krakonico Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Sutton United Preview Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground which is on Gander Green Lane. The ground is situated 100m from West Sutton Station. The more common name for the Borough Sports Ground is Gander Green Lane. The club is an FA Charter Standard Community Club affiliated to the Surrey County Football Association The club started out playing in junior, local leagues, but progressed into the Athenian League in 1921; the Isthmian League in 1964; and the Conference in 1986. The team fell back into the Isthmian League in 1991. They appeared in the Conference for one more season in 1999–2000, and were founding members of the Conference South in 2004. The team has had several cup successes, including getting to Wembley twice for the FA Amateur Cup final and once for the FA Trophy final. Sutton won the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1979. The club is most famous for its FA Cup exploits though, especially when they beat Coventry City in the Third Round in January 1989. This was a 24-year record before the next non-league side beat a team from the top flight of English football, when Luton Town of the Conference National went to Norwich City and won 1–0 on Saturday 26 January 2013. Sutton's win against Coventry remains the last time a semi-professional side beat a team from the top flight of English football. Manager Preview Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Angel Santana became somehow different of the normal Dominicans, as they prefer to watch baseball instead of football (soccer),when he was just a teenager he saw his first World Cup game in the normal television programming, from that moment he started to love that sport and visited many of football schools to learn more. Physically he wasn't able to play due to a injured shoulder, but someone told him to start a basic coach course, he applied for a small club and began to train young in the countryside. He traveled to England in order to visit a friend, there he learned more about football as that country was the first one with a professional league. He read about some clubs' history, one of them capture his attention, a small club that provided support to an overseas club in Africa, and as he was close to that city he asked his friend to visit that club. Sutton United failed that year to finish in the promotion playoff and the manager was unhappy with the results, he asked for someone to take part of the club's managerial seat and if someone became interested he would gladly allow him to manage the team. First days It was settle, Angel Santana filled for a work permit and with a small loan from his first salary he rented a small apartment in Sutton, near the Gander Green Lane. The work permit was granted and he signed a year contract with the team. As Sutton was close to promotion last year, the chairman, Mr. Bruce Elliot, told Angel that the minimum he could reach was the promotion playoff, also reach the first round in the FA Cup and the second round in the FA Trophy cup. When Angel evaluated the team and searched for their previous record, he thought that it would be impossible without revamping the club. The facilities were not so good for a team like Sutton, or as he thought, the stadium had a 7,032 capacity with 765 seats, the youth facilities were basic and the youth level was, was nothing. In the economic side the team was not so good, just 12 Pounds per seat, and with just 100 season ticket holders he would barely see people in the stands for the games. First he thought the scout team and the physio were not good at that level and he terminated their contracts, signed in their places two new scouts: Patrick Andersson and Mike Milligan as Head Scout; a new physiotherapist: Marty Royal; and a coach: John Murtough. With the new staff he began to search new players to take part in the first team, he found the following that stepped up in the starting eleven, and some that were brought as back-up: Jo Kuffour from Ghana as ST and AMR. * Ibrahim Itaku from Ghana with Swiss nationality as AMR. Norteiy Nortey from England as DR (learning to be DL). Teddy Ngoy from Congo with Belgium nationality as DC Sebastian Czapa from Poland as ST. Josh Vickers (loan from Arsenal) England as GK. Elliot Right (loan from Arsenal) England as DC. Lloyd Ross (loan from Tottenham) England as MRC. * Don't know why he doesn't appear in the transfer history. Rest of preseason signings The staff and Angel felt that to make room to those players they needed to sack some players that weren't responding as they had, so the new manager made the hard call and informed the news, the players were the following. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 The games Friendlies The friendlies arranged were a thing Angel Santana felt was not as the level the team should face, so he cancelled those previous matches and arranged what he thought was beneficial for the team. The team got mixed results as they were learning two new tactics, but our most disappointment match was the last one in which we faced our fierce rivals Carshalton, and we lost 0-1 where Sutton was inferior and also we faced an injury for our new striker Czapa. From August 2014 to February 2015 First Part The first game was a disaster to the new manager, a defeat 1-5 in home was not a good day, and the fans were searching for the manager's head, things were better in the next two games as the team managed to not lose them, but yet Angel Santana hadn't get the first win. It was the fourth game that Sutton got his first win in the season just to tie again in the next home fixture to close the first month. August was a 1-3-1, and far from the playoff spots but not so far as the season was just starting. "Patience" was what the head coach said when the reporters asked about the bad performance of the team. September was a better month as the team got three wins of four games, the manager Santana was pleased as the players were learning faster the new tactics, but that lost game against Bromley was not in the goal, the opposite team was in a good momentum and Sutton was just another victim. October was a detonator, the Chemsford loss put the board in fire and called the manager to a meeting, Angel Santana's face was not so happy when it finished, and he took another meeting with the team, things were not as they planned, and they were not in the position the board thought they should be at that time, so they gave the manager an ultimatum, they need to grab 10 points from the next five games or they would remove him from the seat. The team nodded and went to the next five games with an energy none meet. But nothing expected what happened, two key players were injured in the training, and the team barely took a draw against another tittle challenger Bath. They got a great victory against first place media choice, Whitehawk in Sutton's home, but a defeat in St. Albans put the team in a dangerous road, they need to win the next three matches if the manager should survive. November, With just three matches to get the rest six points the team needed to win at least the following two, the team had a small meeting without the staff, and they focused in the tactics, they got the first clean sheet, then got a 4-2 win, with this two wins the manager was secured again, and the team was near the places they were promised at the beginning of the season, the rest of the month they got three more victories with another clean sheet, and that impressive record got the manager his first Manager of the month award. Second Part Now in a good position the team felt they were heading toward the tittle, in December they got three wins of three games, with two clean sheets. January carried the previous month and the team got three wins without conceding a goal, getting a record of four matches with clean sheets. But at the end, with one of the bottom teams, and resting the key players the team suffered their first defeat after eleven matches. As they had to face Bromley again in Sutton's home the manager gave a talk to revenge the loss that team gave in the past. The result was horrendous, and just a late goal saved the team from the joke, a second straight defeat and the tittle challenge was getting interesting. February was a nightmare for the team, they got a third straight lose in Maidenhead, just to bounce with a win visiting Farnborough, Basingstoke was waiting them and returned the team to Earth, when the team returned to Gander Green Lane, they were exhausted, tired, but wishing to win, as they were close to the tittle, they needed a breath and with Chemsford they got a win, just to draw against St. Alban, the second worst team and in the relegation zone. Now they will have to face the second placed team and with just a three points difference, but Sutton had one game on hand, so maybe the manager was just cautious. The team only need 26 points of 27 possible, combined with other results maybe that number would be less. So they need to play a good game if Sutton want to promote directly with the tittle in their hands. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 Sutton United, Season 2014/15 End of season review league table before final games The team was just two points ahead the second and their goal difference was higher than Sutton's, so if they won their match and Sutton only grab a draw, they would be champions and the U's would be in the promotion playoffs. Angel Santana didn't want that late scenario, he knew that the team wouldn't afford three more matches with the recent form. "The last game, all the season preparations and just this game is what matter now" Said Angel Santana to the team, "Our initial goal was to be in the playoffs and I'm happy that you got it, but there is a bigger prize there and is the league tittle, just a win and that tittle is ours. Its your decision and any result that comes tomorrow will be well received." It was before the last game, a game that would define what Sutton get if the championship or a playoff spot. The match-up was against Weston-Super Mare an already relegated team without nothing to lose, so the task was not have overconfidence and battle as it was a team ahead of Sutton by just one point. Lee Sawyer got the first flyer in the 11 minute and put Sutton ahead 0-1, in minute 35 striker Czapa showed why he was signed at the beginning of the season with his 17th league goal and 24th overall, and the score was 0-2 at this moment, the manager was happy but he knew that in the past they had a lead of two goals and then the opposite team came from behind and silence the team with a victory. Not so long and just 4 minutes ahead Aaron Brown (DL) gave Weston a goal to put the team near the draw with a 1-2. The half time break was one to empathize the team the long road they had traveled and why they are here, that the ending result was not important and that they must relax just play the game and they will receive the results. Both teams battle to raise the scoreboard, but none were capable of doing so, at the end of the 90 minute Sutton knew that the tittle were theirs, they wanted to celebrate at home, but the fans didn't care where they got as soon as they traveled back to Sutton. The end of season ceremony was small, but very emotive, Angel Santana capture the may manager of the month award and also Manager of the Season. "This tittle is dedicated first to the team, without them we couldn't get it, second to my family, without their support even they are so far in my beloved country, Dominican Republic, they always follow our matches in twitter and facebook." At the end of the season the team received a great news Best three: Fans and manager were in the same page when selected the Sutton player of the year, captain Ricky Wellard, Michael Spillane, and Sebastian Czapa. Best eleven: Click Future: Angel Santana sat in his apartment, he looked the last year and all the things he did, it was like a dream, he didn't believe that when he left his country he would be part of a football team, now is a manager and carried them with a trophy. He wanted to further his studies and when the best time arrived he would ask the board to let him raise his managerial skills. As for the next season, survival was the key, and the only word, he retained most of the team who played regularly and let go those who weren't performing at the previous level and thus they wouldn't perform well in a higher level. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted December 24, 2014 Author Share Posted December 24, 2014 ((Some fuss around my electrical supply didn't allow me to play a lot, since when I was playing the computer turned off when I was five game ahead on the season, now that problem was solved and I'm back on track, tomorrow, maybe, will post a mid season update, there were many changes on the team and a surprise sell.)) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted December 25, 2014 Author Share Posted December 25, 2014 Sutton United, Season 2015/16 Preseason - August and September Angel Santana's staff team didn't take a vacation, only the players did and they deserved, everybody just thought of them to be in the promotion playoff, neither one thought of them to be now in the Vanarama Conference as champion, and the manager wanted in his heart to prove them that the team could achieve more than suggested. In this regard Angel knew that hard things should be done in order to prepare the team to battle in the next level. He scouted the new league and there were many professional sides, with better facilities, and that would be a real problem, Sutton didn't have the structure nor the finances to maintain a battle against those teams like Lincoln, Oxford (recently demoted) and others. In this regard he took the solution to not renovate some of the team's player contracts. And bought some new free agents. In the time the preseason was giving an end and the new season was near to begin, an offer came to his office, someone wanted his top goalscorer Sebastian Czapa (Stats, History), the offer, from Ekstraklasa team Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala, was a one time 100k Pounds, and Angel felt something, he could sell the player but not at this prize, he counter offer and maintain it to 200k, even the player had a value of just 7,500. Podbeskidzie rejected the offer and retired theirs, at least Angel thought that he didn't lose anything, as he kept a promising Polish star in his squad, when two days later another Ekstraklasa team offered the value he was asking, 200k, again Angel put his trader skill and asked more than he would pay for him, but it seemed that this new team wanted badly the player and they signed for 300k, 180K upfront, the rest in 12 monthly payments, also there should be a 30% of the next sale, Angel did the thing and approved the offer, it was just Czapa who would decide his future, stay here or go to the higher Poland level, it was obvious the answer, any player in that position would do what he did, he signed the transfer and now he was playing in a new level, his best thing was that he scored his first goal in Sutton and he would remember that we did for him like any of his previous club did. Knowing that many of the current players wouldn't sign for the team and also that he lost his top goalscorer, Angel Santana was very active in the transfer market, he brought permanently some of the loaned player of the previous season, as some of them were fired from their teams or free transferred. He also scouted the English trial games, and found two or three among them who would became backups. The preseason was easy, the board allowed the team to travel this time, and Angel make a small tour to Wales. Also he traveled to France in his first friendly match to face US Bourthes, from the french regional division. The last friendly was against the former seeder club Notts Co, the only real competition among the friendly matches and the one who would be the test for the uncoming season. and the players (new and old) made a great impact in those games. Before the first season match the board called Angel to a meeting to give him the new achievements for the year, the board wanted to repeat last year performances in the cups, so there weren't changes, second round for the FA Trophy and first round for the FA Cup, Angel felt that there were reasonable and reachable, also the board wanted to avoid relegation, but they gave him three options, fight for avoid relegation, avoid relegation and mid-table, without any difference in the payroll budget and nothing in the