[FM23] Learning my trade in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and surrounding areas

[Stuniverse]

Friday 1st December 2023

Operation Save Money - Staveley Miners Welfare version

Player Bonuses

We have a squad that is currently top of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, and the Board have set a required expectation of "Gain automatic promotion..." so I'm not going to jeopardise that by picking a weaker team purely because it will cost us less. I've been tasked with winning the Division, I've assembled a squad that looks capable of doing that, so I'm going to select the best starting 11 and subs bench I can each week.

But what I will endeavour to do is keep within the wage budget.

20 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Mr Terry Damms has set me a wage budget of £1,926.00 per week and this is where it gets confusing because none of the players get paid a wage, but they do get paid bonuses, and every time I signed a new player, our "Currently spending" and "Committed spending" increased so I guess this is where it shows.

We are £47.00 over budget but that will come back in line when Jake Wallace joins Portadown on New Year's Day.

I think...

--

Scouting

What I am going to do though is stop, or at least try to stop, all scouting activities to save on scouting costs.

We have 11 Active Recruitment Focuses so let's cancel those.

Done.

--

Our scouting team is currently scouting 154 players...

... so I'm going to cancel all of those assignments with immediate effect.

Done.

--

 

Edited February 5, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 2nd December 2023

Preview: Goole (Home)

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

We have no injury concerns, but Filozofe Mabete is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card last time out.

Tom Hannigan is recalled to the starting line-up with Bolton Makwedza taking a place on the bench.

 

[Pearomaniac]

Wait, how many promotions u had so far?

[Stuniverse]

6 minutes ago, Pearomaniac said:

Wait, how many promotions u had so far?

Just the one, @Pearomaniac. I'm in my second season (2023/24).

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 2nd December 2023

Staveley Miners Welfare v Goole

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

Inkersall Road, Staveley

--

Today was a complete performance by us although we weren't at our best.

Lewis Farmer and D'Andre Wainwright both scored and, at the other end, we defended resolutely at Goole never really looked like scoring.

Our goalkeeper, Sam Waller, will certainly have busier games.

[Pearomaniac]

21 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Just the one, @Pearomaniac. I'm in my second season (2023/24).

So thats like 9th level of competition?

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 2nd December 2023

Belper Town sack McDonald after 171 days in charge

Edited February 5, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

1 minute ago, Pearomaniac said:

So thats like 9th level of competition?

Yes. Won Tier 10 last season, now in Tier 9.

 

[Pearomaniac]

1 minute ago, Stuniverse said:

Yes. Won Tier 10 last season, now in Tier 9.

 

Very very nice, ur killing it

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 2nd December 2023

I've requested a new contract

My current contract:

I've asked Mr Terry Damms (Owner / Chairperson) about a new contract.

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 3rd December 2023

I've applied for the Belper Town manager's job

Belper Town play in Tier 7, two levels above Staveley Miners Welfare, although The Nailers are currently rock bottom of the Norther Premier League Premier Division.

Edited February 5, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 3rd December 2023

Oh boy, Terry's going to offer me a new contract

 

Edited February 5, 2023 by Stuniverse

[warlock]

3 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Terry's going to offer me a new contract

Good luck! I'm a bit conflicted about the Belper Town job - you're currently on course to start next season in Tier 8; Belper are currently on course to start next season in Tier 8. They're currently two levels above you but with a wage bill that's only £30-ish a week higher than yours. I'd have a look at some of the other wage bills in their division and see how they compare; ditto their key players vs Staveley's - there's probably a reason why they're nailed on for relegation. On the face of it, it doesn't look like a great move (IMHO )

[Stuniverse]

7 hours ago, warlock said:

Good luck! I'm a bit conflicted about the Belper Town job - you're currently on course to start next season in Tier 8; Belper are currently on course to start next season in Tier 8. They're currently two levels above you but with a wage bill that's only £30-ish a week higher than yours. I'd have a look at some of the other wage bills in their division and see how they compare; ditto their key players vs Staveley's - there's probably a reason why they're nailed on for relegation. On the face of it, it doesn't look like a great move (IMHO )

Thanks, @warlock. You make a very good point and I will respond in more detail but a quick question for you or anybody reading this…

How do I?

