Who Put The Hero In Clitheroe?

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.

reserved for career history

LEAGUE RECORDS

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|SEASON  |CLUB                         |DIVISION                |FINISHED |
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|2011-12 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |2nd      |
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|2012-13 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |4th      |
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|2013-14 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |2nd      |
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|2014-15 |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Div 1 North    |2nd      |
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|2015    |Clitheroe                    |Evo-Stik Northern Prem  |Resigned |
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|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   |
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CUP WINS

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Third time lucky...

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

England's World Cup qualifying campaign is going well -

Good progress Psycho.

Newcastle Town going down.

Good progress Psycho.

Newcastle Town going down.

Cheers mate.

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.

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.

Newcastle Town reappearing.

Very good season with Yeovil.

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

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.

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???

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

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.

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.

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...

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!

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

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.

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

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©, DM, M©)

Agustin Coudannes (ST)

Frédéric Duplus (D®)

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...

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

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.

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.

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

Great job winning the league with Yeovil.

Great job winning the league with Yeovil.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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...