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End of first season update. Truro. 2014/2015. Skrill South.

League position - 2nd.

Media prediction - 22nd.

Even I am shocked that we finished 2nd this season. I think it would even be fair to say we were unlucky not to be promoted in the end. The season ended on such a bad run of form, which was a bit of a downer. Considering from the 21st game week, through to the 41st there was only 1 week we were not in first position. http://imageshack.com/a/img40/5677/0kmf.png

Key players.

Reece French Before the start of the season I predicted that Reece French would have a high scoring season. I thought that him standing 6"8 tall with 19 jumping would make him dominate from corners (as there seem to be about 196 per game). But either his 9 heading or my corner tactics (most likely a bit of both) meant he only finished on 4 goals. http://imageshack.com/a/img849/5016/hwy2.png

EDIT : Reece was voted fan's player of the season?! What? http://imageshack.com/a/img14/453/2xx6.png

With this best 11, what are the fans thinking? http://imageshack.com/a/img34/6084/ife0.png

Matt Perryman After the first few games of the season it was clear he would be the first name on the team sheet every week. The man just couldn't stop scoring. Then the injuries started. Considering he was the first name on the team sheet every week he only managed to play 23 games in total. Scoring 16.

Matt - http://imageshack.com/a/img577/313/kkvi.png

Injury History - http://imageshack.com/a/img844/9796/s64o.png

Matt Thick and Marvin McKoy The two players called up on to score goals in Matt Parryman's absence. With a combined age of only 36 years it was a big ask. But with 19 and 17 goal respectively they did a good job. More impressive of the two in my opinion was Matt Thick who scored 19 goals in only 24 starts.

Top goal scorers in my club - http://imageshack.com/a/img855/3415/3eyw.png

Board Confidence http://imageshack.com/a/img836/1538/esgh.pngThe Skrill South status is only on 90%? I finished 2nd so 90% seems surprisingly low? Is Vincent Tan the owner of Truro?

Finance http://imageshack.com/a/img835/3720/o82s.png I can't say things are looking great, but its only early days.

I think that although not getting promotion now seems bad, but it could be a blessing in disguise. Because this season showed the team is very thin, there were easily 5-10 games where I had players start and play a full 90 minutes starting on only 80% fitness. With an extra year in the Skrill South we have time to strengthen the team in depth and ability and give us much more of a change in the conference, hoping we do succeed next year!

I'm still not familiar with posting in the forums and I don't know how to use words/phrases as links or change font/size of text etc. (I remembered how to make text bold from somewhere although I'm not sure where). As far as I'm aware I can't see any help on this on the 'advanced reply' screen although I could just be being an idiot. So any advice on where to look for stuff like that would be greatly appreciated.

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I'm still not familiar with posting in the forums and I don't know how to use words/phrases as links or change font/size of text etc. (I remembered how to make text bold from somewhere although I'm not sure where). As far as I'm aware I can't see any help on this on the 'advanced reply' screen although I could just be being an idiot. So any advice on where to look for stuff like that would be greatly appreciated.

To link with the phrases, highlight the word or phrase you wish to use as your link. Then, above the text edit box, is a glove with a 2-link chain icon. Click that, and the paste the full URL of the linked page and click okay.

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Gypsum's End of season update - King's Lynn - 2023/24 - The Championship

League position: 8th (Position chart)

Media prediction: 11th

A weird season which spiralled into a relegation when my tactics became virtually useless. I conceded that this would be a transitional season and sold off some of my less production, but more highly (over) rated players. A change in our approach reinvigorated our players and our late season form was exceptional with an 11 game unbeaten streak, we ended up finishing in our highest ever place, giving me hope for next year.

Squad

Transfers

Finances

Star players:

Ryan Neil -Had a tough mid-season like everyone else, but pushed through to finish as the joint-second highest scorer in the league. He now has 157 league goals for his only club, King's Lynn.

Barry George Bowen - The Welsh international was our only beacon of hope through the tough times. Despite an understandable desire to play at a higher level he always relents and sticks around. Is in the Welsh squad for Euro '24.

Ian Dorey - The Lynn legend struggled for form, but the system change really benefited him. He has now made 441 league appearances since coming through our youth system. Unfortunately, he picked up his first major injury (only the fourth of his remarkably healthy career), being rules out until early next season with knee tendonitis, which hopefully will not be a recurring problem.

Marijan Hadzic - A free transfer after leaving GNK Dinamo, the Croatian international was a delight down the left wing. His jinking runs, free-kicks, corners, and monstrous throw ins saw him rack up 17 assists, the third highest tally in the league.

Year                 League                    Position              Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014/15           Skrill North                   7th
2015/16           Skrill North                   4th                Playoff winners
2016/17           Skrill Premier                 2nd                Playoff winners
2017/18           League 2                       10th               FA Cup 3rd round
2018/19           League 2                       3rd                Automatic promotion
2019/20           League 1                       8th        
2020/21           League 1                       4th                Playoff winners, JPT winners, FA Cup 5th round replay 
2021/22           Championship                   9th
2022/23           Championship                   11th
2023/24           Championship                   8th

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Just started the challenge. Had the chance to go to Wealdstone, but I fancied the challenge of going with Witton Albion.

Currently on the end of September in the first season, and the media prediction was rock bottom. Currently sitting at 16th on 9 points from 8 games. Now I know that this isn't setting the world alight, it's not too bad. If I can avoid relegation this year it will help me build on next year.

I've made a total of 9 signings. 5/6 of them are mainly as back up, but I have signed a couple of handy players.

