dkouv
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Posts posted by dkouv
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Scarborough Athletic - Season 19 (2038/39)
English Premier League
League: We scraped into the Champions league for the first time. The first two-thirds of the season went great and we were close to the top of the table (although never likely to catch Spurs), but then our form took a nosedive after our European exit and we needed a late equaliser against 13th- placed West Ham to claim 4th spot ahead of Chelsea on goal difference. Bearing in mind that a few games before then we also scored a 95th minute equaliser against Chelsea, it was definitely a close call. Nothing spectacular at all in the domestic cups.
Europe: Our 2nd string cruised through the group stage, then I decided to play the first team in the 2nd KO round, and they were duly dispatched by plucky Villareal.
Players: Scott Jamieson 14a (GK) is our best player and still developing, not likely to sign a new contract though. A few of the youngsters are coming along nicely, with Bartosz Wiacek 16a (DC/MC) becoming our best defender and Spencer Bowler 17d (ML/AMLC/ST) pushing for a starting spot on the left wing.
Youth intake: A disappointing year with Scott Lund 19a (MR/AMRC) and Martin Perkins 19b (AML/ST) the best out of a relatively poor bunch.
Transfers: the usual getting rid of deadwood and lots of loans.
We also had a board takeover accompanied by a somewhat underwhelming public listing
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. 2032/33 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | Qualified for Europa League 2033/34 | Premiership | 8 | Europa Q/F | 2034/35 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | 2035/36 | Premiership | 7 | Europa Q/F | 2036/37 | Premiership | 7 | n/a | Qualified for Europa Conference 2037/38 | Premiership | 6 | Won Euro Conf | 2038/39 | Premiership | 4 | Europa 2nd KO | Qualified for Champions League . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250 2032/33 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | leasing Hull's ground 2033/34 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Great | Great | 17323 2034/35 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Excellent | Excellent | leasing Boro's ground 2035/36 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Superb | Superb | 35099 2036/37 | Exceptional | Exceptional | State of Art | State of Art | 35099 ....
2 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 18 (2037/38)
English Premier League
League: On the surface not much change, but we played much much better this season. We finished 6th but with a very solid 69 points, only a few points off the CL places. The team was much more consistent and recorded a few victories against the top sides, including a double over Man Utd. The players are developing nicely and I’m hoping we can push on towards the top 4 next season.
A good run to the league cup semi was ended by Man City, who also knocked us out of the FA cup.
Europe: The Europa Conference league was very enjoyable – I played my reserves but this was enough to get us through to the final without too many problems, without any teams from other top leagues encountered along the way. The final was a very nervy affair – we completely dominated Schalke but my star striker Nick Harmon couldn’t hit a barn door so it looked like we were heading for penalties until they conceded a spot kick in the last minute of extra time, and with a 122nd minute goal we sealed our first “proper” trophy!
Players: Almost all the oldies have been phased out, and we have a very solid core of promising youngsters with Scott Jamieson 14a (GK) and Michael Edwards 13a (DC/DM/MC/AMC) the stars, and Bartosz Wiacek 16a (DC/MC) the top prospect. In attack, we seem to really depend on Alan Malone 14b (AMRLC/ST), who is the only winger that can reliably score goals for us, and he gets injured a lot – so I’m hoping for a bit more depth on the wings in the coming years.
Youth intake: Again I’m happy, with Richard Robertson 18a (DRLC) adding to our suddenly swelling ranks of talented defenders, and Paul Bouhet (AMLC/ST) and Aaron Moore 18c (AMLC/ST) potentially providing some much needed depth up front.
Transfers: another couple of legends bite the dust, with Lewis Southern 05d (MRC/AMR) who’s been ever present for us on the right wing departing for Championship side Barnsley.
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. 2032/33 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | Qualified for Europa League 2033/34 | Premiership | 8 | Europa Q/F | 2034/35 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | 2035/36 | Premiership | 7 | Europa Q/F | 2036/37 | Premiership | 7 | n/a | Qualified for Europa Conference 2037/38 | Premiership | 6 | Won Euro Conf | . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250 2032/33 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | leasing Hull's ground 2033/34 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Great | Great | 17323 2034/35 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Excellent | Excellent | leasing Boro's ground 2035/36 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Superb | Superb | 35099 2036/37 | Exceptional | Exceptional | State of Art | State of Art | 35099
4 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 17 (2036/37)
English Premier League
League: More of the same, really. We’re stagnating but at least we’re not regressing. A good run in the autumn saw us rise up into the Champions League places, but our form gradually deteriorated until a 4-0 home defeat to champions Man City on the final day consigned us, once again, to a 7th placed finish. This year, however, this qualified us for the Euro Conference, to which I’m looking forward to. The less said about the cups the better.
