Punch Posted June 11, 2022 Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) The preamble First - Is this the end of the FC Isle of Man save? No, absolutely not. I love that save, and still have a lot I want to achieve with it. But now and then I find myself needing a break from it and playing something different. I quite often find myself playing a month or two of an old save, or looking for something else to start. I have also recently started a new job, working from home, and I find myself playing occasionally during the day while waiting for reports to run, or pressing the space bar on the side when a phone call or zoom meeting has gone on too long , but without going into the details of the game by game, which would be too time consuming. I considered a Scottish low level save, but then seen that there were still teams in The Championship that were semi-pro, I even considered a really low save, and taking an amateur team all the way up, but I wasn't sure I could be bothered starting that low all over again, and dealing with the semi pro status wasn’t appealing. Another idea was to take another team from Liverpool, or Manchester, to the Premier League for a three sided rivalry, but that wasn’t going to work for this type of part time save. Still an idea I am keeping in the back of my mind for the future though. So the other day, I was reading through the some League's and found some professional teams in low Leagues, and a particular team caught my interest... Edited June 11, 2022 by Punch 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) York City FC played as high as The Championship (Division 2) in the 70's, before sliding their way down the League's, bouncing between 3rd and 4th divisions, before being relegated to the National League in 2016. Instead of pushing for promotion back to The Football League, York City suffered the embarrassment of a second straight relegation to the National League North in 2017, and 5 seasons later, despite some near misses, they are still stuck in the 6th tier of the English pyramid. So my goal for this save will be to rebuild the club, restore their Football League status, and then attempt to push them up the League's. I will be trying to do that with youth, although it may not be a youth only save, I will be trying to rebuild the club, with putting the staff in place to make the most of the facilities that I will be trying to improve as well. This will be a lot less detailed than the IoM save, I will mostly be doing monthly or so updates, as it will only be playing part time anyway. I am not going to be doing goal scoring goalkeeper in this save, one less thing to worry about tracking in a part time save, that will just be about having some fun, and taking a break from the big save. Edited June 11, 2022 by Punch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) York City is in the north east region of England. Home to over 200,000 people. York City FC play their home games at York Community Stadium. An 8,500 all seater stadium, built in 2019, that's part of a sporting and entertainment complex that includes pools, gyms, indoor sports halls, outdoor 5 a side pitches, a medical centre, and a library. It's a pretty spectacular looking complex, that should contribute to the regrowth of the club. York’s main rivalries have been Hull City, and Scarborough, while a rivalry with Halifax Town developed during their time in the National League, as they were the most local team to York at the time. Another rivalry in the National League was also with Lurton Town, as the clubs seemed to meet regularly in crucial matches, as well as off field issues developing between the clubs. In 2017-2018, the clubs first year back in the National League North, they finished a disappointing 11th. The following season would see no improvement, ending up with another mid table finish in 12th. The 2019-2020 season was heartbreaking for York City, as they were leading the table when the season was called off due to the pandemic, only to be relegated to 2nd on the points per game rule, before being beaten in the play off semi final. So near, yet so far… Time for change. Edited June 11, 2022 by Punch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 A new beginning I went with club appropriate, then adjusted to my usual attack at all costs approach. The Board want play offs as a minimum, 1st Round of the FA Cup, and 3rd Round of the Trophy. A pretty healthy transfer and wage budget. The Bookies rate us a good chance to make the play offs. The Squad Some pretty handy looking players among the squad to start off. I am still following the attribute ratings, but a little less detail in this save. Tactic Going to use the same attacking 4-2-4 formation that has been so successful. Club Facilities The training facilities are pretty good, but there is some work to do on the other areas, especially the youth recruitment, if I want youth to raise this club up. The National Leagues don't start until October, so we have plenty of friendlies to warm us up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 August - September 2020 Some solid outings in the pre-season friendlies gave us plenty of time to have a look at the squad and various combinations. We still have some room to move under the wage budget. The Board have the wage budget as an important part of the 5 year plan. The season is finally about to kick off, but after an FA Cup match. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 October 2020 A mixed month as we started a bit rough, but in the last game of the month we really put it all together. Currently sit 9th, a better end to the month helped in that regard. A quality start to our Cup run as we beat two lower division teams, before National League South team South Shields, so we have reached the first round, Board expectation achieved. Stats Goalkeepers Defence Midfield Forwards A lot of work to do. We turn a small profit. 