Countylife

[andychar]

Quarter Mark

Any suggestions that this season was going to be a walk in the park like Tier 11 in Rutland have been very quickly squashed!

Things started off well if not convincing. Then the wheels came off and it quickly became apparent we needed a new keeper. Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong in the 6-4 defeat (which happened to be a new league record. Wooo.)

Luckily we got a new keeper and things have started to turn around. Good back to back wins.

Obviously we are only 6 games in but we are at the unoffical quarter mark of the season so I thought it would be a good time to update...

We are where we need to be. Pushing near the top. It seems everybody is capable of beating everybody...except United Services P of course. We play the only unbeaten side left in the league next. This will be a good test.

See you at the halfway mark!

[DaneBramage]

Nice challenge you've set yourself, quite the task ahead of you.

Good work ticking one county off already.

[andychar]

Woahhhhhhhhh We're halfway there!

Half way point of the season. 26 games feels like such a short season. We are still only in November!

It's been a much better second quarter. Even the 2 points we dropped we battered them!

The gap at the top is 7. Its looking quite good. I was thinking it was going to be close at the start but we have found our feet and from here I'd be shocked and p***ed if we threw it away.

On a personal front...

Which naturally leads to...

East Cowes have been good for us!

Fisher watch! As Fisher are the only team I will go to from here its important we keep an eye on them.

I'm thinking Dorking Wanderers Results might win this league. But because they can win promotion its the next 2. Fisher at the moment are best of the rest and with a 4 point gap between them and 4th its looking like a return to the 9th Tier is a possibility. This doesn't bode with us short term but long term they might struggle and the job could become free. This is the aim!

[andychar]

13 hours ago, DaneBramage said:

Nice challenge you've set yourself, quite the task ahead of you.

Good work ticking one county off already.

Cheers bud. Should have the second crossed off after this season then its a waiting game!

[andychar]

Here we go again.

[andychar]

More takeover talk but an interesting thing has happened.

Despite being 3rd in the league and in a promotion spot the Fisher job is insecure do I did the natural thing. I declared interest.

Lets see what happens here...Technically Isle or Wight hasn't been completed yet but with a nice lead at the top its only a matter of when surely. The gap is 13 points with 27 to play for.

Looks like this might have backfired. 

Will just have to wait and see if the job becomes free soon. Plenty of time yet. We have only just reached Christmas.

[Tee2]

Just read through this thread - great idea and I'm enjoying it. Keep up the good work! I wouldn't mind doing something similar but fear my computer would soon give up...

[andychar]

6 minutes ago, Tee2 said:

Just read through this thread - great idea and I'm enjoying it. Keep up the good work! I wouldn't mind doing something similar but fear my computer would soon give up...

Cheers mate. Trust me the reason why I dont want to spend the entire career down in non-league is because I don't think my laptop could take it! I need to get as high as possible as quickly as possible so I can start removing leagues. 

[andychar]

Till the Cowes Come Home

Another quarter session. 

Another 2 points dropped, this time against bottom of the table at home. Figures don't it.

We are 13 points clear with 18 left to play for. It means all going well we are 1 win away from the title and promotion. It takes the pressure off knowing if the Fisher job does come up I will be able to move.

We also had the draw for the cup made. We are away to Farnborough Old Boys Guard. Be a tricky one that.

The takeover is still not to be believed meaning its just around the corner.

There has been no movement on the Fisher Job.

They are holding onto that promotion spot and I can no longer declare interest. Wonder if its because I already have or because its no longer insecure.

I don't think we will be moving this season. I think they will gain promotion and we need to hope they struggle.

[andychar]

Milking the Cowes

We could win the League and Promotion the game after the previous post.

So this is where we are. Only thing missing this season the cup which starts soon. 2 down 46 to go. Fisher next. ASAP please.

The Mid Sussex League Cup is the first thing we could win numerious times. Lets see what we can do.

[Mandy42]

Nice work so far!

