[FM19] It's The Hope That Kills You

[andychar]

Introduction

I'm back with a new save. I've been fiddling about with FM for a while but haven't found anything that stuck.

First I started with Chelsea with a self imposed transfer ban. Turns out with absolutely everybody out on loan it was near impossible. I wasn't enjoying it. That lasted half a season.

I then tried to start at the bottom in Tier 10 with my home village team Clipstone FC. I got through one and a half seasons before realising I just don't like to be shackled for too long in the same place. 

Which leads me to this save...

The premise merges some of my favourite threads on these Forums. I love the Journeyman saves that @Makoto Nakamura brings. Specifically his A-Z saves. I also love @ManUtd1 and his Nearly Men saves. My idea is simple. I start at the bottom of the World Rankings (As of 20/05/2019) and work my way up the countries. The kicker is I cant move onto the next country until I've won the Top Division with a team who has never won it before. If this is impossible then its the team who has been waiting the longest to win it again.

Its as simple as that.

I will be using the leagues that @Makoto Nakamura created for his save so many thanks goes to him.

I'm already into the second season because I had planned on keeping it to myself. Truth be told this is the most fun I've had on FM for a while so I wanted to share it with you guys.

So what have you missed so far?

I created myself with no badges and no experience. Just the way I like it. I have a few teams to choose from in San Marino.

I couldn't possibly start with San Giovanni, some big shoes to fill there. So I decided to go with Juvenues/Dogana. They were the highest rated team to have never won the league so it felt like it was an easy starting place.

I was right. The first season was a breeze. I've already removed San Marino from the game so unfortunately I have no screenshots. We won the League and Cup double. What I love about these sort of saves is the ability to gain and lose players in an instant. A player comes up to me and wants first team football...you're cut. A player was a mistake...see ya!

The * is because I left with 1 game to go in the season with the League and Cup double already secured. The reason why is because I got a job in the next country. The Bahamas. And this is where you join me. 

To help with speed I will only be adding the current country and the next country.

These are the current teams who are awaiting their first league title. As you can guess I am the Future Stars in the Bahamas. 

Things are looking good in the league but last seasons Champions Western Warriors could keep my on my toes with a win.

You are bang up to date. Lets do this!

[ManUtd1]

Always remember, second place is just the first loser.

Followed!

[andychar]

Catch Up

So I've briefly caught you up on proceedings, lets go into a bit more detail.

I topped the San Marino league by a country mile. Losing just 1 game all season. I also won the cup although made it tricky for myself. I've adapted a tactic I downloaded from these forums.

Credit to the creator of the Berg and Berg away. Its a very dangerous tactic to use as I seem to have a man sent off every other game and have had more than one game finishing with 9 men. That being said I love how attacking it is.

The squad I've got at the moment is massive. This is because I raided a small Bahamas' village and kidnapped as many people as possible. Even in paradise you're not safe from me!

These are the best players in the team and it basically covers the first team and most of the subs. Ian Winder had a slow start but has been on fire recently. My defence is the weak spot although if you look at the league table its hard to argue this point.

 

We started well. A 2-2 draw against the favourites. this came from being 2-0 down as well. From then we kicked on and enjoyed a winning start. Then something happened and I couldn't buy a win. The Bears was a close game that they nicked. The 2-3 loss, we were 2-0 up then had 2 men sent off in 4 minutes in the first half. The 1-2 we absolutely battered them and basically got FM'ed. It wouldn't  be the same without it. Since then We have bounced back including a massive win against the Bears.

As I showed before the league table is tight at the top. We have a pretty lead but last seasons Champions are 6 points behind with a game in hand. Luckily its GD that is the first tiebreaker. 

We also have 1 foot and 4 toes in the Semi of the cup. Only a performance of sheer Barcelona proportions will stop us beating Renegades B team.

And that is bang on where we are at. I've just beaten the University of Bahamas 3-1 and next up is my old nemesis Breezes Eagles away to round off the month. Also Breezes Eagles is just really run to say.

They currently sit in 4th place and anything other than a win will open the door for everybody else.

If (when) we get through to the next round of the cup we will face Western Warriors. My record against them isn't too bad. I played them the last game of last season when I took over and drew 1-1. I've played them once this season with a 3-0 win, cup games are famously different however.

We left it late but picked up a very big win. 

It leaves the table looking like this at the end of 2019.

We have a nice lead at the top but with teams all over the place with games played its not as good as it looks. Western Warriors are 9 points behind but have 2 games in hand. Lots of time to go.

[andychar]

January 2020

January is quite a packed.

Luckily its all but one at home so its a real chance to open up a gap at the top of the table. Of course there is only one stadium in the entire country so there's no such thing as a "home" game. The biggest game being against Western Warriors although Renegades will be a tricky tie.

We started the month with a draw. Hard to motivate the boys when you go into the second leg 4-0 up. We still should have won though and I hope it doesn't spill into the next game. My favourite part of the screenshot? No visiting fans.

I'm willing to give the lads the benefit of the doubt ahead of our first league game of the new year.

