[FM21] Return of the Phoe Nix - Rise of the Raven. FC Isle of Man Youth Save.

[deltablue]

Your matches are certainly eventful

[Punch]

4 minutes ago, deltablue said:

Your matches are certainly eventful

They certainly get the pulse racing, wouldn't do much for the blood pressure, or hair line

[Punch]

OCT 2022 - FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

In what can only be considered a boil over, we stunned Grantham Town in an extra time thriller.

After going down 0-1 in the 66th minute, GT were unable to put us away, and we hit back with a quick equaliser, then holding on to send the game to extra time.

We seemed to have more legs than they did and after Sulek put us in front the 97th minute, their heads dropped and we were able to hold them off. They ended up playing with 9 as they lost two players to injury in extra time.

 

More cash for the kitty, and another 21K from our share of the gate, continues to improve our finances.

 

Next round sees us drawn against our highest ever opposition, in National League South Chelmsford City.

We've faced some tough games, but this will be on a whole new level for us.

[Punch]

OCT 2022 - FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round

Well beaten, but not embarrassed, in front of a monster crowd at The Bowl, to National League South Chelmsford.

Although it was 60 short of our Cup Final record from season 1, still an impressive number.

As for the game, we held our own for a long time, before their superior quality ran out in the end.

Disappointed with the result, but not with the effort, and it shows that we are heading in the right direction.

Our FA Cup run ends at the same mark as it did last season.

 

While we only get just under half of it, still impressive numbers, and the support for this still new club, continues to grow.

[Punch]

OCT 2022 - Integro League Cup 2nd Round

Our second Cup game in three days results in our second Cup exit in three days.

In a tightly contested affair, we almost managed to hold our own against higher division Whitby.

 

While the last two games have resulted in Cup exits, I am encouraged by the performances we are putting in against higher division teams.

[Punch]

OCT 2022 - FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round

In a stunning result for the club, in our third Cup game this week, we've knocked over the highly fancied Met. Police in extra time.

In a tough fought game, the Police were given a chance to win the match through a penalty in the 97th minute of regular time, only for our Goal Scoring Goalkeeper, Tremble, to come up huge and turn the penalty away.

The game opened up in extra time and after a goal each it looked like we were headed to penalties, then we have a player sent off, and in the the final kick of the game, our Captain steps up and buries a drive from outside the box, to break the Police hearts, and send us through to the next round.

 

There is no truth to the rumour that our team bus had a parking ticket on it after the game

 

A little to help the finances a long.

 

We don't know our opponent for the next round yet, with games still to be completed.

[Punch]

We find out our opponent for the Third Qualifying round.

This looks like a winnable match against a lower division opponent.

[Punch]

OCT 2022

A monster month where a League game was postponed due to our Cup runs, but we still ended up with 9 games for the month.

A League record of three wins, a draw, and a loss for the month, has been a pretty impressive performance.

Over 1,000 fans coming in to the last home game for the month is awesome as well.

 

That effort has shot us up to second on the table with a game in hand.

But with only 3 points separating the top 9 teams, this looks like it will be a hotly contested division.

 

Allen was complaining about not playing enough, so has gone out on loan.

 

The cup runs have done wonders for the finances, along with some impressive home crowds.

 

Tremble scored his third goal League goal for the year from the spot.

More on his exploits later.

 

Up next...another big month, starting with the Trophy, then 6 League games, which might start to separate out some of the congestion at the top of the table.

[Punch]

Goal Scoring Goalkeeper

 

A big month for Tremble, saving penalties at one end, and scoring them at the other.

After scoring (in the previous post) against Widnes, he then scored a brace in the last game of the month in front of over 1K fans at home to Dunston.

 

Tremble with his 5th and 6th goals of the season, now has 31 career goals.

 

Edited November 17, 2021 by Punch

[Punch]

NOV 2022 - FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

We made pretty hard work of this close game.

After taking an early 2-0 lead, we gave up two late goals again, then another early in extra time, and when we were looking like making for the exit, Slater comes up big to level in the last minute of extra time.