Just to spell it out for me, as it's 6:40am and I've not had coffee yet.... why is Fisher next? And why does it have to be them?

[andychar]

1 hour ago, Mandy42 said:

Nice work so far!

Just to spell it out for me, as it's 6:40am and I've not had coffee yet.... why is Fisher next? And why does it have to be them?

So there are no teams that play in the City Of London Ceremonial County. After a quick Google Map search it appeared they were the closest one therefore I chose them to represent the County.

Plus this is the logo...

You say no to that fish.

[SimpleFM]

1 hour ago, andychar said:

So there are no teams that play in the City Of London Ceremonial County. After a quick Google Map search it appeared they were the closest one therefore I chose them to represent the County.

Plus this is the logo...

You say no to that fish.

Thats a badass logo

Good luck! Nice read

[andychar]

I want the job.

I want the job.

I want the job.

I want the job.

I want the job.

Alright! Fine!

We will consider it!

[andychar]

Fisher have just won Promotion to the 9th Tier. Surely that job isn't insecure anymore! I've got a toe in the door. Next season when they struggle I'll get the whole foot in.

[Mandy42]

On 03/02/2021 at 16:22, andychar said:

Fisher have just won Promotion to the 9th Tier. Surely that job isn't insecure anymore! I've got a toe in the door. Next season when they struggle I'll get the whole foot in.

till they win back to back promotions. That fish means business! 

[andychar]

On 06/02/2021 at 08:00, Mandy42 said:

till they win back to back promotions. That fish means business! 

My hope is the manager catches the eye of a team above them and he moves. 

[andychar]

End of Season Report 

Perfection. And as you can see we will be in the Cup Final against Locks Heath.

We finish a comfortable 19 points ahead of anybody. We started slowly but once the team gelled there was no stopping us.

Cup Final then its checking on the Fisher job every day until the start of the new season.

[andychar]

Running it Back!

We won this Cup last season but because I played less than 3 games I didn't count it. I have a chance to win it again. No pressure and its unlikely to be my final game as East Cowes boss so lets just get into it.

We are obviously favourites and I'm expecting a win, so cue the 2-0 loss. 

They actually had the stronger start and missed a great chance. But its us that break the deadlock. 

Its been a very even game but we are in control now. 

The stats just after half time tell the story. We have taken our chances when they have arrived. We are ready for Tier 10.

A not very eventful second half and we have lifted the cup.

 I mean its obviously an oversight in the database. It's not really a big deal to be honest. We are hopefully going to be higher in the leagues soon. If its uniformed across all the Tier 11 Cup Competitions it might mean we see some interesting teams coming from the leagues. Its not a save killer thats the main thing.

I have also gained the next badge and have started working towards the new one. This was before the 270k windfall so at least I haven't taken advantage! Onto the next season!

[andychar]

These were the best of the best from the arrivals. Yes that is the Billy Clifford from Chelsea youth.

[andychar]

Season 2023-24 Preview

East Cowes Victoria Athletic 

We're East Cowes Victoria Athletic till we die! East Cowes Victoria Atheltic till we die...I mean its a mouthful!

The expectation is there for another promotion. I don't think it will be straight forward as it was with Oakham. 

Only 3 new signings this Pre-Season. I just couldn't find anybody who wanted to join who would improve the side. 

Semi decent Pre-Season with a few good results. 

We have another crack at the FA Vase which I'm looking forward to. No FA Cup yet. Next season surely either here or Fisher.

No real expectations for Fisher which doesn't bode well for a firing. As long as they stay up I think the board will be happy.

This is our strongest XI. Its not fantastic to say the least but according to the odds this is the team that's going to win the League. 

Lets get to it and see what happens!

[andychar]

Just the casual 17 goal thriller. Nothing to see here.

[Mandy42]

I bet M Ellis took that goal straight off B.Vassvik's shoe laces. What a hobnob! 

[andychar]

To be honest I didn't really look at it other than the score. So 17 goals and only 5 goalscorers and one of them we assuming was a blantant steal. Cracking game...we won in the gameweek 1-0.

