbed to a dismal 6-2 drubbing by AFC Fylde in the 1st Rnd.


SQUAD
A number of changes, yet again. Players being poached, others being useless, and some just unwilling to get out of bed for £25, meant that the first XI never really had a solid backbone. One or two players had to be given extended leave again, but fitness levels seem to have improved since the board allowed me to bring in more coaches. Our dips in performance were frustrating, but I just had to make sure my team talks weren't too demoralising, and even heaped praise on the players for a couple of 0-0s when times were tough.

Must keep building for next season though. It's hard to get players of quality to sign, and loanees seem unwilling to join us. But if we keep playing the way I know we can, then promotion can be a reality.

Top Scorer: 19 - Jamie Reid.
Highest Avg: 7.28 - Kevin Brown.

2012/13 Transfer Activity.

[psychonaut]

2012/13 Ups & Downs

PREMIER DIVISION
Winners: Manchester United.
ECC Qual: Liverpool (ECC winners), Manchester United (1st), Manchester City (2nd), Arsenal (3rd).
Europa Lg Q: Bolton Wanderers (FA Cup winners), Tottenham H (4th), Everton (League Cup winners), Newcastle United (6th).
Relegated: Q.P.R., Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City.

NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners: Blackpool.
Promoted: Sunderland, Burnley.
Relegated: Peterborough Utd, Leicester City, Barnsley.

NPOWER LEAGUE 1
Winners: Sheffield United.
Promoted: Huddersfield Town, Leeds United.
Relegated: Swindon Town, Chesterfield, Rochdale, Gillingham.

NPOWER LEAGUE 2
Winners: Colchester United.
Promoted: Cheltenham Town, Morecambe, Plymouth Argyle.
Relegated: Dagenham & Red, Aldershot.

BSB PREMIER
Winners: Luton Town.
Promoted: York City.
Relegated: Alfreton, Barrow, Stalybridge Celtic, AFC Telford United.

BSB N
Winners: Darlington.
Promoted: Histon.
Relegated: Hyde, Colwyn Bay, Corby.

BSB S
Winners: Dover Athletic.
Promoted: Welling United.
Relegated: Cray Wanderers, Hampton & Richmond, Wealdstone.

RYMAN PREM
Winners: Lewes.
Promoted: Billericay.
Relegated: AFC Sudbury, Leatherhead, Wingate & Finchley, Dulwich Hamlet.

EVO-STIK S PREM
Winners: Dorchester.
Promoted: Chesham.
Relegated: Rugby, Hitchin, Evesham, Bashley.

EVO-STIK N PREM
Winners: FC United of Manchester.
Promoted: Northwich Victoria.
Relegated: Bradford PA, Ilkeston, North Ferriby, Eastwood.

EVO-STIK N1N
Winners: AFC Fylde.
Promoted: Mossley.
Relegated: Garforth, Trafford.

EVO-STIK N1S
Winners: Hucknall.
Promoted: Cambridge City.
Relegated: Rainworth MW, Cammell Laird.

EVO-STIK S1C
Winners: Bedfont Town.
Promoted: Banbury.
Relegated: AFC Hayes, Tring.

EVO-STIK S1SW
Winners: Frome.
Promoted: Clevedon.
Relegated: Didcot, Chipstead.

RYMAN D1N
Winners: Maldon & Tiptree.
Promoted: Grays.
Relegated: Romford, Wivenhoe.

RYMAN D1S
Winners: Met Police.
Promoted: Maidstone United.
Relegated: Horsham YMCA, Burgess Hill.

Promoted from County Leagues
Whitstable, Wakefield, Potters Bar, Great Wakering, Barton Rovers, Salford, Sholing, Brigg, Chertsey, Lincoln United, Retford, Bedlington.


Cups
FA Cup: Bolton e2-1 Fulham.
League Cup: Swansea 0-1 Everton.
JPT: Colchester Utd e3-2 Notts County.
FA Trophy: Kettering 0-2 Grimsby.

Champions League
Liverpool 2-0 Barcelona
@ Wembley, London.
Att: 90000.

Europa League
Leverkusen 3-5e Olympique Lyonnais
@ Vincente Calderón, Madrid.
Att: 54851

[Nobby_McDonald]

Decent start, shame not to win one of the playoffs.

[cerud]

You have the squad to play in the league. They just need to turn up for that final match!

[rancer890]

Maybe you should just win the league to avoid the playoffs altogether...

[deltablue]

Third time lucky...

[Nobby_McDonald]

Re the thread title... who put the clit at the front?

[psychonaut]

Well, work got in the way a bit, and I've forgotten a lot of the details about the 2 seasons I have played since last update, so in brief (kind of):

2013-2014 === Clitheroe === Evo-Stik N1N
Had a really good season, finishing 2nd in the division. Got through to the Playoff Final, but lost 3-1 to Wakefield a.e.t.

Ups & Downs
Premier Division
Winners: Manchester City.
ECC Q: Manchester City, Tottenham (2nd), Manchester United (3rd), Chelsea (4th).
EURO Q: Swansea (FA Cup runner up), Wolves (5th), Liverpool (6th).
Relegated: Stoke City, Everton , Burnley.

NPower Championship
Winners: Blackburn Rovers.
Promoted: Wigan Athletic, Watford.
Relegated: Middlesbrough, Brighton, Sheffield United.

NPower League 1
Winners: Leicester City.
Promoted: Barnsley, Peterborough.
Relegated: Scunthorpe, Shrewsbury, Plymouth, Cheltenham.

NPower League 2
Winners: Chesterfield.
Promoted: Luton Town, Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon.

BSB Premier
Winners: Dagenham & Red.
Promoted: Kidderminster H.
Relegated: Dover, Braintree, Histon, Stockport County.

BSN
Winners: Tamworth.
Promoted: Southport.
Relegated: Droylsden, FC Halifax, Nuneaton.

BSS
Winners: Truro City.
Promoted: Lewes.
Relegated: Maidenhead, Basingstoke, Thurrock.

ISTHMIAN PREMIER
Winners: Eastbourne Boro.
Promoted: Tooting & Mitcham.
Relegated: AFC Hornchurch, Concord Rangers, Lowestoft, Carshalton.

EVOSTIK PREMIER NORTH
Winners: Worksop.
Promoted: Matlock.
Relegated: Chasetown, Vauxhall, Mickleover, Buxton.

EVOSTIK PREMIER SOUTH
Winners: Farnborough Town.
Promoted: Banbury.
Relegated: Rushall, Swindon Supermarine, Clevedon, Totton.

EVOSTIK D1N
Winners: Kendal.
Promoted: Wakefield.
Relegated: Burscough, Witton.

EVOSTIK D1S
Winners: Belper.
Promoted: Eastwood Town.
Relegated: Shepshed Dynamo, Goole.

Ryman D1N
Winners: Needham Market.
Promoted: Harlow.
Relegated: Cheshunt, Soham.

Ryman D1S
Winners: Fleet.
Promoted: Whitehawk.
Relegated: Eastbourne Town, Whyteleafe.

EVOSTIK SD1C
Winners: Hitchin.
Promoted: Slough.
Relegated: Barton Rovers, Beaconsfield.

EVOSTIK SD1SW
Winners: Sholing.
Promoted: Chertsey.
Relegated: Halesowen, Warrington.

Promoted from County Leagues: Chipstead, Garforth, Didcot, Wivenhoe, AFC Hayes, Burgess Hill, Rainworth MW, Tring, Trafford, Romford, Horsham YMCA, Cammell Laird.

FA Cup: Swansea 0-1 Manchester United.
League Cup: Manchester United 5-1 Sunderland.
JPT: Tranmere 0-2 Peterborough.
FA Trophy: Dag & Red p1-1 Salisbury.

