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So I hung up my boots ..... What next?


Ricey

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My First Career game thread after many years playing FM/CM.

I've found myself getting bored with FM in recent years because I know the game so well and it's become a little easy.

I've tried many of the challenges but never a true career save, so here goes.

I've loaded 60k players from various countries which include

England (Down to level 11 with Voasy's English Lower League database)

Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Finland, Iceland, Belgium and Norway.

I've started as a Sunday league footballer at age 32 and I'm currently unemployed.

I've applied for 148 jobs -)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/689/nlsk.png

Here's my profile

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/811/xwei.png

My favorite team is West Ham and eventually managing them would be great but not essential to me.

I'll take a job in any country available but prefer to stay in the UK.

I'll move clubs when I think I've taken them as far as is realistic and possible, or if I get sacked.

Other than that, I have no plans.

Here goes .............

EDIT

Career so far.

2013/14 Barking, Essex senior League. ...... League champions, Vase winners. Sacked 2 weeks before vase final, after winning league,for complaining to the press I had been refused a new contract which was due to expire.

2014/15 Toton, Southern League Div 1 SW. ...... League Champions. Resigned as manager after the board lied and told me I'd have a 2.3k wage budget for the following season. I signed a new contract due to that promise and they then gave me only a 750 quid wage budget..... Disgusting.

2015/16 Hastings, Isthmian prem. Finished 12th

2016/17 Hastings, Isthmian prem. League Champions. Isthmian League Cup Winners. FA Cup 3rd Round.

2017/18 Hastings, Skrill South. Finished 9th.

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So for realistic logistical reasons, I applied for 12 jobs in the London/Essex/Kent areas and attended interviews for them all.

The job offers came in and the one that leaped out at me was Barking in the Essex Senior. I've played at the ground and watched games there many times and they were one of the few offers which included a wage budget.

They expect a top half finish which will be tough but we'll just have to wait and see.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/571/l1gq.png

The squad is a little short on quality ..........

http://imageshack.com/a/img811/4357/l4k7.png

Hmnnnn, 1 Player available? Seems I've got a pretty busy pre-season ahead of me.

EDIT. Early season update.

My first order of business, after hanging up my boots and signing a 220 quid a week one year contract, was to rid myself of the truly awful backroom staff and bring in some fresh faces who were just awful.

In came a new Ass Man, Head of Youth Development, Coach (Yes I'm allowed one) , Scout and Head Physio.

Next came sorting out the playing staff. This is a very difficult thing to do at this level. Experience warns me not to completely trust Scout/Coach reports because they can over exaggerated.

My policy at this level is to offer as many trials as possible because that's a better way to gauge a players ability.

I played 6 friendlies to give the various trialist's a shot. We won 2 and drew 4, so they all did pretty well.

I signed a squad of 27 players who were all rated 5*CA and 5*PA but that soon changes as the players get more games.

Of my 27 players, 15 are under 18's. That's not entirely unusual at this level. They older more experienced players seem to be a tad greedy on the wages front.

My Squad ............ http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/716/0z5e.png

Our campaign began with a fine 2-0 away win at Clapton. Clapton are actually my local side, so that made the win even more pleasing.

The following week we beat Haringey + Waltham. 2-0 at our place and we've since lost 4-3 away to Haringey, won 4-0 away at Bethnal Green and drawn disappointingly 0-0 at home to Sporting Bengal (Their first point of the season).

We won 4-1 away at lowly Bugbrooke in the FA Cup first prelim and then the lads got the hairdryer treatment as Dudley Sports beat us 2-0 in the following round. It was a game in which we were expected to run out easy winners.

Anyway, I'm focusing on the league so it's not all bad to go out of the FA Cup early, despite the revenue it can bring in.

16 Year old Josh Edge looks a fine prospect. He's netted 4 in 4 for a 7.38 avg rating. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/822/fvkb.png

I'm spending 750 quid or so a week on wages and you'd think I've still got plenty of room for more signings with a wage budget of 2k. That's not so however because I believe the board take into account the wages of players who are on payed to play per game contracts. So I think my signing players days are all but over for a short while at least.

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January Update .......

Its been a good first half to the season in the league. We've had the odd hiccup with some very strange home losses but I put it down to having a young inexperienced squad (And too many Friday nights down the pub).

