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Biscotti

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About Biscotti

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    Dollingstown

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  1. Biscotti
    After saying all this, I've found myself still going back to continue to play. Probably won't post proper updates any further, but here's a quick look at our domestic progress since my last update:
  2. Biscotti
    Unfortunately, I am hanging up my boots for this season's version. I had reached the point where progress was so sllow as to be nonexistent and wit FM1 only a couple of months away Idon'twant to grind through another few seasons that I'm not enjoying in orderer to maybe possibly make the group stages in Europe. I will be returning to the challenge for FM19 - I already have an idea of where I'm going to go. Here is the biography for my nearly illustrious carreer:
  3. Biscotti
    He was still Reading manager until 2035 and then took over the NIreland post. Don't have the English leagues loaded at all so I couldn't say how well he's done.
  4. Biscotti
    I did take the Spain job and it does seem to give me more sway with getting Spanish youngsters (at least on loan) but I can't afford their wages. Just been offered the Argentina job now: Not that I'm going to take it unless I get sacked from Spain On a marginally related note - Jaap Stam is currently Northern Ireland manager...
  5. Biscotti
    Should I take it? Will it increase my chance of signing spanish players?
  6. Biscotti
    Hugo De Luca - Dollingstown FC - Northern Ireland - End of Season Twenty(2037/38) Now that we've hit the pinnacle of Northern Irish football I'm going to move the focus of my updates away from this part of the challenge and focus on brief updates of our European progress. Our first run out in the Champions League was short-lived, losing both home and away to a Levski Sofia side that I thought we stood a chance against. Dropping down to the Europa League we played against Andorran side Lusitans. They were brushed aside as expected and saw ourselves drawn against Slovan Bratislava in the third qualifying round. A very close tie that saw us draw 1-1 at home followed by a heart-breaking 2-1 loss in the away leg. The league went much as expected - we gained enough points to have won the league on each of the previous three seasons, but Cliftonville went just one win better to consign us to second place. Glenn Longstaff was our top scorer, on loan to us from Cliftonville, and he will join us permanently in the summer to lead our line going forward. Chris Haughey and Daren Byrne were newly inducted into our best eleven. This season also saw our first ever international caps, with first Kevin Scannell and then alter Ryan Gray making their debuts for Northern Ireland. Season League Position FA Cup Europe Training Facilities Youth Facilities Junior Coaching Youth Recruitment Achievements/Notes Top Scorer Most Assists Highest Avg Rating Capacity/Average Attendance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Premier Intermediate 10th 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Black (13) Falvey (8) Hanley (7.07) 1000 (108) 2019/20 Premier Intermediate 2nd 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Dunlop (26) Walsh (9) McClurg (7.20) 1000 (134) 2020/21 Premier Intermediate 1st 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted! Klobusek (24) Hanley/Robinson (12) McLaughlin (7.47) 1000 (117) 2021/22 Championship 6th 4th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Farren (20) Robinson (10) Robinson (7.21) 1000 (130) 2022/23 Championship 2nd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Farren (36) Hanley (25) Hanley (7.50) 1000 (154) 2023/24 Championship 1st 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted Farren (20) Hanley (18) Noble (7.37) 1000 (104) 2024/25 Premiership 9th Winners! N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic FA Cup Winners! Robinson (23) Hanley (15) Millar (7.06) 1000 (187) 2025/26 Premiership 9th Qtr Final EL 2nd Qual Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic First run in Europe Roscoe (17) Hanley (11) Millar (7.19) 1000 (379) 2026/27 Premiership 7th 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic EL Qualification Millar (15) Hanley (14) N. Owens (7.08) 1000 (202) 2027/28 Premiership 6th Semi Final ELL 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A Anderson (25) Hanley/Woods (14) Hanley (7.14) 1000 (567) 2028/29 Premiership 7th Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Wilson (18) Hanley (13) Hanley (7.21) 1000 (232) 2029/30 Premiership 7th Qtr Final EL 2nd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A McDaid (12) Russell (15) McDaid (7.14) 1000 (374) 2030/31 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (34) Lynch (15) McQuillan (7.48) 1000 (449) 2031/32 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final EL 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (35) Hanna (21) McQuillan (7.86) 1000 (453) 2032/33 Premiership 3rd 5th Round EL 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (43) Lynch (18) Hanna (7.75) 1000 (449) 2033/34 Premiership 2nd Semi Final EL 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (44) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.56) 1000 (497) 2034/35 Premiership 3rd Runner-Up EL 2nd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Hagan (35) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.60) 1000 (479) 2035/36 Premiership 2nd 6th Round EL 3rd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average N/A Hanna (26) Bell (13) Bell (7.25) 1000 (474) 2036/37 Premiership 1st! Winners! EL 3rd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average Champions! Hagan (38) Hanna (18) Hagan (7.41) 1000 (373) 2037/38 Premiership 2nd Semi-Final CL 1st Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average N/A Longstaff (30) Hagan/Bell (13) Longstaff (7.68) 1000 (437)
  7. Biscotti
    I'm currently being paid £675 p/w by Dollingstown. Scotland have just offered me the national team job at £48,000 p/w...