ECC: Wolfsburg 0-1 Porto.
EURO Cup: Leverkusen 3-5e Olympique Lyonnais.

[psychonaut]

WORLD CUP 2014

Group Stage
Group A
Q: Belgium, Brazil.
Out: Morocco, Canada.

Group B
Q: France, Cameroon.
Out: Ireland, Saudi Arabia.

Group C
Q: Ghana, Czech Republic.
Out: Chile, Lithuania.

Group D
Q: Spain, Romania.
Out: Australia, Colombia.

Group E
Q: Germany, Uruguay.
Out: South Korea, Mexico.

Group F
Q: Russia, Ukraine.
Out: Senegal, Qatar.

Group G
Q: Argentina, Croatia.
Out: Slovenia, Gabon.

Group H
Q: England, Japan.
Out: Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago.

Second Round
Belgium p0-0 Cameroon
Brazil 3-1 France
Romania 0-6 Ghana
Spain 2-1 Czech Republic
Germany p1-1 Ukraine
Uruguay 3-2 Russia
Japan 1-3 Argentina
England 2-0 Croatia

Quarter Final
Belgium 1-2e Spain
Brazil 2-0 Ghana
Germany 2-0 England
Uruguay 0-2 Argentina

Semi Final
Spain 1-2 Argentina
Brazil 1-4 Germany

3rd Place
Brazil 0-1 Spain

FINAL
Argentina e3-2 Germany.
@Maracana, Rio.
Att: 76000

[psychonaut]

2014-15 === Clitheroe === Evo-Stik D1N

At last! A lot for the fans to cheer this season. Had a cracking league season, finished 2nd in the table again, although this season we did what we should have done last season. Had a very nervy PlayOff Semi Final vs Durham, which we scraped 5-4 with our winner coming 4 minutes into 2nd half stoppage time. We then thrashed Farsley Celtic 4-1, all goals coming in the first half. Clitheroe were up to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier!!!

This season, we also managed to win the Evo-Stik President's Cup.


Ups & Downs
Premier Division
Winners: Arsenal.
ECC Q: Arsenal, Tottenham (2nd), Liverpool (3rd), Manchester United (4th).
Europa Q: Liverpool (FA Cup winners), Swansea (FA Cup runner up), Manchester City (5th), Chelsea (League Cup winners).
Relegated: Wolves, Blackpool, West Brom.

NPower Championship
Winners: Burnley.
Promoted: Everton, Ipswich.
Relegated: Reading, Coventry, Millwall.

NPower League 1
Winners: Sheffield United.
Promoted: Brighton, Doncaster.
Relegated: Yeovil Town, Luton Town, Chesterfield, Bury.

NPower League 2
Winners: Oxford United.
Promoted: Swindon, Crewe, Plymouth.
Relegated: Northampton Town, Dagenham & Red.

BSB Premier
Winners: Bristol Rovers.
Promoted: Ebbsfleet United.
Relegated: Southport, Altrincham, Tamworth, Welling.

BSN
Winners: Chester.
Promoted: Stockport County.
Relegated: Banbury, Matlock, Harrogate Town.

BSS
Winners: Dover.
Promoted: Sutton United.
Relegated: Bromley, Hemel Hempstead, Weston-super-Mare.

ISTHMIAN PREM
Winners: Hendon.
Promoted: Harrow.
Relegated: Thurrock, Harlow, Grays, Chertsey.

EVO-STIK NORTH PREM
Winners: FC Halifax.
Promoted: Kendal.
Relegated: Woodley Sports, Marine, Radcliffe Boro, Wealdstone.

EVO-STIK SOUTH PREM
Winners: Nuneaton.
Promoted: Tiverton.
Relegated: Oxford City, Cirencester, Met Police, Slough.

EVO-STIK N1N
Winners: Ossett Town.
Promoted: CLITHEROE.
Relegated: Ossett Albion, Garforth.

EVO-STIK NIS
Winners: Vauxhall.
Promoted: Ilkeston.
Relegated: Kidsgrove, Coalville.

ISTHMIAN D1N
Winners: Lowestoft.
Promoted: Uxbridge.
Relegated: Ware, Potters Bar.

ISTHMIAN D1S
Winners: East Thurrock.
Promoted: Hythe.
Relegated: Folkestone Invicta, Chipstead.

EVO-STIK S1C
Winners: Aylesbury Utd.
Promoted: Northwood.
Relegated: Aylesbury, Biggleswade.

EVO-STIK S1SW
Winners: Clevedon.
Promoted: Swindon Supermarine.
Relegated: Bracknell, Thatcham.

Promoted from County Leagues: Shepshed, Warrington, Goole, Halesowen, Beaconsfield, Eastbourne Town, Whyteleafe, Witton Albion, Soham, Burscough, Cheshunt, Barton Rovers.

FA Cup: Swansea 0-1 Liverpool.
League Cup: Chelsea e2-0 Burnley.
JPT: Doncaster 2-5e Gillingham.
FA Trophy: Welling 2-3 Stockport County.

[psychonaut]

2015 === Clitheroe === Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division

SEASON SUMMARY
League
The bookies had hotly tipped us for a successive promotion to the Blue Square Regionals this season, and our early form suggested that they would be proved right, with 14 points from our first 6 games. And things continued that way until the second week of November.

What happened after then was no longer my responsibility. The board at Huish Park had sacked their current manager, and came in with an offer that was too good to turn down (well, if you ignore the £2m club debt).

However, Clitheroe maintained their form without me, and ended the season top of the table. They were heading to the Blue Square North.

Cups
Not much to report really. Clitheroe were still in the FA Cup and Trophy when I departed.

[psychonaut]

2015-16 === Yeovil Town === npower League 2

A Background
Formed in 1895, Yeovil Town are a professional English club, currently playing in the npower League 2. The club play their home games at Huish Park and possess adequate training facilities and basic youth facilities. The club also has fairly basic junior coaching and a basic youth recruitment network. The club is affectionately known as The Glovers.

Having enjoyed their greatest spell of success during the 2000s, The Glovers are undoubtedly one of the most successful clubs in England (that's what FM says folks!). Boasting a proud total of 39 competition wins, including winning the FA Trophy in 2002, the Conference League Cup in 1990, and the 4th tier of the English league system in 2005.

[psychonaut]

2015-16 === Yeovil Town === npower League 2

SEASON SUMMARY
League
So I took the helm at Huish Park in mid-November. The club had been relegated from npower League 1 last season, and were now sitting in an unsatisfactory 12th place in the table. The Board tasked me with taking the club back to League 1. Looking at the players at my disposal, it wasn't too much of an unreasonable ask. I just had to get the squad out of their run of bad luck. I played my first match in charge using the existing club tactics, and we scraped a 1-0 win against high flying Shrewsbury. On the basis of that result, I implemented the tactics I'd been using at Clitheroe, and the change was noticeable as we went on an 8 game unbeaten run in the league, and winning games comfortably.

Injury and fatigue threatened to hamper our season, but there was just enough depth in the squad to ensure we held our heads above water. Towards the end of the season, it was a bit touch and go. A tight table meant that even a draw could see you drop 2 or 3 places, and at one point we were in danger of losing a play-off spot. But the squad rallied round, and we pulled back to 5th place with 1 match to go. Our final encounter was against Barnet, who were sitting in 3rd. We rode our luck, grabbing a 1-0 win. and we leapfrogged both Barnet and 4th placed Shrewsbury (who drew their last match). I'd delivered what The Board had asked, and we were heading back to League 1 at the first time of asking!

Final Table



Cups
FA Cup
Knocked out 2-0 by BSN side Barrow, in the 1st Round. Then they sacked their manager...

League Cup
Lost 3-2 v Stevenage in 1st Round.