Players: Much of the old guard that’s been with us since Vanarama National is on the way out. We have some promising youngsters in Nick Harmon 13b (ST/AML) – the pick of the bunch, finishing EPL top scorer with 23 league goals – Michael Edwards 13a (DC/DM/MC/AMC) – back to a center mid spot now that I have a few center backs coming through – and the aptly named Scotcsman Scott Jamieson 14a (GK), who is edging out experienced Neil Smith 06a in goal. There’s not much depth beyond these youngsters though, so the squad is getting quite thin. Guess I’ll just try to maintain stability over the next couple of seasons while more players develop.
Youth intake: Decent again, with Harry Steele 17a (DM/MC), Terry Stancliffe 17b (DRLC) and Aidan Allan 17c (M/AMR/ST) all looking like they could do a job for us a few years down the line. Bit more depth than last year which is what I was looking for. Some good personalities too - following @XaW's lead I tried to get as many Model Citizen coaches as I could and maybe it's paying off.
Facilities: Training & youth facilities and coaching now maxed out
Transfers: not much but another player who’s been with us since Vanarama National – Albert Piernas 04e (DRLC) is on the way out after 391 league appearances in 12 years.
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. 2032/33 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | Qualified for Europa League 2033/34 | Premiership | 8 | Europa Q/F | 2034/35 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | 2035/36 | Premiership | 7 | Europa Q/F | 2036/37 | Premiership | 7 | n/a | Qualified for Europa Conference . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250 2032/33 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | leasing Hull's ground 2033/34 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Great | Great | 17323 2034/35 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Excellent | Excellent | leasing Boro's ground 2035/36 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Superb | Superb | 35099 2036/37 | Exceptional | Exceptional | State of Art | State of Art | 35099
@Padders Hope you hang in there!!
4 -
Scarborough Athletic - Season 16 (2035/36)
English Premier League
League: European football stretched our squad again, but we did better than the last time we qualified for the Euro Cup, finishing up in 7th following a decent run of results in the spring. Unfortunately this didn’t get us into Europe this year, as 8th placed Leicester won the Euro Conference and qualified at our expense. We did well in the domestic cups, reaching league cup quarters and taking Liverpool to extra time in the FA cup semi. A pretty crazy season scoreline-wise, with us finishing joint top scorers with 75 but conceding third-highest 66 goals in the process, thanks to our awesome attack and crappy defense ( @Padders - is this absolute lack of quality defenders a Scarborough thing?
).
Europe: We topped the group consisting of Napoli, Feyenoord and Maribor, and manufactured a fantastic second leg comeback to beat Napoli 6-5 on aggregate in the quarters. Eventual winners Man Utd were too strong for us in the quarters.
Players: We now have two wonderkids in Nick Harmon 13b (ST/AML) and Ben Griffiths 12b (MC/AMC), and while Christopher Uche 12a (DLC) is not a wonderkid he has been a very solid center back for us amongst our generally rubbish ageing defense.
Youth intake: Not much depth but I'm feeling cautiously optimistic given our dire needs in defense. The intake preview promised center backs and Bartosz Wiacek 16a (DC/MC) looks pretty awesome, although I’m not sure he'll be needing that 11 finishing any time soon
Darren Maguire 16b (DL/WBL) comes through in a very understaffed fullback position, and Lee Carver 16c (MC/AMRC) joins the swelling ranks of our attacking midfielders.
Facilities: Training & youth facility upgrade + stadium expansion done, another facility upgrade on the way
Transfers: quite a few of the ageing / not good enough players leaving
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. 2032/33 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | Qualified for Europa League 2033/34 | Premiership | 8 | Europa Q/F | 2034/35 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | 2035/36 | Premiership | 7 | Europa Q/F | . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250 2032/33 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | leasing Hull's ground 2033/34 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Great | Great | 17323 2034/35 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Excellent | Excellent | leasing Boro's ground 2035/36 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Superb | Superb | 35099
3 -
Scarborough Athletic - Season 15 (2034/354)
English Premier League
League: A better season as we matched our highest-ever finish of 6th from two years ago. The team overall was playing much more consistently, maybe being out of Europe helped. Man City had an incredible year, completing a 102 point invincible season. They will take some time to catch at this rate… We managed to reach the league cup semi where we lost out to Tottenham, and the less said about the FA cup the better.
Players: Nick Harmon 13b (ST/AML) has continued to develop nicely, as has Michael Edwards 13a (DMC/MC/AMC), with both staying relatively injury-free this season. I’m actually thinking of retraining Edwards as a center back due to my lack of options in that department. Mark Campbell 09b (ML/AMLC/ST) was probably our best player and we underwent a noticeable slump in form when he was injured.
