The FM21 Youth Academy Challenge

[vikeologist]

34 minutes ago, JLAB said:

You guys might consider being loaded with multiple talented goalkeepers as an issue, I instead consider having multiple talented goalkeepers as an opportunity to make some extra money if I can sell them on.

I've never received a penny for a goalkeeper, even though many of them are now starters at the level I played in for 17 seasons.

Hold on, that's not true. I've just checked and I received a £240 loan fee for one of my goalies. 

And £140 transfer fee for another.

Still, I doubt that was the level of extra money you were envisaging.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by vikeologist

[DazRTaylor]

I am so damned excited by the nicknames being fixed.

    

[Brentmeister]

Season 2 review

Another decent season, securing our place in the promotion play-off league for the second time.

I almost didn't want to qualify because we finished a crazy 29 points behind the league leaders during the regular season, meaning they had a 15 point head start in the championship group with only 18 points to play for! I used these games to test tactics and to throw some youngsters in to see if they can swim.

 

Youth preview and intake

Unfortunately my game kept crashing due to corrupted files from the newgen facepack. My original preview was very promising and listed 5 promising players in key positions, oh well!

When the intake came I was pretty happy, some promising players and decent personalities in a variety of positions.

Top dog from this batch is probably Limbombe; 6'4", either footed with decent flair, technique, finishing, dribbling and aggression. Sounds like the new Zlatan to me.

 

Transfers, finances and misc

Still losing money at at rate of about 350k a year. No transfers obviously. I also managed to complete my second coaching course.

 

Aims for season 3

I'm quietly confident we can get promoted within the next 2 seasons and then the challenge will really begin.

 

Around the world

Edited February 23, 2021 by Brentmeister

[hyrule_king]

We Go Again

https://www.hendonfc.net/ClubInfo

 

 

[hyrule_king]

Squad is 10 players, so having to use greyed out players to put a team out until the 1st Youth Intake.

[Padders]

A lovely way to go out of the Euro Cup

[XaW]

1 hour ago, Padders said:

A lovely way to go out of the Euro Cup

Ouch! 

[keeper#1]

Farnborough 2026-27 Season Review

 

Fixtures 1, 2, 3: The signs of a young team....lots of choppy form.  Play like world beaters one day.  Play like a playground team the next.  Really hard to build on any successes.  

League Table: More wins than last season but also more draws.  I'd love to turn some of the losses into draws as they would help us build on our successes.  Maybe when the more talented youngsters start getting call ups from the academy.  Barnet will enjoy league football next season as champions of the National League.  Torquay, Bath, Bradford and Gateshead go down to North/South leagues.

Playoff Tree: A true to form playoff with second place Dag & Red beating third place Solihull Motors in the final

FA Cup: A great FA Cup for the club capped with a 800,000 pound pay day with a trip to Anfield.

FA Trophy: A short stay in the FA Trophy ended by Curzon Ashton

xG General Performance: Down toward the bottom of the shots per game again.  Our lack of offense is putting too much pressure on our defense.  Next year, I'm going to try to go more offensive with our tactic as that's where our strength is and hope that the defense can hold on.

xG Expected vs Actual: Outperformed our xG by 12 goals which allowed us to outperform our xG Points by 16 and our position from an expected 22nd to our actual 14th place finish.

xG Attacking Efficiency     xG Defensive Efficiency

Stats 1     Stats 2

2026-27 Player of the Year Big E 23E: Big E is our player of the year.  He is currently our best defender and still developing as best he can given our training facilities.  

2026-27 Rookie of the Year Ellis Sewell 26E: He stepped in the center of the attacking midfield line as a playmaker but he's more of a goal scorer than playmaker.  He is now our main penalty taker which helped boost his goal tally.

Youth Intake Preview      Youth Intake      Youth Intake DNA      LW Wade Starnes 27A      RB Joey Frawley 27B     LB/CB Jake de Freitas 27C     LB William Ndongala 27D      CF Jordan Humphries 27E

RW/CF Armando 27F      RW Neil Neville 27G      CM Gavin Allen 27I

Moments to Remember     Best XI     Accolades

Almanac

Armando 27F is already breaking league records held by the Farnborough academy players who came before him.

Some of these players have been surpassed in ability by new academy players.  End dates will be coming soon for Adrian Keane 22C, Andy Lange 23B and Ed Wedatilake 22A.  Lots of new names appearing in the academy goals top 10 as well.

Attendance is down.  I think that has to with not hosting a EPL team in the FA Cup 3rd round.  In 2025-26, we hosted Chelsea.  In 2026-27, we traveled to Liverpool.

Mike Neiland has completed all of his coaching badges.

Youth facilities are shaping up to be some of the best in the Vanarama National League.  Now, we just need the players.

