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From Yorkshire To Europe... By Any Means Necessary: A Harrogate Town Story

Chasing Lamely

By Chasing Lamely,
in FM Stories

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Chasing Lamely

Chasing Lamely

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Wetherby Road is a bonafide ********. There are nicer ways to put it, but they’re all much less honest. See? - http://www.portconnection.btinternet.co.uk/grounds/harrogate.htm

But hey, here I was, standing outside of my new home as I prepared to sign on as manager of Harrogate Town. This club has a lot of history. Having been ‘officially’ founded in 1919, they actually started up in 1914 and, as yet, have never won a damn thing. So even if the ground is a ********, and the Conference North isn’t where I planned on starting my career in management, there is a legacy waiting to be built here.

My first order of business was to meet with chairman Bill Fotherby to finalize my contract. I liked Bill, he was a top bloke… for a northerner. All these funny accents were going to take me a while to get used to. I mean, it’s not like I’d never been up north before, but I’d never had to live here. I’d had no choice though - nobody else would give me a job, and nobody else wanted to manage this place. It was a match made in hell.

The next order of business was to meet my staff. My defacto assistant manager was a guy named Michael Hulse. He had a guy who claimed to be the first team coach with him, and together they gave me an awkward presentation and report on the team. It was like watching a northern Del Boy and Rodney announcing the England squad. After they were done wasting my time, I thanked them then told the two gormless twats to get out of my club and not let the door hit them on the arse on the way out.

I picked up the phone and went running through my phonebook. Had to get some better coaches. And now. But I also had a team to look at. According to Morecambe and Wise, my best player was the left back Nathan Peat. And he wasn’t bad, actually. I checked up on his history and it turns out h started out at Hull. Not a bad pedigree, but I couldn’t help wondering what the hell he was doing here. Then again, I couldn’t work out what I was doing here, either. Maybe we were both in purgatory.

The team, as a whole, were very unbalanced. We had a lot of defenders in the squad and barely any midfielders. That was going to have to change. Or I was going to have to play five at the back. Hopefully the new coaching staff will have an idea or two. I also had a problem with only having one senior goalkeeper. Paul Musselwhite had been awesome for Port Vale back in the day but, at 38, his best days were behind him. The last manager here, Neil Aspin, clearly couldn’t get a damned thing right. No wonder they fired him… and nobody wanted to take over.

I decided then that Bill deserved better. He had a tiny club with a worthless ground and a squad that needed a huge overhaul. Sure, the budget he gave me was ridiculously small, but that wouldn’t get in my way. I decided, right there and then, that I was going to go on a crusade; Harrogate Town were going to the Football League.

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Chasing Lamely

Chasing Lamely

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Welcome to FMS! Please see the house rules at the top of the thread regarding use of pictures.

My bad dude, been a long time since I wrote for this forum. I'll ask before I make the change... but it's okay for me to link to the site the pictures are on, right?

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Chasing Lamely

Chasing Lamely

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You can post relevant links yes, you just can't post pictures into the page.

Coolios :)

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“Jesus Christ,” said John Martin, my new assistant manager, “It’s like being in the land of the Smurfs here.”

“How do you mean?” I asked.

“Well look at these lads, they’re all midgets or kids. The ones who are old enough to buy porno aren’t tall enough to reach it.”

“So?”

“So the Blue Square North is a pretty physical league. You’re going to need to get rid of the little lads and bring in some tougher guys. You have a sixteen year old centre half who‘s five-foot-nine. Where do you really see his career going?”

As I watched the team train, I knew he was right. All the practice in the world wasn’t going to make such a small team competitive, so I immediately put the smaller guys on the transfer list and set about looking for some bigger guys to replace them. Sadly, that meant that my captain, Roy Hunter, is going to have to leave. And bedding in replacements is going to be a nightmare. This situation is worse than I thought.

Offers poured in for the players I listed, which made me begin to doubt my assistant’s advice a little. But I held firm because he was right. I could maybe absorb one or two small players, carry them, but I couldn’t carry what was practically a whole team of them. Right-back Jamie Price lead the exodus, joining Billericay for a massive £14k, but I resolved not to sign anyone (with the exception of player-coaches) until they were all gone, so that I could properly assess my budget and options. An there was a shock in store when I went against the advice of Laurel and Hardy and sold Nathan Peat to Lewes.

