[FM24] Tulach Bòide [Scotland Tier 13]

[Jimbokav1971]

I've never heard of Tullibody, but in doing some research while holidaying to test the save, I found that a popular FM Youtuber "Mozza Plays", has started a 2nd real life football team in Tullibody, (called Tullibody St Serves), (named after the local Church I think), although they are not yet in FM. 

The Football team are as low as it's possible to be in Scotland. Using the edited database by Rcqq (available on Steam), the 13th Tier of Scottish football is available to us in all it's "glory". 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_football_league_system

While there currently isn't a route between the Amateur Leagues of Scotland and the Scottish Football League Pyramid in real life, Rcqq has created a "Playoff" at various points between the 10th tier in the Pyramid & the non-existent 11th tier which is the top level(s) of Amateur football. While this fixture, (it's actually a 2-legged affair), doesn't exist in the 1st season of the save, it is there for the 2nd season, (because I have holidayed 2 years to check). 

My plan is to go full Youth Only stylee and see how we go and with a special nod to @phnompenhandyI will be keeping track of the different Nationalities that we get generated through the Youth Intake. 

We will of course be trying to score goals with our GK's, (I remember @Makoto Nakamuraabsolutely filling his boots in Scotland in a previous version of the game). 

[phnompenhandy]

Wonderful. I believe Mozza's working on his FM24 database, and one poster thinks it will down to Tier 13. If he's going the fantasy route, I wonder if he'll add his own club. He should do.

Anyway, I will of course follow this with avid interest. I had a 'mare of a first season with the squad I inherited. My academy intakes from the local school do include a fair few Scots with all sorts of second nationalities.

[Jimbokav1971]

Route to the top. 

Just in case anyone missed it in the previous post, there isn't a route from the Amateur Football League in Scotland to the Scottish Premiership containing the Old Firm and everyone else. This is possible in this edited database, (via a Playoff), and just so you, (actually this is completely for my benefit), are clear what tier we are playing in when we are playing in a particular league, this is an attempt to map it out for you. 

Tier 13. Caledonian Amateur Division Two. We also play in the Amateur Cup which has 11 rounds in total, (open to all clubs playing in Amateur leagues rather than all Amateur clubs, although Queens Park won it as recently as 2008), and the William Turner Cup which has 6 rounds in total. 

Tier 12. Caledonian Amateur Division One. They also play in the Amateur Cup which has 11 rounds in total, (open to all clubs playing in Amateur leagues rather than all Amateur clubs, although Queens Park won it as recently as 2008), and the William Turner Cup which has 6 rounds in total.

Tier 11. Caledonian Amateur Premier League. They also play in the Amateur Cup which has 11 rounds in total, (open to all clubs playing in Amateur leagues rather than all Amateur clubs, although Queens Park won it as recently as 2008), and the William Turner Cup which has 6 rounds in total.

This is usually the end of the line as far as progression goes, but in this edited database the winner of the Caledonian Amateur Premier League plays a 2-legged Playoff against the team who finished bottom, (16th in the WoS 4th Div). WoS stands for West of Scotland by the way.

Tier 10. WoS 4th Div. They play in the Strathclyde Demolition Cup, (which has 6 Rounds), the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 8 rounds), and the West of Scotland Cup, (which has 7 rounds). 

Tier 9. WoS 3rd Div. They play in the Strathclyde Demolition Cup, (which has 6 Rounds), the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 8 rounds), the West of Scotland Cup, (which has 7 rounds and the Junior Cup, (which has 7 rounds).

Tier 8. WoS 2nd Div. They play in the Strathclyde Demolition Cup, (which has 6 Rounds), the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 8 rounds), the West of Scotland Cup, (which has 7 rounds, the Junior Cup, (which has 7 rounds) and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 rounds). 

Tier 7. WoS 1st Div. They play in the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 8 rounds), the West of Scotland Cup, (which has 7 rounds, the Junior Cup, (which has 7 rounds) and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 rounds).

Tier 6. WoS Premier. They play in the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 8 rounds), the West of Scotland Cup, (which has 7 rounds, the Junior Cup, (which has 7 rounds) and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 rounds).

Tier 5. Scottish Lowland League. They play in the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 8 rounds), and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 Rounds). 

Tier 4. Scottish League 2. They play in the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 7 rounds), and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 rounds). 

Tier 3. Scottish League 1. They play in the Scottish South Challenge Cup, (which has 7 rounds), and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 rounds). 

Tier 2. Scottish Championship. They play in the League Cup, (8 Groups and then don't know), the Challenge Cup, (which has 7 rounds), and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 rounds). 

Tier 1. Scottish Premiership. They play in the League Cup, (8 Groups and then don't know), Challenge Cup, (which has 7 rounds), and the Scottish Cup, (which has 10 rounds). 

It would appear that there are a lot of Cups. (By the way, some of the Cups are probably regionalised so we might get something different along the way). 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[phnompenhandy]

I was caught out by this myself, but in WoSD4 and D3 you're also entered into the Scottish Cup (preliminary round). It's also worth noting how many teams each division has, because that varies.