Jawad Amrani 25B was not going to sign a new contract when it expired in 12 months.  He had a few offers in the transfer window.  The board stepped in AFTER I did most of the negotiating with Sheffield Wednesday.  170,000 pounds is a nice fee for a player with 15 goals for the club and hopefully we can cash in of the 50% next sale clause as well.  He is currently in Wednesday's U23 team.  

[DazRTaylor]

I am trying Iceland again and have taken over at Íþróttafélagið Hamar as they finished bottom of their division in the fifth tier.

 Club Introduction

Íþróttafélagið Hamar

The Manager

This is me.

Personal Coaching Data

Season     Reputation            Qualifications          Att   Def   Fit   GkD   GkH   GkS   Tac   Tec   Men   WWY   Ada   Det   PlK   YoK   LoD   MaM   Mot
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At start   Minimal   (0.25*)     None                      1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     4     1     1     1     4     1     1     1

Club Facilities

Season     Training Facilities  Youth Facilities  Corporate Facilities  Junior Coaching  Youth Recruitment  Club Reputation
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Start   Average              Average           Basic                 Average          Fairly basic       Local   (0.50*)

Season Record

Season     Played     Won     Drawn     Lost     Goals For     Goals Against     Goal Difference
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall Career Record

After Season   Played     Won     Drawn     Lost     Goals For     Goals Against     Goal Difference     Time At Club
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trophy Haul

Season     Competition Won
--------------------------

Trophy Cabinet

League Titles
-------------



Cup Competition Victories
-------------------------

Career Overview

Season     Champions League    Europa League    Europa Conference League             League                Position     Mjólkurbikarinn          Lengjubikarinn A                    Achievements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Record Number of Appearances (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                    Cumulative Number of Appearances
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Record Goal Scorer (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                    Cumulative Number of Goals
---------------------------------------------------------------

Record Number of Assists (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                    Cumulative Number of Assists
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Record Number of Clean Sheets (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                    Cumulative Number of Clean Sheets
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

[Padders]

Season Review 2111/12

Another boring and predicable season and we are finishing lower each season

I just haven't got the players to challenge any further up the table

Got one player worth over £25m

Had two wonderkids in the last 10/12 years

Paul Gorman is the latest wonderkid but even he isn't that good really.

My two central midfielders have a combined value of £1.8m!!!

The cycle of bad intakes over the last number of years have really hurt me

New HOYD has come in and nothing special in the latest intake

 

 

[XaW]

      

De Treffers - Season 2030/31 Review

Table | Squad | Transfers | Finances

We survived! And it went much better than I had expected! I thought we'd struggle and perhaps survive by a thread. But as it turns out, we did fine. I mean, we got the occasional spanking by Ajax and PSV, but for the most part we held our own. We were never in contention to fight for the top, but we still finished in a very decent 6th place in our debut season. This qualified us for the European playoff. In the semi final we lost to Utrecht, so no European games for us next season.

We finally have some more money in now, so I have got a few things approved going forward. Our main issue for now is our small stadium, but I've just gotten an expansion approved, so we are on the right path.

In the TOTO KNVB Beker we lost to N.E.C. in the 1st round.

Looks like another goalkeeper! But lots of green info here.

A good intake, and the goalkeeper is promising, but not the most exciting one.

Diego have a lot of promising attributes for a good winger.

Statistics:

Spoiler

That's quite a few new countries added. Cyprus, Indonesia and Iceland all added.

[Brentmeister]

I just got this message and then the game crashed, wiping out 6 weeks progress in the process

I may have to re-install the game and start again.

[DazRTaylor]

Back in England, the new preview is here.  If it is half as good as it looks, I am in for a treat.

[XaW]

47 minutes ago, XaW said:

so no European games for us next season.

And that's where I was wrong. Apparently, I'm in the Europa Conference League next season. So...yay!

[djsterry]

End of season review Season 4 24-25

 

Overall another decent season I had at one point looked in a good place for promotion but no wins in the last ten game means a 10th place finish

 

Star player this year Is Stettin who suddenly decided he could score goals

 

 

Youth intake was poor so that meant p45 for robin jones in comes garrido after I waved money in his direction

 

Finally got a decent youngster coming in to the team

Of course he wants to leave already

 

 

Good improvements on facilities 

Board has just agreed to improve the youth facilities again so happy with that

 

Finances looking healthy

 

Happy with the progress so far but really need to get some better players coming through I lost a few of my older players this year

time for the youngsters to step up

Bring on the new season 

 

 

[JLAB]

Oh... that's not good. I'm gonna have to sell some players, aren't I?

[hyrule_king]

I forgot how hard this challenge was, we go again.