transfer budget, he selected the lesser option. He also got a great news, just as he compared it with the previous season, 100 more supporters bought the season's ticket, he knew that this only meant the gate receipts would raise at least 75%, but still to little to the stadium capacity. Once the team is recognized and had filled his stadium he would claim a financial victory. Angel knew that he had to maintain the last year salary level and hope that nothing change so he could the next year think to go further. The first match was at home against Aldershot, was not easy, in the first half the team were even, but then Sutton exploded with two goals in the second half to take the three points, this victory was a revenge for last year FA Trophy loss to them in the second round. The second match was hard from the begining, Lincoln in their place, they won everything there, possession (53 - 47), shots (18 - 8), there were only one thing they didn't get from us, a goal, Vickers was exceptional and the defense too, and we only needed that first goal from Goldberg to seal the fate and our second victory in the league. The rest of the month was nice, seeing us in top of the league was amazing just with a small thing, Alfreton who had lost every match prevent us to take the victory and we conceded them their first point of the season (they bounced back and that draw put them on fire winning three and drawing three keeping an unbeaten run in their next six games). September came and someone showed us that we belonged to Earth, the first match against Kiddeminster was just a smashing game, goals everywhere, just that those put us so high that the next game we were battered by Torquay, our first defeat in the league. The month ended with a good result, three wins, one draw and two loses against superior teams, and still we were in the second position and just by goal difference. If we could keep this form and stay close we can fight for the tittle, but that is just the future and we need to focus in the upcoming matches first. Updated League Table Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted December 25, 2014 Author Share Posted December 25, 2014 ((No more games for today, maybe, it's Christmas and this season was played from yesterday and part of today. Maybe tomorrow or Saturday will be a new update until I can go, probably mid season or more.)) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted December 27, 2014 Author Share Posted December 27, 2014 Sutton United, Season 2015/16 October 2015 The month started as the previous one finished with a win against the team who Sutton was facing. This time was Harrogate the next victim of the U's win streak, a convincing 0 - 3 in their stadium let us close to the first place, next matches were close, very close; so close that the manager had to shout every minute to not let the players down in the field. BRistol Rovers, Wrexham, Nuneaton and Forest Green were just some team that lost to Sutton United. With two clean sheets the team secured the first position (provisional) with six points above the second placed team. With those results the manager, Angel Santana, got his first Vanarama Conference manager of the month. In a economic report the team are making profits, small (and more due to the transfer clause of Sebastian Czapa). There weren't important transfer, just three loans to give those players first team time. The board agreed to add a new coach and the team have now six, Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Head of YD, and three coach. With some injuries troubles the manager asked if he can sign a new physio, but that request was denied. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted December 28, 2014 Author Share Posted December 28, 2014 Sutton United, Season 2015/16 Mid-season Report, November 2015 November was a cold month for us, even we had faced the teams placed in the bottom of the table. Our first match was against relegated Dag & Red, the match was close, it would be won by anyone, but they had more experienced players and at the end they grab the three points. The only positive of that match was how was scored our only goal ( ), the GK intercepted a pass and make one of his own to our striker right in the other side of the pitch, this was really the second time he did it. After that we could only grab three points of nine possible, but we closed the month with a win, at least a win. Player to watch We miss Czapa, we really miss him, he could score from anywhere, but we replaced him with another potentially star, Bradley Goldberg, at first we thought that he couldn't do the job, but now he is scoring almost in every game, and now have 13 goals in 18 games, I think D&R made a mistake in left him go free. League Table When we started the season nobody gave us a chance, even the board thought we could be barely fight for avoid the relegation, now we are in the middle of the season and what we have achieved was great with this team, stay in the first position for so long (well now is only one point), I have really enjoy it. Now back to business, League Table, as you can see from now on anything can happen, I can name six teams with real chances to be crown as champions at the end for the results they got at this point. In order of team positions Sutton United: they (we) only lost three matches, two of them to teams in this list (Oxford and D&R), his negative points were getting boring draws against teams in the bottom of the table of the likes Woking and Alfreton, but if they can repeat what they did they can finish the league with 100 points. Lincoln: They started a little slow, if you see the last month table, they were seven points below us, now they are only at one. Dag & Red: They had the same form than us, but they get three points close as they defeat us at the beginning of the month. Aldershot: Only six points is the difference, and they can get it. FC Halifax: This is another team with chances. Oxford: Even they traded spot with FC Halifax, they are still strong enough. Breaking news From the start of the season we had three takeover talks, one in preseason, one in September, at the first day of November the president "Bruce Elliot" sent a note that he would step down, I didn't bother more than I couldn't make any board request or any trade off, just loans and they were from our players. But this time was for real: This was why I didn't bother: But then: Check this: I knew we were in red by that time, but just 1k, and we were(are) making profits, so how he could say to take a loan to pay debts, also that is against the real economic view, if you don't have money to pay your current debts how you will get money to pay the future loan and the interest. The new board didn't think twice and offered me an interview to discuss the club's and my future. I really discuss with them trying to know how different were they than the previous owner, not so different, the only thing they approved was increase the youth coaching, at least, is a start. I'll be in charge for the next two seasons, I increased my wage in 50 Pounds p/w, you know, I want to buy more groceries, and I'm flirting with a local girl. This is what we say when we get to manage a team, for ourselves and the world, isn't it? Now we have adequate youth coaching, and as I set that the GM can hire staff, he did that job for me and got the following staff: (At the end of the season I will post the stats) Under 21s Head Coach. Under 18s Head Coach. Under 18s Assistant Coach. Under 18s Coach. Head Physio (how he dares to sign a HP with less physiotherapy skill than the physio already contracted?