  8. Biscotti
    Hugo De Luca - Dollingstown FC - Northern Ireland - End of Season Nineteen(2036/37) Where to start with this season? Our European run was again nothing special, reaching the Third Qualifying again with relative ease and then getting hammered by a much beter Borussia Monchengladbach side. Played a fully rotated side throughout all our cup competitions this season and unfortunately, we were only able to finish as runners-up in the Mid-Ulster Cup. We went one better for the League Cup, though, beating Glentoran 1-0 in the final to win it for the first time in our history. We then followed that up with a dominating FA Cup win, beating Cliftonville 4-2 in the final to record our second win in the competition after a 12-year wait. A very unexpected double and now I wish we'd managed to close out the Mid-Ulster Cup. Having not been entirely out of the title race until right at the end the last few seasons, I tried to keep a mostly settled team with our signings being entirely first-team back-ups or youngsters on non-contract terms. I thought maybe this season we might be able to push the leaders right to the end of the season, but I was slightly wrong with that assessment. Turns out, we were the leaders being pressed to the end, and despite a handful of draws reducing our 9 point lead to just a goal difference lead at one point, we still managed to eke over the line for Dolllingstown FC's first ever Danske Bank Premiership win! As this is step 1 of the challenge complete, I feel it's only right to immortalise everyone in the squad, in ascending order of appearances this season: Kieran Carson (YP18b) - 4(4) - 0 goals, 1 assist Usually played at MCR as a Ball Winning Midfielder Johnny Lynch - 4(9) - 7 goals, 1 assist Usually played at STR as a Defensive Forward Ronnie Toner - 7(2) - 0 goals, 3 assists Usually played at MR as a Winger Brian Gilfillan - 13(13) - 1 goal, 1 assist Usually played at DCL as a Defensive Centre-Back Tony Philpott - 15(11) - 0 goals, 2 assists Usually played at DR as a Full-Back Dean Magee - 18(2) - 2 goals, 7 assists Usually played at AML as a Winger Adam Clarke - 19(1) - 0 goals, 0 assists Usually played at DL as a Full-Back Trevor Ferris - 20(10) - 13 goals, 4 assists Usually played at STR as a Defensive Forward Robert Kelly (YP13) - 22 - 0 goals, 0 assists Usually played at GK Ryan McGreevy - 25(9) - 3 goals, 15 assists Usually played at MR as a Winger Wayne McQuillan - 28(11) - 7 goals, 13 assists Usually played at MR as a Winger Kevin Doyle - 32(22) - 5 goals, 8 assists Usually played at MCL as an Advanced Playmaker Kevin Scannell - 33(10) - 5 goals, 6 assists Usually played at MCL as an Advanced Playmaker Aaron Owens - 38 - 0 goals, 0 assists Usually played at GK Daryl Bell - 38(3) - 4 goals, 14 assists Usually played at AML as a Winger Joe Whelan - 41 - 1 goals, 1 assist Usually played at DL as a Full-Back Adrian McClurg - 45(1) - 0 goals, 1 assist Usually played at DR as a Full-Back John Hanna - 45(8) - 34 goals, 18 assists Usually played at STL as an Advanced Forward Ryan Gray - 46(2) - 1 goal, 0 assists Usually played at MCR as a Ball Winning Midfielder Paul Hagan - 51(4) - 38 goals, 9 assists Usually played at STR as a Target Man Chris Haughey - 53(1) - 2 goals, 3 assists Usually played at DCR as a Centre-Back Darren Byrne - 54(4) - 5 goals, 4 assists Usually played at DCL as a Defensive Centre-Back The club has since challenged me on twitter to retain it, which is obviously the immediate goal. I think we're a little way away from domestic domination, so I think this will be as tough a challenge as winning it in the first place was. Beyond that, using our Champions League berth to garner some profit and maybe to sneak into the Europa League group with it has to also be something we try to achieve. Season League Position FA Cup Europe Training Facilities Youth Facilities Junior Coaching Youth Recruitment Achievements/Notes Top Scorer Most Assists Highest Avg Rating Capacity/Average Attendance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Premier Intermediate 10th 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Black (13) Falvey (8) Hanley (7.07) 1000 (108) 2019/20 Premier Intermediate 2nd 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Dunlop (26) Walsh (9) McClurg (7.20) 1000 (134) 2020/21 Premier Intermediate 1st 