Johnstone's Paint Trophy
What a year! By the time I took control, the club had reached the Southern section Semi Final. We were up against League 1 Crystal Palace, who were doing well in the league. We demolished them 4-1 at Selhurst Park.

League 2 rivals Luton Town stood between us and a day out at Wembley. We were written off as underdogs, but pulled off an amazing 4-0 win at Kenilworth Road in the first leg of the Southern section Final. They must have thrown in the towel after that, because we hit another 4 past them in the return leg, winning 4-1, and 8-1 on agg. We were going to Wembley!

Sunday 27th March 2016 - Walsall vs Yeovil Town @ Wembley Stadium.
Super Sunday was upon us. Our first ever appearance in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final. After a nervy first half, both sides went in with the score at 0-0. The game came alive in the second half, and we opened the scoring on 48 minutes, adding another on 58 to go 2-0 up. Surely we were comfortable now? But no, Walsall rallied back, scoring on 66 and 69 to level the game. The decisive goal came on 72 minutes, when our defender Tom Flanagan bundled the ball into the net from a corner. 3-2! Walsall battered our goal for the last 10 minutes, but magnificent defending and keeping kept them out.

FULL TIME: Walsall 2 Yeovil Town 3 (YEOVIL TOWN WIN THE JPT!!!!)


SQUAD
A good, hard working bunch of lads. Discipline was good all season. Did what was asked of them, although once or twice the heads dropped a bit, and performances dropped too. One or two players seem to be earning more than they should, and that'll be looked at during the close season. Also, a couple of key players are being uncooperative with new contract negotiations, so I'm expecting a number of changes this summer.

Preparations for next season have begun. I've already got my eye on a few players whose contracts are up at the end of the season, and I'll be seeing what's available on the loan market. The financial situation at the club means there will be no money for transfers again, so it'll be beg, borrow, and frees.

Key Players
Top Scorer: 31 - Kieran Agard
Has been with the club since 2011, after signing on a free. Performances can be a bit hit and miss though.

Highest Avg: 7.24 in 49 apps - Bener Canpolat
Only 20, but already shaping into a really good player. Works hard, and notched up 10 goals and 18 assists this season. I tend to play him down the wing, rather than up front.


Yeovil Town Transfer Activity


CLUB FINANCES
Current Balance: £1,293,419

Still deep in debt, but fortunately no outstanding loans. This season, the club made a profit of £578,784 - boosted by good crowds, and prize money. Next season, it would be nice to get a good FA Cup run going, and have another JPT Final at Wembley to help get the bank balance back into the black.

[psychonaut]

2015-16 Ups & Downs

PREMIER DIVISION
Winners: Tottenham Hotspur.
ECC Q: Tottenham, Manchester United (ECC Winners), Liverpool (3rd), Manchester City (4th).
Europa Q: Wigan Athletic (FA Cup runners up), Chelsea (5th), Blackpool (League Cup winners).
Relegated: Watford, Fulham, Everton.

NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners: Wolves.
Promoted: Blackpool, Stoke City.
Relegated: Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Doncaster Rovers.

NPOWER LEAGUE 1
Winners: Colchester United.
Promoted: Oxford United, Middlesbrough.
Relegated: Tranmere Rovers, Oldham Athletic, MK Dons, Brentford.

NPOWER LEAGUE 2
Winners: Macclesfield Town.
Promoted: Crawley, YEOVIL TOWN, Shrewsbury Town.
Relegated: Torquay, Port Vale.

BSB PREMIER
Winners: Fleetwood Town.
Promoted: Grimsby Town.
Relegated: Truro City, Dagenham & Red, Chester City, Newport County.

BS NORTH
Winners: Southport.
Promoted: AFC Telford United.
Relegated: Frickley, Worcester, Workington.

BS SOUTH
Winners: Chelmsford City.
Promoted: Tonbridge Angels.
Relegated: Boreham Wood, Billericay, Chesham.

ISTHMIAN PREMIER
Winners: Hitchin.
Promoted: Enfield Town.
Relegated: Cray Wanderers, Whitehawk, Northwood, Aveley.

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER
Winners: Clitheroe.
Promoted: Stafford Rangers.
Relegated: Matlock, Ashton United, Ossett Town, Hyde.

EVO-STIK SOUTHERN PREMIER
Winners: Weston-super-Mare.
Promoted: Corby.
Relegated: Sholing, Swindon Supermarine, Bedfont Town, Stourbridge.

EVO-STIK N1N
Winners: Lancaster City.
Promoted: Marine.
Relegated: Scarborough Athletic, Stocksbridge.

EVO-STIK N1S
Winners: Chasetown.
Promoted: Mickleover.
Relegated: Newcastle Town, Sheffield.

ISTHMIAN D1N
Winners: Wingate & Finchley.
Promoted: Wealdstone.
Relegated: Ilford, King's Lynn.

ISTHMIAN D1S
Winners: Corinthian-Casuals.
Promoted: Chertsey.
Relegated: Leatherhead, Whyteleafe.

EVO-STIK SD1C
Winners: Rugby.
Promoted: Dunstable.
Relegated: Woodford United, Romulus.

EVO-STIK SD1SW
Winners: Bideford.
Promoted: Woodley Sports.
Relegated: Abingdon United, Cinderford Town.

FA Cup: Liverpool p2-2 Wigan Athletic.
League Cup: Blackpool 4-0 Sunderland.
JPT: Walsall 2-3 YEOVIL TOWN.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Manchester United 4-0 Arsenal
@ San Siro, Milan (Att: 80018).

EUROPA LEAGUE
Manchester City 3-1 A.C. Milan
@ Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow (Att: 51076)

[psychonaut]

EURO 2016
Hosts: France

GROUP STAGE
Group A
Q: Denmark, France.
Out: Switzerland, Sweden.

Group B
Q: Germany, Scotland, Belgium.
Out: Montenegro.

Group C
Q: England, Bosnia & Herz.
Out: Italy, Serbia.

Group D
Q: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine.
Out: Wales.

Group E
Q: Croatia, Bulgaria, Spain.
Out: Greece.

Group F
Q: Portugal, Romania, Czech Republic.
Out: Northern Ireland.

SECOND ROUND
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
Croatia e2-1 Romania
Belgium 0-1 Germany
Ukraine 2-2p Portugal
France 3-1 Bulgaria
England 2-1 Spain
Czech Republic 0-1e Russia
Belarus 1-0 Bosnia & Herz.

QUARTER FINAL
Scotland 0-1e Croatia
Portugal 1-2e Germany
France 2-1 England
Russia 0-1 Belarus

SEMI FINAL
Croatia 1-0 Belarus
Germany 0-3 France

FINAL
Croatia 2-1 France
@ Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Att: 79000.


Stuart Pearce resigns as England manager after the tournament. Aston Villa manager Keith Hill takes over.

[psychonaut]

England's World Cup qualifying campaign is going well -

[Nobby_McDonald]

Good progress Psycho.

Newcastle Town going down.

[psychonaut]

Good progress Psycho.

Newcastle Town going down.

Cheers mate.

[psychonaut]

2016-2017 === Yeovil Town === npower League 1

SEASON SUMMARY
League
This season, we were hotly tipped to go straight back down to League 2. But my team threw away the form guide, and set about proving a lot of people wrong. However, losing our first match 3-0 away at Rochdale didn't give us the best start, and it wasn't until September when we hit good form. Slowly, we hauled ourselves out of the relegation zone, and up the table. Reaching 2nd spot on a couple of occasions.

Halfway through the season, we were sitting pretty in a play-off spot, and there was a real belief that we could finish in the top 6. But disaster struck. The players were beginning to tire, and our side was hit by injury after injury. Key players were either out for weeks, or sent away on extended leave. Our squad was small enough, and a lack of cash meant we couldn't sign anyone - apart from getting people in on loan. Things picked up again with 4 matches left, but getting a play-off spot was a tall order. We'd thrown away too many points, and had to settle for 9th. A lot better than expected, and a good platform to build on.