We went 6 from 6 in the shoot out, before Tremble saved their 6th shot, coming up huge again.

 

A little cash for our efforts, but these away games do nothing for our finances

 

Drawn at home to Salisbury for the 1st Round proper, which is a pretty special achievement to have made it to.

[Punch]

NOV 2022

After our penalty heroics in the Trophy, we settled down for a solid month of League games.

Our form was all over the place as we started with a bland 0-0, in which we broke our League attendance record, followed by a good win, then a poor performance in the rivalry against Bury.

After this, defence went out the window for a few games, with a 3-3 draw, and then a heart attack inducing 6-5 win over Atherton Collieries, a game we lead 1-0, the found ourselves down 1-3, 2-4, and 3-5, before storming home with two injury time goals. This team likes to test out my heart attack possibilities.

We then followed it up with probably our best defensive effort of the season, by not allowing Ramsbottom a shot on goal.

We managed to break our own record with the previously mentioned heart stopper.

 

Our efforts find us still making a nuisance of ourselves up towards the top end of the table.

While we manage to score a lot of goals, we have the worst defensive record in the top 10.

 

It had been a bit quiet on the job front for a while, but the press started linking me with other jobs again.

As usual, for the giggles, I attended an interview, but was unsuccessful again.

CA became my 10th interview offer in two and a half years.

 

With the Cups winding back, those home crowds at League games become ever important, and again helped us to another solid month.

 

I finally got the Board to agree to improvements. I had to fight for the Recruitment, and they gave me coaching without argument.

 

A quiet looking month for December, compared to our last few months, although I am guessing if we were to get past Salisbury, there will be another Trophy game in there.

 

Up next...the slow burn to Christmas.

Edited November 17, 2021 by Punch

[Punch]

DEC 2022 - FA Trophy 1st Round

Our debut in the FA Trophy 1st Round proper, and we turned in a dominant defensive display, which given our leaky defence in the League, was very pleasing.

Our Goal Scoring Goalkeeper, Tremble, didn't score any, but saved plenty in a Player of the Match performance.

 

Another win keeps a little bit of cash rolling in.

 

Drawn at home against another Premier division opponent for Round 2.

[Punch]

DEC 2022 - FA Trophy 2nd Round

A pretty special performance see's us win another extra time thriller.

After going a man down just before full time, we held them out in extra time, looking like it was heading to penalties before Davidson caught them napping on the counter and buried his chance with 6 minutes remaining.

 

Keeping the cash rolling in.

 

 

Drawn away against a National League Sutton in round 3, in what will be a tough match against our highest ranked opponent.

[Punch]

DEC 2022

In spite of our Trophy heroics, our League form took a dive with back to back losses, before we managed to rescue the month with another heart attack game against 2nd place Tadcaster.

Taking a 2-0 lead, we gave up three goals in 10 minutes after half time, an absolute bake from the side line, I kicked a water bottle, threw and assistant manager, and made substitutions, before Slater score a 7 minute brace to put us back in the lead. We managed to hang on to collect the three points.

 

Despite losing 2 of 3 games this month, we moved up to second on the ladder, but we know have the worst defensive record in the League.

 

The Board agreed to upgrade my licence again.

Two months in a row they have agreed to something, must be the Christmas cheer.

 

Another positive month for the finances, keeping us ticking along.

 

A chance to push on in the League, and our Trophy campaign goes up against a National League team.

 

Up next...mid season stats review.

[Punch]

Dec 2022 - Mid Season stats review

 

Goalkeepers

Tremble has come up clutch on big occasions, saving 50% of penalties, and putting away 6 from 6 himself.

Not enough clean sheets, and we concede a lot of goals, most in the League.

Plenty to work on in Defence.

 

Defence

 

Midfield

 

Forwards

 

Plenty more game time being seen for the Academy kids, especially the 21 class, and so far they seem to be stepping up to the challenge.

I am noticing that average rating doesn't always mean a lot, compared to what the player contributes.