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Sutton United, Season 2015/16 December 2015 to April 2016 Road to tittleland Angel Santana was a little anxious, he knew that at his young age and leading a club with players older than him was not a good work atmosphere. Sometimes he was confound with one of the players when a new reporter came to the team's media coverage. But at this time everyone in Sutton knew him enough to believe that this young Dominican without further experience was leading the club to something that any other manager had in the past, the last time the club was in the Conference League was back in 1999/2000, and the higher position the club was ever in his history was a seventh place in 1986/87, way long before he was born, so now the town was seeing his team in top of the league and probably with chances to stay was more to celebrate. But a long work was needed to do in order to achieve the stay in the league the team needed to work hard and win matches. So in December he had a very hard task, as the team would face three of the league tittle challengers, Aldershot, FC Halifax and Lincoln. Even that fixture was very hard, Angel Santana believed in the team, so he prepared the training and the match preparations for those matches trying to get at least two points. The first match was an away visit to Aldershot, both teams played equally and didn't want to give anything but the visiting team was pressing at the beginning, the first goal came from a mistake of an Aldershot's player who gave an own goal in the 17th minute, two minutes later Charlie Clough shoot the ball so hard that the goalkeeper didn't move. Sutton them took a breath and defend the score, at the end that was the only thing they got a 0 - 2 win, one down, two more to come. Next match was another away match at FC Halifax, seemed that Halifax wanted to finish the game early, with 22 shots and five on target they put Josh Vickers to work hard, in other hand Sutton only had 2 shots in the entire match, and they were happy to get a boring 0 - 0 draw. At least this was one down in their minds. We went back to our home to receive Lincoln, the media was giving the visitors as favorites, despite they proved their superiority in the pitch as they got a 51% of the possession, eleven shots and six on target they only scored three, Sutton with less shots, eight, and six on target got the best of their scorers, Atiku opened the score with a placed shot at the 5th minute, two minutes later Linconl's Dodds equalized, Fowler (18th) and Goldberg (23rd) put the game one side in favor of Sutton; Lincoln's Burrow (26th) got them close, Goldberg (36th and pen. 44th) almost sealed the match 5 - 2 at the end of the first half. There were only one job to do, maintain that difference, in the 69th Dodds again shot the last one to made the final score 5 - 3, and leaving the team with a good flavor, they could challenge for the tittle. The last match of the month see another draw with a mid table team 'Chester' in which they only get 1 - 1 boring draw. In this month one of last year signs Reece Connolly was unhappy as he didn't get enough playing time, Angel promised him more playing time but in those games he was playing didn't make a good performance and he had the decision to sit him back in the bench, things were bad for both parties and the team's atmosphere was turning dense as some other players were talking about that issue, that let Angel the only remedy to sold him to any price, Hereford, from the Conference South, who also had in loan one of our youngsters, signed him for 3.9K, a bargain, as he was a future star in league one, as one of the coach told the manager. January came and the board asked if the manager wanted to review the expectation, Angel Santana review the options, and even they were fierce battling for the tittle the board didn't want to put pressure on the team and manager, and just put as higher option to be a mid-table position. The manager grabbed that as he wanted more room in the transfer and salary budget to get some more players, he brough middlefielder Sam Dearing from Conference South team Whitehawk and almost at the end of the month he signed Jack Willbye from the free agency, the last man to join but signed in the next month was youngster Aiden O'Brien as a striker backup. In term of matches January seemed easy as the team would face bottom placed teams, but they proved Sutton wrong, as they only grab one win, two draws and the defeat they knew the stronger team of the month would give them, fans were unhappy as the team failed to win winnable matches against Kiddermister (relegated) and Altrichan (one point ahead of relegation zone) and only won a match against Welling. Torquay was the team they faced who, even they won, was not easy as Sutton gave them a fight. February was a better month than the previous one, we only had an strong team in Oxford in that month's fixture, and did well against them grabbing an 2 - 2 draw, but more for one of their player's mistake that gave us an own goal. The only red note of that month was the defeat by Barrow (relegated) that were in the bottom of the table, yet another bottom team who stopped our great run. In March our run started again (was in the last game of February) and we was unbeaten in that month, the only bad note was the draw against Forest Green, but they proved to be a force, the bright note was the win against tittle contenders Dag & Red, which gave us hope to the tittle, but the race was very thigh as Oxford was just two points below us. Also the team had two games rescheduled to April due to a waterlogged pitch. So Sutton entered the last month with two games at hand, and in second position due to Oxford won their scheduled matches. But the latter had a complicated April since they had to face four of the more strong teams of the league, Wrexham, Braintree, Forest Green and Dag & Red. They barely won the last match, they lost the first one giving Sutton a lead of five points with one game in hand in hand, then only barely draw their next match while Sutton won one and draw one, so the third match of the month would decide if Sutton was able to be crown as Champion or had to wait for another result. The match at Gander Green Lane, also selected to be televised was very important in the team's aspiration. They faced Woking, a team that despite had drawn at their venue, were strong enough to kill Sutton's dream. Just one point Sutton had to earn to be champ, just one. The match was watched for 1,374 fans, far the team's higher attendance of the season, but the stadium felt empty as they were only 19.6% of the total capacity, maybe as it could be watched in TV much of Sutton's fans wanted to see the match in their houses. Wellard (24th) put the stadium to rock when he scored the first goal of the match, just to the be silence by a minute later equalizer by Lokko, in the half-time injury time poacher Goldberg scored his first goal of the day leaving the half time with a partial score of 2 - 1, the manager said to the team that they had what they needed to win that match, and the team entered the pitch in the second half very inspired, only took three minutes to Goldberg score his second goal, then midfielder Deering gave an astonishing finish that let everybody including the manager on their feet as he scored Sutton's fourth goal. Any other manager would tell their player to reduce the tempo and contain the score, Angel didn't, the team continued to attack the opposite team and at the end, in the injury time, international Renny Smith scored the last goal giving a final score of 5 - 1, and with that win the second straight tittle to Sutton. The next match was given a well awarded rest to the team and gave minutes to the reserves and backup. A visit to Barnet, which were battling for a playoff spot, was the worst match in Sutton's season, a 5 - 0 defeat, but at the end the manager only told them that the result wasn't important. Many bookers said that the manager sold the match so their opponent could have an opportunity for a promotion playoff spot, and also he bet in favor of Barnet, but nobody could prove anything. The last match was in Sutton's home, and the manager wanted to give their fans and supporters a great performance, their opponent was relegation candidate Dartford, the match ended with a 3 - 2 win in favor of the home team, and the manager presented the team that carried the tittle for the entire season. Talking about the cups in which the team was involving, Sutton was able to fulfill their respective goals, and was reach first round of FA Cup and second round of FA Trophy. In the FA Cup the team reached the third round and getting a last game against Championship side Norwich, which gave them a nice gate receipt, in the FA Trophy they felt they could win it, since they were in the top of the higher division, but a well planted Wrexhan finished the dream of The U's Season Review It was a heartbreaker season for me, I knew that the team