Stuniverse Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 (edited) Coming soon... [FM23] Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas To make this save as realistic as possible, Stu Stuniverse will be a Sunday League Footballer (that's the level I played at) and will have no Coaching Badges (as I don't have any). What Football Manager jobs could I get? Probably none but, in FM23 terms, to maximise the realism, I will be using @lionel messi's excellent "England Level 10" custom database. Currently it is unlocked down to Level 8 but, I'm hoping, Level 10 will be unlocked before Christmas, meaning that I can start the save on my Christmas break, if not before. I'm really looking forward to this save as I've never done a long-term save managing at this level on FM before. But, maintaining the realism, I wouldn't be able to take just any job that comes up because I'd need to keep my day job and do the football managing in my free time for a negligible salary if, that is, I get a job that pays a salary at all. So, Stu Stuniverse will start the save unemployed and will only take jobs within easy travelling distance of his home in Derbyshire - hence the title of this save "Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas". Let’s say maximum one hour away according to Route Planner. This, essentially, means the following manager jobs: Level 10 Ashby Ivanhoe - 43 mins Aylestone Park - 56 mins Birstall United - 56 mins Dronfield Town - 38 mins Dunkirk - 39 mins Heath Hayes - 49 mins Hinckley - 1 hour 3 mins Hucknall Town - 29 mins Lutterworth Athletic - 1 hour 2 mins Newark Town - 55 mins New Mills - 1 hour 1 min Nuneaton Griff - 1 hour 7 mins Rainworth Miners Welfare - 36 mins Retford - 55 mins Rocester - 39 mins Rugby Borough - 1 hour 9 mins Shirebrook Town - 33 mins Stapenhill - 35 mins Staveley Miners Welfare - 27 mins West Bridgford - 40 mins Level 9 AFC Mansfield - 38 mins Anstey Nomads - 49 mins Atherstone Town - 59 mins Belper United - local Eastwood Community - 25 mins Heanor Town - 17 mins Heather St. John’s - 47 mins Leicester Nirvana - 1 hour 3 mins Lichfield City - 44 mins Loughborough University - 40 mins Lutterworth Town - 1 hour 2 mins Melton Town - 1 hour 7 mins Newark and Sherwood United - 48 mins Oadby Town - 1 hour 3 mins Quorn - 47 mins Rugby Town - 1 hour 9 mins Uttoxeter Town - 38 mins Level 8 Boldmere St. Michaels - 1 hour Carlton Town - 52 mins Chasetown - 51 mins Coleshill Town - 1 hour 3 mins Glossop North End - 1 hour, 13 mins Gresley Rovers - 43 mins Hanley Town - 59 mins Hinckley Leicester Road - 1 hour 1 min Kidsgrove Athletic - 1 hour 7 mins Leek Town - 51 mins Long Eaton United - 33 mins Loughborough Dynamo - 40 mins Macclesfield Town - 1 hour 7 mins Ossett United - 1 hour 6 mins Shepshed Dynamo - 41 mins Sporting Khalsa - 1 hour 6 mins Stocksbridge Park Steels - 58 mins Sutton Coldfield Town - 56 mins Level 7 Barwell - 1 hour 3 mins Basford United - 32 mins Belper Town - local Coalville Town - 48 mins Hednesford Town - 56 mins Ilkeston Town - 26 mins Matlock Town - 22 mins Mickleover - 19 mins Nuneaton Borough - 1 hour 6 mins Rushall Olympic - 57 mins Tamworth - 49 mins Vanarama National North Alfreton Town - 15 mins Buxton - 48 mins Vanarama National Chesterfield - 30 mins Notts County - 46 mins League Two Mansfield Town - 33 mins Walsall - 1 hour 5 mins League One Burton Albion - 28 mins Derby County - 19 mins Port Vale - 1 hour 9 mins Championship Nottingham Forest - 45 mins Stoke City - 53 mins West Bromwich Albion - 1 hour 8 mins Premiership Aston Villa - 1 hour 8 mins Leicester City - 57 mins Wolverhampton Wanderers - 1 hour 9 mins Notes: [1] I will do my best to stick to managing football clubs from that list but, it depends, how often those jobs become available and the "available" jobs for a Sunday League Footballer with no Coaching Badges will almost certainly rule out the majority of those teams - at least at the start of the save. [2] If Stu Stuniverse gets desperate, he may take a job with a longer commute than he'd like but, if that's the case, he'll almost certainly keep his eyes on the Job Vacancies for a job that will reduce his commute to something more acceptable. [3] If successful, and Stu Stuniverse reaches a level where he is earning a decent salary from being a football manager (let's, for argument's sake, say the default FM23 playable leagues), then he may start to cast his net further and farther when job hunting. *** UPDATE: we discover later in this save that there's a bug in the custom database I'm using that prevents football clubs in the lower leagues offering a salary to their manager. So, for the purposes of this save, we will assume that if a football club is playing in the default FM23 playable leagues (i.e. Vanarama National North / South and above) then the salary on offer would be sufficient for me to give up my full-time day job and relocate. *** -- [4] FA Cup - Football Clubs Tier 9 and above. [5] FA Trophy - Football Clubs Tier 5-8. [6] FA Vase - Football Clubs Tier 9 and below. — Favourite Clubs -- Manager Profile Stu Stuniverse Edited April 7, 2023 by Stuniverse 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KibworthBull Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 (edited) Would Harborough Town and Corby Town be close enough to add to the list? South Leicestershire/North Northants so possibly outside the hour but maybe not by much Edited December 7, 2022 by KibworthBull 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 I imagine Derby is the ultimate goal. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 47 minutes ago, KibworthBull said: Would Harborough Town and Corby Town be close enough to add to the list? South Leicestershire/North Northants so possibly outside the hour but maybe not by much Hello, @KibworthBull. Thank you very much for the suggestions. Northampton is about 90 minutes in the car for me so Corby Town would be too far for the lust, but would be a football club I’d consider stretching the commute for if I was unemployed for any length of time. Not really sure where Harborough is - just done a route planner and it comes up Rugby. I’d considered Rugby for the list and decided against so, I guess, Harborough and Rugby would fall into the same category as Corby. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 37 minutes ago, deltablue said: I imagine Derby is the ultimate goal. Well I am a Derby County season ticket holder, @deltablue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGoals94 Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Excited to follow this, really enjoy your posts each year 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 6 minutes ago, DrGoals94 said: Excited to follow this, really enjoy your posts each year Thank you, @DrGoals94. That’s very kind of you to say. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KibworthBull Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 45 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Hello, @KibworthBull. Thank you very much for the suggestions. Northampton is about 90 minutes in the car for me so Corby Town would be too far for the lust, but would be a football club I’d consider stretching the commute for if I was unemployed for any length of time. Not really sure where Harborough is - just done a route planner and it comes up Rugby. I’d considered Rugby for the list and decided against so, I guess, Harborough and Rugby would fall into the same category as Corby. Market Harborough is 1hr 13 from Derby according to google so just outside the zone. Aylestone Park, Quorn, Birstall United are all Leicester so would possibly be closer 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 Thanks, @KibworthBull. Good to know. I’ll check them out. As Stu Stuniverse will be starting the save unemployed I will be considering the Job Vacancies at the start of the save very closely using Google and Route Planner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) On 07/12/2022 at 17:09, KibworthBull said: Market Harborough is 1hr 13 from Derby according to google so just outside the zone. Aylestone Park, Quorn, Birstall United are all Leicester so would possibly be closer Thanks, @KibworthBull. Aylestone Park, Birstall United and Quorn are all under an hour away (according to Route Planner) so, as long as they are Tier 10 or above and on the custom database, I can add them to the list. Edited December 8, 2022 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) On 07/12/2022 at 17:09, KibworthBull said: Market Harborough is 1hr 13 from Derby according to google so just outside the zone. Aylestone Park, Quorn, Birstall United are all Leicester so would possibly be closer Aylestone Park and Birstall United are now on the list, thank you @KibworthBull. Quorn aren’t because, as far as I can tell, they are below Level 10. Edited December 8, 2022 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KibworthBull Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 22 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Aylestone Park and Birstall United are now on the list, thank you @KibworthBull. Quorn aren’t because, as far as I can tell, they are below Level 10. Quorn are in the United Counties League Prem Division North (Level 9). Melton Town (Melton Mowbray) and Leicester Nirvana (Just North of Centre of Leicester) both in that league as well. Heather St Johns could be as well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) I’ve reviewed the leagues down to Level / Tier 9 and added some more teams to the list of teams that are within commuting distance. I’m pretty confident I’ve got them all that are an hour or less away and I also included some that were slightly over. The Level / Tier 10 teams are currently a big long list and haven’t been put into leagues at this point so I haven’t reviewed them all in detail yet. On 07/12/2022 at 14:18, Stuniverse said: Coming soon... [FM23] Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas To make this save as realistic as possible, Stu