Discovering the Keys to success - Dafuge Challenge FM13

[Champfan10]

Whats this thread about?

This is going to be a thread documenting my career in the Dafuge Challenge, the thread is located here and contains all the rules, basically the aim is to take a previously unmanageable club to Champions League glory, so you holiday a season to choose a newly promoted club in the Blue Square North/South divisions.

Leagues Loaded

English Leagues & Large Database.

Club Chosen

See next post.

I am currently in season 2022/23 so all updates to this point will come from the dafuge thread as seasonal updates, but there forward will be updates as I go along.

[Champfan10]

Hednesford Town have a new manager!

I decided that Hednesford Town would be the club chosen for this challenge, I chose them due to the size of there stadium

a 6500 (1,025 seated) capacity stadium called Keys Park which was built in 1995, to prevent too much expense later on in my career when we get league football.

Modern History (from wikipedia)

[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]In [b]1995–96[/b] the Pitmen commenced their first season in The Conference at their new [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keys_Park"]Keys Park[/url] home and in the club's first season in the top flight of non-league football they finished in third place behind champions [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevenage_Borough"]Stevenage Borough[/url] and [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woking_F.C."]Woking[/url].
[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The [b]1996–97[/b] season will go down as the best in the club's history as the Pitmen reached the first round of the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Cup"]FA Cup[/url] for the first time in 72 years, eventually losing in the fourth round to [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlesbrough_F.C."]Middlesbrough[/url], in front of 27,500 supporters.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The following season saw the club finish in seventh position and further FA Cup success was enjoyed as, in front of millions of [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match_of_the_Day"]Match of the Day[/url] viewers, the Pitmen beat Hull City 2–0 at Boothferry Park but in the second round lost to [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlington"]Darlington[/url].[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]
In the [b]1998–99[/b] season the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the third season running. This time the team beat [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnet_F.C."]Barnet[/url] 3–1 in the first round but lost by the same scoreline away at[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_City"]Cardiff City[/url] in the next round. League success did not follow the fine cup runs and the 1999–2000 season saw the team drop to 17th position then, after John Baldwin had stepped down during December 2000, the club were relegated for the first time in their history. A succession of managers were appointed to replace John Baldwin including [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hednesford_Town_F.C.#"]Neil[/url] Pointon, Colin Lambert, Paul Raynor, Kenny Hibbitt and Ian Painter.[/size][/font][/color]
[size=1][b]
2003–04[/b] [/size][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The club also won the 2004 [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Trophy"]FA Trophy[/url], beating [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvey_Island_F.C."]Canvey Island[/url] 3–2 with the goals coming from Anthony Maguire, Les Hines and a late winner by then assistant manager Chris Brindley. Despite winning a major piece of silverware, Manager Barry Powell was sacked after a poor league showing ended with them failing to qualify for the newly created Conference North and Powell was replaced by fans favourite Chris Brindley.[/size][/font][/color]
[size=1]
[b]2004–05 
[/b][/size][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]In his first season in management, Brindley took Hednesford to the playoffs and after beating [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merthyr_Tydfil_F.C."]Merthyr Tydfil[/url] on penalties in the semi, and [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chippenham_Town_F.C."]Chippenham Town[/url] in the final 1–0, Hednesford were promoted to the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_North"]Conference North[/url].[/size][/font][/color]

[b][size=1]2005–06 
[/size][/b][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The 2005–06 season saw the Pitmen again reach the first round of the FA Cup but the team were defeated 4–0 away at Histon. The team continued to leak goals and, as a result of a number of poor results and the team sinking to the bottom end of the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_North"]Conference North[/url], Chris Brindley left the club by mutual consent in early December 2005. Brindley’s assistant manager, former[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimbledon_F.C."]Wimbledon[/url] star, [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Anthrobus"]Steve Anthrobus[/url], was appointed Manager but he was unable to save the club from relegation, after playing out a 0–0 draw at [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxhall_Motors_F.C."]Vauxhall Motors[/url]. They were subsequently placed in the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Premier_League"]Northern Premier League[/url], their first foray into Northern League football.[/size][/font][/color]

[b][size=1]2006–07 
[/size][/b][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]Former [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham_Forest"]Nottingham Forest[/url] player, Phil Starbuck, was appointed manager in July 2006 and despite challenging near the top of the table for the majority of 2006–07 season, a slump in form after Christmas saw the team eventually finish in 7th position.[/size][/font][/color]

[b][size=1]2007–08 
[/size][/b][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The 2007–08 season saw the Pitmen start well, but a run of inconsistent form saw them finish outside the play-off places again, finishing eighth.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]There was a strong possibility of Hednesford moving back to the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_League_Premier_Division"]Southern League Premier Division[/url] for the 2008–09 season, but [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Town_F.C."]Halifax Town[/url]'s financial problems saw a number of non-league sides revived, leaving the Pitmen with the prospect of [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Premier_League"]Northern Premier League[/url] football for the forthcoming campaign.[/size][/font][/color]