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted! Klobusek (24) Hanley/Robinson (12) McLaughlin (7.47) 1000 (117) 2021/22 Championship 6th 4th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Farren (20) Robinson (10) Robinson (7.21) 1000 (130) 2022/23 Championship 2nd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Farren (36) Hanley (25) Hanley (7.50) 1000 (154) 2023/24 Championship 1st 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted Farren (20) Hanley (18) Noble (7.37) 1000 (104) 2024/25 Premiership 9th Winners! N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic FA Cup Winners! Robinson (23) Hanley (15) Millar (7.06) 1000 (187) 2025/26 Premiership 9th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic First run in Europe Roscoe (17) Hanley (11) Millar (7.19) 1000 (379) 2026/27 Premiership 7th 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic EL Qualification Millar (15) Hanley (14) N. Owens (7.08) 1000 (202) 2027/28 Premiership 6th Semi Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A Anderson (25) Hanley/Woods (14) Hanley (7.14) 1000 (567) 2028/29 Premiership 7th Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Wilson (18) Hanley (13) Hanley (7.21) 1000 (232) 2029/30 Premiership 7th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A McDaid (12) Russell (15) McDaid (7.14) 1000 (374) 2030/31 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (34) Lynch (15) McQuillan (7.48) 1000 (449) 2031/32 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (35) Hanna (21) McQuillan (7.86) 1000 (453) 2032/33 Premiership 3rd 5th Round 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (43) Lynch (18) Hanna (7.75) 1000 (449) 2033/34 Premiership 2nd Semi Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (44) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.56) 1000 (497) 2034/35 Premiership 3rd Runner-Up 2nd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Hagan (35) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.60) 1000 (479) 2035/36 Premiership 2nd 6th Round 3rd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average N/A Hanna (26) Bell (13) Bell (7.25) 1000 (474) 2036/37 Premiership 1st! Winners! 3rd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average Champions! Hagan (38) Hanna (18) Hagan (7.41) 1000 (373)
  9. Biscotti
    Damn @Andrew Haines! With the progress up to this point, I was not expecting a relegation for Trelleborg! Sad to see, but it seems like you're taking the right approach to it and maybe you can come back even stronger next season
  10. Biscotti
    Hugo De Luca - Dollingstown FC - Northern Ireland - End of Season Eighteen(2035/36) Europa League qualifying saw us soar past Torpedo Kutaisi of Georgia with home and away wins, followed by a tough tie against Vitoria Guimares where we narrowly won 1-0 at home followed by a proper ding-dong battle at their place which we nearly threw away, but just barely scraped through on away goals. For the third qualifying round, we were drawn against Real Sociedad, with the first tie being away. It seemed this was a step too far for us, losing both home and away, but seeing as this was the first time we'd reached third qualifying in years I felt it was a positive all the same. The board have finally decided that the Mid-Ulster cup is not important, yet we were still able to retain it, bringing us to 6 on the bounce and 7 in the last 10. We still failed to make progress in the other cups, though, which is really starting to concern me. Our European run overlapped with the beginning of the season and it was definitely noticeable, with us taking 4 games to even record our first win and a couple of other early blips in form. We were bailed out by a strong end to the season and both Linfield and Glentoran dropping points where they shouldn't have in order to just barely make second place. Nobody new for the best eleven this season, although we did make a transfer profit. Left-Winger Daryl Bell was probably our top performer in a decidedly average season. I felt all season that my strikers weren't quite performing, and yet both John Hanna and Johnny Lynch made their place among the fans' top 3 for the year. I have a strong enough squad, and just enough depth as far as I'm concerned, so my aim for this summer is to try and offload a couple of the higher-earning fringe players but otherwise keep the core the same. I do have