Jon1982

Part 76 - Farewell EDC! My tenure at EDC had come to an abrupt end and in one of the worse ways possible. My interfering new chairman, Sann Veasna sold, or gave away one of best players, Men Samnang to our bitter rivals, Khemera without telling anybody else and it only came to light on the morning of a televised match against Phnom Penh Crown. This was a clear breach of trust between manager and chairman, one that is essential for the successful running of a football club on and off the field. I had not known Sann Veasna long, but it was clear to me by his actions how this was going to play out and it was something I did not want to be part of any more.. His interfering ways in recruitment, training and with some of the players themselves had affected everybody from the cleaning ladies to me the manager. There was an underlying reason also and that was an acceptance that while we remained semi-professional, we would always be the bridesmaids in the C-League, finishing around 5th each season. Thirdly this is The Ultimate World FM Game and I've only been to one country so far!! So, where did we leave off last time..?? Yes I'm in a fit of anger after leaving EDC and driving home. As I was doing this, I got a call from Nen Borey. I parked up at the side of the road "Jonathan, What's happened?" "I've quit Nen.." "Ohh Jonathan.." "I'm fed up of his BS" I was aware that Nen Borey may have his eyes on taking over, as he had been building up his coaching badges and had already been linked to both the Vishaka and Svay Rieng jobs. As far as I'm concerned he was welcome to it.. "I'm done with EDC Nen, I'm going elsewhere." "Are you leaving Cambodia?" "Probably.." "Jonathan it won't be the same without you. Please reconsider." "No Nen. My mind is I'm done with EDC and with Cambodia. It's been great working with you Nen, but its time to move on to pastures new." The conversation ended and I continued on my way home. When I arrived home I messaged Charlotte, who was at the hospital to tell her the deed was done, but I'd give her more details later. I made a cup of tea and then fell asleep for a while. I should be taking training now.. then having a scouting meeting.. well I won't be missing the latter.. but I missed the lads, the banter, developing young players into better ones, that kind of thing. Our next game was a very winnable away match against Build Bright United and we would be doing our Chance Creation and conversion routines which was always a favourite.. Later on, Charlotte stopped by to cheer me up and I told her of the parting conversation I'd had with my now ex-boss, Sann Veasna. She was shocked at how dismissive he'd been. The big elephant in the room though was where would we go next? Would we stay in Cambodia, or leave for pastures new? My managerial stock was pretty high in this country and could probably get whatever job I wanted. Nagaworld, Boeung Ket and Phnom Penh Crown had at one time or another offered me the job, but each time I had turned them down, believing I could win the title with part-time EDC. It turned out Charlotte and I both wanted to leave Cambodia for different reasons. Me for footballing reason, in that I wanted to challenge myself in (no disrespect) a bigger and more developed football nation than Cambodia. My partner on the other hand had too many bad memories of Phnom Penh, living in poverty for a time with her mother and after her death going through a low period in her life which led her to the much documented series of failed relationships. She also wanted an adventure somewhere else. A fresh start. Part of me wanted to get the country generator out again and go somewhere completely different, but waiting for those leagues to load and new jobs to become available would take too long and I had to think of Charlotte as well. It would have to be somewhere she was happy to relocate to as well. Taking Charlotte to manage a team in the high Arctic, or on a desert island wouldn't perhaps be the best idea for the long term future of our relationship! We agreed on either Thailand or Malaysia, Indonesia or Australia. The latter was notoriously difficult to access politically and as there were only about ten teams in the A-League, not many managerial vacancies, even though a new life there would of course be amazing! I updated my Management CV and looked at the special Football Management Job Centre page in the sky to see which clubs had vacancies. There were numerous Thai clubs, mainly in the amateur leagues, but I would need to at least sign for a semi-pro outfit so I could earn a wage. I needed to earn money, I couldn't just do this for fun. There were no jobs going in Malaysia or Indonesia at this point, just Thailand and some in the other leagues loaded, Papua New Guinea and East Timor, but neither of us fancied going there. The next day... Inevitably news of my departure had travelled fast to the pages of the Khmer Times, with a picture of me leaving The Electricity Stadium.. I'm not sure when the picture was taken, but it certainly wasn't yesterday.. Anyway the news had reached the fans and Sann Veasna had wasted no time in slagging me off on social media. He'd obviously got one of his henchmen to tweet the below... “Rudd was absolutely robbing a living at EDC, so glad he’s gone.” Charming! The press rang me up for an interview which I duly obliged and with all the bluntness of my Yorkshire roots, told them how it bloody was. The chairman had sold one of my best players, Men Samnang to Khemera without telling me, rendering my position as manager untenable and that while I bore no grudge with the player himself, I was more than upset with the chairman for forcing him out of the club to one of our rivals. He had done this so his signing, Jefri Henri Bisai, who again I bore no grudge with and was a good player, could play instead and that if Veasna had any ounce of footballing brain would have realised that I was playing both in a 4-3-3 formation and because Men Samnang could also play as a left inverted winger and the Indonesian was a central midfielder I could if I so desired play them in the same eleven in a 4-4-2 formation as well if required... A few days later..... It's fair to say I was moping around my apartment, missing the lads and missing the preparations for a big match. The only bright spark of the day was a visit from Charlotte after her hospital shift. She had promised a meal out that evening to cheer me up. I'd best get ready I suppose.. She arrived at 5pm, looking as resplendent as usual. Boy I loved her.. We got in the taxi and headed towards the centre of Phnom Penh. Charlotte was grinning from ear to ear throughout the journey... What was she up to? She was hatching another one of her schemes again, I could tell... The taxi pulled up in Sisworth Quay. I momentarily looked over at the spot where I had nervously waited for Charlotte on that balmy evening around one year ago. We had come such a long way since then. I had back then been secure in my job and the team was doing well. She led me into a bar, again the same one where we had officially got together on that night after she had explained about her previous relations with my now ex-chairman Hem Vutha. Upon entering the bar I noticed that an area of it had been roped off for a party. It was full of people and my first thoughts were whether or not we could get a seat and that it may take a while for us to get served. Suddenly all the people in the bar stood up and started clapping and cheering. A few chants of "Jonny Rudd's Electric Army," rang out... The bar was full of EDC fans...? I looked closer.. Nen Borey came over and shook my hand.. There was Chan Vannak my Head of Youth Development and... Sok Oeun Pidor!..... Taboula... Nhem,,.. Ratana... all stood applauding.. Raymond Etim!.. Tuy Oudom,... Chea Samnang.. Leap Bo... Um Makara... Min Rattanak.... Men Samnang (of all people)... Maol Daravon,, oh my god,, He was there,,, Keo Udom.... Anderson Gbayoro.. Mat Noron.... All the lads were there and coaching staff. Then Hem Vutha, the ex-chairman stepped forward and quietened the crowd... "Jonathan.. we just wanted to say thankyou thankyou thankyou for being our manager... Electricitie Du Cambodge and all the success you brought our team, for winning the Hun Sen Cup and The Kings Cup and establishing EDC as a strong C-League Club and improving football in the C-League as a whole. "We are very sorry you are leaving and things ended the way that they did with that ba***rd Sann Veasna! I wish I had never sold the club to him! But.. tonight is not about him, but about this amazing Englishman who managed our team with such distinction and honour.. " Well at least you can go to Malaysia now Jonathan without having to face me when you get back! Hahaha" "You must thank the lovely Charlotte here for arranging everything at such short notice, but we could not miss this opportunity to say thankyou for all you have done for us..." The whole room cheered and raised their glasses. Charlotte was grinning from ear to ear. "Jonathan a few words??" I was completely unprepared for this.. "Well... This is such a surprise... I thought Charlotte here was just taking me out for a meal and I've ended up here with you lot.. Those in the team I hope you remember that you have an important game Saturday! Cue a few laughs.. "But seriously I came to EDC not knowing what to expect.... how I would manage to train a team without speaking Khmer?.. How I would manage against opponents I'd never even heard of? You guys all helped me through that and did yourselves proud both as people and footballers. It has been the most amazing experience of my life to be the EDC manager and has been an honour to bring two trophies into your cabinet. Charlotte, thankyou so much for organising this and getting everybody together. Up the EDC!!" I then spent the best night of my life, chatting to all who had come to celebrate, reminiscing about old matches, the time we helped two fishermen pull a fish out the Mekong River on the way back from a cup tie against Mondul Kiri, the trip to Angkor Wat before the first Hun Sen Cup Final, signing "The Cambodian Pele" and of course winning the cup. All brilliant memories from this wonderful little football club... I managed to catch a word with Men Samnang and turned out that he had been practically manhandled out of the club on the morning of the Phnom Penh Crown game by a couple of Veasna's heavies.. He'd turned up at the ground on the morning of the game as normal, looking forward to taking on The Crown live on television, but was told at the door that he had been "sold" to Khemera.. and that if he contacted me about it then they would do more than just manhandle him into a taxi.... While the night in general had cheered me up, hearing this story from a talented young footballer, who was just 19 years old made me fear what the future may hold for all the staff at Electricite Du Cambodge FC with Sann Veasna in charge.. The End (of this part at least)

Phnompenh Andy! Thanks for your message and glad you are still reading the story. No i'm staying with FM21 for now, as I have to think of the time factor with the story, because any new game would have to begin in 2026 and going on holiday for 3 years would take an age.. When I first started the story the intention was this to be a journeyman save taking in several countries and may be finding my way back to Blighty, but I kind of got attached to EDC and Cambodia so stayed there (in real time) for nearly 3 years!

Thanks oche. I wouldn't say bigger club, but certainly a very different challenge. All will be revealed soon, as well as (BenArsenal) the aftermath of my sudden departure from EDC...

Part 75 - Untenable! Life at EDC was not the same. My autocratic chairman, Sann Veasna had imposed himself on the whole club and his meddling nature was beginning to have a huge effect on everybody concerned. It wasn't just the two 'surprise' signings of Bisai and Doloh, who had turned out to be decent footballers, as well as decent human beings, but he was everywhere. I couldn't go five minutes without seeing those bloody sunglasses and that annoying grin. He was there at training, in the dressing room before and after matches, telling me and my staff what they should or shouldn't be doing. He even attended scouting meetings. His predecessor, Hem Vutha always kept out of the football side of things and trusted me and my team to get on with our jobs. While he was present at matches and only appeared in the dressing room when invited, such as during both the Hun Sen Cup finals we had been involved with, he showed no interest in team affairs. Sann Veasna was the exact opposite. The tension was rising and it would take just one thing to light the spark... And guess what... The transfer window had just swung open. What could possibly go wrong? The Morning of The EDC v Phnom Penh Game It was Saturday 30th May 2026 and it was the day of the big, televised C-League game against Phnom Penh Crown. As was ritual for home fixtures the players would meet at 12, have a pre-match meal and then prepare for the game. We congregated in the dressing room and after the usual chat and banter was flying around amongst the lads, we began our brief meeting about team selection, who was in the team, who wasn't on the bench and remind them of the formation and tactics "So lads, Phnom Penh Crown. We have a good record against them and I feel confident of victory." "I'm going in with a 4-2-3-1... Som in goal, Sophorn you keep your place at right back, Mol, Adekunjo, Ratana, Makara your in the holding role, Bisai, Nhem and Pidor you are left and right wing and Men Samnang you are in the number 10 role behind Taboula." I looked round. "Men Samnang.." Where's Men Samnang?" "Anyone know?" There was silence. "Does anyone know where Men Samang is?" More silence.. "He hasn't accidently been put in the reserve squad?" "No replied Nen Borey, they don't have a game till Tuesday?" With that in swaggered Sann Veasna. "Sann, where is my number 10, Men Samnang?" Do you know where he is?" "Oh he signed for Khemera this morning." He replied glibly. "WHAT?" "Men Samnang has gone to Khemera.>" "Yeah he's gone.." "And you didn't think to tell me that my f****** best player this season, number 10, capped five times for his country aged just 18 and free-kick specialist has left the club and you did not tell me! "Well it's OK you've got Bisai who I signed. He can play." "That's not the point! You sold a player behind my back! The players looked on astonished as me and my chairman argued in front of them. "Maybe there's been some misunderstanding." reasoned Nen Borey. "Misunderstanding! He's sold our best player to one of our f***** rivals.."~ "I think we need to discuss this later. We have an important match today" and with that he vanished. I was fuming! Match 11 EDC v Phnom Penh Crown The EDC bandwagon rolls on to a home fixture against the Crown, which was live on BTV Cambodia, somethign which I really could have done without given the mood I was in. I After Men Samnang’s shock departure, Sung Rot takes his place in the AMC role. Mat Mol is back at the back and Um Makara moves into DMC. Our opponents lie in a lowly 8th. Team: Som, Sophorn, Mol, Adekunjo, Ratana, Makara, Bisai, Sung Rot, Nhem, Taboula, Pidor Match Action We start on the front foot and Sophorn’s cross sees Taboula have an effort tipped over the bar from the angle. But. A random free kick results in Prak Udom volleying home Chay Daravon’s free kick.. They look dangerous n the break. Soksana fires just wide, while Bisai whistles a free kick just past the post. 1-0 at the break. Into the second half I go 4-2-4. We somehow can’t get up for this game and we lack the spark that Men Samnang would have given us.. I change Dara for Taboula and Um Mony Udom for the ineffectual Pidor. Un Mony Udom forces a flying save from the keeper after a direct free kick. However we just cannot seem to get the ball off them. Our misery is compounded when Soksana barges his way past Mol and fires a low shot past Som for 2-0.. We’ve just never looked like winning this game no matter what we did. A disappointing defeat and our 5 match winning run comes to an end. Not that I care. This will be my last game in charge. I have made up my mind. Final Score EDC 0-2 Phnom Penh Crown Udom 17 Soksana 76 After the post match ritual had been completed in which I (think) I successfully managed to hide my thoughts about quitting EDC to the Cambodian Match of The Day cameras, I had a very important discussion to have with my better half. As normal after a home fixture I met up with Charlotte, who as usual had been at the game and we headed to one of our favourite Thai restaurants in downtown Phnom Penh. While we were both disappointed about the result, it was not really at the forefront of my mind. She had been aware of my growing frustrations in the job and the new chairman's interfering ways, but at this point had no idea about the Men Samnang situation and the fact that I felt my role as manager was becoming untenable. Funnily enough it was she who brought up the subject of my former attacking midfielder. "Where was Men Samnang? Was he injured in the warm up?" "Funny you should mention him.. He's left EDC and gone to Khemera." I explained about the pre-match argument between me and my chairman, of which she listened to open-mouthed. "And he didn't tell you? What are you going to do?" "Resign." She paused for a moment, sweeping her beautiful hair down her back and shoulders. "What are you going to do, are you going to find another job in Cambodia?" This was not something I had thought about, but there had been an itch with me for some time to try my hand in another country, one a bit more advanced than Cambodia, possibly Thailand. "Well let's see how things go, but I need to ask you something." "If I was to get a manager's job in another country would you join me?" She paused. That beautiful smile spread across her face. She nodded and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Yes... I just want to be with you. Wherever we go they will always need nurses and well lets get out of Phnom Penh and Cambodia. I have nothing but bad memories here." Yes Yes Yes let's start a new life somewhere else." We hugged across the table and held hands. My mind was made up. I would hand in my resignation from EDC in the morning. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I felt nervous as I drove to The Electricity Stadium perhaps for the final time. As I travelled memories of the last six years came flooding back.. The Kevin Keegan-esque rant in the press conference, winning the Hun Sen Cup and Kings Cup, my trip to Angkor Wat with Nen Borey, signing the Cambodian Pele, Charlotte and I tapping up players at the club's end of season bash. Amazing memories from an amazing club which would forever be in my heart. I climbed the stairs and knocked on the boardroom door. His secretary let me in and asked me to sit down. Sann Veasna emerged from behind his desk. He laid on the charm as usual. "Jonathan! great to see you!" What can I do for you?" "Sann.. I wish to resign from EDC with immediate effect.." Even the normal cool Sann Veasna paused. "You know yeah your right I mean it's not like were really going anywhere under your management. We were a pile a s**** against Phnom Penh Crown and I don't really want you as my manager any more. I think there's better out there.." I was insulted. "Sann I've given six f****** years of my life to this club, in a country and league which is completely unfamiliar to me. I've taken this team to two cup finals, one of which we won and have consolidated EDC as a respected and established club in the Cambodian C-League. This club is in a far better place than when I took over six years ago when we were constantly fighting relegation. I am proud of my achievements here, but you know what, I think it's time to move on as I cannot work under a complete p**** like you who sells my best player to a rival without even telling me. I quit," I stormed out the room, ran down the stairs trying to fight the tears, got into my car and drove out of the Electricity Stadium for the very last time. My tenure of managing the first club on The Ultimate World FM Game - EDC of Cambodia was over, but where will I end up next? Find out next time on the Ultimate World FM Game! to be continued.......

Thanks Ben, I'm guessing this is what has happened at EDC. It may be to do with energy costs going up as well which meant they had less money to spend on the football club. The difference is that Asian clubs are often linked to national institutions (police, army, energy company, brewery, casino etc) rather than towns and cities as in Europe which means their fortunes are linked to how much money these businesses make and maybe in harder times the associated football club is the first to go in cost cutting measures.

I was very sad to hear that according to the EDC Wikipedia page, the real life club was sadly dissolved at some point this year. Since I have been writing this story and when football in Cambodia resumed after the pandemic, the real EDC were actually in the Second Division and were promoted back to the C-League as Champions in 2022. Unfortunately this year they could not fulfil their fixtures (not sure of the reasons why I presume financial difficulties) and they disbanded, which is a great shame. EDC had a great little Facebook page and even streamed live matches on there, which was quite surreal for me to watch and see their stadium, players and fans thousands of miles away in the UK. Strange coincidence but their goalkeeper, was in fact Sokundara Som who also is my first choice keeper on the game, but was not part of the original squad. Quite what the club thought of a mad Englisman liking their posts, or whether they were aware of my story I'm not sure.. It seemed like a lovely little club though. If any of you guys who live in this part of the world have more details on their demise that would be appreciated. R.I.P EDC 2015-2023 Hopefully the spirit of the club will live on in this story!

