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

Punch · May 6, 2022

APR 2037 - Quarter Final 2nd Leg - At Hertha Berlin SC

Match Report

Spoiler

A stunning result as our fairy-tale run continues.

We were not made to pay for our succession of overturned goals in the first leg, as Gary Gowdy made up for his errors to get us on the board first with a nerve settling early goal, to put us 2-0 up in the tie.

The hosts would hit back midway through the half, leveling the game, but we still held a slender lead in the tie. It would stay that way until half time.

Both sides came out with attacking intent after the break, but it was Gowdy the hero again as he put us 3-1 up on aggregate on 69 minutes.

The hosts would pull one back on 80 minutes to level the match, to give us some nervous final moments, but we were able to hold them off, and qualify ourselves for the semi final, which would have seemed extremely unlikely at the beginning of the competition.

Semi Final Draw

Spoiler

An all English semi final as we get drawn against Man City, with us to host the first leg.

We need to overcome a pretty ordinary record, winning only once against them, but there have been a lot of close games recently.

Up next...FA Cup Semi Final time with a replay of last years final as we take on Arsenal.

Sonic Youth · May 6, 2022

23 hours ago, Punch said:

APR 2037 - Title Race preview

Interesting that from 5th, we are considered title contenders, but Chelsea in 4th, are not

We have a tough finish to the season, away to Liverpool, and then home to Chelsea.

That’s because of your game in hand I’d say, giving you the potential to be within 10 points Man Utd. That or it’s future projecting your next game :brock:

Punch · May 6, 2022

9 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

That’s because of your game in hand I’d say, giving you the potential to be within 10 points Man Utd. That or it’s future projecting your next game

Still a tough end to the season for us...again :lol:

Punch · May 6, 2022

APR 2037 - FA Cup Semi Final - Vs Arsenal

Match Report

Spoiler

Devastating!

The Gunners are the one Big 6 club who we have a great record against, and we used that to our advantage, and this contest was over by half time.

Wes Heys got us on the board after 14 minutes, before a three goal blast in the space of four minutes rocked the visitors into submission.

John Wright scored the first and last goal of the four minute stretch, around Gary Gowdy's first goal putting us 4-0 up at the break.

Straight after the break, Gowdy got his second to make it 5-0, before young Kyle Christian scored our sixth, on 76 minutes.

Arsenal scored a late goal to make the final score 6-1.

Gary Gowdy has an amazing game, scoring two and setting up three in a player of the match performance.

Apparently we broke our own record for goals scored in an FA Cup season.

Final Draw

Spoiler

We are going to spend a lot of time playing Man City in the next few weeks, after drawing them in the Europa Semi Final, we will again in the FA Cup final a few weeks later.

Not a great record against them, but it has been better recently.

Up next...back to League action as we travel to 14th place West Ham.

Sonic Youth · May 6, 2022

2 hours ago, Punch said:

APR 2037 - FA Cup Semi Final - Vs Arsenal

Match Report

Hide contents

Devastating!

The Gunners are the one Big 6 club who we have a great record against, and we used that to our advantage, and this contest was over by half time.

Wes Heys got us on the board after 14 minutes, before a three goal blast in the space of four minutes rocked the visitors into submission.

John Wright scored the first and last goal of the four minute stretch, around Gary Gowdy's first goal putting us 4-0 up at the break.

Straight after the break, Gowdy got his second to make it 5-0, before young Kyle Christian scored our sixth, on 76 minutes.

Arsenal scored a late goal to make the final score 6-1.

Gary Gowdy has an amazing game, scoring two and setting up three in a player of the match performance.

Apparently we broke our own record for goals scored in an FA Cup season.

Final Draw

Hide contents

We are going to spend a lot of time playing Man City in the next few weeks, after drawing them in the Europa Semi Final, we will again in the FA Cup final a few weeks later.

Not a great record against them, but it has been better recently.