a couple of youngsters who perhaps need a chance to get a few games and we've now got a partnership with Queen's University to make use of their training facilities, so maybe a home-grown star is just around the corner. Season League Position FA Cup Europe Training Facilities Youth Facilities Junior Coaching Youth Recruitment Achievements/Notes Top Scorer Most Assists Highest Avg Rating Capacity/Average Attendance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Premier Intermediate 10th 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Black (13) Falvey (8) Hanley (7.07) 1000 (108) 2019/20 Premier Intermediate 2nd 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Dunlop (26) Walsh (9) McClurg (7.20) 1000 (134) 2020/21 Premier Intermediate 1st 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted! Klobusek (24) Hanley/Robinson (12) McLaughlin (7.47) 1000 (117) 2021/22 Championship 6th 4th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Farren (20) Robinson (10) Robinson (7.21) 1000 (130) 2022/23 Championship 2nd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Farren (36) Hanley (25) Hanley (7.50) 1000 (154) 2023/24 Championship 1st 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted Farren (20) Hanley (18) Noble (7.37) 1000 (104) 2024/25 Premiership 9th Winners! N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic FA Cup Winners! Robinson (23) Hanley (15) Millar (7.06) 1000 (187) 2025/26 Premiership 9th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic First run in Europe Roscoe (17) Hanley (11) Millar (7.19) 1000 (379) 2026/27 Premiership 7th 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic EL Qualification Millar (15) Hanley (14) N. Owens (7.08) 1000 (202) 2027/28 Premiership 6th Semi Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A Anderson (25) Hanley/Woods (14) Hanley (7.14) 1000 (567) 2028/29 Premiership 7th Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Wilson (18) Hanley (13) Hanley (7.21) 1000 (232) 2029/30 Premiership 7th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A McDaid (12) Russell (15) McDaid (7.14) 1000 (374) 2030/31 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (34) Lynch (15) McQuillan (7.48) 1000 (449) 2031/32 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (35) Hanna (21) McQuillan (7.86) 1000 (453) 2032/33 Premiership 3rd 5th Round 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (43) Lynch (18) Hanna (7.75) 1000 (449) 2033/34 Premiership 2nd Semi Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (44) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.56) 1000 (497) 2034/35 Premiership 3rd Runner-Up 2nd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Hagan (35) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.60) 1000 (479) 2035/36 Premiership 2nd 6th Round 3rd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average N/A Hanna (26) Bell (13) Bell (7.25) 1000 (474)
  11. Biscotti
    Hugo De Luca - Dollingstown FC - Northern Ireland - End of Season Seventeen(2034/35) After feeling so good about our future last season we find ourselves taking a step backwards this year. We'll start by skipping straight over Europe. Another disappointing Second Qualifying round exit against a team I felt we stood a chance against. WWe've now won the Mid-Ulster cup years on the bounce, but seeing as we're the biggest team in the competition and using it to give our rotation players some much-needed match time I really don't hold much interest in it. Quarter-Finals of the League cup is identical to our achievement in the previous 2 years and even though the board want me to progress there I really don't see the benefit. This season did see our best run in the FA cup since we won it in the 24/25 season, but ultimately we were thoroughly embarrassed in the final by Cliftonville. In the league, everyone seemed to be dropping points in odd places early on and we found ourselves sitting atop the pile a couple of times. By matchday 31, there was still only 2 points separating us in third with Cliftonville in first. Whether it was down to our part-time status or perhaps just a general crumbling under the pressure, though, we only picked up 6 points in our last 7 league games. We were never in any danger of losing third, but when you collapse worse than England's batting order it is very demoralising. Still, we did ultimately