The full list of initial departures looked like this:

Jamie Price (DR) to Billericay, £14k

Denny Ingram (DRC, DM) to Frickley. £5k

Darren Dunning (MC) to Billericay, £9k

Nathan Peat (DL) to Lewes, £5k + 10%

Lee Whittington (ST) to Buxton, free

Nathan James (MRL) to Radcliffe Boro, free

With the money this brought in, and freed up in the wage budget, I was able to secure some great initial signings, though I’d have to look for more before the season started.

Dale Roberts (GK, 20 y/o) was the first ‘major’ signing, coming to us for £1k from Nottingham Forest. Last season he starred on loan for Alfreton in the Conference North, making 42 appearances and impressing everyone in the league, so he was a big coup for us. His strengths include quick reflexes, bravery and being strong in the air, though his handling and distribution will need to be worked on by our goalkeeping coach, Chris Vale.

Phil Doughty (DC, 20) followed Dale through the door as he signed for £1k from Blackpool. Standing at 6’2” he would add more much-needed height to the squad and is especially strong both physically and in the air. My coaches and scouts warned me that he’s also got a reputation for being inconsistent and overly aggressive, but even playing badly he should be streets ahead of most other centre-halves at this level. As long as he stays on the pitch.

I decided that we’d also need to shore up the coaching staff, and the easiest way to do this was to bring in player-coaches who could make limited appearances throughout the season. Most likely to play are Brendan Aspinall, who plays primarily as a right-back, and former Wimbledon and Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth, who I knew from my playing days.

Although there were still changes to come for the squad, with one or two signings left, it was time for pre-season to begin in earnest. Our first friendly of the season saw us welcoming Scottish Premier League club Hibernian to Wetherby Road.

As I looked at my team sheet, I realised I’d inadvertently caused the problem I was trying to avoid: I’d have to play 5-3-2, because my recruiting process hadn’t added to the midfield yet, but I’d sold three midfielders, leaving me with only four midfield options. As kick-off neared, my first ever team sheet as Harrogate boss looked like this:

1. Dale Roberts - The former Nottingham Forest keeper makes his unofficial debut against the massive test of the SPL club. Will he stand up to the test?

2. Brendan Aspinall - The youngest of my player-coaches starts the game at right wing-back. He wasn’t overly happy about it, since it puts him a little out of his comfort zone, but he’ll cope with it as long as it’s only a short term thing.

3. Dave Merris - Although I transfer listed him because he doesn’t have the height I’m looking for, there’s no denying that the former York City player has the talent to compete at this level. He’s not being pursued by anybody, which is a surprise, and if he’s not gone by the start of the league campaign he may become one of the guys who gets carried along for the ride. Starts at left wing-back.

4. Phil Doughty - The new signing from Blackpool gets the chance to prove himself right off the bat at the heart of a three man central defensive unit. Although this is a tough test for him, having two more experienced guys alongside him to help out might be beneficial for today. But he’ll have to sink or swim on his own merits soon.

5. Mark Hume - Started his career at Barnsley and is versatile enough to play up front as well as at centre-half, where he finds himself today. Not brilliant in either role, but he’ll probably get his fair share of games in the short-term.

6. Chris Ellerker - A big centre-half, a great team player and a Liverpool fan, Ellerker started his career at Harrogate but he probably won’t be around much longer unless he knuckles down in training. He’s not a horrible player, and young enough to learn, but he has some consistency issues that need to be watched out for.

7. Roy Hunter - The diminutive defensive midfielder is the current club captain but is on the transfer list, too, so that will probably change. He’s not a bad player, but his height and his age - 33 - count against him. Two-footed and hard-working, but he doesn’t have enough creative vision to be a long-term asset. Has also been in something of a sulk since I joined the club, as he’s considered a strong Aspin loyalist with some underlying anger at the way the old boss was shepherded out of the club.

8. Chris Bettney - A journeyman midfielder who possesses a lot of pace and good all-round talent, but is limited by a lack of versatility and can only play in the position he finds himself in today: the hole behind the front two. Transfer listed for sure, but I just don’t know if I’ll be able to sell a player so limited in scope. I’m trying to encourage him to play a little deeper, but that’ll take time and I’m not sure how willing I am to wait.

9. Kirk Jackson - Athletically gifted but technically awful, Kirk is on the transfer list and it’s a position he’s used to, it seems, having played for nearly ten clubs in twelve years. Actually has a decent goal scoring record for such a limited player, averaging a goal every three games, but I’d rather not keep him around if I can avoid it.

10. Danny Holland - A great young striker with a lot of potential, which is all I need to keep him at the club for now. Averages slightly more than a goal every other game, which isn’t bad, but I’m convinced that, if I find him the right partner, we can bump that up a little to get him closer to a goal a game.