[b][size=1]2008–09 
[/size][/b][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]On 21 May 2008, the club confirmed that they had parted company with manager [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Starbuck"]Phil Starbuck[/url] and that former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Exeter City and Torquay United player [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Edwards_(footballer)"]Dean Edwards[/url], had been appointed as Starbuck's successor working alongside Stephen Price, the club's chairman. After a busy first few days, Edwards brought in a succession of new players, and also named his former Torquay team-mate [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Elliott_(footballer)"]Matt Elliott[/url] as the club's new assistant manager.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]
A great start to the [b]2008–09[/b] season saw the Pitmen hit top spot in the league, playing neat, attractive football. A young, locally-based side enjoyed the status as favourites for the title, with a 7–2 win over [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worksop_Town_F.C."]Worksop Town[/url] on Boxing Day the high point. Since the turn of the year, Hednesford's form dipped, although they enjoyed a good run in the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Trophy"]FA Trophy[/url]. A topsy-turvy final month of the campaign saw the Pitmen remain in contention for a play-off place, relying on a fine run of wins away from home to conteract a dismal run of form at [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keys_Park"]Keys Park[/url], which saw poor defeats to relegation-haunted [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitby_Town_F.C."]Whitby Town[/url], [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_United_F.C."]Boston United[/url] and [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh_Genesis_F.C."]Leigh Genesis[/url] in sequence. However, [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendal_Town_F.C."]Kendal Town[/url] snatched the final play-off spot, leaving Hednesford with a fourth successive season at step three.[/size][/font][/color]

[size=1][b]2009–10[/b] 
[/size][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]News arrived at Hednesford on 29 May 2009 that the Pitmen had been moved by the FA to their former stamping ground, the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_League_Premier_Division"]Southern League Premier Division[/url], for the 2009–10 season, after a number of clubs were 'shunted' around the leagues to allow for re-structuring. This saw a return to local derbies for the club in 2009–10, with [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuneaton_Town_F.C."]Nuneaton Town[/url], [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halesowen_Town_F.C."]Halesowen Town[/url], [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stourbridge_F.C."]Stourbridge[/url], [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_Town_F.C."]Rugby Town[/url], [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leamington_F.C."]Leamington[/url] and [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evesham_United_F.C."]Evesham United[/url] all lining up against the Pitmen in the Southern League. Off the field, [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Elliott_(footballer)"]Matt Elliott[/url] stepped down as assistant manager of the club to concentrate on other business interests, with Edwards moving swiftly to sign [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macclesfield_Town_F.C."]Macclesfield Town[/url] defender [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Walker_(footballer_born_1980)"]Richard Walker[/url] as the club's new player/coach. On 15 September 2009 Edwards was relieved of his managerial duties following a disappointing start to the season, culminating in a 4–1 home defeat to [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Juniors_F.C."]Pegasus Juniors[/url] of the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenic_Football_League"]Hellenic League Premier Division[/url], 2 divisions below the Pitmen. Former[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland_national_football_team"]Northern Ireland[/url] international and [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.F.C._Telford_United"]AFC Telford United[/url] manager [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_McNally"]Bernard McNally[/url] was appointed caretaker manager while the club searched for a new manager. The club released a statement on Thursday 8 October 2009 that Simon Line, previously of [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_Drayton_Town_F.C."]Market Drayton Town[/url], had accepted the manager's job at Keys Park, with Delwyn Humphreys as his assistant manager and Paul Mellings coming in as goalkeeping coach.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The club announced on Thursday 14 January 2010 that Simon Line had resigned from his managerial position at the club, citing personal reasons. His replacement, former Hednesford player, Bernard McNally was appointed as the new manager on Monday 25 January with Delwyn Humphreys remaining as his assistant. Under McNally's management the club finished the end of the 2009–10 season in 4th place in the Southern League Premier Division. By finishing 4th the club qualified for the play-offs but, after a hectic end of season schedule due to postponed games throughout the winter months, ended up losing 2–0 away to Chippenham Town in the semi-finals. In May 2010, it was announced that Delwyn Humphreys had left his position as assistant manager and replaced by goalkeeper Stuart Brock.[/size][/font][/color]