Firstly, I signed Ben Mills (ST/C). He has 14 heading, 13 first touch and 11 jumping. Ideal as a target man. Missed the first 2 games of the season with a groin injury, but has scored 2 and has 2 assists in 5 games.

I then promoted Ross Slocombe (ST/C) from the under 18s. He's 17 and plays a poacher/advanced striker role. He's hit 4 goals in 8. So quite handy for a young'un. Finishing and First Touch both 11

My final signing is Michael Twiss. He's a 36 year old ex Man United trainee. He has a 17 for crossing as well as a 10 and 11 for finishing and long shots, respectively. Not young, but will put it on a sixpence in the box.

So my conclusion on the first couple of months- Not bad, but room for improvement. Need a few more wins to help us keep up. Will do another update come December, with hopefully better news.

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Ouch! Is that both your strikers out now? What is the situation with replacements?

Yeah, that's my strikeforce out with bad injuries, AND my star centre-back Bowen got injured playing for Wales in a pre-Euro friendly and is also out for a few months. Awful luck!

As for replacements, I'm quite well off at centre-back. Up-front I've got Varao who has been a solid backup striker for the past couple of seasons, and Batchford who is another youth product similar to a young Dorey. I've also got a young striker called Bunting who has been out on loan for the last couple of seasons. Decent backups for me, but only Varao is really capable at this level.

They'll have to do, as the club's wage budget has exploded and I can't sign anyone. Tough season ahead!

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Lost five or six games in a row now, all from failed back passes, keeper dropping the ball, strikers missing easy chances, 6"8 19 jumping defender getting out jumped while defending corners. Same tactics as last season, very similar team but instead of dominating the league I fighting to avoid relegation... What has happened?

EDIT - Just scored 4 offside goals, then hit the post in the 90th minute and lost 1-0.

"Truro move up to 21st position" What a dreadful sentence.

"Truro drop down to 22nd position." Well it wasn't even enjoyable while it lasted...

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iuSrTJs.png

Grays Athletic - Barclays Premier League - 2031/32 - Thirteenth

Honestly suprised we were as high as this. We were shocking bad all season.

My big signing Edith between the sticks did well, but the defence in general was just atrocious. We let in 73 this season.

Towards the end of the pre season, I signed Italian striker Enrico Pettinari who should be so much better than Paul Garmey.....but he just didnt score.

I would then play Garmey and he would get a double. I dunno what it is about that bald Welshman, but he can net goals like no other.

Not sure what to do about my back four. The starting four of Svoboda, Matouni, Garcia and Tosi are all still learning. Svoboda seems like a bit of a bust though and is just inconsistant as all hell. Tosi got pissed earlier in the season and hated me, but we made up and he is coming along nicely.

I have a wealth of choice in attacking midfield at the moment but should strengthen with an awesome centre mid or DM.

Oh also, on the 27th of December 2031, we lost 9-1 to a decidedly average Derby team. :(

League Table

Games

Finances - Spent 3.3 mil on facilities upgrade. Should be getting new stadium? Who knows. Big tax bill and shareholder payout though.

FA Cup - Our poor form is shown well here. Barely got through against L1 Luton. Struggled against L1 Rotherham. Really should have lost against Champ Peterborough and then lost to Champ QPR who came 20th in their league.

This was me playing my A side too.

Capital One Cup - In one of our only good games of the season, we really took it to Tottenham and played well. Finally going down late in ET in the 3rd Round.

Squad - I actually think we have a decent team. Looking at the squad, we need a replacement for Svoboda and I need to find a youngster to bring up. All the kids I want to sign up from South America can never ever ever ever ever ever get a work permit though. I Don't get it.

Key Player Profiles

Luis Garcia - He has done well this season. Had a slow start but is doing well in training.

Mohamed Matouni - Two Defenders in Key players when they shipped a record amount of goals? True, but they had higher overall stats. Matouni I grabbed on a free last year and is ony of my best pickups. I can see him being a future leader.

Player of the Season

Paul Garmey - I honestly don't understand how he is so good. It makes me laugh. I benched him for a whole chuck of the season thinking that the new Italian kid would blow him out of the water. When that failed, played Garmey and the goals were there again.

Youth Players

nil

Career Overview

Season       Team                       Country                  League                 League Finish             Achievements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9104610&viewfull=1#post9104610"]2014/15[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill South       18th                 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9116552&viewfull=1#post9116552"]2015/16[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill South        2nd 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9128581&viewfull=1#post9128581"]2016/17[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     20th    
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9156295&viewfull=1#post9156295"]2017/18[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     20th                        FA Trophy Finalist
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9172908&viewfull=1#post9172908"]2018/19[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     18th                        FA Trophy Semi-Finalist
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9196746&viewfull=1#post9196746"]2019/20[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     19th                                    
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9213236&viewfull=1#post9213236"]2020/21[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier      5th                         Promoted!/FA Trophy Win
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9220113&viewfull=1#post9220113"]2021/22[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 2   22nd 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9230480&viewfull=1#post9230480"]2022/23[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 2   15th  
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9240272&viewfull=1#post9240272"]2023/24[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 2    4th                    Promoted via Playoffs  
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9244958&viewfull=1#post9244958"]2024/25[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 1    7th                    Johnstone's Paint Trophy Winners
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9252661&viewfull=1#post9252661"]2025/26[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 1    15th
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9265885&viewfull=1#post9265885"]2026/27[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 1    3rd                    Promoted/Johnstone's Paint Trophy Winners
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9281615&viewfull=1#post9281615"]2027/28[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet Championship 17th 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9307671&viewfull=1#post9307671"]2028/29[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet Championship 6th                 Playoff Final Loss
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9313364&viewfull=1#post9313364"]2029/30[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet Championship 4th                 Playoff Final Win/Promoted
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9325046&viewfull=1#post9325046"]2030/31[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Barclays Premier League      13th                 Survival
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9334990&viewfull=1#post9334990"]2031/32[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Barclays Premier League      13th                 

Next Season

Stadium. Sort this out.