[Jimbokav1971]

1 minute ago, phnompenhandy said:

I was caught out by this myself, but in WoSD4 and D3 you're also entered into the Scottish Cup (preliminary round). It's also worth noting how many teams each division has, because that varies.

I will have to keep an eye on the Cups as we go, (I love a Cup run despite them sucking thingy). 

Yeah I'm sure the numbers will change too. I really just wanted something written down like that so that I had it sorted in my head. Now that I've seen it I think I've got it, but the way my brain works I need to see it 1st. 

Absolutely loving the Cups. 

Do we go for promotion or the Cups...... 

[phnompenhandy]

2 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

I will have to keep an eye on the Cups as we go, (I love a Cup run despite them sucking thingy). 

Yeah I'm sure the numbers will change too. I really just wanted something written down like that so that I had it sorted in my head. Now that I've seen it I think I've got it, but the way my brain works I need to see it 1st. 

Absolutely loving the Cups. 

Do we go for promotion or the Cups...... 

Dunno if this affects your decision, but for the Amateur ones and probably the higher up ones, there's nae money in it unless you win the thing. And my goodness, they clog up the schedules until you crash out of them!

[Jimbokav1971]

1 hour ago, phnompenhandy said:

Dunno if this affects your decision, but for the Amateur ones and probably the higher up ones, there's nae money in it unless you win the thing. And my goodness, they clog up the schedules until you crash out of them!

Yeah, I'm not particularly thinking about money or winning them, (ok, maybe a bit about winning them). I'm just keen that the schedule is busy enough for me to rotate 2 different XI's. 

[Deisler26]

Well. Good luck with this!

[Makoto Nakamura]

Looking forward to following this!  

[Jimbokav1971]

Meet the squad. Jul 2023. 

I've only ever done 1 of these types of saves before. I did a L10 English Youth Only save a few years ago and you would think that once you get down to L10 anywhere, the ability, (or rather lack of), would be much of a muchness. Oh no. Oh no no no no no.  This is an altogether new level of clogger, (apologies to any Dutchies). 

We've got a squad of 16 and a grey GK and that's it.  If it doesn't offend too many people I will be offering a contract to the grey GK and as and when we get new grey players available, (because of injury, suspension or being nabbed by other clubs), then I will probably just sign them too so that we have enough bodies to name a team. 

Our DL (23) Esson (Unamb) is wanted by 36 (THIRTY SIX) clubs , so I assume that he's as good as gone. 
Our Libero, (don't laugh at me!)  (23) Macdonald (F.Loyal) 6'0" is also wanted by someone. We only have 3 centre-backs and we play 3 at the back so..... 
Our only striker who doesn't do a passing impression of a slow-moving sloth, (23) Thom (Unamb) is wanted by 30 (THIRTY) clubs. 
One of our subs (23) Kydd (SCO)(IRL) (Casual) is wanted by 17 clubs, and if I'm being completely honest, he's Casual and I have issues with that so nae problem. 
A 2nd sub (23) Sithole (SCO)(RSA) (Spir), (at this stage I would like to point out that there is no H in his name), is wanted by 1 club. 

At this rate we might not have 11 players by the start of the season. (I'm starting to think I'm jinxed on FM24). 

I will show you players as and when they do something, (good or bad), but I might as well start by showing you the bloke who is wanted by 36 clubs so you know the sort of standard we're talking about here. 

In all seriousness, I can actually see what all the fuss is about. His physicals aren't good, but they're good for this level, and most of his white attributes are in areas we would want them to be. I would say that he's good, (it's a very relative term), because his attributes are well balanced. Not because he has a good CA. 

I won't bother showing you his history because he's just been created so there is nothing to see. 

[Jimbokav1971]

31 minutes ago, Deisler26 said:

Well. Good luck with this!

I have a feeling I'm going to need lots of it. 

[Jimbokav1971]

22 minutes ago, Makoto Nakamura said:

Looking forward to following this!  

Thanks. Not gonna be anywhere near as well presented as yours. (By the way I really like your new layout for this save). Love the visuals. 

[RoguPL]

Straight onto the next one from Colombia ! NIce! 
Good Luck and will also be following! 

Good to see you back in Europe  

[Makoto Nakamura]

10 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

Thanks. Not gonna be anywhere near as well presented as yours. (By the way I really like your new layout for this save). Love the visuals. 

Thanks! It's the first time without using instant result in a few years!

[Jimbokav1971]

9 minutes ago, RoguPL said:

Straight onto the next one from Colombia ! NIce! 
Good Luck and will also be following! 

Good to see you back in Europe  

I've been trying to forget about the C word, but even the game is reminding me, (more on that in my next post where would you believe it a Envigado Academy product scored against us!!!)  WTF!  

[Jimbokav1971]

9 minutes ago, Makoto Nakamura said:

Thanks! It's the first time without using instant result in a few years!