7 hours ago, warlock said:

higher than yours. I'd have a look at some of the other wage bills in their division and see how they compare

I’m currently in the save and, I thought, if I went to the League page it would be an option off there. I can find sponsorship income but I can’t find wage budget.

Any ideas?

[Punch]

9 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

I’m currently in the save and, I thought, if I went to the League page it would be an option off there. I can find sponsorship income but I can’t find wage budget.

Any ideas?

 

I use the Tato skin, and you can see the finances of our most recent opponent at the bottom right of the screen, just taken from club overview page.

Not sure what skin you are using or if it has the option to show off the club home page.

If you have the editor you can also take a quick look at the club details that way.

Edited February 6, 2023 by Punch

[Stuniverse]

8 minutes ago, Punch said:

 

I use the Tato skin, and you can see the finances of our most recent opponent at the bottom right of the screen, just taken from club overview page.

Thanks, @Punch. I’m not using any skins, just the default FM display.

[Punch]

Just now, Stuniverse said:

Thanks, @Punch. I’m not using any skins, just the default FM display.

It's been that long since I used a default FM display, I don't even remember what they look like

[Stuniverse]

8 hours ago, warlock said:

Good luck! I'm a bit conflicted about the Belper Town job - you're currently on course to start next season in Tier 8; Belper are currently on course to start next season in Tier 8. They're currently two levels above you but with a wage bill that's only £30-ish a week higher than yours. I'd have a look at some of the other wage bills in their division and see how they compare; ditto their key players vs Staveley's - there's probably a reason why they're nailed on for relegation. On the face of it, it doesn't look like a great move (IMHO )

You raise some very good points there, @warlock and I am somewhat torn in that respect myself. There's a few things to pick up on here.

Staveley Miners Welfare

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying my time at Inkersall Road and, the longer this season goes on (currently played 18 of 38 league games), the more I'd like to see if I can manage The Trojans to back-to-back promotions from Tier 10 to Tier 8 it would be if we go up this season. The squad I have assembled is a settled one, they seem to be happy as they keep turning down offers from elsewhere, and they are a great bunch to work with. As long as the squad, or the bulk of the squad, remain at Staveley Minders Welfare (any of them could leave at any time as Jake Wallace is doing to join Portadown in January), then footballing wise I'm happy.

--

But...

Finances

Staveley Miners Welfare are currently haemorrhaging money and, I'm new to managing at this low a level in FM, so I don't know if that is typical or not, although I guess finances are going to be an issue for most non-league football clubs.

Remember, I didn't request that we go Semi-Professional, it was my Owner / Chairperson Terry Damms who came to me with the idea. When I agreed, I assumed he'd thought it through, but my big concern was where was the additional revenue going to come from to cover the increased expenditure? Will Terry finance the football club as and when needed? So far on the save he hasn't put in any extra money and he didn't in the summer when the club transitioned from Amateur to Semi-Professional.

To what extent I should be worried about the club losing money hand-over-foot I'm not sure but, as you can see from my post at the top of this page, I've had a knee-jerk panic reaction and stopped all scouting of players. What I do know is that the financial situation would look a lot worse without the prize money we earnt from our FA Cup run and are continuing to earn from the FA Vase.

Will other clubs higher up the football pyramid, (like Belper Town, for example) be in a more stable place finance wise with better income streams? I'm not sure.

From what I can tell, Staveley Miners Welfare are a well-established Tier 9 club who got relegated in the 2021/22 (season before this save started) and I got them promoted back to Tier 9 at the first attempt.

Belper Town, on the other hand, are a club who are well-established a Tier higher in Tier 8 who, in real-life, got promoted to Tier 7 in 2013/14 and came straight back down. Belper got promoted to Tier 7 again the season before this save started and, whilst in-game they avoided relegation last season (two places and seven points above the relegation zone), but this season they are rock bottom and 12 points adrift, staring relegation squarely in the face.

So, yes @warlock, the odds are that both Staveley and Belper will be Tier 8 next season?

--

Wage Budgets

As we know, Staveley Miners Welfare's wage budget is £1,926 per week and I'm currently spending £1,973 per week (which will fall back under budget when Jake Wallace leaves for Portadown).