Money to get facilities upgraded again

13th or better

Facility News

Apparently our new stadium is being built. I havent heard anything about it in the news.

Major Competition Winners

English Premier League - Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City, Newcastle, Tottenham, Arsenal, Southampton, Leeds [Grays 13th]

Championship - Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth

FA Cup - Man Utd

Capital One Cup - Bournemouth

Champions League - PSG

Euro - Spartak Moswcow

Hyundai A-League - CCM/Sydney

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So given my financial and injury woes, the dilemma is; Do I sell up my best players for financial security and just try and survive with youth? OR go all-out form promotion or the Prem (baring in mind that failing will probably leave me in more debt)?

Given lasts season's late form I think we could have a chance of getting amongst the playoffs, but damn we make NO money at King's Lynn and we are living beyond our means.

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Billericay_Town_F.C._Logo.png

Well, After 21 Matches in the league, I can say im proud of my squad (Or what's left of it). I think we're doing an extraordinary work and the key is "Score Goals", the defense doesnt seem to be too important, and you need to score a lot to get good results in the LLM. Besides, we dont have a good squad, is pretty short, and i got only 1 loan, because the board is killing me with the salary wages. I NEED MORE MONEY BROS!!!.

League Standings: http://imageshack.com/a/img69/9733/l85z.png

What happens in the Cups:

I can only say im glad with the team so far, We are in 3rd Round of the FA Cup, and we're visiting Aston Villa shortly, we know we just want to play it, and we dont have any expectations with the match. Good thing is that this will probably boost our economy and let us do some good work in january transfers.

I do feel a little bitter with our 2nd Round elimination in the FA trophy, i thought we could do better, but we got destroyed 3-0 at home and had to lift the team spirit for the league, but hey, we got some money going none the less.

Players:

I have NO DOUBTS that our strikers (we only have to, and we play 4-4-2 so i hope they go injury free until season ends) are doing their job, they dont have good atts but they are playing amazingly well, and compensating for the Idiotic jamaican who left us after 3 games because he got "contracted" (karma is making him fight for the relegation in TSN, so, it works).

Inih Effiong (I commonly call him Effington, I have no clue why i do that) https://imageshack.com/i/jwvxtxp

Luke Blewden: https://imageshack.com/i/0s8iskp

Matches:

This is the list of official matches that we have played since the 1st League game, i think we can keep our good run, at least until a top3 team beats us to death. http://imageshack.com/a/img854/4977/yq4d.png

Well, lastly the hopes:

I just want to end this mid-season and get a good transfer window in january, i need a CB and another striker at least, i dont care if they're loans or free transfers, but with the current budget its almost impossible for me to sign something. Lets see what the future brings.

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it seems as though a lot of you guys are amazing at this in the lower leagues, whereas some like me are awful! what is it you do tactically that means you're able to get out of the league in the first year without really improving the squad much? are there a few golden rules? throw us a bone here!

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it seems as though a lot of you guys are amazing at this in the lower leagues, whereas some like me are awful! what is it you do tactically that means you're able to get out of the league in the first year without really improving the squad much? are there a few golden rules? throw us a bone here!

Luck more than anything - high morale from a good run can keep your run going, though with the lottery of just one automatic promotion spot it depends on how good the other sides are as you can be unlucky and have another side just walk the league leaving you unable to do anything.

Transfers wise - I scout/trial everyone on a free who is interested in joining me and do my best to sign the better ones. Ideally I like to get players who's PA is one or two leagues above my current league, if you are left with rubbish then go for the ones with the better key attributes for the roles you want as allrounded players are rather wasted in the lower leagues, for backup go for cheap, youth or free loanees.

Tactically - pick a style of play that you prefer and try and get good players for that system - I prefer Aerial Ability in defence and pace in attack, other things work for other people. If you have no idea you can try having a quick game with a big side in the FMC mode to test out some ideas (FMC mode gets you through games quick and a big side means you don't need to bother signing players) or have a look in the tactics forum at a thread/tactic that suits your style of play and use that as a base to build your own tactical system.

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So given my financial and injury woes, the dilemma is; Do I sell up my best players for financial security and just try and survive with youth? OR go all-out form promotion or the Prem (baring in mind that failing will probably leave me in more debt)?

Given lasts season's late form I think we could have a chance of getting amongst the playoffs, but damn we make NO money at King's Lynn and we are living beyond our means.

How big is your stadium, as I've made a tidy profit in my first season in the Championship with just a 5,000 capacity ground.

EDIT: Just seen your finances screenshot it looks like wages are your problem as they are three times what mine are, which would send me into debt aswell. (Though still on the low side for a Championship side - it's possible I'll be having the same problem as you in a couple of seasons).

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it seems as though a lot of you guys are amazing at this in the lower leagues, whereas some like me are awful! what is it you do tactically that means you're able to get out of the league in the first year without really improving the squad much? are there a few golden rules? throw us a bone here!