[Mandy42]

55 minutes ago, andychar said:

To be honest I didn't really look at it other than the score. So 17 goals and only 5 goalscorers and one of them we assuming was a blantant steal. Cracking game...we won in the gameweek 1-0.

it's the 1 that counts 

[andychar]

Fishing for Jobs

Hahahahahahahaha see what I did there. Ok I'm going to be honest with you. This was always going to be the most awkward part of the save. Only being able to go to one job is really slowing me down. Hoping and praying Fisher do badly but don't go down and fire their manager. I don't fancy taking on Dorking Wanderers Reserves in Tier 11!

The only thing I could do at East Cowes is keep winning, gain promotion to the 9th Tier and worse case is if I'm here again next season at least we will have our first shot in the FA Cup.

For now its the Countdown to the FA Vase and only our second attempt at a FA organised slice of the pie.

Its an away trip to Frimley Green. They are a Tier 9 team so not at all straight forward for us. Fingers crossed.

So a preview of how the season is going.

Absolutley outstanding stuff. Wouldn't mind it if it went the other way every now and then but this sort of thing absolutely makes my p*** boil.

Now for a full look how the season actually started....

It was going really well until the game said "lol hold my beer" and decided to do this

Honestly after those 3 losses in a row I want to straight up throw my laptop out the window. If I thought I could walk into the Fisher job I'd leave because I don't need this s***. But I don't think I can so I could really do with going up!

League table doesn't look horrible. I mean already it looks like the Title has gone but Promotion is very much on the cards, we just need to get out of this ridiculous slump we somehow have found ourselves in.

Fisher are doing very well and its annoying. I cant see him getting fired any time soon. Maybe he will get poached? It might be our only hope. It looks like we might have to settle in for a long time at East Cowes, unless results like this carry on then I might not have a say in the matter.

Next up is the FA Vase. 

 

[andychar]

Morale is awful. Its almost like Throwing Water Bottles, Thrashing Arms or just intense Silence does nothing to motivate a man.

Edited February 15, 2021 by andychar

[andychar]

Return of the Vase

We got to the First Round last time we played in this competition. This game is a for a place in the First Round. We are away against a team in the Tier above us and we come into it with the worst run of my entire managieral career. Lets do this!

The odds! They mean nothing!

The ball hits the back of the net in the 44th minute! But its coming back for offside. I mean I'd complain but he looked like he was offside by about a Country Mile.

I'm so glad I've chosen this game for the goal by goal updates. Saved me a lot of work. The game is lacking the quality we normally see week in week out in Tier 10.

This game really could have gone either way. I'd say they missed the biggest chance of the game in stoppage time. Are we going to see that little bit of genius in Extra Time?

The answer is no. Not a single highlight there. Its been one for the ages and the sort of post that will pretty much guarentee an award at next years voting.

This was me trying to take a shot of the fact they are down to 10 men but I missed it but a split second. Either way they are down to 10 men. 10 minutes to go. Can we take advantage.

From the resulting free kick! A bit of genius! Now its a case of can we hold on. Last time we had an extra man we conceded twice in stoppage time to completely throw a lead away.

Id be lying if I said it was a classic but we got a huge win. Into the next round we go and you all can look forward to another classic post!

The question is who will we face?

Another away day awaits. Ashington are another team from the 9th Tier. Not been easy so far but we will go into it with nothing to lose.

[Mandy42]

Fishing for jobs turns to Fisting for jobs when you get that annoyed with East Cowes that you resort to violence! 

[andychar]

On 15/02/2021 at 17:24, Mandy42 said:

Fishing for jobs turns to Fisting for jobs when you get that annoyed with East Cowes that you resort to violence! 

I made the local Isle of Wight news. It wasn't pretty.

In Between Vases

4 games in between the FA Vase games. How did we do?!

Pretty good. The FA Vase win was the push we needed to turn around the bad form. The win against Totton and Eling was huge.