Best example, midfielder 21a Tim Powell, has an average rating of only 6.53, but when you look at his stats, he is involved in absolutely everything.

 

Up next...Jobs, jobs, jobs.

[Punch]

DEC 2022 - Jobs, jobs, jobs

 

December must be the month where a lot of teams sack their managers, because I have been linked to about half the jobs in England this month.

 

 

After being pretty quiet on the job front for most of this year, I was invited to attend four different interviews...and was offered the job at every single one of them.

 

Gloucester were the first to ever actually offer me the job after an interview, then everyone else followed suit.

 

I've now had 14 interview offers, and 4 job offers in my two and a half years.

I am also now getting offers and interview from National League, and North/South teams.

 

Up next...Youth Intake Preview

Edited November 18, 2021 by Punch

[Punch]

DEC 2022 - Youth Intake Preview

 

 

Hmm, I need the board to start giving me more upgrades by the look of it, as this preview does not look very promising at all.

[Punch]

JAN 2023

 

 

The Board kicked off the New Year cheer, deciding if everyone else in England was going to offer me a job, they might as well too

 

 

A new contract with a slight pay rise, but looks like you are all stuck with me babbling on about FC Isle of Man for another two seasons

[Punch]

JAN 2023 - FA Trophy 3rd Round

It was always going to be a tough ask against a National League side, and so it came to be.

While we didn't play badly, and probably gave them a tougher fight than the scoreline suggests, their quality and finishing were just a class above.

The leaky defence continued to be an issue, and we conceded 5 goals, and they only put 5 on target.

A pretty solid crowd, and 71 fans made the trip from the Ilse to come and support us.

 

And so ends our Cups for the year, will be interesting to see how the finances get on going forward.

Those 1K plus home crowds at League games will be required to keep our head above water.

Edited November 18, 2021 by Punch

[Punch]

JAN 2023

I am not even sure where to start with this month.

After putting 7 through Lancaster, while still conceding 3, we then conceded 3 more to Colne, but managed to score 4.

After the Cup exit we then ran out of goal scoring and were disappointing against Marske, even though it was a much improved defensive effort.

We then put it back together with a good win to round out the month, which also broke our League attendance record.

Unfortunately, our goal scoring goalkeeper blew his perfect record in this final match, missing his first ever penalty. Although he is still 27/28 in all matches in his career.

 

We continue to make a nuisance of ourselves toward the top, but it's still all pretty tight, with 11 games to play.

 

The good home support continues to do wonders for our finances.

 

A quiet month in February, with just three games, might need a friendly in there somewhere as well.

[Punch]

FEB 2023

Poor...very poor. We have simply not played well this month, and it showed with our first ever winless month.

I threw in a friendly for some of the rotated squad, and maybe I should put them out in the League games.

 

A poor month and only one win in our last 5 games has seen us drop out of the play off positions.

In some consolation, the defensive efforts have improved.

 

This month has shown how important the home support is. Just one home game and the finances went backwards.

 

The press are still linking me to other clubs, but no offers at this stage.

 

Up next...will March be the chance to right the ship, or sink us completely...

[DaneBramage]

Congrats on the two trebles, the trophy shelf must be getting full already.

Looks like a play-off spot is 50-50 at the moment, but either way, a good first season at this level.

[Punch]

18 minutes ago, DaneBramage said:

Congrats on the two trebles, the trophy shelf must be getting full already.

Thanks! As a new club, we're here to make a statement. Mission accomplished so far.

 

19 minutes ago, DaneBramage said:

Looks like a play-off spot is 50-50 at the moment, but either way, a good first season at this level

Yeah, knew it was going to be a tougher step up, just consistency we are struggling for at the moment.

Two months ago we put 7 past a team in the first game of the month, by the end of the month we couldn't hit a barn with a house brick.

Still a lot of room for improvement.

[Punch]

MAR 2023

After our poor month last month, it was good to see us pull it back together with an undefeated month.

We started with two clean sheets at home before taking two away draws to finish the month.

 

With 4 games remaining we find ourselves back in the play off hunt.