Part 74 - Keep Calm and Carry on Up The C-League This was the carry-on film that never made it to the big or small screen, only the cutting room floor.. An Englishman trying to win the Cambodian Premier League title with a part time team representing an Electricity Company....Seven seasons in and we have only one Hun Sen Cup and the Kings Cup (The Cambodian version of the Community Shield) to show for my efforts. Maybe I have overachieved, with a team that can only offer players appearance money and a little bit less if summoned from the subs bench, or maybe I have underachieved with the talent I have had over the years. Have I taken this team as far as I can? With the help of my new chairman, can I build a team that can challenge the four professional clubs again? The future begins here, starting with my first ever opponents, Bati Youth in the cup. Match 7 – EDC v Bati Youth – Hun Sen Cup 2nd Qualifying Round 05/05/26 It’s showdown time! I’ve been counting the days until we get the opportunity to inflict sweet revenge on the acne ridden kids of The Bati Youth Academy. They are currently in 8th place in the Cambodian 2nd Division Group C and an easy win is predicted for Team Electric. I field a strong team, but replace my two strikers with Noron and Nhem Dara to give them some minutes. Team: Som, Sophorn, Adekunjo, Mol, Ratana, Soksuena, Men Samnang, Tuy Oudom, Dara, Noron, Pidor We dominate possession but fail to create a clear cut chance. Then on the near side of the pitch, Tuy Oudom pulls up. This looks serious and is stretchered off the pitch. Not the start I had in mind. Chhim Pheara replaces him. We look good but again that final ball is lacking. Dara gets down the right and his cross finds Noron, but the defender blocks his effort for a corner.. We have possession but cannot break down the stubborn kids, who have if anything perfected the offside trap as Noron and Dara keep stepping into it. This is getting a little frustrating.. Nil Nil at the break. Everybody in the ground is asleep.. I go 4-3-3 with Noron, Dara and Pheara forming a three pronged attack. Pidor now in a Mezzala role flights a lovely ball for Dara to run onto and his shot strikes the foot of the post and wide.. Then, relief.. Ratana gets down the left from full back. His low cross causes panic in the Bati defence and after a bit of a scramble the ball falls to Nhem Dara who tucks the ball into the corner of the net. It wasn’t pretty but it was exactly what we needed. We look the most likely to double our advantage, Dara’s cross to Pheara on the far post results in the youngster skewing his effort wide. We are just once cock up way from disaster though. This almost happens from a corner where Men Samnang hacks a header off the line.. Concentrate,, So much for a handsome victory, sweet revenge on those pesky kids, we are hanging on a little here.. I slow the tempo down and to short passing and this seems to do the trick as we re-assert control. Nhem Dara who has played well gets down the left, before checking inside and delivering a fine cross to the onrushing Pheara at the far post who this time makes no mistake, placing the ball into the corner of the net with a first time cushioned volley, for a more comfortable 2-0 scoreline. Job done and into the next round we go. Thankfully lightning doesn’t strike twice! Final Score – Bati Youth 0-2 EDC Dara 52 Pheara 89 Match 8 – National Defence v EDC We travel to the army team in reasonable spirits, knowing a win here would propel us into the top half of the table. I go in with a 4-2-3-1 with Chea Samnang making his first start of the season and Um Makara moving to centre back in the absence of the suspended Mat Mol. The hosts surprisingly languish at the bottom of the table with just four points, but seem to have a reasonable team at their disposal. Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Makara, Adekunjo, Ratana, Soksuena, Chea Samnang, Men Samnang, Nhem, Taboula, Pidor Match Action We win an early free kick, which Men Samnag swings in to Nhem! His header smacks against the upright and is cleared by the National Defence. Promising start. Men Samnang wriggles his way into the box but can only shoot tamely at the keeper. At the other end, a quick breakaway leads to Kim Rithy shooting but is well saved by Som. Nhem goes on a storming run which results in him firing just over the bar. Some nice moves result in poor finishing, especially from Taboula. 0-0 at the break, but we have looked far more likely to break the deadlock. Into the second half and I go 4-2-4 as we lacked width in the first half. Still we create chances, Makara heads wide from a corner and the National Defence live up to their name. Frustrating. Then to make matters worse a quick goal kick results in a race between their striker and Makara. My player holds him back and is also on a yellow. The ref takes a dim view and sends him off. I move sub Leap Bo to an emergency left back but funnily enough still feel we can win. The Defence sense an opportunity though and nearly score with a header just over the crossbar. We haven’t given up despite our numerical disadvantage. Sub Pheara goes on a barnstorming run through the midfield. He finds Nhem in the right channel who runs at his defender. His cross is cut out but the defender can only chest the ball into the path of Men Samnang who fires home from close range for a much deserved lead. Run Oudom lives up to his name before firing a shot which is saved low by Som. They come again and only a last ditch tackle from Ratana, now playing in central defence prevents an easy tap in. We are made of sterner stuff this season and hold out for a hard-earned three points. Final Score National Defence 0-1 EDC Men Samnang 80 It was a few days after the National Defence game and I was taking training. During the session I was interrupted by my chairman, Sann Veasna. Firstly it was a surprise to see him on the training field (something his predecessor would never have done), but what was even more surprising is that he was accompanied by two players, who I did not recognise. One was a short spiky haired dude, the other seemingly of Thai origin was taller. Veasna was still wearing those sunglasses.. "Jonathan.. he grinned, I want you to meet Jefri Bisai and Watthana Doloh.. They will be joining the club at the start of the new transfer window on 16th May..." This was really awkward. While I knew about Bisai, I did not know who was this Doloh fella was? I'd never heard of him, let alone know even what position he played... What was his pedigree? Was he also "tearing it up in the Thai amateur leagues?" I bit my tongue.. "Welcome to EDC," I uttered, as I bowed to each of the new signings in turn. "This is an exciting new era for the club and to lay down a marker to our rivals, I have signed these to bad boys," he turned grinning like a Cheshire cat at both of them... like he'd signed both Messi and Ronaldo on the same day.. Bisai and Doloh laughed nervously. "Well, gotta move on, we have contracts to sort out.. Happy training!" I gave a fake smile, before turning to Nen Borey who had come over to meet them as well. I shook my head. "I'm not sure how long I can put up with this Nen?" "Jonathan.. let's see how good these players are first. They may be just what we need for the team.." "I don't know, even if they are good players, what's the point of having a recruitment team if the chairman is going to sign everybody. Am I now obliged to play them both against Angkor Tiger on Saturday? Can I even sign players of my own in the upcoming transfer window?" After training I paid another visit to my Data Analyst's cupboard, Vinny Samways and all to get the lowdown on Watthana Doloh. Thankfully he had taken my advice and had tidied it up. Turns out, Doloh had been "tearing it up" for the mighty Prachinbui United in yes you've guessed it the Thai Third Division, which are regional semi-pro/amateur leagues... He was a right winger apparently... "We don't need another right winger, we have Tuy Oudom, Nhem and Pheara who can all play there, plus young Thin Pheng a promising 16-year old wide man in my youth team who was widely tipped to break into the first team in the future.. I thanked my data analyst and headed home for the day, wondering whether this could be the beginning of the end for me at EDC. I could not manage a team that was not my own, regardless of the ability of the players that were being bought by my new chairman. The Chairman’s Signings Watthana Doloh 1.5K from Prachinbui United (Thai) Watthana Doloh has landed in my squad (whether I like it or not) A decentish player but a risk. Jeff Henri Bisai (MC) 1.7K from Persewar (Ind) A midfielder with a bit of everything. Let's see of my chairman has a Judging Player Ability of 20... Match 9 Angkor Tiger v EDC Four straight wins in all competitions have helped to give the team new belief and confidence as we travel to The champions, Angkor Tiger. Three changes see Mol return for the suspended Makara and Nhem Sophorn for Kongsmarch. New signing Jefri Bisai starts in midfield, while new Thai winger Doloh is on the bench. Not sure what’s going on at the beer company, as they languish in 9th, while we start the game in 6th place. They still have the dangerous Omakafe and Bista in their ranks, despite their surprisingly lowly league position. All to play for as we try and catch runaway leaders, The National Police.. Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Mol, Adekunjo, Sophorn, Soksuena, Bisai, Men Samnang, Nhem, Taboula, Pidor. Match 9 Angkor Tiger v EDC Four straight wins in all competitions have helped to give the team new belief and confidence as we travel to The champions, Angkor Tiger. Three changes see Mol return for the suspended Makara and Nhem Sophorn for Kongsmarch. New signing Jefri Bisai starts in midfield, while new Thai winger Doloh is on the bench. Not sure what’s going on at the beer company as they languish in 9th , while we start the game in 6th place. They still have the dangerous Omakafe and Bista in their ranks, despite their surprisingly lowly league position. All to play for as we try and catch runaway leaders, The National Police.. Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Mol, Adekunjo, Sophorn, Soksuena, Bisai, Men Samnang, Nhem, Taboula, Pidor. Match Action We start brightly, but it is Tiger who have the first chance when Omakafe shoots wide from the edge of the box. From the resulting goal kick Som rolls it out to Mol, who finds Sophorn. Sophorn to Nhem. Nhem dribbles infield and lays it off to Men Samnang.. Samnang, sprays a lovely 30 yard ball wide left to Sok Oeun Pidor, Pidor for EDC on the left edge of the area. He finds a cross to Bisai! BisaiiiiiiII!!!!! What a goal. He strikes the ball first time into the top corner from 25 yards with his first ever touch in an EDC shirt! Unbelievable Jeff! Jefri Henri Bisai scores on his debut! What a way to announce himself to his new club! Amazing! Pidor tries to emulate his team mate moments later but his long range effort is well saved. At the other end, Tiger head one over from a corner. We look up for this though. The impressive Men Samnang picks up the ball in midfield and runs at the Tiger defence. He lays it back to Nhem Sophorn who lifts a lovely ball over the top for the onrushing Nhem... 2-0! He bludgeons it into the top corner from inside the box. Brilliant from the youngster once again! A Men Samnang free kick is met by the head of Adekunjo! It hits the upright! We haven’t had it all our own way but our defence has snuffed out anything that the Tiger can throw at us. Then on 42 minutes, Bisai lays the ball back to Sophorn who once again plays a fine forward pass to the onrushing Nhem and in a carbon copy of his first goal slams the ball home for number three. Where were the Angkor Tiger? Quite frankly.. who cares? Bista is angry and the Nepalese forward dribbles down the right flank before crossing to Sok Samnang who returns the favour from the left, only for Bista’s finish to be stunningly tipped round the post by Som from close range. Brilliant from the EDC keeper. The second half kicks off and Tiger have the first attack. Omakafe turns and runs at the defence, but is upended by Mol.. He’s already been booked.. Red Card! Not the start to the half we wanted. I sacrifice Pidor for defender Visal to lot in alongside Adekunjo. A long ball is played to the onrushing Omakafe.. who shoots straight at Som.. A let off for EDC.. Then nothing.. the game ticks and ticks as we frustrate the opposition and preserve our lead. Men Samnang gets the ball on the left and releases Nhem who skips past his man, but the goalkeeper denies him his hat-trick and a fourth EDC goal. And that was that. A brilliant scoreline in an even game. We power up the C-League table to fourth. Final Score Angkor Tiger 0-3 EDC Bisai 3, Nhem 21,43 Match 10 EDC v CMAC United Five straight wins in all competitions and suddenly we have got our mojo back. The problem is when we are confident and playing well, we tend to slip on a banana skin and fall on our backsides... Bottom of the table CMAC Utd have all the hallmarks of a very slippery banana skin. Up front, the evergreen Kawabata, who was supreme last time we faced him is up front, with ex EDC man Sos Suhana providing the ammunition from the right wing. We have an embarrassment of riches to choose from. Makara slots in for the suspended Mol, while Doloh makes his full debut on the right wing in a 4-4-2 formation. On paper an easy win, in practice, god knows what will happen... Team: Som, Sophorn, Makara, Adekunjo, Ratana, Sokuena, Bisai, Doloh, Nhem, Taboula, Men Samnang It is CMAC who have the first attempt at goal, Sos Suhana’s free kick which was comfortably saved by Som. We assert dominance as the visitors pack the defence with the aging Kawababta their only outlet on the break. We huff and puff. Taboula has a shot comfortably saved but that’s about it. We have had plenty of the ball but so far have been unable to break them down. Until.. Men Samnang, playing on the left tries to beat his man but is tackled.. Soksuena picks up the loose ball. He plays it into the penalty area. Taboula flicks the ball on into the path of Nhem who stabs the ball home at the far post. Relief! Taboula almost makes it two when his low shot is well saved after good work from Bisai. A warning shot! Midfielder Va Pheng drives forward and unleashes a fearsome shot which is spectacularly tipped over the bar by Som. One nil at the break. In the second half we dominate once again. Nhem flashes a shot just wide of the post, while a rejuvenated Taboula has a header tipped over the bar. CMAC started to creep back into the game and enjoy a good spell of possession, without creating much. The clock ticks on, until Som sends a thunderbolt of a goal kick. Nhem leaps like a salmon to nod the ball on to the onrushing Taboula, who makes no mistake, sidefooting the ball confidently into the corner for a two nil lead. Job done. CMAC created a couple of half chances late on but there was no denying us a comfortable win. We go second, just three points behind The National Police... Final Score EDC 2-0 CMAC United Nhem 34 Taboula 83 Pelap Taboula Makes 100th Appearance for EDC My star Nigerian striker, Pelap Taboula made his 100th appearance in an EDC shirt against CMAC United. He has scored 64 goals for the club and is quickly establishing himself as a true club legend. At just 23 years old there will hopefully be many more appearances and goals for the club. EDC have recovered from being bottom of the league at one stage to fourth in the table. Will the chairman's new signings help propel them even further towards glory, or will it prove to be a ticking time bomb in both the dressing room and manger's office? Find out next time onThe Ultimate World FM Game!

Haha I think that's just my imagination working overtime as thats what I imagine where a data analyst would be, in a cupboard.. with posters of old footballers on the walls..