We are only 2 points off them now and it seems the league is slowly turning into a 3 horse race. Good portion of the season yet to come. 

Have Fisher had an almighty collapse and we are on the verge of moving?

Well they have dropped but still not enough, they are just above where they were predicted so really the managers job shouldn't be under review. My beady eye will continue to watch.

Next up is a thrilling Goal by Goal update of the latest FA Vase game.

[Mandy42]

9 minutes ago, andychar said:

Well they have dropped but still not enough, they are just above where they were predicted so really the managers job shouldn't be under review. My beady eye will continue to watch.

Next step, have hand drawn posters of an eye drawn, in a colour that looks like blood, dried or fresh is optional.  Recruit the help of local vagabond children to distribute them at the current managers home, office, training ground, on his car. 

It usually gets me the job in the end.

[andychar]

FA Vase First Round

When you just can't be bothered to come up with a catchy title.

We reached this stage with Oakham before bowing out and once against we arent the favourite here. In fact I don't fancy our chances much here. Lets see what happens with Goal by Goal updates!

Great start! Fast start for both teams but we have struck first. There are more goals in this, 100%.

I was correct for once. Level again and we need to hope they don't push on from here.

This is back and forth. They should have been 2-1 up literally a minute before this. Next attack we go down and score. Great game so far and so different to the other Vase game.

We have been under the cosh for large periods of the first half but bottom line is we are winning. Can we hold on?

We held on for as long as we could. Excellent defending and keeping but the pressure was too much. Even me, the saltiest person who ever lived can't argue this. Now can we hold on until Extra Time or is there an extra sting in the tail?

No sting and for the second time in as many FA Vase games we are heading to Extra Time. I have a feeling we are going to clinging on for life and aiming for the lottery of penalties here.

At least its a tad more exciting than the last round.

Not so much clinging more, immediate collapse. I think that's game over.

Ugh I wish we lost in Normal time. Save the legs a wee bit.

Cruel way to finish. I agree with the result but not the scoreline. We just have nothing left to give.

Harsh if not completely justified. I miss the days of 1-0 ET's.

That's that for another year. One day we will get further than the 1st Round. One day! We are in another cup but honestly I don't care about it so neither should you. Regular league updates are coming.

[andychar]

I can't believe its not a takeover.

[andychar]

Ok so. I'm a Mansfield Town fan, for my shame. Its my home town. I will be a Stag until the day I died and all that jazz.

So when I get a notification saying the Mansfield Town manager has been sacked I applied for it, for the giggles of course.

Erm.....

 

[andychar]

As you were.

[andychar]

Don't go to the Isle of Wight in December. Second game called off. Its just constantly chucked it down all month. Its been that bad I saw some beardy git rounding up 2 of every animal.

[andychar]

I also had to fight for my job after I declared interest in another job...one that isnt even free. Silly move really.

[andychar]

Job not insecure at the moment but this is worth noting. Just quit! Nobody likes you!

[andychar]

So the job I declared interest in that wasn't free...is now free...I've applied and I am the favourite. Could we be moving to Tier 7 and the only team I could manage in Cornwall? It would leave the only "out of box" team left Fisher FC. I've declared interest again...I would be surprised if I wasn't straight up fired. This could be a turning point in the direction of this save.

If everything is done quickly either way it means my final game at East Cowes could be a Cup Game against a Tier 9 side.

So not getting fired. But the Board are very disappointed in me.

Now look what's happened! The job isnt free yet but hopefully the pressure of me looming will be enough. If I have to choose it will 100% be Fisher.

Its all kicked off 

Surely the Fisher job is mine and we will be bang on track. Need interviews for both next. In the meantime I have these pesky East Cowes games to manage.

One Interview finished.

No matter what happens we are moving. Fisher have a week.....

[Mandy42]

2 hours ago, andychar said:

I will be a Stag until the day I died and all that jazz.

If that doesn't end up on your headstone... then there is no justice in this world....