Youth intake: I messed up the screenshot shortcuts so showing these at the end of the season – but in general this year but it was better than last, with a few players with potential to feature in the first team. Another talented Scottish lad Steward Stracey 15a (MC/AMC/ST) will join the growing ranks of our talented attackers, while Shane Hatton 15b (DC/MC) might fill in some of the holes at center back. Ryan Smith 15c (MC/ST) also looks decent.
Facilities: Training + youth upgrade done, stadium expansion done and another on the way. And we’re finally up to level 1 youth setup!
Transfers: nothing of note
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. 2032/33 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | Qualified for Europa League 2033/34 | Premiership | 8 | Europa Q/F | 2034/35 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250 2032/33 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | leasing Hull's ground 2033/34 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Great | Great | 17323 2034/35 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Excellent | Excellent | leasing Boro's ground
2 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 14 (2033/34)
English Premier League
League: An underwhelming season in the league, but only because we set such a high standard last season. We finished 8th with a goal difference of +1 and 8 points less than last season. Some good runs were intermingled with glaring inconsistency, and my tactical tweaking did not seem to be able to fix this. Man Utd knocked us out in the quarters of both domestic cups.
Europe: Our first foray into Europe was pretty decent, as we managed to get out of a tough group containing Valencia and Fiorentina by beating Fiorentina 1-0 away on the last day. We got past Basel in the 2nd KO round but Valencia got their revenge by knocking us out in the quarters.
Players: Again, a surprise youngster from last year’s intake breaking through, with Nick Harmon 13b (ST/AML) finishing with a solid 13 goals and 7.23 average rating for the season. The other promising youngster from last year’s intake Michael Edwards 13a broke his leg so did not feature much. Other than this, Christopher Uche 12a (DLC) has broken into the first team, where he formed a formidable partnership with club captain Russell Jebbison 02c (DRC/DC). Everyone else was pretty average.
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Youth intake: Really disappointed with this one. Facility improvements, higher reputation, Premiership - and all we get is a promising Scottish keeper and literally nothing else. I hope next year we get more depth as more or less half my team has been with us since the Vanarama National and are definitely reaching their limit at this level.
Facilities: Upgraded training and youth facilities, and another stadium expansion is on the way. Not that any of this is helping much with the intakes…
Transfers: Cleared out some deadwood, with the most notable one being Sam Fletcher 05b (DMC/MC) whose progress has stalled over the last few years.
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. 2032/33 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | Qualified for Europa League 2033/34 | Premiership | 8 | n/a | . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250 2032/33 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | leasing Hull's ground 2033/34 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Great | Great | 17323
2 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 13 (2032/33)
English Premier League
League: Our first season in the Premiership was undoubtedly a success. We started with a kind set of fixtures, and some good form propelled us towards the top end of the table. We tailed off after we had to face the usual “big 6” - apart from a solitary point at home to Chelsea, we didn’t pick up anything from those fixtures - but were never in danger of relegation. We managed to end our bad run of form around March, and a great run of 6 wins in 7 saw us finish 6th and pick up a Europa League spot.
We did ok in the cups, reaching the FA cup quarters where we lost at home to Derby.
Players: The surprise and star performer of the season was Shane Young 11a (ML/ST), who plugged a very necessary hole upfront and ended up our top scorer with 19 goals in 35 apps, even outscoring our star player Mark Campbell 09b (AMLC/ST). In defence, Russell Jebbison 02c (DRC/DC) was very solid - to think that he’s been with us all the way of the journey from Vanarama North to the EPL is quite special. He’s still one of the better players in the squad, and has notched up 422 league appearances over 11 years. Another shout out goes to Bogdan Radulescu (DL/WBL) - an untagged wingback from a poor intake a few years ago who has defied expectations and has become a bit of a regular for us.
Youth intake: Looks like the move up the the Premiership paid off, and we have the first “exciting” intake for quite a few years. Michael Edwards 13a (DMC/MC/AMC) and Nick Harmon 13b (ST/AML) will be already pushing for a squad place, and Kemo Kanteth 13c (GK) could provide a long-term replacement for our keeper Neil Smith 06a who’s been with us since Vanarama National.
. 
Facilities: No upgrades this year but we’re rolling in cash now so a youth and training facility upgrade has been ordered. We’re also building a new stadium which should be done in the summer.
Transfers: None, but club legend Irvino Morales 01a (AMRC/ST) will be let go to make room for the youngsters - with us since the first season, notching up 157 goals and 45 assists in 472 apps, including 3 goals in the Prem before his season was cut short by a bad injury.
@Padders congrats! Looks like you got some great players on your books, best of luck in Europe next season!
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. 2032/33 | Premiership | 6 | n/a | Qualified for Europa League . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250 2032/33 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | leasing Hull's ground
1 -
1 hour ago, Lexclub said:
Hi guys !