Mostly because as we turned our form around this month, a lot of teams near us have fallen away.

 

Amazing how different two home games in the month makes, as we go back into the black.

 

Again no offers, but the press continue to link me to jobs. Although I am not sure I'd want this one anyway

 

With 4 games to go the play off race is on, although they seem to have already written off the teams below us.

 

A tougher 2 first games followed by two games against lower clubs to finish the season, it seems our play off destiny is in our own hands.

 

Up next...Class of 23. Our third Youth Intake arrive.

[Punch]

MAR 2023 - Youth Intake

Just looking at the stars alone shows it looks like a pretty decent intake.

After reviewing the current attributes, I am pretty sure that whoever does the Youth Intakes is high as a kite

The Class of 23 is our best ever intake. A 50 point player, straight off the bat, and a Goalkeeper that has the potential to push our main man Tremble out of the team, which was never mentioned in the preview.

All of this intake has been contracted, and I will now probably look to not retain a lot of the non-academy, non-IoM players.

With the close play off race still being run, these guys will cut their teeth in the 18's for now, with their 1st team potential to be reviewed at the end of the season.

 

Up next...the play off race ignites.

[Punch]

APR 2023 - The race to the play offs

Matchday 33

 

While we were not at our best, our new found defensive resilience came to the fore to secure a win over Bury AFC.

We've developed a rivalry with Bury after meeting in a few Cups games in previous seasons.

Our Goalkeeper Tremble was the Player of the Match, in a very tight game, before Class of 22 graduate McLachlan squeezed in a goal line scramble on 71 minutes, for the only goal of the game.

 

Our next opponent Brighouse, joined City of Liverpool in confirming their play off spot, while we jumped to 4th, after Pickering were beaten.

 

Up next...our toughest test of the final month, away to 2nd place Brighouse, who have just confirmed their play off spot, but are still in contention for the title.

[Punch]

APR 2023 - The Race to the playoffs

Matchday 34

 

In what was always going to be a tough ask away to 2nd place Brighouse, we didn't put in a great performance and were soundly beaten.

 

The result also means we were unable to take advantage of our game in hand over Pickering.

It's going to be a tight finish all around.

 

Up next...matchday 35, our final home game of the season against 16th place North Ferriby, where a win will just about secure a play off place.

[Punch]

One of our first choice midfielders is now suspended for the last two games, and the first play off game, should we make it.

[Punch]

APR 2023 - Race to the playoffs

Matchday 35

In a solid all round performance, we put North Ferriby to the sword in our final home game of the season.

It was all over by halftime as a contest, and we cruised to victory, securing a place in the play offs.

 

With City of Liverpool winning, and Brighouse only managing to draw, Liverpool are confirmed as Champions.

With 3rd, 4th, and 5th all winning, and Marne only managing a draw, it means all the play off teams are also confirmed. Just the order that will be sorted in the last round.

 

Up next...Our final game of the season sends us away to Atheron Collieries, and while we are confirmed in the play offs, we can still finish as high as 3rd, and as low as 5th.

[Punch]

APR 2023 - Race to the playoffs

Matchday 36

With the pressure off to qualify for the finals, we were still looking for a win to finish as high as possible on the table.

We finished the season off in some style belting Atherton Collieries, who themselves were looking for a win to avoid relegation.

Our first Class of 23 Academy product made their debut, with McFarlane coming off the bench.

 

With Stockton losing to Brighouse, both us and Pickering jumped over them, but we collected third place on For and against.

Just as well we score a lot of goals, because our against is really bad.

 

Up next...the April review, and 20 teams go into the regional play off semi finals draw.

Edited November 20, 2021 by Punch

[Punch]

APR 2023

With the regular season complete, I threw in a friendly to keep the legs moving on an empty weekend.

 

We broke the Division record for goals in a season, but we also let in a lot.

 

Goal Scoring Goalkeeper

Tremble slams in a free kick from the edge of the box, to score his 1st free kick of the season, and 7th goal of the season.