Cups
FA Cup


A nice little run. We did very well against Norwich City, and were in the lead at half time. Sadly, we couldn't hold on.


League Cup
Went out in the 1st Round, losing 3-2 to Cardiff City.


Johnstone's Paint Trophy


Looked good for retaining the cup, until it all went wrong at Wembley. Slap bang in the middle of our run of bad form in the league, I'd hoped this would be one ray of light. However, League 2 side Lincoln City had other ideas.


SQUAD
A number of new faces in the squad this season, and a few regulars departed also. I raided the free transfer and loan markets. Was particularly impressed by loan signings Steve Broomfield (West Ham) and Ross Caldwell (Huddersfield). We also got a loanee from Chelsea, but annoyingly he was ineligible due to having played for 2 teams already this season.

Fine performances were on show this season. Can't fault the lads for trying. There were occasions where we would go 2 goals down, but the team would rally back. Heads did drop sometimes though, especially during our bleak spell in February and March. The worst point being an 8-1 hammering by Hull City. But the team picked themselves up again, and had a steady finish.

Key Players
Top Scorer: 28 - Graham Cummings
Joined us on a free transfer after being released by Carlisle United.

Highest Avg: 7.41 (50 app) - Ross Caldwell
Loanee from Huddersfield Town.

2016-17 Yeovil Town Transfer Activity


FINANCES
Balance: £1,092,513

Made a profit of around £948k this season. The financial situation at the club is improving. Hopefully good crowds, and a good finish this year will push us closer to the black. Persuaded a few of the existing squad to reduce their wage demands, which is helping too.

It would be nice to have money for players, but I'm making do with what's available. Our increasing reputation as a club is making it easier to get players to come to us on loan.

[psychonaut]

2016-17 Ups & Downs

PREMIER DIVISION
Winners: Arsenal.
ECC Q: Arsenal, Manchester City (2nd), Chelsea (3rd), Liverpool (4th).
Europa Q: Tottenham H (5th), Manchester United (6th), Ipswich Town (7th).
Relegated: Wolves, Wigan, Sunderland.

NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners: Huddersfield Town.
Promoted: West Bromwich Albion, Fulham.
Relegated: Peterborough, Middlesbrough, Oxford United.

NPOWER LEAGUE 1
Winners: Hull City.
Promoted: Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End.
Relegated: Plymouth Argyle, Crawley Town, AFC Wimbledon, Morecambe.

NPOWER LEAGUE 2
Winners: Bury.
Promoted: Tranmere Rovers, Luton Town, Ebbsfleet United.
Relegated: Chesterfield, Fleetwood Town.

BSB PREMIER
Winners: Cambridge United.
Promoted: Hereford United.
Relegated: AFC Telford United, Wrexham, Chelmsford, Northampton Town.

BS NORTH
Winners: Chester.
Promoted: Barrow.
Relegated: Kendal, Hitchin, Clitheroe

BS SOUTH
Winners: Welling.
Promoted: Bath City.
Relegated: Dagenham & Redbridge, Staines, Farnborough.

ISTHMIAN PREM
Winners: Kingstonian.
Promoted: Hampton & Richmond.
Relegated: Canvey Island, Hemel Hempstead, Maidstone, Needham Market.

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREM
Winners: Guiseley.
Promoted: Chorley.
Relegated: Grantham, Harrogate Town, Woodley Sports, Marine.

EVO-STIK SOUTHERN PREM
Winners: Weymouth.
Promoted: Frome.
Relegated: Brackley, Chesham, Rugby, Dunstable.

EVO-STIK N1N
Winners: Bradford PA.
Promoted: Farsley.
Relegated: Harrogate Railway, Salford.

EVO-STIK N1S
Winners: Matlock Town.
Promoted: Ashton United.
Relegated: Shepshed, Kidsgrove.

EVO-STIK S1C
Winners: Oxford City.
Promoted: Beaconsfield.
Relegated: Aylesbury, Bedworth.

EVO-STIK S1SW
Winners: Bedfont Town.
Promoted: Whitstable.
Relegated: Swindon Supermarine, Didcot.

ISTHMIAN D1N
Winners: Harlow.
Promoted: Aveley.
Relegated: Potters Bar, Cheshunt.

ISTHMIAN D1S
Winners: Carshalton.
Promoted: Walton & Hersham.
Relegated: Met Police, Chipstead.

Promoted From County Leagues: Woodford United, Abingdon United, Sheffield, Romulus, Stocksbridge, Leatherhead, Whyteleafe, Newcastle Town, Cinderford, Scarborough Ath, Ilford, King's Lynn.


FA Cup: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City.
League Cup: Swansea City 1-2 Liverpool.
JPT: Lincoln City 2-1 Yeovil Town
FA Trophy: Torquay United 0-2 Darlington.

Champions League
Olympique Marseille e3-2 Manchester City
@ Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
Att: 67500.

Europa League
Sporting Lisbon 1-1p LOSC Lille Métropole.
@ Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.
Att: 67000.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Newcastle Town reappearing.

Very good season with Yeovil.

[cerud]

Wow, a lot going on here since I lasted viewed! Congrats on the Yoevil job and the JPT.

[psychonaut]

Newcastle Town reappearing.

Very good season with Yeovil.

Cheers Nobby. It all went very well.

Wow, a lot going on here since I lasted viewed! Congrats on the Yoevil job and the JPT.

Yes, I decided to pick up my game save again when the new league season started. Going well, like the real life team.

[psychonaut]

2017-18 === Yeovil Town === npower League 1

SEASON SUMMARY
League
Once again, the boo boys were out to get us before the season kicked off, touting us as relegation candidates, or bottom half finishers. We made them eat their boos (or should that be drink?)

Anyway, our campaign got off to a stormer, with a 4-2 win over Coventry City. Our form was really impressive, a couple of minor slip ups here and there, but at the halfway point of the season, we had only lost 2 matches, drawn 4, and won all the rest. That set us up nicely at the top of the table, and with a 9 point gap between us and Shrewsbury Town.

Quite what happened in January, I don't know. We hit a patch of terrible form, and were in danger of being toppled by The Shrews - who came within 1 point of catching us. A team meeting, and more carefully chosen words on matchdays did the trick though, and although not a perfect run in to the end of the season, we clinched promotion to the Championship on 13th April 2018. Yeovil Town's first ever visit to the second tier of English football was a reality now. A couple of weeks later, we wrapped up the League 1 title, to leave the board and fans delighted. Sadly, Shrewsbury fell by the wayside, and didn't make it past the play-offs. A shame, because I was looking forward to them being in the Championship too.

As the season drew to a close, the board announced stadium expansion plans. Another 4353 seats are to be installed at Huish Park. Where the £537K to pay for it is coming from is anyones guess...

Final Table



Cups
FA Cup
Beat Hartlepool (L1) 3-2 in 1st Round. Lost 1-0 vs Middlesbrough in 2nd Round.

League Cup
Beat Plymouth on pens after a 3-3 in the 1st Round. Then lost 1-0 vs Bolton in the 2nd Round.

Johnstone's Paint Trophy
Lost 2-1 vs Reading in the Southern 1st Round.


SQUAD
Fantastic team effort this season. There were a couple of new faces in the door, so there wasn't too much disruption to squad harmony. Discipline grabbed the headlines once or twice, with fines being handed out to us on 3 occasions due to having 6 players yellow carded during a match. It totalled to £7.5k, which the club could do without losing.