Western Warriors had done their job...annoyingly.

But as long as we keep doing ours we will be fine. Lovely display.

Its chance for immediate revenge as we play the exact same team next, this time "away".

Nice to be setting records.

A goal in each half was enough. We were missing 3 starters because of suspension so this was a good win given the circumstances.

Next up was the top of the table clash. Win it and we open up a nice gap, lose it and its game on.

We were never in doubt of losing this one. Controlled from the start and didn't look back. The gap is nice at the top. I've gone through a mini slip once already this season so I don't want to count my chickens just yet but its looking good. I've got one eye on Anguilla to see if any of the teams I can take over are becoming free...

The list was 4 but Enforcers won the league last season for the first time in their history so its down to 3...

The Diamonds job is free so I'm very tempted to apply and take charge at the end of the season. It would add pressure to win the league this year with Future Stars but at the moment we look unstoppable.

A great win. We were the better team, it took a penalty but a wins a win. Keep the wins coming!

Well we finish the month the way we started. With a 1-1 draw. Their only shot the entire game was the penalty and we had a goal disallowed with minute to go. Unfortunate but not the end of the World at this point in the season. 

It leaves the table looking like this ahead of a busy February.

The gap at the top is 11 but Western Warriors have a game in hand. I'm hoping that draw was just a flash in the pan and doesn't lead to a dip in form. Other than that worry we are flying. 36 games in a season so we are more than half way. The Future Stars are looking good for their first ever league title!

 

[scousevasey]

On 29/05/2019 at 18:46, ManUtd1 said:

Always remember, second place is just the first loser.

Followed!

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Will you post a list of the world rankings as you work your way up, so we can see the path you are going to travel?  I know the list won't change, but seeing what the next 10-20 countries would be from here, then updating as you go further up the ladder would be interesting to see

[andychar]

February 2020

Its a busy February!

I've added the first game in March to show how sick of the Western Warriors I will be! UoB first "away". A few potential banana skins here. We need to be at our best.

I did apply for the vacant Diamonds job in Anguilla but as of yet I haven't heard a thing. I've also applied for the other two teams. Might as well get my foot in the door for the next country!

Good performance and a comfortable win. Nothing more needs to be said really.

This one was not so comfortable. We went behind and weren't playing well. The penalty was a little bit of a blessing but we still weren't playing great. It took a wonder goal from Christie to break the deadlock and luckily we held on for the points. Big win really. One of the few times we have been behind and come back.

Bears next, one of only 2 teams to beat me so far this season. Guard is up.

Scoreline was more comfortable than it seems. They did have one or two chances but we had more. Happy with the win. As long as we keep up the performances we will be fine.

The games continue to come thick and fast. We are taking up all the time at the Stadium.

A very good win but Jesus did it come with a price...

Our best player's life is officially over.

Not nearly as bad but hes out other winger so we are without our first choice LM and RM for a few weeks.

We also lost our 2nd choice RB for a massive 2 days...we have already started laying flowers.

So the next three games are against exactly the same team. 2 in the cup and once in the league. Starting with the first leg of the Semi Final of the Cup.

More than half way through the month and I still haven't heard anything about the three jobs in Anguilla!

It was nice of our nearest rivals to loan us a player to replace the dead player...just before we are set to face them 3 times, of course he wont be able to play.

Well well well...those injuries have affected us. We came back twice but not enough time for a 3rd. Game on and a massive second leg in store to open up May.

We have them again in the league first. To say it doesn't matter much wouldn't be fair...but its true. 

It was close.

Lots of changes ahead of the league game. I want to keep players fresh for the second leg.

Maybe they did the same, they were awful. 2 set pieces won it for us. It means the table looks like this at the end of the month.

The title is our. Surely!? Its just up to us to win the second leg in the cup!

[andychar]

10 hours ago, scousevasey said:

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Will you post a list of the world rankings as you work your way up, so we can see the path you are going to travel?  I know the list won't change, but seeing what the next 10-20 countries would be from here, then updating as you go further up the ladder would be interesting to see

No problem!

Here are the first 10 countries.

Obviously San Marino is finished and Bahamas will be finished at the end of this season.

Lots of time in North America to begin with but its interesting to see I will cover 4 different continents in the first 10 countries.

[Mandy42]

My word that's a relief I thought you were dead ! Just turns out you moved to San Marino. 

Downside.... This is the final nail in the coffin I'll have to come back with a save now 

[andychar]

27 minutes ago, Mandy42 said:

My word that's a relief I thought you were dead ! Just turns out you moved to San Marino. 

Downside.... This is the final nail in the coffin I'll have to come back with a save now 

 I burnt myself out with FM. Plus the start of the baseball season took me away. 

I shall look forward to your new save!

[andychar]

March 2020

March isn't as busy as before. Fingers crossed we can book a place in the Cup Final.

That is my second badge. I got my first just before I left my previous job...whoops.

Thaaaaaaaanks.

So here we go the Semi Final Second Leg. The winner will face Bears in the final. Not actual Bears but the football team.