Up next...back to League action as we travel to 14th place West Ham.

Uh, what? :eek: :idiot:

That’s one dominant result!

Gary Gowdy plays well in your tactic :thup:

And it’s Man City again.

Punch · May 6, 2022

APR 2037 - Match Day 34 - At West Ham United

Match Report

Spoiler

We might have stolen the points in this one.

The Hammers got on the board early, but neither side could really make much of their chances, so it stayed 0-1 at the break.

A Taylor Reid cross found it's way into the path of Aled Harden who squeezed home a nice volley to level the scores on the hour mark.

Just when it looked like we would share the points, Gary Gowdy was hacked down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot.

John Hodgson made no mistake smashing home this penalty to give us a late winner.

It was cruel on West Ham, but we probably were the better side.

It was a much needed win as we will need to rest some legs in our next match, in preparation for the 1st Leg of the Europa Semi Final a few days after.

Table

Spoiler

We sit 5th, with games all over the place at the moment.

It seems United will need to fall off a cliff to not win the title, while City have fallen off a cliff losing three on the bounce.

Not sure if that is a good or bad sign leading up to three massive games against them in the coming weeks.

Up next...we are off to Elland Road to take on 10th place Leeds.

Punch · May 6, 2022

12 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Uh, what?

That’s one dominant result!

Gary Gowdy plays well in your tactic

And it’s Man City again.

Blasted them off the park in that 4 minute stretch.

Gowdy really struggled in in first season or so, just couldn't hit the back of the net, but he did provide plenty of assists. Over the last two seasons he has really grown into a proven goalscorer in partnership with Wright, but he still provides plenty of assists as well. His progress has been really pleasing to watch.

Although it seems his manager wants to talk about a new contract again.

Punch · May 6, 2022

APR 2037 - Under 18s

Our kids are still doing their thing.

Another undefeated season, smashing in 81 goals in 16 games :onmehead:

Since being promoted from Division 3, they've taken three consecutive titles.

Sonic Youth · May 6, 2022

2 minutes ago, Punch said:

Although it seems his manager wants to talk about a new contract again.

Of course you would want to talk about contracts with him

Punch · May 6, 2022

11 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Of course you would want to talk about contracts with him

He is already our highest paid player. I think this next one might cost me a lot :lol:

RoguPL · May 6, 2022

7 hours ago, Punch said:

He is already our highest paid player. I think this next one might cost me a lot

Will have to spend these trillions in your bank on something

TelcontarTargaryen · May 6, 2022

8 hours ago, Punch said:

Since being promoted from Division 3, they've taken three consecutive titles.

What are even the rules or requirements for youth sides to be promoted?

Punch · May 6, 2022

1 hour ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

What are even the rules or requirements for youth sides to be promoted?

Not sure, we went up to D2 when we got promoted to the Premier League, but before that we’d won 6 straight D2 league titles.

I believe another team needs to leave for you to get invited up, but don’t quote me on that.

Punch · May 6, 2022

3 hours ago, RoguPL said:

Will have to spend these trillions in your bank on something

Yep, we are getting to that stage. Wage bill might be a lot higher next season.

Punch · May 7, 2022

APR 2037 - Match Day 35 - At Leeds United FC

Match Report

Spoiler

We went down in a tough fight at Elland Road, as we played a fully rotated squad due to it being only two days time before we play Man City in the 1st Leg of the Europa Semi Final, so I needed to rest some legs.

The hosts scored on 19 minutes, but there was not a huge amount of opportunities created for either team.

The second half continued in the same fashion, and while we did create a few opportunities, we couldn't take advantage, so we ended up going down in a tight one.

Table

Spoiler

Unable to take advantage of the game in hand, we stay 5th.

Man United are the first team to qualify for Champions League.

Up next...one of the biggest games in our history as we host Man City in the 1st Leg of the Europa League Semi Final.