get more points than last season, so silver linings, right? Our Best Eleven now has Mark West and Brian Gilfillan among its ranks. Player of the season was overwhelmingly Wayne McQuillan (67% of the vote). Top scorer was new signing Paul Hagan, whom I was trying to bring in last season after Glentoran released him, but he was stubbornly without a club until this year. John Hanna just about edged Lynch to be my preferred second striker, although I was more than comfortable with any 2 of those 3 playing together. Over the last season or so my transfer policy has largely revolved around picking up Glentoran and Cliftonville players as they get released, but now this has graduated to actually spending a little money on snatching their fringe youngsters and I feel like I'm at a point now where I pretty much have two elevens that I'm not entirely uncomfortable with using in league games. It's possible that the age problems are a contributing factor in our late-season problems. I think for next season I'll mostly be looking to try and upgrade the back-ups, but I think a consistent squad will do us a lot of good. Season League Position FA Cup Europe Training Facilities Youth Facilities Junior Coaching Youth Recruitment Achievements/Notes Top Scorer Most Assists Highest Avg Rating Capacity/Average Attendance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Premier Intermediate 10th 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Black (13) Falvey (8) Hanley (7.07) 1000 (108) 2019/20 Premier Intermediate 2nd 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Dunlop (26) Walsh (9) McClurg (7.20) 1000 (134) 2020/21 Premier Intermediate 1st 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted! Klobusek (24) Hanley/Robinson (12) McLaughlin (7.47) 1000 (117) 2021/22 Championship 6th 4th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Farren (20) Robinson (10) Robinson (7.21) 1000 (130) 2022/23 Championship 2nd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Farren (36) Hanley (25) Hanley (7.50) 1000 (154) 2023/24 Championship 1st 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted Farren (20) Hanley (18) Noble (7.37) 1000 (104) 2024/25 Premiership 9th Winners! N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic FA Cup Winners! Robinson (23) Hanley (15) Millar (7.06) 1000 (187) 2025/26 Premiership 9th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic First run in Europe Roscoe (17) Hanley (11) Millar (7.19) 1000 (379) 2026/27 Premiership 7th 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic EL Qualification Millar (15) Hanley (14) N. Owens (7.08) 1000 (202) 2027/28 Premiership 6th Semi Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A Anderson (25) Hanley/Woods (14) Hanley (7.14) 1000 (567) 2028/29 Premiership 7th Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Wilson (18) Hanley (13) Hanley (7.21) 1000 (232) 2029/30 Premiership 7th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A McDaid (12) Russell (15) McDaid (7.14) 1000 (374) 2030/31 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (34) Lynch (15) McQuillan (7.48) 1000 (449) 2031/32 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (35) Hanna (21) McQuillan (7.86) 1000 (453) 2032/33 Premiership 3rd 5th Round 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (43) Lynch (18) Hanna (7.75) 1000 (449) 2033/34 Premiership 2nd Semi Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (44) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.56) 1000 (497) 2034/35 Premiership 3rd Runner-Up 2nd Qual Good Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Hagan (35) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.60) 1000 (479)
  12. Biscotti
    Great stuff @Tecmo good to see you are able to finally start the climb. Hugo De Luca - Dollingstown FC - Northern Ireland - End of Season Sixteen(2033/34) For the first time in a few years, I have something new to report! Admittedly our Europa League run was no better, with home and away losses to IFK Göteborg knocking us out again in the Second Qualifying Round. In the league, we were still dropping a few too many points to teams lower down the table, but crucially we managed to pick up 9 points in our 4 matches against Glentoran and 5 points in our 4 games against Cliftonville. Cliftonville would only lose one game all season (to us) and walk the league, but despite