Well, I think it really depends, some people have it hard, and others have it easy.

one thing you need to look about is if you want to go full on trying and spent every penny you can (im over the wage budget and losing money every month) to try and get a good time in the lower leagues and get a promotion, and try to use that to fill more seats and get more money to pay later, or you can go the safer way, and assemble a "decent" team and fight mid-table and stablish yourself there. There's different appoaches to the game and you need to utilize what fits you best.

Another aspect is focusing on key attributes of your players, all rounders as pleople have said dont work well here, and 5-6 atts at most are the things you need for a "great" player. Some mentals do play a huge rol too, because decisions affect a lot in lower leagues.

Other thing is that PACE is key in the lower leagues, since you can play long balls and thru passes and go for there, because most of the defenders are gonna be slow (5-9 prom), so its gonna work if your striker can hit the goal.

What I did was sign a thight team (starting eleven, 5 subs and 1 loanee), and go from there, and jsut use other players from lower if i needed to fill the bench or something.

Try to sign 1 key player and then focus on a "good team" overall rather than 2-3 great players and 8 shitties, it works best, at least for me. And use the loans, they're worth it if you dont need to pay a penny.

For the tactical part, Im sticking to ONLY 1 tactic (4-4-2) Standard, and only changing control-neutra-counter depending on the team im playing against, and using a neutral,(fluid sometimes when i feel i can use it) approach to the movement of the players so they dont do crazy stuff.

In this part you have basically 2 roads: get a tactic and sign a team that can play it, or analize your team and use a tactic that fits them.

Another thing is that i feel scoring is more important than conceeding, i've conceeded 2 goals per game avg and i'm still on top.

Those are my few cents, I'm a noob here so i hope a better player can give you some better tips.

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How big is your stadium, as I've made a tidy profit in my first season in the Championship with just a 5,000 capacity ground.

EDIT: Just seen your finances screenshot it looks like wages are your problem as they are three times what mine are, which would send me into debt aswell. (Though still on the low side for a Championship side - it's possible I'll be having the same problem as you in a couple of seasons).

I've got an 8200 seater stadium, but and average attendance below 5k.

I made decent money in the first season too, and didn't spend much in terms of wages/transfer fees. But I found some good players young, and giving them new contracts to keep them, with the wage rise clauses etc this year the wage bill has just snowballed.

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Bore Draw- Canvey Island- Skrill Premier- Half season update

apologies for being less than regular with updates, life has sadly dragged me away from the joys of simulation, almost every time i sit down it seems like I'm straight back up and I have only just reached February 2016

Squad- strong at the back, strong in the middle weak on the wings and upfront

the skrill premier seems to have been a step to far for many of my players and lots were let go to make space for new blood.

My current top players are

Fabio Saravia signed midway through last season if he has a good game my team does not to mention battering in a few lovely free kicks

sits at the centre of midfield as a deep playmaker and spreads the play- high potential too

rio byward edwards- club captain and strong centre back, rarely makes mistakes

Skrill Premier- sitting quite nicely on a consolidation season in the skrill premier in 16th place but a few points about relegation. Haven't conceded many goals or scored many, added haven't won many games, lots of low scoring draws.

highlight of the year a 5-1 drubbing of mansfield,completely out the blue

lowlight-ebbsfleet- the team promoted with me were a cut above and have improved, have a good chance of getting promoted and once again they beat us all over the park... seem to have become my nemesis

fa trophy- knocked out in the first round by... you guessed it ebbsfleet... couldn't get anywhere near them

fa cup- knocked in the first round by hartlepool tough draw but was outclassed

finances= another year without a cup run has bitten deep- loosing money fast and quite seriously need an increase in revenue but my attendance is still very poor

As a whole need to sort out and consolidate this year, finances are a big issue and I'm overpaying average players. Thankfully one year contracts mean next year I will be able to revamp my team only keeping the main parts of my team

Positive outlook thus far but I'm already looking ahead and my priority for next year is having a positive financial output.

Still not taken any players out on loan, may have to break that rule to get fiscally viable though

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it seems as though a lot of you guys are amazing at this in the lower leagues, whereas some like me are awful! what is it you do tactically that means you're able to get out of the league in the first year without really improving the squad much? are there a few golden rules? throw us a bone here!

I think morale plays a huge part in the lower leagues. My first season we had a very nice start, and my team talks were spot on so morale was very good all season. I ended up finishing 2nd after being 1st for the majority of the season and lost in the play offs. Second season, morale was low after we lost the first few games not we are 15th or so after 20 games. I am also having huge problems signing anyone with any footballing ability's at all so the majority of players in my team are under the age of 20. Not looking good.

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AFC Fylde – Championship 2021/22 – Season 8

Having somehow won the League One Playoff Final last season in our debut season in League One we found ourselves in the fallen giants league also known as the Championship - 15 of the other sides had been in the Premier League IRL whilst Bournemouth had been promoted twice in game and are the only side to win promotion from the Championship who hadn't previously been in the Prem before the game started.

The expectations were to somehow survive with the board again giving me some decent resources, though the bookies reckoned we'd finish bottom as did the media whilst Guthrie becomes the clubs first Icon and Curtis Hall gets onto the Favoured list.

Transfers - With the board letting me scout Europe I went out and spent some (well all) of the money they'd given me smashing our transfer record three times - first with the £160K signing of highly rated Danish Striker Kristoffer Ravn and then in Jan I spent a record £350K on two more 17yo's Norwegian Full-Back Etterstad and Lithuanian Midfielder Lekevicius. Saleswise I got rid of various squad players who weren't going to be good enough and in Jan I let previous record signing Flinders leave - he wasn't good enough for the Championship and I'd owe Newcastle more money if he played in a couple more games.