Punch · May 7, 2022

APR 2037 - Semi Final 1st Leg - Vs Manchester City

Match Report

Spoiler

A boil over at The Isle as the highly favoured, yet out of form, Manchester City are denied.

Aled Harden got us on the board after 19 minutes, guiding home a Dave Keogh cross to give us an unlikely lead.

Harden was the quickest to react to an absolute missile from John Wright which was parried by the keeper, but only into the path of Harden to poke home for a 2-0 half time lead.

City came out after half time and launched raid after raid, but our defence held firm and kept turning them away

They had a stunning 25 shots on goal but it took until the first minute of injury time before they finally breached our defences to cut our lead to one.

However, deep into injury time, Archie Adams made a break and caught the City defence napping, picking out Gary Gowdy in the box who buried his shot to restore our two goal lead, and give us a 3-1 advantage heading to the second leg in a weeks time.

John Hodgson was the hero of the day, with a massive 9 saves.

City had an xG over 4, and dominated the attacking stats, but we kept them to only one goal in injury time.

It may seem strange that a keeper was Player of the Match when you score 3 goals, but this performance between the sticks was nothing short of heroic, and again confirms his place as one of the best keepers in England, now showing his place as one of the best in Europe.

Up next...back to League action as 19th place West Brom travel to The Isle, which will probably feature a heavily rotated squad again, to keep the first team fresh for the return leg in Manchester a few days later.

Edited May 7, 2022 by Punch

Sonic Youth · May 7, 2022

4 minutes ago, Punch said:

APR 2037 - Semi Final 1st Leg - Vs Manchester City

Match Report

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A boil over at The Isle as the highly favoured, yest out of form, Manchester City are denied.

Aled Harden got us on the board after 19 minutes, guiding home a Dave Keogh cross to give us an unlikely lead.

Harden was the quickest to react to an absolute missile from John Wright which was parried by the keeper, but only into the path of Harden to poke home for a 2-0 half time lead.

City came out after half time and launched raid after raid, but our defence held firm and kept turning them away

They had a stunning 25 shots on goal but it took until the first minute of injury time before they finally breached our defences to cut our lead to one.

However, deep into injury time, Archie Adams made a break and caught the City defence napping, picking out Gary Gowdy in the box who buried his shot to restore our two goal lead, and give us a 3-1 lead heading to the second leg in a weeks time.

John Hodgson was the hero of the day, with a massive 9 saves.

City had an xG over 4, and dominated the attacking stats, but we kept them to only one goal in injury time.

It may seem strange that a keeper was Player of the Match when you score 3 goals, but this performance between the sticks was nothing short of heroic, and again confirms his place as one of the best keepers in England, now showing his place as one of the best in Europe.

Up next...back to League action as 19th place West Brom travel to The Isle, which will probably feature a heavily rotated squad again, to keep the first team fresh for the return leg in Manchester a few days later.

Nice win :thup:

That’s not the score line I would predict if only seeing the match stats though! 4 xG against and only conceding 1 is pretty amazing. Did all of this happen after you went two nil up, from which they decided to throw everything and the kitchen sink at you?

Punch · May 7, 2022

4 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Nice win

That’s not the score line I would predict if only seeing the match stats though! 4 xG against and only conceding 1 is pretty amazing. Did all of this happen after you went two nil up, from which they decided to throw everything and the kitchen sink at you?

Thank you!

Yes, the first half was pretty even, the stats maybe slightly favouring them, Harden was presented two chances and put them both away.

The second half was all City, it wasn't like we parked the bus, we just couldn't get the ball back, and they literally did throw everything at us, the defence, and especially Hodgson just kept saying no thank you :lol:

Punch · May 7, 2022

APR 2037

What a month!

Three wins and a loss in the League, an aggregate win in the Europa Quarter Final, a thumping win over the Gunners in the FA Cup Semi, before rounding out the month with a shock win over City in the 1st Leg of the Europa Semi.

That is a huge performance at this stage of what has been a massive season.