Stuniverse will be a Sunday League Footballer (that's the level I played at) and will have no Coaching Badges (as I don't have any). What Football Manager jobs could I get? Probably none but, in FM23 terms, to maximise the realism, I will be using @lionel messi's excellent "England Level 10" custom database. Currently it is unlocked down to Level 8 but, I'm hoping, Level 10 will be unlocked before Christmas, meaning that I can start the save on my Christmas break, if not before. I'm really looking forward to this save as I've never done a long-term save managing at this level on FM before. But, maintaining the realism, I wouldn't be able to take just any job that comes up because I'd need to keep my day job and do the football managing in my free time for a negligible salary if, that is, I get a job that pays a salary at all. So, Stu Stuniverse will start the save unemployed and will only take jobs within easy travelling distance of his home in Derbyshire - hence the title of this save "Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas". Let’s say maximum one hour away according to Route Planner. This, essentially, means the following manager jobs: Level 10 Ashby Ivanhoe - 43 mins Aylestone Park - 56 mins Birstall United - 56 mins Hinckley - 1 hour 3 mins Hucknall Town - 29 mins Nuneaton Griff - 1 hour 7 mins Rainworth Miners Welfare - 36 mins Rocester - 39 mins Stapenhill - 35 mins Level 9 AFC Mansfield - 38 mins Anstey Nomads - 49 mins Atherstone Town - 59 mins Belper United - local Eastwood Community - 25 mins Heanor Town - 17 mins Lichfield City - 44 mins Loughborough University - 40 mins Uttoxeter Town - 38 mins Level 8 Boldmere St. Michaels - 1 hour Carlton Town - 52 mins Chasetown - 51 mins Coleshill Town - 1 hour 3 mins Glossop North End - 1 hour, 13 mins Gresley Rovers - 43 mins Hanley Town - 59 mins Hinckley Leicester Road - 1 hour 1 min Kidsgrove Athletic - 1 hour 7 mins Leek Town - 51 mins Long Eaton United - 33 mins Loughborough Dynamo - 40 mins Macclesfield Town - 1 hour 7 mins Ossett United - 1 hour 6 mins Shepshed Dynamo - 41 mins Sporting Khalsa - 1 hour 6 mins Stocksbridge Park Steels - 58 mins Sutton Coldfield Town - 56 mins Level 7 Barwell - 1 hour 3 mins Basford United - 32 mins Belper Town - local Coalville Town - 48 mins Hednesford Town - 56 mins Ilkeston Town - 26 mins Matlock Town - 22 mins Mickleover - 19 mins Nuneaton Borough - 1 hour 6 mins Rushall Olympic - 57 mins Tamworth - 49 mins Vanarama National North Alfreton Town - 15 mins Buxton - 48 mins Vanarama National Chesterfield - 30 mins Notts County - 46 mins League Two Mansfield Town - 33 mins League One Burton Albion - 28 mins Derby County - 19 mins Championship Nottingham Forest - 45 mins Stoke City - 53 mins Premiership Leicester City - 57 mins Notes: [1] I will do my best to stick to managing football clubs from that list but, it depends, how often those jobs become available and the "available" jobs for a Sunday League Footballer with no Coaching Badges will almost certainly rule out the majority of those teams - at least at the start of the save. [2] If Stu Stuniverse gets desperate, he may take a job with a longer commute than he'd like but, if that's the case, he'll almost certainly keep his eyes on the Job Vacancies for a job that will reduce his commute to something more acceptable. [3] If successful, and Stu Stuniverse reaches a level where he is earning a decent salary from being a football manager (let's, for argument's sake, say the default FM23 playable leagues), then he may start to cast his net further and farther when job hunting. -- Favourite Clubs -- Manager Profile Stu Stuniverse Edited December 18, 2022 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share Posted December 8, 2022 1 minute ago, KibworthBull said: Quorn are in the United Counties League Prem Division North (Level 9). Melton Town (Melton Mowbray) and Leicester Nirvana (Just North of Centre of Leicester) both in that league as well. Heather St Johns could be as well. Thanks, @KibworthBull. I will check that tomorrow but I couldn’t find them on the custom database, but I may not have looked closely at that division. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share Posted December 8, 2022 1 hour ago, KibworthBull said: Quorn are in the United Counties League Prem Division North (Level 9). Melton Town (Melton Mowbray) and Leicester Nirvana (Just North of Centre of Leicester) both in that league as well. Heather St Johns could be as well. Thanks, @KibworthBull, I had missed that division. Heather St Johns, Leicester Nirvana, Melton Town and Quorn are now on the list, as are a few others I found. Melton and Nirvana are over an hour which means, whilst I’ve gone up to 1 hour 10 mins on the list, Stu Stuniverse won’t be prioritising football clubs with commutes over an hour. He would prefer 45 minutes or less. Thank you for your input. Much appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 8, 2022 Author Share Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) Updated