On the money side, I managed to get a couple more players to reduce their wage demands. Others just wouldn't entertain the idea, so they'll have to go. The squad will need to be invested in heavily next season if Yeovil are to survive in the Championship. Key players are reaching the end of their careers, and our two best strikers are leaving the club at the end of the season. They hit 61 goals between them this season, and that'll be missed.

Key Players
Top Scorer: 43 - Kieran Agard
On fire this season, leading the goalscoring charts by a country mile. Sadly leaving at the end of the season. He's been at Yeovil since 2011, has made 262 league appearances, and scored 113 for the club.

Highest Avg Rating: 7.58 (46 apps) - Kieran Agard

Others
Steve Broomfield
Signed Steve on loan from West Ham again this season. He's turning into a really accomplished player, although discipline is a bit of a problem. He picked up 15 yellow cards this season. Apart from that, solid at the back, and knows how to head in from set pieces.


2017-18 Yeovil Town Transfer Activity


CLUB FINANCES
Balance: £1,784,988.

Just seems to get worse, rather than better. We definitely missed having cup prize money coming in this year, and of course there is now the stadium expansion to fund. The transfer budget for the new season has been set at £530K - the first time I've had money to spend. But where did it come from???

[cerud]

Nice job on promotion. Hopefully Championship football will raise gate receipts and the like.

[psychonaut]

2017-18 Ups & Downs

PREMIER DIVISION
Winners: Chelsea.
ECC Q: Chelsea, Tottenham H (2nd), Arsenal (3rd), Liverpool (4th).
Europa League Q: Manchester United (Europa Lg Winners), Manchester City (5th), Swansea (7th).
Relegated: West Ham, Ipswich Town, Stoke City.

NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners: Charlton Athletic.
Promoted: Watford, Sheffield Wednesday.
Relegated: Preston North End, QPR, Hull City.

NPOWER LEAGUE 1
Winners: YEOVIL TOWN
Promoted: Peterborough Utd, Reading.
Relegated: Luton Town, Notts County, Macclesfield Town, Ebbsfleet United.

NPOWER LEAGUE 2
Winners: Exeter City.
Promoted: Burton Albion, Hereford United, Crawley Town.
Relegated: Southend United, Grimsby Town.

BSB PREMIER
Winners: Mansfield Town.
Promoted: Woking.
Relegated: Bradford City, Barrow, Tonbridge Angels, Southport.

BS NORTH
Winners: AFC Telford United.
Promoted: Northwich Victoria.
Relegated: Solihull Moors, Gainsborough, Wrexham.

BS SOUTH
Winners: Chelmsford City.
Promoted: Newport County.
Relegated: Gloucester City, Hampton & Richmond, Enfield Town.

ISTHMIAN PREMIER
Winners: Lowestoft Town.
Promoted: Cambridge City.
Relegated: Harlow, Uxbridge, Whitstable, Aveley.

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREM
Winners: Vauxhall.
Promoted: Droylsden.
Relegated: Matlock Town, Clitheroe , Mickleover, Ashton United.

EVO-STIK SOUTHERN PREM
Winners: Wealdstone.
Promoted: Clevedon.
Relegated: Oxford City, Fleet, Bideford, Beaconsfield.

EVO-STIK N1N
Winners: Bamber Bridge.
Promoted: Ossett Town.
Relegated: Durham, Trafford.

EVO-STIK N1S
Winners: Sutton Coldfield.
Promoted: Carlton.
Relegated: Stamford, Romulus.

ISTHMIAN D1N
Winners: Waltham Forest.
Promoted: Canvey Island.
Relegated: Romford, Leiston.

ISTHMIAN D1S
Winners: Maidstone.
Promoted: Ramsgate.
Relegated: Leatherhead, Faversham.

EVO-STIK D1C
Winners: Hemel Hempstead.
Promoted: Evesham.
Relegated: Stourport, North Greenford.

EVO-STIK D1SW
Winners: Yate.
Promoted: Gosport.
Relegated: Biggleswade Town, Hungerford.

Promoted From County Leagues: Potters Bar, Salford, Cheshunt, Swindon S, Didcot, Shepshed Dynamo, Harrogate Railway, Met Police, Chipstead, Bedworth, Kidsgrove, Aylesbury.

FA Cup: Tottenham 2-0 Manchester United.
League Cup: Liverpool 4-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers.
JPT: Peterborough Utd 2-1 Reading.
FA Trophy: Chester p2-2 Woking.

European Champions League
Chelsea 0-3 Olympique Lyonnais
@ Mechelen Community Stadium, Mechelen
Att: 65000.

Europa League
Arsenal 1-1p Manchester United
@ San Nicola, Bari
Att: 58270.

[psychonaut]

Nice job on promotion. Hopefully Championship football will raise gate receipts and the like.

Thanks. Championship football would be nice. But my story has taken a twist.

[psychonaut]

22nd June 2018
Preparations are getting underway for the new season, but at the close of the present one I find that there is a lot of interest in my services.

I am approached by St Johnstone (Scotland), Bohemians Prague (CZ), Mlada Boleslav (CZ). And then this one came along.



I did a bit of soul searching, and asked myself how well I could do with Yeovil in the Championship. With our two best strikers leaving, and not a lot of money for wages - despite the transfer budget - I decided to call time on my tenure at Huish Park. My salary jumps from £1.2k p/w to £8.25k p/w, so maybe that was a little bit of an influence in making my decision. Still, this should be interesting. I can't recall ever having managed in France in FM before. Stade Rennais have just been promoted back to Ligue 1. I guess it'll be my job to keep us there...

[AK22]

Well done getting Yeovil into the Championship- a great achievement!

Fair enough taking the Rennes job, though, as you'll be managing a top flight club. Good luck!

[psychonaut]

Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Club Background
Founded in 1901, Stade Rennais FC are a professional French club currently playing in Ligue 1. The club play their home games at Stade de la Route de Lorient.

The club enjoyed its best spell of success during the 2000s, with their last competition win coming in 2008. Stade Rennais have won the French Cup twice (1965 & 1971) and finished runners-up on 3 occasions. They won the French 2nd tier for the only time in 1956, finished runners-up on 4 occastions, won Division 2-A in 1976 and 1983, and won Division 2-B in 1990.


Club Details
Year Founded: 1901
Nickname: Les Rouges et Noirs
Status: Professional
Reputation: National
Finances: Secure
Fierce Rivals: FC Nantes
Other Rivals: En Avant de Guingamp, FC Lorient, Stade Brestois 29, Stade Lavallois, Vitré, La Vitréenne FC, Angers SCO


The Stadium


Name: Stade de la Route de Lorient
Location: Rennes
Rent: £1M per year
Capacity: 34934 all-seater
Year Built: 1912
Condition: Very good
Undersoil Heating: Yes
Roof: No
Surface: Grass


Facilities
Corporate: Good
Training: Top
Youth: Excellent
Junior Coaching: Excellent
Youth Recruitment: Extensive youth recruitment

[psychonaut]

Well done getting Yeovil into the Championship- a great achievement!

Fair enough taking the Rennes job, though, as you'll be managing a top flight club. Good luck!

Cheers. I'm looking forward to the challenge of Rennes. Would have liked to continue with Yeovil, but I think they may have a season of misery in the Championship.

[cerud]

That's a great move into Ligue 1! Rennes is definitely a club you can grow with.

[psychonaut]

Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

2018/19 Pre-season
Transfer Activity


Three transfers had already been agreed before I joined the club. Hajji, Duplus look very good, but I'm a bit worried about Charlton Vincento. I'm not sure he has the quality I'm looking for. With the world to scout, I felt like a kid in a sweetshop with a £50 note, although I had to be mindful of the 4 non-EU players rule, and the transfer and wage budgets. Didn't stop me dipping into South America though, and I uncovered a couple of good strikers from Argentina and Uruguay - and they were nice and cheap too.