[size=1][b]2010–11 
[/b][/size][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The summer of 2010 saw a complete change in the playing department with both of the lethal strikeforce that turned the previous season moving on to higher levels. Macclesfield Town snapped up Tyrone Barnett while Ross Dyer signed for Forest Green Rovers, joining up with another ex-Pitman in Reece Styche.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]After a mixed start to the 2010–11 season that found the Pitmen again having much greater away form than at home, on Sunday 19 September 2010 the club announced it had "parted company" with manager [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_McNally"]Bernard McNally[/url] and a successor was being sought. That replacement would turn out to be Rob Smith and he was announced as manager of the club on Monday 27 September 2010 with Larry Chambers as his assistant, the duo having previously earned league promotion success with [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.F.C._Telford_United"]AFC Telford United[/url].[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]This appointment triggered an up turn in the team's on field success with the Pitmen forcing themselves into the promotion race with a run of form breaking a number of club records including:[/size][/font][/color]
[list]
[*][size=1]A goalscoring run of 32 league games (05.10.2010 to 02.05.2011)[sUP][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hednesford_Town_F.C.#cite_note-0"][1][/url][/sUP][/size]
[*][size=1]A winning run of 9 (19.02.2011 to 26.03.2011)[sUP][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hednesford_Town_F.C.#cite_note-1"][2][/url][/sUP][/size]
[*][size=1]Highest ever league victory with a 9–0 home win over [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weymouth_F.C."]Weymouth[/url][sUP][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hednesford_Town_F.C.#cite_note-2"][3][/url][/sUP](23.10.2010).[/size]
[/list][color=#000000][font=sans-serif]The post-Christmas league form continued in the cup competitions with the club winning the [/font][/color][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_League_Cup"]Southern League Cup[/url][color=#000000][font=sans-serif] beating [/font][/color][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemel_Hempstead_Town_F.C."]Hemel Hempstead Town[/url][color=#000000][font=sans-serif] over 2 legs, 5–1 on aggregate. The team followed up the cup success by qualifying for the playoffs after finishing the league season in 2nd position behind champions [/font][/color][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truro_City"]Truro City[/url][color=#000000][font=sans-serif]. This gave the Pitmen home advantage in the semi-final against [/font][/color][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leamington_F.C."]Leamington[/url][color=#000000][font=sans-serif], a game they won 3–1 to progress to the playoff final (again at Keys Park) against 3rd place finishers [/font][/color][url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salisbury_City"]Salisbury City[/url][color=#000000][font=sans-serif]. However the season was to end with heartbreak for the Pitmen, after a 1–1 draw in the 90 mins and Danny Quinn putting them back into the lead Salisbury equalised with the last kick of extra time before winning the tie on penalties.[/font][/color][size=1][/size]
[size=1][/size]
[b][size=1]2011–12 
[/size][/b][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]Hednesford were transferred to the [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Premier_League_Premier_Division"]Northern Premier League Premier Division[/url] for this season, seeing a number of local derbies return to the fixture list. A consistent start to campaign saw the Pitmen sitting in the top four for the majority of the season, with a number of memorable game to look back on: a 5–4 win over local rivals [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_Rangers_F.C."]Stafford Rangers[/url], a remarkable 6–5 win over a strong[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walsall_F.C."]Walsall[/url] side and a 2–1 win at league leaders [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_F.C."]Chester[/url].[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The Pitmen's strong home form deserted them from December however, failing to win again at home for the remainder of the season. Hednesford finished the league in 5th position, but nominally in 4th due to Northwich Victoria's expulsion from both the playoffs and league itself. Hednesford were beaten at Bradford Park Avenue 5-0 in the playoff semi-final on 28 April.[/size][/font][/color]

[b][size=1]2012–13[/size][/b] 
[color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]The summer of 2012 saw a rebuild at Keys Park, with a number of the squad that had been together for the previous 2 campaigns being moved on. Linchpins in Cheyenne Dunkley and Chris Clements saw their talents rewarded with moves up to the top-tier of non-league football ([url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidderminster_Harriers"]Kidderminster Harriers[/url] and [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Town"]Mansfield Town[/url] respectively).[/size][/font][/color]

[Champfan10]

2013-14

Survival

Club Information lManager Profile | Confidence | Finances |Squad (1) (2) | Transfers 1 Transfers 2

The League

League Table | Position Graph

I'm happy after my St Albans nightmare, I'm glad to stay up! Several times through the season we showed the potential to push on for a play off place, depite never getting near one. Our problem was we couldn't string a consistent few games together.

FA Cup & FA Trophy Fixtures |

Was quite happy with the FA Cup run, will need one of these each season to keep the accountants of our backs, the FA trophy was a poor run but it came about when we had several games close together due to the FA Cup run.

Top Scorer

Matt Taylor

Despite joining the club close to the end of the season Matt Taylor finished top scorer, his contract runs out at Forest Green at the end of the season so he will be a target for me.

Aims For Next Season

Improve on this year, play-offs!

I just want to improve next season, get some consistency behind us and then push for the play offs! I'm hoping to have a more settled squad as well and a decent cup run will help boost the funds.

[Champfan10]

2013/14

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

My theory for this season was with the basic team I have to use a basic formation, so it was pretty much a plain 4-4-2 set up with wingbacks on support and out and out wingers out wide, we used a target man and poacher upfront.

[Dejay]

Good luck with this. Whenever in doubt, 4-4-2

Nice job keeping them safe.

[Champfan10]

2014-15

Promotion

Club Information l Manager Profile | Confidence | Finances |Squad (1) (2) | Transfers

The League

Semi Final Leg 1

Semi Final Leg 2

Final

League Table | Position Graph

Well at the end of the last season I said a push for the play offs would be great, well thats what we did and we left it late to secure our position in the play offs. Once there we met inform Gainsboro' who had won the previous 6 in a row but we got a draw at home and then went away and comprehensively beat them! Then we got drawn against Southport but we was given the tie at home, which was a real bonus as we are solid, we had a record crowd and I set my team out to attack and as you see it worked perfectly.

FA Cup & FA Trophy Fixtures |

When the cups came about I was doing good in the league so I decided to prioritise the league and wasn't really that bothered about the cups.

Top Scorer

Ali Chaaban

Signed when I was in desperate need for a striker, and signed on a player/scout contract, Chaaban really surprised me he scored goals for fun at the start of the season but dried up after Feb so I fetched a few loanees in to take the burden off his ageing shoulders.

Aims For Next Season

Survival and a cup run would be nice.

Survival will be the No.1 priority, I will be looking to take advantage of the loan market again which helped when needed last season and like everyone else I want a cup run to bolster my finances.