11. Leigh Wood - Primarily a centre-half, but he can play in midfield and is probably a little better suited there as his pace and passing will make him more effective there. Defensive skills are weak; he’s a decent tackler but his marking, positioning and heading need work. Not entirely convinced I’ll be keeping him around, but he’ll get a chance to prove his worth.

Subs:

12. Paul Musselwhite - Second-choice today, but form will decide who wins the number one shirt.

14. Steve Cowell - Big, quick youth team striker. Unlikely to become a first-team regular this season, but he’ll be given time to develop and will probably get himself half a dozen sub appearances, at the very least, for the first team. More if injuries and suspensions take hold.

15. Les Robinson - The versatile defender can play in the centre, at right-back or in midfield and is also on the coaching staff having made his name as an Oxford United legend. At 40, he’s definitely not someone I want to have to rely on as a player under any circumstances.

16. Dean Holdsworth - At 38, this will probably be Deano’s last season as a player, but the man still has a lot to offer us as a super sub from the bench. Will probably be the guy I look at to save a game in the last ten if we need it. Will be working very closely with Danny Holland to develop him as a player, too.

17. Michael Heathcote - A 41 year old centre-half, Heathcote is being kept around for his coaching abilities, as he hasn’t had much to offer as a player for some time now. I wouldn’t expect him to make many league appearances unless we get really desperate, as I’d prefer to dig up a youth team player.

18. Gary Crawshaw - Hardworking striker who never really amounted to much as a player, but is building a big reputation as a coach. I only had him sign playing forms so I can use him as back-up if absolutely necessary.

19. David Thomas - Youth team central midfielder is a great athlete, but the jury is out on his actual ability and potential at the moment.

20. Sam Hill - Left winger from the youth team who works hard, but is still developing his own style as a player. Time will tell here.

21. Chris Taylor - A quick, strong central midfielder from the youth team. He could have a huge future at the club, but he’ll have to earn it.

22. Albert Slater - A centre-half from the youth team who’s solid in the air, but needs to work on his all-round game. He could make it, and will be given every opportunity.

23. Paul Ennis - A confident team player from the youth side, who loves a big game. Unfortunately, a club this side doesn’t get many, and he doesn’t really have the talent to suggest he’ll ever find himself in one. But I’d love to be proven wrong.

24. George Short - Blessed with an ironic name because the kid is six-four. He’s fifteen years old, plays at centre-half and I really think he has a lot of potential to be a big star at this club. He’s definitely got the heart and the desire, but we need to get him into the gym and bulk him up a bit.

First Half: Harrogate Town vs. Hibernian

Our first half performance was tremendous, keeping things down to nil-nil, making almost all of our tackles count and, according to the stats, keeping up a 100% cross completion rate. Assuming things stay like this for the regular season, with a taller team, that could mean great things for us as a side. Also, if things continue like this, I may even consider sticking to 5-3-2.

Half-Time: Harrogate Town 0-0 Hibernian

The second half was slightly more action-packed than the first. Wetherby Road went into raptures when we scored first, with Danny Holland running onto a through ball from Bettney and hammering it into the top corner. Unfortunately, our joy was short-lived as Hibs struck back through Damon Gray, who was the first to the ball after a long-range effort struck our goalpost.

With my team of part-timers tiring fast, I decided to make a mass substitution, replacing my entire side and they managed to hold firm until two minutes from time, when Dean Shiels broke through our defence in a brilliant individual move to slot the ball home.

Final Score: Harrogate Town 1-2 Hibernian

Not a bad performance from us to manage to keep the score respectable, especially as Hibs only took the lead after I replaced the first team in its entirety due to tired players. But I think my boys did themselves proud, and I told them so, as did the round of applause they received on leaving the field from the 3,775 in attendance.

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ScottleeSV

ScottleeSV

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Harrogate was my favourite team to manage on FM08. I always got players on loan from Leeds. I never got promoted though, despite once leading the Blue Square North by about 7 points. I recognise a lot of players on there from when I managed them.

Good start to the story. Best of luck with it.

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Chasing Lamely

Chasing Lamely

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Good start!

Gary Crawshaw is a bit of a throwback though. I remember watching him play back in 1993!

LOL. Was he ever any good? Cos he's useless on my game...

Being a Yorkshire lad myself you get a special good luck from me :)

Thanks :) Hopefully I'll bring a trophy or two home.

Harrogate was my favourite team to manage on FM08. I always got players on loan from Leeds. I never got promoted though, despite once leading the Blue Square North by about 7 points. I recognise a lot of players on there from when I managed them.