Goal by goal updates! It didn't take long for us to draw level. Lets take charge now.

Was never worried.

Thank God for 2 legged cups.

Oh...erm...that wasn't suppose to happen.

Much better.

4-1 win in the end. Western Warriors pushed us but we got through to the Final.

The two legged final doesn't take place till the end of the season so a bit of a wait now. Lets wrap up this League title.

Just got to keep going. The usual suspects popped up to give us an easy win.

Its been a long time now and still no word on the jobs in Anguilla. I declared interest in the Diamond job and was labelled the leading candidate but that's been it! My contract runs out at the end of the season and I won't be renewing. Maybe that's stopping the teams given me an interview.

Breezes Eagles next, one of only three teams to beat me this season. The only to have done it twice. Not going to be taken lightly.

Nobody beats me twice and gets away with it!

Hopefully we can wrap up the month with another win as we inch closer to the title.

Another nice record to have.

Not the greatest of games but a win is a win. It means we have a perfect month. It also means the table looks like this heading into April...

I think at this stage its practically impossible to lose the title. We have a 22 point lead albeit Warriors have a game in hand and there are 27 points left to play for. 

We can and will wrap up the title next month, then its just the cup and trying to get a job in Anguilla!

[andychar]

April 2020

I had this post ready to post then lost it so here we go April take two.

Obviously you'll be missing the level of detail the last post had. Poor you.

It was a terrible month really...

I mean we conceded 3 goals!

It of course means...

We actually won the title without kicking a ball. We won the first game of the month and then Warriors lost their next game giving us the title. Happy days!

The U19's also won their league so it was a clean sweep. 

I am the leader of Bahamas and all should bow before me.

Here's the league table at the end of the month. Its not been in doubt really since I started this thread...therefore I thank the lot of you.

Next month starts with the Cup Final First Leg.

I'm not worried but stranger things have happened on FM!

[Mandy42]

*bows*

what colour are the robes for leader of the Bahamas?

congratulations on winning the league 

[andychar]

May 2020

So the only thing left to do was win the Cup.

Quite a packed week ahead. 

I was going to do goal by goal but it was very clear it wasn't going to be exciting. We dominated and the tie was over after 16 minutes if not 7.

The league game I decided to rest pretty much the entire first XI.

It showed. Easily the worst game of the season if not my career.

It was going to be a very bad second leg if it meant we didn't win.

It was never in doubt really. Late goal saved us from back to back 0-0's but we did what we needed to do. 

League and Cup double secured. I see little point in actually staying for the final two league games so...

Fingers crossed this means the jobs in Anguilla will finally get back to me. I'm slightly worried there maybe a bug which is stopping me even getting an interview. I'm 1/5 favourites for each of the three jobs.

I did manage to squeeze into the Future Stars list of Favourite Personnel which is nice.

So its time to delve into unemployment and hope the problem sorts itself out.

[andychar]

7 minutes ago, Mandy42 said:

*bows*

what colour are the robes for leader of the Bahamas?

congratulations on winning the league 

At the moment anything to keep me warm on the cold Anguilla streets.

[Mandy42]

25 minutes ago, andychar said:

At the moment anything to keep me warm on the cold Anguilla streets.

from a weather perspective your going the wrong way!

[scousevasey]

42 minutes ago, andychar said:

At the moment anything to keep me warm on the cold Anguilla streets.

Surely the robes would match the flag...

43 minutes ago, andychar said:

Rotate it so the black triangle is a hood at the back, only to be raised for the most solemn of occasions, with the rest running down your back, ending around knee length

[andychar]

19 hours ago, scousevasey said:

Surely the robes would match the flag...

Rotate it so the black triangle is a hood at the back, only to be raised for the most solemn of occasions, with the rest running down your back, ending around knee length

My God I will look majestic!

Bumming Around

I was starting to get slightly worried about these Anguilla jobs. I didn't want to waste too much time waiting for something that might not happen.

The three times avaliable to me are Diamond, Doc's Utd and Up Rising. For obvious reasons my choice would be Diamond but its been months since I've applied and declared interest in all 3 jobs and I've not heard so much as a whisper.

I might be tempted to bypass Anguilla for the time being and go to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

There are just the two jobs available to me here. Small World and Teachers.

I know who I'd prefer. Luckily for me the only one out the two currently available is Small World.

Basically this save has the potential to be long enough without waiting for jobs to become free and if you look at the current World Rankings...

They were neck and neck in the last rankings so....

....oh...well...didn't want it anyway.

The wait continues!

[andychar]

Bumming Around Part 2: Bum Harder

Well literally the day after I applied and immedialty failed the Small World application another job came up. It wasn't the one I wanted but at the point I will take it.

The worst team in the Turks and Caicos Islands if you believe the odds. 

It felt a little wrong missing out Anguilla at this point but it seems its beyond my control. I'm hoping maybe getting an interview with another team will kick start things.

Obviously if it does I will pick one of the Anguilla teams. The season starts Early August and i'm Middle of July so time is running out.