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013/14         Blue Square North     17th            FA Cup 1st Round
2014/15         Blue Square North     5th            Promoted via the play offs.

[Dejay]

Blooming hell, fast season huh?

Cracking work with promotion

[Champfan10]

2014/15

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

I decided to stick with the 4-4-2 formation at this level, but this season we would be drilling in the crosses to the near post and closing down our opponents at every opportunity.

[Champfan10]

Blooming hell, fast season huh?

Cracking work with promotion

Haha I'm upto 2022/23 now so all these updates are already written but need posting in here

[Champfan10]

2015-16

Survival

Club Information l Manager Profile | Confidence | Finances |Squad (1) (2) | Transfers (1) (2)

The League

League Table | Position Graph

Not a bad season, a few times through the season we threatened to push for the playoffs beating top teams along the way, but we was inconsistent and dwindled away towards the end of the season.

FA Cup & FA Trophy Fixtures |

Not the greatest year, we got done by the draw and didn't play at home. Next season we will try and get a cup run going in either competition.

Top Scorer

Tom Bradshaw

I had Tom on loan last season where he score 7 in 17, my scouts allerted me to the fact he was available on a free so in November I bought him in and he fired in 16 goals in 29 games, but he certainly has the potential to score more if I can keep him..

Aims For Next Season

Playoffs & Keep the squad together.

We had a solid season this year, but must push on next year to be in the playoffs, I will be trying tactics over the summer that can fire us to success, I think one that can get out strikers scoring is a must. I also feel we have a decent squad so I need to keep the lads together with a few additions.

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013/14      Blue Square North         17th          FA Cup 1st Round
2014/15      Blue Square North         5th            Promoted via the play offs.
2015/16      Blue Square Premier       13th          Security

[Champfan10]

2015/16

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

This season was about survival, so I knew we needed to try and keep the ball so I sacrificed the target man to put in an advanced playmaker so I could become more compact in the centre of midfield, I also changed the wingbacks to full backs so they would sit deeper, which would come in handy when we don't have things going our own way.

[Champfan10]

2016-17

A season of two halves!

Club Information l Manager Profile | Confidence | Finances |Squad (1) (2) | Transfers

The League

League Table | Position Graph

We started off really well and was looking to push for a play off place with relative ease, but the we went through a run of games where we couldn’t kill a game off, constantly chucking away the lead which meant we collected 4 wins out of the last 25 games, it was truly shocking and I was to blame for tinkering with the tactics. However we still stayed up comfortably. I have now built up a decent backroom staff of former players, I have Geovanni (Man City) as assistant manager and Ricardo Oliviera (Milan) as reserve manager, as well as our first Director of Football signed by the chairman Glen Little who has been great in getting the established players signed up on new contracts.

FA Cup & FA Trophy Fixtures |

The FA cup wasn't good but we should of done better with the FA Trophy. We need to capatalise of these cups to improve our revenue stream.

Top Scorer

Tom Bradshaw

Once again Tom was the top scorer, he struggled to score after the turn of the year but was still clear top scorer with 19 in 37 games..

Aims For Next Season

Playoffs & Cup run.

I turned into a bit of a tinker man last season after our poor run and have opted to play next season with 2 new tactics an attacking 433 and a compact 442 diamond, hopefully this will help us kill off games and defend leads, we have the quality now to push for the play offs and have a much needed (for the chairman) cup run.

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013/14      Blue Square North         17th            FA Cup 1st Round
2014/15      Blue Square North         5th            Promoted via the play offs.
2015/16      Blue Square Premier      13th           Security
2016/17      Blue Square Premier      16th            Keeping the squad together.

[Champfan10]

2016/17

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

Well I wanted to push on and go for promotion this season, so I decided to set up with a 4-4-2 but this year I would have full backs hugging the touchline, with wingers cutting inside and trying to get in amongst the goals, which seemed to work for them but we underperformed as a team.

[Champfan10]

2017/18

A season to forget, unless your the chairman!

Club Information l Manager Profile | Confidence | Finances |Squad (1) (2) | Transfers

The League

League Table | Position Graph

It really was a season to forget and two steps back, we flirted with relegation towards the end of the season and was very lucky to survive thanks to a final day win at Braintree! The budgets really starting to choke the club.

FA Cup & FA Trophy Fixtures |

Finally a cup run that probably kept us from administration and ultimately relegation, we put up a brave performance against Man City and should of gone in 1-0 up at half time but it wasn't to be.

Top Scorer

Tom Bradshaw

That man again, Mr Bradshaw this season he got 14 in 35 league games.

Aims For Next Season

Survival & Cup run.

Well first things first, we need to survive and to rebuild the squad over the next few seasons, I have sacked Glen Little as DOF as my top earners are taking up 10% of my wage budget and I simply can't afford that, next we need to progress in the cups to keep the chairman happy.