Best Buys
Mehdi Hajji (M/AM(L))

Federico Gómez (ST)

Farid Sbaa (D(C), DM, M(C))

Agustin Coudannes (ST)

Frédéric Duplus (D(R))


Pre-season Friendlies


A very good preseason, with our little tour of Belgium going well. The fans were especially excited by our 4-3 win over rivals FC Lorient. However, with pre-season coming to a close, their focus is now firmly on the team's performance in Ligue 1...

[psychonaut]

WORLD CUP 2018

GROUP STAGE
Group A
Q: Austria, Australia.
Out: Russia, New Zealand.

Group B
Q: Uruguay, Croatia.
Out: Portugal, Ghana.

Group C
Q: Mexico, South Africa.
Out: Ukraine, Germany.

Group D
Q: Spain, Tunisia.
Out: Greece, USA.

Group E
Q: Italy, Paraguay.
Out: France, Iran.

Group F
Q: England, Belgium.
Out: Colombia, Jamaica.

Group G
Q: Argentina, Japan.
Out: Czech Republic, Mali.

Group H
Q: Ivory Coast, Brazil.
Out: Sweden, South Korea.

SECOND ROUND
Croatia 3-0 Austria
Australia 1-3e Uruguay
Tunisia 0-1e Mexico
South Africa 0-2 Spain
Belgium 1-1p Italy
England e2-1 Paraguay
Brazil 0-1 Argentina
Japan 0-3 Ivory Coast

QUARTER FINAL
Croatia e3-1 Spain
Uruguay 1-0 Mexico
Italy 2-0 Ivory Coast
England 1-2 Argentina

SEMI FINAL
Croatia 0-0p Argentina
Uruguay 0-1e Italy

THIRD PLACE
Uruguay 1-0 Croatia

THE FINAL
Argentina p1-1 Italy (Argentina won 3-2 on pens)
@ Gazprom-Arena, St. Petersburg.
Att: 69501

[psychonaut]

August 2018



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
Off to a good start, although I have to ask questions about our defensive line. We had to battle hard for our draw against PSG. The game against Arles should have been won more comfortably, and we were 2-0 up against Nantes. However, the win against OM was a real bonus. We went 1-0 up, they levelled. We went 2-1 up, they levelled. But 3 minutes into 2nd half injury time, loan signing Rhys Bennett headed home to secure us a great win.

Fixtures


Ligue 1 Table



Transfer News
Sold youngster Alexandre Denis to Arsenal for £2.1M.

Bought 20 year old Gianfranco Piccolo from OM for £2.8M.

[psychonaut]

September 2018




Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
A tougher month, and a test of the squad's character, as we lost our first league match. It seemed to dent their confidence slightly, and we struggled a bit. However, all turned rosy at the end of the month, with a 4-3 win against Bordeaux. But once again, the defensive line has come under scrutiny. They'll need to shape up, or they could find themselves shipped out in the next transfer window.

Fixtures


League 1 Table



Coupe de la Ligue
We entered the competition in the 3rd round, and very nearly found ourselves humiliated by Ligue 2 Ajaccio. A last gasp goal from us sent the tie into extra time, and an early goal was enough to settle the match.

[cerud]

Pretty decent beginnig to Ligue 1. But PSG towards to bottom...interesting!

[Nobby_McDonald]

Great job winning the league with Yeovil.

[psychonaut]

Great job winning the league with Yeovil.

5 years after Gary Johnson - not that I've got a bet on....

[psychonaut]

October 2019




Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
Not a bad month, but the defence are still shipping goals like there's no tomorrow. The win against rivals Lorient was nice, but losing to Le Havre was just not on. Still, we're keeping ourselves at the right end of the table.

Fixtures


League Table




Coupe de la Ligue
An absolute disgrace. Up against Ligue 2 Montpellier, I had expected us to progress to the next round. But we were poor - very poor. The back line were atrocious, and when we had midfielder Sbaa sent off in the second half, things went from bad to worse. 1-1 at full time, I thought we'd sneaked a win with a goal in Extra Time, but we gave away a penalty and Montpellier levelled. Our penalty takers fluffed their lines, and we were out. Sbaa ended up being fined 1 weeks wages, his performances of late have been substandard, and he'd been warned previously. Perhaps he'll take me seriously now.

[psychonaut]

Pretty decent beginnig to Ligue 1. But PSG towards to bottom...interesting!

Yes, I've been baffled by how badly they are doing.

[psychonaut]

November 2018




Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
Did quite well, but our goals against tally keeps going up and up. I've tried asking the board for more coaches to help with defending training, but they just won't entertain the idea. Still, got good wins against Tours and Toulouse. Top of the table Lyon were just far too strong for us, and we fell apart in the second half of the match. However, we're sitting pretty in 4th.

Fixtures


Ligue 1 Table

[psychonaut]

December 2018




Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
A good month for us in the league started with a good win against high fliers LOSC Lille. However, I still have grave concerns about my back 4 after the USBCO result.

Fixtures


Table

[psychonaut]

January 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
We crashed and burned, taking only 1 point from 3 games. The worst of the bunch was losing 4-2 to rivals Nantes. I don't know what has happened to the squad this month, but they look like they are going to undo all the good work from the first half of the season if this form continues.

Fixtures


Table



French Cup
We entered the competition in the 9th round, and I really don't know where to begin. Abysmal is the best way to describe our tie vs rivals Nantes. I had decided to give the GK jersey to my second choice keeper, after he'd complained about the lack of football. He turned in a rating of 3.0, and I returned the favour by transfer listing him and banishing him to the reserves. We found ourselves on the wrong end of a 7-4 scoreline after 90 minutes. Only one of my back 4 rated above 5.7, and I handed out fines to 5 players. So much for a cup journey...

[psychonaut]

February 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
Our poor January form continued into February. The team wanted to win, but time and time again sloppy defending cost us the 3 points. The only glimmer of hope came with our mauling of RC Lens, but to be honest we have the talent in the squad to beat the likes of Monaco and Troyes too - pity the players didn't turn up on the day. Somehow, results elsewhere mean we hang on to 4th, but for how long?

Fixtures


Table

[psychonaut]

March 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
Our luck seemed to be on the turn this month, especially with the pleasing win away at Bordeaux. But perhaps overconfidence hit us, as we first went down to rivals Lorient (admittedly a strong team), and then Havre. We were dreadful against Havre, and deserved to lose despite having the better squad.

Poor performances this month saw us drop to 5th in the table. Paris St-Germain and our rivals Lorient, have made up good ground, and are closing in on us. Just 3 points in it now. And with the way we are playing at the moment, there is every chance that they'll leapfrog us.


Fixtures


Table

[psychonaut]

April 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
I very nearly resigned after losing to bottom club Valenciennes, but our 2 wins restored a bit of faith in my team, especially the win against Toulouse. We played exceptionally well, and thoughts of a Europa League slot were beginning to look like turning into a reality. We weren't making it easy for ourselves though. Dropping to 5th, but I felt sure we could hold off PSG and Lorient - if the players could keep their nerve.

Fixtures


Table

[psychonaut]

May 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
KABOOM! We self-destructed...

The matches against Lyon and Lille were always going to be difficult. But after our 1-1 against LOSC, I had high hopes for our next 3 matches. The win against Nice was hard fought, and yet again the defence was caught napping too many times. But the loss against USBCO was totally unacceptable, as was our 5-3 defeat at the hands of St-Etienne. For the second time this season, I issued players with fines for poor performance. Their lack of desire and sloppy play all but ended any hope of taking a Europa League slot, but given some of the horror shows this season they didn't really deserve to be there anyway.