list of possible teams… On 07/12/2022 at 14:18, Stuniverse said: Coming soon... [FM23] Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas To make this save as realistic as possible, Stu Stuniverse will be a Sunday League Footballer (that's the level I played at) and will have no Coaching Badges (as I don't have any). What Football Manager jobs could I get? Probably none but, in FM23 terms, to maximise the realism, I will be using @lionel messi's excellent "England Level 10" custom database. Currently it is unlocked down to Level 8 but, I'm hoping, Level 10 will be unlocked before Christmas, meaning that I can start the save on my Christmas break, if not before. I'm really looking forward to this save as I've never done a long-term save managing at this level on FM before. But, maintaining the realism, I wouldn't be able to take just any job that comes up because I'd need to keep my day job and do the football managing in my free time for a negligible salary if, that is, I get a job that pays a salary at all. So, Stu Stuniverse will start the save unemployed and will only take jobs within easy travelling distance of his home in Derbyshire - hence the title of this save "Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas". Let’s say maximum one hour away according to Route Planner. This, essentially, means the following manager jobs: Level 10 Ashby Ivanhoe - 43 mins Aylestone Park - 56 mins Birstall United - 56 mins Dronfield Town - 38 mins Heath Hayes - 49 miles Hinckley - 1 hour 3 mins Hucknall Town - 29 mins Lutterworth Athletic - 1 hour 2 mins Newark Town - 55 mins New Mills - 1 hour 1 min Nuneaton Griff - 1 hour 7 mins Rainworth Miners Welfare - 36 mins Retford - 55 mins Rocester - 39 mins Rugby Borough - 1 hour 9 mins Shirebrook Town - 33 mins Stapenhill - 35 mins Staveley Miners Welfare - 27 mins West Bridgford - 40 mins Level 9 AFC Mansfield - 38 mins Anstey Nomads - 49 mins Atherstone Town - 59 mins Belper United - local Eastwood Community - 25 mins Heanor Town - 17 mins Heather St. John’s - 47 mins Leicester Nirvana - 1 hour 3 mins Lichfield City - 44 mins Loughborough University - 40 mins Lutterworth Town - 1 hour 2 mins Melton Town - 1 hour 7 mins Newark and Sherwood United - 48 mins Quorn - 47 mins Rugby Town - 1 hour 9 mins Uttoxeter Town - 38 mins Level 8 Boldmere St. Michaels - 1 hour Carlton Town - 52 mins Chasetown - 51 mins Coleshill Town - 1 hour 3 mins Gresley Rovers - 43 mins Hanley Town - 59 mins Hinckley Leicester Road - 1 hour 1 min Kidsgrove Athletic - 1 hour 7 mins Leek Town - 51 mins Long Eaton United - 33 mins Loughborough Dynamo - 40 mins Macclesfield Town - 1 hour 7 mins Ossett United - 1 hour 6 mins Shepshed Dynamo - 41 mins Sporting Khalsa - 1 hour 6 mins Stocksbridge Park Steels - 58 mins Sutton Coldfield Town - 56 mins Level 7 Barwell - 1 hour 3 mins Basford United - 32 mins Belper Town - local Coalville Town - 48 mins Hednesford Town - 56 mins Ilkeston Town - 26 mins Matlock Town - 22 mins Mickleover - 19 mins Nuneaton Borough - 1 hour 6 mins Rushall Olympic - 57 mins Tamworth - 49 mins Vanarama National North Alfreton Town - 15 mins Buxton - 48 mins Vanarama National Chesterfield - 30 mins Notts County - 46 mins League Two Mansfield Town - 33 mins League One Burton Albion - 28 mins Derby County - 19 mins Championship Nottingham Forest - 45 mins Stoke City - 53 mins Premiership Leicester City - 57 mins Notes: [1] I will do my best to stick to managing football clubs from that list but, it depends, how often those jobs become available and the "available" jobs for a Sunday League Footballer with no Coaching Badges will almost certainly rule out the majority of those teams - at least at the start of the save. [2] If Stu Stuniverse gets desperate, he may take a job with a longer commute than he'd like but, if that's the case, he'll almost certainly keep his eyes on the Job Vacancies for a job that will reduce his commute to something more acceptable. [3] If successful, and Stu Stuniverse reaches a level where he is earning a decent salary from being a football manager (let's, for argument's sake, say the default FM23 playable leagues), then he may start to cast his net further and farther when job hunting. -- Favourite Clubs -- Manager Profile Stu Stuniverse Edited December 18, 2022 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 @lionel messi has announced that his excellent database has now been released with England Level / Tier 10 unlocked. So, all things being well, I should be able to start my main FM23 Career Update save on Sunday 18th December 2022. Thank you for all your hard work @lionel messi, I’m really looking forward to this save using your custom database. My very best wishes to you. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionel messi Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 7 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: @lionel messi has announced that his excellent database has now been released with England Level / Tier 10 unlocked. So, all things being well, I should be able to start my main FM23 Career Update save on Sunday 18th December 2022. Thank you for all your hard work @lionel messi, I’m really looking forward to this save using your custom database. My very best wishes to you. Your welcome. Hope you enjoy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 8 minutes ago, lionel messi said: Your welcome. Hope you enjoy. Thank you. Hopefully it will also encourage me to watch my local team, Belper Town, more often as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionel messi Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 4 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Thank you. Hopefully it will also encourage me to watch my local team, Belper Town, more often as well. My local team is Hucknall Town 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 Can't wait for this! Will definitely follow your progress closely! Good luck on your journey mate! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 42 minutes ago, DavidBeckham said: Can't wait for this! Will definitely follow your progress closely! Good luck on your journey mate! Thank you, @DavidBeckham. I appreciate that very much. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionel messi Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 I have got a Level 10 challenge up on the challenges page if you want to join that at some point. The challenge to take a Level 10 team all the way to premier League & European glory picking up points for competion wins & promotions. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Here we go... Setting up the save On 07/12/2022 at 14:18, Stuniverse said: I will be using @lionel messi's excellent "England Level 10" custom database. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearomaniac Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 Good luck brother, this looks like its going to be a fun one. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 1 minute ago, Pearomaniac said: Good luck brother, this looks like its going to be a fun one. Thanks very much, @Pearomaniac. I hope so... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Monday 27th June 2022 Difficult Decision - finally made I've played football since I was able to first kick a football. Apparently, I could kick a football with umph before I could even talk. But, with my aching knees and ankles, it's become harder and harder over the last couple of seasons and taken me longer and longer to recover after a football match. So, after thoroughly enjoying my playing time with the Branston Arms, the Navigation, Bretby Miners Welfare and the Nag's Head, I can't face another pre-season and have reluctantly decided to hang up my football boots. Maybe I'll be able to find time now to watch my favourite teams Derby County, Burton Albion and Belper Town more often. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearomaniac Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 aw man, it must be tough hanging ur boots when ur at your peek, it was such a pleasure watching u on the muddy pitches of sunday league clubs, i will miss those times. Well, chin up, better times ahead of u. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 9 minutes ago, Pearomaniac said: aw man, it must be tough hanging ur boots when ur at your peek, it was such a pleasure watching u on the muddy pitches of sunday league clubs, i will miss those times. Well, chin up, better times ahead of u. Thanks, @Pearomaniac, that’s very kind of you to say. To be honest with you, I’m kind of lost, I don’t know what to do with myself outside of work. My wife has suggested I take up refereeing but, knowing all the abuse I used to dish out to referees on the pitch, and my teammates dished out, I’m not sure I want to be on the receiving end of it. She also suggested I could take up managing a football team but I’m not sure if I’m cut out for that and I don’t have any coaching badges. Mind you, I don’t think any of the managers I played for had coaching badges. I think the missus just wants me out of the house at the weekends again during the football season. Hopefully see you around, either on muddy pitches or down the pub or something… Take care. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearomaniac Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 16 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Thanks, @Pearomaniac, that’s very kind of you to say. To be honest with you, I’m kind of lost, I don’t know what to do with myself outside of work. My wife has suggested I take up refereeing but, knowing all the abuse I used to dish out to referees on the pitch, and my teammates dished out, I’m not sure I want to be on the receiving end of it. She also suggested I could take up managing a football team but I’m not sure if I’m cut out for that and I don’t have any coaching badges. Mind you, I don’t think any of the managers I played for had coaching badges. I think the missus just wants me out of the house at the weekends again during the football season. Hopefully see you around, either on muddy pitches or down the pub or something… Take care. No man, ref? U crazy, u want to get hair dryer treatment from some sunday league dudes whenever u reach for your pocket, screw that. Listen, the matter fact if u need some help in club management i apply to be your assman free of charge. Im sure whatever club hires u they will be lucky to have u, better to be a manager and yell at the ref then to be yelled at. Im sure the missus will understand everything one day when u bring home the trophy of the Midland League. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 The Rules of the Save... well, maybe... the Guidelines So, on the opening post of this thread, I listed what I thought would be the rules of this save... On 07/12/2022 at 14:18, Stuniverse said: So, Stu Stuniverse will start the save unemployed and will only take jobs within easy travelling distance of his home in Derbyshire - hence the title of this save "Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas". Let’s say maximum one hour away according to Route Planner. This, essentially, means the following manager jobs: Level 10 Ashby Ivanhoe - 43 mins Aylestone Park - 56 mins Birstall United - 56 mins Dronfield Town - 38 mins Heath Hayes - 49 mins Hinckley - 1 hour 3 mins Hucknall Town - 29 mins Lutterworth Athletic - 1 hour 2 mins Newark Town - 55 mins New Mills - 1 hour 1 min Nuneaton Griff - 1 hour 7 mins Rainsworth Miners Welfare - 36 mins Retford - 55 mins Rocester - 39 mins Rugby Borough - 1 hour 9 mins Shirebrook Town - 33 mins Stapenhill - 35 mins Staveley Miners Welfare - 27 mins West Bridgford - 40 mins Willington - 22 mins Level 9 AFC Mansfield - 38 mins Anstey Nomads - 49 mins Atherstone Town - 59 mins Belper United - local Eastwood Community - 25 mins Heanor Town - 17 mins Heather St. John’s - 47 mins Leicester Nirvana - 1 hour 3 mins Lichfield City - 44 mins Loughborough University - 40 mins Lutterworth Town - 1 hour 2 mins Melton Town - 1 hour 7 mins Newark and Sherwood United - 48 mins Quorn - 47 mins Rugby Town - 1 hour 9 mins Uttoxeter Town - 38 mins Level 8 Boldmere St. Michaels - 1 hour Carlton Town - 52 mins Chasetown - 51 mins Coleshill Town - 1 hour 3 mins Glossop North End - 1 hour, 13 mins Gresley Rovers - 43 mins Hanley Town - 59 mins Hinckley Leicester Road - 1 hour 1 min Kidsgrove Athletic - 1 hour 7 mins Leek Town - 51 mins Long Eaton United - 33 mins Loughborough Dynamo - 40 mins Macclesfield Town - 1 hour 7 mins Ossett United - 1 hour 6 mins Shepshed Dynamo - 41 mins Sporting Khalsa - 1 hour 6 mins Stocksbridge Park Steels - 58 mins Sutton Coldfield Town - 56 mins Level 7 Barwell - 1 hour 3 mins Basford United - 32 mins Belper Town - local Coalville Town - 48 mins Hednesford Town - 56 mins Ilkeston Town - 26 mins Matlock Town - 22 mins Mickleover - 19 mins Nuneaton Borough - 1 hour 6 mins Rushall Olympic - 57 mins Tamworth - 49 mins Vanarama National North Alfreton Town - 15 mins Buxton - 48 mins Vanarama National Chesterfield - 30 mins Notts County - 46 mins League Two Mansfield Town - 33 mins Walsall - 1 hour 5 mins League One Burton Albion - 28 mins Derby County - 19 mins Port Vale - 1 hour 9 mins Championship Nottingham Forest - 45 mins Stoke City - 53 mins West Bromwich Albion - 1 hour 8 mins Premiership Aston Villa - 1 hour 8 mins Leicester City - 57 mins Wolverhampton Wanderers - 1 hour 9 mins Notes: [1] I will do my best to stick to managing football clubs from that list but, it depends, how often those jobs become available and the "available" jobs for a Sunday League Footballer with no Coaching Badges will almost certainly rule out the majority of those teams - at least at the start of the save. [2] If Stu Stuniverse gets desperate, he may take a job with a longer commute than he'd like but, if that's the case, he'll almost certainly keep his eyes on the Job Vacancies for a job that will reduce his commute to something more acceptable. [3] If successful, and Stu Stuniverse reaches a level where he is earning a decent salary from being a football manager (let's, for argument's sake, say the default FM23 playable leagues), then he may start to cast his net further and farther when job hunting. But I'm now seeing them more as guidelines because, as the save progresses, I'm going to do what feels right to me at the time "in the spirit" of the guidelines so that I enjoy the save. I reckon that if I'm enjoying the save, it'll be enjoyable for those of you who are reading and following the thread. I will endeavour to remain true to the spirit of the save (the premise). The Premise of the Save Stu Stuniverse is a Sunday League footballer, with no coaching badges, who has hung up his football boots earlier than he would've liked due to his knees and ankles no longer being up to it. He's a bit lost and not sure what to do with all this free time he's got on his hands... (but this is an FM23 save so we know that he's going to stumble into a Football Manager job if there's