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013/14      Blue Square North         17th          FA Cup 1st Round
2014/15      Blue Square North         5th           Promoted via the play offs.
2015/16      Blue Square Premier      13th           Security
2016/17      Blue Square Premier      16th           Keeping the squad together.
2017/18      Blue Square Premier      20th           FA Cup 3rd Round (500k gate receipts)

[Champfan10]

2017/18

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

We started with the same tactic but it was obvious I hadn't improved the squad enough for us to push on this season and it would be backs against the wall, so with Tom Bradshaw I decided I could rely on him to get me enough goals up top and switch to a very rigid, counter 5-2-2-1 with my central centre back coming out of defence to stop midfield playmakers and start the counter attacks, the wingers also played as inside forwards this season with varied success.

[Champfan10]

Despite the feeling of my career going stale I got a job offer this season from League Two Plymouth, but I couldn't leave this challenge yet.

[Champfan10]

2018/19

If only the season started on Xmas day!

Club Information l Manager Profile | Confidence | Finances |Squad (1) (2) | Transfers

The League

League Table | Position Graph | Results from tactic change

This was by far my favourite season of my career, we was predicted to finish 23rd, we started off poor and was rooted to the bottom of the table after 28 games, we was going down unless there was some sort of miracle after all we'd only collected 35 points in our last 38 league games , however I opted to try something a lot different to all my previous tactics to incorporate my better players into the team (my strikers). It worked, it really worked and we picked up 39 points from our last 18 games only losing 3 of these. However on a down point we are now £500k+ in debt.

The tactic that saved us

FA Cup & FA Trophy Fixtures |

Nothing to write home about here really.

Top Scorer

Tom Bradshaw

For a long time it looked as though Nardiello would be the clubs top scorer but Tom Bradshaw once again scored consistently and really excelled in the las few games of the season scoring 6 in his last 5 games and a total of 22 goals in 50 games.

Aims For Next Season

Play offs maybe??.

Well you never know, the way we finished the season we would of walked the league so if we can keep this squad together and push on we may be ale to play full time football soon, I just want to improve our points total and if we do that then we will be there a bouts near the playoff picture.

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013/14      Blue Square North         17th          FA Cup 1st Round
2014/15      Blue Square North         5th            Promoted via the play offs.
2015/16      Blue Square Premier      13th           Security
2016/17      Blue Square Premier      16th           Keeping the squad together.
2017/18      Blue Square Premier      20th           FA Cup 3rd Round (500k gate receipts)
2018/19      Blue Square Premier      12th           Most points at this level

[Champfan10]

2018/19

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

Well we didn't change to the above tactic until December and it really worked well with the team, it incoorperated out best players which was the strikers, we had wing backs hugging the touchline who providing numerous assists and the width with a holding midfielder, centre midfielder, an advance playmaker and 3 up top providing the goals.

[Champfan10]

2019/20

League Two Here We come!

Club Information l Manager Profile |Confidence|Finances|Squad(1)(2)|Transfers

The League

League Table |Position Graph |

Well we finally did it, 7 years after I started this journey we are now in the Football League! The squad performed miracles at times, especially considering the limited additions to the team. At one stage we dropped down the league and I was starting to think it might never happen, but once again from mid December we consistently started to put results together and qualified for the playoffs and could of won the league if it wasn't for 3 defeats in the last 6 games.

The Play Offs

Semi Final

We drew FC Halifax who had been a bit of a bogie team for me, having never beat them in the 8 games since I was manager, after we lost the first leg at their place 2-1 (Nardiello getting an 83^rdminute consolation) I feared the worse, however they came to our place in front of a record 4,734 crowd and we out played them over the 120 minutes and deserved out 119^th minute winner saving us from penalties!

Play Off Final

Well the final pitted us against Newport County, in a game I felt we could win if we approached the game with a cautious approach, we went 2-0 and looked to be cruising with a little over 20mins left, then they pulled one back so I switched the approach to counter and then defensive once the 80 minute mark came up, but they got an equaliser on the 83^rd minute and the match seemed to be going there way, but on the 87^th minute I brought on 36yr old MichaelHigdon and threw caution to the wind with an all out attack approach and within 2 minutes Higdon was involved with the build up that ended with Wassall scoring a belter and the goal sending us to League Two.

FACup & FA Trophy Fixtures |

Nothing to write home about here really again, they wasn't the priority this year.

Top Scorer

"]Tom Bradshaw

For the fifth season running Tom Bradshaw was our top scorer, but this year he set some records, scoring 27 in 49 league games. He was an ever present this season and will be interesting to see how he fares in League Two.

Aims For Next Season

Survival. The board have given me an amazing 7.75k budget so this will be our hardest season yet.

CareerOverview

[size=2]------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/size]
[size=2]2013/14     Blue Square North         17th          FA Cup 1st Round[/size]
[size=2]2014/15     Blue Square North         5th           Promoted via the playoffs.[/size]
[size=2]2015/16     Blue Square Premier      13[sUP]th[/sUP]           Security[/size]
[size=2]2016/17     Blue Square Premier      16[sUP]th[/sUP]           Keeping the squad together.[/size]
[size=2]2017/18     Blue Square Premier      20[sUP]th[/sUP]           FA Cup 3[sUP]rd [/sUP]Round (500k gate receipts)[/size]
[size=2]2018/19     Blue Square Premier      12[sUP]th[/sUP]           Most points at this level[/size]
[size=2]2019/20     Blue Square Premier      2[sUP]nd[/sUP]            Promotion(via playoffs)[/size]

[Champfan10]

2019/20

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

This season was about a real push for promotion and to do that we needed to be a team that went out and dominated on the pitch, sp we returned to a 4 man backline for defensive purposes and took our defensive midfielder and put him as a deep lying playmaker along side the central midfielder though he would stay deep in a 'Pirlo' like role. As you can tell by the name of the tactic I did experiment with having one centre back and a defensive midfielder but this caused the early season poor form.

