The FM21 Youth Academy Challenge

[OlivierL]

29 minutes ago, scarp said:

Brora Rangers 2032/33

Another pretty good season from our boys in red! Ross Rae definitely turned up, scoring 37 goals in all competitions. Thanks to two last intakes our attacking side looks stacked but I am worried about our defense, with Gamble aging up and no depth on fullbacks it will be another long season. Also missing a proper DM/CM still so moved away from classic diamond. Our finances are not looking great at all and we got another upgrade in academy coaching, not sure if it's the wisest but the latest intakes were fantastic and I hope that we will be able to afford the coaching anyway. Stephen is still a great goalie for us although his ability rating is not the best. Nathan Bell is not progressing as well as I hoped so I wish for another CB next year. We had a first 3,5 CA rated player in intake in Shaun Redfern who's MR (we were lacking decent MRs for years) and he immediately became a starter for us. Hamilton also played few games straight out of the intake and even became our youngest starter & youngest goal scorer.

Transfers | Youth in-take

Key players: Ross Rae, Jamie Stephen & Kieran Ogg

Youth watch: Shaun Redfern, Cameron Hamilton & Ali Ovenstone

Redfern not bad ! 

[scarp]

@OlivierL Yeah, Premiership clubs are already eyeing him.

[Bartrcm]

Freamunde - Season 2023-2024 - Third Division

Predicted: 18th

Final position: 1th!!!

What a season. I started the season with the hope of staying up. But from the first game of the season we were battling  for 1th position. After game 20 we were the leaders, and we never looked back. We kept increasing our lead, and with 4 games to go we were promoted, and sealed the title one game later. This has to go down as 1 of the most unexpected promotions inf my FM career. Our 102 points at the end of the season meant a new record. We only lost 2 games in 46 games, just incredible.

Downside of our succes is that we have to play next season without our 2 best players. Our AMC was sold during the winter when  Gumaraes met his  release clause of 475k. Also during the winter our incredible ST, signed for Belenenses as he didn't want to sign a new contract. 

 

I'm afraid that without these 2 star players it will be near impossible to stay up next season.

Games 1

Games 2

Games 3

Cup: Didn't care about the cup, but with some easy draws we got in the 5th round. Boavista was our opponent, and were way to strong for us. We los 5-1

 

Youth intake; The preview was promessing, but the actual intake was again a disappointment. I signed all players with at least 3*, but I'm afraid that most of them are not good enough.

William Pires: DM, but will be re-trained as I don't play with a DM

Jean-Marc Scherrer: AML/AMC/ST

 

Transfers: None

 

Finances: This season we gaining some money, but only due to the outgoing transfer of 475k and the investment of the board of 100K. We are still ±500k in red. We definitely need to get in black, as we need to do some upgrades. Our last 2 intakes were not good enough.

 

Goal for next season: again staying up.

 

[XaW]

Things are not looking going well so far in Eliteserien...

Luckily, 14th will be enough for the relegation playoff against the winner of the promotion playoff from the 2nd tier, so that's my goal currently!

Edited November 17, 2020 by XaW

[keeper#1]

South Shields 2021-22 Season Review

 

Fixtures 1, 2, 3, 4 : Started out really strong and then faded as the season went on before rebounding the playoffs and promoting via the playoffs after beating Gateshead in the final

FA Cup: A nice run through the qualifying rounds before losing to League One Northampton which showed the team that they could be beaten

FA Trophy: Another good cup run where we were knocked out by a team in a higher division

League Table: Brackley Town were the class of the league.  Boston United and Kidderminister will be back next season to battle for the title.  We promoted from 4th place.

Squad:  A good squad that ran hot in the beginning.  Cool in the winter before heating back up in the spring.  Not sure if we are cut out for the National League.

Transfers: Only one player sale which forced us to put an aging right back into a starting role.  Thankfully, a youngster came in via the youth intake.

Youth Intake: Three or four of these players will be in the senior side next season while the remainder will be in the U23 or U18 sides.

Moments to Remember

Best XI

Season Accolades

U21 Callup: Youth academy product called up to AZE but it's still a callup

Stadium Expansion: Capacity goes up by 1,000 split evenly between seated and standing capacity

Key Players

Jason Gilchrist: Center forward with a nose for goal.  Led the team with 33 goals in all competitions despite missing two months of the season

Rob Briggs: Our creative force in the midfield

Darius Osei: Gilchrist's strike partner who netted 32 goals along with 10 assists.