Part 73. Meeting Mr Veasna It was the sunglasses, which glinted brightly in the hot Cambodian sunlight that caught my eye when I saw EDC's new chairman, Sann Veasna for the first time. He gave a little wave as he stepped out of his black, chaffeur driven Mercedes at the Electricity Stadium car park, in his pristine pin striped suit, slick black hair and of course those gleaming shades. His arrival was like that of a rock star. Me, Nen Borey and a crowd of sports journalists, including a cameraman from Cambodian Match of The Day were there to greet him and the takeover had caused ripples around the C-League. This was a big story and Sann Veasna was big news.. On first impressions this was a man loved life in the fast lane, with fast cars and probably even faster women, the complete opposite to his predecessor, Hem Vutha who was by default a mild mannered quietly spoken sort, but could have a nasty streak if you got the wrong side of him, as I did on a few occassions. On the flip side if Veasna was of this character, perhaps he would be more progressive and ambitious for the club and backed by the right finances could make EDC a lot stronger.. or he could just be a flash in the pan? At this stage it was difficult to judge. He could talk the talk, but could he walk the walk? The new EDC chairman posed in front of the camera, before giving a brief interview to the waiting journalists. He then took the time to shake hands with me, Nen Borey and other members of the backroom team. Although, unlike his rival bidder, who had vowed to get rid of me if he took over, Veasna had been quieter on the subject of my future, although he had indicated during the negociations that he would not be making any immediate changes to the non-playing staff. I would find out in a meeting with him that had been arranged later that day what his thoughts were on this subject The opening day defeat to the National Police had not done anything for convincing any new chairman that I was the man to take this team forward under a new regime, but the win against Boeung Ket with a much improved performance had hopefully remedied this somewhat. There was a small, but intimate drinks reception, although I kept off the champagne, as I had to help out with training later that morning. We had a big game against Nagaworld to prepare for, not really the opening game I would have wanted to impress my new boss. The casino would be seeking to spoil the honeymoon period of the new owners. I took training with the lads, grabbed some lunch and then headed up the stairs to the boardroom. It felt strange being there again. The last time had walked up these stairs I had been on the verge of the sack after my clandestine trip to Malaysia and things had been more than uncertain with Charlotte as well. That tired nauceous feeling I had felt that day will last with me forever. In the time since, results and the performance of the team had worsened and a scrambled 5th placed finish had papered over the cracks a little. I knocked on the door and was greeted by his PA, a pretty petite Cambodian woman in a crisp, white blouse and black skirt. Sann Veasna was on the phone. The PA smiled, beckoned me to take a seat to wait until my new boss had finished. Veasna, still wearing his shades was slouched in his chair with his feet on the desk, but seemed unaware of my presence. I am not normally one to earwig on other people's phone conversations, but I could not help but be interested in the mode of this one. "We want to sign him.. Bisai.." "Yeah we'll give you 1.5K.. 1.5K and a £500 signing on fee.. " Ok and a nice house in a fashionable part of Phnom Penh.. I have just the place in mind" Was I hearing right? On his first day as EDC chairman, was he trying to sign a new player for the team?.. But surely this was my job, or Khim Ravy's our Director of Football. Not his! This was a bit awkward.. "Great that's a deal.. Bring Jefri over next week we'd love to show him around the club. Yeah and his Mrs too of course. " "Great catch you later Mo " I looked around the room. His stuff was still in boxes, but already he was wheeing and dealing like Harry Redknapp on steroids.. He 7was momentarily surprised to see me sat there, before regaining his composure.. "Jonathan.. nice to finally meet you properly, he smiled bowing in my direction, before holding out his hand for a shake." "You never guess what he chattered excitedly, I've just signed you a top top player.. he's going to make waves in the C-League, put bums on seats this guy.. Your gonna love him.." Ok? "Anyone I've heard of?" It flashed through my head it could be a name, maybe a relic from the Chinese Superleague looking for a final payday (like he was ever going to get one at EDC..) Jefri Hendri Bisai.. Who? He's an Indonesian midfielder whose tearing it up in his home country but wants to come and play for EDC, his Mrs is Cambodian and she wants to come home.. This will be an amazing signing for the club.. " Righto.. This was an awkward one. On the one hand if Bisai does actually sign and he turns out to be a good player that will be great, but call me old fashioned, surely the chairman should only provide funds to buy new players at the request of the manager and the recruitment team, not buy the players himself.. This was a strange one and did this set a precedence for what was to come? Was I going to have players foisted on me whether I liked it or not and would the new chairman expect me to play his signings at the expense of more established players at the club? What effect would this have on the dressing room? Bisai, should he sign depending on his style of play could take the place of Chea Samnang who is my captain and an influential figure in the squad hierachy. He turned and smiled. "You'll be pleased to know Jonathan I think you have done a good job here to maintain EDC's status as an established C-League club and are happy for you to continue in your role. Of course you will be judged on results and if things don't go well we may look for a replacement. Like our predecessors, we want a top half finish and a Quarter Final place in the Hun Sen Cup and we will back you financially in order for you to do this." He stood up and shook my hand again. "I look forward to our first game together against Nagaworld." I shook his hand politely. He seemed nice enough, but what was all this about, making transfers behind my back? I would be watching him very closely... It was 3 in the afternoon and most of my backroom team had left the ground. I needed to find out who this Jefri Hendri Bisai was? My head scout had gone home, but there might be somebody else who may know? Therefore, my next stop was a rare trip to the cupboard where my data analyst and Technical Director Mao Samnang lived. Rumour has it he once spent an entire fortnight in there without coming out except for toilet.. Anyway that's another story.. I knocked on his cupboard door. There was a few scuffling noises coming from inside the cupboard. A few moments later the door flung open and a woman in her early 20s of Chinese appearence rushed out holding a dress around her body to cover up her modesty... I raised my eyebrows as my ruffled data analyst emerged in the cupboard doorway, his glasses steamed up and his hair all over the place.. "*Mao! How you doing man? "What do you want boss? enquired my data analyst obviously annoyed that I had interrupted his little rendez-vous. Mao, I wanted to pick your brains. Have you heard of an Indonesian footballer called Jefri Hendri Bisai? He paused suspiciously.. "Hmmm you'd better come in.." The data analyst's cupboard was a sight for sore eyes. The place was littered with pizza boxes, paper and computers. On the wall was a random poster of Vinny Samways, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and another of Paul Gascoigne's famous free kick against Arsenal in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final.. He was obviously a closet Spurs fan...... Anyway who was Henri Bisai and what was his pedigree? After a bit of faffing around we managed to find some data on him.. "Bisai ah here we go.. Plays for Pereswar in Indonesia who I believe are in the Third Division.?" "Third division?" I responded disapointedly.. "He made 58 appearances for them and scored 11 goals, with 16 assists and an Average rating of 7.17 He's done well granted, but only in the Indonesian Third Division." Yes, Indonesia is a bigger football nation than Cambodia, and have over the years produced some decent footballers who have had good careers in some of the stronger Asian leagues, but they could hardly be called a world footballing powerhouse. Their Third Division would probably be of a similar standard to our Second Division maybe at best...? Unless Bisai has just started out and is looking to move to a bigger club? "How old is he?" "He's 26." Hmmm I thanked my data analyst for his help and urged him to keep his extra-curricular activities away from the workplace and to give his cupboard a tidy in case our new chairman popped by for a visit. I left the cupboard shaking my head.. "Tearing it up in the Indonesian Third Division. " I uttered to myself as I left the ground for the day.. "Maybe Henri Bisai will become an Indonesian Vinny Samways?" joked Charlotte when I told her later that evening... "I'd rather him be the Indonesian Gascoigne." I laughed in response. Match 3 – Nagaworld v EDC Our challenging start to the season continues with a trip to the casino, who strangely lie bottom of the C-League after two defeats in their opening matches. They will still be a threat though. I stick to the same formation which served us well against Boeung Ket, but make one change with Pidor returning to the left wing, with Men Samnang switching to the number 10 role and Sung Rot dropping to the bench. Nagaworld have reverted to a 3-5-2 formation with Math Fasal playing as a right wing back. He really won’t like that!! Team: Som, Konsmarch, Makara, Mol, Ratana, Soksana, Leap Bo, Nhem, Men Samanag, Taboula, Pidor Match Action With new chairman, Sann Veasna watching from the VIP box, both sides go hell for leather in the opening exchanges. Taboula and Nhem both register shots on target to Nagaworld’s one in the opening 9 minutes. Taboula then has a volley well saved. We look good here, but can we break the deadlock? No but Nagaworld can.. A long ball is played up to striker, Chainuth who flicks the ball on to the right foot of Man Ratana who volleys first time past Som. Completely against the run of play.. Like the Aussies and their short ball theory at Lords in the Ashes, Nagaworld’s long ball theory works again as another hoof ball is latched onto Man Ratana who lashes it past Som for 2-0. Two long balls, two chances, two goals.. In the second half we control the game but don’t look like scoring. There’s an air of inevitability about this. I’ve been playing this game long enough... To cut a long story short Sim Daravon crossed in from the right and that man Ratana glanced home a third to cap a miserable trip to the casino for Team Electric.. It’s not like we performed badly, we just couldn’t score and they could.. We actually do find the net when out of almost impatience, Samnang Nhem turned and fired a fierce shot into the bottom corner for a consolation near the end. Final Score Nagaworld 3-1 EDC Ratana 28,31,85 Nhem 86 Match 4 – Chhlam Samuth v EDC It’s been a mixed start to the season so far. A terrible performance on the opening day, followed by a good win and performance against Boeung Ket and then defeat to Nagaworld. Which EDC will turn up today? I change to a 4-4-2, with Tuy Oudom back on the right wing and Taboula and Nhem up front. Visal makes his debut in the centre of defence. Samuth have had as bad a start to the season as us and have Chey Chitra in their ranks with a point to prove which makes them dangerous. Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Visal, Mol, Ratana, Makara, Men Samnang, Oudom, Nhem Taboula, Pidor It’s fairly even in the opening exchanges. We look good with two wingers but fail to create a chance. Then on nine minutes we win a free kick. Up steps Men Samnang to hit a fierce shot which the keeper can only palm into the top of the net! 1-0. We look in control of the game... until.. In a seemingly innocuous passage of play, where their player has the ball on the wide right, Visal on his debut decided to go in two-footed.. Red card! I sacrifice Taboula for Adekunjo with just Nhem up front. Just what I needed! To make matters worse from the resulting free kick, the ball is worked to Sok Veasna who unleashes a worldie straight into the top bins, Som with no chance.. When it rains it pours.. Seemingly out of nowhere we produce some magic. Substitute Sung Rot picks up the ball and runs with it before sending a perfect through ball to Samnang Nhem. The youngster scores with a lovely places finish seemingly against the odds to restore our lead. We then concede in the stupidest way possible.. a breakaway which leaves Bunsan the entire half of the field to run into and fire past Som. Enter Chey Chitra. The former EDC man looks over at our dugout before galloping past Mol and planting one past Som to turn it around 3-2. We have no answers.. The only answer is to go route one which is what Som does form a goal kick with devastating effect, sending Nhem clear to bag his second. 3-3. Shades of last season. As if this game couldn’t get any crazier it somehow does. Ratana fouls in the box. Penalty! Ratana is already on a yellow card.. Red! Down to 9 men we go Ouk Voeun does the rest sending Som the wrong way, 4- flippin 3. I can’t do anything right . Sok Veasna is allowed the freedom of the pitch before firing another bullet into the top corner 5-3. I am fuming! Tuy Oudom does his best to cheer me up by pulling one back with a clever dinked finish after a lovely ball form Sung Rot. 5-4. They see it out though and we lose for the first time to Chllam Samuth. Things have got that bad. I feel low, very low right now. We are rock bottom of the table after 4 matches and feel the whole world, Buddha and the Football Manger gods are against me... Final Score Chllam Samuth 5-4 EDC Match 5 EDC v Kampong Chhnang You may recall we played Kampong Chhnang in a cup game back in 2021 (see Getting our feet wet) Well they are now newly promoted to the C-League and it’s fair to say they have done better than us so far, lying in second behind the National Police. Whatsmore the fabled Ouch Tony is still there and leading the line for the visitors. You may remember that Ouch Tony very nearly engineered a cup upset almost by himself as he led a comeback that we only just managed to stave off and sneak through to the next round. Now 34, is he ready to repeat his barnstorming second half performance that briefly earned him the nickname, “The Cambodian Messi.” I go in a 4-4-2. Ratana and Visal are both suspended after seeing red in the last game, so in comes Name Sop horn at left back and Adekunjo to partner Mol in the middle. Team: Som, Kongsmach, Mol, Adekunjo, Sop horn, Makara, Men Samnang, Oudon, Nhem, Taboula, Pidor Match Action An even first fifteen sees Taboula have a well worked goal disallowed and the visitors cause us a few problems with some good attacks, without creating much. Nhem has a header well saved from a Pidor cross, but that’s the closest we come. Pidor has taken a knock so on comes Sung Rot, with Men Samnang switching to the left flank. We struggle to create, while for once looking fairly solid at the back. The, out of nothing, left back Nhem Sop horn lofts the ball forward. Taboula flicks the ball on and Nhem, running in behind buries it past the keeper with a smart finish. 1-0. Adekunjo wins a header above Ouch Tony which finds Sung Rot. He drives forward with a typical Sung Rot run through the middle, before threading a perfectly weighted through ball to the onrushing Nhem, who such is his confidence, lashes the ball home first time without breaking stride to double our advantage. We are on fire now. Sop horn wins a header this time and this finds Taboula who runs at the heart of the Kampong defence. He plays in the unmarked Sung Rot who fizzes the ball into the corner first time to put us three ahead! Into the second half and Kamopng come at us. I bring on Dara for a tiring Oudom, but means I have used all three subs. Then, Sung Rot pulls up.. down to 10 we go. This is the time for another Ouch Tony show, surely.. He doesn’t disappoint. On 69 minutes he waltzes through our defence before teeing up Chan Thera who slides it past Som. Bugger, We look vulnerable until Taboula, now playing on the left wing, dribbles down the flank before sending in a searching ball for Nhem Dara to volley home first time to put a seal on a much needed victory. We climb out the relegation zone into 10th. and breathe a big sigh of relief. Final Score EDC 4-1 Kampong Chhnang Nhem 33,35 Theara 70 Sung Rot 43 Dara 76 Match 6 EDC v Khemera 02/05/26 Just when I needed a nice easy game to back up the victory in the last match, bloody Khemera roll into town, wing backs, Judas and all.. Yes Maol Daravon has given up on his police career and defected to my bogey team. They are also buoyed by a good start to the season and lie in third on nine points, while we languish in 10th. To combat their annoying formation I restore the two DMCs, Makara and Leap Bo, with Nhem on the right flank and Taboula as the lone striker. Ratana replaces the impressive Nhem Sop horn who is unlucky to miss out.. Ros Kongsmarch is given another chance in the troublesome right back berth. Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Mol, Adekunjo, Ratana, Makara, Leap Bo, Men Samnang, Nhem, Taboula, Pidor Match Action A dream start for EDC! On three minutes, Men Samnang swings in a free kick and Pidor rises highest to nod the ball home! 1-0 to the EDC rings round the Electricity Stadium. We look up for this. Samnang who has been on fire so far this season line up another free kick... and fires it in off the inside of the post for 2-0. Brilliant from the youngster! Nhem then stings the hands of the keeper with a rasping shot. We are looking good here. But wait! Panha is through on goal after a brilliant through ball Panha.. thwacks the post. A let off for EDC! “Focus” I scream from the dugout. Men Samnang though is running the show in midfield. He waltzes past his man before unleashing a curling shot just past the upright. 2-0 at the break and we have looked solid and could have lead by more than just the two goals. Into the second half and good move involving the tenacious Leap Bo and Taboula results in the ball being spread wide to Nhem who runs into the box before he is felled by the defender. Penalty! Up steps Ouk Ratana... who fires it straight at the keeper, who parries the ball away.. bugger! No matter. Another nice move results in Pidor waltzing into the box before being felled by the defender. Penalty! I order Taboula to take it instead of Ratana and the Nigerian nonchalantly slots the ball home, sending the keeper the wrong way. 3-0 to the EDC! Men Samnang almost makes it four when he latches onto a Taboula free kick, but his fierce effort is clawed around the near post by the keeper. But wait. This is Khemera... Ly Ravy gets down the left, outpacing Kongsmarch before floating in a perfect cross for Panha to nod home. 3-1. We are made of sterner stuff this season and there are none of the capitulations which pockmarked last season. Men Samnang (who else) sends in another handgrenade of a free kick and the impressive Mat Mol heads home at the far post to round off a brilliant performance. Judas what’s the score, Judas Judas what’s the score rings round the Electricty Stadium in reference to our old friend, Maol Daravon. There was time for another goal, to Khemera Ravann beat Som to ball to nod home a consolation which took the gloss off a great performance against those perennial bogeymen from Khemera. Final Score EDC 4-2 Khemera Pidor 4 Panha 62 Men Samnang 12 Ravann 90 Taboula 56 (pen) Mol 77 A mixed start to the season for EDC as they start to slowly climb the table to respectability, but will the influence of a new chairman and his liking for dabbling in the transfer market unbalance the team, or will it propel them further up the league table? Find out next time on the Ultimate World FM Game!

Part 72 - Start of Season 7 Despite the upheaval of the takeover which which rumbling on in the backgound, it was important that me and my backroom staff took a "business as usual" approach to the start of the brand new Cambodian season. It is fair to say that the fixture computer had been less than kind to us during this period too. Some nice easy fixtures and a few early wins would help my cause of staying in the job, should any new owner be thinking about making a change. The first game, a visit to the vastly improved National Police (at least in a footballing sense) was followed by Boeung Ket at home and then a trip to the casino in our third game, which could potentially be my first match under the new regime. While Nen Borey and I were making tactical plans for the following day's training session there was a knock at my door. It was my effervescent, but sometimes highly strung head of youth development, Chan Vannak. "Boss, how could you?" "How could I what?" "You forgot.. I can't believe you forgot!" (This sounded more like Charlotte if I'd forgotten her birthday) "What did I forget?" "You forgot to tell the world about all the brilliant Cambodian wonderkids that I have unearthed for you three months ago.. You know the ones that are currently in our U21 team, that signed a youth contract all the way back in November.." I rolled my eyes and grinned at Nen Borey... "But please note this was done before the transfer embargo was imposed because of this takeover thingy. Make sure the readers around the world know this!" "Very well..." Annual Youth Intake (back in November 2025) At a time when the football club is bursting at the seams with players and seriously need trimming down to size, my Head of Youth Development, Chan Vannak has recruited a whole army of new potential recruits. Whisper it quietly but this could be a golden generation and are the most talented group to come through the club’s ranks in recent years... Hmm we’ll see about that.. New Youth Players Here’s a list of the new youth players I have decided to offer contracts to. Thin Theng MR/AMR A promising young winger with good pace and crossing ability. He did well in a couple of the pre-season friendlies Va Rithy AMC A good prospect with good pace and finishing ability. Mom Chamroeurn DR A lesser spotted right back with decent potential. Ung Hai DC A decent young central defender with good tackling ability. Sach Ratana MC A decent midfield prospect with a good passing range. "Happy now?" Chan Vannak smiled and skipped out the room... "While your at it boss, you may as well inform our readers around the world about the players who left the club over the Christmas transfer window? suggested Nen Borey. "Can't believe I forgot to do that Nen.." "That Charlotte.. she's too much of a distraction.." "Your right Nen.. this should have gone in "The Big Reunion" post.." Players Who Left The Club In Pre-Season (before the transfer embargo) Soeung Rithy (DR) Ly Sophorn (DMC) Sok Chanvirak (ST) Sonevilay Sihavong (DR) Ouk Vibol (DRC)- free transfer to Western Phnom Penh Seut Bairaing (DL) Chey Chitra (ST) Sok Vandeth (DL) Sok Makara (DRLC) Touch Van (MR/AMR) Vannak Sok (AMC) Tola Mao (DMC) Lamine Santos (MC) "Right Nen.. Let's start Season 7!" Match 1- National Police v EDC So here we go again, the beginning of a brand new shiny league campaign! I think we are going to be a lot better this year and look more solid at the back. Our new tactic will also help to dominate games and deny our opponents the ball. As ever though, the final result will be down to the lap of the FM Gods. Away to the National Police is a difficult assignment first up but will be a great game to see where we are at after our pre-season recruitment drive. They have Okereke leading the line and our old foe from Nagaworld, Long Pheng just behind, and former EDC man, Min Ratanak in centre mid. They are dangerous opponents, but we can play too.. Chea Samnang has not quite recovered from injury so Leap Bo steps in, while Visal is suspended and Pidor still injured. Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Adekunjo, Gbayoro, Ratana, Soksana, Leap Bo, Nhem, Sung Rot, Taboula, Men Samnang Match Action We keep the ball well in the opening exchanges, but the Police are soon on our case. A long ball from their keeper causes panic in our defence. Soksana can only flick the ball towards his own goal and Thorn Darapitch runs onto the ball. He hits the post, but the rebound fall to Okereke who makes no mistake. Not the start I had in mind.. The police are looking dangerous and Darapitch forces another fine save from Som, while Taboula fizzes one over the crossbar. Then a well worked move involving Soksana, Men Samnang and Ratana down the left whose cross results in Nhem hitting the post with a bullet header, Unlucky. Long Pheng turns Messi-like in the centre circle and runs forward with menace before playing a perfectly weighted through ball for Okereke who smacks it into the top corner. This is not going to plan. Into the second half and we are the better side. Nhem gallops down the right but is tackled. In the blink of an eye the Police kick the ball downfield to that man Okereke who sprints past Adukanjo, then finds Long Pheng who squares to In Sovidad. He beats Som at his near post.. 3-0 down, this is dreadful... We manage to pull one back. Men Samanag gallops down the left and his through ball sends Taboula in on goal, who angrily fires it into the top corner. 3-1. The revival was not to last. Long Pheng who has bullied our defence all day gets his goal to make it 4-1. I am devastated; I thought we were better than this. Gutted.. Maybe if this takeover goes ahead I deserve to be replaced... Khemera thrash Angkor Tiger Although our 4-1 defeat to the police was pretty horrendous, we can console ourselves that at least it was not the worst result of the day as Khemera thrashed the Champions, Angkor Tiger 7-1! Hun Sen Cup 1st Qualifying Round Draw In a twist of fate, we draw.. yes you’ve guessed it.. the one and only Bati Youth in the first round of the cup. Well at least we have a chance to seek revenge for last season. In another strange twist they could end up being my first and last opponents if I lose my job because of the takeover.. Exciting News In Takeover Bid The consortium featuring local businessmen, Sann Veasna and Mao Virath are the frontrunners to take over at EDC. Rival bidder, Oum Vannak (the one who wanted to get rid of me) has pulled out. The new investors have talked about building a new stadium for EDC and investing in the playing staff. Could this mean professionalism? Match 2 EDC v Boeung Ket I feel like I’ve come full circle with EDC. I’m feeling exactly like I did when I first took them over and that is batten down the hatches against the professional sides, such as Boeung Ket. I go in with a defensive 4-2-3-1. Mat Mol makes his debut alongside Adekunjo in the all important central defence role. Things can only get better as somebody once sang.. Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Adekunjo, Mol, Ratana, Leap Bo, Soksana, Sung Rot, Nhem, Taboula, Men Samnang Match Action We look up for this and already look sharper in the mind and in the tackle. An early slide challenge from Leap Bo gets a strong cheer from he home crowd. Taboula lashes a shot over the bar and then Sung Rot not long after sends a fizzing warning shot just wide of the post. Encouraging. Then we strike. Konsmarch retrieves the ball from a panicked clearance by their defender and keeps the ball in on the right touchline. He finds Leap Bo who flights the ball into the area where Taboula lays it off to Nhem. Nhem now for EDC, right edge of the area, He crosses it in.. Taaaabbbooullllaa!!I He finds the net with an acrobatic overhead kick. What a goal! Men Samnang drifts in from the left flank and finds Nhem! He forces a flying save from the keeper, preventing the ball from bursting the top corner of the net. Ket have a couple of attacks but ultimately they come to nothing. The clock ticks to half time. One nil to the EDC. As expected Boeung Ket come on strong in the second half. We pack the defence and it seems to be working. However, Adekunjo scuffs a clearance straight to Ouch Oudom, who plays in Sun Dara to slot home an equaliser... We rally and take a firmer grip on the game. We win a free kick on the near side. Ratana hangs the ball up to the far post where Samnang Nhem leaps highest and guides a looping header into the corner of the net to open his account for the season. Now we need to keep them out. I go defensive with Pidor and Nhem playing as wide midfielders. We look far better organised in defence and are like a blue wall which resists everything Ket can throw at us. We even manage to create a couple of chances of our own on the break. We see it through. What a much improved performance that was from the horror show that was the opening game. We were sharp in the tackle. Mol had an impressive debut at the back, while Soksana and Leap Bo were magnificent in defensive midfield. Final Score EDC 2-1 Boeung Ket Taboula 9 Sun Dara 55 Nhem 74 EDC Takeover Bid Completed Sann Veasna has become the new chairman of EDC after taking over the club from Hem Vutha and wishes to retain the services of manager, Jonathan Rudd... Finally the takeover is complete and despite humiliation by The National Police on the opening day, Rudd (for now) keeps his job. What will the new chairman, Sann Veasna bring to the club and could this be the beginning of a bright new era for Electricitie Du Cambodge? Find out next time on The Ultimate World FM Game!