[Champfan10]

2020-21

League One Here We come!

Club Information l Manager Profile |Confidence|Finances|Squad(1)(2)|Transfers

The League

League Table |Position Graph |

It was a great season, resulting in back to back promotions, but after 7 games I was staring relegation in the face and was worried that league football would be above a grasp, but a quick change in the setup and tactics worked wonders and we moved up throughout the season and even threatened to go up automatically but in the end we had to settle for the play offs.

The Play Offs

We drew Yeovil meaning we would be playing the team we lost 2-0 to on the last day, we went to there place and loss 1-0 but we was set up defensively to keep the score down knowing that they had to come to Keys Park oh and it worked a treat, I sent them out at home in front of a full house with the message of attack attack attack and while Yeovil had more chances our mid season signing Les Carney led us to a comfortable 4-1 win on the night.

Sem iFinal Leg 1 Semi Final Leg 2

We met Gillingham in the final who disposed of West Ham in the semi's which I was pleased as I couldn't beat them this year. I decided that I would approach this game with attack in mind and try and get an early lead to defend, Les Carney obliged with his 4^th goal in these play offs and then Bradshaw doubled our league so I set us up to counter but then the Gills hit back but I was happy with how we was playing as there shots were mostly from outside the box, then bradshaw bagged his second and we had won and was going up for the second year running.

PlayOff Final

The Cups

Nothing to write home about here really again, they wasn't the priority this year.

Top Scorer

"]Tom Bradshaw

Forthe sixth season running Tom Bradshaw was our top scorer with 26 in 48, I was surprised at how well he adapted to full time football, it will be a step up again next season and interesting to see if he can be as affective.

Aims For Next Season

Survival& Cup Run

I think I've neglected the cups and its time to make so money now,although we are in profit and projected to continue along these lines I would like a cup run for the fans.

Career Overview

Season         League                League Finish     Achievements

[size=2]------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/size]
[size=2]2013/14     Blue Square North         17th          FA Cup 1st Round[/size]
[size=2]2014/15     Blue Square North         5th            Promoted via the playoffs.[/size]
[size=2]2015/16     Blue Square Premier      13[sUP]th[/sUP]           Security[/size]
[size=2]2016/17     Blue Square Premier      16[sUP]th[/sUP]           Keeping thesquad together.[/size]
[size=2]2017/18     Blue Square Premier      20[sUP]th[/sUP]           FA Cup 3[sUP]rd[/sUP]Round (500k gate receipts)[/size]
[size=2]2018/19     Blue Square Premier      12[sUP]th[/sUP]           Most pointsat this level[/size]
[size=2]2019/20     Blue Square Premier      2[sUP]nd[/sUP]            Promotion(via playoffs)[/size]
[size=2]2021/22     League Two                6th            Promoted via the play offs.[/size]

[Champfan10]

2020/21

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

I thought that we'd be in a battle for survival this season so I set the team up very similar to last season but the advanced playmaker would come from central midfield meaning we could drop an anchor man back, I also change the wider forwards to a deep lying forward and complete forward to support up top but also drop slightly deeper to help out defensively.

[Champfan10]

2021/22

Championship Here We come!

Club Information l Manager Profile |Confidence|Finances|Squad(1)(2)|Transfers

The League

League Table |Position Graph |

Well, I thought we'd struggle to survive this season but I managed to get a couple of decent freebies and loanees in for the start of the season. We started off slowly as per usual but I've turned into a bit of a Fergie where my teams peak after xmas and this happened once again,which coincided with my first ever cash signing Joey Langiano for£24k who went on to score 19 in his 20 games for the club, including 12 in the last 10 games and a 5 goal haul as I smashed Palace 7-1 away. We went on run from mid-January of 12 wins, 3 draws and a loss from my final 15 games which propelled me from relegation threatened in 17^th to a comfortable and even unlucky to n miss out on automatic promotion in 4^th.

The Play Offs

Semi Finals

Sowe had Mansfield and drew both legs, so it went down to penalties and we were the brave and more composed, maybe from our experiences in past playoffs.

Play Off Final

The final was against Nott's County, who surprised many by beating Northampton as they were a team on the slide, we took the lead 3times and was pegged back twice, but after Joey Langiano bagged hishattrick goal I switched to defensive and they held on. The third goal was disputed by a bitter Notts County manager for a reported foul in the build up, but it was just sour beans on his part.

Bitter Notts Co

"]The Cups

Well I wanted to progress in the cups but it wasn't to be, but survival was first priority.

Top Scorer

"]Joey Langiano

Despite only being involved in 5 of the 10 month season, the clubs record and only cash signing scored 19 goals in 20 games and has some great physical stats, he's only 23 so will hopefully be here for a few years yet.

Aims For Next Season

Survival.

I know after 3 promotions in a row expectations maybe high at the club,but the Championship is a strong league with some massive clubs and we have a wage budget that is a third of the next lowest payers in the league.