Two coaching licenses in the bag and working on a third.

 

[Gundo]

27 minutes ago, XaW said:

Things are not looking going well so far in Eliteserien...

Luckily, 14th will be enough for the relegation playoff against the winner of the promotion playoff from the 2nd tier, so that's my goal currently!

How are mighty Viking doing? 

Edited November 17, 2020 by Gundo

[XaW]

1 minute ago, Gundo said:

How are mighty Viking doing? 

Not excellent, but lower-mid table.

[Gundo]

2 minutes ago, XaW said:

Not excellent, but lower-mid table.

Thanks. Sounds about right. 

[Padders]

Happens all the time

2-0 up, against 10 men and lose 3-2

Doesn't matter if I change mentality, park the bus or leave it the same, happens far too often

Oh and Leamington were bottom and hadn't won a game all season!

[Diego D10S]

                                                       

                                                                                                           Season 2022 / 2023

                                                                                          1st in Serie C Group A - Promotion  

                                                                          Leauge Table           Transfer History            Youth Intake

 

Following up a great first season with leauge win and promotion to Serie B. Had to win the last match of the season and secured the win after a early red card for my opponent  

I have been very hard to score against this season so keeping my fingers crossed I will bring that with me to Serie B, I will need it.

Highlighting my best players from the first two seasons : Matteo Caichiolo ( 31 goals - 6 assist ), Gabriel Leite ( 22 goals - 11 assist ),  Ivo Molnar (  Croatian Beast )

 

Youth intake was alot better than the first one, not anything special but a couple that can be promising: Enrico Dell'Orto , Guiseppe Re and Matteo Cerada

 

GL ALL !!  

Edited November 17, 2020 by Diego D10S

[filipefm20]

Finished season 3 and managed to stay up. Preety calm season, finished mid table with Antonio Fernandez being again the top scorer of the league. Youth intake was decent, specially because i finally have some decent right backs, the position I had less quality in.

Best youngster: 

[Bruce Drundrige]

I'm trying with Bonnyrigg Rose in Scotland...

I have 15 players.

First season is going to be...interesting.

[witticism]

I am thinking of joining you guys this year, somewhere in France, probably. Currently holidaying the first season and we'll see what teams get promoted into the bottom tier.

It's happening:

Edited November 18, 2020 by witticism
attachment

[Braumiller]

Well here is a new one for me......

Trying to tie up my decent players on new deals and I get this on my starting GK!

The only way it appears I could get to the point of offering a new deal is if...

...I buy out the percentage that is owned by the agent.  This feels awfully like buying a player (well, in this case 80% of a player), so presuming this is a no-go in the challenge?

Time to try and make amends to the backup GK I told wasn't part of my long term plans! 

 

[witticism]

The U19s I inherited, along with the single transfer I couldn't cancel.

 

First match of the season, I did not miss this feeling:

 

Their goal was their third shot all match

Edited November 18, 2020 by witticism

[scarp]

28k  Could not even protest it.

[Padders]

Is there anywhere that shows points dropped from winning positions?

[DazRTaylor]

I have just fired my HoYD, Callum Booker and replaced him with this chap.  Quite an improvement.  A good personality too.

Edited November 18, 2020 by DazRTaylor

[scarp]

Brora Rangers - 2033/34

We had a great season, our best so far! We got eliminated in play-offs first round eventually but I hope for us to come stronger next year. We had a fabulous intake. Board sold my key played for 28k which stings a lot but there are some great prospects in latest intake ready to replace him. This might be the last season for Stephen as number one - Fox looks a great prospect and he may replace him next season. Ross Rae and Redfern want to leave but I have no intention of letting them, anyway the transfer fees are so low I can just stick to the contract and let them leave on Bosman. Third place really helped our finances as we got 200k more than usually. Ironically, after our best season yet we have no upgrades to facilities, status or academy coaching.