It hadn't actually dawned on me that you weren't using IR. Yeah I bet it's been a while. I had a spell at the very start with FM24, but happily using IR again now as usual. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Jul 2023. 

Friendlies. I don't usually post friendly results, (because who cares), but in a new save it helps get a feel for things and raises a few discussion points. 

1. We don't have a 2nd XI. Who played for them I have no idea. We literally start with 16 players, (and now have 17), and they all played for us. 
2. The Ass Man, (or someone else), created the friendly with Watford. (Nothing to do with me at all). 1 of their goal-scorers was none other than Envigado Academy product Yaser Asprilla as the game gives me a gentle reminder that the FM Gods are always watching. (What are the chances of us even playing a player who started out at Envigado never mind about him scoring against us?) 
3. It looks like Thom is scoring loads of goals, (and they are sort of), but there are 2 of them by some fluke of nature. Thom sounds Scandinavian to me, but the again parts of Scotland aren't too far from Scandiland and of course while Thom isn't very common down here in England, Thomson, (Scandi son of Thom), is very common so.... Anyway, there are 2 of them and they play SC and SRC so makes sense to see them on the scoresheet. 
4. I didn't spot that an outfield player took a pen in the 1st game. 
5. I did spot that an outfield player took a pen in the 2nd game, (and that's now sorted). 
6. Grey GK (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2", (who is now no longer grey), has taken his 1st pen even though it doesn't count. 

Grey player signed. 

Player of note. I can't split them so will have to go for the Thom's x 2. Of course they're not actual brothers, but I will be claiming poetic licence and treating them as if they are. 

I was tempted to play the quick Thom (23) Thom (Unamb) on the right to use his pace and the big Thom (23) Thom (Leader) 6'2" though the middle, but that's actually not the way I want to play so I kept the quick central and we will just see how it goes. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 

Finances. Well that didn't take long. I will be attempting to ignore the finances for about the 1st decade of the save at least. 

[Rikulec]

Nice one, fingers crossed for a long and interesting journey ahead of you!

[Jimbokav1971]

Sep 2023. 

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. I'll take that.  

1. A hat-trick on opening day. 
2. A GK brace on match day 2. 
3. A missed GK pen on match day 3. 

There are some great names in this league. I would have found it hard not to appoint myself in charge of Kilwinning Academy had I seen them, and I bet Doune Castle looks amazing. (It does actually, I've just looked).

Transfers. 

Eyemouth Utd, (no I have never heard of them either), tried to snaffle (23) JAWs (SCO)(ENG) (L.Det) so I told him that I loved him and that he was a star player for us, (he starts in midfield), and that I was prepared to pay him £0 to keep him here. (No, that's not a typo). Beardsen also came in for him, (they sound like they're from Germany or Belgium rather than Scotland). Not only has he signed a new (amateur) contract and decided to stay with us, but his training performances have been great.  Auchtermuchty Bellvue now want him on trial.  Myre Athletic AFC, (from the league above have offered him a new contract now). He needs to remember that I love him. 

(23) Esson (Unamb) is still wanted by 27 clubs and one of them has come in for him. I will tell him I love him too and that he's an important player etc etc etc. Now someone else is in for him. This is going to get old pretty quickly.  He agrees to stay, (for now). 

Kelso Thistle are in for our centre-half (23) Kelly (Bal) 6'0". (Yeah I love you and you'll be a regular starter now sign here please). 

I think this is going to continue on a pretty regular basis and I'm not even sure that a transfer window is going to stop it. I will only mention it now when someone actually leaves. 

Player of note. You've seen (23) Thom (Unamb) who has 5 goals in 3 games. You've seen no longer grey GK (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" who scored a brace. You've seen (23) Esson (Unamb) who was wanted by loads of clubs and scored the 1st goal of our campaign, (and is now injured). 

(23) Scobbie (Real) isn't very good, but he is ours. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 2 goals from 3 spot kicks this month for (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2". 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 2/3 from the spot at 67%. 

Finances. 

 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

5 minutes ago, Rikulec said:

Nice one, fingers crossed for a long and interesting journey ahead of you!

I'm just happy to be playing in a structure that just has 1 league. 

[ToMexico!!]

2 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

There are some great names in this league. I would have found it hard not to appoint myself in charge of Kilwinning Academy had I seen them, and I bet Doune Castle looks amazing. (It does actually, I've just looked).

I think I would have gone with Dalziel and named my manager Pascoe...good title for a thread there. 

[Jimbokav1971]

33 minutes ago, ToMexico!! said:

I think I would have gone with Dalziel and named my manager Pascoe...good title for a thread there. 

very good. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Sep 2023. 

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. What a horrible month. Things were going so well until Kilwinning lived up to their name, (I knew this would happen when I name-checked them recently), by scoring long-range pile-drivers in the 92nd and 95th mins after not being in the game. Larkhall, (who I have heard of before) then got in on the action and after I celebrated a little too vociferously when we scored a 1st direct free-kick of the save, (the FM Gods are always watching), they responded with not 1 direct free-kick but 2, (all while we played for over an hour with 10 men).  After that it goes from bad to worse as not only do we lose our best player (23) Thom (Unamb) to injury, but (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" then misses a pen and is at fault for both goals as we lose to Doune Castle, (who I also name-checked before). When will I ever learn? 