Good start to the story. Best of luck with it.

Thanks. I like starting out at Harrogate, too. They're arguably the smallest team in the bottom tier of English football on the game, but I do enjoy dragging them up through the leagues.

NOTE: The following update contains some 'bad' language, so if easily offended, y'know... whatever. You were warned.

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“Great work last night.” The chairman was certainly a happy man, even in defeat, as he strolled into my office. “I think you’ve really got us on the right track. If we can compete with Hibs, we can win this division easily.”

I admired his confidence, but I didn’t believe it for even one second, and I didn’t want to risk either bursting his bubble or raising his expectations unnecessarily, so I thanked him for his confidence and apologized. I had a busy morning ahead of me, as I was scheduled to confirm another new signing.

28 year old striker Paul Hart has been described as selfish, arrogant and, at times, lazy. But he’s also known for being a phenomenal talent. He started out at seventeen at QPR, with his ego causing fall-out after fall-out with various bosses at various clubs until he’d fallen completely off the radar six years ago following a spell at Vauxhall.

One of my scouts had heard he was playing Sunday league football and, after tracking him down, had watched him tear another side apart single-handedly in a pre-season friendly. I wasted no time in swooping in. Bad attitudes can be dealt with and, nine times out of ten, they’re worth the hassle of dealing with. All the best players had an attitude problem anyway; look at Eric Cantona!

When I met with Paul that day to talk terms and sort out the details, I wasn’t meeting the egotistical, arrogant striker I’d been warned about. This was a man who had been humbled by being out of the game he loved for too long and he seemed all too eager to knuckle down and work hard for the Harrogate cause. I was convinced enough to give him a one-year deal and hope that he and Danny can form a dangerous partnership for the season.

As much as my claim to have a busy day ahead was a ploy to rid my office of the chairman, I actually ended up having a horribly busy day. As I sent Paul down to the training ground to be introduced to his new team-mates, I discovered just how much of a revolving door my office would need. Roy Hunter, the captain, walked straight in without knocking and sat himself on the corner of my desk.

“Listen, Roy, I don’t know how the old boss did things-”

“Clearly. What the hell were you thinking yesterday?”

“What?”

“I said 'what the hell were you thinking yesterday?' I am the team captain, and you do not ever take me off of that field unless it’s on a stretcher. Do I make myself clear?”

“Who the **** do you think you are? You barge in here and tell me how to manage my team? I don’t care if you are the team captain. I can change that. If you can’t get through ninety minutes without sucking air like a ten-penny rent boy trying to get a golf ball up a garden hose, then yeah, I’m going to pull you off the damn field. And if you don’t like it, you can leave.”

“The old boss would never have disrespected me like that. The old boss would never treat me this way.”

“The old boss got fired. Apparently for a good reason. Now I gave you a choice: shut the **** up, show some respect and do your job, or you can **** off and join your old boss in the unemployment office right now. Which is it going to be?”

“I’ll stay. You’ll be gone in a month anyway.”

One of us will, I thought as he let himself out of my office, slamming the door shut behind him.

My day continued with four more signings before I was finally able to go home and relax.

The first was Ben Woods, 26, a former Burnley right winger who had dropped into the non-league system like Hart, only to be rediscovered by my scouts. He’s still plenty quick enough for this level and has all the talent I need in a winger to take our opponents apart.

Kevin Larvin, 22, is a former Leeds and Leicester youth team striker who was found playing alongside Ben in non-league. He’s quick and powerful, and good in the air with a style that puts him very much in the mould of a younger Emile Heskey. He could be a great asset to us if we need a physical player to just hol up the ball and close out a tight game.

Gareth Liddle, 24, is a centre-half who can also play in midfield and started his career at Crewe before ending up back in non-league struggling to get a game. He has a reputation as a hard worker and, if he can focus, he could make a long-term home in Harrogate.

David Savage, 22, is a strong, brave and exceptionally talented centre-half who is sure to challenge for a place in the first team. Although it feels almost like I now have far too many defenders, hopefully it’ll lead to me being able to keep us solid at the back whilst I build on the team ahead of them. Call it the George Graham theory. Without the illegal stuff.

And now, having completed a rough day, it was time for me to get myself a nice cold beer and prepare for the upcoming friendly against Geraint Williams‘ Colchester.

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tenthreeleader

tenthreeleader

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My bad dude, been a long time since I wrote for this forum. I'll ask before I make the change... but it's okay for me to link to the site the pictures are on, right?

It certainly is ... no worries. Thanks for making the fix. Glad to have you posting!

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