The final game of the season was a bit of a let down, but we knew PSG would beat us, and Lorient won their game to snatch the last Europa League slot. The table makes hard reading. So near, yet so far. But when you have the second worst Goals Against tally in the division, what do you expect...

Fixtures


Table

[Nobby_McDonald]

Hard cheese Psycho.

[AK22]

Wow, quite a collapse! Plenty of goals though

[cerud]

The goals against is high... A few potential defensive signings and you'll be back up.

[deltablue]

Oh dear, well should pull through next time.

[psychonaut]

Thanks guys. It was pretty hard to get so close, and come away with nothing.

[psychonaut]

Season Summary


Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1
A really good campaign, with many high points, but also a number of low points. Overall the team performed above expectations all season, and should have kept the momentum going and claimed a place in Europe. However it wasn't to be, and we'll just have to regroup and try again next season.

Cups
Dreadful. Wanted a good run in the French Cup, but when you can't beat a Ligue 2 team...

Key Players
Top Scorer: 19 - Federico Gómez.
Highest Avg Rating: 7.53 (29 apps) - Mehdi Hajji.

The Squad
There's a lot of depth in the squad, although I will have to look at the defence more closely. They just leak too many goals, and their poor showing was a big part of our poor run in to the end of the season.

Looking towards the Board to give me a decent transfer budget next season, although there are a number of very good players coming up through the youth ranks at the moment. I'm keeping a sharp eye on one of our new youth signings - Iban Yanguas. On paper he looks like being a real star of the future.

Transfers
2018-19 Transfer Activity

Finances
The Board offered me a new 2 year contract on £9750 a week, which I signed. They then set budgets for the next season, giving me a £3.32M transfer budget, and a £325k p/w wage budget.

Overall, the club is in a good position financially, and posted a profit of £6.1M this season.

[psychonaut]

2018-19 Ups & Downs

FRANCE
LIGUE 1
Winners: Olympique Lyonnais
Relegated: USBCO, AC Arles-Avignon, Valenciennes FC

LIGUE 2
Winners: Montpellier Hérault SC.
Promoted: SC Bastia, Stade Malherbe Caen

NATIONAL
Winners: GF 38.
Promoted: Vanned OC, AJ Auxerre
Relegated: Clermont Foot 63, FC Mulhouse, ES Viry Foot, Hyéres FC.

FRENCH CUP
Montpellier 2-0 FC Lorient.

COUPE DE LA LIGUE
Montpellier p1-1 Olympique Lyonnais.


ENGLAND
PREMIER LEAGUE
Winners: Chelsea.
ECC Q: Tottenham (2nd), Arsenal (3rd), Manchester United (4th).
Europa Lg Q: West Bromwich Albion (FA Cup runners up), Aston Villa (5th), Stoke City (League Cup winners).
Relegated: Watford, Charlton Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday.

NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners: Stoke City.
Promoted: West Ham United, Sheffield United.
Relegated: Barnsley, Portsmouth, Yeovil Town

NPOWER LEAGUE 1
Winners: Nottingham Forest.
Promoted: Middlesbrough, Shrewsbury Town.
Relegated: Leyton Orient, Hereford United, Carlisle United, Tranmere Rovers.

NPOWER LEAGUE 2
Winners: Lincoln City.
Promoted: Luton Town, Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon.
Relegated: Oldham Athletic, MK Dons.

BLUE SQUARE BET PREMIER
Winners: Accrington Stanley.
Promoted: Chester City.
Relegated: Darlington, Stockport County, Port Vale, Hayes & Yeading United.

BLUE SQUARE BET NORTH
Winners: FC United.
Promoted: Corby.
Relegated: Vauxhall, Altrincham, Chorley.

BLUE SQUARE BET SOUTH
Winners: Northampton Town.
Promoted: Eastbourne Boro.
Relegated: Cambridge City, Bishop's Stortford, Wealdstone.

FA CUP
Tottenham 4-0 West Bromwich Albion.

LEAGUE CUP
Stoke City 3-1 Liverpool

JPT
Leyton Orient 0-1 Crewe Alexandra

FA Trophy
Lewes 2-1 Forest Green Rovers


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Tottenham 0-1 Olympique Lyonnais
@ Gazprom-Arena, St Petersburg
Att: 69501.

EUROPA LEAGUE
Barcelona 1-0 Manchester City
@ Stade Roi Badouin, Brussels.
Att: 50000.

[psychonaut]

Preseason 2019-20



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

After the disappointing end to last season, I was determined to get the players firing on all cylinders this season. One thing that needed to be addressed was defence, which I bolstered with the signing of Gideon Uzoma from Rapid Bucharest for £2.5M, and Steve Broomfield from West Ham for £2.6M. Broomfield had impressed me during his two loan spells at Yeovil Town, so when the opportunity to land him came around, I was in like a shot. A number of players left during the summer, most notably Luca Hamelin, our young striker, who was off to Manchester United. I would have preferred to hang onto him, but he wanted away, and the club chairman closed the deal on my behalf, believing it would be "beneficial to the club". How exactly, I'm not sure.

I also brought in Berkant Ozkan from Galatasary, a good midfielder, and did a great deal bringing in Bologna keeper Paolo Baiocco for £90k.

We were all set for the preseason, and it went very well indeed.



Our strikers seemed to be on form, and the back line were holding tight. Surely the sign of a good season to come? I told the Board that I believe the team can qualify for the Europa League this season - let's hope I haven't aimed too high...

[psychonaut]

August 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1

Fixtures


Not exactly the best of starts, with the defence getting back into their old routine. We were destroyed by Troyes in the first half, and never looked like creating any chances, until the last 10 minutes of the game. 7 points out of 15 - could do better.

Table

[psychonaut]

September 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1

Fixtures


A much better performance from the team this season, perhaps spurred on by the arrival of former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, who I picked up on a free transfer. He had an immediate impact, knocking in 2 goals against Nice on his debut. However, he only scored one more against Montpellier, and then the goals dried up. Hopefully normal service will resume.

Table



Coupe De La Ligue
Not good. Out at the first hurdle...

[psychonaut]

October 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1

Fixtures


A poor, poor month. The stuffing seems to have been knocked out of the team, and their performances on the field have become terrible. The first cruel blow was being mauled by our rivals Lorient. I was determined to pick up team moral with a meeting, but the players didn't respond well. Off the pitch, there were murmurings about my future at the club, and my job was in the balance going into the match against AS Nancy. We lost an early goal, and when I turned to look at the Chairman he was holding my contract up as if he was about to tear it to pieces. Fortunately, the squad turned things around, and we came away with the win.

Losing to LOSC was a hard defeat to take, given that we were 2-0 up at half time. I wanted to ensure that didn't herald the start of another bad run, and called a team meeting, but no one turned up. It seems as though my squad are turning against me.

Table

[psychonaut]

November 2019



Stade Rennais F.C.
~French Ligue 1~

Ligue 1

Fixtures


The rot continues. The only brief glimmer of hope came with the win against Monaco. But losing to Stade Malherbe was unforgivable. The team played extremely poorly. The players no longer respond to my team talks. Their morale seems high, but they are just not listening to anything I say. I think they are trying to get me the sack.

Things are looking bleak indeed. 10th in the table is way below the Board's expectations, and my job is extremely insecure.

[psychonaut]

December 2019

December 1st: A loss too far. A 1-0 defeat at the hands of AS St-Etienne sealed my fate...



Just for a laugh, I submitted a job application to Stade Rennais. Unsurprisingly, they didn't proceed with it. There are a few jobs on offer, and I've applied for the manager vacancies at Middlesbrough, Derby, York, Bolton, Inverness CT, CR Brasil and Gremio Barueri (Brazil). But who will come in with the best contract?

[cerud]

Tough adjustment to the league, but seems to be a bit of a harsh sacking given that you're still in the middle of the table. What were you expect to finish in?