could get there, but there some times that I thought different, mostly on those bottom team defeats and/or draws. Financially talking the team survived and also went in black for first time, thanks to the selling of Czapa and the FA Cup run; also as the gate receipt was increased the team was able to make profits. At the end of the season some nasty bonus make the team to lost money, but that was solved with the arrange of new contracts, every player and staff that were wanted were given a new two year contract without any kind of bonus, and that would give the team a breath in their intentions to become a better side. After winning the tittle was asked to increase the youth facilities, and the board granted it surprisingly, also the manager (me) and other coach were given permission to go on a coach course to increase their badges and get a National C License. Now that we promoted to League Two, we have to face a truth, we have depth in our scoring and defense department, but our midfield and goalkeeping ones we lack of great players, we don't know if Arsenal will continue loaning us Vickers, and we need to search for more central midfielders to have a select group. Also we are going to test the team with a higher level, since the core came with us from the VS, this will be the real test of the team. Best Players Bradley Goldberg: This player was brought to serve as backup of Sebastian Czapa in our first season, hi didn't impress by that time, but had a promise to be good, we signed him as we knew that Czapa would go, and he didn't disappointed, he broke Czapa's three records, most goal in a game (3), top goalscorer (28), top league goalscorer (23), and won six time the PoM. He is one of the "Vanarama Player of the Year" award. Ibrahim Itaku: He could be listed as the best Sutton player of the season, and is also listed as player of the year candidate, he was the machine when we needed a penalty taker, he also was our second scorer with 19, and a general in the right wing. Sam Deering: He came in January but he let his mark in the game, he commanded the midfield and gave a lot of assistance. Youth Intake This as previous year the intake was awful, with only two players with real potential to be backup for the team or the U21. We hope that with our improved youth facilities and youth coaching we can get better intakes. League Table As you can see, we scored a lot, but also allowed too much goal to my appetite. We need to look for a better goalkeeper and improve our defense in order to be able to do something in the next level. The previous manager gave an interview when we won the tittle, was he jealous because he couldn't do the job when he was in charge Transfers Below the red line in both you can see our transfer, we loaned several players so they can get first team opportunity, also we sold an angry player. We have an agreed transfer of a player we got in trial, but signed to another team in the VS, we bought him as we believe that we need a DC, we don't know if we gonna get back Rea on loan. For all the folks The Future Just survive in the Football League, (we thought that and we won the tittle), as we know that we won't have the money, nor the team to capture a third straight tittle. Squad Part 1 Squad Part 2 As part of a celebration we went on tour to Wales, for two weeks before the season finale, playing friendlies and meeting girls. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Breaking News Turned professional Made profit Offered a new contract Stadium seat will increase, the president took a loan. Meanwhile that means our youth facilities plan was scrapped All key members were given a new full time contract and they signed. DoF signed a bunch of new coaches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Sutton United, Season 2016/17 Some words First at all, thanks for those 350+ readers, I know you are following this. I'm not so new in this community but haven't been so active in the past, my story (RL one) began with CM01-02 when I saw that game in a demo release, played with several teams, but liked to play with low level sides, Yeovil was the chosen by that time. Then the next CM/FM series game I was able to get (a demo) was CM04 (I think that was the tittle). After that I was in hiatus until I could bought my first FM game, Worldwide Manager 2008 (due to licensing in USA), played well but didn't have the time for a career one, and always trying to do what I dream, have a Dominican Republic league. I also bought the next year game, as the previous game disk was unusable, same old history, as I didn't know how to play 'well' the game I always choose a LLS, in 2008 my chosen side was Sutton Utd, as they were small but with potential, in 2009 version they were demoted and the only way to play with them was editing the DB. Five years later and still playing the 2009 version I was caught by this FM15, but until I could get it I played the FM14 demo, so I could understand the changes between the 2009 version and the actual. Happen that I had to learn to play a new game. Well, I downladed the FM15 demo as my target month to buy the game was December, and started this save in the demo, so the first update was what I achieved with the team in the demo version of FM15. In writing, I'm/was part of several RPG communities, most of them in the sci-fi spectrum (Star Wars) and one historical game. My goal is to write the in-game as if were related by a narrator as if there were telling a story, and other aspect of the save will be related as the player view. So from now the writing will have some sections, the first will be the view of the character 'Angel Santana' who is the manager of the team Sutton Utd., this section will be all IC, as if it was a storytelling; there were going to be sections with news regarding the team and the save and they will be posted in a OOC manner. So, let's begin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Sutton United, Season 2016/17 Preseason Setup Road to Stayland The preseason was busy in terms of administration, due to the team being now in the football leagues, the president changed all plans the team had at the end of the last season, and brought new ones, now the team changed its status from semi-professional to professional, this would mean all players and staff would have full time contracts, but that also means the team would have more expenditures, and a small club like Sutton it could be worse in their finances, in their small finances. Also the president agreed to convert terraces into seats, which turned down our youth facilities expansion. Angel Santana thought that this action would hinder our future a little, but also view it as positive that the new stadium improvement would bring more money. A good news is that by the start of the season the club has multiplied by four the amount generated in seasonal tickets, with an increase from 55k to 218k, and still these are provisional numbers; this was because the ticket price was increased, not the ticket holders, as by this time there are only 209 hardcore fans. Last season the team had an average assistance of 1,187 fans. Preparing the team for the incoming season Angel called some of the clubs which had previous friendlies and they accepted to have a new session, but also this time Angel contacted some teams in Europe, Korona Kielce, who plays in the Polish premier division; Chareloi and Antwerp, in the Belgian Pro League; and Union Sportive Littoral Dunkerque, who plays in the French Third Division; alongside with our rivals Carshalton and Kingstonian; the late was promoted last season to Conference South, but they spell in that league didn't work and were relegated back to the Isthmian Premier League, there were others friendly arranged until the end of the preseason. The fixture showed that the team would open the season in their home, the Gander Green Lane, even there are some works, the administration didn't think that would make an impact in the ticket sales. Gateshead would be the first task of the team, and the real test of their strength, after that they will pay a visit to Peterborough and Luton before turning back to their, now remodeled, stadium to receive Bury; the first month of activities would feature a visit to Mansfield and the last match will be in Gander Green Lane when the team would receive Cheltenham. Santana's transfer activity was not that busy like the last two years, he brought a player he had intention to sign in the 2015/16 season, but he preferred other team, he splashed 45k to get him, and as he knew he would play in a higher level he didn't think twice and accepted the transfer. Jamie Reckord was labeled as the best left defensive winger of the team and would battle the position with three players. The second was Joe Cracknell, a goalkeeper who would be the first choice, as the team couldn't secure the services of Josh Vickers, who was released by Arsenal, and even when he was satisfied with the terms Sutton sent, another team contacted him, and now he would be playing in the Championship League with Leeds; Craknell was offered to the team by his agent, very persuasive, but at the end he get a nice contract. Troy Hewitt was signed by the Director of Football (previously the General Manager), and was signed as a backup option in the front, and maybe if the team needed to adjust their tactic to use two strikers instead of one. The last free signing was Callum Jhonson, a midfielder, and would strength that part of our team, he was found as one of our youngsters googled his name and appeared him. Our loaned players were defender Glen Rea who was repeating and is from our seeder club, Brigthon, and this year they sent also a left attack midfielder, his name was Jordan Maguire-Drew, but as he could play in any side and also as a striker, the team will have a good addition with him. Santana was still looking for a goalkeeper, as he felt that was the real problem in the team, Vickers was a good player and young, he hoped that maybe he could find someone as good as him. ********************************************************************************************************** The team The team will feature the same players, with just a few inclusions, here the list by positions: Goalkeepers: Joe Cracknell: He will be the team first choice by now, until I can find someone in the transfer or loan market. Mikhael Jaime-Ruiz: This veteran will cover when Cracknell would be injured or in the cups matches. Defenders: This area is well represented, we have good choices, but I need to see if they are capable of hold this level. Right Nortei Nortey: He will be the first choice, alongside with the next one. But his best ability is that he can play in any position in the back, so he could also be a backup if we don't have any other option or when an injury come and we lack a proper substitute in the bench. Luke Ruddick: In last season I was worried by him, he demanded play time, and as we had Nortei, he didn't get it. I promised him to give a run, but forgot, he came back very angry and I didn't have a choice to put him, I didn't regret it, he played well, but I will see if he is capable to play at this new level. Left Jamie Reckord: He need to impress me, the staff told that he is the best in the position, but yet, he need to prove it. Sam Habergham: He played last season with a non-contract, and was the pick number one, until the next player started to demand play time. He signed a full time contract, and lets see if he is capable to fight for his spot in the starting 11. Callum Hart: He is a regular player, but now his play time will be reduced as we have Jamie Reckord too. Center Glen Rea: He was the heart of the defense pack, he played 43 of 46 league games, and even he got some yellow cards, he was a great help to our goalkeeper. Last year he also helped with two goals and one assistance, he was named two times as Player of the Match. Charlie Clough: I had my doubt with him at first, but this veteran showed class in the back, and also when we were in attacking corners, he scored four times and was named five times PoM. He is young, will turn 26 in march 2017, and will have a good career with us, if his skill doesn't decline. Teddy Ngoy: Is a support player, but also will see good playing time. Midfield: This is our weak area, and also our principal tactic only feature three MCs, our defensive one feature a full five midfield, but we have several players who can fill the void. Center Sam Deering: Came in the middle of the last season and he impressed with his game, he will be feature in the starting 11. Renny Smith: Our Austrian international will play in this position, albeit he is a natural right midfielder, he will also feature in the right attacking midfield position as a back up, as he is learning that position. Callum Jhonson: This is the first choice to fill the last spot in our attack tactic, lets see if he could win the battle with the rest. Ricky Wellard: The captain had a normal season, even the coaches said he wasn't needed as we have better players, his best ability is that he is a fan favorite, also he is good leading people, so he is the 'captain', will battle for a regular spot in the starting 11. Mostly he will play in cups matches. Attack Right Ibrahim Atiku: One of the last season best player, will be commanding the right side, but he is old, and we have younger and hungrier players, (Smith), is one of the best, if not the best, penalty takers of the team. Left Bobby-Joe Taylor: This young player confused me, when I loaned him in our first season, he didn't do much to impress me as he only played in twelve matches (two in cups), but as we needed players and couldn't afford 'star' ones he signed as a free agent, he played in almost all games and also gave us some winning goals, he scored nine in that season, but that wasn't his mission, his mission was to serve as link between the midfield and our poacher. He was awarded with three PoM. Strikers: This area of the team is well balanced, we have several players that could make the difference, and also I'm thinking to have a third tactic, in which will include two strikers instead one as our two main tactics. Bradley Goldberg: Our first choice, last season top-goalscorer, and our all time top-goalscorer in one season, with just 22 years, he had a promising future, the coach report said that he can be a great player in this level, so if we are going to stay a little he will be commanding our scoring team, if we are going to move soon, we will see. Ricky Miller: Will be a backup player. But he tend to demand more, so if he comes I will sell him, I had more depth in the squad. Troy Hewitt: He is also said that is a good player for this level, so I will see if he is capable to battle for the starting spot. ********************************************************************************************************** Outside world This new section will feature news regarding the outside world (outside Sutton), mainly news regarding my RL preferred team Arsenal. Well, let me tell you that Arsene Wenger retired after the 2014/15 season, they got a 4th place and also play well in the CL where they reached the semis, domestically they reached semis in the Capital One, reached the final in the FA Cup where they were defeated in a great battle against the always strong Man Utd 0 - 1, their only trophy was the Community Shield, but in overall was a good season. Arsenal contracted Sevilla's manager, Unai Emery, but his spell didn't spark in London, 8th place in the Premier, gloated in the FA Cup third round, also in the Capital One third round, they could say that the team in their CL quarterfinals were very strong, Barcelona, but that is not an excuse of a team of the stature of Arsenal, who splashed money in the transfer market with 96.75 MM their bigger transfer was 41.5 mm when they bought Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli. This season they are from the same way, at this point they have opened the bank with 68MM with only three players, Iker Muniain, Ruben Neves and Maxime Gonalons, the new manager is Frank the Boer who was Ajax's manager. Global Winners Internationals-Worldwide French Youth Invitational (2016) - Winner: France U20; Runner-up: Spain U20 Confederations Cup (2015) - Winner: U.S.A.; Runner-up: Jamaica European U19 Championship (2016 - Winner: Russia; Runner-up: France Internationals-Regional: European Football Championship (2016) - Winner: Spain (third time in row); Runner-up: Belgium. England reached the quarterfinal, but was defeated by Belgium. North American Gold Cup (2015) - Winner: Jamaica; Runner-up: Costa Rica; Third Place: Honduras. Costa Rica defeated U.S.A. in the 4Q, and Jamaica defeated Mexico in the SF, Honduras also defeated Mexico in the third place match, so this cup year version was for the small countries, Canada, USA and Mexico didn't get anyting. In the Europa World Cup Qualifying, Spain and England are in the same group, so... Club International: * Only European or World Club. Club World Championship (2015) - Winner: Real Madrid; Runner-up: Cruz Azul; Third Place: Boca European Super Cup (2015) - Winner: Tottenham; Runner-up: Real Madrid Euro Cup (2015/16) - Winner: Southampton; Runner-up: Liverpool European Champions Cup (2015/16) - Winner: Barcelona; Runner-up: Atletico England: * Only Promoted from the lower leagues Premier League - Winner: Chelsea; Runner-up: Liverpool; Third Place: Everton Sky Bet Championship - Winner: West Brown; Promoted: Fullam; Burnley Sky Bet League 1 - Winner: Preston; Promoted: MK Dons, Bolton Sky Bet League 2 - Winner: Carlisle; Promoted: Southen, Tranmere, York Vanarama Conference - Winner: Sutton; Promoted: FC Halifax Vanarama Conference North - Winner: Tamworth; Promoted: Hednesford Vanarama Conference South - Winner: Oxford City; Promoted: Dover FA Cup - Winner: Chelsea; Runner-up: Liverpool Capital One Cup - Winner: Chelsea; Runner-up: Man Utd Community Shield - Winner: Man Utd; Runner Up: Chelsea Johnstone's Paint Trophy - Winner: Preston; Runner-up: Charlton English FA Trophy - Winner: Lincoln; Runner-up: Chester Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Sutton United, Season 2016/17 Preseason Review Road to Stayland The team arrived, and after the first examinations the coach staff didn't have any bad reports, just the normal unfit in match. As the club was transformed into a professional side, the General Manager, now with the role of Director of Football, signed several coaches, and also the Head Coach, signed a few he believed would give a good training session to the lads, with him and another coach in studies to earn their first national badge, the club was in route to the glory, but they have their first real test in the League 2. As Angel Santana arranged the friendlies before the team arrived, the first match was a travel to Troedyrhiw, a small town in Wales, the three hour trip from Sutton to met the first friendly match between our team and the amateur side of Troedyrhiw F.C., as all friendlies, Angel Santana let the Assistant Manager, Steve Gritt, to manage the team as his pleasure, the match ended with a 0 - 5 score, with Goldberd scoring four, and the last was an own goal from them. Angel Santana rented the Pentwyn Leisure Center to train the team and also to have the next friendly against the local team Pentwyn Dynamos, in their Parc Coed-y-Nant stadium. the result was another 0 - 5, this time the scorers were Nicolas Bignall, Michael Spillane, Ibrahim Itaku, Bradley Goldberg and Tyrel Robinson. Back home the team was gaining confidence in their fitness and they would be receiving their rivals, so they must be prepared as the gate seller said that the first match against Kingstonian would be like the one of last season league match, a solid 1,129 tickets were sold. The U's faced their nearby rivals with a 3 - 0 win, the match scorer were Nicolas Bignall, Troy Hemitt and Kurtis Cumberbatch. The second match would be against our fierce rivals Carlshalton, from this match the team had an attendance of 1,233, more than much league matches of previous season, the result put our fans in ecstasy, a stunning 4 - 0, with the scorers being Mahlondo Martin (2), Ricky Martin and Troy Hemitt. Angel Santana also brought two teams from the Belgian Pro League to our small community, they would be real test of the strength of the team, the first game would be against Antwerp, and even they didn't attract as many fans as the previous two, many players wanted to see them play, the team was defeated, but a 0 - 1, against a better and more prepared side tell the manager that they would stay in the league, or not. Brackley Town was the next target, they played in the Vanarama Conference North when Sutton was at that level, but by some demotions from the VC they switched side and now would play in the Vanarama Conference South, at just one and a half hour trip from Sutton, the team didn't suffer any incident, the starters were the second team, and they did well earning a 2 - 1 win, the only team's scorer was Cumberbatch as the other goal was scored by the opposite team. The next team was also from the Belgian Pro League, Charleroi, Sutton lost the match, but they gave the fight, the team were in similar level, but they scored one more than us, Bobby-Joy Taylor was the man who netted the final and the honor goal for us. Just two more friendly matches and Sutton would be prepared to start officially the season, the opponents were Korona Kielce, who had to play a friendly with us for the Czapa transfer, they are a stronger team and also playing in their country's premier league, the Ekstraklasa (Polish Premier League), our team lost that match, but as the previous two defeats Sutton proved to be a force to be recognized. The last friendly match was played in Sutton's stadium against Union Sportive Littoral Dunkerque, a french team that is arguably similar level than Sutton. The match ended with a boring 0 - 0 draw, but the manager new what to do with the next opponent, who would open the season in the Gander Green Lane, Gateshead. Gateshead promoted to the League 2 in 2014/15, in 2015/16 they stayed earning the 16th spot, and they are trying to go further, in their last 30 years this is the higher they had been, being relegated even to the regional divisions, where they returned to the Vanarama North in the 2008/09 season and gained a promotion to the Vanarama Conference, where they stayed five seasons until they could sail up to the Fooball League again. So Angel Santana was discussing with the coach staff about the best formation to face that team, one of them said to approach then with the defensive 4-5-1, after much thought and delivering Santana said that the team would go with their attacking 4-3-2-1* *************************************************************************************************** Miscellaneous There was a player who I signed in my first season of this save, he played in 22 matches in that year, but as we had better options in the team for the next season, I sidelined him allowing to play only four games, also he was old, and I wanted to give an opportunity to the younger players. He came to me (the character) asking for more playing time, two times I broke the promise, and he was one of those players who didn't want to sign an extension (besides I was also not wanting to sign him), near the end of season popped a message saying he was going to retire, I talked to him to not and was tempted to give him a new contract as player/coach, when he retired I saw his coach stats and said "wait this is a gem", tried to sign him as U18 Manager, but the president didn't want to sack the current, as it would cost much money to the team (43k), well I saw an opportunity and signed him as coach, would you signed him if you had the opportunity? His name is unpronounceable to me Kevin Amankwaah, as he was not a great player I didn't set the game to record his stats as player after retirement, so I can't show you that. Notes: * It appears sometimes as a 4-3-3 wide, an as a 4-5-1, that tactic is using four defenders, three center midfielders, two winger attacking midfielders and one striker. Here are our two tactics: separator Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakonico Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share Posted January 4, 2015 Sutton United, Season 2016/17 August 2016 Road to Stayland August 6th, 2016.