A couple of weeks have gone by and still nothing from Teachers.

See if I can get the ball rolling.

I may have to turn auto save off for the time being because it seems all my time is spent saving absolutely nothing.

Then give me a pigging interview!

The Anguilla season starts without me...

I've applied for all available jobs. Just hoping something sparks a return to normality. 

The Turks and Caicos Islands season starts without me...

I fear this could be it...already.

Ok its time to take matter into my own hands...

I've created a second version of myself. Started unemployed and applied for the same jobs.

Obviously another option is to create a new manager and make myself manager of one of the teams but I don't want to be doing that every single time I need to switch teams....I think I have a decision to make.

[andychar]

Limbo

I don't want to just create a new manager every time I need a new job. It kinda defeats the object a little bit. I'm going to see if I can jump start things.

Say Hello to Smoochie Boochies new manager of Diamonds. He's from Djibouti with Scottish Parents and a glorious moustache. 

Unfortunately he's about to face a horrible smelting accident and have to retire from football altogether. Mere seconds after he got his dream job.

I've retired him from the game now the Diamond just isn't free at all!

I have interviews! Its for jobs I can't really take but its a start!

It means we say goodbye to Andrew McGowan II. A truly remarkable career. 

I went for both interviews and were offered a job. I'm not going to take them. I'm just glad I've been offered interviews. I will be patient and wait for a job I can take to come along...I'm going to give credit to Smoochie Boochies for saving this save.

So I've rejected both jobs and the waiting game continues...

Maybe I should have taken one of those jobs....it might have been a stepping stone on the way to taking over a club I can win the league with and move on.

Nearly a full season has gone by and its been more than 3 month since those interviews....well its the hope that kills you 

[andychar]

Bumming Around Part 3

The year is 2022. I've been on holiday for what feels like forever now. I've had nothing to do but wander the streets of tropical Anguilla, its been hell.

But wait...what's this? Hope?

The single most important job interview in my life.

Its all falling into place. The thing is I've been on Holiday for so long I don't know who the better team is anymore.

Me think its still Diamond although they have fallen drastically. 

Its also worth pointing out its preseason so I'd be starting the season a fresh.

That's an interview with all 3 clubs chasing their first league title in Anguilla.

 

[Mandy42]

it only took a team of 3, yourself, your clone, and the moustache to land a job at a team that is 350-1 to win the title, least its the job you "wanted"

[andychar]

7 minutes ago, Mandy42 said:

it only took a team of 3, yourself, your clone, and the moustache to land a job at a team that is 350-1 to win the title, least its the job you "wanted"

I'll have you know we are 100-1 to win the title. Pfffttt the cheek of some people 

[andychar]

Pre Season 2020

A new job! No staff at all so the first thing so to get some in. There were literally 3 members of staff in the entire country so I got them all. A Chief Scout, a Scout and a DoF. Not that I want a DoF but he was there and I know what its like to be unemployed.

After that I did the first thing I normally do when joining a team like this. Season Preview - Media Dream XI - Steal.

I clicked on every single player in every single position. I got 4 out of 11. They all look shocking and without an assistant manager there are no stars to go by. 

All I know is our odds when from 100-1 to 20-1 so I must have done something right.

Next up is going to the Anguilla National Team and trying to steal as many of them as possible.

Doing that bagged me 4 more players and this is the current state of the odds...

Can you guess what step 3 is? Attackers are about to be...well...attacked.

5 from Attackers join us

Most transfers have gone down well which is encouraging. A few haven't. Oh well...we are now favourite to win the league.

And that is how you conquer a small North American Island (League season result pending.)

My search for members of staff hasn't been as successful. There are no assistant managers or physios about.

Using a report from my HoYD...

On paper its not a fantastic team. But we are favourites so will have to see how we get on. I at least now know the positions I need to strength instead of going gungho with my sack.

As always I'm not remotely interested in friendlies. I've arranged them myself. Every one is against a team better than us, I wanted to see where we were.

Well that's encouraging.

A few more signings and we are now 2-1 favourites to win the league. I love these amateur leagues.

In all this excitement I've not even looked at my reserves or U18's...and I might as well have not bothered.

Another friendly...

...another good win. Fingers crossed I can walk the league season, although I'm aware that won't make things entertaining for you all!

With no intention of really bringing anybody else in, at least not in bulk this is the last season preview before the start of the new season...

I've created a big gulf between top and bottom. Lets see what happens!

Here's what the rest of preseason looked like...

The game we drew 1-1 we had 33 shots to their 3. I think we are ready for the Season.

 

[Mandy42]

3 men in your "get a job" campaign

3 men in your back room team.... which one's got the moustache?

from 100-1 to 2-1, remind me next time you island hop to get a bet on you to win the league BEFORE you start signing players

[andychar]

August 2020

So the talking was over it was time to start the new season. 4 games this month to ease us into a long season.

Starting with a game against the Roaring Lions.

Well couldn't have asked for a better start really. A late flurry at the end of each half I think added a bit of gloss to the scoreline.