HORNCHURCH FC

 

 

[hyrule_king]

Any tips for the first season , the squads are always so tiny. Is it best to design a tactic that frustrates the opposition?

[OlivierL]

11 hours ago, DazRTaylor said:

I am so damned excited by the nicknames being fixed.

    

yes ! and the guy that assisted is also shown in the game

[TheGreatTraveler]

26 minutes ago, OlivierL said:

yes ! and the guy that assisted is also shown in the game

For me it is the players who are yellow carded getting highlighted yellow, such a nice improvement

[OlivierL]

Aalst - Season 4 - Poached

Poached by a second tier club..

 

[Marazola]

Bnei Lod in Israel's 2nd division.

Here is the manager.

Wish me luck!

[Marazola]

Our season so far.

We at the very least look set to survive relegation, but I want something more. I'm hoping I can try and get promoted in my first year.

[Brentmeister]

11 hours ago, hyrule_king said:

Any tips for the first season , the squads are always so tiny. Is it best to design a tactic that frustrates the opposition?

Are you loading the additional players from the lower leagues? Some promoted teams in England have 20 man squads

[hyrule_king]

1 hour ago, Brentmeister said:

Are you loading the additional players from the lower leagues? Some promoted teams in England have 20 man squads

How do you do that?

[Marazola]

We finished top half for the split. Awesome that we avoided relegation so comfortably.

[hyrule_king]

1 minute ago, Marazola said:

We finished top half for the split. Awesome that we avoided relegation so comfortably.

Sorry to ask but what skin is that? @Marazola

 

[Brentmeister]

6 minutes ago, hyrule_king said:

How do you do that?

as you start a new game, choose advanced database, then choose England (or whatever country you're playing in), and then as you add leagues you'll see the player count going up in the bottom right.

[Marazola]

7 minutes ago, hyrule_king said:

Sorry to ask but what skin is that? @Marazola

 

Priisek Dark. The one without the CA-PA. I do not enjoy playing with those on. Feels very cheap.

[hyrule_king]

4 minutes ago, Brentmeister said:

as you start a new game, choose advanced database, then choose England (or whatever country you're playing in), and then as you add leagues you'll see the player count going up in the bottom right.

Ok cheers. I knew how to do that but wasn't sure that is what you meant. I set my game up as the first post says to, so just the isthiman leagues etc...

[hyrule_king]

1 minute ago, Marazola said:

Priisek Dark. The one without the CA-PA. I do not enjoy playing with those on. Feels very cheap.

Thank you

[Marazola]

First intake, and it's absolutely superb.

A few of them.

Maor Krispin

For this league he's very good. Most of his necessary stats are around 10, has 13 flair and 14 determination. Only undoing is his pace, but thats slightly made up by 14 acceleration.

Daniel David, future captain of Bnei Lod. He goes straight into my first team as I need a good passer in my system.

Oren Kapitolnik - really just a poacher which I use in my system, so he's signing.

Elad Dahan - If I can get his reflexes and one on ones to 7, maybe he could see some use.

Avi Benisti - Perfect ball winner for his age in this league.

[Brentmeister]

5 minutes ago, hyrule_king said:

Ok cheers. I knew how to do that but wasn't sure that is what you meant. I set my game up as the first post says to, so just the isthiman leagues etc...

I don't think Hendon play in the Isthmian, so that might explain why you had so few players?

[hyrule_king]

2 minutes ago, Brentmeister said:

I don't think Hendon play in the Isthmian, so that might explain why you had so few players?

I will choose the extra leagues and hopefully that will get me bigger squad sizes.

[hyrule_king]

It come come soon enough:

 

 

[Marazola]

Not bad!

[Marazola]

First season done.

Finished 8th, and in the top half. Very good season, beat everyone except for the top team.

My striker got the 2nd top scorer with 30, and become a bit of a cult hero for me (he's my profile picture now)

Here is some of the information for the year.

[UnkleTass]

ACN Siena 1904 Season 2032/33 Review

Even the best laid plans go awry. Now you'd be forgiven for assuming this is going to be a negative post based on how it has started, but no I managed to pull a rabbit out of a hat and have an incredible season. Finished 2nd in the league and made it to the Coppa Italia Quarter Final and in doing both of these things I have managed to stabilise the clubs financial position. My only problem is I wanted this is another year or two, the squad I feel is in for a rude awakening in Serie A and I expect to come back down with a record low points tally. This season just gone Padova finished bottom on 8 points. I'm scared we won't even reach that. However we move for now its time to celebrate. Although we could have won the title, but the boys melted in the run in and did just enough to go up automatically still.