The Analyst is still pretty happy with our performances.

With three games to play we found ourselves possibly having to sacrifice the League, to keep our unexpected run going in Europe, but we somehow still find ourselves in with a shot at qualifying for the Champions League.

Stats

Goalkeepers

Jensen has racked up 10 games this season, and performs brilliantly as a deputy.

But Hodgson just continues to cement himself as one of the greats, on the verge of 300 appearances, and 250 League appearances for the club, it's head scratching that he is still only 23.

He is also having his best goal scoring season since we joined the Premier League.

Defence

The defensive unit continues to be impressive, with plenty of rotation required, they get in and get the job done, whoever is in the lineup.

Midfield

Pat Millington and Archie Adams are still our main stays in the center, but Adams is finding it harder to hold his place with Lewis Hoey screaming the house down with some impressive performances, that just keep getting harder to ignore.

Forwards

John Wright and Gary Gowdy continue to form one of the most dangerous partnerships going around.

The fact that Gowdy has turned into a consistent goal scorer, on the verge of 30 for the season, while still being a provider, with 18 assists, is a massive achievement, for a kid that struggled to hit the target in his first few seasons.

Six players reaching double figures for goals in a season is a record I am pretty sure as well.

Election time looming again, with a big cast looking to take over, will be interesting if Dave Brown holds his spot, and if any changes come about.

While most of our profit comes from the TV Rights, it's good to see we are making money, without having sold any big players.

We've had another youngster poached, but not an impressive looking prospect.

Of the five that have been poached, only one has ever come through.

Goalkeeper Tim Jeffries who has had a stunning career spanning three clubs, playing not a single game for any of them.

A big month ahead, 3 massive games in the League, a place in the Europa League final beckons, and a third straight FA Cup final.

Punch · May 7, 2022

MAY 2037 - Match Day 36 - Vs West Bromwich Albion

Match Report

Spoiler

We left it very late to come from behind against now bottom of the table Baggies.

The visitors took the lead in the first half, as our rotated squad struggled for cohesion.

But after the hour mark it started to click with a string of four goals in the last 30 minutes to charge home and take the points.

A massive bonus to pick up points with most of our first team squad sitting out.

The half time talk certainly seemed to have the desired effect.

Table

Spoiler

We jumped to 3rd, although City didn't play.

After two 8th place finishes, our season will guarantee a European place. Will just depend which one we finish up qualifying for.

Up next...we head to City of Manchester Stadium with a 3-1 lead for the 2nd Leg of our Europa League Semi Final.

Punch · May 7, 2022

MAY 2037 - FA Youth Cup

Our Under 18's cap off an impressive season by lifting the FA Youth Cup.

After missing out last season, they take out their 7th Cup in 8 seasons.

Punch · May 7, 2022

MAY 2037 - Biggest ever contract

I have been fielding a few player and manager inquiries about upgrading contracts.

John Hodgson has earned his place, not only as one of our best players, but as arguably the best keeper in the Premier League.

Along with being England's Number 1, he has consistently been brought up in conversation about the EPL Player of the Year.

While this is a big commitment from our club, we can afford it, and he has earned it.

I suspect Hodgson will just be the first in the line of many before the beginning of next season, as this upgrade may result in the flood gates opening of players and managers knocking on my door.

Punch · May 8, 2022

MAY 2037 - Semi Final 2nd Leg - At Manchester City

Match Report

Spoiler

The improbable dream continues as the little club from the Irish Sea continues their fairy tale run in Europe.

Entering the 2nd Leg with a 3-1 lead, it was quickly reduced to a one goal gap as City scored on 3 minutes.

We quickly shrugged off our slow start and got into the game, not looking to survive, but putting pressure back on the hosts, and we finally cracked them on 39 minutes, as Aled Harden, scorer of two in the 1st Leg, put us on the board in the game, and back out to a 4-2 aggregate lead.