Interesting concept. Good luvk with this one.

There's a whole world out there to explore Ben... I'm surprised I've stayed at EDC this long..

Part 71 - Transfers and Takeovers It was two days after the party and the first day back at training. In this time I'd had time to reflect on the events and Hem Vutha's shock announcement. I had very much mixed feelings about the situation. On the one hand a new chairman and one with a bit more money and ambition than Hem Vutha might be what is needed to drive us forward towards the league title and become the fifth professional Cambodian club. Then, would any new chairman want to bring in their own manager to lead the team and get rid of me? I won't lie I have had thoughts of moving away from EDC, hence my dalliance with Melaka in Malaysia, but then Charlotte happened at the same time and I wouldn't have got the job anyway.. Whichever way this panned out I would have to try and carry on as normal. Luckily all this was happening in the early pre-season, so would not affect the players much as they would be on their holidays and doing extra shifts at the Electricity Company as they often did between November and March. Secondly as Nen Borey had pointed out to me, once talks with a new owner were proceeding, a transfer embargo would be placed on the club, meaning we could not buy or sell any players (such as this is in Cambodia) during this period. This meant that we would have to get any business done early in the transfer window. Perhaps mine and Charlotte's Bonnie and Clyde routine at the party would pay dividends after all? I was not wrong. I arrived for training (such as it was this time of the season, more like a social get together with a light kickabout thrown in) Low and behold, four extra players had turned up, Sung Rot, Leap Bo, Um Makara and most importantly, Sok Oeun Pidor. They couldn't wait to sign and so me, Nen Borey and Director of Football, Khim Ravy wasted no time in taking them on board. It's great when a plan comes together. Charlotte was delighted when I told her later on. Um Makara (DC/DMC) Back for his second spell at the club, this ball winning midfielder can also play at centre back, with excellent marking ability. A great addition. Welcome back Um! Leap Bo (DMC/MC) Another player returning to The Electricity Stadium, Leap Bo has improved his game and will bring much needed leadership in the midfield engine room. SOK OEUN PIDOR IS BACK AT EDC After the announcement was made, EDC fans congregated at the Electricity Stadium to see the return of the prodigal son. I have managed to tempt him away from the National Police, back where he belongs at Team Electric! Sung Rot (AMC/FC) Amazingly, Sung Rot is back at EDC for his third spell at the club. The pacy attacking midfielder gives me another option in the number 10 role. Sok Chanraksmy Retires Club legend, Sok Chanraksmy has retired from professional football. When I first joined the club, way back in 2020, it was Sok Chanraksmy who stood out as one of the best players at the club. He won 11 caps for Cambodia, scoring 5 times. The pinnacle of his career came when he scored 21 goals in 24 appearances during the 2021 campaign, who along with partner in crime, Keo Udom regularly tore C-League defences apart. His goals saw EDC reach their first Hun Sen Cup final, where he will be most remembered for his “Gordon Smith” moment when he shot tamely into the keeper’s arms when through on goal in the final minute of the game, spurning the chance to equalise and take the match into extra time. Some say he had been spooked by a curse put on him by a Nagaworld-supporting monk, Sonny Mekarna during a visit to Angkor Wat, although this was never proven. After this incident he fell down the pecking order at EDC as younger strikers, Taboula, Noron and Nhem took precedence. He still turned out for the reserves, remaining professional and helping the youngsters he played alongside. In 2023 he became a player-scout and played an important role in recruiting players for the club. Sok will carry on at EDC, purely as a scout and retain his links with the club. OTHER NEW SIGNINGS Players In – Ros Kongsamrach (DR) My first priority was to sign a good, first choice right back and hopefully now in Ros Kongamrach I have solved this on-going nagging problem in this position which I has been present pretty much throughout my reign as EDC manager. He will also add some much needed pace to our back four. Nodeem Adekunjo (DRC/DM) I have snapped up experienced utility man, Adekunjo who was released by Phnom Penh Crown. He will add some much needed expertise and versatility in our defence. Soeung Soksana (DC/DMC) A solid centre back who can also play in midfield, with good aerial ability, tackling and teamwork. Mat Mol joins EDC A tough tackling centre back, with good marking and room to progress. Soeuy Visal Free Transfer This is somewhat of a coup for EDC. Visal has 64 caps for Cambodia and the 30 year old adds experience and pace to our defence. Nhem Sophorn (DR/L DM) free transfer from Kang Reach Say I love a utility player and Nhem Sophorn is a bright prospect, still learning his trade but will be able to step in and do a job when required. Three Brand New Teams Promoted to The C-League There will be three new promoted teams this year, who have never been in the C-League. They are Life University, Kampong Chhnang (not to be confused with Kampong Cham) and Baksey Chamkrong. Good luck to them, except when they play us of course! Small Boost In Reputation EDC have gained a small boost in reputation and are now the 6th most reputable club in Cambodia and the second semi professional team after the National Police. The big four professional clubs inevitably lead the way. Board Announce Budgets and Expectations I have been given a war chest of £4,000 for the new season and a wage budget of £3700. The board expect me to finish in the top half of the table and reach the Quarter Finals of the Hun Sen Cup. My Expectations – Challenge for the Title. Try and go on a good cup run. New Fixtures Announced for the 2026 C-League Season EDC have a tricky opening few fixtures. We start with an away trip to The National Police, before hosting Boeung Ket and then facing Nagaworld away. It will be a good test to see where we are at and put our new signings to the test. A New Goalkeeping Coach Yet another goalkeeping coach joins EDC. Good luck mate. A new Head Physio We needed a new head physio and have signed this 29 year old who has a long future in healing footballers ahead of him. Friendly 1 Chmao Khmao v EDC Our first friendly sees us take on usually friendly opposition in the shape of Chmao Khmao. Um Makara plays the ball to Pidor whose flick on reaches Taboula in the left channel. His cross is blocked, Pidor fires it in to Dara whose shot is then blocked. The rebound falls to Sung Rot who fires the ball into the top corner to open the scoring. Pidor and Ratana combine on the left. Ratana curls the ball in the defender misses it and Samnang Nhem nips in round the back to slot home. 2-0. Just before half time, Kongsmarch’s free kick is headed home at the far post by Sok Oeun Pidor! We were poor in the second half and our hosts created a few chances. Chay Sinoun fired in a deserved consolation. Final Score Chmao Khmao 1-3 EDC Sinoun 90 Sung Rot 11 Nhem 23 Pidor 45 Friendy 2: EDC v EDC Reserves Second up is our traditional kickabout with the Reserves. Here’s how we got on. Taboula and Nhem exchanged passes and the youngster thrashed the ball into the top corner like only he can. EDC hit the reserves on the break, with Sung Rot running clear and slotting home number 2. The Reserves hit back. Udon Sann’s shot is blocked and Sambath Mom fires into the empty net from the angle. 2-1. From a free kick the ball is cleared and Pelap Taboula runs through unchallenged for number three. Sung Rot picks the ball up in midfield and dribbles past Capriati like he isn’t there and slots past the hapless Votanak, to make it 4-1, with just 15 minutes on the clock. This is more like a rugby sevens game than a football match. Sung Rot is having a stormer here. A corner is cleared but the ball is picked up by Ratana who plays it forward to Sung Rot who turns and fires in number 5 into the bottom corner. This is men against boys. Amazingly there’s no further scoring before half time, although Pidor hit the post and Sung Rot thwacked the crossbar. At the other end, Som made some fine saves to deny Sann. Into the second half. Sambath Mom volleyed home a Tuy Oudom cross to make it 5-2. Savy Theara fires home from the penalty spot after a dubious foul by Visal. 5-3. Mat Noron responds with a penalty of his own after Pheara was upended in the box. 6-3. Mol Ly bursts through to make it 6-4 after a good team move. He scores again, wriggling free from inside the box to slot home his hat-trick. It’s squeaky bum time but after a good move, Nhem Dara is sent clear, his shot is blocked by the defender, but the ball falls into the path of Men Samnang who thwacks it into the top corner from the angle. 7-5. Sor Chanvirak fires in a late free kick for 7-6. Mat Noron puts clear daylight between the two sides when he latches onto a lovely ball from Sann Dara and powers it home for 8-6. Final Score EDC 8-6 EDC Reserves Friendly 3 – Samnang Apivath v EDC Makara sprays the ball to Tuy Oudom who skips past his man and fizzes a shot which the goalkeeper parries, only as far as Mat Noron who smashes in the rebound, 1-0. Ratana throws the ball in on the left to Men Samnang who steps inside his man and curls a wonderful shot into the top corner past the keeper. 2-0. Our opponents win a corner and Run Veasna is allowed a free near post header to halve the deficit. 2-1. Chea Samnang, who is having a good game in centre mid sprays the ball out to a resurgent Tuy Oudom who sprints down the right. His cross is met first time by Men Samnang, ghosting in off the left flank to sweep home number three. 3-1 EDC. From a free kick the referee awards a penalty. Not sure how, but Noron steps up and hammers the ball into the top corner for 4-1. Final Score Samnang Apivath 1-4 EDC Veasna 30 Noron 18, 75 (pen) Samnang 27,31 Friendly 4 EDC v Kep I’ve put the kids out for this one, including a couple of trialists. It was young prospect, Thin Pheng, a right winger who repays my faith when he cuts in from the flank and curls a wonderful effort straight into the top corner. Take a bow son! The same player creates the second. The youngster dips his shoulder and gains half a yard, before fizzing a delicious low cross for Taboula to tap home. The striker barely had to break his stride. Prak Piseth pulls one back with an equally brilliant curling shot from the edge of the box. Tep Vandeth equalises after a long goal kick. Sloppy. 2-2. Youngster Sor Chanvirak restores our lead after he bustles his way through their defence before slotting confidently home. 3-2. Chanvirak doubles his tally from a classic breakaway goal, with Taboula leading the charge down the left before squaring to the young striker who slides the ball confidently home. Ros Konsmarch send the ball forward to Sung Rot who chests the ball down and runs at the heart of the Kep defence before unleashing a rocket into the top corner for 5-2. Superb! Friendly 5 – EDC v Tay Ninh (VIE) Our friends from across the Vietnamese border visit us for our annual kickabout. The visitors draw first blood. Van Tung gets down the left and he squares it to the onrushing Van Tam who beats Som with an instant finish. We huff and puff but fail to blow the house down. It’s 1-0 to them at the break. I tell them they have not been good enough and they listen. We start the second half brightly and are rewarded when Men Samnang fires a free kick into the top corner for one each. These boys can play though. A well worked free kick sees Tuan cross for van Tung to sneak in at the far post and fire the ball past Som. Their lead doesn’t last long. Ratana’s deep cross causes panic in the Tay Ninh box. In the scramble the ball runs loose for Pelap Taboula to squeeze the ball into an empty net from the angle. 2-2. The match peters out into a draw, but a good exercise against decent opposition. Friendly 6 Kirivong v EDC It was tit for tat until on 25 minutes a breakaway saw Sung Rot leading the charge, the ball was laid off to Chea Samnang who planted one of his trademark strikes into the top bins. Men Samnang doubles the lead with a brilliantly struck free kick a certain Mr Beckham would have been proud of. Into the second half and we look very comfortable. Sub Leap Bo’s ball into the box sees young Nhem Dara stick out a leg to poke home a third. Un Mony Udom slots home a fourth from the penalty spot after young Thin Pheng was felled in the box. Final Score: Kirivong 0-4 EDC Chea Samnang, Men Samnang, Dara, Udom Board Expectations The board (as it stands) want EDC to finish in the top half of the table and reach the Quarter Finals of The Hun Sen Cup. My expectations – Challenge for the title and have a good cup run. Double Injury Blow Tuy Oudom (now back in the reckoning) will miss the start of the season with a groin strain, while key midfielder, Um Makara has an abdominal muscle strain, keeping him our for a month. Friendly 7 EDC v Wat Phnom Visal’s long ball reaches Mat Noron in the penalty area. He turns in one slick movement and fires home. 1-0. Touch Sinoun equalises in the second half after a breakaway. Straight from the kick off though young right back, Kouch Mol lifts the ball into the penalty area. Nhem shows his class by turning away from his marker and firing home for 2-1. The same player increases the lead by running onto Cheng Ravy’s goal kick and cooly slotting home for a 3-1 win. New Tactics and Formation I’ve decided to have an overhaul of my tactics and formation, which I hope will be for the best. Up until now we have been largely a counter-attacking side, set up to stifle the opposition and then break at pace. This kind of tactic though has its limitations and is one for a club to my mind that is a mid-table to bottom of the table and looking to stifle the opposition, which was the EDC that I inherited back in 2020. We have moved on and I think that I have built a side which can seriously challenge for the title. This means we must play like a team who believes they can. Therefore I have changed my style to Control Possession in a short passing style, as I want us to be able to dominate games and play on the front foot. My formation has also changed to a flexible 4-4-2, which is great news for some of my players such as Tuy Oudom who are out and out wingers. I want us to use the width of the pitch, but with the ability to roam from positions to confuse the opposition, so for example if the ball is down the left, then the right winger has the license to wander into the box to make a three in the box. We’ll see how long it takes my team to adopt these new tactics successfully. International Call Ups My young defender Ung Hai has been called up to the Cambodian U19s squad against Qatar ina friendly. Men Samnang is in the U23s squad to play Qatar U23. Ratana, Nhem Dara and Samnang Nhem have been called up by the senior squad to play, yes you’ve guessed it, Qatar in a friendly and Tajikistan in an Asian Cup Qualifier. Transfer Embargo Placed on EDC A transfer embargo has been placed on EDC as two parties battle for control of the club. A group lead by local businessmen, Mao Virath and Sann Veasna are said to be interested in buying the club, while a rival bidder, Oum Vannak has pledged to replace me as manager if he is successful in taking over the club... Bastard...! Find out who takes control of EDC and whether I am still in a job, next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!