This was his 5th career free kick goal, and 32nd career goal.

 

Up next...well, actually we don't really know yet. This is the first time in the play offs, so we are waiting to see who we will be playing.

[Punch]

MAY 2023 - The Play Offs begin

20 teams went into the pot for the play offs.

Drawn away to Berkhamsted, looks to be a tough match up for our first ever play off game.

 

The press think it's a tough encounter, and the bookies do not rate us at all.

[Punch]

MAY 2023 - Regional 1st Division Play Off Semi Final

The Press didn't like our chances, and the Bookies gave us no chance, and that's just the way we like it.

A 1-0 result may seem like a bore-fest, but in reality, we continuously carved them up through the middle, but just couldn't land the killer blow.

Taylor put the ball in the net three times, and had them all called back for offside. I think they just about got one of them right

 

That's pretty much the season done for one of our first choice defenders.

 

Tremble makes no mistake from the spot to send us through to the next round.

 

Up next...Promotion Play off Final draws

Edited November 20, 2021 by Punch

[Punch]

MAY 2023 - Promotion Play Off Final Draws

Another tough away trip against Sheffield FC.

 

Again the Press and Bookies have given us no chance.

[Punch]

MAY 2023 - Regional First Division Promotion Play Off Final

In front of one of the biggest crowds we have played in front of, in a game we were giving no chance of winning, we caused a boil over by winning the game, and with it, promotion to the Regional Premier Leagues.

This game was a tough fight, and a solid defensive effort, there was not much between either team.

Two 1-0 wins on the road have secured our third promotion in the clubs three year history.

 

 

Up next...the season isn't over

This appears to be a Cup winners cup from last season.

[Punch]

MAY 2023 - J R Cleater Cup

A dominant performance mean we finish the season with a Trophy.

 

Cup Reviews

 

Manchester City take out the FA Cup

Notts County win the FA Trophy, which is exciting for me given my previous save.

We were rated as the biggest over achievers.

 

Hyde took out the Integro League Cup, and we were again rated biggest over achievers.

 

Up next...End of season reviews.

[Punch]

2022-2023 - Season Review

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2021 by Punch

[Punch]

2022-2023 Season Review - Player Stats

 

Goalkeepers

Tremble continues to be the main man in goal. He also scored 8 goals this year, and saved 5 of 7 penalties that he faced.

 

Defenders

 

Midfield

 

Forwards

 

Best XI - 2022-2023

 

Best XI - All Time

 

[Punch]

2022-2023 Season Review - Player attribute growth

 

GKs

Trembles growth continues, while Class of 21 Jordan Jack has shown impressive growth to rise to the number 2 spot.

 

Defenders

Right

Duncan has slipped a little, while Class of 23 Rawlingson looks to be a promising prospect.

 

Center

Diniz still the number 1, 21d Connor showing good growth, plenty of options in this area.

 

Left

Still an area we struggle in, but Miyazaki and Munro lead the way, with 21o Smith showing good promise.

 

Midfielders

Ball Winning Midfielders

21a Powell still showing the highest score at the club, but there are plenty of options coming though.

 

Advanced Playmekers

Plenty of options available here, and some good growth. 22a Shade was getting more minutes at the end of the season and appears to be a find prospect.

 

Forwards

Taylor continues to be the main man up front, even with his numbers dipping slightly.

Plenty of options for support.

 

Best XI

For a three year old club, the squad continues to come together nicely.

The numbers are still low in Goal Keeping and the left side of defence, some areas to work on.

[Punch]

JUN 2023 - Off Season happenings

 

Upgrade completed

A nice Sponsorship, doubling our previous one. All adds to keeping the finances on the up.

 

We start the season in a strong financial position.

A healthy transfer budget, which we won't use, but we still have plenty of room in the wage budget.

 

We set a record, which was also a division record.

 

I managed to secure one upgrade to each of the Youth Recruitment and Coaching, which has raised it to 6 points.

Will continue to work on the Board this season.

 

Up next...season preview.