any football teams in the Top 10 Tiers of English football stupid enough to give him a job) Stuniverse has a full-time day-job and that's a localised job in Derbyshire so he can't up-sticks and relocate his family to far-flung parts of the country... at least not until, if, he's earning enough that he can afford to do so. Also, Stuniverse doesn't want to be commuting for hours and hours so, initially: A job within half an hours travel would be ideal, Maybe he could stretch that 45 minutes, Maybe an hour... tops! Stuniverse doesn't really want a job more than an hour away, but would take one if he becomes desperate... But if he did take a job more than an hour away, he'd almost certainly be actively job hunting to find a football club closer to home. At some point, if Stuniverse is successful and climbs the pyramid, he may rethink that... but let's worry about that when and if he gets there. For now, Stuniverse is unemployed, with no coaching badges, and only Sunday Footballer experience. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Pearomaniac said: No man, ref? U crazy, u want to get hair dryer treatment from some sunday league dudes whenever u reach for your pocket, screw that. Listen, the matter fact if u need some help in club management i apply to be your assman free of charge. Im sure whatever club hires u they will be lucky to have u, better to be a manager and yell at the ref then to be yelled at. Im sure the missus will understand everything one day when u bring home the trophy of the Midland League. Thanks, @Pearomaniac. You think I should go into Football Management, then? 7 minutes ago, Pearomaniac said: Listen, the matter fact if u need some help in club management i apply to be your assman free of charge That's very gracious of you. If only I could get you into the save somehow I'd take you up on that offer... 😂⚽️🤣 Edited December 18, 2022 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearomaniac Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 3 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Thanks, @Pearomaniac. You think I should go into Football Management, then? Of course man, start knocking doors and most importantly dont ask for money, be happy with kebabs and beer after matches. You ever thought of being a player/manager? Its been so long since i heard for one. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 (edited) Monday 27th June 2022 Job Centre So I think these are the Level / Tier 10 Divisions in the database (all 17 of them)... And Wow! Just, wow. I think there's just over 250 manager vacancies at Level / Tier 10 (the lowest unlocked tier). These are just the first page (before scrolling). Edited December 18, 2022 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearomaniac Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 (edited) Jesus Christ, im gonna find websites or socials of those clubs IRL and start applying myself edit: whats the most cheeky name among those clubs Edited December 18, 2022 by Pearomaniac 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Monday 27th June 2022 Narrowing down the job search Based on the list of football clubs I compiled earlier within reasonable travelling distance, I've narrowed the 17 Level / Tier 10 divisions down to just five divisions: Midlands League Division 1 Northern Counties East League Division 1 North West Counties League Division 1 South Spartan South Midlands League Division 1 United Counties League Division 1 That brings the vacancies down from approximately 252 to 63. But how many of them are commutable? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 (edited) Monday 27th June 2022 Narrowing the Job Search even further 37 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Based on the list of football clubs I compiled earlier within reasonable travelling distance, I've narrowed the 17 Level / Tier 10 divisions down to just five divisions: Midlands League Division 1 Northern Counties East League Division 1 North West Counties League Division 1 South Spartan South Midlands League Division 1 United Counties League Division 1 That brings the vacancies down from approximately 252 to 63. And cross-referencing the football clubs in those five divisions, against the list of football clubs within reasonable travelling distance, I've narrowed it down to nine possibilities. 27 mins - Staveley Miners Welfare 29 mins - Hucknall Town 33 mins - Shirebrook Town 35 mins - Stapenhill 36 mins - Rainworth Miners Welfare 40 mins - West Bridgford 49 mins - Heath Hayes 55 mins - Newark Town 1 hour, 9 mins - Rugby Borough So let's take a closer look at each of those. Which one(s) would you apply for? -- Staveley Miners Welfare (Amateur) - 27 minutes. Spoiler -- Hucknall Town (Amateur) - 29 minutes Spoiler -- Shirebrook Town (Amateur) - 33 minutes. Spoiler -- Stapenhill (Amateur) - 35 minutes. Spoiler -- Rainworth Miners Welfare (Amateur) - 36 minutes. Spoiler -- West Bridgford (Amateur) - 40 minutes. Spoiler -- Heath Hayes (Amateur) - 49 minutes. Spoiler -- Newark Town (Amateur) - 55 minutes. Spoiler -- Rugby Borough (Amateur) - 1 hour, 9 minutes. Spoiler Edited December 18, 2022 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 (edited) Monday 27th June 2022 Job Applications 26 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: And cross-referencing the football clubs in those five divisions, against the list of football clubs within reasonable travelling distance, I've narrowed it down to nine possibilities. 