Part 70 - The Transfer Honey Trap This was a risky game, but one she was sure she could win. Charlotte's tactics tonight had been a gamble, a little bit like playing a diamond formation in midfield, sometimes it works and wins you the game, or sometimes it leaves you exposed and found wanting, especially by a 3-man midfield. There was more than just a 3-man midfield on the dancefloor taking their turn to dance with the belle of the ball. From Charlotte's perspective as a fan, here was a team which was going nowhere but another mid-table position, lagging behind the professional teams who would dominate forever more. Maybe just maybe if some of the better ex-players who had left the club would come back to EDC then they could challenge for honours once again. Secondly there was also a tinge of guilt because it was her actions which had led to some of them leaving. Charlotte had chosen her targets carefully. She knew Maol Daravon was off limits, especially with his scowling wife in tow. Secondly any if her exes such as Keo Udom was not of interest, nor The Cambodian Pele who was also preoccupied with his own guests... Instead her recruitment "shortlist" were taking the bait. Sok Oeun Pidor was of no interest to her, other than seeing him back wearing the colours of EDC again, creating and scoring goals. The same with Um Makara, Leap Bo and Sung Rot, but the problem for Charlotte as she twerked, twirled and flirted her way around the dancefloor was how it looked to her partner and to everybody else in the room. The last thing she wanted was him or anybody else getting the wrong idea... She decided to take action. -------‐----‐------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If she was doing what I thought she was doing then this was crazy and also a bit wrong. I trusted my girl though that her intentions were good, albeit a bit misguided. As Crazy in Love gave way to Usher - Yeah, Charlotte sacheted off the dancefloor and I grabbed her arm as she grabbed mine and we led eachother into the hallway outside. "I'm doing this for you Mr Football Manager please don't be angry.." she pleaded. "Charlotte I know exactly what you are doing.. but leave this in the hands of me and my recruitment team please. My director of football and I deal with transfers. You writhing around the dancefloor to Beyonce is not the way to sign new players." "But I want to help the team... and I feel responsible for players leaving the club. Daravon's departure left a big hole in our defence and that's why we conceded so many goals last season and it was all because of me! I wanted to make it up to you!" "Charlotte, players leave the club for many reasons it was not all because of you. Daravon wanted a new challenge in his life and join the police force.. You cannot blame yourself. Please just stop this nonsense! Look if it makes you happy why don't we use tonight to chat to some of the ex players and maybe put some feelers out for them to rejoin the club? How does that sound? We could do it together, work as a team." I suggested this knowing full well that most of them would want to consult with their agents if they had or could afford one. Secondly we were at a party and nobody wanted to talk "shop." The transfer window was not due to open for another month anyway and it had been long, hard season. Charlotte smiled. We will make a great team, together." "Good" The trap was set. Charlotte would wiggle her bum on the dancefloor and then lead her poor unsuspecting victim to a darkened seated area in the far corner, where I lurked to greet them. First up was Sung Rot.. "Sung Rot approached arm in arm with Charlotte thinking they were going somewhere a little quieter and looking rather excited by the prospect.. Bastard.. That is until I emerged out of the shadows like some kind of mafia boss... "Sung Rot!" Good to see you man, I greeted my former MC/AMC/STC with a huge grin on my face. "Now, do tell me what you are up to these days. " "Well I'm between clubs at the moment boss.." "Really, how interesting!" "Are you looking for a new club?" "Yeah I am" "Why don't you come train with us for a bit before we break up for end of season." (Training continued until the end of November) get your sharpness back and take it from there? No pressure on either side?" Sung Rot nodded but also was looking around to see where the beauty in red had disappeared to. "Great! We'll be in touch.. Can I get you a drink?" This was easier than I thought. The other players on Charlotte's shortlist would be a bit trickier, as they were with other clubs. Would they be open to wearing the navy blue kit of EDC again and working here at the energy company? Um Makara was the next to be "summoned." He was a prospect who had put in some good performances for us as a holding midfielder. Like Daravon and Pidor he had jumped ship to join the National Police which made me even more determined to get him back. "Boss I really hate being a policeman and the manager has only used me off the bench" "Great. Um, If you come back to EDC I will make you a regular starter as a ball winning midfielder. You will be the Claude Makalele to Samnang Nhem's Didier Drogba." "And I can come back and work for the Electric company?" "I'm sure something can be arranged.. we'll call you in the next few days. Now go enjoy yourself but keep away from the lady in red, she's taken... "Ok boss. " "Good lad.. Can I get you a drink?.." "Sok Oeun Pidor! EDC's greatest ever attacking midfielder left right centre, How are you my friend?" Pidor had his eyes so much on the prize that I had to repeat myself. "Sok Oeun Pidor! How are you?" as Charlotte sneaked off. "How is life in his majesty's constabulary Sok?" "Huh?" his eyes looking around to see where Charlotte had disappeared to. "How's the National Police force Sok? "Oh sorry hi boss.. "Don't worry about her Sok, she's taken and would probably have you for breakfast.. now... how do you fancy coming back to EDC Sok? We missed you last season with your darting runs in off the left wing and that creative spark you brought to my team.." Pidor agreed to have a word with his agent and would get back to us. He seemed keen on the idea of a return to The Electricity Stadium though as like Makara catching criminals in Phnom Penh really was not for him. The last remaining player on Charlotte's shortlist was Leap Bo, who I was the most dubious about signing. He had some potential but unlike the other three could not hold a place down in the team and his departure had not really had much effect on us. He would only be a squad player at best on ability, but he had matured and had high leadership skills, which is something that our team lacked, a real leader on the pitch. Leap Bo jumped at the chance (excuse the pun) to re-join us, as he was facing playing Second Division football with relegated Prek Pra. Our work done, Charlotte and I enjoyed the rest of the evening, as we danced the night away with friends past and present. Then, out of the blue, the music stopped and Chairman, Hem Vutha got on the mic to the surprise of everyone in the room.. Had he noticed our skulduggery in tapping up players to re-join the club? Was he about to declare undying love for Charlotte?.. Was he drunk? "Ladies and gentlemen.. Sorry to interrupt this wonderful evening, but there is something I would like to tell you... The room fell silent.. "After ten wonderful years at Electricitie Du Cambodge FC.. I have decided to step down as chairman and will put the club up for sale....! I will be seeking new investment into the club as we strive to make progress both on and off the field. I leave the club in a healthy position and exciting times are ahead for EDC under the new regime, whoever this may be. Thankyou very much! Cue a stunned silence and a few gasps, followed by a ripple of applause around the large hall... Charlotte and I turned to eachother stunned. Would I keep my job, or would any new chairman seek to install a new man at the helm as part of the takeover?.... However, if new investment in the club was made, could this lead to us turning professional? My secondary thought was whether all our hard work this evening with potentially persuading four ex players to come back to EDC had now been in vain if they thought there may be instability at the club... Time would tell on that one.. Will the famous four on Charlotte's shortlist re-sign for EDC, or will they be put off by the potential instability at the club? Find out next time on The Ultimate World FM Game!

Part 69 - The Big Reunion It was the beginning of November 2025 and the end of another Cambodian season. There were big plans though for EDC during the break and not just mine and my recruitment team's in the Christmas transfer window. The year 2025 marked the ten year anniversary of the formation of Electricitie du Cambodge FC and to celebrate a big end of season bash had been organised which was to be attended by 'anybody associated with the club over the past decade.' This included former players (who had made at least ten appearances), any backroom staff past and present (which would be enough to fill most party venues alone) and any season ticket holders who have held them for 5 years consecutively or more. The party was to be held in a large hall on the premises of the Electricity Company which the football team is part of. I had mixed feelings about this end of season knees up. On the one hand I enjoyed a good party and get together and it would be nice to catch up with a few old faces. On the other hand, after our pretty average season where we ended up going into freefall towards mid-table with more leaks in our defence than a sinking ship, coupled with the fact we were knocked out the cup by a bunch of kids I didn't think we had all that much to celebrate. There was a second reason.. (Yes you've guessed it) While things had been going pretty well with Charlotte over the past six months since we got together, the thoughts of her looking stunning in the same room as a load of ex EDC footballers, some of which she'd had previous relations with, filled me with a touch of dread. Then there was the chairman, Hem Vutha who would most certainly be there too.. and Daravon, unless he was on his police duties, Math Fasal would qualify also if he showed up and Keo Udom too... Maybe I was just being stupid and paranoid and a tiny bit possessive but so far I had managed to keep Charlotte and EDC separate, even on match days and it seemed to work. Even though she attended all the games she could, work permitting, always kept a low profile which suited me down to the ground. We would often meet up alone after games in the evening. This party would put her right in the mix again with the very people who thought she was a "loose woman," had previous relations with, or those who had tried to warn me off her. I had avoided the subject of Charlotte with Nen Borey and my backroom staff on purpose and some of them did not even know we were still together. This party of course would blow the cover off this facade as soon as we stepped in the room together. Charlotte was looking forward to the evening immensely and I said nothing to her on this issue as I did not want to upset the apple cart. The night before the party we went out to one of our favourite restaraunts together and the subject of old EDC players came up. Charlotte was quite opinionated about which players she'd liked (in a footballing sense) and which ones were not so good. One of the names that came up was Sung Rot, who of you may remember has had two spells at the club to great effect and another was Um Makara, who had only recently left us and Leap Bo who to her mind had potential to be a good midfielder before he moved on. She tactfully didnt mention the players whom she had relations with, K.Udom, Veasna and Daravon in particular who had been three of the best players to pull on an EDC shirt over the past decade. The evening arrived and Charlotte did not disappoint in a low cut, figure hugging red dress, with that stunning glossy dark hair flowing seductively down her back and shoulders. I still had to pinch myself that she was my girlfriend. We arrived by taxi and strode hand in hand into the Great Hall of the Electricitie du Cambodge headquarters in the middle of Phnom Penh. The hall was opulently decorated in the dark blue colours of EDC, with rows of circular tables with seats around them. There would be a three course meal before an end of season awards ceremony, a speech from Hem Vutha and then a disco. A DJ was setting up in the corner of the room. There were already some people there, including Nen Borey, Chan Vannak and Sok Chanraksmy. This was not the welcoming committee I had hoped for. I shook hands with them and exchanged pleasantries but I could tell there was an element of surprise as to the presence of the part Cambodian part Fillipino beauty stood next to me. It took Mrs Borey, a short, stern looking woman in her 50s who joined us from the bar to break the ice. "So you must be Charlotte then? I like your dress, it really suits your figure..".. and away they went on a little girly chat about dresses and hair.. The women bonded while us men stood like a defensive wall in front of the bar. I bought Charlotte and I a drink, while the other men dispersed as more people started to enter the room. They were interrupted by the presence of Hem Vutha, who strode towards her. My heart sank a little as he approached, knowing what I knew about their relations. They exchanged pleasantries and embraced. They seemed genuinely happy to see eachother and that despite ending their relations years ago had remained on friendly terms. He complimented her on how she looked. I stood there with a fake smile on my face hoping he would b***** off soon. It was amazing how many former players had turned up. Suon Veasna, Tum Saray, Nan Punlock, Moun Nara nowadays a bright young coach. Keo Udom was there thankfully with what looked like a girlfriend, a bonny dark haired girl in a navy blue dress. Maol Daravon appeared along with Mrs Daravon who upon entering the room looked daggers at Charlotte, who of course was her husband's former mistress. Sung Rot appeared seemingly alone and Um Makara, who had come along with Sok Oeun Pidor. Current players were also present too such as Pelap Taboula, club captain Chea Samnang and young Samnang Nhem who surely must be up for a few awards after his performances this season. Then over to my right.. no way! In walked none other than Ahmed Abdi aka The Cambodian Pele with not one but two girls on his arm, both of seemingly Southern European origin with long dark hair, and legs that were longer than the Mekong River.. What the hell was he doing here...? Did he even make ten appearances during his EDC career? According to Nen Borey the man from Somalia was now plying his trade for FC Ayia Napa in the Cypriot league and having rather a good time by the looks of it as well as earning a few quid in the sun.. I had to hand it to him. It was not long ago that he had turned up suddenly at my training ground with no shoes on his feet, begging to join the club... How he managed to convince not one but two girls to make the several thousand mile trip with him from Cyprus to Cambodia is beyond me but I guessed it was none of my business... Charlotte was also looking around the room with intrigue as to which players had turned up. Many of the them cast an eye Charlotte's way as she fluttered her eyelashes and occasionally ran her fingers through her hair as they passed. Hmmm.... She seemed particularly interested in Sung Rot my former attacking midfielder who had left us for the lure of professionalism but things had not quite worked out. Um Makara and Pidor had also not gone unnoticed by my girlfriend as playful pleasantries were exchanged. Soon after she rubbed my shoulder, gave me a small peck on the cheek and left my side to mingle among these ex-footballers. Alarm bells started to ring in my head... We sat down for dinner and she was one of the last people to take their seats, as she was too busy having a high old time chatting up ex-EDC midfielder, Leap Bo, who seemed rather taken with this flirtatious 33 year old woman in his midst.. and I knew exactly where he was looking. This was going worse than I had feared... What should I do? One did not want to make a big scene of it and it become a soap opera, but one could not let this idly pass.. I could see that Charlotte's actions had not been unnoticed by the Boreys who were also sat on our table. Mrs Borey in particular seemed fascinated by the comings and goings of my other half.. Charlotte sat and smiled sweetly at me as she poured a glass of wine which was in ready supply on the dinner table. I'd counted this was her third and we had only been here for just about one hour.. Was she trying to embarrass me? What had I done wrong? As we waited for our starters to arrive, Charlotte began eagerly texting on her phone.. Had she swapped numbers with half a dozen footballers already?? Was she arranging to meet with them..? I was getting angrier and more paranoid by the second. I was just about to grab the phone off her under the table when..... My phone message alert went off. Charlotte turned to me and gazed into my eyes, smiling warmly and adoringly at me. I read the message discreetly under the table. It read: Don't Worry Mr Football Manager, you are still and always will be my number 1.. This is all for a very good reason and you will see why by the end of the evening. Trust me! Love Charlotte XXX As I read the text her hand briefly rubbed my shoulder and she gave me a little wink. She was up to something, but maybe, just maybe it was not as bad as it seemed... The starters arrived and as we ate the delicious traditional Cambodian fish soup the conversation on the table turned to the progress of the team. Mrs Borey seemed surprisingly interested in this subject. "We need a new defence Mr Rudd..," she ordered bluntly, taking a mouthful of her soup. "Well y'know we have a few targets in mind, this is certainly an area of the team which needs strengthening." I replied. We conceded too many goals last season." "And what do you think Charlotte?" enquired the table's matriarch. Charlotte smiled, rubbing my shoulder.. "I'm sure Jonathan will sign some good players for the team this season. It is amazing to see so many ex-footballers have turned up to celebrate ten years of EDC. It is a testament to Jonathan and the club that they have turned up, such is the respect for all he has done for the club." "I believe you know quite a lot of the ex-footballers who have played for EDC, Charlotte, enquired Mrs Borey abruptly. "Well yes I do from watching the team every week." replied the girl in the red dress. "And off the field?" interrogated Mrs Borey in a stern voice. "Kim, enough.." ordered the normally reserved Nen Borey. "Well the way you have been flitting around the room like a little butterfly amongst these hmm very attractive young men,." "KIM Enough!" ordered Nen slightly raising his voice. I'm so sorry Charlotte and Jonathan she's had a bit too much wine." This rather awkward conversation was mercifully interrupted by the master of ceremonies who wished to welcome us all and introduce the Chairman, Hem Vutha and the CEO of Electricitie Du Cambodge Energy Company, Long Sophorn, a petite little man in a neat suit and with a bald head. Once this little introduction was over the main courses were served, a traditional Cambodian coconut fish amok. The meal passed without incident and Mrs Borey kept herself to herself throughout. After the meal had finished it was time for the awards and speeches. The CEO, Long Sophorn started off with a rather boring speech about how proud the energy company was to have such a successful football team. I even got a little mention and round of applause from the room as being the person to bring the first silverware to the club. Then chairman Hem Vutha took over, saying how proud he was to set up a successful club and one that has maintained their C-League status consistently over the past decade. Blah blah blah! No mention that we should be going professional though.... So to the awards ceremony. End of Season Awards Fans Player of the Season – Samnang Nhem Young Player of the season – Samnang Nhem Signing of the Season = Sam Chea (surprisingly) Top Goalscorer – Pelap Taboula (16 goals) Highest Average Rating – Samnang Nhem 7.30 There was a little surprise for the audience at the end as Samnang Nhem Wins Cambodian Player and Young Player of the Year! It was a big night for the young lad who is barely old enough to have a beer to celebrate.. My young striker has had a season to remember, having starred prominently for the first team, winning his first full international cap and now winning the coveted Cambodian Premier League Player of the Year! Well done Samnang! He has also bagged the Young Cambodian Player of the Year Award too! He is the future of Cambodian football. Let's hope we can hang onto him in the Christmas Transfer Window. Hope he has a big mantlepiece.. Som wins Cambodian Goalkeeper of the Year Sokundara Som wins Cambodian Goalkeeper of The Year as EDC players continue to sweep the board in the end of season awards! After the awards ceremony it was time to dance the night away as the DJ played his first song. Guess who was first on the dancefloor... Yes the lady in red Charlotte herself.... As my girl twerked and twirled and shook to the music, so the ex-footballers congregated as they danced with her one by one. Sung Rot, Um Makara, Sok Oeun Pidor and Leap Bo were all in there taking it in turns to dance with my girl! It seems strange, but all I could think of was Delboy from Only Fools and Horses.. "Play it cool Trig, Play it cool..." I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Nen Borey. "Jonathan.. I tried to tell you what she was like. She's a maneater and showing her true colours tonight. I'm sorry you had to find out like this" "Nen Nen.. thankyou for your advice, but I know my girl and I trust her." This was a brave thing to say as Charlotte was now Beyonce to Sok Oeun Pidor's Jay-Z.. full sl*t drops and all.. to Crazy in Love.... I ventured onto the dancefloor to keep an eye on things, trying to jig along to the music. She took my hand for a few moments and pulled me close, giving me a full smacker on the lips and winked at me. It was then I twigged what she was up to. It was a bit of a shot in the dark, but my mind flicked back to the conversation we'd had the night before in the restaurant... I looked onto the dancefloor and it struck me that these were all Charlotte's favourite footballers from EDC.. Sung Rot.. Um Makara, Leap Bo .. surely Pidor would be up there as well.... Hmm What was she up to? What was Charlotte up to? What will happen next? Find out next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!

Hi guys Sorry its been a while but have not been playing much FM of late, partly due to the barnstorningly good weather we have enjoyed in the UK of late.. Anyway now that the weather has turned to a more normal British climate (rain) , I'm writing my next post and will hopefully be published soon so watch this space! Ciao!

Unlike Arsenal, EDC were never top of the table this season. The first full season in charge was more like an Arsenal-style implosion, which at the time I compared to Keegan's Newcastle.. Not an Arsenal fan, but hoped they would win so City didn't dominate.. Better luck next season..