Transfers | Youth in-take

Key players: Jamie Stephen, Ross Rae & Millar Gamble

Youth watch: Derek Evans, Taylor Foulds & Steven Erskine

Sold players progress:

Spoiler

Decided to add a little table here where I will show the progress of the players I sell. YI personality shows the personality of the player in the day of intake and Personality shows his personality before he left us. YI Pos. shows his ranked position in the intake day based on PA (by assman). Matches & Goals are for Brora Rangers.

[witticism]

22 minutes ago, DazRTaylor said:

I have just fired my HoYD, Callum Booker and replaced him with this chap.  Quite an improvement.  A good personality too.

Oh a nice personality as well, good hire.

[Padders]

I'm done with until the full version comes out

12 attempts

Every single time the same, start well and fall off the cliff

Done everything to try stop

This latest result is nothing short of a joke

3 goals in the last 8 minutes with two in injury time. Happens all the time

The run I'm on now include loses to 24th, 22nd, , 21st, 20th, 18th and 16th

[OlivierL]

31 minutes ago, DazRTaylor said:

I have just fired my HoYD, Callum Booker and replaced him with this chap.  Quite an improvement.  A good personality too.

I signed a hoyd with Mercenary personalty, some kind of test after the discussion here about personalities .

[OlivierL]

45 minutes ago, scarp said:

Brora Rangers - 2033/34

We had a great season, our best so far! We got eliminated in play-offs first round eventually but I hope for us to come stronger next year. We had a fabulous intake. Board sold my key played for 28k which stings a lot but there are some great prospects in latest intake ready to replace him. This might be the last season for Stephen as number one - Fox looks a great prospect and he may replace him next season. Ross Rae and Redfern want to leave but I have no intention of letting them, anyway the transfer fees are so low I can just stick to the contract and let them leave on Bosman. Third place really helped our finances as we got 200k more than usually. Ironically, after our best season yet we have no upgrades to facilities, status or academy coaching.

Transfers | Youth in-take

Key players: Jamie Stephen, Ross Rae & Millar Gamble

Youth watch: Derek Evans, Taylor Foulds & Steven Erskine

Sold players progress:

  Hide contents

Decided to add a little table here where I will show the progress of the players I sell. YI personality shows the personality of the player in the day of intake and Personality shows his personality before he left us. YI Pos. shows his ranked position in the intake day based on PA (by assman). Matches & Goals are for Brora Rangers.

Great little table about sold players. I'm going to post about poached and sold youth as i did in my Caley Braves save. Love those details ! 

[scarp]

@OlivierL Thank you! I can't find my poached player in the game though. He was poached by Man Utd so I was very interested as I also had the percentage clause but just can't find the guy. 

[Perre8]

8 minutes ago, scarp said:

@OlivierL Thank you! I can't find my poached player in the game though. He was poached by Man Utd so I was very interested as I also had the percentage clause but just can't find the guy. 

Doesn't it take a while before the poached player appears in the poachers club youth intake? 

[OlivierL]

10 minutes ago, scarp said:

@OlivierL Thank you! I can't find my poached player in the game though. He was poached by Man Utd so I was very interested as I also had the percentage clause but just can't find the guy. 

He'll only pop up if he comes via their youth intakes. Some do, some won't. U have to check your transfers - clauses page regularly and if u see them, give them a [poached] tag. That's an easier way to track them afterwards.

[DazRTaylor]

The next youth intake preview has come in.  Sigh.

[XaW]

Season 2027 - Eliteserien (tier 1) - 6th season

Sorry about the poorly edited image above, but it doesn't show the league table when it goes to playoff, so I just did some excellent mspaint editing. In what was a very tough season, we ended in 14th place, a single point of safety. We weren't directly relegated however, since we entered the playoff against the playoff winner from the 2nd tier. The main problem was that morale was below the floor and we lost the away leg 2-0 and could only draw 3-3 at home. So we suffered relegation and are going back to OBOS-ligaen next season. On a more positive note, we are turning professional! I just wished they had did it before the season, but I won't mind! I have hopes that we can bounce right back up again next season.

Transfers | Youth Preview | Youth Intake

After my complaints about missing left footed players, I at least got in some talents this time.

Key players: Sander Østbye, Adrian Grythaugen 25a & Ernest Rzepecki

Youth players of note: Einar Andersen 23f, Nasri Stubberud 23a & Oscar Rosvoll 23d

[DazRTaylor]

Awww just one point.  