The second half was a tough fight as City had to balance trying to score, without getting caught on the counter, and it took a deflected shot to really bring the game to life, putting them up 2-1 in the match, and bringing the aggregate back to 4-3.

But almost from the kick off, Gary Gowdy teed up John Wright to bring us back to 2-2 in the game, and send us out to 5-3 on aggregate, which broke City's resistance.

A few minutes later, Wright went on a great run from near halfway, and then completed the job himself to secure his brace, and put us up 6-3 on aggregate, and book our place in the Final, which would have seemed unlikely at the beginning of the competition.

Final Draw

Spoiler

We will face German side Red Bull Leipzig in the Final.

The game will be played at the neutral venue in Spain, Nuevo Mestalla, which is home to Valencia.

The 55,000 seat stadium will play host to our now final match of the season.

Up next...a tough away League match, taking on 2nd place Liverpool at Anfield.

Edited May 8, 2022 by Punch

Punch · May 8, 2022

MAY 2037 - Match Day 37 - At Liverpool FC

Match Report

Spoiler

The scoreline I detest.

We held Liverpool to a draw, at Anfield, with a rotated squad, which should probably be considered a brilliant result.

Martin Jensen was brilliant in goal for us to keep the hosts scoreless, but their defence kept us pretty quiet, and we were not able to create much in the way of chances.

Table

Spoiler

We hold 5th spot still, and our final League game will be a shoot out with Chelsea for the final Champions League spot.

Our draw with Liverpool did prevent them from being able to win the title, and confirmed Man U as Champions.

Newcastle, Fulham, and West Brom are now confirmed relegated.

We are confirmed for the Euro Cup at worst.

Which means our Euro II spot will go to 7th place in the League.

Up next...Wembley calling as we take on Manchester City again, in the FA Cup Final. City have been badly out of form, winning their most recent League game was their first win in their last 8 matches.

We are in our third consecutive FA Cup final, looking to win back to back titles, and also win a double after taking out the League Cup earlier in the season.

For the second year in a row, the FA Cup Final is being played before the final round of the League.

Edited May 8, 2022 by Punch

Jtomsett11 · May 8, 2022

Very exciting end to the season! What a season of progress you've had! Cup finals, success and possibly top 4!

TelcontarTargaryen · May 8, 2022

I guess I must thank you for holding Liverpool to a draw and handing the title to my beloved Red Devils. I will forgive you if next season you become the one who knocks them of their top spot.

Sonic Youth · May 8, 2022

And we’ll be back after this thread break with more Isle of Man v Man City action!

Congrats on making the Euro Cup Final :thup:

Punch · May 8, 2022

11 hours ago, Jtomsett11 said:

Very exciting end to the season! What a season of progress you've had! Cup finals, success and possibly top 4!

We've come a long wayt from that division 10 club playing on a little synthetic field at The Bowl :lol:

9 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

I guess I must thank you for holding Liverpool to a draw and handing the title to my beloved Red Devils. I will forgive you if next season you become the one who knocks them of their top spot

Haha You're welcome.

We shall do our best.

8 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

And we’ll be back after this thread break with more Isle of Man v Man City action!

Congrats on making the Euro Cup Final

We will be sick of the sight of each other soon :lol:

Thank you!

Punch · May 8, 2022

MAY 2037 - FA Cup Final - Vs Manchester City

Match Report

Spoiler

Back to Back!

In fairness, we've hit a purple patch, at the same time as we came up against a City team who are horribly out of sorts, they have won only one of their last 9 games across all competitions now, and we have given them three of those losses.

Sensing they might be a little vulnerable, we went after them right from the kick off, and it took 16 minutes for us to rattle them, with Wes Heys jumping on a bad pass to get us under way.

Nearing the half hour, Gary Gowdy made it two, with a stunning strike from the edge of the area that gave the keeper no chance, and nearly broke the net.