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/59/xrgs.png

So we are in 2nd spot, mainly thanks to some impressive midfield performances from Gregory who have chipped in with 11 assists and McBride who has 13 assists with 11 goals in 25 apps.

16 yr old striker Edge, has 14 goals in 16(2) apps whilst the very impressive 16 yr old target man Duckrell has bagged an amazing 21 goals in 11(9) apps. Duckrell's lack of appearances is down to some severe fitness issues he seems to have.

Byrne and Ware have not impressed and are listed for transfer ..... The scouts got those reports badly wrong -)

Fitness is an issue with the whole squad to be fair. which is why I carry a large first team squad.

Here's the squad http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/856/opz8.png

Now comes the tricky bit. Most of the squad are on yearly contracts which is the norm for this level. With them now able to sign pre contracts with other clubs for next season, I have to act if I want to keep the better players.

The problem is this http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/138/iv7n.png

I'm spending well below the wage budget but some players are on a pay to play basis and I think the board allow for that.

I'm allowed to offer a key player 65 quid a week which is half of what I need in some cases.

Promotion is not my goal but if it happens, that;s great. My goal is to build a solid young squad that can operate for a few years to come at this level ..... I need to get some of these fella's tied down in contracts.

EDIT ..... I forgot to mention my tactics.

At this level, player ability is more important than tactics so I keep things simple and play a 4-4-2 formation.

Upfront I have a target man and poacher whilst out wide I have two wide midfielders on support duty. I've found it unwise to play wingers because they loose stamina very fast.

My two CM's are usually box to boxers and I stick with a standard flat back four.

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March update ......

Mid March and we are top of the league, but it's tight.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/163/g13y.png

Youth intake was pretty good.

http://imageshack.com/a/img27/9240/pz7i.png

We are flying in the FA vase and have reached the semi's. We have an away fixture V fellow Essex Seniors, Haringey and Waltham. It's not gonna be an easy fixture but they are struggling in the league and I'm confident we can book a place in the final.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/834/09lg.png

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http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/812/pb5h.png

We book out tickets to Wembley!!

Ryan McBride set up the 50th minute winner for for recent new signing, Stuart Blackburne.

But the difference was a man of the match performance from Barking Captain, Adam Deakin.

Our opposition in the Final will be Northern Counties East premiers division high fliers Liversedge.

A tough tie,

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So, after beating Ilford 1-0 at home, we secure the league title with two games yet to play.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/541/nr8p.png

The fans are over the moon and we still have Wembley trip to look forward too.

I notice in one of my messages there is an opportunity to ask for a new contract as my existing one is fast running out.

I've gone beyond all expectations with my squad this season and I've kept well withing set budgets, so imagine my surprise when I get this reply to my request for a new contract ..........

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/843/snpn.png

I am not impressed.

EDIT

I'm in no mood to mess about with these moron's so I leak news of this development to the press.

I then get ordered to a board meeting

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/823/ctd9.png

Edit ......

Truly unbelievable. I've never seen this in FM before.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/845/o6jz.png

Sacked????? For complaining that I've not been offered a new contract?????

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/27/yrsg.png

Sod 'em!!

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I am now unemployed -(

I applied for the job of saving Danish second division outfit Frem from the drop but I was imediatley turned down.

The job would have done me a turn because thier season ends in June when I could have re-evaluated my options.

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At least I got a mention ............ Grrrrrrrr!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/585/cucj.png

EDIT

Not many interesting jobs out there at the mo but a stint in Belguim, a country I know well, looked attractive.

How rude is this?

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/46/w4ne.png

They finished just out of the relegation spots on GD in the Belgian 3rd division............... (Insert expletive) to them.

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One game into the season and the AFC Totton manager resigns.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/716/zscs.png

I am now the manager of AFC Totton in the Southern Div1 sw.

I'm over the moon because we get to play newly promoted Barking ..... Yes, I hold a grudge.

Other than that, I've actually coached in a club that played Totton in the FA Cup. I was impressed with their set up and since then, they have done pretty well in the leagues.

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So it's the 1st of October and I've finally found time to post. It's been a hectic 2 months or so in charge.

On my first day, after looking around the club, I was beginning to regret taking the Toton hot seat.

The squad consisted of around 14/15 players with two of them earning over 120 quid a week.

The wage bill was over 800 quid a week and I was only allowed a budget of 650 quid. I had to move fast to offload the top two earners to give me some room to bring in some quality.

It took me two weeks to offload 29yr old Ryan lake who was actually a pretty good left back but over payed. He left on a free.

A week or so later I managed to loan out the other top earner for the season. Danny Eastmond, a pretty good striker, went to Purton and they pay his wages for the duration.

With some financial breathing room I brought in Aaron Rice, a fine ML who has since picked up an injury and is out for 3 months.

He was joined by Sam Murray, 22yr old right back, Brad Dowdall, 21 yr old RM and Ken Griffiths a 30 yr old GK. All on free's.

I gave contracts to some youngsters (Grey'd out players) And now I have a squad of 22.

I also got a bit cheeky and recalled Eastmond from his loan after a month, my wage bill is now 160 quid over the budget and the board aint happy.

But I need a squad. Fitness and injuries will mean that a squad of 22 is too small for this level and the board have to learn that, the hard way........... Or I'll be moving on.

I joined the club after they had already played 3 league games of which they won one, drew one and lost one.

Since then, we have won six, drawn one and lost 2. We are currently 7th in the league and to be honest, I think I've worked miracles with the squad so far.

Our emphatic 7-0 victory over Clevedon, who are currently 2nd, was a fantastic performance but the squad are very inconsistant.

I think I can reach the boards expectations of a mid table finish with some hard work, but they need to dig deeper into those pockets if the club is to push on.

My last club, Barking had a wage budget of 2k and that was in the league below this one.

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It's the 18th of October and Barking pay us a visit.

As I take a look at their squad during the match build up, I notice a lot of changes from the side I took to the Essex Senior League title.

The new manager obviously did'nt like the look of some of my young stars but there is still a nucleus of very good players.

Barking sit in 11th just 3 points behind us and we are fresh from a crazy midweek game against Yale which ended in a 4-4 draw.

We can score but our defense needs work...... They better get it right today.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/707/uad9.png

I have striker Clive Makoni back from injury but not match fit. I plan to give him a start though as we need that extra bit of quality...... This is a match I want to win for personal reasons.

I take another gamble by starting without a sub keeper to give me more outfield options.

My line up ............ http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/607/buz9.png

Barking start well and for half an hour play keep ball.

On 35 mins our more direct style pays off and Reid picks up the ball on the left and slides a defense splitting pass through to Simmonds who cooly puts us one up.

5 mins later and Zak Gregory, one of my old signings at Barking, lathces onto a loose ball as we fail to clear a corner and he equalises.

On the balance of play, its probably fair that the score is 1-1 at half time and some of the lads seem confused as I rage at them at half time...... They just don't understand what this game means to me.

The second half is much the same as the first as Barking keep the ball and we try to get forward quickly. I make two changes around the hour mark to tighten up defensively as I sense Barking may be getting the upper hand.

I sub Makoni in the 80th minute. He hasn't played well and my gamble on his fitness hasn't payed off. To be honest, I left him on too long.

Then just two minutes after the substitution is made, Reid picks up the ball and cuts inside from the wide left. He skips passed a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box and shoots hard and low across the despairing dive of the Barking keeper. He wheels away to celebrate a super goal and we go 2-1 up. The final 10 minutes are the most nerve racking 10 minutes Iv'e had in management so far but we hold on for a very satisfying win.

https://imageshack.com/i/0y5367p

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Its December 31st and we sit 5th which is both suprising and pleasing.

It's very tight though and if results go a certain way we could easily drop to mid table.

League table overview https://imageshack.com/i/nenulcp

I've managed to loan in 4 players, nothing special but its handy to have the extra cover.

Makoni is the stand out player with 14 goals in 16 (3) apps but fitness and injuries are big issues with him.

Results so far https://imageshack.com/i/n7vs63p

I'm at a loss to estimate how well we will do and where we will finish in the league but play offs would be sweet.

The board are keeping relatively quiet about my wage overspend, probably due to how well we are doing.

If we do OK this season, I'm gonna need a decent wage budget next season to push on or I may be off.

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Champions.

https://imageshack.com/i/4jcwvjp

The board have offered me a new contract and I have delayed a decision because I want to see a serious increase in the wage budget next season. If not, we will not be able to compete in the Southern Prem.

The season was a strange one but we hit fantastic form late on (Apart from the Merthyr game)

Heres my squad overview,,,,,,,,,,,

https://imageshack.com/i/f53dy1p

Reid and Makoni have been awesome.

League table https://imageshack.com/i/mudq23p

League results https://imageshack.com/i/0o7t2pp

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The board have set a wage budget for next season of 2.3k which I believe I can work with..... Unless some great job offers come in, I think I'll be Toton manager next season.

https://imageshack.com/i/j6yek5p

Edit......

I get to 25th of June and the new seasons fixtures are announced.

Then I get the seasons expectations

https://imageshack.com/i/mvxcnrp

Eh?

I signed my new contract on the understanding that I would get a 2.3k wage budget as shown in the previous screen shot.

Possibly a bug?

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Friday June 5th 2015.

Because of the boards actions which I feel are despicable, I have resigned as Toton manager and am now seeking employment.

EDIT........ I applied for quite a lot of jobs but 3 stuck out.

Cambridge City in the Southern Prem, Oxford City and Hastings, both of the Isthmian Prem.

After 3 interviews, I was offered the Hastings job and gladly accepted.

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As manager of Hastings, my first job was to sack the entire staff as usual and bring in fresh faces.

The squad was in pretty decent shape according to my new coach but with a transfer kitty of 10k and a wage budget of 3.2k, I set about signing the best players I could find.

I bought my first player, paying 5k compo for 16yr old striker Cousins https://imageshack.com/i/f2m8ksp

I now have the large squad I like to roll with but we have started our league campaign badly.

4 straight losses including getting thumped 6-2 at home to a team that had yet to gain a league point, Heybridge.

I've done nothing different at this club, I've signed players with 4/5 star CA, kept my 4-4-2 tactic simple and brought in the best available staff.

I have no idea what is going wrong.

The squad and their ratings..... https://imageshack.com/i/nexjqdp

Results so far ........... https://imageshack.com/i/jm1m70p

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It's nearing the end of October and things are not going as well as expected.

My GK, Chambers has been playing awful so I sign another. This improves the situation a little and we pick up a few points. Chambers then comes to me and wants first team football. The upshot of the meeting is I told him he can rot in the reserves.

I had a similar problem with Cameron Pett, who is on loan from Southend. I dropped him because he has been truly awful and the fans don't like him either. He also complains about first team football. Result? Loan terminated.

I've tweaked my tactics some and I'm now plaaying more direct, it's helping a little.

Basically I cannot get any consistancy from 4.5/5 star CA rated players and I'm angry. Not just with the players but also with the staff who recomended them.

We are currently 12th but only 4 points from the drop zone.

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Season is over, thank God.

We actually found some form in Jan/Feb and moved up to 8th. It looked like we could challenge for the play offs.

It wasn't to be. Of our last 12 games, we lost 8.

I've never seen so many highly rated players perform so poorly all at the same time.

We eventually finished 12th which according to the board is great because they were happy to avoid relegation. But when your scouts tell you you are signing 5* CA players, you expect a bit more.

I signed another GK because my original signing was so awful and the second signing was probably worse.... Despite the scout reports.

I'm staying next season and have accepted a new one year contract, I just hope the board give me a similar wage budget so I can sort this damn squad out.

League table .......... https://imageshack.com/i/5blj40p

Fixtures/Results ............ https://imageshack.com/i/e9vs5pp

Squad ............... https://imageshack.com/i/nrm5hap

The player with the highest rating played 5 (5) and only joined in March after coming in on a youth candidate trial..... Hmnnnn.

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OK, so we move into season 16/17 ans I'm determined to bring some sucess to the club.

I've been very careful with my new signings and I've released quite a few under performers.

Transfers.... https://imageshack.com/i/m9z2y3p

Squad ..... https://imageshack.com/i/eulbdrp

No matter how hard I searched, I could not improve my GK situation. I'm just hoping my first choice GK lives up to his high rating this season.

We've started our season ok-ish with a home win, away draw and home draw, so atleast we are currently unbeaten.

Edit ........ What a draw in the FA cup 1st prelim round. We got Barking, it's like playing in the final to get them -)

Heres the result ........... https://imageshack.com/i/mkn8vfp

Happy days.

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We've had an incredible FA cup run.

https://imageshack.com/i/0axmzsp

Culminating in my best victory so far in this save https://imageshack.com/i/f3u5mtp

We've had 5 home draws so far, all against clubs from similar or lower levels except the first round game V league 2 strugglers Cambridge

The Cambridge game brought in 20k in prize money and a record 60k in gate reciepts.

We are flying in the league too and the club is buzzing right now.

EDIT, we've drawn Bradford who are rock bottom of L2 ..... And we are at home again.

We could'nt have asked for a better draw and the dream of a massive tie in the 3rd round is real.

EDIT

Champagne time I believe -)

https://imageshack.com/i/0e33bfp

EDIT

The dream is over https://imageshack.com/i/0bl15yp

Close game though -)

EDIT

Better luck in the Isthmian League cup -)

https://imageshack.com/i/4jaf49p

The road to the final

https://imageshack.com/i/2hxempp

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@WarroOxford ...... Thnx mate, glad you are gonna try a lower league save. It can be really fun and frustrating at the same time, GL ;p

An Injury time goal from Cousins earned us a draw in our final game and we are Champions!!!

Last game https://imageshack.com/i/na9roqp

League Table https://imageshack.com/i/5b8xw1p

Squad stats for season https://imageshack.com/i/mvd60op

League goal scorer record https://imageshack.com/i/0uzgq9p

I'm planning to stay at least another season and have signed a new contract on seeing next seasons budget.

Budget set for next season https://imageshack.com/i/g4x8h0p

Hopefully I can establish Hastings as a decent conference club.

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So the new season begins.

I have not been too busy in the transfer market this year

https://imageshack.com/i/0w8tfmp

That's because I've been careful not to trust my scout reports to much as they seem to be very liberal with the stars.

Also, many of the better players are asking for 700 quid a week or more and I'm not paying more than 450 in order to keep the finances in check.

Also, last seasons squad is still pretty strong and I've several youngsters developing well.

Here's the squad https://imageshack.com/i/n5wg00p

I'm going to look at some loans now, just to add a bit of depth but so far, the loanee's have not seemed great.

EDIT

It's Dec 31st and we've achieved far more than I anticipated in the league.

https://imageshack.com/i/gv2fvlp

The squad are doing brilliantly at this level and Cousins is still banging in the goals.

https://imageshack.com/i/f75r2bp

We could'nt repeat the fine FA cup run of last season but we did well and were a tad unlucky to loose 1-0 away at league one's Crewe in the first round proper.

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Well it seems in the 2nd half of the season, every other team in the league found their form and we lost ours. We were awful to be honest.

We lost Cousins for more than two months to injury and our keeper, Halsey, was out for a similar length of time. That was a blow but we should have dealt with it.

We eventually finished 9th, 5 points off the playoffs.

Final league table http://imageshack.com/a/img199/7026/pt5m.png

Squad for the season. https://imageshack.com/i/10lzu8p

3 of my key players, GK Halsey, DC Martin Smyth and RB Courtney Cole have refused new contract offers and they will be tough to replace. I think they are after moving to bigger clubs.

I'm begining to get itchy feet as I feel Hastings may have reached a realistic position league wise and I may need a new challenge.

I have delayed signing a new one year contract as I plan to take a look around at the available jobs.

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Exciting news.

https://imageshack.com/i/mk9sz9p

I have signed a one year contract with Welsh Premiere outfit, Caernarfon.

Its a big change and a big challenge.

EDIT

So after making my way across the border to Wales, I take a look around the club and find them completely staffless.

Not a problem, I bring in some people and take a look at the standard of player available.

I must say, Wales is in trouble...... The standard is abysmal. I'd put it even lower than English county level where I managed at Barking.

Theres a very small pool of available players and strangely, I can't scout England even though some parts of England are closer than some parts of Wales that I can scout.

I have a generous 5k wage budget.

Well, we are just about to play our first game and Ive brought in several players

Transfers https://imageshack.com/i/mjo3x9p

Squad https://imageshack.com/i/nb5fwjp

Here we go.

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