6 goals 6 different goalscorers, not see that very often. Also 2 goals in the same minute very rare. I imagine this is the way most of this season is going to go.

When it was 6 after 26 minutes I was expecting a cricket score. We actually drew the second half which just isn't acceptable.

I think I may have broken Anguilla.

The league table looks like this...

Worth pointing out that Attackers are 12 points behind but with 4 games in hand so the lead might not be nearly as big as it appears. That being said I just can't see us losing at all. Our worst game this month was a terrible 5-1 win.

[Mandy42]

Observations from the 1st month in the new country:

Are Tre and Tarik Howley related?

What kind of hazing did Calan Vanderpool receive for doubling the number of goals you have conceded in a season? Please tell me it involved some chanting along the lines of "SIGN ON.... SIGN ON... WITH A PEN IN YOU HAND..."

you've played 4 games, the next best team according to the bookies has played 0 games, what kind of scheduling process does this league have? looking forward to the review of your lean month!! 

At what point in the season are you going to go on vacation? Next week?  

[andychar]

1 hour ago, Mandy42 said:

Observations from the 1st month in the new country:

Are Tre and Tarik Howley related?

What kind of hazing did Calan Vanderpool receive for doubling the number of goals you have conceded in a season? Please tell me it involved some chanting along the lines of "SIGN ON.... SIGN ON... WITH A PEN IN YOU HAND..."

you've played 4 games, the next best team according to the bookies has played 0 games, what kind of scheduling process does this league have? looking forward to the review of your lean month!! 

At what point in the season are you going to go on vacation? Next week?  

I'm afraid they aren't related. Howley must be like the Anguilla Smith. In the last job (many moons ago) I had two strikers with exactly the same name. That wasn't confusing in the slightest. Especially because one was good and the other not so much.

Poor Vanderpool. It was actually funny. A guy shot from 30 yards out it hit the post then went in off the back of his head. The pointing and laughing and the chant of "shame shame shame" was more powerful that any firing. That and he's bad but the replacement is worse!

Basically the Anguilla FA have given Attackers more time to prepare for the season after the great Diamond invasion of 2020.

I've spent 2 years on vacation. I will be living every goal!

 

 

Edited June 4, 2019 by andychar

[andychar]

September 2020

A lighter month this month with an International Break stopping the proceedings.

I forgot to mention...when I was on my stupidly long holiday I set it to apply for all jobs. I was offered the Peru National Job. I turned it down because it would have slowed my progress up but it would have been very interesting to take. I'm not going to chase any International Jobs but if one falls into my lap I'll seriously consider it.

Just the 9 points this month.

Its going to be a strange month.

Its worth noting that I'm having to offer a lot of players new contract because teams are trying to take them away from me. I'm not doing it because I want them...its because I don't want anybody else to have them.

Still no coaches are physios. Basically don't get injured while your doing our own training. 

Now then! Somebody stop them!

I'm that confident I'm going to win the league this season I've already queued up the next country. The British Virgin Islands. Just to clarify I don't need to win every league, just the top one with a team who has never won it before. It that means I need to start in a division below then so be it. I imagine by the time I get to England I'll be taking over Mansfield who will be the only team in the country to have not left League Two.

Cant wait to see this message another 8 times.

How dare they try and make a game of it! 5 is the lowest amount we have scored so far this season. I have seriously broken this country. Me thinks I maybe breaking some records.

Attackers next, lots of players playing against their old club. Both teams are unbeaten going into this game as well.

Anybody else!?

Well a normal scoreline. You would have thought when they went down to 10 it would be a cricket score but it wasn't meant to be. Despite the number of attempts. Not going to complain a win is a win. Look forward to the "disappointing 2-0 victory" as the board try and find something bad to say.

One more win...sorry...game this month.

There is actually one more team unbeaten...Ballers...be interesting if they can maintain that until we play.

Seems Jaheel Anthony a CB in the reserves didn't listen...he asked for more first team football...now he dances on the street for money.

A couple of signs that maybe I'm not as invincible as I thought. Still winning but its noway near as comfortable as before. Not going to complain obviously.

It means at the end of the month the table looks like this...

Nearly a quarter of the way through the league and its pretty much almost won already. Woooooo.

[andychar]

October 2020

Ballers are still unbeaten at this point. There were a few signs it might not be as easy as I originally thought but I should still make this month a 100% month.

It was only 5-0 last time I played Roaring Lions so I'm not counting my chickens!

Well I started counting my chicken then....the Lions Roared. What can I say, the signs were there. Fingers crossed this is just a one off!

That'll do pig.

If Ballers can win their game in hand and find a way to beat me next then suddenly the league table looks very interesting.

Maybe not. 2 game month it is.

We bounced back with a good win.

Table looks like this..

I have back to back games with Ballers in December. Could be big games. I've not been as impressive recently, but still not worried.

 

[andychar]

November 2020

The league takes a break this month...from it's very hectic schedule...I don't know!

Either way its the start of the cup.

Its two legged so really I have no excuse not winning this thing.

The list is growing of players who dared ask me for more first team football.