Belper Town are stating a wage budget of £2,000 per week in their job advert and their current wage bill is... (D'oh! I can't work out how to find that in the save) but their finances are showing as okay.

Mind you, Staveley's finances are currently showing okay as well and we're haemorrhaging money.

What I have been able to find out:

• Sponsorship Income: Staveley £2K | Belper £14K
• Season Tickets: Staveley 52 at £66 = £3,432 | Belper 41 at £155 = £6,355
• Ticket Prices: Staveley £5 attendance at last home game 207 | Belper £9 attendance at last home game 291

--

Premise for the save

This is unlikely to be a one-club save. Stuniverse is not being paid at Staveley Miners Welfare and his day-job, which currently pays the bills, is local and he's not willing to relocate and find another day-job. So, for now (at least until he earns a wage from being a football manager that allows him to give up his day-job) he's not willing to relocate and will only consider football manager jobs within reasonable travelling distance (up to an hourish, but the closer to half-an-hour the better).

From a sentimental point of view, three non-league clubs jumped out at me because a) they were very local and b) I'd actually been to their grounds and watched them play.

These three, in what I'd assume would be reputational order, are:

1. Matlock Town - (one star reputation) well established at Tier 7 and currently challenging for promotion in real-life (not doing as well in this save)
2. Mickleover - (one star reputation) established at Tier 7 since 2014/15
3. Belper Town - (half star reputation) established at Tier 8, currently punching above their traditional level in Tier 7

Of those three, Belper Town is the one I have the strongest affinity for as I've actually watched Belper a few times playing competitively in league and cup matches, whereas I've only watched Matlock and Mickleover in pre-season friendlies against a Derby County XI.

Staveley are currently half star reputation and I have a one star reputation now I've bagged my National B Licence.

Note: In the very first post of this save, I listed the localish teams I thought stuniverse would consider (I can't guarantee I got them all). The higher up the football pyramid you go, the fewer options are available to him.

--

Lots to weigh up

So lots to weigh up and consider.

Terry Damms, at Staveley Miners Welfare, is about to offer me a new contract. Will he finally pay me a salary?

Belper Town have said they plan to give caretaker manager Leigh Kelly time to prove he deserves the job so an interview, if I get an interview, is likely to be some way off yet. And will I get an interview? Belper interviewed me earlier this season, when I only had a half star reputation, and chose to give the job to Liam McDonald, who they sacked 171 days later. Will they even shortlist me this time round?

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Punch]

4 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

So far on the save he hasn't put in any extra money and he didn't in the summer when the club transitioned from Amateur to Semi-Professional.

Not sure if it's a general rule, but I have found owners/boards will tip in money at the end of the season.

You might have to show some patience and se what happens at the end of this season.

[Stuniverse]

Monday 4th December 2023

Thanks Mr Damms, but no thanks

I'm not committing to two years on no salary.

Not yet... any way.

I walked away.

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

10 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Monday 4th December 2023

Thanks Mr Damms, but no thanks

I'm not committing to two years on no salary.

Not yet... any way.

I walked away.

I may be being unreasonable here, as I'm not sure at what Tier in the football pyramid I can realistically expect to be paid a manager's salary, but when my players are being paid, and some of my backroom staff are being paid, I don't think it's an unrealistic expectation that Staveley Miners Welfare should also pay their manager.

8 hours ago, warlock said:

Good luck! I'm a bit conflicted about the Belper Town job - you're currently on course to start next season in Tier 8; Belper are currently on course to start next season in Tier 8. They're currently two levels above you but with a wage bill that's only £30-ish a week higher than yours. I'd have a look at some of the other wage bills in their division and see how they compare; ditto their key players vs Staveley's - there's probably a reason why they're nailed on for relegation. On the face of it, it doesn't look like a great move (IMHO )

Essentially, @warlock, to answer your question, Stuniverse would see any manager's job that paid him as a step-up from Staveley Miners Welfare who, for whatever reason, are unwilling to pay him.

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

15 minutes ago, Punch said:

Not sure if it's a general rule, but I have found owners/boards will tip in money at the end of the season.

You might have to show some patience and se what happens at the end of this season.

Yes, I think you are probably correct, @Punch. Unfortunately though, I'm not known for my patience.