[andychar]

Cowes Jumped Over the Moon

So I have just played my final game as East Cowes Victoria Atlectic manager. Where do I leave them?

Great in the league but awful in the cup against higher opposition.

We leave them 8 points clear of 3rd. A good chance of promotion. Question is can they keep it up without me?

Annoyingly we are going to miss out on destroying Cowes Sports at home but at least we beat them away. A bit of revenge for me.

I have saved it just before this point. I really want to go to Fisher and do this in order. So by turning them down I'm giving Fisher a chance to come get me. Lets see what happens. If I don't get it I will be going back to this point in the save and going to Truro. A bit cheaty maybe but its, what I feel, the right thing to do.

[andychar]

So I waited 2 weeks and not even an interview so I decided enough was enough...

Welcome to Cornwall.

We have to go forward to go back but hey ho its not the end of the World. Truro are the only team we could be in Cornwall so lets get them done!

Its a bit of a drive!

Ok I can see why the previous manager was sacked.

Although we are only 7 points off a playoff place so there is all to play for. Remember a play off promotion for me counts as a win as there is an expectation and a trophy at the end. Not worried about relegation.

Also you might have noticed a cup win....

They are still in the Southern League Cup and because more than 3 wins are needed for us to lift the trophy this will also count. It all means we could have another County finished by the end of this season!

This is what I think is the strongest XI we have. A few holes but certainly could have been worse.

I promised them I'd reach the playoffs when I interviewed so that's the expectation. Lets hope I can do that at least, or win a cup and get out of here!

Just before my first game this is where we stand...

We have a chance to knock another one off the list. Fisher still allude us but at least progress can now be made. I took off any compensation needed so I should be able to get the Fisher job if it comes up again. For the time being I will be removing Tier 11 and 10 in order to speed up the save.

[andychar]

2 down hopefully a 3rd on its way.

[lionel messi]

31 minutes ago, andychar said:

So I waited 2 weeks and not even an interview so I decided enough was enough...

Welcome to Cornwall.

We have to go forward to go back but hey ho its not the end of the World. Truro are the only team we could be in Cornwall so lets get them done!

Its a bit of a drive!

Ok I can see why the previous manager was sacked.

Although we are only 7 points off a playoff place so there is all to play for. Remember a play off promotion for me counts as a win as there is an expectation and a trophy at the end. Not worried about relegation.

Also you might have noticed a cup win....

They are still in the Southern League Cup and because more than 3 wins are needed for us to lift the trophy this will also count. It all means we could have another County finished by the end of this season!

This is what I think is the strongest XI we have. A few holes but certainly could have been worse.

I promised them I'd reach the playoffs when I interviewed so that's the expectation. Lets hope I can do that at least, or win a cup and get out of here!

Just before my first game this is where we stand...

We have a chance to knock another one off the list. Fisher still allude us but at least progress can now be made. I took off any compensation needed so I should be able to get the Fisher job if it comes up again. For the time being I will be removing Tier 11 and 10 in order to speed up the save.

What about the teams from cornwall in the st piran league/south west peninsula league?

Edited February 17, 2021 by lionel messi

[andychar]

4 minutes ago, lionel messi said:

What about the teams from cornwall in the st piran league/south west peninsula league?

Yeah they were an option. In my head Truro was a great team to go from Fisher to higher up. So in my head they turned into the only option. I didn't want to be bouncing around non-league forever so wanted to get these out the way and then move to at least the North/South Conference and progress from there.

[andychar]

Come for the Football, Stay for the Ice Cream

If I was enjoying my McDonalds in Rutland then I tell you the Ice Cream in Cornwall is the best. Ive also found time to manage a 7th tier side in the hunt of a place in the National League South next season.

4 games between me taking over and the first Cup game, so how did we get on?

Well it could have been worse. Some great performances, the team isn't horrible and I'm confident we can run the playoffs close.

