Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Hello, and welcome to another Northernpilgrim career thread. The Challenge This is going to be a one club save, as I attempt to drag a sleepy Cornish village team from the depths of Tier 11 and the St Piran League West Division, to the Premier League. There will be no restrictions on signings or player sales, so this is a straight attempt to get the club to the top of English and European Football The Club The Squad I joined without having selected 'add players to playable clubs', so I literally had to build a squad during what was thankfully, due to the pandemic scheduling, a three month plus preseason. This is the squad I assembled This is the season preview, ahead of our opening league match. The bookies obviously think I've built a good squad, as we're red hot favourites for promotion, which we were nowhere near when I took over and these are the results we managed in preseason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Two games in September, both in the league and we are already 2 points off the top. Much to do if we're to live up to preseason expectations Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 October was perfect in terms of wins, but we were incredibly leaky defensively at Mousehole We do sit top of the league though, 3 points ahead of Penryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Unbeaten in November, but two sloppy points dropped away to Wendron which extends the lead at the top to 6 points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 A perfect set of results to take us into Christmas, but more leaky defewnding, this time at home to Mullion which leaves us 13 points clear of Mousehole Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 January saw the end of our unbeaten start but we still managed to extend our lead to a surely uncatchable 16 points No transfer window at this level, so changes can happen at any time. This is the business done so far, with the highlighted ones taking place since August Murphy Nsingi is a young midfielder with a bright future Billy Mitchell is a right winger and Faux comes in at left back Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Unbeaten, but not perfect in February although the disappointment of 2 dropped points at St Ives was assuaged by the fact that the draw secured the title and promotion which led to this announcement from the board We're now 21 points clear, with 5 games to play Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 The youth intake looks full of promise, the only question is whether they will develop quickly enough to keep up with us as a club Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Only two games in March, and Wendron become the first team we haven't won either game against this season but with 3 games left, and a 20 point lead, we're already thinking about next season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 We finished the league season with 3 straight wins, but were knocked out of the cup at Penryn We finish 26 points ahead of St Ives, and relegate Mullion on the final day Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 (edited) Time for the season review Liam Head was an easy choice for signing of the season Failing to win 3 of our last 13 is hardly disastrous, but does take the shine off a fantastic season There were lots of goals and big wins but very little in the way of money, which could be a problem after we turn semi-pro This was our team of the season and the records from the season and that's it. On to Tier 10 and the South West Peninsula League Premier Division West I got offered and accepted a contract and it's confirmed we're turning semi-pro Edited July 8, 2021 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Preseason preparation for the St Piran League went well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 There were 8 additions and 8 departures from the squad Right back Bobby Hopkinson Midfielder Matty Bye another midfielder in Alex Sawyer Full back / centre back Jack Driver Centre back Elliot King Left back Kian Kang Centre back Cian McCormack and centre back Jordan Trott Which left the squad looking like this and the bookies have us as favourites again. No pressure then! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 A solid, but not perfect start to life in Tier 10 leaves us second, 2 points behind Porthleven, who've made a perfect start Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Only two matches in September, and it started with defeat at Callington Leaving us third, 2 points behind Porthleven Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 I had my first interview offer. Declined Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Back to form with a perfect October but we are only 2nd, 2 points behind Callington Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Another interview offer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 November was really poor and we slip to third, but only a point off Callington, who wobbled even more than us Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 I did attend this interview, but I've no intention to take it if it's offered which it was I was also offered an interview at Aylesbury. Declined Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Unbeaten, but not perfect in December which lifted us to top of the table for the first time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 I was offered interviews at Stamford and Ramsgate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 A really disappointing January and we're down to third Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 But two more interview offers, at Hungerford and Haringey Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 February wasn't fantastic either but we're top on goal difference, ahead of Sporting Khalsa, who have a game in hand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Another offer, this time Hendon. No Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Better, but still not perfect in March We go 1 point clear, but Khalsa still have a game in hand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Rob Holmes decided to walk out on the club on the morning of the Porthleven match and I got this guy in as a replacement, but he obviously didn't sign in time to play in that game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Another interview offer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 We finish the season with four straight wins, and four clean sheets lifting the title on the final day Only goal difference separated us and Khalsa, who will stay in the South West Peninsula League, whilst we are promoted to Tier 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Season review time I think Josh Addison would have been signing of the season if he'd arrived sooner A really good end to the season and goals aplenty once more Finances are still a mess This is our Team of the Season. Not sure why Rob Holmes is showing as playing 3 games, as he's the keeper who was first choice but walked out Liam Head again dominates the club stats and awards and that's it, season two done. We need a big summer of recruitment to prepare us for Tier 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 How on earth did Liam Head not win the Golden Boot? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikulec Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Good start, keep it up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 2 minutes ago, Rikulec said: Good start, keep it up. Thanks Rikulec. I have no idea how big the step up is to Tier 9 and the Western League Premier Division, but I will be looking to offload quite a few players, and replace them with players who have played at that level or above. It's going to be a long summer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttley84 Posted July 8, 2021 Share Posted July 8, 2021 Damn, you played 2 seasons in around 3-4 hours... I am seriously jealous on that performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 2 minutes ago, Muttley84 said: Damn, you played 2 seasons in around 3-4 hours... I am seriously jealous on that performance. No, I played over 2 weeks, I just didn't want to start writing it up until I knew I was going to make it into a one club career save. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 Another job interview. No thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 Into July, another interview offer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 Not a bad set of preseason results considering the level of opposition Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 There has been a substantial amount of transfer activity since January and the squad for the new season looks like this. Expect there to be more activity before January, as we still don't have transfer windows at this level Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 The season preview has us as 2nd favourites for the league. The bad news is only 1 team goes up, and there are no playoffs. I'm hoping to find some more talent for our midfield to drive us to another promotion Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 We made an unbeaten start to life in the Western League, and won our first ever FA Cup match but draws at home to Wellington and Bodmin leave us 5 points behind the leaders, although we have a game in hand, as do Bodmin. Only the Champions go up, so getting promoted from this league is going to be tricky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 That's quite a start. It's interesting to see you in the same league as my current club as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 13 minutes ago, deltablue said: That's quite a start. It's interesting to see you in the same league as my current club as well And I just beat them too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 One signing in September, a midfielder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 We remain unbeaten in the league at the end of September, but our cup run is over and the victory over Gillingham Town takes us past them and top of the league Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 Rob Holmes is back, and this time on a part time contract, so anyone who wants him will have to pay a fee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 15, 2021 Author Share Posted July 15, 2021 Unbeaten, but not perfect, in October as we blew a 3-0 lead at Roman Glass and were the better side against Bitton, but only secured a draw with an 89th minute equaliser We do end October unbeaten, and 2 points clear at the top of the table Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 One match from perfect in November, and no complaints about a draw in a very even game at Brislington which leaves us 6 points clear at the top at the halfway stage of the season. I wouldn't say it's ours to throw away yet, but we're definitely in a good position that we need to make count over the next 20 games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 Not a great December and we're off the top, although we do have games in hand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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