Then came a strange 5 minutes spell either side of half time, where Man City found their groove, scoring three goals, unfortunately for them, on of them was for us.

City tried to mount a comeback in the second half, and it was pretty tight for 20 minutes or so with both teams having chances, and both defences holding firm.

It took another screamer from Gowdy to all but put the result beyond doubt, and put us up 4-2.

In the dying stages, John Hodgson smashed home this penalty to make it 5-2, and then the celebrations could start.

About £2 million for our share of the gate as well.

Along with back to back FA Cups, we also win both Cups this season.

Top goals scorer and top assists from FC IoM, Gary Gowdy also had 6 goals.

Another shiny trophy for the cabinet.

Up next...A chance to qualify for the Champions League as we take on Chelsea at The Isle in a winner takes all shoot out for 4th place. They hold 4th spot, so a draw is not enough for us, it's a must win clash of we want to take that spot from them.

Sonic Youth · May 8, 2022

Big win! Congrats :applause:

Punch · May 8, 2022

33 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Big win! Congrats

Thank you!

Was a crazy game, I thought we might have woken them up out of their slump when they scored a few goals, but we managed to hold it together.

Very exciting result

Punch · May 9, 2022

MAY 2037 - Under 23's Champions again

After our 18's won everything in sight, the U23's continued their great form to trounce Arsenal in the Final, after a dominant qualifying League display.

They knocked over the Gunners in the final for the third straight year.

Punch · May 9, 2022

MAY 2037 - Match Day 38 - Vs Chelsea FC

Match Report

Spoiler

The fairy tale season continues!

Needing to beat Chelsea to steal fourth spot and qualify for the Champions League, we got off to the perfect start in front of a full house at The Isle.

A John Hodgson screamer got us on the board first, and this being his 8th goal of the season, confirmed his best return in a season.

A tough battle ensued to half time, where the score stayed 1-0.

Straight after the break, Gary Gowdy teed up Earl Lea who smashed home an absolute screamer to put us up 2-0, and within reach of Champions League qualification, sending the Ravens faithful crazy.

A clumsy foul in the box gave the visitors a chance when they scored the penalty to come back to 2-1.

But with less than 10 minutes to go, it was that man again, Gowdy, who carved up the Chelsea defence, before finding an unmarked David Kearney in the box who tapped in to secure the victory, and more importantly, qualification for the Champions League.

Table

Spoiler

Our best ever finish, splitting the Big 6 in half, as we finish 4th, good enough to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

Qualification secured.

Division 10, to Champions League qualification in 17 years.

We qualified for Euro II by winning the League Cup, that place has now gone to Arsenal.

We qualified for for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup, and that place has gone to Tottenham, who jumped the Gunners on the last day.

Up next...the fairy tale season isn't over yet, as we are off to the Nuevo Mestalla in Valencia, Spain, to take on German side Red Bull Leipzig in the Europa League Final.

Punch · May 10, 2022

MAY 2037 - Europa League Final - Vs Red Bull Leipzig

Match Report

There will be no spoiler tab for this brilliant news...

We blitzed them!

Our boys went out with aggression on their mind, and an attacking gleam in their eye, putting the German outfit on the back foot from the kick off, and they never truly recovered.

With Heys and Harden running riot down the wings, and Gowdy and Wright causing no end of trouble in the middle, it seemed only a matter of time before the ball finally found the netting.

All four players went close in the first 20 minutes, but on 26, it was an Aled Harden cross that picked out John Wright unmarked at the back post to give us a 1-0 lead.

Leipzig had been stunned, but what happened over the next 60 minutes was a John Hodgson masterpiece, that announced the arrival of arguably the best player at our club, one of the best players in the Premier League, as one of the best in Europe.

On 32 minutes, Hodgson made it 2-0 with this absolute stunner from just outside the area. But he was only just getting started.

After Gowdy was brought down in the box, just before half time Hodgson buried his penalty chance for a 3-0 half time lead, and the game was as good as won.

