ryan_sacfc Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Welcome to the FM10 St Albans City Thread The First Blue Square South Thread in the Forums Home of the Mighty Saints Club Information Nation England Year Founded 1908 Status Semi Professional Reputation Local Chairman Status Happy to stay Legends Steve Clark, Phil Wood, Wilfred Minter Icons Colin Lippiatt, Lee Clarke, Peter Risley, Kevin Mudd, Richard Evans, Paul Bastock Favoured Personnel Ben Martin, Ryan Frater, Luke Thurlbourne, Solomon Shields, Paul Hakim Fierce Rivals Boreham Wood Other Rivals Stevenage, Hitchin, Enfield, Aylesbury, Chesham, Weymouth, Bishop's Stortford Finances Insecure Average Ticket Price £10.00 Average Season Ticket Price £175 Estimated Value £325k Continental Competition None Media Prediction 12th Squad Personality Professional Captain Ryan Frater Starting Budgets Transfer Considering you inherit the club with almost £400,000 in debt, it's no surprise that there is no transfer budget to deal with Current Wage Expenditure As you begin the game, £5,960 will be being spent on wages Wage Budget You will receive £4.4k for a target of 'mid-table finish' while choosing 'top half finish,' 'promotion' or 'winner' will result in a £4.8k wage budget. So quite a lot of work to do there, then. The Squad Goalkeepers Paul Bastock Recently voted Boston United's greatest ever player, the veteran goalkeeper is a fan favourite at the club, and in the short term is more than capable between the sticks on FM10. I suggest keeping him as your first choice for the first season before looking for a replacement. Michael Emery Former Rushden and Diamonds youngster, the eighteen year old should only be used as back up for Bastock. If you want a more reliable back up, you may have to look for possible loanees. Defenders Club captain Ryan Frater Alex Bailey A very useful right back at this level, Bailey's pace and attacking ability mean that you have a real threat up the right hand side. Personally, I would suggest re training him to become a right midfielder too (only takes a couple of games) and use him as a quick winger. Jackson Ohakam Although he is a young right/centre back with average stats, I would suggest releasing him to ease the wage budget as he is one of the few players you can let go for free. However, should you wish to keep him he would make for adequate back up. Bradley Thomas Thomas is a fairly average at this level, and should only be used as back up. However, he is, in my opinion, the third choice centre back so could be used over a number of games as the season progresses. James Fisher Equally adept at right back or in the centre of the park, Fisher has become one of the more recognisable faces around Clarence Park in recent years. Personally, I recommend playing him behind Bailey at right back due to the strong central midfield partnership the club has. Ryan Frater The club captain, Ryan Frater is one of the first names on the team sheet. Reliable and commanding, you can count on Frater to do a job at centre back. Mark Peters Assistant manager Mark Peters has good heading and tackling stats, but his lack of pace makes him vulnerable against quicker teams. He should be used only as back up, and is a fairly average assistant manager. James Quilter Quilter is the club's second best centre-back and should definitely partner Frater at the back. They should provide a fairly solid centre back pairing and Quilter's good passing ability makes him an ideal 'ball-playing' centre back. Can also play in a defensive minded central midfield role. Adam Everitt The left back has fairly average stats across the board, therefore this is a key area for improvement. Can also play on the left side of midfield. Jamie Thurlbourne A young left back who provides cover for Everitt, you may not see Thurlbourne as good enough for this level. I would agree with this and suggest letting him go once his contract runs out, using Everitt as back up for a new signing. Like Everitt, Thurlbourne can play, and is probably more effective, at left-midfield, his crossing and pace make him a reasonable midfielder. It is up to you whether you keep him as a utility player. Midfielders Luke Thurlbourne A snarling midfield general, the young former Southend player has become a favourite with the Saints fans following a series of committed performances in the blue shirt. Together with Solomon Shields, he forms arguably the best central midfield in the division. I suggest playing him in a more defensive, 'ball winning' role, letting Shields be creative and goal-scoring. Ryan Maxwell With good passing stats, Ryan Maxwell is definitely worth keeping. What's more, he begins the game with a year's contract on £0 a week, so you've got a decent back up central midfielder for free. Bargain! Darren Quinton Another central midfielder, Darren Quinton is more good back up, and is competent across the midfield, so should get a number of games over the course of the season. Solomon Shields Saints fans were left drooling when manager Steve Castle announced the permanent signing of Solomon Shields. The former Leyton Orient youngster had spent time on loan with City during 08-09, so when he signed in the summer, City fans couldn't wait to see him and Thurlbourne in the middle of the park. Should definitely start with Thurlbourne - can you use them both to their full potential? Jonathan O'Donnell A useful young winger who has only developed this season and therefore the stats on him are not too accurate. However, if you can get him playing like he is in real life, you have a real prospect on your hands. David Galbraith A winger who, on FM10, is definitely one of City's better players. His pace and dribbling ability make him a real threat and should be started as much as possible. Forwards Gary Cohen A quick striker who can play on the wing, Gary Cohen is one of the more dangerous weapons in City's arsenal. Although not famed for his goalscoring abiltity, his threat to defences mean Cohen is indispensable and, while up front with Hakim, is one half of a potentially lethal strike force. Paul Hakim Arguably the club's best player, Paul Hakim could be scoring goals in League Two, let