a poor run to the end of the season we managed to sneak into second place ahead of Glentoran. I'm not about to suggest that we should now be pushing for the title next season, but if we can keep picking up points against the two professional teams like that we're certainly well on our way toward it. Better still is it looks as if we may come out of this season with a slight profit thanks to continued vigilance on the wage budget (£5.1k of the available £7.3k p/w spent this season) and also a bit of a bump in league prize money. This season sees no new entries into our Best Eleven, but once again Johnny Lynch and Wayne McQuillan have been outstanding. At just age 21, McQuillan is now a club icon. Worth noting that I brought Joe Kelly in to play back-up as a playmaker but he actually played most of the season initially due to injury and then later on merit and was also great for us, winning signing of the season. There's a couple of positions I'm looking at new players to bring the level of quality up a little, and I'm definitely in the market for a youngster who can fill Lynch's shoes once he starts to tail off as he's 32 now. We're looking good though, and I think it would take quite a failing on my part for us to not stay as a comfortable top 3 side. Season League Position FA Cup Europe Training Facilities Youth Facilities Junior Coaching Youth Recruitment Achievements/Notes Top Scorer Most Assists Highest Avg Rating Capacity/Average Attendance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Premier Intermediate 10th 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Black (13) Falvey (8) Hanley (7.07) 1000 (108) 2019/20 Premier Intermediate 2nd 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Dunlop (26) Walsh (9) McClurg (7.20) 1000 (134) 2020/21 Premier Intermediate 1st 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted! Klobusek (24) Hanley/Robinson (12) McLaughlin (7.47) 1000 (117) 2021/22 Championship 6th 4th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Farren (20) Robinson (10) Robinson (7.21) 1000 (130) 2022/23 Championship 2nd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Farren (36) Hanley (25) Hanley (7.50) 1000 (154) 2023/24 Championship 1st 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted Farren (20) Hanley (18) Noble (7.37) 1000 (104) 2024/25 Premiership 9th Winners! N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic FA Cup Winners! Robinson (23) Hanley (15) Millar (7.06) 1000 (187) 2025/26 Premiership 9th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic First run in Europe Roscoe (17) Hanley (11) Millar (7.19) 1000 (379) 2026/27 Premiership 7th 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic EL Qualification Millar (15) Hanley (14) N. Owens (7.08) 1000 (202) 2027/28 Premiership 6th Semi Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A Anderson (25) Hanley/Woods (14) Hanley (7.14) 1000 (567) 2028/29 Premiership 7th Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Wilson (18) Hanley (13) Hanley (7.21) 1000 (232) 2029/30 Premiership 7th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A McDaid (12) Russell (15) McDaid (7.14) 1000 (374) 2030/31 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (34) Lynch (15) McQuillan (7.48) 1000 (449) 2031/32 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (35) Hanna (21) McQuillan (7.86) 1000 (453) 2032/33 Premiership 3rd 5th Round 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (43) Lynch (18) Hanna (7.75) 1000 (449) 2033/34 Premiership 2nd Semi Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (44) McQuillan (15) McQuillan (7.56) 1000 (497)
  13. Biscotti
    Hugo De Luca - Dollingstown FC - Northern Ireland - End of Season Fifteen(15!!!)