Then, on 84 minutes, to really put the icing on the cake, he completely confused his opposing number with this curling monster from 30 meters, to complete and historic goal scoring goalkeeper hat-trick, in a Europa League final, no less.

...And to think I actually considered ending the goal scoring goalkeeper part of this save at the beginning of the season :lol:

Red Bull did managed to pull a goal back before the final whistle, but the damage was already done, and soon after, the party really started, to complete what has been the most magical of seasons for The Ravens.

Money, money, money, with nearly £18 million rolling in to the coffers.

A perfect 10 for our number 1, in a stunning Player of the Match performance.

Winners, Champions, Overachievers...we'll take them all.

We add a third Cup to our trophy room for the season, a night that will go down in history for this young club.

By winning the League Cup, we qualified for Euro II

By winning the FA Cup, we qualified for Europa

By snatching 4th place in the League on the final day, we qualified for Champions League

By winning Europa, we qualified for Champions League

We qualified 4 different ways for European competitions next season. That's an amazing season.

Sonic Youth · May 10, 2022

GK hat-trick in a Euro Cup final? Mental :idiot: :applause:

Congratulations on your Europa Cup success :thup:

It’s been a fantastic season, especially in the cups. It’s also been a long season, and I think you’ve almost played in every game possible a team can in a season.

Punch · May 10, 2022

3 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

GK hat-trick in a Euro Cup final? Mental

Congratulations on your Europa Cup success

It’s been a fantastic season, especially in the cups. It’s also been a long season, and I think you’ve almost played in every game possible a team can in a season.

Thank you!

It was an insane game. Hodgson just couldn't stop scoring, and managed to find time to make a few saves as well :lol:

Started way back with the Community Shield, ended with a European Final, and two Domestic Cup wins in there as well, so I think you're right, pretty much every game we could possibly play. Hence an insane amount of rotation this season.

corinthiano · May 10, 2022

Great end to the season, 4th place followed by the Europa League title! Will be good for you as I think you will be top seed in the CL next season, right?

RoguPL · May 10, 2022

What a season !! Congrats !

Looking forward for some CL action next season Your youths are amazing.

Punch · May 10, 2022

5 hours ago, corinthiano said:

Great end to the season, 4th place followed by the Europa League title! Will be good for you as I think you will be top seed in the CL next season, right?

Thank you! Not sure how the seeding works to be honest. Guess it depends if they take our League position, or the Europa win as the higher qualification.

41 minutes ago, RoguPL said:

What a season !! Congrats !

Looking forward for some CL action next season Your youths are amazing.

Thank you!

Going to make for an interesting season ahead.

I think I have been lucky to cobble together at least 1-2 usable players out of most intakes, which has helped a lot.

Punch · May 10, 2022

MAY 2037

A stunning end to a brilliant season.

We stayed undefeated in the League to pip Chelsea for the final Champions League spot, we knocked off Man City in the Europa Semi, then again to claim back to back FA Cup titles, finally rounding out our fairy tale season with a massive win in the Europa Final.

Man U crowned Champions, breaking Chelsea's recent dominance, while Newcastle, Fulham, and West Brom head down.

Our best finish in the Premier League. Our defence getting better every season.

A brilliant year financially, this month massively boosted by our EPL finish, and European success.

This added to the Europa money means we collected over £50 million in prize money this month.

The Board have awarded us a huge wage boost, and even though we won't get close to it, I am upgrading a lot of contracts over the off season, so we will be spending a lot more than we have for the last few seasons.

The Board have decided to max out the Youth Category.

Not much to report here for us, but some big numbers spent, especially Newcastle, who were relegated.

Not surprisingly, we have the lowest ratio by some margin here. That will come up next season.

Another player poached. Not looking like we will be missing out on much.

After only having two players poached on our first 14 years, we had two in two months last season, then two in two months this season.

Awards

A massive recognition for Hodgson and his efforts this season.