We sit 3 points off the playoffs but with Farnborough having a game in hand that could go down to 4. Our next game is Farnborough. I wouldn't say its a must win but its certainly a must not lose.

Reason why I'm updating now is because before Farnborough is a Cup game. Our best chance of completing Cornwall this season. We play a Tier 8 team away from home so for one of the first times this season in a Cup we are favourites.

[andychar]

Playing Favourites

We have had a career of drawing the team above us in the league system so its unusual to go into a game as the favourites. I don't like the pressure!

They sit 5th in the division below so there's a good chance they could go up next season. Who knows?

We have a good chance of winning this trophy so lets not lose it before we start.

Worst possible start and its been coming. We have started poorly and been punished.

We have been so good in the league that this has been such a disappointment. We have a big 45 minutes ahead and I'm sticking the boot in.

Water bottles everywhere.

I'm angry. Play like that and we have absolutely zero chance of ever leaving Cornwall. Pathetic. 

This player chose to back down his complaint and it just saved his career.

We need to bounce back straight away as the biggest game in my short tenure is next. I literally have no point to update so it will probably be every few months. See you soon.

[andychar]

Knock Knock Knocking on Playoffs Door

This update will take us to 6 games to go in the league because I'm going to milk it for all its worth. I know, shocker. 

So did we bounce back?

Sort of. We are still unbeaten in the league since I took over. Some draws have been better than others. Farnborough was annoying because we were on top then a stupid tackle saw us a man down, we survived. The back to back draws could and maybe should have been wins. The Hendon result was a big one and you'll see why...

We are still chasing down 4 teams ahead of us and really trying to force our way in the playoffs. Strangly 2nd isn't completely ridiculous. When I took over the gap to the playoffs was 7 its now 2 with a game in hand for Histon. The best its been is 2 points. 6 games to go. Can we force our way in?

We are on the home stretch.

[andychar]

Gameweek 35

6 games to go to get in the playoffs.

Braintree Town are behind us but still have a good chance of the playoffs as well. We will be hoping they beat Salisbury FC!

Truly exciting stuff.

Hendon currently lead at half time, as do Braintree. Farnborough 0-0. If we can score and all others stay the same then there could be 3 points between 2nd and 6th. Long way to go yet though.

We have battered them all half so naturally the first sniff they get it goes in.

Harry Kite! You beautiful man. Fires us level from a brilliant free kick. Can we find a winner?

What a turnaround! Now we need to think about holding onto it!

Huge minute in the context of this season.

Braintree really pulled out a big win. Farnborough also dropped points. Hendon bounced back.

Tiverton, Hungerford and Braintree can all go within 3 of us. Dorchester Town didn't play so alongside Hendon have a game in hand. We are looking at 2nd and 3rd and thinking we are 3 point off them. Both have a better GD. A fantastic win for us and we keep the train moving.

[andychar]

Gameweek 36

We have 5 games to go, it seems everybody around us have 6.

Should be straight forward wins for the teams above us. We play Braintree who come off that amazing result. If we win 5-0 we will end today in a playoff place. I mean its something to aim for!

If Carlsberg did starts. 4 more for playoff place!

15 minutes gone and Braintree are down to 10 men. Joking aside this is a real chance not only to win but to bag some goals.

Whitehead double and things are lucky comfy.

Suddenly 5-0 doesn't look silly!

I'm confident at this point we are going to keep the 3 points at home with us. 

Dorchester and Farnborough lead at the half. Hendon drawing. 

It wasn't the goal fest it maybe should have been but we got the win.

Farnborough held on in the end while Dorchester scored early and it was enough. Big result for us was Hendon dropping points. 

We didn't get the 5 needed to get into a playoff place but things are looking very interesting.

Wealdstone can mathmatically be caught still which is why I've left them there. Although all they need is a point to end our dreams. The games in hand for Hendon and Salisbury are huge. The problem with having an odd number of teams in the league. Tiverton and Braintree are still alive thanks to their game in hand. 

Next game? Salisbury FC away.