(2032/33) An easy Europa League 1st Qualifying Round draw was to be followed with an incredibly tough tie to FC Köln. Starting away at their place and it didn't go well. A 4-1 loss meant an awful lot to do in the home leg, but the away goal gave us a glimmer of hope. A very open start to the match saw us 2-1 up on the night after just 7 minutes. Unfortunately, we just couldn't ever keep the upper hand, and it ended with a 4-3 loss and we were out. Our coefficient has also taken a slight dent for next season, although this year will see us push out a previous year that we didn't play in Europe. The last time we lost more than 10 games in a season we finished in the bottom half of the table, so I guess we can count ourselves lucky to have still finished in 3rd place as our rivals below all kept dropping points to one another. Been a while since we got anywhere in the cups (Aside from the Mid-Ulster) as well, so it's a little difficult to not feel like we're moving backwards. Our poor European run has also meant we are noo closer to being in a financial position to go pro. Johnny Lynch (New record for goals in a season, new record career goalscorer) and Wayne McQuillan (Signing of the Season) are utterly indispensable at this point, but Lynch is 31 now and I'm not sure I've got a replacement lined up for him. Mark West picked up third place on the fan's player of the year vote, but it could easily have gone to a number of players. Newly inducted into our proud Best XI are John Hanna, Gary Swift , Wayne McQuillan and Richard Scott. I can't really write much that's new in summary. We're still not a big enough club to attract players from abroad, and we don't have the financial clout to prise the best Northern Irish talent away from the two professional clubs. I'm anticipating a few more seasons of stagnation before we can really look to take the next step. Season League Position FA Cup Europe Training Facilities Youth Facilities Junior Coaching Youth Recruitment Achievements/Notes Top Scorer Most Assists Highest Avg Rating Capacity/Average Attendance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Premier Intermediate 10th 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Black (13) Falvey (8) Hanley (7.07) 1000 (108) 2019/20 Premier Intermediate 2nd 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Dunlop (26) Walsh (9) McClurg (7.20) 1000 (134) 2020/21 Premier Intermediate 1st 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted! Klobusek (24) Hanley/Robinson (12) McLaughlin (7.47) 1000 (117) 2021/22 Championship 6th 4th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Farren (20) Robinson (10) Robinson (7.21) 1000 (130) 2022/23 Championship 2nd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Farren (36) Hanley (25) Hanley (7.50) 1000 (154) 2023/24 Championship 1st 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted Farren (20) Hanley (18) Noble (7.37) 1000 (104) 2024/25 Premiership 9th Winners! N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic FA Cup Winners! Robinson (23) Hanley (15) Millar (7.06) 1000 (187) 2025/26 Premiership 9th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic First run in Europe Roscoe (17) Hanley (11) Millar (7.19) 1000 (379) 2026/27 Premiership 7th 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic EL Qualification Millar (15) Hanley (14) N. Owens (7.08) 1000 (202) 2027/28 Premiership 6th Semi Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A Anderson (25) Hanley/Woods (14) Hanley (7.14) 1000 (567) 2028/29 Premiership 7th Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Wilson (18) Hanley (13) Hanley (7.21) 1000 (232) 2029/30 Premiership 7th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A McDaid (12) Russell (15) McDaid (7.14) 1000 (374) 2030/31 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (34) Lynch (15) McQuillan (7.48) 1000 (449) 2031/32 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (35) Hanna (21) McQuillan (7.86) 1000 (453) 2032/33 Premiership 3rd 5th Round 2nd Qual Basic Basic Adequate Above average EL Qualification Lynch (43) Lynch (18) Hanna (7.75) 1000 (449)
  14. Biscotti
    I''m hoping that it's just a case of real life has happened and that @Lenzar will get back to this eventually
  15. Biscotti
    Hugo De Luca - Dollingstown FC - Northern Ireland - End of Season Fourteen (2031/32) As is usual here in Northern Ireland, we started our European campaign right in the middle of pre-season. It certainly makes getting friendlies and testimonials in very difficult but, despite this, we managed to comfortably take down two professional teams in Europa FC (Gibraltar) and CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria). The third qualifying round saw us take on our first proper "big name" opposition - Spartak Moscow. Unfortunately, a 2-0 loss at their place was followed by a disappointing loss 3-1 at home, and our adventure was over for another year. It was pretty helpful financially, bringing in nearly £400k in prize money, but despite only