1st Round FA Cup, and then a busy month in the League...maybe if they'd start the season earlier Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 November 2020 A shaky start with back to back draws, before it clicked into gear to finish the month with three straight wins. We sit just out of the playoff spots with a game in hand. We beat Havant & W with a solid win, before a kind draw in the 2nd Round sent us up against Hampton & Richmond, and it took an injury time winner to send us through to the 3rd Round. Stats Goalkeeper Defence Midfield Forwards A slight improvement on both sides this month. Our loan striker took out the Player of the Month. A small loss this month. A busy League month, and the FA Trophy kicks off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 12, 2022 Author Share Posted June 12, 2022 December 2020 Our winning run stratched to 7 matches before we were beaten in the last game by Boston, especially as the partnership at the front between Redshaw and McGill has started to flourish. We broke the League record for high scoring game with our 6-3 coach killer against Telford. We jumped to first as Chorley stumbled, and pre-season certainties, Fylde, had a rough month. Drawn against two Regional Premier League sides, we recorded comfortable victories in both to send us to the 4th Round. The McGill / Redshaw partnership has racked up 32 goals between them already. The Analyst is still happy with the attack, but concerned about our defence. At the next opportunity I will be looking to bring in a better qualified defensive coach. I picked up my first Manager of the Month award for our form at the start of the month. The finances took a solid wack this month, especially with no FA Cup games. After some negotiation, I got the Board to agree to up the Youth Recruitment, not that it will help this season. It increased Youth Recruitment by a single point. Still plenty of work to do in that regard. Fullback, midfielder, forward, striker. All of those will be useful, if they can make it to the first team. We are struggling for depth in most positions. Another busy month as we host Norwich in the FA Cup, so no big money spinner yet, FA Trophy, and 5 League matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 January 2021 A brilliant month as we roll through with 5 straight wins. The attack really getting it together. Our winning run has raced us out to an 11 point lead at the top. . We were always up against it against Championship Norwich, and while we were well beaten, we were not embarrassed. The Board wanted 1st Round, we made it to the 3rd. A good effort. Just the one Trophy game this month, and while 3-0 looks comfortable against National League Stockport, it was only two late goals that made it that way, in an otherwise tough battle. The Analyst is happy with the attack, but not so with the defence, which is strange as we have the second best defence in the League. Wonder if conceding 4 against Norwich has any thing to do with this. Redshaw continues his stunning goal scoring form, and take out the Player of the Month. Our perfect month leads me to the Manager of the Month. A solid month financially, with a good gate from the sold out FA Cup game helping, but not as much as a juicy away game would have. The down side to a small home ground capacity. A busy League month, and 5th Round Trophy match coming up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 February 2021 After a spectacular couple of months, we come back to earth winning only one of our 5 games, but we also only lost one. Still first, but Boston have cut the lead to 7. After putting down Hereford in the 5th Round, we put Bath through the ringer in the Quarter Final to progress to the semi final. The Analyst isn't too happy, our defence is still too leaky, and the offence stuttered somewhat this month. Another slight loss this month, with no FA Cup games to cover the gaps. .Another busy League month, and the finishing with an FA Trophy semi final, which has not yet been drawn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 March 2021 A decent month in the League, although a disappointing home loss to Chester. We are still first but Boston have taken another point out of it. We were into the final, leading 2-1 at Yeovil, but the National League side launched a comeback for the ages, scoring twice in injury time to send us crashing out. The attack and defence are both still on the wrong sides, but there has been improvement. Redshaw and McGill have racked up 50 goals between them. Bunn became the third player to hit double figures. The Trophy exit leaves us with just the League to concentrate on now. This next 6 games could define our season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 16, 2022 Author Share Posted June 16, 2022 April 2021 - Youth Intake My first Youth Intake arrives, and looks pretty decent out of the box. One player good enough to go straight into the first team, and a few others not far behind. Some pretty decent attribute scores to start off with. As expected, Bell is good enough for 1st team, and a few very closely following. The (Y) indicates a York native. I borrowed this idea from @shaunvamos, to be able to follow where our academy kids are coming from. 12 of 16 from England, 11 of them from York. The Best 3 A genuine dual footer who can play left or right wing, and striker. He will probably start on the wings until that finishing comes up some. Even though only 15, his attributes make him a genuine first team player straight out of the academy. A right and central defender, who can also play left if needed. Plenty of improvement to be made, but massive potential, and is not far off the first team squad already. A big central midfielder, and again, plenty of improvement to be made, but massive potential. Overall, very happy with my first intake, as we get a first team player, and several who will probably be in the first team next year, which allows me to shed plenty of the players that I inherited for next season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 16, 2022 Author Share Posted June 16, 2022 April 2021 With only the League to concentrate on, we had a brilliant month, dropping points only to Fylde. AN important win over Boston at the end of the month, extends our lead, and guarantees us play offs as worst. We conceded only 4 goals this month, but the Analyst is still calling us leaky Our good form lead me to another Manager of the Month award. Bell did go straight into the first team, and broke the record for youngest player. Three days later, playing his second game, he smashed home his first goal, breaking the youngest goal scorer record as well. A very confident start for a kid who is still 15, as by the end of the month, he played four games, and scoring two goals, including the winner in the top of the table clash against Boston at the end of the month. Six games to go to the end of the season, with a nine point lead, it's make or break time for our title challenge, and first step back to the Football League. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 May 2021 A good start to the month confirmed our title, as the challengers fell away. We then had some mixed matches as we started sending out some of the academy kids to get them some experience. Wolves won the FA Cup, but we were the biggest over achievers, while we had the leading scorer and most assists. Yeovil knocked us out in the Semi Final, before going on to lift the Trophy. We turn a bit of a profit to end the season. I managed to get the Board to agree to another Youth Recruitment upgrade. So recruitment has now caught up to coaching. Now to see if I can get them to splash some cash and upgrade facilities. One more time for good measure, as we take the first step of leading York City FC back to the Football League, National League, here we come. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 2020-2021 Season Review 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Jensen Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 Congrats on the league win and promotion mate! Well-done and it was comfortable in the end! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 1 hour ago, Brooklyn Jensen said: Congrats on the league win and promotion mate! Well-done and it was comfortable in the end! Thanks! First step of the rebuild. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 2020-2021 Season Review Another idea borrowed from @shaunvamos's spreadsheet. Our overall attribute average from the Best XI has increased, while the average age gas decreased an entire year. Positive signs going forward. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 2021-2022 Pre-season Straight into a run of friendlies, before our return to the National League kicks off with a home game against Halifax. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 July 2021 We played pretty well through friendly season, although we loved a draw. We then kicked off our return to the National League with a hard fought win over Halifax. Undefeated and not even in the play off places I forgot to screen shot it but the Board agreed to upgrade the Youth Facilities, so that was the big expense this month. The Board want mid table in the League, FA Cup 1st Round, and Trophy 4th Round. They have given us nearly double the wage budget of last season, and a healthy transfer budget, although I am unlikely to use any of it. Spending well below the wage budget at this stage. Although the season has started, it really kicks into gear with 6 games next month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted June 27, 2022 Author Share Posted June 27, 2022 August 2021 A rough start to the month as we went without a win for the first 4 games before turning it around in the last two games. The attack has been good, but the defence has been leaky. Winning the last two games took us up to 9th, but we had dropped as low as 17th. I think I sorted by goals instead of games, but I am making a conscious effort to get the Class of 21 kids involved in more games. Our best Academy product broke the record for the Youngest Scorer in the National League. We are losing money most months, so are going to hope for some luck in the Cups to help us out this season. No Cups games yet though, another busy League month coming up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted July 5, 2022 Author Share Posted July 5, 2022 September 2021 Just League matches to concentrate on this month, and we went undefeated, including 4 straight wins to end the month. Charlie Bell scoring a hat-trick of penalties in a big win at Bromley to end the month. The Analyst is happy with the attack, but the Defence is a bit loose. We find ourselves in the play off spots early in the season, on a 7 game unbeaten run. Bell's good form lead him to the Young Player of the Month award, and Ashforth took out 2nd place. We are making a loss most months, need some Cup games to get the bank balance up. Another big month coming up, and our FA Cup campaign kicks off in the middle of the month, but our opponent is still to be determined. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted July 12, 2022 Author Share Posted July 12, 2022 October 2021 A strange month with some pretty tough games. We started brilliantly holding off Chesterfield. We then got thrashed by last place Woking, in their first and only win of the season so far... We somehow lost this game 1-4... A solid draw against Aldershot before back to back losses, then we finished with a win over Boston...thanks to an own goal After one win in our last 5 games, surprisingly we still find ourselves in the play off spots. Not sure how much longer we can hold onto that spot though. A tough match against Kidderminsther but we got through thanks to an injury time winner, after giving up an 88th minute equaliser. We qualify for the 1st Round proper. We draw Wrexham away in the FA Cup 1st Round, before another busy League month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 November 2021 It was nearly a perfect month until we bottled it against Southend. An upset win over Wrexham, before thumping Weymouth leads us into the 3rd Round. We have been drawn away to Arsenal, so we will get flogged, but should get a decent pay day out if it. We are still hanging around in the bottom half of the play off spots, but I am not sure we can stay there. Fatigue is starting to set in. The Board seem to like what we are doing though as they have asked me to stay on for a few more years, and give me a £300 a week pay rise to boot. Our Youth Facilities upgrade is completed. The next Intake can't come soon enough, I really need to get rid of some of these older players. A busy League month, and the FA Trophy kicks off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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