Youth Intake has been poor for a little while as the quality in the squad has improved, still getting one potential 5 star a year, but outside of that very slim pickings. I was also contemplating letting Farcas walk as I couldn't justify his wage demands, but with promotion now I will definitely re-sign him meaning at least for one more year we are on 10/11 first teams being academy players. I also moved our former top striker Tartaglia to RW to allow the new generation in Lucarelli to come through which seems to have been a masterstroke with another proven goal scorer on the field I feel we are now scoring more freely

Now that the finances are on track I can begin to build out my staff again to help with development and hopefully build up some back and invest in the facilities because they are still not great.

My managing finances has gone back down and again no job offers this year but now that I am in Serie A I will push again and ask for my final coaching badge.

Challenge: Squad League Table Transfers

Key Players: Manuele Lucarelli 27C* Raoul Nenciarini 25C Yari Colombini 25B

Youth Intake: Preview Actual

Manager: Profile Attributes

Jobs: None

Extra: Finances Moments To Remember Title Run In Overachievers

[JLAB]

So this might have happened. I'll give a full season roundup in the future.

[hyrule_king]

Season 1 review

 

PICK OF THE BUNCH

[Padders]

Season Review 2112/13

A lot better season and with a good start we were 3rd in December with a run of 1 loss in 12 games 

We then lose 1-3 to bottom of the league Newcastle on Boxing Day and as usual the form just drops off a cliff with 2 wins in 11!

Better end to the season put us upto 8th

 

[hyrule_king]

1 hour ago, Padders said:

Season Review 2112/13

A lot better season and with a good start we were 3rd in December with a run of 1 loss in 12 games 

We then lose 1-3 to bottom of the league Newcastle on Boxing Day and as usual the form just drops off a cliff with 2 wins in 11!

Better end to the season put us upto 8th

 

In the season you finished 5th in pl , how come there was a bit of a drop off in seasons thereafter?

[JLAB]

I've managed to sign one of my former players as a coach at the age of just 23. This season is getting really interesting.

[Padders]

28 minutes ago, hyrule_king said:

In the season you finished 5th in pl , how come there was a bit of a drop off in seasons thereafter?

No idea!

 

[Brentmeister]

After my Belgium save was irreparably corrupted I decided I needed a new country and a new challenge. I chose C.F. Os Belenenses of Portugal.

They are an AFC Wimbledon style phoenix club, with a redemption arc just waiting to be written and I couldn't resist. We also have an arch rival in B-SAD who we hate and can't wait to destroy.

 

They have a fantastic starting base with great facilities which should make it easier in the early years but they're also competing with Benfica, Sporting and B-SAD for young players so that balances it out long term in my opinion!

 

 

They require you to develop players using the clubs youth system. This club is perfect!

 

As usual West Ham legend Carlton Cole is at the helm.

See you in 24 hours for a season 1 update (providing I haven't been sacked!)

 

Edited February 24, 2021 by Brentmeister

[Padders]

I love the player who assisted now showing when you score a goal 

[hyrule_king]

Season Review 2

Conceded 115 goals but scored 88 , which was the 3rd highest in the league.

 

PICK OF THE BUNCH (YP)

 

 

[OlivierL]

3 hours ago, Padders said:

Season Review 2112/13

A lot better season and with a good start we were 3rd in December with a run of 1 loss in 12 games 

We then lose 1-3 to bottom of the league Newcastle on Boxing Day and as usual the form just drops off a cliff with 2 wins in 11!

Better end to the season put us upto 8th

 

Your last two years aren't correct in your list '2012/2013'  

I'm waiting for u to win the pl !

[OlivierL]

1 hour ago, Brentmeister said:

After my Belgium save was irreparably corrupted I decided I needed a new country and a new challenge. I chose C.F. Os Belenenses of Portugal.

They are an AFC Wimbledon style phoenix club, with a redemption arc just waiting to be written and I couldn't resist. We also have an arch rival in B-SAD who we hate and can't wait to destroy.

 

They have a fantastic starting base with great facilities which should make it easier in the early years but they're also competing with Benfica, Sporting and B-SAD for young players so that balances it out long term in my opinion!

 

 

They require you to develop players using the clubs youth system. This club is perfect!

 

As usual West Ham legend Carlton Cole is at the helm.

See you in 24 hours for a season 1 update (providing I haven't been sacked!)

 

Great club, i hope they are fixed but i faced two 'problems / bugs' with them at the start of FM21 . 

Season ticket number stayed the same and very large youth setup costs.

[Brentmeister]

21 minutes ago, OlivierL said:

Great club, i hope they are fixed but i faced two 'problems / bugs' with them at the start of FM21 . 

Season ticket number stayed the same and very large youth setup costs.

I'll keep an eye on it, thanks for the heads up.

@OlivierL were they save ending bugs? I wouldn't want to get 3/4 seasons deep only to have to quit again.

Edited February 24, 2021 by Brentmeister