How do you deal with your youth intake contract wise, do you sign your best youth prospects on standard 2 years youth contract or try to sign them on pro contract to include that sweet optional contract extension ? That's the first time I try this challenge and fear that my best prospects doesn't want to sign a pro contract after.
And do you sign players with 2 stars potential, if they have good personalities, to make numbers or don't bother try to developp them ? (assuming you have staff with good judging PA)Thanks !
I sign the best prospects to pro contracts, often it's not much more expensive than the youth contract. It gets more expensive to sign them up as they develop, and as you say they may not want to sign then. I include the extension. If you're not sure about a prospect, you can give them a short-term contract with a long extension. Then if they are developing well you just trigger the extension, if not you can release them.
I sign players with good personalities but low star rating, unless my squad personality is already good or I have too many youth players.
One other thing: if one of my prospects is approaching 4* CA, I try to sign them up on a new long-term contract, because once their ability is 4 - 4.5 stars they often don't want to sign because "squad is not good enough" or something like that. And always try to "remove and exclude from negotiation" with any release clauses.
2 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 12 (2031/32)
Sky Bet Championship
League: After two near misses in the playoff final I wasn’t quite sure what to expect this season. But we started well, notching up consistent if unspectacular wins which propelled us into the top 3 alongside recently relegated Newcastle and Wolves. All three teams stayed very close to each other until Wolves’ form tanked around January / February - something that used to happen to me so many times. I’m guessing this is partly because of their continued participation in the Champions League, and getting to the final of the league cup and quarters of FA cup took the focus away from the league. Unlike some recent seasons, we just kept on going and after a crucial draw away at Newcastle and a narrow win at home to playoff-bound Southampton we managed to seal promotion with some 5 games to spare, and seal the title with 3 games left. This meant I could actually play the youngsters in the last few games, which is why the final league table looks closer than it was. So, here we are, 12 years after the start of the journey, in the Premier League!! I expect us to struggle next season but the boost to reputation and finances should leave us in good stead for the future whatever happens
A good run in the League cup saw us reach the semi where we were roundly hammered by Man Utd.
Players: Mark Campbell 09b (AMLC/ST) evolved from our best prospect to our best player, scoring 28 and assisting 10 in 46 apps. Hope he doesn’t get injured next season because he’s miles ahead of everyone else - if not in terms of star rating, then in terms of his contribution. Kwame Kwame 09a (DM/MC) has become a regular - and despite his low star rating, his great passing stats have been a real bonus in the midfield this season. Tim Holloway 07a (ML/AMC/ST) is another one who’s become more of a regular in the side, chipping in with 15 goals and 11 assists from left wing.
. 
Youth intake: Better than the rubbish we’ve had in the last two years. Christopher Uche 12a (DC) looks a real prospect at centre back, and Ben Griffiths 12b (M/AMC) could become an important player for us given our weakness in centre midfield.
Facilities: We’ve managed to upgrade training and youth facilities and up youth recruitment.
Transfers: None
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final 2031/32 | Championship | 1 | n/a | Promoted. League cup semi. . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250 2031/32 | Exceptional | Exceptional | Good | Good | 8250
2 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 11 (2030/31)
Sky Bet Championship
League: Same as last season, more or less. We were not stellar but good enough to finish 4th. We reached the play-off final but completely blew it, losing 4-0 to Leeds. The Premiership saw some pretty mad action this year, with Wolves getting relegated and winning the Europa league (which puts them in the CL) at the same time. I don’t look forward to competing against them next season. Lucky Derby stayed up by the skin of their teeth with a measly 34 points.
Players: Mark Campbell 09b (AMLC/ST) came on leaps and bounds this year, starting off as backup and ending up as one of our better players. He finished joint top scorer with 21 goals in 47 apps. Kevin O’brien 08c (MC) and Russell JeEbbison 02c (DRC/DM) both had great seasons, too. The squad is stagnating a bit at the moment and there aren’t any great youngsters apart from Campbell, so I’m not sure how far I can push it over the next few years. But at least the money isn’t a problem so we don’t have to sell.
Youth intake: Rubbish again. I had some hope for Shane Young 11a (AML/ST) with his professional personality, but the first thing he did after signing for us was injuring himself for 4 months. Hywel Caprice-James 11b (MLC) could turn out to be decent, I guess. But I'm clutching at straws here.
Facilities: The money from some big cup ties and solidarity payments keeps us in the black, so we’ve upped youth recruitment, expanded the stadium and are upgrading youth and training facilities again.
Transfers: None but club legend Tony Webster (AMC/ST), who led our line for so many years, will be finally let go this year with a proud record of 183 goals in 412 league apps.