alone in the Blue Square South. In my experience, he has finished top scorer in the BSS while I sank into mid-table obscurity, so he can be the difference between you going up, and you getting relegated. Drew Roberts An expert penalty taker and pacey attacker, Roberts could start up front with Hakim should you decide to have Cohen on the wing. He is definitely dangerous back up, and is another player who can be used on the right side of midfield. Daniel Chillingworth With a less-than-desirable scoring record, Daniel Chillingworth should be your fourth choice forward, and I suggest releasing him once his contract is up, as the £250 spent on his wages could be better used elsewhere. Youth and Reserves Be sure to look out for Godfrey Poku, a midfielder who has broken into the City first team this year and Henry Atu, a former Leyton Orient young striker. Personally recommended line-up GK - Paul Bastock DR - James Fisher DL - Adam Everitt DC - Ryan Frater © DC - James Quilter MR - Alex Bailey ML - David Galbraith MC - Luke Thurlbourne MC - Solomon Shields FC - Gary Cohen FC - Paul Hakim The Challenge Often describe as a sleeping giant of non-league, the Saints have the potential to climb out of the Blue Square South with careful but intelligent management. First, you will have to control the club's budget and reduce the wages gradually to eventually put the club back into the black. Although it is a fairly daunting task, it can be done with the help of good cup runs and sly contractual management. Secondly, can you hold on to your biggest assets? The likes of Solomon Shields and Luke Thurlbourne could well grab the attention of league clubs, and unless you progress quickly enough through the league structure, they could well be poached from you. Finally, the famous city of St Albans is missing one thing - a league club. Can you be the man to take City up through the leagues and overtake Watford as the pride of Hertfordshire? The Club's ground Clarence Park Thanks for reading, and most of all... Come on you Saints! NOTE: To be updated following release of Patch 10.3.0, with revised player profiles and budgets etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chapman6159 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Good thread mate! have been looking to start a blue square season so decided to give St. Albans a go! maybe some more people will follow suit as so far seems like its going to be good challenge! Well heres my progress (loaded both england and scotland with additional players loaded from both nations): Obviously with quiet a tight budget pre-season transfer activity was limited: Signed: Gerry Mclaughlin - 19 year old scottish GK - ex- clyde player - decent keeper with low wages Marc McCallum - 16 year old scottish GK - ex- dundee united - great potential Niall Thompson - 35 year old Canadian striker - bit of a journeyman but will do a job hopefully Scott Wagstaff - 19 year old winger / striker - on loan from Charlton - been superb so far for me I had a host of potential targets but struggled to get the players in i hoped! spent most of the time attempting to sign ex-Chelsea brighton, ect, ect forward Leon Knight but typically he was a stubborn little.... so left it at that! Attempts to sell or get rid of players is proving hard - released Ohakam and Barnes, while a few on high wages linger in reserves with the hope i can offload them at some point. Had a mixed pre-season which has followed into my season start 1-1 Dorchester Away - Thurlborune scorer 0-0 Worchester Home 3-2 Eastliegh Home - Wagstaff, Hakim, Thompson 1-2 Welling Hime - Wagstaff Trying to get some more lads in on loan, just got watford as a parent club so will see how that works out for me. well will update things again when they get going! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyzx12 Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Into second season just after being promoted through play-offs. Currently 19th after quite a few draws. Soloman Shields has really come into his own though, I swapped him for Mark Farthing (free from luton) Soloman scored one from twenty yards, another one from 30 yards and then a penalty. First choice ever since Can't seem to beat the big teams tho! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 Trying to get some more lads in on loan, just got watford as a parent club so will see how that works out for me.well will update things again when they get going! Yep, Leyton Orient aren't a very good parent club are they ? Personally, I've decided to wait until the post-Jan patch to start my City one. Good to hear you've started solidly. Welling are a good side on the game, underachieving in real life. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Awesome, awesome thread! Not biased at all, obviously! Seriously, a great write up Ryan. Totally agree with your opinion on the players. 10/10 from me. Come on you Saints! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Uploaded this in case you wanted to use it in the opening post, as I think it looks pretty cool and it shows Minter, Wood and Clarke. I've also got some shots of the ground, of the players and of the Saints City Trust logo. Probably don't want too much though as it'll look cluttered and the OP looks perfect as it is. Just thought I would mention it. Let me know if you want anything else from me. Edit- quite like this as well: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Personally, I've decided to wait until the post-Jan patch to start my City one. Yes, I'm waiting until the January patch too, so I can start with the final data update. Then I will be having a major long-term save with City. I can't wait! From a researching point of view, I'll be doing quite a bit of work on Godfrey Poku and 'JJ' O'Donnell in particular for the next patch. They will both make managing the Saints an interesting prospect indeed when 10.3 comes out, I feel. That's if we can hold on to them until then in real life. Regardless, the Saints have a talented young squad this season and I think there is good potential there for building to push for the Conference in the future on FM. Obviously, there has been quite a few changes to personnel since the last data patch, so I will be working hard to get things as up-to-date as I can for the post-January data patch (usually out in Feb or early March, I think). Anyway, great work on this thread Ryan and I will be updating on my progress here when I start my Saints save on 10.3. I hope to read about lots of other peoples' adventures managing the mighty Saints! Good luck everyone! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Cheers for the feedback, Crouchaldinho, really appreciate it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Crouchaldinho - I've added those pictures - what do you think? I especially like the one of the Saints sign ... Thanks very much Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I think put the 'Welcome to St. Albans City' sign at the very top underneath your 'Welcome to the FM10 St Albans City Thread' title. It would look good there. The put the photograph of the ground back in underneath the 'Club Information' part if you still have it. Otherwise I could try to find you a good shot of CP. Then maybe put the St. Albans City Centenary design towards the bottom of the page. Perhaps above the 'Challenge' section. That would be my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimble Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I didn't realise Ryan Frater was even playing for them... I used to play football with him as a kid... always a good player, but surprised to hear he's playing almost professionally. Kevin Foley is a different story though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Crouchaldinho, Unfortunately, you can't have more than four images in one article/post, so I decided on the layout you can see above. Good idea putting that 'Welcome to St Albans City FC' pic under the Welcome... bit Any more suggestions, text or pics, just shout, and I'll put them in, for example if you want me to change my evaluations of players etc. Anyway, won't be long till I have redo some of it, once the patch comes out, eh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Looks good now Ryan. Keep it like that, I say. Yes, won't be too long now until things need updating! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Having said that, I'm thinking a bit of a font change Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 This is Clarence Park at the moment: Not looking too good for this weekend's game against Dorchester Town. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 Thanks for that pic, Crouchie, as you can see it's up there! And its not looking too good is it? Cor, I havent been down to the park for ages! Must be almost a month now! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I see that St. Albans City are pretty big in Norway: http://www.sacfc.no/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Highwind Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 On my 4th season with St Albans here! Been doing pretty well if I say so myself! Will post screenshots of the teams of the year and what positions I ended up! Season 1 Made 2 major signings of Sean Doherty and Niall Thompson with many short term loans from my feeder club QPR! Signings in/out League Table Season went down to the last game, with me needing Braintree to lose or draw and St Albans needing a win! Luckily I pipped it on GD! Team of the season Hakim and Thompson did most of the leg work, my defence were insanely leaky at times! Will post season 2 + 3 soon, and how I am doing at the moment in season 4! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Highwind Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Season 2 Predicted 22nd, I saw a very hard and disappointing season ahead! But alas I managed 12th and got overachievers in my league for the second year in a row! Signings In/Out I am slowly sending my scouts into France to pick up some gems! League With 2nd worst defence in the league, things need to be sorted out... Team of the season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Looks like you've done very well there. Good to see Paul Hakim scoring you goals in the BSP! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Highwind Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Season 3 - To the football league! Predicted 17th in the league, I was some what of a surprise package this year! Signing Utilising my scouts I managed to get some gems from France! League Suffering from mid-table obscurity at the start of the season, suddenly a string of good results and winning streaks means the impossible is not so impossible for St Albans, with us finishing 2nd in the league and winning the playoffs, thanks to an own goal and penalty at Wembley! I had 84 points btw, silly tool tip hoverover! Team of the season My defence had gone from one year being 2nd most conceded to the joint least conceded! Whether this will be the case in league 2 is a different story, but I feel safe with a good keeper coming in next season and Ben Smith as backup! I understand the large images may be a bit of an annoyance, sorry if they are against any forum guidelines, will change ASAP if they are! Hope you other Saints can do as well if not better! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 Just been taking a look back at this thread. Chris' adventures with the Saints have got me so excited for the new patch! I've been thinking of line-ups etc, and I'm hoping this will be more successful than FM09, when I got the Saints to the Championship. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 Started on the new patch with St Albans City, and have had a great start. This is the BSS after nine games. The transfers I have made are as follows: The stand out man has been Bobby Traynor, whom I found in the NLP, and decided to snap him up, but didn't think he would be this good. He has ten goals in his first nine! As you can see, I managed to get Poku back on loan, but only for three months for the time being, as he didn't want a longer term move. Will keep you all updated Would like to say another massive thanks to Crouchaldinho for all his hard work - another great update! I will update the original post in a couple of days once I have assessed the players a bit more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 How did you find him in the NLP? Was he in one of their top players lists? I can't remember. You got Godfrey Poku back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Would like to say another massive thanks to Crouchaldinho for all his hard work - another great update! Thanks for that Ryan and cheers for giving me your input and opinions via PM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 How did you find him in the NLP? Was he in one of their top players lists? I can't remember.You got Godfrey Poku back. Yes, I think he was in the top scorers list or something. JJ wouldn't come back though In the first team at Luton. Godfrey would only come back on a short term for me, but I hope to extend that when it is up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Highwind Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Minor update! Season 4 Predicted 24th in the league, but will break the league position high for St Albans wherever I come! Did a bit of wheeling and dealing at the start, bringing in a few new players and getting rid of those I don't consider League 2 standard, however, I tried to keep some players consistent as to make the team gel faster! Signings League Overachievers again! Mid table was good! Predicted 23rd next season haha. Team of the season Defence was surprisingly solid, and my attack did well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 I have since dropped off, due to injuries and some poor form in the cups which transferred into the league unfortunately, but we're hanging on to the play-offs. I have added some familiar faces to the ranks at the Saints. Lee Flynn has come in as back up for Peter Smith, while Lee Clarke and Luke Thurlbourne have also rejoined. I almost got Tom Davis, but he, understandably, opted for BSP side Forest Green. Ben Greenhalgh, winner of Football's Next Star on Sky1, has signed on loan, and has done very well on the left hand side of midfield. Bobby Traynor was out for a month and a half, which contributed to our drop in form. I am wondering about a change in formation, what with the signings of Thurlbourne and Greenhalgh, and am unsure as to whether to swap to a 4-3-2-1 with attacking wingers. EDIT: I have just signed Ben Martin to sure up a leaky defence, as it looks like we are heading for a mid table finish, which is very disappointing considering our good start. So plenty of things to think about there, how have you all been getting on? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_sacfc Posted March 5, 2010 Author Share Posted March 5, 2010 Entering season two after a disappointing first season. Have been put into the Blue Square North and have a very limited budget. Should be difficult. I am abandoning the 4-4-2 and am going for an adapted 4-5-1, as follows. GK - Paul Bastock DR - James Fisher DL - Peter Smith DC - Ben Martin © DC - Ryan Frater DMC - Godfrey Poku MC - Tom Davis/Luke Thurlbourne MC - Solomon Shields AMR - Paul Buckley AML - Paul Hakim FC - Bobby Traynor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Highwind Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 Season 5 Predicted 23rd, I was ready for another disappointing season! But instead, I came 8th, and had a very good FA Cup run, getting into the 4th round before being dumped out 3-1 away to Cardiff! Signings Bought in my loans for the season and a few more signings to strengthen the squad, but keeping some regulars for consistency, Danny Bunce is still in my team, the only guy to stay there since the start when I bought him now. League. Another strong second half of the season display sees me 8th in the league and one point from the playoffs Best Eleven Bruce dominated the season for me, scoring and setting up goals like nobody with his pace, dribbling and strength. After this season I am playing a deep 4-2-3-1 though. Currently midway through season 6, I am in the playoffs for league 2, and although I was knocked out of the FA and league cup, I have a JPT Southern Final bout with Cardiff, the team that apparently wants me as their manager! Also England won the 2014 WC, with the CB pairing of Wheather and Davies... Another update! I'm off to Wembley! Drew at home 0-0 to Cardiff, to win 2-0 away in the JPT Southern Final Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hello chaps. Finally getting around to starting my Saints save. Will be writing about it in the career forum here - http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=198105 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayeseeboi Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 hey chaps just starting one of these st albans saves. on the latest patch why can't i seem to get Luke Thurlbourne, cant find him anywhere? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 You'll need to retain all players in England to get him. He is at Mildenhall Town now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fan Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 After 7 games in Blue Square South Won 4 and drew 3 good form to be honest Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Nice work LF. What signings have you made? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fan Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Joe Robbins-Free Danny Davenport-Loan From Queens Park Rangers River Hately-Richards-Free Ross Stearn-Free Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fan Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6671/20805389.jpg Michel Platini planning to buy Bromley lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Michel Platini at Bromley! That's probably one of the funniest things I've seen on FM! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fan Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Bug mate considering he is UEFA President? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 It's certainly not quite right and worth reporting in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fan Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5343/bbcedit.png Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.