The chairman has been forced to change the terraced areas to seating,which means were getting 4500 more seats but our capacity will still only be 6500 (6000 seats), this won't be completed until March so we will be playing at Molineux in the meantime. Its also worth noting that the chairman is looking to sell the club so a takeover could be possible in the future.

Stadium Expansions

CareerOverview

Season         League                League Finish     Achievements

[size=2]------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/size]
[size=2]2013/14     Blue Square North        17th           FA Cup 1st Round[/size]
[size=2]2014/15     Blue Square North        5th             Promoted via the playoffs.[/size]
[size=2]2015/16     Blue Square Premier      13[sUP]th[/sUP]           Security[/size]
[size=2]2016/17     Blue Square Premier      16[sUP]th[/sUP]           Keeping thesquad together.[/size]
[size=2]2017/18     Blue Square Premier      20[sUP]th[/sUP]           FA Cup 3[sUP]rd[/sUP]Round (500k gate receipts)[/size]
[size=2]2018/19     Blue Square Premier      12[sUP]th[/sUP]           Most pointsat this level[/size]
[size=2]2019/20      Blue Square Premier     2[sUP]nd[/sUP]            Promotion(via playoffs)[/size]
[size=2]2020/21     League Two                6[sUP]th[/sUP]             Promoted via the play offs.[/size]
[size=2]2021/22     League One                4[sUP]th[/sUP]             Promoted via the play offs.[/size]

[Champfan10]

2020/21

Best 11 Announced

Tactic Analysis

Again I thought we'd be battling for survival and we started the season in that way, however things picked up once I tweaked the tactic. I believed that we needed to flood our half with bodies when we didnt have the ball to prevent the opposition attacking opportunities, putting an extra body in the centre of the park to play as a box to box midfielder enabled us to be able to counter when needed as well and it worked a treat, I believe this was our best season defensively and overall in terms of consistency.

[Champfan10]

From now on the updates will be as I play.

Heres this season's tactic:-

As you can see I've dropped 1 centre midfielder deeper to act as a defensive midfielder and pushed a central midfielder into a trequarista, this is to accommodate the step up in quality, also my defensive players and strikers are by far my strongest players so this season we will be trying to win games by shutting out the opposition.

[Champfan10]

Today saw the departure of the clubs all time leading scorer who would be joining my local team (irl) on a free transfer after becoming my 5th choice striker. Tom Bradshaw has been a hell of a player for me but I didn't want him to rot away on the bench or in the reserves as he deserves first team football.

[Champfan10]

Pre Season Transfers 2022/23

The aim for this summers transfer activity was to get rid of the deadwood who wasn't going to feature this year and replace them with better quality players and if possible players with premiership potential, my scouting network has now been upgraded to scout Europe which has helped.

Here's the ins & outs:-

Toussaint Abodji

This young central midfielder has come in on a free after being released by Rennes, he will be my first choice central midfielder this season and probably for years to come.

Boris Vallet

Another Rennes youth product, he's versatile and can play anywhere accross the back line but I plan to put him in at centre back along side the clubs mainstay and vice captain Callum Thompson.

John Ingram

Brought in on a season loan from League One Bristol Rovers, this guy will be my attacking midfielder and will be looking to secure a permanent deal with the club. He has been a serial under achiever in his career but I think his attributes will suit the role I want him to play.

Emilien Thibault

Another French youth product but this time from the famed Auxerre academy, a youg quality right back who will be looking to secure the right back birth for man years to come, he has the potential to be with the club for many years.

Mohamed Rami

Guess where he's been playing, yes France! One of two left backs I've signed this year as that was our weakest position for the past two seasons, he is a Moroccan international who has come from Havre AC, another youngster who should be here for a few years but may struggle if we reach the Premiership.

Marco Dallamano

A 19yo left back coming from Inter Milan on a free transfer, a speedy left back who will battle with Rami for the left back spot, this lad has slightly better potential than Rami according to my assistant manager and would do well in a Premier League side.

Hussain Kankoni

You wouldn't guess from the name but this 22yo is a former Welsh U21 international brought in from Man Utds youth academy. He is a holding midfielder and will play a big part in the new tactics I plan to play this season.

Che Alexander

An experience 27yo centre back has been brought in to provide cover for the stronger central defenders, another free transfer who was playing Championship football last season with Chester.

Anjur Osmanovic

Picked up on a free transfer, he was playing Blue Square South football last season but looks a decent player and will get opportunities in midfield this season when required.

**** McCartan

Ex-Linfield striker who comes on a free transfer and will be fighting with Les Carney for the opportunity to play the poacher role along side Langiano.

Team Report

The teams looking pretty strong going forward and should be good enough for a mid table finish in the Championship.

[SRL88]

Getting some nice youngsters through here.

[Champfan10]

Getting some nice youngsters through here.

Yeah unfortunately I haven't had a single player through my own youth team, so it was a massive bonus that the scouting range was extended to Europe this season.

[Champfan10]

An interesting comparison of how we compare to the other sides in the division:-

[Hypanimz]

Really glad to see you posting here buddy. Best of luck in the Championship.

[AK22]

Making excellent progress! Flying through the seasons too

[Champfan10]

Cheers, The Championships going well, we're maintaining a top half position so far!Unfortunately I'm back to work on Monday after a weeks annual leave so the seasons will be taking longer in the future.

[Champfan10]

Mid Season Update

Well were halfway through in the league and have been in the playoff positions but in the last few games we've struggled, so I have changed the tactics up for the near future. Unfortunately we got knocked out in the Carling Cup in the first round. But looking forward we should be aiming to push on for a top half finish and a run in the FA Cup.

Heres the league table:-

The new tactic:-

[Champfan10]

2022-23

Survival Achieved

Club Information l Manager Profile |Confidence|Finances|Squad(1)(2)|Transfers

The League

League Table |Position Graph |

We made a decent start to the campaign and looked as though we may achieve a play off place, but the players seem to tire after xams and we never got a run going, however we survived with relative ease.

"]The Cups

Usual display of no progression.

Top Scorer

"]Shane McCartan

The new top scorer was our free transfer for Northern Island who did really well scoring 26 in 47 and forged a great partnership with Langiano who himself scored 21 in 40.

Aims For Next Season

Play Offs

I think we showed enough to feel that we can push on and try for the play offs next year if we can get 2 or 3 decent signings in.

Wehad a takeover and a local business man took over, he has decided to install a further 2709 seats which will take our stadium up to 9209 all seater which we will sell out.

CareerOverview

Season         League                League Finish     Achievements

[size=2]------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/size]
[size=2]2013/14     Blue Square North         17th         FA Cup 1st Round[/size]
[size=2]2014/15     Blue Square North         5th           Promoted via the playoffs.[/size]
[size=2]2015/16     Blue Square Premier      13[sUP]th[/sUP]           Security[/size]
[size=2]2016/17     Blue Square Premier      16[sUP]th[/sUP]           Keeping thes quad together.[/size]
[size=2]2017/18     Blue Square Premier      20[sUP]th[/sUP]           FA Cup 3[sUP]rd[/sUP]Round (500k gate receipts)[/size]
[size=2]2018/19     Blue Square Premier      12[sUP]th[/sUP]           Most points at this level[/size]
[size=2]2019/20     Blue Square Premier      2[sUP]nd[/sUP]            Promotion(via playoffs)[/size]
[size=2]2020/21     League Two                6[sUP]th[/sUP]             Promoted via the play offs.[/size]
[size=2]2021/22     League One                 4[sUP]th[/sUP]            Promoted via the play offs.[/size]
[size=2]2022/23     Championship              15[/size][sUP][size=2]th[/size][/sUP][size=2]           Survival[/size]

[Champfan10]

We also had a new chairman, unfortunately he didn't bring his bank card with him

The new chairman was happy with my performance throughout the season

He decided to install further seats, so it sees us at Molineux again

For the first season ever we have some decent money to spend

[Champfan10]

This years best 11

[Champfan10]

So happy to have a new chairman with a proactive approach to my board requests, we are getting long overdue upgrades to our youth and training facilities

[Champfan10]

This season's tactic, need to try and create more going forward so the wingbacks have returned.

[Champfan10]

Pre Season 2023/24

Transfers

We brought in a record signing in Kevin Herron returning to the club after his loan spell when we was in League One, I wanted him last season but couldn't afford him and he will go straight in a centre midfield. I also brought in a striker in Wolfgang Pabel from Germany to help the guys out up front and the last signing for the first team was Greek right wing back Tolis Dimopoulos on a free transfer, the rest of the signings were made with the future in mind.

Here's the screenshots:-

Kevin Herron

Wolfgang Pabek

Tolis Dimopoulos

Enrico Farinello

Cosimo Guido

Roland Kirschbaum

Carles Rocamora

Said Afkir

Pre Season Frendlies

Not a bad set of results although they don't matter to much as I'm just working on the players match fitness in these games.

August Results

Its been a poor start in the league but the performances are picking up, I'm happy to finally progress in the Capital One cup though and will be interested to see who we get in the next round.

Other News

Leicester City breaking records

September Fixtures

I will be looking to get at least 10 points from these fixtures, 12 would be nice so we can establish ourselves in the top half of the table.

[Champfan10]

Just had the Capital One cup draw for the third round and its an away tie against Arsenal, it will be an interesting test to see where we are compared to the vastly bigger club.

[Champfan10]

September Update

Not a bad set of results, we didn't get as many points as I wanted but we played well in each game, we started the month well but I mad a tactical mistake against Leeds which cost us the game!

]

The biggest win in the history of Hednesford as we killed the gunners off with a couple of counter attacks.

Upcoming fixtures

[LFC Chupa Chups]

Lol Leicester in the BSP I would pay good money to see this irl.

[Champfan10]

October Update

From Camp Nou to Keys Park

Our last 3 signings of the summer all come in on free transfers from the famed Barcelona academy.

Cebria

Sergi Moreno

Jose Alberto Gallego

Not a bad month, but our way form is becoming a problem, we conceded late goals to Bristol Rovers and Bournemouth which cost us 5 points. In the home game against leaders Everton, Sergi Moreno scored 3 minutes into his debut after coming of as a substitute.

I fielded an understrength team as the league has to be a priority this season, however conceding the early goals cost us.

Upcoming fixtures

[Nobby_McDonald]

Blimey you're flying through the game.