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time 2030/31 | Championship | 4 | n/a | Lost in playoff final . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2030/31 | Exceptional | Excellent | Average | Average | 8250
2 -
@Makoto Nakamura Great to see you join the challenge, always really enjoy reading your career threads. Quite a few of us giving it a go in England this year, it seems.
@ATW @Padders @thomas_e @XaW @DazRTaylor Good to see lots of promotions, successful relegation scraps and promising youngsters all round
Now if only we could put a team of the best talents from our youth teams together and challenge for the Champions League (ok, maybe not... 
)
4 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 10 (2029/30)
Sky Bet Championship
League: After 3 back-to-back promotions, I was just hoping that we don’t embarrass ourselves. But somehow we started the season with 7 straight wins (I know!) which left us top of the table. We tailed off a bit, and with Wolves and West Brom in excellent form there was little chance of clinching automatic promotion - but playoffs remained a possibility. Our good performances continued but we hit a bit of a dry spell in February and March which saw us slip down towards midtable. We picked up form during the last several games however, and qualified for the playoffs in 5th place.
The playoffs were a very dramatic affair. In the semi, we beat Southampton 2-1 at home in the first leg, and were hanging on at 0-0 with 10 men when they scored to go 1-0 up in the return leg in the 93rd minute. Luckily there’s no away goal rule so we continued into extra time, where we exchanged goals and we eventually squeezed through on penalties. In the final against Derby, they went 2-1 up with 2 set piece goals but we managed to equalise with a penalty in the 82nd minute - extra time again. We couldn’t do it this time however, as they scored two brilliant goals to edge us out 4-2. Can’t be disappointed with that at all really, but still a shame to come so close to the Premiership and miss out. Derby were quite lucky to go up in the end - they eeked into the playoffs on goal difference, being level on points with 2 other teams, scored a 92nd minute goal to edge out their playoff semi and beat us in the final in extra time. Will be curious to see if they come straight back down.
We did well in the cups, reaching the quarters of the league cup and the 5th round of the FA cup, with the highlight being beating Chelsea away in the FA cup 4th round.
Players: Lewis Southern 05d (MRC) was our standout performer by a country mile, with 11 goals and 25 assists to his name. Kevin O’brien 08c (MC) has suddenly become our best centre midfielder, even though he wasn’t rated that highly when he came through the intake. Unfortunately both of these were suspended for the playoff final. Joe Reece 06c (DR/WBR) is probably our most promising youngster and close to our best player attribute-wise. I managed to sign up all three of these to long-term contracts.
Youth intake: Absolute rubbish, won’t even bother screenshotting the players. Hopefully next year will be better, especially with the money we’re spending on the youth set-up.
Facilities: The money from the cup runs, playoff final and solidarity payments left us with some £7m after the season finished, so upgrades to youth and training facilities are on the way, and our stadium is being expanded.
Transfers: Let one of the initial squad members Kian Spence (DM/MC) go back to Conference North after 385 appearances for us over 10 seasons.
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2029/30 | Championship | 5 | n/a | Lost in playoff final, in extra time . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500 2029/30 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500
0 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 9 (2028/29)
EFL League 1
League: After back-to-back promotions I wasn’t sure what to expect, and we started the season in poor form, knocking about close to the bottom of the table in the early autumn - but a slight change of tactic and a pick-up in form saw us climb up to a safe mid-table position. We then somehow picked up a rich vein of form which saw us climb further to the extent that we sneaked into the playoffs with a respectable 75 points and 5th place, as the form of the teams around us collapsed.
Being the in-form team in the playoffs, we comfortably dispatched Wrexham in the semi and were looking comfortable in the final against Rotheram, with a headed goal and a wonder strike from academy graduate Southern 05d bringing us a 2-0 halftime lead. Then my left winger Stubbs 08a had a rush of blood to the head and got sent off, we changed to an all-out-defense formation and managed to hang on till the end of the game, winning 2-1 and sealing our third back-to-back promotion, this time to the Championship!
Players: League 1 football saw our players develop nicely, with Neil Smith 06a (GK) turning out a man of the match performance to help us hang on in the playoff final. Joe Reece 06c (DR) and Russell Jebbison 02c (DRC/DM) contributed to solidity in defence, and Lewis Southern 05d (MRC) is still our top attacking talent. Kevin O’brien 08c (MC) came into the first team due to a lack of centre midfielders and has progressed so well that he’s now one of our better players and wanted by Championship teams. The squad has a good level of depth in most positions now, apart from centre mids and centre forwards.
Youth intake: We’re not getting the stars we used to when our squad was poor, but this intake saw a welcome boost to the weakest areas of the squad, with Kwame Kwame 09a (DM/MC), Marc Campbell 09b (AMLC/ST) and Sean O’Halloran 09c (ST) likely to fill some holes in midfield and the forward line.