[Nobby_McDonald]

Stoke do the double (sort of)

The best thing about France is leaving it.

[psychonaut]

So Bolton, York, Middlesbrough and Derby all offered me contracts, and after looking at wage and transfer budgets I decided to sign a 3 year contract on £1.4k p/w as manager of:

Middlesbrough
~npower Championship~

Club Details
Year Founded: 1876
Nickname: Boro
Status: Professional
Reputation: National
Finances: Okay
Fierce Rivals: Newcastle United, Sunderland.
Other Rivals: Leeds, Chelsea.

Stadium Details
Name: The Riverside Stadium
Location: Middlesbrough
Capacity: 34992 all-seater
Year Built: 1995
Condition: Very Poor
Undersoil Heating: Yes
Roof: No
Surface: Grass

Facilities
Corporate: Good
Training: Top
Youth: Excellent
Junior Coaching: Good
Youth Recruitment: Above average youth recruitment


Finances at the club aren't in the best shape. But despite that, the Chairman has given me £300k as a transfer budget. We are currently £4k p/w over the £100k p/w wage budget, so I shall have to address that - or else move some players on.

The club haven't been in the Premier League since 2008/09 season, and have spent the last 2 seasons in League 1. As a result, the squad isn't the best, and we won't be pulling up any trees. I'm expected to avoid relegation, and finish around 17th...

[psychonaut]

December 2019



Middlesbrough
~npower Championship~

League

Fixtures


Not exacty the easiest of starts. Once again, a leaky defence causes me concern, but it may just be down to low morale, and the team getting used to my tactics. Bristol City and Leicester were always going to cause us problems, but I'll take encouragement from our 2 wins this month.

Table

[psychonaut]

January 2020



Middlesbrough
~npower Championship~

League

Fixtures


Not a great deal to cheer about. We should have been a lot better against Derby, and we totally collapsed against Peterborough. We had gone in 1-0 up on the Posh at half time. The win against overachieving Bournemouth was a welcome bit of relief from the fans miserable January. Too many dropped points, and we drop 1 place in the table

Table



FA Cup


A dreadful performance against our fierce rivals. The fans are not impressed.

[psychonaut]

February 2020


Middlesbrough
~npower Championship~

League

Fixtures


A bit of a congested month, but there seems to be signs of improvement from the squad. The win against Cardiff was especially pleasing, mainly because their manager had said I would be dreaming if I believed we could beat his side. Well, we did it - a hard fought game, but we did it. Slightly disappointing against Wigan - once again we threw away our lead, and found ourselves beaten in injury time. 8 points out of 18, quite a good return. Although the press have the knives out at the end of the month, believing I will be sacked on the back of one more bad result. Fortunately, the Board doesn't share their view.

Table

[psychonaut]

March 2020


Middlesbrough
~npower Championship~

League

Fixtures


A tough 3 games to start off this month. The Sunderland result was very disappointing - we just didn't show up, and the fans were left fuming at another defeat by our fierce rivals. We played well against Watford, but sadly shipped a late goal, which is what also happened in the Charlton match. However, the draw with Brighton seems to have given the squad some belief back - and a good win at The City Ground is encouraging.

[psychonaut]

April/May 2020



Middlesbrough
~npower Championship~

League

Fixtures


Finally, the lads found a patch of good form. 5 wins from 7 in our closing fixtures helped to cement our position in the Championship. Beating Bristol City was especially pleasing, although their fans will be distraught that we put a big dent in their chances of automatic promotion.

A fine run in to the end of the season, with lovely flowing football. Now, if the team can carry that through to next season, then we might have an even better finish than we did this year. However, our final position is above expectations, and the Board seem happy enough.

Table

[psychonaut]

Season Summary 2019/20



Middlesbrough
~npower Championship~

League
A satisfactory campaign, with a good finish. It almost went wrong though, with not much going right for us too often this season. However, we got enough points on the board to see us safe.

Cups
Absolutely awful.

The Squad
Quite a large squad. I wasn't altogether happy with the quality of the players though, but didn't have the money available to bring in new signings and so it was a case of making do with what I had. The main thing was to get belief and confidence back into the players. However there were times when it looked like everything would crash down around our ears. The squad had setbacks, but picked themselves up, albeit slowly sometimes.

Next season, I'll be looking to rebuild the squad. A handful of players are leaving or retiring, which will free up some wage money. I'll be aiming to bring in free transfers rather than loans, I think. Also keeping an eye on three of our youth players, who look like they could end up as first team regulars in a couple of years time.

Key Players
Top Scorer: 20 - Cristian Montano
The club's top scorer for the second season running. Signed from Leicester City on a free in 2017.

Highest Avg Rating: 7.07 (46 apps) - Mario Papa

Finances
Finished the season with almost £2M in the bank, thanks mainly to prize money. We'll need to get good crowds in next season, or I can see us finishing up in the red.

[psychonaut]

2019/20 Ups & Downs

PREMIER DIVISION
Winners: Tottenham Hotspur.
ECC Q: Arsenal (2nd), Chelsea (3rd), Manchester United (4th).
Europa Lg Q: Manchester City (FA Cup runners up), Liverpool (6th), West Ham United (7th).
Relegated: Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United.

NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Winners: Ipswich Town.
Promoted: Leicester City, Sunderland.
Relegated: Birmingham City, Doncaster Rovers, Bolton Wanderers.

NPOWER LEAGUE 1
Winners: Preston North End.
Promoted: Portsmouth, Luton Town.
Relegated: Lincoln City, Bury, Crystal Palace, Millwall.

NPOWER LEAGUE 2
Winners: Macclesfield Town.
Promoted: Scunthorpe United, Notts County, Kidderminster Harriers.
Relegated: Morecambe, York City.

BSB PREMIER
Winners: Lewes.
Promoted: Sutton United.
Relegated: Kettering, Eastbourne Boro, Aldershot, Torquay United.

BS NORTH
Winners: Lowestoft Town.
Promoted: Tamworth.
Relegated: Boston United, Droylsden, Nuneaton.

BS SOUTH
Winners: Truro.
Promoted: Eastleigh.
Relegated: Harrow, St Albans, Hendon.

FA CUP: Manchester City 2 Chelsea 3
League Cup: Arsenal 2 Blackburen Rovers 0

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Olympique Lyonnais 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs win 3-1 on pens)
@ Stade Velodrome, Marseille.
Att: 67000.

EUROPA LEAGUE
A.C. Milan 1-0 Olympique de Marseille
@ Villa Park, Birmingham.
Att: 42640.

[psychonaut]

EURO 2020
Hosts: Belgium

GROUP STAGE
Group A
Q: Belgium, Russia, Bosnia & Herz.
Out: Turkey.

Group B
Q: Holland, Israel, Sweden.
Out: Germany.

Group C
Q: Ukraine, England.
Out: Switzerland, Croatia.

Group D
Q: Italy, Scotland.
Out: Greece, Georgia.

Group E
Q: France, Wales, Czech Republic.
Out: Denmark.

Group F
Q: Portugal, Romania, Spain.
Out: Serbia.

SECOND ROUND
Belgium 2-0 Israel
France 2-1 Romania
Holland 2-1 Bosnia & Herz
Portugal 1-0 Sweden
Wales 0-1 Russia
Czech Republic 1-2e Ukraine
Italy 1-1p Spain
England 3-0 Scotland

QUARTER FINAL
France 2-2p Belgium
Portugal 5-1 Holland
Ukraine 3-0 Russia
Spain 0-1 England

SEMI FINAL
Belgium 0-1 England
Portugal 2-3 Ukraine

THE FINAL
England 3-1 Ukraine
@ Stade Roi Baudouin, Brussels.
Att: 50000