We also somehow had the second highest Net Transfer Spend in the league behind Sheff Utd who'd got a tycoon takeover mid way through the season, though that stat doesn't tell the true story as nearly everyone else spent more than me they just brough it more than they spent in sales.

League Cup - We had an excellent run in the League Cup this season, though we got off to a slow start needing an own goal in extra-time to beat League One Mansfield, in the Second Round we again brushed past Watford as we defended strongly and hit them on the break. In the Third Round we took on Premier League giants Liverpool who made the mistake of fielding a second string which allowed us to somehow came away from Anfield with a famous win. In the Fourth Round we again drew Premier League opposition this time making the long trip down to Southampton and despite a fairly open game neither of us were able to score and the tie went to extra-time where Soton took the lead but Guthrie scored a freak goal to level the game - he ran down the right wing crossed the ball into the box where their Keeper and one of my midfielders went for the ball but they both missed it and the cross nestled itself in the far corner of the goal :) We then won the resulting shootout to set up a Quarter Final tie against another Prem side this time it was Aston Villa we'd face though at home this time and a hat-trick from Turk Gurkan Akar saw us brush aside Villa and set up a Semi-Final against Man City.

In the Semi-Final whilst City fielded a second string it was still very strong and in the First Leg we put up a good fight stopping City from creating any real chances until we gave away our typical goal from a corner and we just couldn't finish the couple of chances we had. In the Return Leg we took the game to City but just couldn't score and were punished on the counter as City again won 1-0 and went on to beat Arsenal in the Final, and we were at least given the honour of being named the Biggest Overachievers, however it's a shame there is pretty much no prize money with the League Cup I just hope the wins against Premier sides increased our reputation a bit.

FA Cup - We got the hardest but best tie as we were drawn away to Man Utd who utterly destroyed us though we did somehow manage to score twice with our only shots, more importantly the tie earned us over £1m that can be spent improving the club.

Championship - It was a mixed season as we did well to survive our debut in the Championship as we lacked any consistency - we were always on the edge of gettng dragged into the relegation fight but managed to just keep ourselves out of it though we blew any chance to put real distance between us and the bottom three and only secured our position with two games left, though it was heartbreak for Derby as they fell into the relegation places at the end of the season as Burnley somehow escaped, whilst Everton finishing bottom was a shock considering they'd just been relegated from the Premiership. We need to address several things next season including the shocking amount of goals we conceeded as we really shouldn't have survived having given away 92 goals, weirdly the only side who conceeded more than us Birmingham also survived. Our continued inability to defend corners is a real problem as we gave away at least 26 goals from corners plus another 28 through mistakes which cost us so many games, though starting the season at Deepdale with it's silly square pitch was a major problem - in the first 11 home games we won just 4 losing 7 earning just 12pts, scoring 23 but conceeding 34, whilst in the remaining 12 games at our real home we won 6, drew 2, lost 4 winning 20pts and weirdly scoring 17 but conceeding 16.

Another problem which is possibly due to my side being young is that if we scored first we'd normally win but if we conceeded first we'd normaly lose whilst our most common result was winning or losing 2-1 followed by winning 1-0 or losing 4-1.

Squad and Overview

Irishman Padraig Boggan continued in goal and was solid enough though he is rather injury prone suffering two injuries that kept him out for two and then one month, to cover the first injury I loaned in Croatian Elvis Osibov who didn't really impress, so for the second injury I gave Danish Loanee Flemming Sigdal a chance and he put in some good performances though they won't let me have him back next season.

In Defence Curtis Hall continued at Right Back and had another solid season, however Left Back proved to be a problem position I snapped up Frenchman Sante Carmignani on a free after he'd been released by LOSC to replace the Hecker however he had a shocking season and was loaned out for the second half of the season to get his wages off the books, so Austrian Loanee Matthias Ernemann was given a chance and he put in some good performances, though the position is hopefully going to be taken by Norwegian John Anders Etterstad who is being retrained into a leftback.

In the Centre of Defence Keithlyn Coddingtown had a solid season and has even picked up the Promising tag and got himself some England U21 caps and was named in Euro U21 Dream Team, still haven't had any bids for him yet though plenty of interest and it looks like he'll be gone next season as he wants a move to a bigger club and the only option I had to make him happy was to say we'd get promotion to the Prem which he then laughed at :( Partnering him again was Croatian Vlado Kramaric who's formed an excellent partnership. Providing cover was another Austrian Loanee Michael Bock who did well when called upon, I also gave young Dane Brian Andersen a few chances however he isn't really ready yet.

In the Defensive Midfielder position was another new signing Frenchman Paul Fuchs who'd been released by Bordeaux and had an excellent season.

In the Centre of Midfielder fellow Frenchman Christian Kieffer was on fine form in the Playmaker role running things in the middle and finally chipping in with several goals, partnering him was Miguel Livermore who'd been signing on a free after a sucessful loan last season and he did ok though more was expected of him, alongside him was Jimmy Brightly who had a solid season and is developing nicely. Providing cover was the aging Adam Lallana who was in good form, whilst Reckey Pilkington was again loaned from Ipswich though he had a disapointing season and lost his place to Brightly.

Upfront Marc Guthrie had another solid season though he was outscored by Turk Gurkan Akar who finally found his scoring boots, providing cover were two new signings Burkina Faso National Oumar Ouedraogo was snapped up on a free after being trialled when his agent offered him to me, whilst a bit of money was spent on highly rated Dane Krisoffer Ravn who grabbed a few goals despite not being ready yet.