- The field was prepared, the team was prepared, the coach and everyone else were prepared for the new chapter in Sutton Utd history, being officially in the Football Leagues as a professional team. They would received a team who had been in this level for just one season, they survived and they were stronger (in paper) than the newcomers, so if the U's need to learn how to stay in this level and go up, they must observe Gateshead. It was a gusty and drizzle afternoon, but 2,051 fans were prepared to see the first ever match of their team in the League Two, the highest level they have ever. Sutton announced the players who would be in the pitch, and there were familiar faces, just three would be starting their careers in the team, Cracknell as the new goalkeeper, Jhonson in the midfield, and Maguire-Drew as left attacking midfielder. The game started and both teams seemed similar, the possesion was shared and both teams seemed to attack the opponent camp. In the 35th minute Gateshead's Rob RAmshaw scored the first goal in this match, a well executed corner by the team allowed him to score with a headed shot. From that moment Gateshead just waited and stole passes, and waited, they new that the newcomers would try something but they had the game in their hands. At the half-time the manager told the team that they could show the fans what they could do, that encouraged them and they were to the pitch with a renovated spirit, but Gateshead were there to complicate it, after some inclusions from both teams, it was at the 73th minute that Maguire-Drew running from the left side to the middle gave a pass to Renny Smith in the right side, he brought the ball and draw the attention of two defenders leaving Bradley Goldberg without mark in the penalty area running to the goal area and sent him a potent pass who the poacher hit to the center of the goal. By that time the manager sent the orders to reduce the attack a little and maintain a controlled situation. The match ended 1 - 1, and the manager was happy to get the first point of the season, and letting the team to their next though match. August 9th, 2016.- This was a hard test, or at least a lesson for the team, it was their debut in the Capital One Cup, but against Peterborough, a team who had been in the second tier, and was a force in the third tier, having finished in 6th, 3rd and 4th in the last three seasons, also the match was in their place, a 2:15 hours travel from Sutton, but it seemed that not much people from then wanted to see that match, as only 2,232 fans were in a stadium that had a 6,000 - 7,000 average assistance. As Angel knew that the outcome would be inevitable he gave the players that didn't take part in the previous game an opportunity, the end of the match was predictable, the supremacy of Peterborough as it ended 3 - 0 in favor of the home team. August 13th, 2016.- Finally the new seated expansion was finished this day, but the team was travelling to Luton for their second league match of the season, now the stadium would have 2,000 seats and 5,032 terrace, with a total of 7,032. This was a small trip of only 1:15 hours, and there were record that more than 7,000 tickets were sold, that was a great assistance, like the 75% of the stadium would be filled, and Sutton's players were nervous, they knew the story of that team, if not by an administration some years ago they would be higher than this. Sutton manager set up the defensive tactic for that, their famous 5-4-1, they commanded the possession 60% to 40%, but that wasn't enough since they couldn't get the ball to the sole striker, the contrary passed to their opponents, with only 40% of the ball possession they got 18 shots, and also three goals, it was demoralized for the team, but they knew that they needed a miracle to get a result there, maybe next time. August 16th, 2016.- The team hadn't time to rest, they were tired but yet they had another match, this time in their home, 1,878 people had bought their tickets, and they would received Bury, they had the same points that Sutton, having lost one and drawn one. In paper their squad was better than Sutton, and they proved it in the match, it could be ended 1 - 3 in favor of them but one of Sutton's player did a mistake and scored an own goal, the only positive sigh of that match was Goldberg's second goal of the season in the 65th minute. On the bad side, Glen Rea was given a red card, it seemed to hard for the fault, and the manager as soon as the match was ended sent an appeal for the decision, the Federation thought that the available evidence weren't enough and they kept the decision, Rea would had to be suspended for one match. August 20th, 2016.- Another away trip, this time to Mansfield, another team who was in position near the relegation zone, a lost and they would be placed there, a win and they wold go higher, same fate for Sutton, they barely were away from the relegation zone just by their only point, but that was not for always. The match was incredible, both sides were battling to perform their immediate goals, to be away from the red zone the more. But without the best defender for Sutton it was seemed just one sided match. Rakish Bingham gave Mansfield the provisional lead in the 12th minute in what seemed a outside play, but the referee kept the flags down, to turns thing worst Mansfield was awarded with a penalty in 31st minute, but the goalkeeper guessed right and stopped what could be the second goal of the match. In a play that silenced the crowd, Fowler gave a pass to Smith who found an unmarked man in Hewitt and he scored his first Sutton goal, and what seemed the draw in the 40th minute. At half-time the match was just 1 - 1, and praises to the visiting team seemed to be well received from the fans. The manager tried to say the team they could win it, and everyone agreed. But the dream lasted just 14 minutes, as the PoM Sinan Bytyqi scored in a play that he came from nowhere, ten minutes later Martin Riley scored the third goal to settle a game and let the home team to just wait and repel the attack. Sutton couldn't do any harm to the Mansfield's defense, only a miracle could penetrate that barrier, and in the injury time was one of them that allowed the second goal for the visit team. The match ended in 3 - 2, and now Sutton in the bottom of the table. August 24th, 2016.- It was the manager's birthday, but there were nothing to celebrate, just that the board brought a request made by Angel Santana, a feeder team where they could send some players in loan, the board only found three teams: AFC Hayes, who plays in the SD1C; Burgess Hill, who plays in the Isthmian D1S; and Hemel Hempstead, who had finished in the playoff spot in the Vanarama Conference South in the last two seasons, and seemed the right choice by their facilities. That day the contract was signed with the agreement that Sutton would send them players in loan and an annual friendly with all the gate income to them. August 27th, 2016.- Chesterfield was the next target, the manager thought that was a winnable match since both team were struggling too in the low part of the table, but how to transmit that to a team that had suffered four defeats in row and that they would face a team that was just relegated from a higher league, it wasn't easy, so he just said to enjoy the match, and even that didn't get the awaited effect in the beginning of the match, the team started to gain confidence, in the 33rd minute a cross from Spillane found the quick kick of Maguire-Drew. That opening was the only thing the team needed, but by some force of nature, the manager kept the mentality, and that worked, Chestefield only defended, they did some attack, but it was repelled by the defense and as the offensive was high they had to regroup and didn't let the home team to score again. The match ended with the first victory for the new promoted team and now they are outside the relegation zone by just one point. *************************************************************************************************** Miscellaneous Arsenal got an 8th position last year, but seems they bribed the European authorities and let them in the Euro Cup, just as the 7th placed team got a pass to the Champions League as they are the EC holders. So they could have an European trip after all. FC Halifax is also surviving as they had one win, two draws and two loses; so one point more than Sutton. Still the season is very young to predict anything. Patience is a virtue, but seemed that some players in the Sutton squad doesn't have it, gladly I could send some of them to our feeder club. Wycombe Wanderers is the next match, the good news is that they have three players with international duties, and four players injured Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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