Part 68 - It's All Gone A Bit Pete Tong The Title Race Hots Up! Despite our indifferent form we still (kind of) find ourselves still in a title race, although it is pretty tenuous to say the least! Top Of The Table After 21 Games 1st Angkor Tiger 46 pts 2nd Phnom Penh Crown 42 3rd EDC 39 4th Nagaworld 37 5th National Police 37 There are just five matches to go in the 2025 C-League Season and while it is unlikely we will win our inaugural C-League, we still have a chance if we win all our games and hope the Tiger and Nagaworld drop points. Our run in is as follows: 30th August Nagaworld (H) 13th September Boeung Ket (A) 4th October Mekong Kampeuchea Uni (H) 18th October CMAC (H) 31st October Khemera (A) All to play for, starting with the casino! International Call Ups The September International break is nearly upon us. The big news is that our young striker, Samnang Nhem has been called up to the Cambodian National team squad for the first time, along with Ouk Ratana to face Sri Lanka in a friendly and Malaysia in an Asian Cup Qualifier. Meanwhile Sihavong has been called up to the Laos National team. Match 23 – EDC v Nagaworld 30/08/25 A match against the casino is always the biggest game of the season. They lie in fourth, we are third. Whoever wins this gets to challenge Angkor Tiger and Phnom Penh Crown for the title. Inconsistency has crept back into our season, largely due to our dodgy defence. Two of our better defenders, Ratana and Yaty are out for this one, so in comes Sihavong, who has still yet to prove himself in an EDC shirt and Tola Mao, a young defender probably not ready for the first team, but impressed in the rout of Angkor Tiger, so I’ll give him a go... Otherwise we line up 4-2-3-1 as is the way against the bigger teams. Here goes nothing! Team: Som, Sihavong, Tola Mao, Gbayoro, Bairaing, Vavanak, Chea Samnang, Pheara, Nhem, Taboula, Chitra We start the game on the front foot and win a series of corners and free kicks. We then create a chance. After a Taboula free kick, an intricate passing move involving Pheara and Chitra results in the former having his fierce shot tipped over the bar. Encouraging. Then we press the suicide button. Another free kick is cleared, leaving Sun Dara a clear pathway to goal. He doesn’t disappoint the visiting fans. Completely against the run of play as well.. We hit back though. A lovely move down the left sees Bairaing on the overlap and his cross is nodded just wide by Pheara. Then Sokundara Som launches a high swirling goal kick, which Pelap Taboula latches onto and drives the ball past the keeper for a deserved equaliser. Brilliant! Route 1 football, but effective. As ever between these two sides it’s tit for tat. A Fasal free kick onto the head of Ly Vahad results in Som acrobatically tipping the ball over the crossbar. Great Save! Nagaworld start to pile on the pressure. Another Fasal free kick stings the hands of Som, while a goalmouth scramble results in the EDC goalkeeper clawing another one away around the post. One each at the break. A relatively normal game off football. Then the second half begins... Fasal plays an awkward ball up towards Sun Dara and his flick on causes mayhem in our defence as Mantornin sprints onto it seemingly from nowhere and buries it past Som into the top corner. 2-1 Nagaworld. Soon after a hopeful ball into the box from Sihavong finds Nhem who controls it and tries to wriggle free of his marker but is brought down. Up steps Pelap Taboula and sends the ball wide!!! Oh No! From the resulting goal kick, their attack is easily cut out. Suddenly we have a counter attack. Pheara releases Samnang Nhem who runs like a gazelle down the right flank, before skipping past his man, turning inside and smacking the ball into the corner of the net. Utter brilliance from the brightest prospect in Cambodian football! As ever Nagaworld have an immediate response. A near post Fasal corner is diverted home by Yamin from a tight angle. That was a really bad goal to concede. 3-2 Nagaworld. From the kick off captain Chea Samnang drives forward with the ball. He lays it back to young Tola Mao who flights a perfect ball for Nhem to run onto. The goalkeeper has rush of blood to the head and runs out of his area to cut it out, buyt Nhem is too quick. The youngster cooly squares the ball to Taboula who slots the ball into the empty net. 3-3! Then from a goal kick, Tola Mao wins an important header. Nhem flicks the ball on perfectly into the path of sub Mat Noron who guides the ball past the keeper to turn things around 4-3 to EDC! In a thrilling second half, it is Nagaworld’s turn to attack. Man Ratana has a shot blocked, but the ball falls perfectly to Prak Rithy who scores a 30-yard screamer into the top corner. 4-4. I can’t keep up! We then have several chances to take the lead again. Noron blazes over when he had more time. Then we get another kick in the teeth. A Fasal free kick is swung in and that man Prak Rithy has a free header at the far post which inevitably finds the top corner 5-4 Nagaworld. We attack once again. A long passing move results in the ball finding Sihavong forward from right back. His pinpoint cross finds Mat Noron who volleys home yet another equaliser to make it 5-5! Both sides go for the winner. Nagaworld have the better of possession, They work the ball to their left back, Darang. He is in too much space, GO TO HIM SIHAVONG..Close him d... It’s too late. He advances into the penalty area curls in a lovely ball and San Vannak hooks the ball home to break EDC hearts deep in stoppage time. 6-5 to Nagaworld. Crazy! The final whistle goes. We are exhausted. What an amazing game. Nobody deserved to lose this one. What an advert for the C-League this was! Gutted though we lost and with it goes our faint title hopes. Final Score EDC 5-6 Nagaworld Taboula 21,54 Sun Dara 10 Nhem 50 Matnortin 46 Noron 56,77 Rithy 59,75 Vannak 95 The Aftermath Charlotte said to me afterwards that it was the best game of football she had ever seen as she consoled me after the defeat in a match nobody deserved to lose. In a rare show of friendship between the two sides we invited the Nagaworld players into our dressing room, so they could reflect on a scintillating game of football. Although we are rivals, there is a growing mutual respect between EDC and Nagaworld and a match like this brought the two clubs even closer together. Long Savdy Tweet EDC fan, Long Savdy summed up this match in his post match tweet. “Can’t wait to watch that match again on one of those football nostalgia shows in twenty years time” Suon Veasna praises Nhem My former star, Suon Veasna took time out of his busy schedule to praise young EDC startlet Samnang Nhem and said he reminded him of another club legend, Phanny Y Rotha. The way Nhem gallops down the right flank is in my view similar to Veasna in his pomp. Match 24 Boeung Ket v EDC The season is over for both sides. After our thrilling defeat to Nagaworld we lie in 5th and eight points off Angkor Tiger. I am a tad disappointed not to be challenging but in many ways it has been a season of transition I suppose both on and off the pitch. Ratana is back, but Gbayoro is suspended, so rookie, Ly Vatanak is given another chance at centre back alongside the also returning Yaty. I give a full debut to left winger Mol Ly who has impressed in both training and the reserves and so deserves his chance. Cheng Ravy also makes his competitive debut in goal to give Som a rest, as his form has dipped this season. Ket have the evergreen Brazilian, Marques up front and interestingly a Cape Verdean left winger, Carlos Dos Santos who comes from Mindelese, the same club as Aderito Graca. He seems to have settled into his adopted country better than his friend. Anyway I digress. Here’s the team.. Team: Ravy, Ratana, Yaty. Ly Vatanak, Bairang, Vavanak, Samnang, Pheara, Nhem, Taboula, Mol Ly Match Action The home side take the game to us and Ravy is forced into a couple of comfortable-ish early saves, but this does not bode well. Marques looks lively and Dos Santos is a threat. The inevitable happens. Vatanak clears the ball, but only as far as Mom Sotheavan, who has the freedom of the Olympic Stadium to run forward from midfield into the penalty area and slot the ball past Ravy, with no EDC player in the same post code. What a stupid goal to concede! Then further punishment. Our free kick is cleared to the dangerous Marques. He plays in Dos Santos, who slips in former EDC man, Ouch Oudom to fire confidently home for number two with just 15 minutes on the clock. This is turning out to be a miserable day already. On 24 Marques is allowed far too much time and space on the ball as he crosses low for Dos Santos to sweep home a third. I cannot believe what I am seeing. This is a dire performance..! I am so angry.. To be fair we rally. Taboula has one disallowed for offside, which further added to our frustrations, but on 36 minutes a ray of hope. Vavanak plays a great half volleyed pass into the path of Nhem, who fires it home with panache. He can’t miss at the moment, to register his 13th goal of the season. Five minutes later we miraculously score again. Taboula’s cross is nodded home by the man of the moment, Nhem. 3-2 . Into the second half and my motivated team have the bit between their teeth. I exchange debutant Mol Ly for Noron and go for the old faithful up front of Nhem, Taboula and Noron. It nearly pays off. A slick moves plays in Noron, whose shot is brilliantly saved. Hope. Taboula then dispossesses their right back and gallops forward before producing a menacing cross which Pheara heads just over, Come on! Then we are brought down to earth with a bang. A now rare Ket breakaway results in Ly Vatanak tripping Marques in the box. Penalty. The experienced Kok Boris sends Ravy the wrong way. 4-2. They break away and score again 5-2 I can’t be bothered describing it to you, other than we were clueless! 5-2 Match please end. The game petered out into a miserable 5-2 defeat. I threw the water bottle at the players after the game. I am livid with that performance. Even Charlotte could not cheer me up after this one... Final Score Boeung Ket 5-2 EDC Sotheaven 13 Nhem 37,42 Oudom 16,68 Dos Santos 25 Kok Boris 67 (pen) EDC Set Unwanted Record We have broken the record for the worst discipline ever in the C-League, after collecting 91 yellow cards and 3 reds. Well it shows they are getting stuck in, which is fine by me! International Call Ups There are now three EDC players in the Cambodian National Squad, Ouk Ratana, Samnang Nhem and Nhem Dara. They will face two away trips to Guam for a friendly and then a very tricky away trip to Pyongyang, North Korea for an Asian Cup Qualifier. Good luck with that one! Nhem & Taboula nominated for awards My main two strikers, Pelap Taboula and Samnang Nhem have been nominated for the Cambodian Player of the Year. Voting was cast today (although I could not vote for them) and the results will be announced shortly. Match 25 – EDC v Mekong Kampeuchea University Those pesky students are in town. We still have not beaten this lot in 90 minutes yet and the way we are playing at the moment, this is unlikely to change. I have an embarrassment of riches to choose from going forward, while our defence and goalkeepers are short on confidence and numbers. The students meanwhile, despite being obdurate opponents against the best in the league lie bottom of the table, but still have Suon Veasna in their ranks who will need watching. I go in for a 4-4-2 and give a return to a forgotten man, Tuy Oudom on the right flank. He is still at EDC, but has been languishing in the reserves after I decided to play a 4-3-3. Young Vibol is given another chance at right back, while Ratana switches to the left. Team: Som, Vibol, Yaty, Gbayoro, Ratana, Vavanak, Men Samnang, Oudom, Nhem Taboula, Mony Udom Match Action It’s a rather scrappy affair with both teams having efforts going way over the bar. They look slightly the better side and Som acrobatically tips one over the bar. We lack spark and are shorn of confidence. We assert a bit more dominance, but fail to create anything of note. A header from Nhem is comfortably saved and the same player uncharacteristically fails to hit the target when sent through on goal by a Yaty long ball. At the other end, they look dangerous from set plays from Veasna’s deliveries, but apart from that we are marginally better, without being good. On the stroke of half time and pretty much out of nowhere they score. The ball is played to the edge of our box where striker, Sinoun hits a fizzing shot against the post and In Matnornin follows up to tap home the rebound. I lay into the team at half time. We have been pathetic. I throw on young Nhem Dara and go 4-3-3, meaning Tuy Oudom’s comeback lasted only 45 minutes. Into the second half and Nhem shows the first bit of intent and runs at his full back before curling in a decent cross for sub Dara to head straight at the keeper. Promising. The bottom of the table side dig in though and they win a free kick. Suon Veasna stands over the ball and in true Veasna style clips a clever ball to their onrushing player who guides the ball past Som. This is as miserable as a wet weekend in Withernsea.. We dominate again and score a consolation in the last minute. A long diagonal ball by young Vibol is flicked on by sub Noron to the onrushing Mony Udom who finds the corner of the net with a delicate finish and his first goal for the club. Too little too late though. Season please just end! It’s All Got a Bit Miserable Around Here.. It’s fair to say that this campaign has not gone as well as everybody had hoped. Three defeats in a row, 6-5 against Nagaworld, the 5-2 thrashing by Boeung Ket and lastly the miserable 2-1 home defeat to those pesky students has cast a shadow over The Electricty Stadium. The last game also saw us record our lowest home attendance of my reign so far, with just 143 turning up. According to Charlotte, one of those number, the fans are frustrated by the team’s lack of progress this season and there have been some murmurings of discontent against my tactics and management. We have two matches to play out and finally we can finish this season. A big clearout in the winter transfer window is needed, along with the arrival of some new blood.. That is of course if I last that long.. International Round Up On a brighter note, my defender, Ouk Ratana got on the scoresheet in a 4-0 friendly win over Guam. Nhem Dara also made his debut for the senior side. Unfortunately they could not keep up their winning ways on that notoriously tricky trip away to North Korea, where they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in the Asian Nations Cup Qulaifying. Match 26 – EDC v CMAC United Let’s just get this over with. My head is already on next season. While we are in freefall down the table in 5th, our newly promoted opponents are doing well in 8th place and look likely to retain their top flight status next season. It’s time to blood a few of the younger players, mixed with some experienced ones and see what we can do. I revert to a 4-3-3 which I think is our best formation. I hand debuts to right back Kouch Mol and forward, Sor Chanvirak. Makara Um re-appears at left back, while the promising Sann Dara is given a chance in central midfield. Team: Som, Mol, Gbyoro, Vatanak, Um, Tola Mao, Dara, Men Smnang, Nhem, Dara, Chanvirak It’s an even opening 15, but we don’t look confident. We have lost the swagger we used to have. They look the most likely and the inevitable happened when Touch Tola got down the left and put in a pinpoint far post cross for the veteran Japanese striker, Kawabata to nod home. 1-0. We equalise soon after though. It was all a bit route one, Right back Kouch Mol launched the ball forward which seemed to cause panic in the CMAC defence. Nhem Dara ran onto it and beat the keeper to the ball and poked it past him into the empty net. They return the favour. Kong Rafat (remember him) hoofs the ball downfield and Kawabata powers the ball past Som for his second goal. It’s déjà vu again. The Tola/Kawabata combination works again as the Japanese striker nods in a third. I can hear the boos coming from the EDC faithful. This is not good, not good at all. Just when I thought all was lost my young charge, Nhem Dara controls the ball about 30 yards out and fires a screamer into the top corner for 3-2. I smell another high scoring one.... again.... We knock the ball about in midfield, but the ball is cut out and magically finds it’s way to you know who, Mr Kawabata who rifles the ball into the top corner. Som could only stand and watch. Kawabata may as well be Erling Haaland right now... I throw the water bottle several times during the half time tem talk. I am furious. We are a pathetic, a dreadful side. I let them know exactly what I think. Into the second half and I am beyond caring what happens. I am resigning after this match if this carries on. Som sends a long goal kick over everybody’s heads. Nhem Dara is alive to the situation and coolly dinks the ball past the onrushing Kong Rafat. 4-3. Amazingly we equalise. Gbayoro’s long ball into the box causes confusion and that man, Nhem Dara sweeps home the loose ball to make it 4-4! CMAC are no pushovers though. Kawabata who has had a quiet half hour has a snapshot saved by Som. Then the same player forces an acrobatic save from the EDC keeper. They have a string of set pieces and the visitors look the most likely to nick it. However we can play when we want to. The brilliant Nhem Dara picks up the ball and runs at the CMAC defence. He slips in substitute Taboula who powers the ball past Kong Rafat. 5-4 EDC. We have fought back from 4-2 and 3-1 down. A couple of water bottles may have died in the process, but finally we got a win, This however papers over more cracks than on a dried up lake.. Amazingly we move up to fourth above Nagaworld. Final Score EDC 5-4 CMAC United Dara 25,45, 50,78 Kawabata 11,30,39,45 Taboula 90 Angkor Tiger win The C-League Angkor Tiger retained the Cambodian C-League after a comfortable 3-0 win over Prek Pra. Congratulations once again go to them from the Electricity Stadium. Phnom Penh Crown Win the Hun Sen Cup Phnom Penh Crown beat National Defence 3-2 on penalties after playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw after extra time. Match 27 – Khemera v EDC So, at last this season comes to an end with a trip to our bogey side, Khemera, who have had a surprisingly poor season for them and sit in 9th place. They are still Khemera though with their dodgy wing-back formation. I field a mixture of youth and experience, giving a debut to Sob Vattanak in goal, Mol Ly is given another chance on the left wing and Kouch Mol at right back. Team: Vottanak, Makara Um, Yaty, Ratana, Mol, Vavanak, San Dara, Pheara, Nhem, Dara, Mol Ly Match Action First 20 minutes.. nothing tick tock tick tock yawn yawn yawn. On 26 minutes they get a corner and Sokseuna heads the ball home. 1-0 Khemera. As for us we put together a few nice moves which ends up with the final shot being blocked. Half time. I give my team a flea in their ear, this may be the last game of the season but that was not good enough. I switch to 4-2-4. We assert dominance in the second half. Ratana lays it infield to Vavanak who plays it up to Nhem. He lays it off to young Sann Dara who let’s fly! And drills it into the bottom corner for a brilliant equaliser! 1-1. But this is Khemera and they have an annoying habit of scoring just when you think you have them where you want them.. Ly Ravy receives the ball on the edge of the area and fizzes one straight into the top bins past a sprawling Vattanak. 2-1 in typical Khemera style I make the sentimental substitute of taking off young Dara for the veteran, Sok Chanraksmy, who is retiring at the end of the season . He barely gets a kick.. They look the most likely to get a third which comes when Chanratana compounds our misery from a 25-yard piledriver into the bottom corner. We look utterly clueless and the inevitable end to a miserable season comes to an end. We finish 5th with 42 points and 14 points off the champions, Angkor Tiger. Much work to be done in the pre-season if we are to challenge next season.... Final Cambodian C-League Table 2025 1st Angkor Tiger 56 (c) 2nd Phnom Penh Crown 53 3rd Nagaworld 47 4th National Police 47 5th EDC 42 6th Boeung Ket 36 7th National Defence 33 8th CMAC United 32 9th Khemera 30 10th Chhlam Samuth 28 11th Build Bright United 23 12th Prek Pra 23 (R) 13th Mekong Kampeuchea Univ 23 (R) 14th Port Autonome 20 (R) A crazy campaign has seen EDC somehow finish 5th, but a long way off the top of the table. While the board are happy that another top half finish has been achieved the performances and especially our defending has left a lot to be desired. Can Rudd, Borey, Chanraksmy, Chan Vannak and the rest rebuild the squad to challenge for honours next season, or has Rudd decided he has taken this team as far as he can? Find out next time on The Ultimate World FM Game!