Basically, we were just really unlucky this month. 

William Turner Challenge Cup. Continuing on the trend from our league form of this month, I rotated the squad, (as best I could), to prioritise the league and we tore them apart and were comfortably winning 2-0 on 90 mins. Goals in the 91st and 95th mins wiped that smile off my face, (the FM Gods are always watching), and we needed (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" to save all 3 of the opposition spot kicks in the shootout to send us into the next round. (We dodged one there!)

Transfers. 

The transfer window is now closed, but I'm not sure how that affects amateur contracts in leagues where nobody has to be registered. (I suspect not very much). 

Grey players signed. Neither of them are a central midfielder though. 

An injury to (23) Thom (Unamb) and a suspension to (23) Redman (Bal) caused another grey player to appear, (who plays in neither of their positions). 

Player of note. Not easy this month but (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" was the only GK in the squad on day 1, but he lost his starting spot when I signed a grey player who turned out to be better than him, (or so I thought), He complained and I told him he could be our Cup GK, (I don't usually do that), but he wasn't happy. As luck would have it (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" had a stinker in the next game so I dropped him but (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is still unhappy. The main reason for him being shown here though is that he saved all the of the opposition spot-kicks in our shootout against Drumchapel Amateur F.C.  (Never seen that before!)

Yes by the way. His PPM was a factor in him not starting for us initially. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 1 goal and 1 failure for (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" this month. 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 3/5 from the spot at 60%. 

Finances. 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Oct 2023. 

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. We're scoring goals, but conceding too many for my liking. We're not great at defending crosses. 

Scottish Amateur Cup. Our opposition were 1 league above us 

William Turner Challenge Cup. Our opposition were 2 leagues above us. 

Player of note. The star of the show was unhappy GK (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" with 5 goals in 5 games this month, but I showed you him last month. (23) Thom (Leader) 6'2" was the next best performer, (scoring his 1st 3 goals of the season this month). 

(23) Redman (Bal) is then player I'm going to show you this month. When he's missing we really miss him. He's got quite good physicals for this level. (Yes really). 

Goal-scoring GK's. Considering my opinion on how morale influences penalty takers, it's astonishing that (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" went 5/5 this month.  The biggest concern I've got right now is that someone comes in for him and offers him an alternative to staying here. He's 1st choice now but still unhappy because he wasn't last month. How long will it last? 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 3/5 from the spot at 60%. 
(23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 5/5 from the spot at 100%.

Finances. 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Nov 2023. 

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. It's a bit weird, but the best result here was the 1-1 draw away to Balmore. It was sandwiched in between 2 good wins and I completely rotated the squad, (as much as I could), and even played players out of position and although we were under the cosh we picked up a really good point with a late leveller. If Doune Castle keep up their form then we have no chance of catching them, but we will keep plugging away and see where it gets us come the end of the season. A couple of losses for them and the wheels might come off. They lost in both the Cups this month and that means it's going to be harder for them to keep fringe players fit and happy. We're still in both Cups. 

William Turner Challenge Cup. Our opposition are 2 leagues above us.  I wasn't expecting to play such an iconic club so early in this save never mind beat them. Third Lanark are a big big deal in Scottish footballing history and anyone who doesn't know the story should look it up. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Lanark_A.C.

I rotated the squad, (except for GK), and for the 1st time in this save we had a full bench. They dominated the 1st half but we just got stronger and stronger, (I think because of the rotation & strength from bench), and hit back from a corner and a direct free-kick, (I think that's our 4th of the season). It went to pens and after saving 3 spot kicks from 3 in the previous shootout, (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" saved 4/5 in this one. He's saved 7 out of 8 pens in 2 different shootouts. 

Scottish Amateur Cup. Our opposition are 1 league above us. Not content with saving 7/8 pens in the previous 2 shootouts he saved 2 more to bring his total to 9 pens saved from 12 pens faced in 3 different shootouts. I keep checking I've got that right but I have. There were 0 successful pens in the 1st shootout, 1 in the 2nd one and 2 in this one. He's conceded just 3 pens from 12 faced. He's the Scottish Paul Cooper. (Look him up). 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cooper_(footballer,_born_1953)

Records. 

Player of note. It has to be (23) Scobbie (Real) this month with 3 important goals. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 3 more successful pens from (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" this month bring his total to 8. It;s really interesting that although he has saved 9 of pens saved in 3 shootouts this season, he hasn't saved any. Neither has (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" by the way and they have each faced 3 pens. With the 6 opposition pens and our 13 pens, it means we have already seen 19 pens in 22 games this season, (13-6 in our favour), which is approx 0.86 pens per game (total), or or 0.59 pens for per game and 0.27 pens against per game. I'm quite liking those numbers by the way. 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 3/5 from the spot at 60%. 
(23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 8/8 from the spot at 100%.