Best XI - Again a bit messed up as Kieffer is shifted to the DM position, with Fuchs cruely benched despite doing better than any of the three players picked for the CM positions, the other oddity is Flinders getting a spot on the bench with just five apperances?

Overall XI - Kramaric and Akar become part of the Overall XI joining current players Boggan, Hall and Guthrie (plus loanee Pilkington).

Finances - We made a tidy profit this season (shows under last season as I seem to have lost the proper screenshot I took) Though our survival was a minor miracle when you compare our wage bill to everyone elses. Also got the board to further improve our facilities.

Manager - I reached 400 games at Fylde, whilst someone seems unhappy at the three (four if you count Akar as he came from a French club) Frenchmen I've signing, I wonder what they'll say about all the Foreign based players I've signed for the new season :)

I was also offered a new contract in December which is I think the earliest I've ever been offered one and managed to knock my wage down to just £25 p/w :) I also said I'd play academy players in the hopes that we'll actually generate one with a professional standard PA, not that it worked however it has encouraged my board to improve our facilities without me needing to beg them.

Reputation - Slight increase but we are still on 1.5 stars (the only one), wierdly in the new season Peterborough who have just won League 1 have jumped from 1.5 to 3 stars making them the 9th highest ranked side :confused:

Premier League - After being named Overachievers last season, Liverpool imploded and only stayed up on Goal Difference wouldn't have minded getting six points off them next season :)

Goals for next season

- Survive

- Try and keep hold of Coddingtown or at least get big money for him.

- Try and add some extra quality to the side mainly in Midfield and at left-back, also need some home-grown backup players.

- And if history is anything to go by we should be winning the playoff final next season...

Leaderboard points (FM Mode)

Single Game: 341,977 (209,515th)

Single Season: 119,257 (274,608th)

Single Season in England: 119,257 (174,586th)

Single Season Championship: 119,257 (26,935th)

Career Overview

Season          League                League Finish     Achievements                  Leaderboard Points (Season/Game)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014/15        Skrill North             3rd        Playoff Finalists                
2015/16        Skrill North             3rd        Playoff Winners - Promoted!                
2016/17        Skrill Premier           13th                                                  20,675 / 27,370
2017/18        Skrill Premier           5th        Playoff Winners - Promoted!                27,387 / 51,605
2018/19        League Two               18th                                                  46,936 / 98,541
2019/20        League Two               6th        Playoff Winners - Promoted!                51,575 / 150,116
2020/21        League One               5th        Playoff Winners - Promoted!                72,604 / 222,720
2021/22        Championship             16th                                                  119,257 / 341,977

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End of second season update. Truro. 2015/2016. Skrill South.

League Position.- 2nd (again.)

Media Prediction - 20th

After 18 games we were 21st. We deserved to be there as well, poor finishing from the forwards and stupid annoying mistakes from the defence and keeper. But on the 18th game of the season, an away fixture to Staines who were 19th at the time, things changed. Coleman scored a hat trick, and along with an own goal from both teams we won 4-1. Our most convincing win of the season so far. I think this gave a boost to morale we needed to turn our season around. From that point onwards the strikers found their scoring boots and my keeper deserves to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or award and we only lost 1 game. Quickly we rose up the league and managed to finish 2nd only behind Sutton Utd who were crowned champions with 4 games of the season left. In the play-offs we did better than last season by getting to the final and looked convincing beating Concord rangers 2-1 on the home and away leg. We played Histon in the final and with hitting the wood work no less than 4 times we were unlucky to lose 2-1.

Key Players

Matt Thick - Matt had an incredible season once he found his shooting boots. He finished the season on 30goals, 13assists, and an average match rating of 7.29. Considering how badly the season stared I was surprised to say the least that he was the leagues top goal scorer.

Jared Sims - Jared was consistently good at creating chances and even scored quite a few himself for a CM finishing the season on 13goals, 8assists, and a average match rating of 7.04.

Joby Coleman - Coleman went on multiple goal droughts throughout the season then would be on fire for a few games but definitely deserves a mention. He finished the season on 16goals, 12assists and an average match rating of 7.01.

James Mitchinson - James played 50 games this season, and although he conceded 67 and only kept 11 clean sheets I think he has had a brilliant season and gained us all 3 points on many occasions!

Cups

FA Cup We struggled though the FA cup 2nd qualifying round against Hayes and Yeading.

We continued to struggle though the FA cup 3rd qualifying round against Poole Town.

In the next round we was put up against the mighty Bees and stood no chance against such a world class opposition :brock:

FA Trophy In the FA trophy we fell at the first hurdle to Leamington but I think this is more of a blessing is disguise than anything else as we could now focus on the league! :lol:

Finance

Finance is awful. I cant sign anyone because of the situation I can only hope that as we go up the leagues I can try to sort it out.

Aims for next season

Promotion.

Sign new players to replace those that wont sign new contracts due to the clubs financial state. (Jared Sims)

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Grover becomes Head Stone!

Thought I would try something a little different but still true to the challenge, I went on holiday for 4 seasons (to the 2017/2018 season) in order to mix the database up as I have a lot of experience in the non-leagues on this version then had to pick from the sides that were not playable in 2013/2014 and had not been in the league since.

Therefore I am starting my challenge with Maidstone!

Having trouble uploading images currently (either says imagine undefined if I try to upload or invalid URL if I try to import them that way) so I'll will have to provide screenshots later.