Part 67 - One Step Forward. Two Steps Back A run of high-scoring games has derailed our bid to win our first C-League Title. Since the departure of Daravon and then his replacement Warobay, who fecked off back to Indonesia as soon as he could, plus the capable Um Makara deciding his future lay elsewhere, it has left us exposed at the back. We are left with Anderson Gbayoro who is good, but not the best and a loan signing Chan Yaty from Nagaworld who is decent, but still learning his trade. When one or both of these two are suspended or injured we are reliant on the incompetent Panha, or the the novice, Ly Vattanak. Going forward we have an embarrassment of riches, Taboula, Nhem, Pheara, Noron, Dara etc, but our defence, particularly the two centre back positions have let us down this season. Our ability though to score goals did enable us to to go on a slightly fortuitous eleven match unbeaten run, but this came to a juddering halt at the hands of those old foes, The National Police. So now is probably not a great time for the Champions, Angkor Tiger to roll into town! Match 20 – EDC v Angkor Tiger 10th August 2025 The big one! Tiger have opened up an eight point lead, but a win here would of course reduce it to five with 7 games to go and hope they slip up elsewhere. It’s imperative we win. A draw or defeat is no use. The way we have played recently, we will be winning 5-4. I go to 4-2-3-1 for this one, with Ratana returning from international duty and captain, Chea Samnang suspended after his untimely sending off in the last game. Tola Mao makes his full debut in DMC and Chitra is given another chance on the left flank. It’s gonna be a good game! Team: Som, Ratana, Yaty, Gbayoro, Bairaing, Tola Mo, Chea Sam, Pheara, Nhem, Taboula, Chitra Match Action We start brightly. Nhem forces an early corner, Sam Chea has a free kick saved. Encouraging, Then Taboula and Nhem link up on the break which forces another save. We look up for this. We keep the ball well in midfield. Tola Mao to Pheara to Tab pula to Nhem back to Taboula, into the penalty area he goes, he shoots, the keeper gets a hand on it, but the ball trickles into the corner of the net. 1-0! We nearly go 2 up when from a corner, Nhem’s header is blocked on the line. We keep coming, Bairaing this time up from left back fires a shot just wide. Som kicks the ball out onto the head of Taboula, who nods it wide to Nhem who plays an instant return ball to the Nigerian.. What vision from the youngster, he runs into the penalty area. Tabooullllaaa!!! High into the top corner, the keeper had no chance. 2-0 after just 13 minutes! Former EDC loanee, Chlom Pisa now plies his trade with the defending champions and his trademark run and cross resulted in Som making a smart stop on the line. Taboula is denied a hat-trick when Chitra’s clever through ball found Pheara, who crossed low for Taboula to divert home, but his big toe was offside.. It didn’t matter though. We look imperious today. Ratana retrieves a clearance and plays it infield to the impressive Tola Mao. He finds Pheara who plays a brilliant through ball to the onrushing Nhem who slots it into he far corner. 3-0. Stunning! Tiger muster a few attacks but fail to score. The best half of football comes to an end. 3-0 at the break. Tiger cannot be that bad in the second half. They attack and rain shots and headers on our goal, but Som is equal to them or they go wide. Bista is looking an increasing threat and we cannot get the ball. I demand more and we click into gear once more. Sam Chea finally puts his foot on the ball for EDC and he spreads it wide to Samnanag Nhem who steps inside his marker and chips the ball spectacularly over the keeper’s head into the far corner, for what must beone of the goals of the season. Can’t wait to see that one again on Cambodian Match of the Day! The game ticks on. Then Tiger pull one back, Bista’s shot is charged down, but the ball falls to Prak Panha who fires in a low shot past Som. 4-1... Danger danger.. No worries.... Taboula, who is giving a masterclass in leading the line has the ball and he lays it off to Nhem, Taboula, Nhem, Brolin, Dahlin, Brolin.. Pheara! Makes it 5-1. He slips the ball easily past the keeper with a fine finish. Unbelievable football from EDC! Like in 2001 during that famous game against Germany in Munich, EDC fans look at the scoreboard and it reads 5-1 to them! Our best performance of the season by a country mile. The title race is not over yet! Final Score: EDC 5-1 Angkor Tiger Taboula 6,14 Panha 63 Nhem 37,54 Pheara 71 Match 21 – EDC v Phnom Penh Crown We need to build upon the amazing 5-1 win over Angkor Tiger with another win against The Crown. They can play, with Debeiro leading the line with other good pros behind. I keep the same team, except for Gbayoro, who is suspended, so in comes young Ly Vatanak. Team: Som, Ratana, Vatanak, Yaty, Bairaing, Tola Mao, Sam Chea, Pheara, Nhem, Taboula, Chitra Match Action Crown start well and some early Brazilian magic from Debeiro nearly breaks the deadlock, but the striker can only find the arms of Som. A fierce shot from Panha then forces the best out of our goalkeeper again. They are on top, we have shown nothing. Then the inevitable happened. Samoeun got down the right. Where was my left back? He finds Perun, whose first time pass finds Debeiro, who looked suspiciously offside. He slots the ball home, the flag never comes. 1-0 Phnom Penh Crown.. Then, disaster... Crown have a corner. The ball is swung in right under the crossbar. Som cannot reach it and can only palm the ball over the line. 2-0 We just have not turned up here at all. 2-0 at the break. I fire up my team at half time and bring on Mony Udom to balance up the left and Men Samnang as a more attacking option in midfield and tell them to go for it. Nhem’s delicious through ball set up Taboula, but his shot was turned round the post.. We are on top. Bairaing strides forward who finds Nhem. His clever flick finds Taboula free in the area. He doesn’t miss, coolly slotting the ball home to halve the deficit. We press for an equaliser. Substitute Noron has a fierce shot parried behind for a corner. A bullet header from the same player goes just over the bar. Meanwhile Debeiro and co look dangerous on the break and thwack the underside of the bar in an attempt to put the game beyond doubt. The Crown hang on. I am disappointed, it was after the Lord Mayor’s show today and once again we lose ground and slip to third, our victors taking our place behind the Tiger who have a game in hand. Once again we fail to make it count when it mattered. The World FM Game Moves South I’ve decided that instead of heading West I am now going to move South, meaning that my playable leagues have changed. Out: Nepal Pakistan India Bangladesh In: The Phillipines Papua New Guinea Australia East Timor Match 22 – Port Autonome v EDC 23/08/25 The season is slowly coming to an all too predictable end. Angkor Tiger at the top, another team in second and little old EDC in third. There are six more games to play this season, eighteen points to play for and we must win them all to even be in with a shout of winning the title. I bemoan my defensive instabilities this season, which has ultimately cost us I think for this season. Anyway on we go, on an away trip to newly promote Port Autonome, who themselves occupy the top relegation spot it 17 points. Yaty is suspended, so Panha is given another opportunity alongside Gbayoro. The old firm of Taboula, Noron and Nhem are reunited up front with Men Samnang preferred to Pheara in the number 10 role. Team: Som, Ratana, Panha, Gbayoro, Bairaing, Sam Chea, Chea Samnang, Men Samnang, Taboula, Noron, Nhem We look the most threatening in the opening exchanges, with Nhem causing problems down the right. Men Samnang has a fierce shot tipped over the bar. At the other end Autonome have also created a bit, such is the way this season, but have failed to properly test Som. Then we score. Chea Samnang intercepts the ball in midfield, before releasing Taboula down the left. He sprints past the defender, creating a 2 on 1 situation. He does the right thing by sliding the ball across to Nhem who makes no mistake. Then it’s all Autonome as they fire ball after ball into the box, like an old fashioned English 3rd Division side. It pays off. From a goal kick, Chainuth uses his strength to turn past Bairaing and then chips the perfect ball for the onrushing Srey Odom who fires the ball past Som. Their direct style s causing us problems. The goalscorer, Odom has another chance when he latches onto a flick on but Som is equal to it. 1-1 at half time. I tell the boys they are not playing well. We go out for the second half, but it’s the same old nonsense. Then they go and score. From our free kick they clear and hoof it downfield, Wimbledon style. It pays off as Srey Odom runs through with our defenders not in the same postcode. Som didn’t stand a chance as the striker fired it into the corner for 2-1. I demand more, this is pathetic. I bring on Chitra and Pheara on and go 4-2-4. The we equalise. A hopeful ball into the box from Sam Chea was flicked past the keeper by Nhem and Taboula latched onto the loose ball to fire into an empty net. 2-2. Autonome look dangerous on the break, with the lively Odom leading the charge. He is one on one again with Som after making our defence once more look like pair of oil tankers chasing a Ferrari. The sports car fires wide. A let off for EDC. A free kick from Sam Chea is overhit. Taboula retrieves before firing in a cross which is met by the head of Chey Chitra who guides the ball into the bottom corner. 3-2! As is the way with this team though. We can’t keep a lead for toffee. That man, Srey Odom had the final word when he diverts home a Sun Visal cross deep into stoppage time. Sums up our season and is why we will not win the C-League this season. Inconsistency has once again put paid to EDC's title hopes. Another season finishing off the pace beckons and the rebuilding for next season must begin. Can Rudd see it through to the end, or will disapointment get the better of him? Find out next time on The Ultimate World FM Game!

Yes it's all got very Keegan's Newcastle of late..

Thanks Ben. I never really went away, but there are times when you need to actually play the game to progress the story and those opportunities have been limited of late. Thanks as ever for reading