Finances.

Edited December 6, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Dec 2023.

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. A really frustrating month. We're playing ok, but just not taking our chances, and when you're not very good at the back you need to take your chances. Had we won just 1 of the games we lost this month we would have been bang in the mix, but as it is we're playing catch-up. The good news though is that Doune Castle dropped 7 points to our 6 this month, so we still closed 1 point on them. 

Scottish Amateur Cup. Our opposition are 1 league above us and I again rotated the squad. I can't complain even a little bit after winning the last 3 shootouts. From being the hero in previous rounds, (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" became the villain as it was his saved spot-kick that saw us crash out. He had made 1 save facing pens, but conceded 10 as even the opposition sneaked 1 past him. I don't mind him missing this pen because it wouldn't have counted as a career goal anyway. He's still saved 10 pens across 4 shootouts. 

Preview. This means nothing.  It does once again back up my thinking that the lettering indicates CA and the star rating indicates PA. I really need to do a save where I check the CA/PA of intakes to try and work this out. 

Player of note. Up next is (23) Sithole (SCO)(RSA) (Spir). He's not great as a starting mid, but he's what we've got. 

Goal-scoring GK's. Not only did (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" convert another pen this month, but he also saved his 1st non-shootout penalty kick this season. 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 3/5 from the spot at 60%. 
(23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 9/9 from the spot at 100%.

Finances. 

Edited December 6, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Jan 2024. 

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. It was a blow to lose against Milngavie Wanderers, but when you concede 5 goals in a match you don't deserve to get anything out of it. We've bounced back well and a win against top of the table Doune Castle in our next month would really liven things up at the top. I think we're just conceding too many goals to mount a serious title challenge though.

William Turner Challenge Cup. Our opposition are 2 leagues above us. We win our 4th shootout in 5 attempts as (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" again comes up trumps as he saves another pen as we convert all 5 of ours. He's now saved 11 pens across 5 shootouts. It should obviously be mentioned that he scored again in this game. 

Transfers. Losing a 3rd player was bad. Losing 1 of only 3 centre-backs at the club when you play 3 at the back and are already shipping goals is a disaster. 

Records. 

Goal-scoring GK's. Another goal for (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" brings up double-figures for the season at the 1st attempt, and considering that there are at least 11 more games and (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" "stole" 5 of his penalties earlier in the season, he could have been on more. 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 3/5 from the spot at 60%. 
(23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 10/10 from the spot at 100%.

Finances. 

[phnompenhandy]

5 hours ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

Doune Castle looks amazing. (It does actually, I've just looked).

I named their ground "Winterfell" in my editor as it was used as the location in Game of Thrones (with a heavy dose of CGI added)

[Jimbokav1971]

6 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

I named their ground "Winterfell" in my editor as it was used as the location in Game of Thrones (with a heavy dose of CGI added)

Must admit I didn't notice any resemblance. Maybe you do if you already know and are looking. 

[phnompenhandy]

8 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

Must admit I didn't notice any resemblance. Maybe you do if you already know and are looking. 

Yeah, I managed them in a failed FM23>24 save for a season and did my research beforehand.

[Jimbokav1971]

Feb 2024.

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. We might have dropped 2 points in the last game, but just look at the implosion by Doune Castle that I warned about. They've lost 3 in the spin, are no longer at the top and are now only 2 points ahead of us. Kilwinning are level on points with is though and the GD is remarkably similar across the top 5 teams. 

William Turner Challenge Cup. This is the 8th Cup tie we've played this season and it's the 1st time I didn't rotate the squad, (because we had 3 weeks until the next game), and it's the 1st game we've actually lost (other than on pens). We've beaten teams 1 and 2 leagues above us, and then I go and do this and we get turned over by someone not only in our own league, but below us in the league.  I'm such an idiot sometimes.

Transfers. I've got to admit that losing 2 more players was a blow. It was a really big blow. These 1 in particular were big players for us and I think that just about draws the curtain over any hope we had of promotion. 

Grey players signed. Losing 2 players before the window closed means that we were again short of numbers, so I signed 2 more grey players. For some strange reason Freyr Leifson changes his name to Iain Pascazio when you try to offer him a contract, and Brodie Currid morphs into Connor Bonar. No idea why. 

With more injuries and suspensions Brodie Currid is available again, but this time he doesn't change his name when I offer him a contract. 

Goal-scoring GK's. Of course (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" leaves and we don't get any pens. 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 3/5 from the spot at 60%. 
(23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 10/10 from the spot at 100%. (Is no longer at the club). 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Mar 2024. 

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. We had conceded all 6 goals by HT against Rhu.  I don't think there is much more to say. We're decent going forward but we're absolutely woeful at the back. Look at Doune Castle though. They haven't won in 2 months and have taken 1 point from a possible 18 and have dropped out of the promotion places. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 1 goal from (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" moves him to 5 goals for the season. We've now been awarded 15 penalties. 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 4/6 from the spot at 67%. 
(23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 10/10 from the spot at 100%. (Is no longer at the club). 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Youth Intake day. Apr 2024. 