[KVJ92]

2 hours ago, Padders said:

I'm done with until the full version comes out

12 attempts

Every single time the same, start well and fall off the cliff

Done everything to try stop

This latest result is nothing short of a joke

3 goals in the last 8 minutes with two in injury time. Happens all the time

The run I'm on now include loses to 24th, 22nd, , 21st, 20th, 18th and 16th

Are you still holidaying between the matches? There's lot to be done in terms of morale inbetween which might be able to turnaround those losses? 

[scarp]

@XaW Congrats on the professional status! That's a huge turning point imo.

[potbellypigs]

33 minutes ago, KVJ92 said:

Are you still holidaying between the matches? There's lot to be done in terms of morale inbetween which might be able to turnaround those losses? 

100% this is the issue.

[Braumiller]

6 minutes ago, potbellypigs said:

100% this is the issue.

+1

In all my years playing this challenge, I have never holidayed a day.  This challenge more than any other is all about the details and their cumulative effects over time (imo)

 

[lloyd_doyley]

Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic - 2024/5 - 4th season

 

Season

League

Finish

Scottish Cup

BetFred Cup

SPFL Trophy

Top Scorer

Most Assists

Highest Average

TF

YF

JC

YR

Average Attendance

2021/22

Scottish League 2

9

Second Round

Second Round

George Hunter - 21

Dean Brett - 10

George Huner - 6.97

Poor

Poor

Fairly Basic

Basic

400

2022/23

Scottish League 2

7

Second Round

Group Stage

First Round

Kevin Macleod 21b2 - 14

George Hunter - 8

Scott Gow 21d4 - 7.10

Poor

Poor

Fairly Basic

Basic

530

2023/24

Scottish League 2

8

Fourth Round

Group Stage

First Round

Kevin Macleod 21b2 - 36

Louis Sheerin 22a17

Mario Robustelli 21d4 - 7.16

Poor

Poor

Fairly Basic

Basic

515

2024/5

Scottish League 2

1

Fourth Round

Group Stage

First Round

Kevin Macleod 21b2 - 33

Luke Barcham 21a33

Scott Gow 21d4 - 7.19

Poor

Poor

Fairly Basic

Basic

586

We did it! We are up!

The addition of Barcham up front with Macleod proved to be just what we needed, as well as a really strong defensive unit. There were barely any starts for non-newgens, but am expecting to be found out in League 1 and come back down,

I have finally managed to get some investment in the facilities though, some work is being done on the Youth Facilities over the summer.

An okay youth intake, nobody who will be going straight into the first team. Really hoping for some full backs and wingers next season.

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by lloyd_doyley

[scarp]

Brora Rangers - 2034/2035

Another pretty good season for us, this time we lost in play-offs second round. We had to sell our biggest talent Redfern for some pocket money (thanks board), with him I believe we could have been promoted. Another great intake. McCall came out of nowhere and became one of our best players this season and we also finally made the swap on goalie position where Fox replaced Stephen near the end of the season. Nathan Bell did not want to renew the contract with us so he will be let go for free. Board still does not want us to become professional so instead I upgraded some youth setup. I do not want to upgrade facilities before we turn professional. Hopefully I will not regret the latest updates and the costs won't be too much.

Transfers | Youth in-take

Key players: Iain McCall, Ross Rae & Gerard Fox

Youth Watch: James Miller, Mike Fyffe & Clive Rooney-Wickenden

Academy graduates careers:

Spoiler

Added some columns.

[djsmith0410]

First time attempting this. Starting as Cottbus in Germany as Philipp Lahm  

 

 

[Lexclub]

il y a 7 minutes, djsmith0410 a dit :

First time attempting this. Starting as Cottbus in Germany as Philipp Lahm  

 

 

Goodluck !
Keep in mind you can't field u17 players in Germany, so that is basically 2 seasons to go without using your newgens.
I am also in Germany with Lokomotiv Leipzig, currently sitting at the bottom of the table after 13 games. Hope you'll do better
 

[djsmith0410]

15 minutes ago, Lexclub said:

Goodluck !
Keep in mind you can't field u17 players in Germany, so that is basically 2 seasons to go without using your newgens.
I am also in Germany with Lokomotiv Leipzig, currently sitting at the bottom of the table after 13 games. Hope you'll do better
 

I have enjoyed managing in Germany before, top of the table after 3 games...