Finances: Still losing 200k per month and this year we didn’t get any big-money offers for our players, but a play-off final appearance and the solidarity payment brought us to around break-even by the end of the season.
Facilities: Upgraded youth facilities to reverse last season’s downgrade.
Transfers: Getting rid of deadwood and a few loans
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2 | 3 | n/a | Promotion 2028/29 | League 1 | 5 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500 2028/29 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 5500
3 -
@andershs Thanks! And your prospect Garner looks awesome, for sure. I don't think you'll have much of a say in keeping him though. I found that when the youth player's PA is much higher than average in your squad they'll refuse to sign a professional contract no matter what you try, and a bigger team will eventually sign them for compensation. Annoying but realistic I guess. Obviously, if he suddenly becomes interested in negotiating you should sign him up full-time (or part-time, can't remember which league you're in), but this has not happened to me in the past.
I agree with @vikeologist that the best thing to do is to sign promising players to pro contracts asap as you get better terms, plus if they improve rapidly they will no longer be interested in signing at all and you lose them for compensation or on a free.
@thomas_e congrats on EPL promotion, that was fast! Now you'll have plenty of money for a while even if you do go back down.
@Padders your board seems annoyingly stingy, maybe with £20m in the bank they will finally stop selling players over the head... I guess you could also go for maxing youth facilities while you have all this cash?
My plan for now is to sell players for big money on my terms (with sell-on clauses) whenever I can, and try to generate enough to upgrade some of the facilities. But it is unlikely anyone in my squad is good enough for this kind of valuation, making a vital flaw in this otherwise very reasonable approach...
2 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 8 (2027/28)
EFL League 2
League: It was a pretty crazy season. Our early season form was inconsistent but it never felt like we were in danger of getting relegated. We then started going on good runs here and there, and the usual second season slump never happened, so we reached playoff positions in the second half of the season. Then the form of the teams around us suddenly collapsed, and we managed to sneak into the final 3rd-place promotion spot with 4 games to go. We held our nerve (or more like, our competitors kept losing their nerve), and ended up clinching promotion with 1 game to go, so here we are: after 5 seasons in Vanarama National we’ve suddenly achieved back-to-back promotions!
A decent FA cup run saw us pick up some much needed money with a 3rd-round away tie at Leicester.
Players: With the club going full-time, some of the youngsters are developing nicely and helping push us to next level. Neil Smith 06a (GK) and Joe Reece 06c (DR) have particularly impressed, and Sam Fletcher 05b (DC/DM/MC) is now the only decent center-mid at the club, but he is pretty good. A rejuvenated old-boy Irvino Morales 01a (AMRC/ST) got the highest average rating, hitting 22 goals in 47 starts.
. 
Youth intake: Given the amount of money we’re leaking on youth costs every month, I am definitely disappointed. One good talent Ollie Stubbs 08a (MR/AMR) in an area where I’m already well stocked, and nothing else of note. Plenty of poor personalities and higher youth wages now that we’ve gone pro mean that I didn’t sign many players.
Finances: We are leaking money to the tune of £200k per month thanks to £180k p/m we’re spending on youth costs. The board are refusing to downgrade our youth set-up, so we have to keep selling players if we want to stay in the black.
Transfers: I had a few good offers for Abdul Acquah 05b (DM/MLC), so let him go to Leeds after negotiating a solid £1.9m fee on deadline day. Center midfield is our weakest area, but Acquah has never played that well despite his good stats and potential, so I decided to let him go before the board started selling players on my behalf. It turned out alright as we still got promoted even with him gone.
Facilities: Our youth facilities got downgraded at the end of the season so I’m upgrading them again.
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion 2027/28 | League 2. | 3 | n/a | Promotion . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000 2027/28 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Below average | 5500
3 -
2 hours ago, SpS_Zen said:
I don't think i will be able to continue this challenge. I lost my dad this week, and even if i enjoyed my save with Met Police, the game feels pretty insignifiant now.
Gl all.
My condolences, terrible news - hope you hang in there and get through this together with your family.
1 -
2 hours ago, Padders said:
Back to losing £1m a month
@Padders - what are your facilities like, both coaching and recruitment maxed? 1m is a lot, but you do keep producing those superstars which bring you back into the black...