For now, Stuniverse is willing to stay at Staveley Miners Welfare (I don't see him quitting and walking away any time soon) until he gets a better offer from another football club.

Of course, all that potentially changes the moment the Staveley Miners Welfare Board decide to pay him.

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Tuesday 5th December 2023

Barwell have a managerial vacancy

Barwell were relegated from the Southern League Premier Central division (Tier 7) last season and now play in the Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands division (Tier 8).

Barwell FC is 43.4 miles from where I live, approximately a 1 hour 3 minutes drive.

--

I'm not overly keen on the Barwell job due to the distance it is away and also, from a footballing perspective, their wage budget is considerably lower than ours even though they are playing in in the Tier above us. A Tier, Staveley Miners Welfare will be playing at next season if we can maintain our title challenge.

That said, I have applied for the job.

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

How worried should I be about the finances?

15 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Friday 1st December 2023

This was my worry when we went Semi-Professional

Now I'm no accountant, and the finances are Staveley Miners Welfare's Owner / Chairperson Terry Damms's responsibility, not mine, but let's see if we can find out where we're losing all that money...

Summary

 

Income

 

Expenditure

 

Wages

 

Debts and Loans

 

Sponsors and Other

 

Projection

--

So where's the problem?

Where's the hole in the bucket?

Where are we losing the money?

For those of you who have managed in the lower non-leagues in FM previously, how worried should I be about the financial situation at Staveley Miners Welfare (Tier 9)?

14 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Friday 1st September 2023

Where is the money going?

Have you worked it out?

Let's take a closer look...

Travel Costs

Not much I can do about that. We have to travel to away matches although, I have noticed, there appears to be fewer local teams now we've been promoted from Northern Counties East League Division 1 to Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

--

Scouting Costs

So this one, I suppose, is partly on me as I set-up the Recruitment Focuses and request scouting reports on players. I knew it costs £120.00 a time to scout players but I guess this mounts up.

Although, to be fair, we've only spent £24,760 on scouting so far this season so would come in under the £70,185 scouting budget Mr Terry Damms signed-off on.

--

Ground Maitenance

Again, not much we can do about Ground Maitenance as we have got to maintain Inkersall Road so that we can play our home matches.

--

Bonuses

Well done, @Punch... this looks like our big expense and, you are right, it's the appearance fees, unused substitute fees, goal bonuses, clean sheet bonuses, assist bonuses etc.

Hmmmn, well we're top of the league because I'm playing my best players and, in the majority of cases, my better players are going to be paid the biggest fees and bonuses.

I suppose 16 players in a matchday squad each game, with bonuses, it's going to add up. I could look at playing players that would cost us less but then I'll be picking worse players and a worse team and our results will surely suffer.

Mr Terry Damms has set me a wage budget of £1,926.00 per week and this is where it gets confusing because none of the players get paid a wage, but they do get paid bonuses, and every time I signed a new player, our "Currently spending" and "Committed spending" increased so I guess this is where it shows.

We are £47.00 over budget but that will come back in line when Jake Wallace joins Portadown on New Year's Day.

I think...

--

Tagged: @cerud @deltablue @JaytheGreat @keeper#1 @KibworthBull @Pearomaniac @Punch @samboing @warlock @lionel messi

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[warlock]

2 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

any manager's job that paid him as a step-up from Staveley Miners Welfare

Good point, and an aspect of the save I'd forgotten. In terms of realism, I think this is the key criteria. Follow the money 

As for club finances, my view is that as manager it ain't my problem. The board set the budgets and as long as I don't overspend I'm fulfilling my responsibilities. In fact, via a cup run or two, and a promotion, I'm probably doing more to improve the club's finances than the board are.

But in terms of FM's approach to finance, my experience has been that the board will always find a way to continue, either via a cash injection or a bank loan. Large debts can have consequences when you reach Tier 5/6 but since you're unlikely to have any kind of transfer budget before then those consequences are limited.

[keeper#1]

I agree with @warlock.  Your job isn't to balance the budget sheets.  That's the board's job.  If the board give you a budget and you don't exceed that budget, that's on the board not on you.  

 

[Stuniverse]

2 hours ago, warlock said:

As for club finances, my view is that as manager it ain't my problem. The board set the budgets and as long as I don't overspend I'm fulfilling my responsibilities. In fact, via a cup run or two, and a promotion, I'm probably doing more to improve the club's finances than the board are.

24 minutes ago, keeper#1 said:

I agree with @warlock.  Your job isn't to balance the budget sheets.  That's the board's job.  If the board give you a budget and you don't exceed that budget, that's on the board not on you.  

 

Thanks @warlock and @keeper#1 that's always been my attitude as well when playing FM, but I usually play at League One, Championship, Premier League level (or equivalent in other Nations) but, strangely, I'm feeling more of a sense of responsibility for Staveley Miners Welfare (or any lower non-league club I was managing) in this save.

5 hours ago, Punch said:

Not sure if it's a general rule, but I have found owners/boards will tip in money at the end of the season.

2 hours ago, warlock said:

But in terms of FM's approach to finance, my experience has been that the board will always find a way to continue, either via a cash injection or a bank loan. Large debts can have consequences when you reach Tier 5/6 but since you're unlikely to have any kind of transfer budget before then those consequences are limited.

Yes, @Punch and @warlock that's always been my experience as well but, again, it's one thing letting a Premier League / Championship Owner throw money at it but it doesn't quite sit right expecting a Tier7-10 Owner to do that.

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Wednesday 6th December 2023

Preview: Yorkshire Amateur (Home)

Norrthern Counties East League Cup 2nd Round

Yorkshire Amateur finished bottom of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division (Tier 9) division last season and got relegated into the Tier 10 division we won.

Currently they are 14th in the Northern Counties East League Division 1.

We have a clean bill of health.

No changes to the starting 11 but, after serving his suspension, Filozofe Mabete replaces Bolton Makwedza on the bench.

[Stuniverse]

Wednesday 6th December 2023

Staveley Miners Welfare v Yorkshire Amateur

Northern Counties East League Cup 2nd Round

Inkersall Road, Staveley

--

This was a pretty routine win for us, to be fair.

D'Andre Wainwright scored both our goals.

The only negative on the evening was losing Lewis Farmer with what looked like a nasty knee injury.

 

[Stuniverse]

Thursday 7th December 2023

Northern Counties East League Cup 3rd Round Draw

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 9th December 2023

Preview: Beverley Town (Home)

FA Vase 3rd Round

Beverley Town are 4th in the Northern Counties East League Division 1 (Tier 10), the league we won last season.

We're going to be without Lewis Farmer for around four weeks, sadly.

Nathan Waterston will come in for Lewis Farmer and Tom Parkinson takes a place on the bench.

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 9th December 2023

Staveley Miners Welfare v Beverley Town

FA Vase 3rd Round

Inkersall Road, Staveley

--

One goal was enough today to take us through to the next round of the FA Vase.

D'Andre Wainwright scored the goal, his 35th from 27 appearances in all competitions this season.

Defensively we were superb, restricting Beverley Town to only two shots on target.

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 9th December 2023

Weekend Roundup

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 10th December 2023

FA Vase 4th Round Draw

FC Parson Drove are 16th in Eastern Counties League Division 1 North (Tier 10).

[warlock]

1 hour ago, Stuniverse said:

it's one thing letting a Premier League / Championship Owner throw money at it but it doesn't quite sit right expecting a Tier7-10 Owner to do that

Well, they may not, but FM has a track record of suddenly finding a new multi-thousand pound sponsorship deal when the club really needs one 

[Stuniverse]

7 minutes ago, warlock said:

Well, they may not, but FM has a track record of suddenly finding a new multi-thousand pound sponsorship deal when the club really needs one 

🤞 @warlock

[Stuniverse]

Tuesday 12th December 2023

Preview: Maltby Main (away)

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

Just the one change today. Tom Bell was looking tired so Aaron Atkinson gets a start.

[Stuniverse]

Tuesday 12th December 2023

Maltby Main v Staveley Miners Welfare

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

Muglet Lane Ground, Maltby

--

Mitchell George and D'Andre Wainwright both scored to give us a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.

Things became less comfortable midway through the second-half when Maltby Main pulled one back with a long-range rocket.

Connor Heath calmed our nerves on 87 minutes when he restored our two goal lead.

We're halfway through the season and we're eight points clear at the top of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. But there's still 19 games to play, a lot of hard work to be done, because we won't win anything in December. It's where we are at 5pm on Saturday the 27th of April that matters.

Come on you Trojans!

Edited February 6, 2023 by Stuniverse

[cerud]

Hey!

 

Going back to your finances question. I agree that it shouldn't be your problem. Unfortunately, the game doesn't work that way. When you apply for a new job, they will ask you about finances, and it you didn't manage them well at your previous job, it could back to bite you in the ass.

If at all possible, try to manage them. But at lower league levels.........it's near impossible.

[Stuniverse]

4 hours ago, cerud said:

Hey!

 

Going back to your finances question. I agree that it shouldn't be your problem. Unfortunately, the game doesn't work that way. When you apply for a new job, they will ask you about finances, and it you didn't manage them well at your previous job, it could back to bite you in the ass.

If at all possible, try to manage them. But at lower league levels.........it's near impossible.

Thanks, @cerud. Now that I’m aware of the financial situation at Staveley Miners Welfare I’ll be doing my best to manage the finances within reason. If we can keep our FA Vase run going this will help somewhat.

Edited February 7, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 16th December 2023

Preview: Barton Town (away)

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

Just the one change from the starting 11 and subs that beat Maltby Main 3-1 away last time out.

Out captain Tom Bell returns to the team in place of Aaron Atkinson.

 

Edited February 7, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 16th December 2023

Barton Town v Staveley Miners Welfare

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

Easy Buy Stadium, Barton-upon-Humber

--

Another good win for us.

D'Andre Wainwright gave us the lead early in the second-half, clinically finishing after Mitchell George's flicked header sent him away.

Sonny Best made it two on 68 minutes, with a mazy run, cutting in from the left, beating a couple of defenders and curling his shot inside the far post.

We were defending strongly and Barton Town didn't look like scoring, until Kane Pattertson clipped the heels of a striker and they scored a 90th minute penalty.

That made for a nerve-wracking period of added-on time but we held out for a 2-1 away victory.

[Stuniverse]

Tuesday 19th December 2023

Oh no, Sonny Best's gone

Billingham Synthonia are 2nd in the Northern League Division 1, Tier 9 like us, so that is disappointing.

And it leaves me without a quality left winger as well.

--

But at least we're within our wage budget again.

Edited February 7, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Wednesday 20th December 2023

I attended an interview with Barwell FC

It took me about an hour and five minutes to drive to the UK Flooring Direct Ground in Barwell.

The majority of questions were very similar to questions I'd been asked at previous interviews but, a few, were clearly specific to Barwell.

--

--

--

[Wow! That's a surprise given I have a wage budget of £1,926.00 per week at Staveley Miners Welfare, a level below where Barwell play in the football pyramid].

--

Edited February 7, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Wednesday 20th December 2023

Oh boy, that news broke quickly

Somebody at Barwell FC must have leaked it... because I didn't.

--

Edited February 7, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Friday 22nd December 2023

Staveley loan Hockin

We were struggling to find a left-winger we could sign within budget so I approached Chesterfield and Notts County (both Vanarama National League) and Alfreton Town and Buxton (and Vanarama National League North) and Stu Hockin was the only left-winger we could get on loan.

Unfortunately, now I've seen him in training, I don't think he's good enough to contribute competitively for us.

[Stuniverse]

Friday 22nd December 2023

Postponed: Albion Sports v Staveley Miners Welfare

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 23rd December 2023

Why is my AM Pat Lindley leading a mutiny?

--

--

--

For background context:

Aaron Atkinson is my third choice central midfielder behind our captain Tom Bell and our set-piece specialist Ben Midgley.

Aaron is always on the bench, unless Tom or Ben are unavailable when Aaron starts. 

Edited February 7, 2023 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 23rd December 2023

Weekend Roundup

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

[Stuniverse]

Monday 25th December 2023

Barwell offered me their manager's job

On Christmas Day!

None of my existing Staveley Miners Welfare backroom staff wanted to move to Barwell FC.

Barwell FC play in the Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands (Tier 8), a level above us in the football pyramid, but they weren't willing to pay me either.

I walked away.

--

 

Edited February 7, 2023 by Stuniverse