Well another postponement due to Internationals means this is now a one game month with December...

Being nice and busy...for this team anyway.

Should be a safe passage into the Semi. 

Its now just under a month until my next game but I imagine there will be some league games so I'll wait to post the league table.

Semi Final draw sees us potentially drawn against the only team to take points off us so far this season.

There were one or two games but it was quite a boring November. Looking forward to a better December.

[Mandy42]

Ballers lost booooo was looking forward to that particular clash of the titans

[andychar]

On 05/06/2019 at 17:38, Mandy42 said:

Ballers lost booooo was looking forward to that particular clash of the titans

There are no titans...only a dictatorship!

December 2022*

A nice busy month this time instead of the 3 games in 2 months I've had to endure.

I've made a decision to download an instant result skin, I have a feeling this season is going to be over very quickly so its in mine and everybody's best interest to get through it as soon as possible.

On that note lets crack on with the first game of the month. The second leg of the cup and at this point it seems like a formality.

Not the best of performances but we still won. Into the semi we go where we will face the Roaring Lions. First leg ends January while the second begins February.

Back to the league now and the last time we played this team we were 5-0 up within 20 minutes.

Evenly spread goals but another easy win. This season is already over and its a matter of if not when. I'm still worried about my next job. My clone might need to make an appearance.

The games are coming thick and fast now and amazingly fatigue might be an issue! Its Up Rising next, they haven't beat Diamonds since the league has been active. I'm confident.

This is the last game for now I'm going to watch the highlights. Although they did have a goal disallowed straight after I went 1-0 up so it could have been a much different story...I might have only won 7-1.

Good job we didn't concede!

The first instant result game...

Hmmmm uninspiring. Is it worth leaving instant result on. Obviously the lack of subs really affected things towards the end there.

I'm going to compromise. I'm going to watch the game but in only commentary with the fastest speed. That way I can still influence substitutions.

2 more games this month the sooner the league is wrapped up the sooner I can leave and look at Turks and Caicos Islands. It would all depend on when the Cup Final is. Pf course I'm saying this we aren't even half way through the season yet!

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that's the first time we have fallen behind in any game this season...it lasted 2 minutes. Much better making some subs and it didn't take long either!

Woooooooo!

Why thank you!

We have conceded in 3 games in a row now. Shocking!

After that draw we had to start again! Should get it this time!

But that brings up the month and the table looks like this...

Attackers can cut the gap to 12 points, nervy times.

 

 

*I've just noticed I've started all my posts with the year 2020. Its in fact the Year 2022, I've not taken into account the 2 years I spent in the managerial wilderness. Whooops!

 

[andychar]

January 2023

Got the correct month and year this time!

Man the Roaring Lions are going to be sick of us soon. 

Whats a man got to do to get a clean sheet around here!

With just a few games left in the season as well.

Top 2 clash next. If we lose then the gap could be as little as 9!

Wow, well that wasn't suppose to happen! Not only did they beat us but they 100% deserved it. Much the better team. We still hold a massive lead at the top of the league but we aren't as invincible as we thought.

We must regroup and move onto the next game. Its the only other team to take point off me this season, the Attacking Lions for a Triple Bill.

Attackers have won both their games in hand. 9 points is a lot but it means we are somewhat looking over our shoulder.

Once again the Roaring Lions gave us a game, they missed a penalty at 2-1 down, it could have changed the game but luckily we managed to pull away.

First Leg of the Cup next. Fingers crossed its just as exciting!

We were 1-0 then 2-1 down and I'm not going to lie I was starting to get worried! Luckily we turned it around and surely have done enough to reach the final. 

The table at the end of the month looks like this...

Attackers got to within 9 of us then lost their next game. The pressure told!

[Mandy42]

Those single figure deficits that's when the pressure really tells!

I fear for your managerial career if you can't even go undefeated in Anguilla I had such hopes when the going got tough I could look back and say "at least you had Anguilla" but no Attackers ruined it :P 

[andychar]

1 hour ago, Mandy42 said:

Those single figure deficits that's when the pressure really tells!

I fear for your managerial career if you can't even go undefeated in Anguilla I had such hopes when the going got tough I could look back and say "at least you had Anguilla" but no Attackers ruined it :P 

 I can’t even claim I got FMed. For one game they played like Brazil and we played like...Doc’s United! Terrible. I have high hopes for Turks and Caicos Islands. Mark my words!

[andychar]

February 2023

A nice February in store. We haven't been at our best but we are still set for an easy league and cup double.

I've been advised that maybe with instant result I need to click "no game plan" and then subs will be used so I'm willing to give it another go!

Well it went better than last time minus an injury we picked up but can't blame that on the instant result. I'm happy to keep it going in order to speed through this season.

Not because I'm not enjoying but because I have a lot of countries to get through! I'm still not promising Makoto levels of progression!

We will face...

Attackers. The only team to beat us this season...

Its two legged and right at the end of the season, so a reason to stick around until the bitter end!

Back to the league now and lets just keep winning and get this wrapped up asap. We have just gone over the half way mark so the countdown can officially begin.