He was also the Players vote.

Gowdy recognised for his efforts as well.

I was named Manager of the Year for guiding us to 4th place.

Hodgson also named Europa Player of the Season. He had a massive season.

Up next...Reviews

Punch · May 10, 2022

MAY 2037

Before the reviews, some more big news...

The Board are increasing the stadium to a massive 31,000.

A far cry from the 3,000 we started out with at The Bowl.

That does mean we are homeless again next season, this time spending the season sharing Anfield with Liverpool.

It's even further away than DW Stadium at Wigan, another big trip for our supporters.

Will be interesting to see how we play there, as we had a horrible 'home' record when we were playing in a temporary ground last season.

TelcontarTargaryen · May 10, 2022

Goal scoring goalkeeper scoring a hat trick, in an European final no less. Crazy and awesome. Makes me wonder if anyone has actually ever done it in real life.

You really make me think about doing the goal scoring goalkeeper myself.

Edit: Well, after googling, apparently José Luis Chilavert did it for Vélez Sarsfield. Rogério Ceni apparently scored two penalties, and saved a penalty in the same match.

There are instances of few other goalkeepers scoring a hat-trick but they were playing as an outfield players at that moment, for various reasons.

Edited May 10, 2022 by TelcontarTargaryen

Fugado · May 10, 2022

Just insane. Congrats for everythign the ravens did from level 10 to lift a european cup. It would be interesting if this also had an impact on Isle of Man national side but they don't have one in the game, do they? Also I like the excells for keeping track of such a long career, can you share them?

Punch · May 11, 2022

3 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

You really make me think about doing the goal scoring goalkeeper myself

It's a fun little plot twist, especially coming up through lower League's. I considered dropping it this season, as we just don't get that many penalties in the Premier League, but Hodgson scored 11 goals this season, his best ever return since he score 10 in his first full season, when we were in League One.

Guess I might have to keep it now after this performance :lol:

3 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

Edit: Well, after googling, apparently José Luis Chilavert did it for Vélez Sarsfield. Rogério Ceni apparently scored two penalties, and saved a penalty in the same match.

There are instances of few other goalkeepers scoring a hat-trick but they were playing as an outfield players at that moment, for various reasons.

Thats awesome :lol:

Punch · May 11, 2022

2 hours ago, Fugado said:

Just insane. Congrats for everythign the ravens did from level 10 to lift a european cup.

Thank you!

2 hours ago, Fugado said:

It would be interesting if this also had an impact on Isle of Man national side but they don't have one in the game, do they?

I believe there is a Mod you can download to include the Manx national side, but I do not have it in this save.

Check the first page or two of this thread if you are interested, I am pretty sure someone mentioned it.

2 hours ago, Fugado said:

Also I like the excells for keeping track of such a long career, can you share them?

Sure can, mine are ones that I have modified that other people have shared along their journey.

I will try and upload a template for you tonight when I am at home.

Punch · May 11, 2022

14 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

It’s also been a long season, and I think you’ve almost played in every game possible a team can in a season.

Just as further confirmation of this, our backup keeper Jensen played 12 games this season, the most he has played in a single season, and Hodgson, our main keeper, still had 52 appearances.

So we had 64 competitive games, not including pre-season friendlies, and internationals, of which they are both their respective counties number one.

That's a big effort.

Sonic Youth · May 11, 2022

That’s even more than Liverpool have played this season! I can’t remember, did you play Europa qualifiers?

Speaking of Liverpool, I wonder if you’ll sell out Anfield…? IoM having the Kop in their home end? :cool:

Punch · May 11, 2022

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

That’s even more than Liverpool have played this season! I can’t remember, did you play Europa qualifiers?

Speaking of Liverpool, I wonder if you’ll sell out Anfield…? IoM having the Kop in their home end?

No, we qualified straight into the group stage.

Its a big ground a long way from home…who knows :lol: