[FM20] Scottish ships are burnt

[OTron]

Welcome to a Scottish league odyssey managing 7th tier Burntisland Shipyard FC. Burntisland Shipyard Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Burntisland, Fife. The club competes in the East of Scotland League First Division Conference A and play their home matches at Recreation Park. They are full members of the Scottish Football Association.

For this save I have used The (Real Life) Full Scottish Pyramid inc. Juniors database created by @Morrissey. Burntisland play at the lowest possible tier of Scottish clubs that can be promoted to the SPL. The aim is to take them all the way to the top of Scottish Football and challenge the European elite.

0

The aim will be to move up the leagues and use any money possible to upgrade the youth infrastructure at the club.

Here's the squad at the start of my tenure.

 

Edited May 4, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

MID-SEASON 2019/20

It's been a good first half of the season in the League which is nice as I thought the squad was poor - I guess the other teams are even worse. We have been knocked out of most of the Cups but still have a chance in a couple.

The players are generally performing well. I've lost a few lads to other teams and the better players are constantly being offered contracts which they are so far rejecting.

Here's a look at the full complement of staff at the club now that everyone is hired.

Importantly for a youth only save here is a closer look at the Head of Youth Development.

And here's how the youth intake is shaping up.

It's nice to see a compatriot who has made the trip to Scotland and is being highly-rated as a shot stopper.

Finances are 14k in the red though so I will have to keep an eye on that.

 

 

[Lanvigator]

Good luck with this. I once saw Burntisland play (the only Scottish game I've ever seen live) on a trip to Edinburgh. Beautiful setting at the side of the Firth of Forth.

[OTron]

1 hour ago, Lanvigator said:

Good luck with this. I once saw Burntisland play (the only Scottish game I've ever seen live) on a trip to Edinburgh. Beautiful setting at the side of the Firth of Forth.

Lucky you! Cheers, mate. The picturesque location drew me to the club - I would love to go and watch them play someday.

[OTron]

YOUTH INTAKE 2020

I'm whispering it very quietly.

A solid intake with the top 2 ready to try and break into the first team straight away. An interesting mix of nationalities too.

Here are the best 2 prospects.

I've signed every player from the intake as I'm now losing players to other clubs at an alarming rate, so I need bodies. Peter and Dominic are already wanted by several clubs...

Here's the attrition rate so far.

Edited April 24, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2019/20

Champions it is and promotion to East of Scotland Premier Division. Hopefully being in a higher division means we will stop leaking players. I'm interested to see how we handle the step up in quality.

Here's the team awards.

Now for some well deserved time off spent at Burntisland beach before getting ready for the new season.

 

[OTron]

MID-SEASON 2020/21

The club is having another good season but trouble is on the horizon in the form of a lack of players. Here's the players out so far this season.

We have lost all but 6 of last years youth intake and a fair chunk of the first team. This is supposed to be a youth only save but I now am starting to have greyed out players in the first team squad due to lack of numbers. If this carries on the club is headed for trouble unless I sign some players. I've never seen this before in FM, it's perhaps a quirk of this database I've used. Let's see what happens come end of season.

Here's how the next youth intake is shaping up.

 

[OTron]

YOUTH INTAKE 2021

Another "golden generation" but how many of them will actually stay at the club this time? There is 4 left from last year's intake.

No player that stands out as great, but some badly needed bodies at the club. Interestingly we got an Algerian player in this intake. 

Robert Campbell from this intake is already wanted by 57 clubs... this is getting silly.

Edited April 24, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2020/21

A good solid season from the boys.

AWARDS

Now to the transfers. I ended up losing so many players that I had to sign a few - so this is no longer strictly a youth only save (I will remove the tag). I am going to try and sign as few players as I can, but I need at least enough to field a team. I did want this to be a Youth Only save though so I am now unsure if I will continue with it.

TRANSFERS

IN (5)

OUT (23)

 

 

[OTron]

MID-SEASON 2021/22

Another good season so far. Should be involved in another title fight.

TRANSFERS

IN

Here's our UK & Irish players that have come in to fill the gaps left by our huge amount of transfers out.

OUT

It's mainly youth players I'm losing. Although the loss of the club's best player, Robbie Crawford, to League 2 side Cove Rangers is a huge loss.

Here's how the Youth Intake is looking.

Awful 

[OTron]

YOUTH INTAKE 2022

Well my Head of Youth Development is terrible so I shouldn't be surprised he thinks this is a golden generation...

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2021/22

We won the League on the final day of the season. Beating Crossgates 2-0 and overtaking them on goal difference. Which setup a Promotion Playoff versus Caley Braves.

Promotion! Next season would see us operating in the Scottish Lowland League and possibly a halt to our massive player drain?

AWARDS

TRANSFERS

IN

More UK and Irish players in to fill the gaps.

OUT

Lots of youth products and a sprinkling of first 11 players out the door this season. It doesn't seem to matter that the clubs poaching them play in the divisions below us, out the door they go.

Next season will be a tough battle to avoid relegation in the Scottish Lowland League, but we are also only one step from League 2. For now it's time to kick back and soak up some sun on the beautiful Burntisland coastline.

 

[OTron]

MID SEASON 2022/23

We're performing well in the Lowland League and should be comfortably safe from relegation this season. We are into the 4th round of the Scottish Cup and I'm hoping for a big club and some money to perhaps get our first facility upgrades.

TRANSFERS

IN

Some lads in to fill the gaps and improve the quality of the squad a little.

OUT

Still losing youth players and a couple of first teamers but certainly not as many. I have realised that even though we are a semi-pro club that we only offer appearance based bonuses and not a weekly wage, which is how other clubs are having a free shot at signing anyone they please from our club.

Here's a preview of our Youth Intake.

Hopefully a little better than last season.

This is interesting as we have a small fan base (avg. attendance is 262) and no money.

 

[OTron]

YOUTH INTAKE 2023

Golden generation of course.

Gordon Stewart actually has 5 star potential but with our training facilities he's unlikely to ever fulfil that.

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2022/23

A good start to life in the Scottish Lowland League, with a 3rd place finish. Much better than I expected but a mile off East Stirlingshire in 1st - though they are being promoted to League 2 this season. Sadly we drew Kilmarnock at home in the Scottish Cup 4th round so it wasn't the money spinner I had hoped. Our facilities remain a disgrace. 

AWARDS

Once again Sean Slaven took home the top club honours for the season - he's now a Burntisland Shipyard FC icon. He is also one of the few players who has continuously rejected the numerous offers to join other clubs, good lad.

TRANSFERS

IN

OUT

Gordon Anderson and Kevin Walker the biggest losses from the first 11 this season.

This off-season I will be taking the lads to visit Burntisland's Rossend Castle - we've heard it's haunted!

[OTron]

MID-SEASON 2023/24

A solid seasin thus far, 5 points off the top in the Lowland League and still in some cups including the Scottish Cup. Another win against League 2 opposition in that competition leaves me hopeful we won't get relegated should we get promoted. It looks like it's going to be a tough battle for the title though with several teams now competing at the top after East Stirlingshire's promotion.

TRANSFERS

IN

3 New lads in to take up spots in the first 11 opened up by players leaving.

OUT

2 of the first 11 and another crop of youth players gone.

And here's how the youth intake for 2024 is  shaping up.

 At this point I really need some money to upgrade everything about the youth structure of the club.

Edited April 26, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

YOUTH INTAKE 2024

Another poor intake. 

In the transfer market the club took a huge blow.

Club icon Sean Slaven out the door to League rivals Linlithgow Rose. This hurts as we don't even have enough time to replace him during the season run-in.

 

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2023/24

We won the League on goal difference, which is a great achievement. Then it was on to face the winner of the Highland League in a promotion playoff final.

Which we won! But now we face the last placed team from League 2 over 2 legs to secure promotion - we take on Stranraer.

And it proves to be a bridge too far  Heartbreaking loss. We were so close but conceding 5 over 2 legs isn't good enough.

However there was some consolation in the Cups this season of which we manged to win 2 to complete a treble.

The League win and cup runs had at least taken the finances out of the red, but we still lack the money for our first upgrade.

AWARDS

 

The aim this off-season will be to replace Sean Slaven and raise the quality of the squad overall to try and chase promotion again. But for now a stroll down to gaze out through Burntisland harbour and contemplate what had been a great season, without the reward we most desired.

[Bristol CityFC1981]

Good stuff, love careers like this. I’m currently doing similar in Northern Ireland. Started in level 7 currently 4. But so annoying you lose your best players and have to fend off contract offers all season! Desperately need to go Semi pro 

[OTron]

5 hours ago, Bristol CityFC1981 said:

Good stuff, love careers like this. I’m currently doing similar in Northern Ireland. Started in level 7 currently 4. But so annoying you lose your best players and have to fend off contract offers all season! Desperately need to go Semi pro 

Thanks for reading. Good luck with your save too. Yeah it's really tough constantly losing your best players for nothing. It's hurt us again this season!

Edited April 26, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

MID-SEASON 2024/25

This has been a tough season so far. I made the biggest changes to our squad since my tenure began by adding some better quality players, but so far it hasn't paid off and we are in another battle for top spot with 6-7 teams. We are still in the Scottish Cup so there's a hope of some money there.

TRANSFERS

IN

A host of players in as the squad gets a freshen up after the disappointing end to last season. Overall we now have a much better squad in terms of football skill. So far it hasn't  translated to better performances on the pitch.

OUT

Another 3 first 11 players poached. In addition to this I also released 5-6 more of the first team squad who were no longer good enough for this division.

And a preview of the next youth intake.

Another poor crop of players.

[OTron]

YOUTH INTAKE 2025

You know it's going to be bad when it's not a Golden Generation.

And it's horrid 

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2024/25

A disappointing season in the League. Well off the pace in 4th, we never really looked like finishing top. A combination of some of the new signings not performing and losing key players to other clubs at crucial times. The board wasn't pleased and I wholeheartedly agreed with them.

But we at least got out hands on another cup wish keeps the fans happy.

AWARDS

2 of the new signings that did sign this season were Cameron Rendall and Ryan Dow. Dow unfortunately has left the club, leaving us with the memories of one outstanding season. On the other end of the spectrum Marcus Fraser's ill-discipline has seen him released  after just one season - 22 yellows and 2 reds!

TRANSFERS

IN

Wholesale changes to the squad and a few players in after losing our own key players to other clubs. It was a bit of a scatter-gun approach this season and it wasn't successful. I would have to revise my approach for next season's campaign.

OUT

6 of our first 11 poached here. It makes it hard to put together a consistent squad each season but that's the difficulty of management life at this level.

It was time again to relax and take in some of Burntisland's beautiful scenery as I formulated a plan of attack for next season.

 

[OTron]

MID-SEASON 2025/26

A small update here: after reviewing the squad during the off-season I decided I needed to put the cleaners through the place. I ended up ridding the first team squad of all but 10 players. The scouts earned their wage this off-season, and it was very much a new look Burntisland Shipyard FC that took to the pitch for the start of the 2025/26 Scottish Lowland League. Now onto our results so far this season.

The new players have performed similarly to the old players. It looks like we will be spending another season on the Scottish Lowland League.

TRANSFERS

IN

We needed a lot of new players for the first team so that's what we have here.

OUT

There goes basically our entire youth setup and last year's top scorer and our best player, Cameron Rendall.

Here's a preview of the youth intake

Not good.

Edited April 27, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2025/26

A 4th place finish and an end to the worst season in the clubs history. Some serious rebuilding will be required from here - let me explain.

Around August 2025 the club entered in talks with a fan led consortium to take over the club. In something I have never seen before in FM the talks seem to drag on forever all the while I was unable to sign players.

This in combination with probably the worst season of player poaching the club has endured mean we were decimated.

Finally in late April 2026 more than 8 months after the talks started they finally ended with this.

Leaving us with a total of only 12 senior players remaining at the club at the end of the 2025/26 season.

AWARDS

So another off-season with a massive rebuild of the clubs playing staff required. I'm also beginning to doubt our tactics and if we don't get promotion next season they will be getting an overhaul. Time to head into Burntisland's local and drink that season into memory.

 

 

Edited April 27, 2020 by OTron

[Nobby_McDonald]

Great start OTron.

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2026/27

With on-field progress slowed considerably I have decided to make these updates once per season.

Not a good season in the League for us. We had a horrific start which saw us in 12th at the mid-point. We improved in the back half of the season to finish in 6th but were a huge 24 points off first. Stirling Uni won the promotion playoff so we wouldn't be facing them again next season at least.

We did add another 2 cups to the trophy cabinet. The team's performance in these big matches is encouraging.

Speaking of the trophy cabinet we now have a decent silverware collection for a club who had never won anything before I joined.

AWARDS

TRANSFERS

IN

I have started signing a few non UK & Irish players to try and improve the squad. It's not working so far 

OUT

Quality players that improve the team leave about as quickly as we can sign them as evidenced by Rodrigo Matos and Paul Russell - excellent players for this level and both at the club less than a full season.

This off-season we are taking a boat out onto the Firth of Forth to enjoy the weather

Edited April 27, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

1 hour ago, Nobby_McDonald said:

Great start OTron.

Thanks, Nobby. It's an interesting save so far  

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2027/28

Things had to change from the last 3 seasons, so it was a change in formation and the use loan signings allowed us to clinch the title, even if it did go down to the wire. But the difficult part had just began. We would face Brora in the Highland-Lowland Playoff Final.

A tough win. It seemed fate had dealt us our opponent for the Ladbrokes League 2 relegation playoff - Stranraer. The team that beat us in the same playoff in 2023/24 causing the club 4 more years of heartache outside of the League structure. It was the biggest 2 games in the history of the club and in my managerial career.

We did it! Finally! The anguish of the loss 4 years ago erased. For the first time in its history Burntisland Shipyard FC would be playing Scottish League football.

I'm glad we got promoted this season because our Cup runs were heartbreaking. We lost in 3 separate Cup Finals, ouch.

AWARDS

TRANSFERS

IN

A slew of signings as we continued to lose first 11 players throughout the season. The 4 Loan signings in February were key to us gaining promotion as it meant enough quality bodies to get results.

OUT

10 first 11 players gone this season. So much quality lost that our scouts spent a long time finding, it's painful to look at the transfers Out column at the end of each season. Maybe League 2 would mean a stop to all the quality players leaving for free - somehow I doubted it.

After the celebrations finished and the headache passed I went down to Kirkton Recreation Park to take a walk around and reminisce on the journey thus far to reach League football. I allowed myself a moment knowing that the hard work had only just began and now it was about surviving in League 2 and pushing on to goal of becoming a Scottish football powerhouse.

 

Edited April 28, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2028/29

BREAKING NEWS: For the first time we were able to offer part time contracts this season. It made a huge difference to the quality of player we could attract to the club and also having them stay for a full season. Which brings us to:

Another promotion, the new players made a huge difference and some of them were outstanding quality for this level. Hopefully we can push on and challenge for promotion again next season.

The 4th round of the Scottish Cup was away to Rangers. We lost, but 25,312 fans turned up and took our finances out of the red for the first time in 6 seasons. We ended the season with 190k in the bank. The board still refuse to make any upgrades 

We probably need to tone this down for next season. I have a couple of very aggressive players in the team that no amount of fining can rein in. They may need to be sold.

AWARDS

Ludwig Nicklas was outstanding this season. Far too good for this level and it showed when he refused to sign a new contract and will be joining Kilmarnock in the summer.

YOUTH INTAKE 2029

Our youth intakes continue to be awful.

TRANSFERS

IN

I was able to sign some really decent talent for this season. The loan signings were not up to standard though so I would be dispensing with loans next season. I ended up signing quite a few non UK & Irish players this off-season as they were of a much higher standard. I will try and rectify that as much as possible going forward.

OUT

Now I can offer actual contracts we have a lot more control over who leaves the club. The loss of Alessandro Vecchi is painful though - he was a regular starter at 16 and was rated to have huge potential by my coaches.

A great season deserves a great view of our home ground, the gorgeous Kirkton Recreation Park.

Edited April 29, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2029/30

We finished 2nd a long way off Champions Dunfermline. We faded terribly in the second half of the season and the squad was looking absolutely threadbare at the end.

We face Clyde in the Playoff Semi Final.

Wow, that was a hard fought win. The squad is ragged - injuries and some players starting matches at 80% of lower. The Playoff Final against Alloa is in 3 days...

And we never looked liked winning it. They took a comfortable 2-0 lead into the 2nd leg and my players were too exhausted to turn it around. A good season but disappointment at the last.

AWARDS

The new boys did well. We still have appalling discipline despite the sale of a couple of hyper aggressive players.

TRANSFERS

IN

Again lots of foreign players all 22 and under. We just can't seem to sign any UK or Irish players that would improve the squad. They either want too much money or they join someone else after we agree terms. 

The only Scottish player in was MacGillivray as a GK. He's retiring though so finding his replacement will be our priority in the off-season.

OUT

Our fewest number of players sold yet and we actually got money for 2 of them! Disappointingly the board sold my number 1 Keeper Casian Precup at the end of August and I had to scramble to find a replacement.

YOUTH INTAKE

Finally the board decided to approve an upgrade. At this point we needed Training facilities more than anything as they are still in the terrible state they were when I took over in the EoS First Division.

Now it was a night time trip down to Burntisland Harbour to let the troubles of a long season wash away.

[DaneBramage]

Congrats on the quickfire promotions. The upper table looks very close in League 1, good luck for the next season.

[OTron]

4 hours ago, DaneBramage said:

Congrats on the quickfire promotions. The upper table looks very close in League 1, good luck for the next season.

Thank you. You're right, League 1 is proving very competitive, hopefully we can get promoted next season 

Edited April 29, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2030/31

TRANSFERS

I am going to start these off with the Transfers to give a better timeline for the season that was.

IN

Replacements for the first 11 who were sold and to give the squad more depth to compete come 2nd half of the season. English keeper Lucky Adeyemi and German striker Niko Harst 2 hugely important signings.

OUT

Most of our first 11 was wanting to leave during the off-season. I managed to hold onto a couple but others I was forced to sell, last season's top scorer Maric demanding a transfer was a painful one. Managed to raise 350k from sales which is much needed money in the coffers.

LEAGUE

2nd again. We lead for the first half of the season but it was a close 3-horse race throughout. Clyde pulled away in the last couple of months and left us facing another trip to the roller coaster of the Playoffs.

We drew Airdrie in the first round they are a very good side so this will be tough.

Our Keeper Lucky proving his worth with 2 huge saves in the penalties. I'm not quite sure how we won that tie but I'll take it. Once again fate has played a hand and we draw the team that beat us in last season's Playoff Final, Alloa. We were determined not to suffer heartbreak 2 seasons running.

We did it. Promotion! For all that's good I need a drink after that tie. The score doesn't reflect how tough this truly was. We lost the first leg 1-0 after getting a straight red card in the 30th minute. In the 2nd leg we were down 0-1 before turning it around in the 2nd half and finishing the game at 2-1. Extra time saw Alloa lose their fitness and their cool, they had 2 players red carded. We scored 3 more goals against the 9 men and after 120 minutes earned promotion. I had learned from last season's playoff loss about the value of having depth in the squad. Having that squad building pay off was one of those nice FM moments.

AWARDS

A good season recognised by our players winning plenty of awards. Hopefully we can actually hold onto Niko Harst in the off-season. I took a risk not selling Schiumarini and Milosevic in the off-season when they handed in transfer requests. It paid off in that they were massive in our promotion, but both would now be leaving on free transfers in the summer to Hearts and Inverness respectively.

YOUTH INTAKE

Didn't sign a single one of them.

This off-season I decided to celebrate our promotion to the Ladbrokes Championship by taking a walk down the Fife Coastal path, from Burntisland to Buckhaven. Stunning!

Edited April 30, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2031/32

TRANSFERS

OUT

Last season's top scorer and by far the best player at the club Niko Harst sold by the board for a pittance. The 2 others are first 11 players who left the club at the end of their contracts, but I still received small fees for them.

IN

Replacements for the 3 above as well as the several players I let go on free transfers. Hopefully enough quality brought in here to keep me up.

SEASON REVIEW

That was a lot closer than I thought it would be. We looked relegation certainties early on in the season. Eventually we started to put together a run of form and were involved in a 3 way fight for the relegation playoff spot. Thankfully a 3-0 on the last day of the season saw us to safety. Tough season!

Much better average attendance. Still no sign of the board making us Professional though. My latest request was turned down due to them not trusting me... 

AWARDS

First time I've ever had the Player of the Season not be in the team of the season.

YOUTH INTAKE 2032

No one signed again. I also had a player poached from my youth setup by Luton.

Time to strengthen the team for next season and hope an extra year of experience helps my younger players. It's difficult to keep a squad together as the best players I sign come in for 2 seasons and then refuse to sign contracts and leave again. Over half the first 11 wants to leave each off-season currently. Maybe a trip to the Burntisland Parish Church which has been standing since 1592 would give the lads some faith 

[OTron]

END OF  SEASON 2032/33

TRANSFERS

OUT

Really disappointed with the amount of talent transferred out. The board went over my head for any offer over 100k and accepted it against my wishes. Especially annoying was then selling my number 1 central defender Rico Gunther for a small fee on the last day of the January window!

IN

Replacing the players out and those released on a free. We are stronger in some areas now and weaker in others, but overall a solid crop of players in.

SEASON REVIEW

Right from the start of the season something was different in the air around Burntisland - in training the lads looked more confident.

And what a season it translated to. Fantastic result to finish 3rd and make the promotion playoffs.

A tough win but we are through to the Final.

We did it - promotion!

Wait, we aren't promoted. The Championship Playoff works differently to League 1 playoffs. We would have to rally the troops one last time this season for the tie against Dundee Utd.

Promotion to the top flight of Scottish football! Get in!!! The experience ofour previous promotion playoffs served us well here as we rotated the squad throughout. Our fresher legs told as we out ran Dundee Utd in the second leg. With games played every 3 days these promotions playoffs are like a puzzle and we put the pieces together best and take the reward 

Winning the playoff final was sweet revenge for Dundee Utd beating us in the 5th round of the Cup. We also brought in some silverware in the form of the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup - tasty! 

AWARDS

My discipline improved this season for seemingly no reason.

YOUTH INTAKE

Signed Steven MacGregor just so I could say I signed someone, anyone. My youth intakes continue to be terrible but in line with my youth facilities, training and recruitment. 

The season ended with 1.2 million pounds in the bank so I thought I would try for Professional status again.

Yes! This should make a huge difference to our club. 

It's all happening!

The celebrations for our promotion would take place on party boat out on the Firth of Forth. Bring on the Ladbrokes Premiership!

Edited May 1, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

After promotion to the top flight of Scottish football I thought I would take a look back at some of the talent Burntisland Shipyard FC have lost along the way. Here are the single biggest transfers out for each of the last 5 seasons, and a look at how their careers have gone since.

2028/29

Alessandro Vecchi - Free to Motherwell

2029/30

Casian Precup - 150k to Motherwell

2030/31

Petar Maric - 170k to Rangers

2031/32

Niko Harst - 170k to Hibernian

2032/33 

Dusan Topic - 250k to Rangers

 

[Bristol CityFC1981]

Hi congrats on making the SPL. Sorry if you’ve posted this further up but what data update are you using and where did you get it?

[OTron]

On 02/05/2020 at 18:15, Bristol CityFC1981 said:

Hi congrats on making the SPL. Sorry if you’ve posted this further up but what data update are you using and where did you get it?

Thanks, hoping not to get relegated this season!

The database I used for this is The (Real Life) Full Scottish Pyramid inc. Juniors database created by @Morrissey. You can find it on the Steam Workshop. Just be aware that the junior clubs can't get promoted into the League system.

Edited May 4, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2033/34

TRANSFERS

OUT

There was no room for sentimentality during our debut season in the SPL so it was anyone who hadn't progressed enough was sold. After changing to a professional club all of the players signed new contracts and most insisted on small minimum fee release clauses. The first instance of this hurting us came in the January window when giants Celtic poached my young Spanish right back, Ernesto Grao by meeting his 1.4m release clause.

IN

I signed some more frees to slightly improve the first team and also add a few promising youngsters.  Achesa and Fofana came in on loan to play centre midfield as our current players were not good enough for this level. The money received from Ernesto Grao's sale was spent on a replacement right back Marcel Pecha and an upgrade at the heart of our defence in Alann Roy. Roy insisted on a 575k release clause which I hope to get rid of as soon as I can.

LEAGUE

After an extremely slow start to the season I thought we were going to be relegated for sure. The open, attacking style of football that had served us well in past season was being exploited by far better opponents. I decided to keep an attacking style but made us much more compact. This worked wonders and we ended up only just missing out on being in the top half of the table when it split, much better than I thought us capable of. Next season I will be hoping for EC qualification. Celtic win the league every season by a mile so I look forward to the challenge of chasing them down.

AWARDS

Maik Lowe was replaced as striker this season by Pierre Oczipka who looks like he can develop into a much better player and is a more natural finisher.

YOUTH INTAKE

The less said the better 

Exciting times in Burntisland as a some club improvements are approved.

To add to the celebratory mood this off-season the club will be attending the annual Burntisland Highland Games.

Edited May 4, 2020 by OTron

[Nobby_McDonald]

Making fantastic progress.

Celtic are still way clear I see.

[OTron]

6 hours ago, Nobby_McDonald said:

Making fantastic progress.

Celtic are still way clear I see.

Thanks, Nobby. It's been fun moving up through the Leagues.

Nobody has gotten anywhere close to challenging Celtic for a long time in this save.

Edited May 5, 2020 by OTron

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2035/35

TRANSFERS

OUT

The only loss here is Alann Roy who had is paltry minimum fee release clause met by Liverpool and left us in the January window.

IN

Andrew Steel came in on loan from Newcastle and was handed the Number 1 jersey. He was a big step up from our current GK and would need replacing in the summer. Denis Geng was brought in to be our first choice centre-midfielder and performed well in his first season. Peter Mauer was Alann Roy's replacement in January but doesn't have the same type of quality. The rest of the players in are future prospects. 

SEASON REVIEW

Cracking season. One of my 2 goals for this save, play in Europe, is within reach. The other goal, winning the SPL, will be more difficult as Celtic are a very good side. The only disappointment was facing Rangers on the last day for a winner takes Champions League spot showdown which we lost. The only time we lost to them all season. I am hoping the EURO Cup qualifying draw is kind to us.

 

AWARDS

Thought I would start showing the player of the season too. So here he is Central Defender, Damian Gies.

NEWS

Huge progress off the field as a ground is broken on a new stadium. The 1,200 capacity no-seater Kirkton Recreation Park is beautiful but badly needed replacing. The improvements to our training setup continue which is great news as we have a lot of young players at the club trying to improve themselves.

Another off-season on Burntisland's beaches before taking our shot at Europe would be just the trick.

 

[OTron]

END OF SEASON 2035/36

TRANSFERS

OUT

16.25m pounds in this season means the club is now very well off. The only big loss here was Marcel Pecha who was a great player for us.

IN

1.6m saw a new Number 1 GK in Marincic. Australian attacking midfielder Anthony McNally joined us from Serbian club Napredak and is a fantastic buy. Michel Nguidjol came in for 4.2m from Nottm Forest in January to replace the outgoing Pecha at right back.

SEASON REVIEW

Another solid season in the League. We are still a ways off toppling Rangers and Celtic though.

Our first ever Scottish Cup victory! This also gets us entry into the EURO Cup for next season.

As you can see we also made the EURO Cup II Final but lost to Hearts. Overall a great season for the club.

AWARDS

Anthony McNally won every Scottish award possible this season (Players player, FW Player, Young Player, FW Young Player) but I will just put this one here. He and Fan's Player of the Season, Pierre Oczipka both enjoyed fantastic seasons. I thought they both deserve their profiles in this season review, so here they are:

NEWS

 

The club finally approved some upgrades to the youth setup. They are still refusing better youth recruitment and coaching though.

So it's onwards and upwards to next season to try and crack the top 2. Until then it's back to Burntisland Beach to enjoy the summer sun.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Great win in the Scottish Cup.

[Unforced error]

Well done, very impressive work getting so far 😁 It's very annoying when you lose your best players as I have found managing Knowsley South in the Cheshire League! 

[bigmattb28]

Just read this thread from top to bottom, great read I love saves like this.

I'm going to download the file and start at the bottom but instead of youth only I'm going to do it as director of football challenge.

Keep it up mate

[dougie247]

This was a great read mate :) I used to live in Kirkcaldy just round the corner from Burntisland so made it even better :D