0 -
@Padders - just caught up on your progress with Scarborough, you were definitely unlucky there! Hang in though, I'm sure after getting to year 2068 you're not the one to give up on a save easily
0 -
Ouch! Into League 2 and suddenly we're spending £173k per month on our youth system. And the board refuse to roll back coaching or recruitment because "our finances are stable". Sheer madness... Then they'll probably start selling our best players once we're in the red. Wonder how long I'll last at this rate, may have been better not to get promoted after all :z
1 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 7 (2026/27)
Vanarama National
League: We started off well and soon climbed to second, but top of the table Barnet looked well out of our reach. However, we managed to stay fairly consistent through the dreaded December-January period and eventually caught up with them. We then went ahead, but with 4 games left Barnet FMed us 1-0 at home to go only 1 point behind. We had to play 5th and 3rd place away next so I didn’t have any high hopes, but we managed some draws and a very nervy final day win while Barnet stumbled again, so we limped over the line to be crowned champions. Finally, league football and professional status are coming to Scarborough.
We also had a decent FA cup run, losing to Swansea in the 3rd round.
Players: We now have a very solid spine of Russell Jebbison 02c (DLC/DM), Sam Fletcher 05b (DC/DM/MC) and Abdul Acquah 04b (DM/MLC). Lewis Southern 05d (MRC/AMR) is probably our best attacking player.
. 
Youth intake: Given the investments in youth facilities I expected more, and it’s disappointing to see no 5* players. Lots of them had rubbish personalities too, so I only signed a few. Tim Holloway 07a (MC/ST) and Jacob Weaver 07b (DRC) look the best of the bunch, with Holloway good enough to make the bench most games.
Facilities: To my surprise, last summer the board suggested to improve our youth category which I think meant that our coaching got bumped up to exceptional, costing a fair bit of money. Training facilities have been upgraded and a ground expansion is on the way. The FA cup money has, however, kept us in the black this year, so hopefully I won’t be forced to sell players yet.
Transfers: none
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round 2026/27 | Vanarama Nat. | 1 | n/a | Promotion . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000 2026/27 | Exceptional | Good | Adequate | Adequate | 4000
3 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 6 (2025/26)
Vanarama National
League: After last season’s third-placed finish I was expecting big things, but we actually regressed, with our usual pattern of good start - midseason collapse - end season pickup leaving us 6th. We finished the season in better form than last year, however, and managed to squeak out two playoff away wins to face the team that defeated us last year, Swindon, in the final. Alas, it wasn’t to be as they beat us 2-0 at Wembley, which means another season in the Vanarama National next year.
We finally had a nice FA cup run this year, reaching 4th round where we narrowly lost a replay to eventual semi-finalist Sheffield Utd (now in the Championship).
Players: Russell Jebbison 02c (DLC/DM) is still here, and Tony Webster (AMC/ST) had a great season, scoring 37 in total. Lewis Southern 05d (MRC/AMR) has progressed the most out of the youngsters.
Youth intake: Poor depth overall but I got what I wanted - a goalkeeper and a fullback! Neil Smith 06a (GK) goes straight into the first team, and Joe Reece 06c (DR) should expect some games next season, too.
Facilities: The FA cup run meant I just about had enough cash for a training facility upgrade. Youth recruitment is also improved.
Transfers: none
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final 2025/26 | Vanarama Nat. | 6 | n/a | Lost in playof final. FA cup 4th round . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2025/26 | Excellent | Good | Below average | Adequate | 4000
4 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 5 (2024/25)
Vanarama National
League: We keep on improving. After a great first half of the season we sat in 1st place and the only automatic promotion spot. But the usual December/January collapse saw us fall behind and we never quite caught up, finishing 3rd and qualifying for playoffs. Our form turned bad again towards the end of the season and we annoyingly limped out with a 1-0 extra time home defeat to Swindon in the playoff semi.
Players: Russell Jebbison 02c (DLC/DM) is an absolute beast and miles ahead of everyone else. Abdul Acquah 04b (DMC/MLC) from last year’s intake has developed nicely and is pushing for a first team spot, and David Anderson 03c (ST/M/AMRL) is another youngster who is developing nicely.
. 
Youth intake: There’s talent there but no meaningful additions in goal or fullback where I am most lacking. Joe Anderson 05a (AML) and Sam Fletcher 05b (DMC) look the best of the bunch, but in a testament to the steady of my squad neither of these will be a nailed on first team starter immediately, and may not even get into the match day squad to start with.
. 
Facilities: We had a board takeover, and the new board pumped 200k into the coffers. Together with a solid season this gave me enough money to fund a youth facility upgrade, although I fear this will make the board sell Jebbison as I’m now low on cash.
Transfers: The board purchased two players during the takeover and I could not cancel the transfers, so I released one and sold another without making any appearances for us (I got the appearance screen for Cheshire but not Jones-Griffiths because Jones-Griffiths is no longer in the game, guessing nobody wanted to sign him after we released him so he had to retire).