spending about 60% of my wage budget and making no cash transfers that money slowly trickled away throughout the season to end as just about break-even. At the moment I have no clue how to earn the money we need to be able to turn professional without either sneaking into the Europa League group stage or significantly higher average attendances. The league didn't start all that well for us, possibly due to our European hangover, but 3 losses in our first 6 games certainly didn't look good for cementing our position toward the business end off the table. Fortunately we were able to steady things, but our ultimate points haul was 3 less than last season and as a result, we were never really in the hunt for anything better than 3rd. It was probably fortunate that everyone from 4th downwards kept trading results against each other, otherwise I'd have been worried that we might not even make third. An FA Cup final between Cliftonville and Glentoran meant we were at least guaranteed Europa League qualification without having to play the playoff. Johnny Lynch (32 goals in 32 starts in the league) and Wayne McQuillan (7.86 Average rating from 38 total starts, joining us permanently in the summer) were once again instrumental to our performances, as well as John Hanna (32 goals, 21 assists in 46 starts) making sure I have to consider him to be more than just a hot prospect for our future. Lynch was the only new inductee into our Best Eleven. We certainly have a strong foundation for pushing Cliftonville at the top, but mostly I'd like to improve the back line - the only defensive position I'm truly happy with is my left-back. The challenge will be bringing in quality while still maintaining my really tight leash on the wages. I might be looking for a couple of loanees to fill in at no cost if I can find someone willing to join us. I'm not expecting us to push for the Europa League groups just yet, as I think we'll still be unseeded when we get to the third qualifying round, but if I can pick up a few more good scalps and big crowds on the way then I'll be happy enough with that. Season League Position FA Cup Europe Training Facilities Youth Facilities Junior Coaching Youth Recruitment Achievements/Notes Top Scorer Most Assists Highest Avg Rating Capacity/Average Attendance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Premier Intermediate 10th 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Black (13) Falvey (8) Hanley (7.07) 1000 (108) 2019/20 Premier Intermediate 2nd 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Dunlop (26) Walsh (9) McClurg (7.20) 1000 (134) 2020/21 Premier Intermediate 1st 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted! Klobusek (24) Hanley/Robinson (12) McLaughlin (7.47) 1000 (117) 2021/22 Championship 6th 4th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Survival Farren (20) Robinson (10) Robinson (7.21) 1000 (130) 2022/23 Championship 2nd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Playoff losers Farren (36) Hanley (25) Hanley (7.50) 1000 (154) 2023/24 Championship 1st 5th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic Promoted Farren (20) Hanley (18) Noble (7.37) 1000 (104) 2024/25 Premiership 9th Winners! N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic FA Cup Winners! Robinson (23) Hanley (15) Millar (7.06) 1000 (187) 2025/26 Premiership 9th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic First run in Europe Roscoe (17) Hanley (11) Millar (7.19) 1000 (379) 2026/27 Premiership 7th 6th Round N/A Basic Basic Fairly Basic Basic EL Qualification Millar (15) Hanley (14) N. Owens (7.08) 1000 (202) 2027/28 Premiership 6th Semi Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A Anderson (25) Hanley/Woods (14) Hanley (7.14) 1000 (567) 2028/29 Premiership 7th Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Wilson (18) Hanley (13) Hanley (7.21) 1000 (232) 2029/30 Premiership 7th Qtr Final 2nd Qual Basic Basic Average Average N/A McDaid (12) Russell (15) McDaid (7.14) 1000 (374) 2030/31 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final N/A Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (34) Lynch (15) McQuillan (7.48) 1000 (449) 2031/32 Premiership 3rd Qtr Final 3rd Qual Basic Basic Average Average EL Qualification Lynch (35) Hanna (21) McQuillan (7.86) 1000 (453)
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