Things like this are the reason why I didn't just want to create a new manager.

2 late goals ruined what I thought was going to be a cricket score. Its a good job we are scoring a boat load because I have no faith in my defence.

I was worried when it was 2-0 and we went down to 10 men. I thought it was set up for a bad result, then we just got better, much much better than when we had 11. Go figure.

As soon as I complain about the defence we keep back to back clean sheets. Another game where I was expecting a cricket score but the foot was taken off the pedal in the second half. I'll take it.

The reason I was mean about Doc's United earlier...was...well...

It mean the table looks like this at the end of February...

19 points, 11 games to go. I can smell it.

Before this post finishes I'll like to reintroduce to you...

Oh no!

He got hit by a bus.

[andychar]

March 2023

Well it won't let me actually apply for the job but I was hoping if I declared interest I might get invited for an interview.

While that's simmering in the background I still officially had an application with Teachers.

My first game of the month is against Attackers where I can go 22 points clear, but more importantly I can avenge the previous defeat!

Short month but I can actually win the title this month.

Mission accomplished. 22 points clear with 30 to play for. I can still win the league this month. That's now 4 clean sheets in a row.

Cant wait to be appointed in 3 seasons.

I think its safe to assume the Small World and Teachers jobs are still going to be available to me at the end of the season. 

Youth intake has come through with 1 very good player (for Anguilla anyway).

Not the most convincing of performances but its 3 points closer to the title.

One more game this month before the international break takes over and I can no longer officially win the league this month. 

Job done as far as March is concerned.

The table looks like this heading into the penultimate month...

Almost there now.

 

[Mandy42]

Future Stars

Diamond

Small World

The names of the conventional nations are going to boring by comparison, least it's a long way to the top! 

[andychar]

On 10/06/2019 at 19:16, Mandy42 said:

Future Stars

Diamond

Small World

The names of the conventional nations are going to boring by comparison, least it's a long way to the top! 

I cant wait for Deportivo Wanka and FC Santa Claus!

April 2020

The title will be ours this month, the question is how early.

We will also finish this month with the First Leg of the Cup Final.

We start the month with our final chance to play Roaring Lions. I'm still sore after that draw earlier in the year so I would like to destroy them. It also the earliest point in which we can win the league. 

Or not. Not long after I gave the "we can win the title boys all we need is a point" speech Attackers lost their game in hand. We won the title without even kicking a ball.

So lets race to the end of the season.

We would have won the league anyway. Not that that's a shock to anybody!

Our first game of Champions was a good one. 

If it wasn't for the Cup Final I'd be leaving! I do still have outstanding applications with Teachers and Small World and if it came to it I'd be off like a shot.

This finally happened after a couple of near misses.

Me thinks there will be more.

Attackers next in a warm up for the Cup Final.

I was worried before this game. Something tells me we will be just fine!

This could be the one thing that stops us winning the cup.

Another record tumbles.

Quiet first half and I believe we wouldn't have won by 3-0 had it not been for the sending off. 

Plenty of changes as I try and keep the squad fit during this mental run of fixtures.

The final record to tumble I believe, apart from personal ones.

Not a great performance but it was a good result. Not conceded a goal this month, two games to go.

Doc's United still haven't beaten us, even before I took over...

Well I jinxed the clean sheets and this game was actually closer than it looks. Good performance from a largely B team.

Next up is the First Leg of the Cup Final. I'm expecting great things.

I'll not do goal by goal because it will just take too long!

1-1 at HT not what I was expecting in my big headedness.

Well this has knocked me for 6! They beat me 2-1 with 1 shot on target all game, I'm not even mad that's impressive. Give us something to do for the second leg!

League table looks like this...

2 games to go. Not much really for me to do. Focus now goes onto the second leg of the cup final. Would be a shame to not get the double!

[andychar]

May 2020

Not going to lie I assumed this would be a nothing month but heading into the second leg 2-1 down its all to play for now!

Might as well stay for the rest of the season.

I'm still not worried. We should still win the Cup.

Not much time to recover before another league game.

Even had time to miss a penalty. Now lets do it in the cup!

No goal by goal updates again...unless they score first.

We took the lead early on and I thought it was routine. Nothing routine about it anymore.

1-1 at HT 3-2 down on Agg. We need a big second half.

57 minutes and amazingly Attackers have a goal disallowed. I'm starting to get worried.

And that is that. Pooped the bed right at the last. I was going to see out the season...

But I couldn't get out sooner. A crap way to finish what was a great season in Anguilla.

[andychar]

Will work for Food

After resigning there was only one thing I could do...sit and wait and spam space bar...

I'm not confident of it being any time soon. I might be missing another 2 seasons of my career.

Remember the next country is the Turks and Caicos Islands with British Virgin Islands just loading up.

The British Virgin Islands is the first time there are 2 divisions loaded up so I may have to drop into a second division. We will have to see!

A list of the previous winners so we still have plenty of options in the top division. Looking at Wikipedia the only team missing off this list is One Love who won it in one of the years missing. It means out of the top division...