Part 66 - Sieve-Like Defending When we last left off things seemed to be back on track in EDC-land. Results had picked up and we found ourselves just one point off the top of the table, right in the hunt for a shot at C-League glory. Even the board seemed happy and most importantly the other boss, Charlotte was also pleased with how the team was progressing. If you have been reading this story long enough though you will know that some complete nonsense is just around the corner.. Match 15 – Chhlam Samuth v EDC 05/07/25 We must continue to keep winning to maintain the pressure on Angkor Tiger. The team have an excellent record against our opponents, but we must not take our eye off the ball. Samuth lay in 10th, four points off the relegation zone, while we are in second. I make a couple of forced changes. Vavanak and Yaty are both suspended so in comes Chea Sam at DMC and Sok Panha to partner Gbayoro in Central Defence. Nhem is preferred to new signing Nhem Dara up front. Team: Som, Ratana, Panha, Gbayaoro, Bairaing, Sam Chea, Chea Samnang, Men Samnang, Nhem, Noron, Taboula The hosts make a much brighter start and have two early efforts wide, while we have barely touched the ball. I demand more in just the third minute and my players listen as we assert dominance in the game. Men Samnang picks up the ball and runs at the heart of the defence, before laying off to Chea Samnang, whose first time pass releases Nhem in the box who powerfully strikes the ball home from the angle. Brilliant from the youngster again. Samuth respond but it is us who double our lead. Ouk Ratana in his 99th appearance for the club has turned into Roberto Carlos of late and one such free kick swirls into the top corner for 2-0. Samuth haven’t given up. Dangerman, Ke Vannak heads against the upright. Then they get a dodgy penalty after a goalmouth scramble, which is converted by Ouk Voeun. 2-1. Just after half time and Men Samnang is upended in the box after chesting down a Ratana throw in. Given! The full back steps up and smashes home his second goal. We strike not long after when a team move started deep in our own half results in Nhem crossing low for Noron to sweep home a fourth goal. They pull one back when Panha misses an aerial ball and Ke Vannak squares for Dara to convert. Nhem though can do what he likes and dribbles into the box from the excellent Men Samnang’s pass and slams it into the top corner for 5-2. Bunsan pulls one back for the hosts and they hit the post late on, but by hook or by crook we win another game. Final Score: Chhlam Samuth 3-5 EDC Voeun 45 Nhem 12, 75 Dara 61 Ratana 24, 51 (pen) Bunsan 85 Noron 54 Halfway through the season and that result has opened up a little two horse race between us and Angkor Tiger. Tola Mao Makes Professional Debut In the 5-3 victory over Chhlam Samuth I was delighted to give a debut to defensive midfielder, Tola Mao, yet another youngster to come through the ranks at EDC. I hope to promote as many as I can and establish themselves in the first team reckoning like Ratana, Nhem and Pheara before him. (Hopefully it might make him buck his ideas up in training mind you) Match 16 EDC v Prek Pra 12/07/25 We just have to keep on winning and see where it takes us, starting at bottom of the table, Prek Pra. As we know from past experience you take this opposition lightly at your peril. I make a few changes. Yaty replaces the unsteady Panha in central defence, while Vavanak returns at DMC. I am spoilt for choice with attacking options, but keep faith with Noron and the slightly out of sorts Taboula. We need to win, don’t care how, a deflected goal off Noron’s backside will do, just three points to keep the pressure on The Tiger. Team: Som, Ratana, Yaty, Gbayoro, Bairaing, Vavanak, Chea Samnang, Men Samnang, Nhem, Noron, Taboula Match Action We attack from the get go and win a free kick. Ratana, who has suddenly developed a wand of a left foot whips it in, straight onto the head of Taboula at the far post, who leaps like a salmon to powerfully head the ball into the roof of the net. Great start. 1-0. Nhem nearly rounds off an excellent move to make it two, but shoots straight at the keeper. We do double our lead, this time from a Men Samnang corner. Yaty flicks the ball on at the near post and Mat Noron ghosts in at the back post unmarked to tap home from the angle. On 22 minutes we make it three. From a counter attack, Nhem is played in on the right edge of the area, but his shot is parried away by the keeper. Taboula retrieves the ball and crosses in low for Noron to turn home his second. 3-0 it’s looking like a cricket score already... don’t get too complacent lads.. My fears are compounded when Chanraksmy is allowed too much time to pick out a cross, straight onto Ung Dara’s head for 3-1. FOCUS! I bark from the touchline. We respond. A resurgent Taboula whistles one over the bar. He then connects with a Nhem cross with a stunning g volley which whistles into the top corner for 4-1. Into the second half and we dominate once more. However Mr Klose rears his ugly head again, as their goalkeeper, Sophana somehow plays the perfect goal kick straight to Ung Dara in an onside position who fires it confidently past Som for 4-2. Suddenly Ung Dara, their 33 year old striker suddenly turns into Kylian Mbappe. From Som’s goal kick the ball is headed forward and Mbappe runs onto it like a greyhound, before lashing it past Som for 4-3.. Don’t let this slip now!! Enter Captain Fantastic, Chea Samnang... Vavanak has the ball in midfield. He finds his skipper who turns and unleashes a fierce shot which flies into the top corner like a bullet for 5-3. Boy we needed that! Mbappe hasn’t finished yet though and a stinging shot is only just tipped round the post by Som.. Then from a stupid misplaced throw in we give them the opportunity to break. The ball is worked left and then crossed in where Chanroeurn thrashes the ball home first time. The bottom team in t he C-league suddenly cannot miss! 5-4 incase you’ve lost count. They weren’t finished. I go into contain mode. Taboula is playing as a flippin' wide midfielder, it’s getting that desperate. Nhem is sacrificed for Sam Chea as I look to keep them out, It’s no use. The FM gods have decided my fate. Prek Pra are playing one touch football in the manner of Brazil 1970 and we can’t cope with them. Forget Mpappe, Ung Dara has turned into Pele, Chamroeurn, Jarzinho.. Young Vavanak who has morphed into Carlton Palmer plays a stupid ball towards Noron and they seize their opportunity. Can’t remember how, but it ended up at feet of Pele inside the box who slipped the ball under the hapless Massimo Taibi.. sorry Som to complete an incredible comeback. Once more Prek Pra have put a huge spanner in the works of EDC’s march to C-League glory.. Somehow, my laptop has survived this experience in one piece... On the bright side we are nine games unbeaten, but we are now three behind Angkor Tiger who beat Nagaworld 2-0. What a waste! Final Score: EDC 5-5 Prek Pra Taboula 4,41 Ung Dara 27, 47, 62, 94 Noron 13, 23 Chamroeurn 78 Samnang 64 Match 17 – Build Bright United v EDC Every game from now in is a must-win if we are to win the C-League. The criminal surrendering of the game against Prek Pra must not and cannot be repeated. I go in with pretty much the same team and they can hopefully make amends after their capitulation from a 4-1 lead against the bottom team. Unforgivable! That game is over and now we must concentrate on the remaining fixtures, starting with Build Bright away. They have ex-EDC man, Sung Rot in their ranks and a dangerous striker, Soksana. The newly promoted side have kept their heads above water this season and are in 9th position. We are second, three behind the beer company. Team: Som, Ratana, Yaty, Gbayoro, Bairaing, Vavanak, Chea Smanang, Men Samnang, Nhem, Noron, Taboula. Match Action Disaster! In the opening minutes. Chea Samnang passes the ball backwards to who he thinks is Yaty. It turned out it was the referee. Their striker Pom Samnang latches onto it and buries it past Som. FFS! We respond. Taboula has a fierce shot tipped wide and then Noron forces a fine save from Taboula’s cross. Hope. Ratana takes a throw on the right and the defender misses the ball. Nhem turns quickly and hooks the ball into the roof of the net for a very clever equaliser. 1-1. We start to exert dominance, passing the ball with confidence in midfield. Noron has a stinging shot well saved by the keeper. Then another disaster strikes on the stroke of half time. Our corner is headed away. Savy Soksana runs down the right, before playing the perfect ball to the onrushing Pom Samnang, who slams it past Som for 2-1. FFS! A flowing move through midfield though results in Mat Noron cutting in from the left before unleashing a fierce shot which flies in at the near post, with the keeper only able to palm the ball into the roof of the net. Two each! In the second half we dominate and look far more likely to take the lead. I exchange the out of sorts Taboula for Chitra. A big hoof downfield from their keeper, results in the ball being flicked on and Pom Flamin Samnang runs into it (who else) and slams it once again past Som....Aarrrgghhhh! i hate this stupid game!”!!!!!Nhavbfhiegfhydguf!!! Djsofbhdbfhdis Pom Samang scores another breakaway goal 4-2 when will we learn? When will we f******. Learn you stupid defenders i will sack you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We pull one back when Nhem gets in behind their defence and his shot deflects off a defender and squirts under the keeper 4-3. I go all out attacking and it’s end to end, with them looking as likely to extend their lead as us to equalise. One or the other was going to happen. From their goal kick for once it didn’t go to Pom whatshis face, but to Ouk Ratana. The right back drives forward with the ball, before slipping in sub, Nhem Dara to slide the ball home for a dramatic late equaliser 4-4. Either team could win it now. Gbayoro recovers brilliantly to recover a missed header and he feeds Vavanak who floats a lovely ball to DARA!!!! He hits the foot of the post from the angle.. how unlucky! Four each and I’ve just about got my breath back! However in the cold light of day we have slipped to third and Tiger have a game in hand, so could stretch their lead to 5 points. Once again we let it slip, just at the time when we needed to keep on winning and our defence is an utter shambles, We will never win the title with this defence and changes are needed fast. Match 18 – National Defence v EDC I just want a good solid performance and a clean sheet. We are a “fur coat no knickers” team at the moment, great going forward, but terrible at the back. This is not helped by the suspension of Ratana and Yaty, meaning 18 year old Ly Vattanak will make his debut and partner Gbayoro in central defence. I go with a more conservative 4-2-3-1 formation, in order to try and maintain some solidity against dangerous opponents. We must win. A 4-0 win over today’s opponents put Angkor Tiger 5 points clear, so we need to close the gap to two. Team: Som, Sihavong, Vattanak Gbayoro, Bairaing, Sam Chea, Chea Samnang, Men Samnang, Nhem, Taboula, Mony Udom Match Action We start well. Chea Samnang bursts forward but his shot is straight at the keeper. We look more solid and organised than in previous games. Gbayoro picks up the ball on the halfway line and plays an accurate ball for Samnang Nhem who runs into the the right channel. His snapshot is parried by the keeper, only into the path of Taboula for an easy tap in from 6 yards. The way we are playing though our lead was not to last long. A lucky rickashy from a Bairaing tackle fell to midfielder Nen Hai, whose easy through ball finds Dairpatch who is clean through on goal and slots it comfortably past Som for the equaliser.. We are just not learning at the moment. The aptly named Thorn Darapitch latches onto another through ball with our defence all at sea yet again and he makes no mistake. All that work we have done in training on organising the defence gone to pot. I am fuming! A thorn in our side he is. We come close to an equaliser when Mony Udom’s cross is glanced ontothe bar by Taboula. The same player comes to our rescue again when Bairaing flight in a cross and the Nigerian hotshot half volleys the ball home first time. 2-2 after just 27 minutes. Kamikaze football! The impressive Udom has a free kick tipped round the post by former EDC man Um Channou. We end the half the most likely to take the lead, but the score remains Desmond at half time. In the second half and it becomes a slug fest. They seem content with the draw, nothing but a win will do for us. I go attacking, throw on Pheara and Chitra and go 4-3-3. On a breakaway the brilliant Taboula gets into the right channel and crosses in where sub Pheara meets the ball with a bicycle kick, (think David Platt v Belgium in Italia ’90) straight past the keeper. 3-2. We are hanging on a bit here, but when the ball is hacked downfield, their defender inexplicably whacks the ball out for a corner. Chea Samanag swings the ball in and super sub Pheara rises at the far post to nod home a clincher. Pidor pulls one back for them with the last kick of the game. 4-3 papers over the cracks of our frailties a little but keeps us in touch at the top of the table. A win is a win, but still 5 behind the Tiger who plough on with a 2-1 win over lowly Port Autonome. Final Score National Defence 3-4 EDC Darapitch 11,17 Taboula 4,28 Pidor 96 Pheara 68,90 Chea Samnang wins Goal of The Month Club captain and all round midfield dynamo, Chea Samnang has won the July Goal of The Month Award for his sensational strike against Prek Pra. Match 19 EDC v National Police It’s a grudge match nowadays against the Police, with Sok Ouen Pidor and the cheating Judas on ‘theirs’, plus a constant headache over the years, Timothy Okereke.. Great. They really have been on a recruitment drive of late and have conscripted a decent team, which lie in 5th, two behind us currently. We just have to keep on winning, hope the Tiger slip up somewhere and then beat them at our place. We are racked with international call ups for Ratana and Nhem Dara and suspensions to Bairaing and Sam Chea add to our absentees, so in come Vavanak at DMC, while young Ly Vatanak switches to left back. Team: Som, Sihavong, Yaty, Gbayoro, Vatanak, Vavanak, Chea Samnang, Pheara, Nhem, Noron, Taboula Match Action We kick off an knock the ball around quite comfortably but there is no incisiveness. One stray pass and they are in.. Our old friend Pidor has the ball on the left and his perfect ball for the onrushing Okereke sees the Nigerian reach the bye line where he clips a perfect cross for Dina to easily nod home. That was far too easy... Then our captain lunges in on their midfielder and is shown a red card. Things are all going Pete Tong as it often does against the Police.. We rally. I throw on young central midfielder, Sann Dara for his debut in centre mid to give us more numbers there at the expense of Noron. Pheara is at the heart of everything and his through ball to Taboula results in him hitting it narrowly wide. Encouraging. 1-0 to them at the break. We huff and puff in the second half, but fail to create much. Sok Ouen Pidor takes a random corner, straight onto the head Chainuth’s head for 2-0.. Is there any way back? Well.. Taboula is upended on the edge of the box. Up steps the unlikely man of defender Chan Yaty.. What’s he doing there? Where’s Taboula? Yaty steps up and smacks it straight into the top corner, 2-1 game on! We come alive. Pheara is buzzing around again. Sihavong finds the energy to overlap on the right and Taboula suddenly looks dangerous. Pidor at the other end reminds us of his ability and has a pot shot just over the bar. From the goal kick, Som strikes a clean ball up to Nhem, who instantly brings the ball under his spell, creates a little bit of space, before belting the ball into the top corner. Quite magnificent from the youngster once again! It’s end to end as both teams seek a winner. Okereke forces the best out of Som on a couple of occasions. Then our goalkeeper launches another handgrenade down the pitch into the path of Nhem who has the composure to give the keeper the eyes, before slotting cooly past him at the near post. Unbelievable Jeff! Ten man EDC 3-2 National Police. We batten down the hatches and even have a couple of chances to win it through that man Nhem and a Gbayoro header. But. With just four minutes to go another Pidor corner causes chaos in the box and the ball is stabbed home by that old foe Timothy Okereke for 3-3.. Then we hit the suicide button. The inexperienced Ly Vatanak takes a pointless long throw which is seized upon and crossed in for Sadet to lash home the winner. Heartbreak for EDC! Joy for the flippin’ police.. 4-3 to the coppers... Final Score EDC 3-4 National Police Yaty 55 Dina 7 Nhem 65.76 Chainuth 54 Okereke 87 Sadet 88 Gutted! Our 11 match unbeaten run comes to an end and sadly our C-League hopes fade once again for another year after Tiger and Phnom Penh Crown open up a 5 point lead at the top with a game in hand. We cannot win the title with such a leaky defence. A sudden glut of high-scoring games have derailed EDC's title bid. Next match, a six pointer against league leaders Angkor Tiger. Can EDC keep their faint title hopes alive? Find out next time on The Ultimate World FM Game!

Part 65 - Keeping Up The Pressure After a dodgy start to the season, have finally found some form and a run of wins has propelled us up to 2nd in the table on goal difference after ten games. It is though a marathon not a sprint and the mid-season transfer window may have a part to play as envious eyes are cast once again on my talented squad... Match 12 – Mekong Kampeuchea University v EDC It’s time to re-visit those obdurate students from the Mekong University. The students have strengthened since last we met in the first match of our sucessful Hun Sen Cup campaign back in 2023. They also have a mature student in their ranks who goes by the name Suon Veasna. Now 31 years old he is still dancing down the wing and will be their most obvious threat. They lie bottom of the league with just 6 points, but have been on a little three match unbeaten run. We could go top with a win here. I go in with a 4-2-4 with Pidor and forgotten man, Tuy Oudom makes his first appearance of the season on the wings and Taboula and Nhem up front. Ratana is suspended and In Sambath is probably about to leave the club, so in comes young Ouk Vibol for a debut at the poisoned chalice of right back. Here goes. Team: Som, Vibol, Yaty. Gbayoro, Bairaing, Vavanak, Men Samnang, Oudom, Nhem, Taboula, Pidor Match Action We attack and nearly score in the first minute. Vibol crosses in Taboula lays it off, Samnang Nhem hits a shot against the foot of the post. We are conceding too many set pieces and guess who is taking them.. Suon Veasna and we all know about his delivery. One wicked swerving corner reaches the back post where their defender has a free header which is hacked off the line. A warning. At the other end Taboula has an effort ruled out for offside. Oudom pulls a shot wide when he should have done better and Nhem forces a fine save from their keeper. It has all the hallmarks of another dodgy result against a bottom of the league side (Remember Prek Pra last season) Pidor gallops down the left and puts it on a plate for Nhem! Blocked on the line and cleared. This is an all too familiar story. 0-0 at the break. In the second half Pidor floats a free kick into the far post and YATY! Nods in Yess.. Noo!! Linesman had his flag up on the far side it won’t stand. I am incandescent with rage. Then the game gets bogged down. They are happy to pass the ball around without getting anywhere, time wasting and just being downright annoying. I change to a 4-3-3. Noron is on, Pheara just behind, Pidor in attacking midfield. Nhem crosses in for Noron!!! He sweeps home! Noo! Linesmans flag up on the far side, Noron’s big hairy toe is offside. No Goal F&&&! Off Its a goal you Play on.. WTF??? More frustration. A Pidor free kick is headed home by Chhim Pheara.. At last... Guess what.. The linesman has his flag up on the far side. Nen Borey has to restrain me, I want to confront him and punch his lights out. Four goals disallowed for offside. This is ridiculous! I kick the advertising hoardings in frustration. I get sent to the stands. I am beyond furious. The game ends 0-0... It’s results like this that decide seasons and careers. There were some dark forces at work today. The only consolation is we actually go top of the table, but by just one point instead of what should have been three. What an opportunity wasted.. again.. Final Score Mekong Kampeuchea University 0-0 EDC Transfer Window Transfers In Nhem Dara During several scouting meetings, the name Nhem Dara kept coming up and after looking into it saw some potential in this young lad, so I have snapped him up from the National Defence. He then tore our defence apart in a recent meeting between the two sides and scored two goals, which prompted us into action. Un Mony Udom A young player who can play either in the left, or as a number 10 in a similar mould to Pidor. Transfers Out Pom Vannak joins Life University My back up DMC, Pom Vannak has left the club to join the University of Life. He was surplus to requirements and there were other perhaps more talented plyers coming through in that position. Um Makara joins National Police I really didn’t see this one coming, but my regular DMC and DC, Um Makara has joined the National Police Force. I’d really earmarked him as a mainstay in my first XI, but he saw it differently. Run Sokha to Samnang Aphivath Run Sokha has been at EDC for some time now, but the central defender has never quite done enough to cement a place in the team on the odd occasion he has played. Second division outfit, Samnang Aphivath offered him a contract and I didn’t stand in his way. Sok Oeun Pidor free transfer to National Police Gutted! I am sick and tired of the Police sniffing round my squad and stealing my players... Take your recruitment drive elsewhere..... In Sambath free transfer to Kang Reach Say This one was more planned as I had allowed this versatile defender to look elsewhere. He’s ended up in the Second Division, which to be fair is probably about his level. Soun Bath free transfer to University Life I’m slightly disappointed that youth product, Soun Bath has decided to jump ship to University Life. At 19 he needs to be playing regular first team football and it is more likely he will do this at his new club than with us, so off he goes. Match 13 EDC V Khemera It’s all change at EDC, as we have lost two players, Pidor and Soun Bath who would have been involved in today’s game. In their place come new signings, Nhem Dara and Un Mony Udom as we take on our bogey team. Gbayoro is suspended so young Panha replaces him in defence. Khemera have that other traitorous snake, Min Rattanak in their ranks, who apparently is “excited” about our little reunion at the Electricity Stadium.. I am less so. Maybe its because he will get to see Charlotte again in the stands? They lie down in 8th, while we are in second after being overtaken by the Tiger. As ever a must-win. Team: Som, Ratana, Yaty, Panha, Bairaing, Vavanak, Samnang, Mony Udom, Nhem, Dara, Taboula Even Steven in the opening exchanges. We probe without creating anything clear cut, them pretty much the same. That is until Chea Noron picks up the ball in space and unleashes a 25 yard pile driver which whistles past Som and into the top corner. I bloody hate Khemera.. Then Samnang Nhem sprays the ball left to his mate, Taboula who skips past his man and curls a lovely shot which brings out the best of their keeper. Promising. We proceed to dominate, but that final pass or shot lets us down time and again. Ratana’s hopeful ball into the box is trapped by Taboula and fires instantly goalwards and thwacks the crossbar. That’s the closest we have come. Khemera doing what Khemera do best, frustrating us.. 1-0 to them at the break. We huff and we puff but Khemera stand firm. Then on 61 minutes the usual thing happens with this f****ing team, they break away and score. Mantnornin this time the one to rub our noses in it. I cannot wait for Khemera to be relegated one day. The bogey man has reared his ugly head once more... I demand more and sub, Men Samnang listens. He dispossesses their midfielder with a brilliant block tackle, before bursting forward, running at the heart of the Khemera defence. He lays it off to Taboula who fizzes the ball in at the near post.. 2-1, to register his 50th goal for the club. Khemera still look good for a third on the break. Ravann tests the strength of Som’s fingertips after one such break. For our equaliser though we play them at their own game, breaking up their attack before launching forward, which results in sub Phera slotting home from the angle after Ratana’s hopeful ball over the top caused panic in the Khemera defence. Then a flipping miracle happens. We win a free kick at the edge of the box. Up steps the unlikely figure of Ouk Ratana, who fires it towards goal. The keeper cannot get a strong enough hand on it and the ball flies into the roof of the net 3-2. From 2-0 down! Nen Borey and I run onto the pitch and slide on our knees in jubilation, like Alex Ferguson and Brian Kidd against Sheffield Wednesday all those years ago.. A fantastic turnaround! We are now just one point off Angkor Tiger at the top of the table. Game On! Final Score EDC 3-2 Khemera Taboula 67, Pheara 82, Noron 14 Ratana 85 Matnornin 62 Match 14 – CMAC United v EDC 28/06/25 Simply put every game is a must win now to keep the pressure on Angkor Tiger at the top and hopefully make it a two horse race for the title. Lowly CMAC have always impressed me when we have played them in friendlies and have always been a close contest so we cannot take them too lightly. Anderson Gbayoro returns to the heart of the defence, while I have gone for experience up front, recalling Noron and Taboula. Team: Som, Ratana, Yaty, Gbayoro, Bairaing, Vavanak, Chea Samnang, Men Samnang, Dara, Noron, Taboula Match Action We assert dominance and the unlikely source of Bairaing forces the first save of note from the keeper. CMAC are happy to frustrate us and Taboula is the victim of the offside flag on a few occasions. Vavanak plays a hopeful ball into the channel, which is booted out for a corner. Samnang drills the ball in near post where it is met by the flying head of Chan Yaty, which booms into the corner off the post 1-0. Half time. CMAC come out in the second half. We are giving them far too much space in midfield. Sophorn skewers a ball into the left channel where Japanese forward, Kawabata lumbers after it. He reaches it just before it crosses the byeline and manages to find a cross straight into the path of San Udom who pokes it home at the near post. I make two changes. The ineffectual Noron is replaced by forgotten man Chey Chitra, while Pheara adds an extra attacking option for Chea Samnang. Chitra has looked lively since he came on and his run down the left channel results in the ball squirting out for a corner. Men Samnang drifts the ball in. Gbayaro leaps highest and flicks the ball home off the upright 2-1 EDC! We batten down the hatches as CMAC search for an equaliser. They have a few efforts, but were mainly wide or comfortably saved by Som. At the other end, Nhem Dara and Chitra both wasted good chances to extend the lead. I was relieved when the final whistle went. We were far from our best today, but as a well known Scottish commentator once said.. “When your not playing well and you have to grrrrinnnndddd out a result, well that’s what EDC have done today Richard.” Final Score- CMAC United 1-2 EDC Udom 53 Yaty 33, Gbayoro 67 EDC U21 Assistant Manager Khim Veasna joins University Life My talented U21s Assistant Manager, Khim Veasna has accepted the offer of a job as manager of University Life in the Second Division. We wish him well. International Call Ups Samnang Nhem, Chhim Pheara and Soun Bath have been called up to the Cambodian U19s squad for friendlies against Nepal and Oman U19s, while Ouk Ratana is my sole representative in the Senior Squad as they face Tajikistan in an Asia Cup Qualifying match and a friendly against Oman. Board Confidence I have been awarded a ‘B for my overall performance as manager of EDC.. It's like being back at school. They have nothing to criticise. We are one point off the top of the table. All seems well.. or is it??? A point off the top of the table, a good write up from the board, despite everything all seems back on track at EDC, but you never know what's around the corner... Find out next time on The Ultimate World FM Game!

Daniel. I like this story, especially the use of headings which breaks up the text. Nice to also see another Asian story here as well KUTGW.

I imagine this is a different Charlotte to the one in my story! Complete co-incidence