Losing my best player to Hamburg isn't a great start however. 

 

[Anners]

France is the same as Norway again - pick a side and save scum them to promotion.

A quick question though - for any players brought in in the 20/21 season, are these to be gotten rid of?

[benrollo]

Just now, Anners said:

France is the same as Norway again - pick a side and save scum them to promotion.

A quick question though - for any players brought in in the 20/21 season, are these to be gotten rid of?

I believe as long as you haven't signed anyone from the point you take over then you're good! So if you can cancel signings in progress then do so, otherwise they're your players to do with as you will!

[Braumiller]

2 minutes ago, benrollo said:

I believe as long as you haven't signed anyone from the point you take over then you're good! So if you can cancel signings in progress then do so, otherwise they're your players to do with as you will!

100% 

[Diego D10S]

So down to earth. Got the sack after an abysmal start to the season.  Only 5 points after 14 matches.

Performance was actually pretty good but I just got crushed physically. Promotion came too early.

Still have very strong belif in my tactic and will start again with Siena.

 

GL ALL !!  

[Anners]

This will be my first proper go - I had a flirtation last year, but didn't feel too committed. I didn't want to step on any toes and start in Scotland, so a trip to the south of France is in order. Had to head somewhere with a personal connection, so a trip to Canet just outside Perpignan is where I'm heading!

 

 

Spoiler

Canet start with a fairly deep squad before their youth intake, so this is what I'm working with:

 

Spoiler

We are predicted to finish 16th overall, but I've got a reasonable amount of depth at the club so we'll see how it goes!

 

[Perre8]

@Anners goodluck. 

[Maikol]

SalPa 20-21

Even though we were predicted to finish bottom our rocksolid defense and one man attack carried us to 2nd and then eventually went up via the promotion play offs 5-2 on agg (vs the 2nd last team in the 1st tier) got a golden generation intake too with couple of youngsters making their debuts off the bench in the playoff final. Also got a youth facility upgrade incoming so should make things interesting. Finances in a okay position so should be fine even if i dont manage to keep us up.

-Transfers

-Youth Intake

-Top 3 players:Claudio Merville, Alex Fontaine, Mikko Louhela

-Hot Prospects:Kim Virtanen, Jaakko Siren, Harri Lehtinen

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by Maikol

[Diego D10S]

@Anners Welcome and GL  

[thomas_e]

 

Sacachispas FC

Youth Intake 2022

 

Our second youth intake since I took over and it's pretty decent. We play in the top division so we cant expect several 5 star players each season. But I do fear that these players will take several years to become good enough and our shift in generation in a few years can become pretty brutal..

 

 

          

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by thomas_e

[OlivierL]

1 hour ago, Anners said:

This will be my first proper go - I had a flirtation last year, but didn't feel too committed. I didn't want to step on any toes and start in Scotland, so a trip to the south of France is in order. Had to head somewhere with a personal connection, so a trip to Canet just outside Perpignan is where I'm heading!

 

 

  Hide contents

Canet start with a fairly deep squad before their youth intake, so this is what I'm working with:

 

  Hide contents

We are predicted to finish 16th overall, but I've got a reasonable amount of depth at the club so we'll see how it goes!

 

Good luck, amateur or semi prof team ?

[Bubbles_DK]

Season 2 - 2022/23

Second season was as surprising (maybe even more) as the first season. We introduced a couple of youngsters to the starting 11 and they delievered some promising performances. 

Actually we beat our total points from last seaso in the league with 1 point at fouth place again. The first half of the season we even challenged for promotion, but a poor run midseason ruined it. The danish cup ended at the quarter finals to Fc Nordsjælland, who later won the trophy. Unfortunately the match didn't attract many spectators.

Again the youth intake was interresting with promise of a "Golden generation". The intake was again good - don't think it's a "Golden generation", but it's good for the level we are at. Andreas Damgaard is the standout this year. He has the potential and personality. Once again we signed the lot,. Everybody gets a chance here :-)

Edited November 18, 2020 by Bubbles_DK

[OlivierL]

First youth international 

Not even in my first squad in the first season but he is my first youth int.