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | 2024/25 | Vanarama Nat. | 3 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2024/25 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000
4 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 4 (2023/24)
Vanarama National
League: We had a great first half of the season, going as high as 2nd at one point, but a terrible run of form in the second half of the season saw us slide down to 8th, just outside the playoffs. Still, 76 points is a big improvement on last season and I gotta be happy with that.
Players: Russell Jebbison 02c (DLC/DM) continues to improve and is now wanted by Championship clubs, so let’s see how long he sticks around. Old-timer Chris Dawson (DMC/MC) actually recorded the highest average rating, chipping in with 6 goals and 11 assists from midfield - which I guess is not the most positive signal about the state of our squad.
Youth intake: A solid looking intake. Paolo Bermejo 04a (DL) goes straight into the first team as the only decent-quality leftback in he squad. Abdul Acquah 04b (DMC/MLC) needs to improve his physicals but looks promising, and I’m hoping Jari Leppanen 04c (AMLC/ST) will someday emulate his countryman and namesake Litmanen to provide some creative masterclass in the midfield.
. 
. 
Facilities: No change
Transfers: none
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | 2023/24 | Vanarama Nat. | 8 | n/a | . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000 2023/24 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000
2 -
Scarborough Athletic – Season 3 (2022/23)
Vanarama National
League: It was all about survival this year and we managed it. We played crap football and our results in the second half of the year were stonewall relegation form, but we were never really in danger of going down thanks to a solid first half of the season and the terrible form of the bottom five sides. I don’t think there is much I can do until the squad quality improves substantially - at the moment it´s all about waiting it out, keeping our best players and staying solvent.
Players: Tony Webster (AMC/ST) hit 25 goals this season, but it was Russell Jebbison 02c (DRC/DM) who surprised me most: he improved very rapidly - probably thanks to his professional personality - and is now one of our best players by far. In general, the squad has 3-4 players like Webster and Jebbison who are rated top for Vanarama regional leagues and the rest is pretty awful at the moment, albeit with some potential due to the squad being young.
Youth intake: I was a bit short of wingers and got them in plentiful amount, with Nathan Taylor 03a (MR/AMR/ST) and Kyle Dean 03b (ML) looking the best of the bunch. Hard to know their potential due to the low ability of my squad, but these two are going straight into the first team.
Facilities: Upgraded youth facilities and the board decided to expand the stadium slightly, but I’m now losing money every month so no further upgrades for a while.
Transfers: none
Season | League | Pos. | Europe | Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Vanarama North | 7 | n/a | Lost in playoff semi final. FA cup first round 2021/22 | Vanarama North | 2 | n/a | Promotion through playoffs 2022/23 | Vanarama Nat. | 16 | n/a | . Season | Coaching | Recruitment | Training Fac. | Youth Fac. | Stadium ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 | Adequate | Fairly Basic | Below average | Basic | 3208 2021/22 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Basic | 3208 2022/23 | Excellent | Average | Below average | Below average | 4000
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Scarborough Athletic - Season 20 (2039/40)
English Premier League
League / Cups/ Europe: A good season, but it could have been even better. Around January time I felt like we had an actual chance of a league – CL double, as we topped our CL group containing Juve and Villareal, and were fighting it out near the top of the EPL with Liverpool and Spurs. But a dramatic slump of form around March-time ensured we got knocked out of the Champions League in the first KO round by Milan, and only just about scraped into the next season’s Champions league. Still, 3rd marks our best ever league finish.
We had a great run in the FA cup, beating Man City along the way to set up a final showdown with Newcastle, who also happened to be hot on our tails in the league. Predictably, it was a tense affair. Our ever-reliable Alan Malone 14b curled in a wonderful free kick, but Newcastle equalized with their own wondergoal. A slight change of tactic seemed to give us the edge, and supersub Spencer Bowler 17d (jumping 5, heading 9) popped up with a dramatic headed winner in the 118th minute. Delighted to win our first meaningful domestic trophy to add to the Euro Conference league a couple of years ago.
Players: After signing a new deal in the summer, Nick Harmon 13b (AML/ST) had an amazing season with 37 goals in 48 games, and his first England caps to boot. Alan Malone 14b (AMRLC/ST) has also been key despite his low star rating, with 18 goals and 11 assists in 40-odd apps. Bartosz Wiacek 16a (DC/MC) has become a very solid presence in defense, but most of the other players are stagnating.
Youth intake: Another uninspiring year, but we do seem to have a talented striker in Jack Watson 20a (AMRC/ST), if his PA star rating is to be believed.
Transfers: got rid of a few back-up players, but the most sentimental departure is the club captain and legend Russell Jebbison 02c (DRC/DM), who is retiring in the summer. With us since the days of National League North, he was our standout player all the way from National League to the Championship, and managed to accumulate 609 league appearances over the 18 seasons he’s been with us. Here’s a shot of him at the beginning, peak and at the end of career.