I had forgotten how hard it was to make decisions as to who to sign/release at this level when everyone have 5.0 PA. I know that @Makoto Nakamurais quite choosy as to who he signs for example, (even without his "Highlander" restrictions in his current save), but it's tough when there is such little info to go on, (because everyone is 5.0 PA). 

• We're short of centre-backs so we will sign both of them. 
• It makes sense to sign a 3rd GK. 
• There's a striker with finishing of 9 and reasonable physicals. 
• A DR with good physicals. 
• There's a LWB with better physicals than anyone at the club. 
• There's a winger who can play on both sides, (and we would play him either side up front). 
• There's an MC who has the best passing/vision combo at the club. 
• There's another MC who looks like he's the best MC at the club. 
• There's even a 3rd MC who looks better than what we already have. 

There are also negatives though. 

• 9 of the players have single figures (Det)
• 7 players are (Unamb)
• 6 of those 7 (Unamb) players are also (L.Det)

It's really not a good intake, but at the same time we're not a good club so we get what we deserve in my opinion. 

The biggest thing now is that although we're not signing everyone, (and we have signed some players who are both (Unamb) + (L.Det) who I don't like, we are giving ourselves some depth so that we can have backups in all positions and we can have a 2nd XI who can come in and rotate. 

[Vakama2619]

16 hours ago, phnompenhandy said:

Wonderful. I believe Mozza's working on his FM24 database, and one poster thinks it will down to Tier 13. If he's going the fantasy route, I wonder if he'll add his own club. He should do.

I'm pretty sure he said on X he was going for T10 realism again, I could be wrong tho

[phnompenhandy]

Just now, Vakama2619 said:

I'm pretty sure he said on X he was going for T10 realism again, I could be wrong tho

Oh, shame. I only read it 2nd hand

[Vakama2619]

5 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Oh, shame. I only read it 2nd hand

tbh I could be wrong but yeah, he posted the beta however I haven't taken a look as I plan to stick with the L13 one

[Vakama2619]

Seems everyone's doing a Scottish save lately, definitely following

[Jimbokav1971]

Apr 2024. 

Caledonian Amateur Division Two. The Thom's went goal-crazy this month, scoring 10 of our 14 goals between them. We secured promotion with a game to spare and with the pressure off the lads ran riot in the last game, spanking 8 past a hapless Corkerhill. 

Records. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 1 goal from 2 pens this month brings (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" to 5 goals for the season. He's nowhere near as good as (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" , either in goal or taking pens. 

(23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 5/8 from the spot at 63%. 
(23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 10/10 from the spot at 100%. (Is no longer at the club). 

Finances. 

[ToMexico!!]

Imagine being the 22 fans that didn't show up to the Corkerhill thriller compared to the Kilwinning loss. Congrats on the promotion! 

[Jimbokav1971]

Season Summary. May 2024. 

We scored 99 goal in the league last season, (which is brilliant), but at the other end we conceded 69 which was the join highest in the league and 1 higher than the team who finished bottom. Despite that, our GD was the highest in the league so however bad we are at the back we're more than making up for it up front. 

To have a 20+ goal a season striker has become the norm now, but considering they don't take pens, to have 1 score 30 and another score 23, (and the 3rd at 15), is really pleasing. (And don't forget we've lost a GK who scored 10 goals and another GK scored 5, so there's another 15 goals right there, plus the 3 pens that were missed.  Assists were shared about much more with nobody hitting double figures, and I think that's largely due to us losing players who were big players when they left. 

The aim was promotion at the start of the season, (at least for me), and it was great to get that done at the 1st attempt. Strangely the board want a top 4 finish next season but there was no expectation of promotion this season. (That doesn't seem quite right).

It's also a L4 "requirement", (which is just about a demand). That seems strange. 

The supporters also expect to finish in the top 4 next season, and that seems really strange. 

Squad by appearances. 

Squad by goals. 

Squad by assists. 

Squad by Avg rating. 

Squad by CA. 

Squad by PA.

[Jimbokav1971]

41 minutes ago, Vakama2619 said:

I'm pretty sure he said on X he was going for T10 realism again, I could be wrong tho

 

40 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Oh, shame. I only read it 2nd hand

 

34 minutes ago, Vakama2619 said:

tbh I could be wrong but yeah, he posted the beta however I haven't taken a look as I plan to stick with the L13 one

When I 1st saw his video's I had to check and double check that he was actually talking about a real team. I haven't watched more than a few mins though so don't know all the info. Assuming they are a Saturday club then we would expect them to be in a league next season? I will really have to talk to him and see what's what. 

[Jimbokav1971]

36 minutes ago, Vakama2619 said:

Seems everyone's doing a Scottish save lately, definitely following

I don't know about anyone else, but the @phnompenhandythread is brilliant and really caught my eye. That's a large part of the reason I'm here, (and the database being available of course and getting positive feedback). I might have shied away from the database without seeing others comment positively 1st because I'm still not very trusting when it comes to me putting my save in the hands of others. 