[Punch]

JUN 2023 - Season Preview

 

After our surprise promotion, we have landed on the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

We are now at Step 3 (Level 7) on the English pyramid, one level below the National League North.

 

Not much expected again, fight against relegation, and be competitive in the Cups.

 

The Bookies have us equal favourites to go down, with 2 other clubs.

FC United of Manchester, big favourites to win the League.

 

Up next...getting friendly.

[Punch]

JUL 2023 - Friendlies

With the season proper not starting until 19th August, I threw plenty of Friendlies in to get some running through the team.

Rotated plenty of players, and had positive results to start what I expect to be a tough season with high confidence.

 

We lost our first choice Right Back for two months to a wrist injury.

 

We sent a heap of players out on loan, who had not featured in our plans.

 

Bring on the Home crowds to boost the finances.

 

Up next...our Premier Division campaign kicks off with 3 home games in our first 4.

[Punch]

AUG 2023

An up and down start to our Premier Division campaign, but certainly not the train wreck the Bookies predicted.

Two good wins and two close losses showing we might be more than competitive in this division.

 

A bit early to read anything into it, but mid table is better than expected to start with.

 

With Slater & Taylor being our main men up front, this record will probably change hands often.

 

A small increase to the season tickets this season, and good home crowds helping the finances back into the black.

 

Goal Scoring Goalkeeper

Tremble makes no mistake from the spot at his first attempt for this season.

21st League penalty, and 34th career goal.

 

Up next...A monster month in the League with 8 League games, and 2 Cups kicking off.

[Punch]

We found out our opponent for the FA Cup Preliminary round, drawn at home to Chipstead.

 

We also get to continue our rivalry with Bury in the League Cup.

[Punch]

SEP 2023 - FA Cup Preliminary Round

A tight game where we were able to hold them out, before scoring two late goals to send us through to the next round.

 

The prize money isn't a lot, but the almost 2K fans is a big help to the finances.

 

We get drawn at home to our affiliate, and fellow island team, Guernsey.

[Punch]

SEP 2023 - Integro League Cup 1st Round

\

We kicked off our Integro League Cup campaign with a hard fought 1-0 win over Bury AFC.

We continued our history of hard fought Cup games against them, having met regularly in various Cups in the last few seasons.

 

Round 2 sees us drawn at home to Colne, which looks to be a winnable game against a team we had a good record last season.

[Punch]

SEP 2023 - FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Going up against our affiliate club Guernsey, we got off to a flyer, with Slater scoring the games first goal, almost before the Ref had finished blowing the whistle.

I think that rattled them, and they never recovered as we ran away with a dominant win in front of another good home crowd.

 

Some way to start a game, and I thought his previous record would take some beating. It lasted 2 years.

 

Drawn at home to lower division Whitchurch, to me this looks to be a very winnable game, and we should be beating them easily.

[Punch]

SEP 2023

With the Cup games moving some games around we ended up with 6 games, resulting in 3 wins, 2 draws and just the one loss.

Showing that we are plenty good enough to compete at this level, giving good competition to plenty of the Premier Division teams.

 

This months efforts moved us up to 6th, just one point out of the play off positions.

 

A couple of brilliant gates from the FA Cup games almost sets up the rest of our season.

Might be time to start thinking about some Training facility upgrades.

 

Another big month, but may change depending on how we go in the Cup games.

 

Up next...Goal scoring goalkeeper update.

[Punch]

SEP 2023 - Goal Scoring Goalkeeper update

Tremble curls in his first free kick of the season.

 

And also made no mistake with his second penalty from as many attempts this season.

 

Now with 36 career goals.

[Punch]

OCT 2023 - FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

We made very hard work of it, giving up two goals in the last 10 minutes to go to extra time, before Taylor completed his hattrick to send us through to the next round.

 

A little cash, but the 24K from our share of the gate does wonders for the finances.

 

There was a cost, losing Sulek for the best part of two months.

 

This will be a tough match up, but the home draw might just give us an edge, and this means our League draw will change to fit this game in.

A win here would better our performance from last season.