PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hoping for the best! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehazeofspades Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 The suspense is killing me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 We did everything we could to win the title as we beat Afan Lido 2-0 at home, even in spite of Aaron Goodwin stupidly getting sent off just before half-time. I was absolutely fuming at that point as TNS were still drawing at half-time so I thought his sending off would potentially cost us the title, but we sat back real defensively in the second half and somehow managed to hold on. Unfortunately Haverfordwest did not hang on and TNS scored two goals that massively saved them from huge embarrassment and bottling the title. So we unfortunately end the season just 1 point away from winning the title on goal difference. As unexpected as this late charge at the title is, it's hard not to look back on pre-split games like the draw at home and away to Carmarthen and the loss at Bangor City, as if we turned either Carmarthen game into a win or the Bangor City loss into a draw then we would have won it. We have at least secured Europa League without a Playoff and and the 2nd place finish is still Port Talbot's best ever finish in the competition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black and Yellow Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 What a dramatic ending!! Extremely unfortunate that TNS found how to win again in those final three matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 (edited) Season 20: Port Talbot Town It's certainly been an eventful season. Overall a good one I would say as we had an impressive little run of games in Europe, won the Welsh League Cup and surprisingly came ever so close to winning the title. I'm satisfied with finishing 2nd this year and hope we can actually have a go at TNS more next season. Squad Carl Pockett and Gavin Fitzpatrick actually ended up joint-top scorers, with 16 goals each. James Sprudd on a free transfer was a crazy good signing, he was an absolute wall at CB and is a very good player for this level, we'll do well to hang onto him in the near future as I could see him getting snapped up by some English clubs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Club Division Position Achievements/Other --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016/17 Ipswich Wanderers Eastern Counties Premier League 8th Eastern Counties League Cup winners 2017/18 Ipswich Wanderers Eastern Counties Premier League 11th Left in November --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017/18 Coventry Sphinx Midland Football Premier League 13th N/A 2018/19 Coventry Sphinx Midland Football Premier League 10th Left in December --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Carlton Town United Counties Premier League 8th United Counties League Cup runners-up. Sacked. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019/20 Basildon United Essex Senior League 3rd Gordan Brasted Memorial Trophy winners 2020/21 Basildon United Essex Senior League 17th Left in November --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 Lincoln United Northern Counties East Premier League 11th N/A 2021/22 Lincoln United Northern Counties East Premier League 17th Left in December --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2021/22 Swindon Supermarine Southern League 1st Division S/W 13th N/A 2022/23 Swindon Supermarine Southern League 1st Division S/W 18th Left in January --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022/23 Trafford FC Northern Premier League 1st Division N 7th N/A 2023/24 Trafford FC Northern Premier League 1st Division N 11th Sacked in November --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2023/24 Hythe Town Isthmian League 1st Division S 12th Joined in January 2024/25 Hythe Town Isthmian League 1st Division S 3rd Left in March --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2024/25 Canvey Island Isthmian League Premier Division 23rd Relegated 2025/26 Canvey Island Isthmian League 1st Division N 23rd Sacked in November --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2025/26 Farsley Celtic Northern Premier League 1st Division N 11th Joined in January 2026/27 Farsley Celtic Northern Premier League 1st Division N 5th Left in March --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2026/27 Stourbridge Northern League Premier Division 21st Relegated 2027/28 Stourbridge Southern League 1st Division C 5th Promoted via Playoffs 2028/29 Stourbridge Southern League Premier Division 15th Left in November --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2028/29 Lancaster City Northern League Premier Division 21st Relegeted. Sacked. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2029/30 Southport Northern League Premier Division 14th N/A 2030/31 Southport Northern League Premier Division 5th Left in April --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2030/31 Port Vale Northern League Premier Division 3rd Lost in Playoff Final 2031/32 Port Vale Northern League Premier Division 2nd Lost in Playoff Final 2032/33 Port Vale Northern League Premier Division 6th Left in January --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2032/33 Port Talbot Town Welsh Premier League 8th N/A 2033/34 Port Talbot Town Welsh Premier League 3rd Qualified for Europa League via Playoff 2034/35 Port Talbot Town Welsh Premier League 5th Welsh Cup winners 2035/36 Port Talbot Town Welsh Premier League 2nd Welsh League Cup winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trophy Cabinet Eastern Counties League Cup x1 - 2016/17 (Ipswich Wanderers) Gordan Brasted Memorial Trophy x1 - 2019/20 (Basildon United) Welsh Cup x1 - 2034/35 (Port Talbot Town) Welsh League Cup x1 - 2035/36 (Port Talbot Town) Edited March 17, 2017 by PaulHartman71 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim owen Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 No champions league agaiun, such a shame. Still Europa League ain't to be sniffed at, just need to win the comp and get direct entry to champ group stages... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 The board wasted little time in offering me a new one year contract, no wage rise but I did manage to get the get out clause down to 40 percent, so maybe that will convince a club to come in for me more maybe. Cool to see the go to quote is now our elimination of FH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim owen Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 I hear Barcelona often recruit the welsh premier league manager of the year, i suspect the job offer is in the post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Mourinho's Man United side retained the Premier League title this season, with Man City ending up 8 points behind them in 2nd. Arsenal and Chelsea made up the rest of the top 4. Arsenal fans wouldn't have been too disappointed though, as they beat Mourinho's side 2-1 in the Champions League final. Elsewhere, Plymouth fans will be pleased as their side won the League 1 Playoffs to go up to the Championship. Salford City's first attempt at League 2 life didn't go too well, they picked up just 28 points and finished rock bottom. Finally, Joe Hart will be a very happy chappy, as after 12 years in the Conference North with Solihull Moors he has finally got them promoted to the Conference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Quick Round-Up of the last 10 years worth of winners of various competitions: World Cup: Euros: Copa America: African Nations: Gold Cup: Asian Nations: Oceania Nations: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Champions League: Europa League: Premier League: Scottish Premier League: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 We moved up some places in the European Club rankings, although still nowhere near the level we need to be seeded in the Europa League. Good news for the Welsh coefficient as we move back up high enough to get a spot in the 2nd Qualifying Phase of the CL. We've got TNS in the Champions League of course, then us, Playoff winners Airbus and the now 2nd tier Carmarthen Town who beat Afan Lido in the Welsh Cup final. A big blow to Afan Lido who would be kicking themselves, also annoying for everyone else as Afan Lido would surely have done better than Carmarthen will end up doing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 Some more good news as I've finally got the go ahead to get working on my qualifications! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 haha just noticed that it was John Terry who got Salford City relegated. That's the 3rd time he's got a club relegated from the Football League now 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Just read all this through took a while! What a career its had it all! Success is well earned my friend, that league title is getting closer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdanbartlett Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Amazing end to the season, great updates! Superb news re the badge too. I think if you can keep cracking through them and keep closing in on the Welsh title then another job won't be far away. (I suspect either TNS or a english conf job). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Just 1 transfer so far this summer, with 31 year old ML/ST Ken Leonard joining after being clubless for all of this season since League 2 Hartlepool released him. He's a good player and will be our new starting left winger. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 The draw for the Europa League 1st Qualifying Round has been made and we will be heading back to Iceland, however we'll be playing our first game at home this time. I'm not sure what to expect from Starjnan. I don't think they're as good as FH as FH regularly win the Icelandic PL whereas Starjnan haven't since the game begun. I'm expecting a tough set of games, but they're also only a Semi-Pro club and for us they represented a decent draw compared to the likes of Rangers, APOEL and Ludogorets as we could have drawn all 3 of them instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Another famous night in Europe for Port Talbot! In all honesty I thought Stjarnan were pretty poor and we had far more chances in this match than we did in two legs against FH. We took the lead when Leonard put in a lovely ball and a completely unmarked Fitzpatrick slotted home to give us a surprise early advantage, it sort of shook Starjnan and we had a spell of constant pressure in the first half which to be honest we could have done with taking advantage of. I was pleased we kept a clean sheet as they didn't get an away goal, which means if we can score past them in Iceland, we have a real chance of progressing. I actually think we can do it this time because they really aren't thaat good a side and I don't think their fitness levels are as good as ours. Airbus narrowly lost 1-0 at Shamrock Rovers which has probably put them out as I can't see them coming back from that without an away goal. It was in-fact the recently relegated Carmarthen Town who pulled their weight for the Welsh coefficient, as they came from 2-0 down to get a decent draw against their Macedonian opposition. I think they'll struggle in the 2nd leg since they conceded two away goals, but fair play to them anyway for getting a draw on the night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 Gerry-May Winstanley is a 20 year old MRC who has joined us on loan from Championship side Barnsley. He'll be a good rotation player this season, he signed just 2 days before the 2nd leg so obviously won't be eligible for selection in that game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DazRTaylor Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 11 minutes ago, PaulHartman71 said: Gerry-May Winstanley is a 20 year old MRC who has joined us on loan from Championship side Barnsley. He'll be a good rotation player this season, he signed just 2 days before the 2nd leg so obviously won't be eligible for selection in that game. You signed him purely for the letters on his shirt for the fans to buy, didn't you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 22 minutes ago, DazRTaylor said: You signed him purely for the letters on his shirt for the fans to buy, didn't you? We've got to make money somehow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 (edited) We've made the 2nd Qualifying Round for a second year in a row! Carl Pockett gave us an early away goal which put us in a really strong position, as Stjarnan needed 3 goals at that point to get past us. They couldn't even get one as we defended really well and stuck to our defensive game plan which worked a treat. I'm quite warming to Iceland now... Carmarthen had a lot to do in Macedonia and unfortunately they couldn't do much, they didn't even get a draw which would've helped both theirs and the Welsh coefficient. Oh well. Airbus did at least get a draw, although a real shame they couldn't find a winner to at least drag it to extra-time or something. Edited March 18, 2017 by PaulHartman71 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Tough luck last season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Danny Amery has joined us on loan from Ipswich. He's a versatile guy who can play CB, MC and even ST. He will be good backup to have around. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 The draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round has been made and we will face another team from Scandinavia, this time it will be Sweden's IFK Goteborg. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Unbelievable scenes in the first leg. We hold tight and frustrate them for the entire game, then Gerry May-Winstanley comes on for his debut in the 80th minute, just 5 minutes later he bangs in a winner from a rebound. I don't think the Swedes knew what hit them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdanbartlett Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 WOW!! Biggest result of your career so far, I'm fairly sure IFK are a pretty big side, maybe English Championship level. What a massive update!! Everything crossed for the away leg, if you can nick an away goal that would be huge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 That's a historic night! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black and Yellow Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Oooh, awesome result! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 This career is suddenly going places now! All those years learning the trade in the English lower-lower-lowest-leagues seem to be paying off now! Spectacular scenes to nearly win the title and to beat Göteborg! Hopefully you hold on for the return leg. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 We made a real game of it in Sweden for the 2nd leg. We were defensive as always in these Europa League games but had a lot more possession than I imagined and even managed to create quite a few chances due to Goteborg's very high line. Our keeper, Lewis Banks, had another great game in Europe but even he couldn't stop Goteborg's opening goal in the 24th minute. We were under pressure after that and despite having a lot of shots on target none of them were really testing Goteborg's keeper, although we did hit the bar just before half-time. Goteborg were all over us in the 2nd half and we were really hanging on for much of it, I was quite worried it would go to extra-time as our players were getting quite tired and I think Goteborg would've comfortably beaten us in extra-time. We managed to really break away in the 77th minute down the right hand side and I thought Buckley would be able to whip in a cross for Pennock or Fitzpatrick in the middle, but he was fouled and on first look I thought it would be a red, but their man didn't even get booked which I thought was crazy. Buckley got another chance to put in a cross though, with his free kick meeting Pennock in the middle, but he could only glance it across the box, at first it looked like nothing would come of it, but then almost from out of nowhere our CB James Sprudd appeared and hit a thunderous first time volley to send the ball in the net. Suddenly it was 1-1 on the night and Goteborg needed 2 goals if they wanted to get through. Naturally I went all out defence and completely parked the bus for the last 10 minutes hoping we'd be able to hold them off. Goteburg did come at us and had a few more good chances, but they couldn't get past Lewis Banks which meant against the odds we got past them to make the Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Heath Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 wow, fantastic achievement. good luck in the next round Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdanbartlett Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Amazing, utterly HUGE result!! Can't wait to hear who you have next! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Bloody hell. Fantastic result, congratulations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DazRTaylor Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Great result well done Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattzy Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Great job!! This could be your year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikulec Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Keep going. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Bring on the next challenger! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 The draw has been made and we will once again play a Scandinavian side. It will be Aalborg of Denmark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, PaulHartman71 said: The draw has been made and we will once again play a Scandinavian side. It will be Aalborg of Denmark. ****e team. You got this! Also just started reading a long and what an amazing concept! I like the story-link up with father and son too. I've only had the joy of getting one son i FM ever, but what an experience it is. Edited March 21, 2017 by Benjoe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 We're getting rather good at this parking the bus malarkey. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 wow great results in Europe, hoping you can steal it away! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim owen Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 The European bandwagon keeps rolling on... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdanbartlett Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Wow HUGE!! I think there is this round, then a 'play off' round before you enter the group stage right? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 7 minutes ago, mrdanbartlett said: Wow HUGE!! I think there is this round, then a 'play off' round before you enter the group stage right? That's correct, yes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 Aalborg definitely gave us more of a game than Goteborg did. They had far more possession and shots than we did but thankfully Lewis Banks was in good form to keep the scoreline down. Aalborg did take the lead after 20 minutes with a powerful strike that he couldn't keep out, but we went into half-time 1-0 down knowing all we needed was a goal to get through. We had some half chances but nothing too concrete and then in the 52nd minute Aaron Goodwin made a silly tackle that got him booked, with the trouble being that he'd already been booked in the first half, so we ended up playing the last 40 minutes or so with just 10 men. This helped Aalborg massively and they outplayed us even more with the advantage, but we still kept in the game and stopped them from scoring. Unfortunately we couldn't quite get that late equaliser. It's hard to say whether we could have found that goal if Goodwin hadn't been sent off, but considering we stayed in the game with 10 men we for sure had a chance. Either way I'm incredibly proud of the run we have had and even if we have had favourable draws to an extent, Goteborg and Aalborg are still teams who would've been very happy to draw a club like us and would've expected to go through without any trouble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdanbartlett Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Unlucky, but as you say this was another superb run! The save is really progressing now, I really hope you can push for the title this year / or switch clubs. Make sure you keep trying to do your coaching badges as they will give you a good rep increase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Good effort in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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