[Jimbokav1971]

10 minutes ago, ToMexico!! said:

Imagine being the 22 fans that didn't show up to the Corkerhill thriller compared to the Kilwinning loss. Congrats on the promotion! 

How fickle are they? Maybe they were still hungover after we secured promotion with the Bearsden result. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Questions. May 2024. 

I really need to check up with the other threads to see if I can answer these questions before having to ask them. 

1. We just have a Senior squad to start off with. At what stage do we get an U18's squad? (Semi-Pro?) I take it that's likely to come with promotion to WoS leagues. Maybe I should learn to walk before trying to run. 
2. When is it ok to ask for Youth Recruitment & Junior Coaching upgrades? I have seen that @phnompenhandyhas had quite a few upgrades, but his team started 2 levels higher and looking at his players there is an enormous gulf in class from where we are to where they currently are. Maybe I just need to plough on and try again at the end of next season. (Don't really have a choice). 

Facilities. 

Off the back fo our 1st promotion I thought I would chance my arm. 

I think this is what you call "a firm no". 

Junior Coaching was also a no, but it was a much less firm no than Youth Recruitment, so maybe this is my best route for development in our current circumstances. 

You know, I'm not sure I have ever actually looked at what our facilities are like. 

Oof.  It's been a while since I was at a club like this. 

Absolutely no surprise that a 30 goal a season striker has gone straight in as an ICON. 

Finances. Ticket prices have been frozen, (except for season tickets which have gone up 125%. Those 5 fans are going to be livid!  I am really just ignoring the finances at the moment. There is absolutely nothing within my control because our playing budget is £0 per day/week/month/year. We spend nothing. 

Even when we do start paying players my general strategy will be to ignore the finances as long as we're within our budgets. Everything else is down to...... (what's the Scottish version of El Presidente?) Chieftain O'Donnell?  Anyone got anything more appropriate? 

[phnompenhandy]

6 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

1. We just have a Senior squad to start off with. At what stage do we get an U18's squad? (Semi-Pro?) I take it that's likely to come with promotion to WoS leagues. Maybe I should learn to walk before trying to run. 
2. When is it ok to ask for Youth Recruitment & Junior Coaching upgrades?

1. Ridiculously early. It was after my 2nd season that we went semi-pro (i.e. first promotion, to Tier 12, so you might get it earlier). I think we also got an U18s team at that point too. It isn't in a league but is entered into one cup, I think.

2. Any time. Most of my requests were refused due to no finances. We're still on half a star facility-wise, 5 years in. I think it's my coaching badge progress more than facilities or staff that is, along with first team experience, causing improvements in ability. Mind you, that does mean giving all players in my squad a decent amount of first team experience. I've noticed they fester just playing Under 18 matches.

[Jimbokav1971]

11 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

1. Ridiculously early. It was after my 2nd season that we went semi-pro (i.e. first promotion, to Tier 12, so you might get it earlier). I think we also got an U18s team at that point too. It isn't in a league but is entered into one cup, I think.

2. Any time. Most of my requests were refused due to no finances. We're still on half a star facility-wise, 5 years in. I think it's my coaching badge progress more than facilities or staff that is, along with first team experience, causing improvements in ability. Mind you, that does mean giving all players in my squad a decent amount of first team experience. I've noticed they fester just playing Under 18 matches.

I think what I will do is just keep asking for Junior Coaching and Youth Recruitment upgrades after any significant success, (ie promotion or Cup exploit, or if we're top of a table mid season), and just expect the requests to be declined and if they get accepted then great. 

My plan for the 2nd Team is to play regular friendlies this season, (I think). Assuming I can find someone to play friendlies. I think what really helped us beat so many teams in leagues above us in Cups last season is that we rotated our squad and played poorer players who were fit and this trumped better players who were tired. In order to do this though, they need to be match fit and the Cup games on their own isn't enough for this. Ideally, if we play most of our league games on a Saturday, then a friendly on a Sunday would give them the most time to recover. I just hope this doesn't impact on the limited training we're already doing. I might have to play the friendly on a Saturday at the same time as the league game if it impacts on training, (although I can see that being a disaster). 

[phnompenhandy]

Just now, Jimbokav1971 said:

I think what I will do is just keep asking for Junior Coaching and Youth Recruitment upgrades after any significant success, (ie promotion or Cup exploit, or if we're top of a table mid season), and just expect the requests to be declined and if they get accepted then great. 

My plan for the 2nd Team is to play regular friendlies this season, (I think). Assuming I can find someone to play friendlies. I think what really helped us beat so many teams in leagues above us in Cups last season is that we rotated our squad and played poorer players who were fit and this trumped better players who were tired. In order to do this though, they need to be match fit and the Cup games on their own isn't enough for this. Ideally, if we play most of our league games on a Saturday, then a friendly on a Sunday would give them the most time to recover. I just hope this doesn't impact on the limited training we're already doing. I might have to play the friendly on a Saturday at the same time as the league game if it impacts on training, (although I can see that being a disaster). 

The problem I had in tier 13 was that there were no weaker teams to play friendlies against, so any time we played, we got hammered and morale crashed. It will be interesting to compare your experience.

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2024. 

Although we have 26 players at the club, I don't think we're anywhere near ready to have a full 2nd Team that can come in and rotate. At the moment we've just got more "bodies" who can cover in an emergency than we had last season. I will probably look to cull quite regularly throughout the season as players annoy be due to their limitations in some way or another. 

GK. I don't like (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" as a GK and (24p) McComb (NIR) (Bal) 5'10" is even worse. I'm really desperate to either get a good GK through the next intake or to somehow get (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" back in from..... FC Polonia, (there's no way that's a Scottish club!!!)...... (it is of course a Scottish club who play in the Midland First Division which is..... oh I've got no idea.  I'm wondering if I could bin both these GK's off and then sign the grey replacement that would be offered when I manage to get 1 of them injured?  (I'm only half joking). 

1st Team. 
Backup. (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2"
Backup. (24p) McComb (NIR) (Bal) 5'10"

DL. I have released (23) Breslin (Bal) immediately. There is no point in him being here when we have a 15 year old who we might be able to develop. 

1st Team. (23) Esson (Unamb)
Backup. (24o) Hay (Bal)

Release. (23) Breslin (Bal)

DR. 

1st Team. (23) Currid (Bal) 5'10"
Backup. (24h) Shirra (L.Det)

DC. We're really struggling in this area. Desperate for reinforcements. 

1st Team DLC. (23) Craig (L.H) 5'10"
1st Team DC. (23) King (IRL) (L.Det) 6'2"
1st Team DRC. (24f) Ryan (IRL)(SCO) 6'2"

Backup. (24i) Breslin (F.Pro) 5'8"
Backup. (23) Macdonald (F.Loyal) 6'0"

MC. I'm going to have to be brave here I think. We've already lost (23) King (IRL) (L.Det) 6'2" from the middle of the pitch because he has had to step back into the Libero role. (23) Sithole (SCO)(RSA) (Spir) contributed 6 goals and 9 assists, (largely in the 2nd half of the season), so he will be given another go. (23) Pittman (Bal) is the only lefty and actually he only made 13(18) appearances last season and contributed 1 goal and 7 assists, so maybe we give him another ho to see how he goes as 1st choice. The 3 new youngsters can just slot in when needed. I think we're week in terms of technical ability here though. 

1st Team MLC. (23) Pittman (Bal)
1st Team MRC. (23) Sithole (SCO)(RSA) (Spir)

Backup. (24k) Moore (Unamb) MC
Backup. (24n) Currid (Unamb)
Backup. (24a) Bonar (Unamb)

SC. Even if we take out the players who play in positions within our formation other than striker, there are still too many bodies here. (23) King (IRL) (L.Det) 6'2" is a centre-half, (24a) Bonar (Unamb) is a centre-mid, (24k) Moore (Unamb) MC is a centre-mid, (24n) Currid (Unamb) is a centre-mid, (23) Pittman (Bal) is a centre-mid, (23) Sithole (SCO)(RSA) (Spir) is a centre-mid and (23) Shirra (Bal) MC is a centre-mid. (23) Berry (Unamb)  WBL is a WB. (23) Martindale (F.Amb) WBL was gonna be a WB but now I'm going to stick with him as a wide attacker. He played all over last season. 

That leaves us with.... actually, that's only 6 players so that's fine actually.  

The 2 Thom's are nailed on because of their goal scoring record last season, but (23) Scobbie (Real) wasn't at the same level so I'm going to drop him and give someone else a go on the left. I like the look of (24d) Main (Unamb), but he's right only so I want to play him on the right. That means that (24m) Thomson (Unamb), (who also just happens to be a lefty), comes in as 1st choice on the left up front. 

1st Team SLC. (24m) Thomson (Unamb)
1st Team SC. (23) Thom (Unamb)
1st Team SRC. (23) Thom (Leader) 6'2"

Backup. (24d) Main (Unamb)
Backup. (23) Scobbie (Real)
Backup. (23) Fraser (L.H)

I'm relatively happy with WB's. midfield and front 3. It's just GK and centre-half which is a walking disaster zone. 

God only knows how many will leave between now and the start of the season. 

 

[Jimbokav1971]

15 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

The problem I had in tier 13 was that there were no weaker teams to play friendlies against, so any time we played, we got hammered and morale crashed. It will be interesting to compare your experience.

Interesting. I don't usually factor in the result of these friendlies, but then again maybe that's because we're always winning them in other saves so I don't have to. 

Will keep an eye on it and report back. 

[Thebaker]

There seems to be a huge gap between your best players and everyone else. I'm also surprised the finances are so poor, where is the money going, can't all be on the upkeep of the pitch.

Edited December 6, 2023 by Thebaker