Rebels, VG Ballstarz, Virgin Gorda and Wolues are free for me...I bet you can guess just by name who my first choice would be.

I'm going to apply for all the jobs in hopes that one will take me. I can't be picky and wait for Small World or Teachers when I've already been waiting best part of 3 seasons. Of course I will also be applying for all jobs in the Second Tier. Got to keep my options open.

Promotion from the Second Tier might be straight forward.

Anybody? Hello?

The BVI season has started without me!

Now the Turks and Caicos Islands league has started now. I think we will be without a club this season.

[psychonaut]

Good luck wherever you end up 

I'm still giggling at the team called Salsa Ballers...

[kidthekid]

please be Sugar Boys please be sugar boys.

[andychar]

12 hours ago, psychonaut said:

Good luck wherever you end up 

I'm still giggling at the team called Salsa Ballers...

I did enjoy the Ballers!

8 hours ago, kidthekid said:

please be Sugar Boys please be sugar boys.

Cant be I'm afraid, they have been champions. Gorda is a slang term in Spanish for a fat woman. So obviously I want to take over the Virgin Fat Woman.

[andychar]

Was primed ready for a sneaky day of FM in the office...then left my laptop in my car...which is in the garage....

[Mandy42]

ballstarz over Virgin Fat Women any day

[andychar]

Trapped in Paradise

Why won't anybody hire me! Not so much as a sniff of an interview. 

All I can do is watch the season go by and pray one of the teams pick me up. I'll take literally anything right now.

So the current state of play is this. 3 countries down. There are only 2 teams I can go too in the Turks and Caicos Islands. There are more in the BVI but currently absolutely nothing. The last 3 are in the 2nd tier.

I'll take a screenshot in December of the current league standings, see if we are going to lose any...

We are in danger of losing the prude fat women!

Id even take the Haitian Stars job at this point.

There's a good chance it's Teachers or bust in the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

Please....somebody give me a job!

After waiting patiently for half a season its time to go on Holiday and really speed things up.

Old Madrid will be going up next season.

I created my clone as unemployed and applied for all jobs to see if it would kick start something...it hasn't.

For the first time teams have been taken off the list while in play. We will no longer be able to take over at Small World or Virgin Gorda. I'm devastated.

An updated list of countries and teams I can take over.

Finally!

The fact its Virgin Gorda Ballstarz is just the icing on the cake. It does mean I'm skipping ahead of Turks and Caicos Islands but at this point beggars can't be choosers.

And there it is!

 

[andychar]

May 2024

So after a year out of work I finally landed in the British Virgin Islands. Teachers will have to wait another year at least.

The team have 1 domestic cup and one 2nd tier league title to their name but nothing in the way of Top Tier Title.

Amazingly 2 days into my tenure I had a game. It was the last domestic game of the league season. The team was safe from relegation so I had nothing to lose. A nice little trail game for most of the players. 

Damn. Good trail game.

It means we finish the season a respectable 6th. They were favourites for the drop having just come up from the 1st division. I have a long way to go.

My first trick didn't work. Not a single person in the Media Dream Team wanted to come. This wasn't going to be as easy as the previous 3 seasons were.

[andychar]

Off season 2024

So with none of the Media Dream Team wanting to come to me it was time to check out the National Team.

Not a single member of the current National Side wanted to join me. This is going to be an up hill battle.

I've been able to bring one player in as of yet...

Unfortunately I didn't do my research first and he slots into a position we were already strong at.

The next plan is to look at the stats of the previous season and try and pick up the better performances.

The team I've inherited isn't actually awful.

Its not going to be as dominant as my teams have done in the past but I believe I can make this a solid mid table team next season. Hopefully then I'll be able to attract better players and push for the title. I don't think this will be a one season wonder like before.

I will of course spend the summer trying everything I can to improve the side and then make do with what we have come the start of the season. We will know more when the new season generates and I can look at the season odds.

Oh.

A couple of signings later and...

Still way off the pace but looking better.

So after a summer of getting literally anybody who said yes. Replacing both captain and vice captain because of promises and a grand total of 15 new players (some good some not very at all), I've managed to get the odds down to...

Not quite the favourites we have been in the past but its the best I can do for now. The plan is to finish in the Top 4 this season and then maybe be able to attract better players for next season.

I'm not going to stop looking for ways to improve the team but I think the majority is over. Its time to start the season...

[andychar]

Pre-Season

People who have followed my threads in the past know I hate friendlies. This hasn't changed. I've arranged 3 friendlies with much better foreign teams. I will not be taking charge of them.

Encouraging start.

We will be one of 6 teams entered into the First Round of the cup. Its two legged but we won't be the favourite. I imagine we won't be favourite for a lot this season!

Encouraging middle, although it probably helped GPS Puerto Rico don't seem to know the meaning of the word "friendly".

And a good finish to preseason.3 wins out of 3 against teams who were apparently better than us. It gives me encouragement for the new season. The next match will be the start of the season with the First Round of the Cup.