Initial thoughts:

  1. Very good budgets: £20k transfer and a £3k surplus wages
  2. Reasonable finances: No debt, £220~k in the bank and 2 large sponsorship deals
  3. Very good team: Mostly good SS players or better and they suit my tactics very well, however I have not central mids at all! Not even a youth player!
  4. Chairman is looking to leave, could be trouble ahead for me or a blessing if it bring a large investment!
  5. No staff whatsoever
  6. Some of the worst facilities I've seen, basically non-existent bar a brand new stadium with a state-of-the-art synthetic pitch owned by the club, albeit a small one at 2226 capacity.

Goals for the up coming season

  • Achieve a mid-table finish: Good team so should be fairly easy
  • Ensure finances continue to grow (predicted a £100k profit this year some how)
  • Get my backroom to a league standard

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Witton Albion review

Finished 2014/2015 in 12th Position. Won 15, Drew 14, Lost 13. A steady 59 points.

The board were chuffed with it, however, my wages were over budget. So we were haemorrhaging money. With that in mind, the board decide to build a new stadium.

Top player was Ross Slocombe. Top scorer with 19 goals.

So with the good season in the bag, I signed a new contract (with a £100 p/week cut to help costs).

The 2015/16 season kicked off with the board and fans expecting a mid-low expectations. So with those expectations ringing in my ears, we're currently top, by 2 points, on a 11 game unbeaten run (W8 D3). My right winger is leading the scoring on 8 with my strikers following up on 7 and 6!!

All in all, the futures bright, the futures Albion.

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Grays Athletic - Barclays Premier League - 2032/33 - Fifth

A crazy season where we were suprisingly good, yet still had too many yoyo games.

Playing Spurs and Man Utd, they both put 7 past us, yet we beat them on other occasions.

A season highlight would be beating an understrength Man City Team 4-0, Newcastle coming out of nowhere to take the title or us beating Man Utd in a nailbiter in the FA Cup Final.

Euros should be fun next season.

League Table

Games

Finances - Flying now. Didn't spend all of our transfer budget this season and actually made some money on player sales. Gate receipts are still poor with most of our money coming from TV revenue.

FA Cup - After last years rubbish showing, I thought we were in for it again. A replay against L1 Mansfield which we only just scraped by. However we showed some real form to get to the final. Liverpool put up a real fight and I thought there was no way we would beat Man City in the semis. Great season.

Capital One Cup - A terrible game to start the season, however our team was still coming together. Will look for more next season.

Squad - I actually think we have a decent team. Looking at the squad, we need a replacement for Svoboda and I need to find a youngster to bring up. All the kids I want to sign up from South America can never ever ever ever ever ever get a work permit though. I Don't get it.

Key Player Profiles

Ian Allardyce - Another player who I don' think has the tactical ability to be good enough in the league, but put in great matches every game.

Mohamed Matouni - Getting better every season. He did well for Morocco in the African Nations Cup where they lost in the final to Ghana. However in the Semis they beat Mali 8-0, with Matouni getting a 10 Rating.

Player of the Season

Luis Garcia - Great season which held our shaky defence together.

Youth Players

Dom Houghton - I Spent 6.5mil on this kid and I think he has what it takes to be special. Will see how he comes along and try to get him out on loan next season.

Career Overview

Season       Team                       Country                  League                 League Finish             Achievements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9104610&viewfull=1#post9104610"]2014/15[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill South       18th                 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9116552&viewfull=1#post9116552"]2015/16[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill South        2nd 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9128581&viewfull=1#post9128581"]2016/17[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     20th    
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9156295&viewfull=1#post9156295"]2017/18[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     20th                        FA Trophy Finalist
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9172908&viewfull=1#post9172908"]2018/19[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     18th                        FA Trophy Semi-Finalist
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9196746&viewfull=1#post9196746"]2019/20[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier     19th                                    
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9213236&viewfull=1#post9213236"]2020/21[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Skrill Premier      5th                         Promoted!/FA Trophy Win
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9220113&viewfull=1#post9220113"]2021/22[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 2   22nd 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9230480&viewfull=1#post9230480"]2022/23[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 2   15th  
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9240272&viewfull=1#post9240272"]2023/24[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 2    4th                    Promoted via Playoffs  
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9244958&viewfull=1#post9244958"]2024/25[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 1    7th                    Johnstone's Paint Trophy Winners
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9252661&viewfull=1#post9252661"]2025/26[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 1    15th
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9265885&viewfull=1#post9265885"]2026/27[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet League 1    3rd                    Promoted/Johnstone's Paint Trophy Winners
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9281615&viewfull=1#post9281615"]2027/28[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet Championship 17th 
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9307671&viewfull=1#post9307671"]2028/29[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet Championship 6th                 Playoff Final Loss
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9313364&viewfull=1#post9313364"]2029/30[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Sky Bet Championship 4th                 Playoff Final Win/Promoted
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9325046&viewfull=1#post9325046"]2030/31[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Barclays Premier League      13th                 Survival
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9334990&viewfull=1#post9334990"]2031/32[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Barclays Premier League      13th       
[url="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/364936-50-Shades-of-Seattle-Grace?p=9343032&viewfull=1#post9343032"]2032/33[/url]       Grays Athletic               England                Barclays Premier League       5th                  FA Cup Win  

Next Season

Do well in Euros

Be competitive at the top again

Sign some youngsters with star potential

Facility News

Yet another training/Youth facility upgrade for 4 mil

Stadium is still apparently in progress

The stadium BS is really starting to get on my nerves. We sold out every single game this season :(

Major Competition Winners

English Premier League - Newcastle, Man City, Man Utd, Blackpool, Grays, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Bournemouth

Championship - Brighton, Ipswich, West Ham, [Norwich lost in Final]

FA Cup - Grays

Capital One Cup - Man Utd

Champions League - Man CIty

Euro - Juventus

Hyundai A-League - Victory/CCM

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Started a new game with Margate (haven't seen anyone use them this year). Finished 8th first season then second season I finished with 8 straight wins, unbeaten in final 16 games, to win the league on the final day! Finally have got a team to the Skrill Premier after several tries.