27 mins - Staveley Miners Welfare 29 mins - Hucknall Town 33 mins - Shirebrook Town 35 mins - Stapenhill 36 mins - Rainworth Miners Welfare 40 mins - West Bridgford 49 mins - Heath Hayes 55 mins - Newark Town 1 hour, 9 mins - Rugby Borough I have reviewed all nine football clubs and some are better prospects than others. There's only one football club that I have any kind of connection to and that's Stapenhill. I was born and bred in Burton-on-Trent and Stapenhill is a parish of Burton-on-Trent. But, as beggars can't be choosers at this stage of my career, and in the spirit of the guidelines for this save, I've applied for the five football clubs that I can drive to within 36 minutes. Wish me luck that one of these football clubs are foolish enough to offer Stu Stuniverse a job. Edited December 18, 2022 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 13 hours ago, lionel messi said: My local team is Hucknall Town Small world, @lionel messi. You can't be that far away from me. And, spookily, Hucknall Town are one of the five job vacancies I've applied for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makoto Nakamura Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 2 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Small world, @lionel messi. You can't be that far away from me. And, spookily, Hucknall Town are one of the five job vacancies I've applied for. I've not looked myself, but I'd always choose the team with the nicest or most rustic/unique stadium. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Müller Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 Interesting concept, looking forward to it! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 24 minutes ago, Makoto Nakamura said: I've not looked myself, but I'd always choose the team with the nicest or most rustic/unique stadium. Thanks, @Makoto Nakamura. Watch this space...! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 14 minutes ago, Herr Müller said: Interesting concept, looking forward to it! Thanks, @Herr Müller. I hope you enjoy it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Sunday 3rd July 2022 I'm in demand Unbelievably, five job applications made, five offers of job interviews received. Those football clubs must be mad... or desperate. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Interview 1: Hucknall Town I'll be honest, I didn't really know what to expect but I felt the interview went well. Mr Huxley wants Hucknall Town to finish in the top-half. The only slightly awkward question was why I appeared to be in the running for a number of jobs? I said I was exploring my options. I'm unemployed, with no coaching badges and Sunday League footballer experience. Surely, he can't expect me to only apply for one job vacancy at a time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Interview 2: Stapenhill It was a very similar interview to the Hucknall Town one. Mr Dixon wants Stapenhill to challenge for the playoffs. Surprisingly, Stapenhill have a Director of Football. I said I'd be happy to work with him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Interview 3: Staveley Miners Welfare Another very similar interview. Mr Damms wants Staveley Miners Welfare to compete for a playoff place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Interview 4: Shirebrook Town Again, a very similar interview. I'm not sure about the ambition at the Langwith Road Ground though as Mr Evenson wants Shirebrook Town to avoid finishing bottom of the league. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 Interview 5: Rainworth Miners Welfare The fifth and final interview went very much like the other four. Mr Hills wants Rainworth Miners Welfare to finish in the top-half of the league. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted December 18, 2022 Author Share Posted December 18, 2022 (edited) Sunday 3rd July 2022 Out of my hands now... Well I've done all I can. Five managerial jobs applied for, five interviews attended, now it's fingers crossed 🤞 and waiting to hear back from the Chairmen and Owners. Who would you choose to manage? (assuming I get any job offers). -- 5 hours ago, Pearomaniac said: Listen, the matter fact if u need some help in club management i apply to be your assman free of charge. Im sure whatever club hires u they will be lucky to have u As my would-be assistant manager, @Pearomaniac, what do you think? Edited December 18, 2022 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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