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Started a new game with Margate (haven't seen anyone use them this year). Finished 8th first season then second season I finished with 8 straight wins, unbeaten in final 16 games, to win the league on the final day! Finally have got a team to the Skrill Premier after several tries.

Well done. Will we be seeing season reports?

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Hey guys. I have a work permit feeder club, but how do I sign players to send there?

If I try and sign someone, it just says WP appeal denied etc. No option of sending to Belgium :)

You should now be able to sign the player without them having a WP, and send them to your feeder club. It's always worked for me like that in previous FMs. I try and get a Belgium or Polish team as a feeder club to send players to, and within a few years of loaning them, they get a second nationality (I think that's how I did it. Haven't been in a high enough league to try it since FM12).

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Maidstone United 2017/2018 Season review (first season)

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Full league table

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Finances

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So to review I achieved my target of a good mid-table finish, although I was very disappointed not to finish in the playoffs as with 15 games to go I was 4th and 8 points clear of 6th but a run of 2 points from 7 games put pay to that. Didn't do as well as hoped in the cups with a disappointing exit to Hungerford from 2-0 up in the FA Cup 3rd qualifier and a First round exit in the FA Trophy to Braintree away (5-3).

However lots to build on with!

Goals review

  • Achieve a mid-table finish (Yes)
  • Ensure financial growth (Yes, £184,653 profit)
  • Build on Backroom staff (Yes, but not as much as I would've liked)

Points for next year

  • Stadium expantion to 3339, and a ground share in a 5000 seater ground until then
  • Board still very unstable, I've had 5 or 6 embargos this year from failed takeovers.

Goals for the next season

  • Promotion!
  • Continue with financial growth
  • Recruit a squad backbone to take me to the Football League

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In to the last game of the season and could secure a playoff place. Such a bizarre season; my star players injured for the start, other wanting to leave (even now), backups punching above their weigh but nobody really being outstanding, Ryan Neil has started just THREE games due to a succession of injuries.

But Neil is fit now, and he is blindingly good in the big games...

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Gypsum's End of season update - King's Lynn - 2024/25 - The Championship

League position: 6th (Position chart)

Media prediction: 7th

A bizarre season, which started in catastrophic fashion when the injury bug struck our strikeforce with a vengeance, and a financial crisis which left me unable to strengthen. Home grown legends Ryan Neil and Ian Dorey were hit with major injuries, with Neil suffering all season long. But our backups performed admirably. Early season we were flirting with relegation, but as our campaign progressed we gradually moved up the table. My best move of the season, surprisingly, was the sale of two of our best players. This freed up the finances to sign some modest, but useful squad players who helped to build upon a solid defence to significantly improve our form and push us into the playoff places.

Playoff semi-final, 1st leg: King's Lynn 3-0 Stoke

Playoff semi-final, 2nd leg: Stoke 3-3 King's Lynn

A surprisingly imperious first leg was followed by an erratic second. But it was enough to give us a chance of glory...

Playoff final: King's Lynn 2-0 West Brom

The injury bug struck again, this time across our midfield. But it may have helped us! The first goal was converted by 18 year-old midfielder Connor McCartan, a Northern Irish prospect who had only played 2 games for us before. The rest of the game we were fairly comfortable, our centrebacks bossed things at the back, and I even had the chance to bring on Ryan Neil to play alongside Dorey one again to enjoy a great moment in his nightmare season.

Squad

Transfers

Finances

Star players;

Barry George Bowen - Our Welsh internation had his best ever season, bossing the back four.

Jevgenijs Nesterenko - A great partner for Bowen who has improved dramatically in the last couple of seasons.

Marijan Hadzic - The Croatian winger was intent to leave on a free transfer as his contract expires, but I hope I can tempt him to stay on. His long throws alone are worth it.

Legend watch;

Ian Dorey - Career history - A tricky season started with a lengthy spell out with knee tendonitis, but he really picked up form as we set our sights on promotion.

Ryan Neil - Career history - Missed most of the season with a torn calf muscle, a hernia, then a torn hamstring! Hopefully I can get him fit for the Premiership season and have the old strike partnership firing again at the top level.

Year                 League                    Position              Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014/15           Skrill North                   7th
2015/16           Skrill North                   4th                Playoff winners
2016/17           Skrill Premier                 2nd                Playoff winners
2017/18           League 2                       10th               FA Cup 3rd round
2018/19           League 2                       3rd                Automatic promotion
2019/20           League 1                       8th        
2020/21           League 1                       4th                Playoff winners, JPT winners, FA Cup 5th round replay 
2021/22           Championship                   9th
2022/23           Championship                   11th
2023/24           Championship                   8th
2024/25           Championship                   6th                Playoff winners

Breaking news - We are getting a new stadium! I was hoping it would be named after a legend, but you can't have everything. Even in the Premiership we might struggle to fill it. Our average attendance this season was 4919.

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