[FM23] Another Island Life - Green Lion Pride - A Guernsey FC Youth Story

Punch · June 1, 2023

MAR 2029 - Match Day 36 - Vs Truro City FC

Footes Lane - St Peter Port, Guernsey

Spoiler

Match Report

Spoiler

A solid performance against the relegation candidates, as we done enough to keep them at bay, and secure the points.

With two days between games, a slight rotation was needed, including benching our Captain, Docherty, who has not been playing well.

Murphy stepped in to fill his shoes, helping himself to a first half brace.

After a meeting following our previous match in which Docherty was told to pull his socks up, he took it well, and came of the bench to put in a good shift, and score the sealer.

Table

Spoiler

Dover drop points for the third time in four matches. We stay 3rd, but there are now just 5 points between the top 3 places.

With 10 matches to play, and 30 points still on offer, the only thing that's confirmed is that we are safe from relegation. Everything else is still on the table.

Up next...we travel to 18th place Bognor Regis.

Hootieleece · June 1, 2023

Make sure you beat the cellar dwellers like a drum and split with top teams (except those ahead of your team). The Goal is 92 points or more for Promotion!

Are Dover and Dag & Red still on the schedule?

Punch · June 1, 2023

7 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

Make sure you beat the cellar dwellers like a drum and split with top teams (except those ahead of your team). The Goal is 92 points or more for Promotion!

Are Dover and Dag & Red still on the schedule?

We've played Dover twice, but we still have a game against Dag & Red. At home in match day 44.

Punch · June 2, 2023

MAR 2029 - Match Day 37 - At Bognor Regis Town FC

Nyewood Lane - Bognor Regis

Spoiler

Match Report

Spoiler

A record breaking day as the Pepe show was in full force at Bognor, as he broke the club record for goals in a game.

The hosts had no answers as our attack ran riot, with Pepe scoring 4 goals.

Was disappointing to concede two late goals though, as we switched off a bit.

Records are made to be broken, as the 20 year old broke the record held by a club legend.

Table

Spoiler

Wins all round mean we stay 3rd, 5 points back, with 9 games to play.

Up next...we host 8th place Gloucester.

Punch · June 3, 2023

MAR 2029 - Match Day 38 - Vs Gloucester City AFC

Footes Lanes - St Peter Port, Guernsey

Spoiler

Match Report

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It was a pretty tight fight in the first half, with the visitors taking the lead, but when they had a player sent off for a shocker of a tackle, it sparked us.

From there we dominated the match, with two second half goals securing a come from behind win, keeping the points ticking over.

Table

Spoiler

Everyone at the top just keeps winning, so it remains all the same.

There is still a 5 point spread with 8 games remaining.

Dover become the first team to be guaranteed no worse than a play off spot.

Up next...we travel to 20th place Havant & W.

Punch · June 3, 2023

MAR 2029 - Youth Intake

The Class of 29 has arrived, and after the preview offered very little to be excited about, it's always interesting to see what actually arrives.

While the star ratings don't show a lot of current ability, there is plenty of potential among quite a few players.

The current attribute averages scores are much lower than last years, but there is plenty of room for improvement among a lot of players in this group.

Still the vast majority coming from Guernsey, however, Ireland has overtaken Wales as our second highest production nation.

Plenty of dual passport holders again, but this season we add Cyprus, Ghana, Belgium and France.

The Top 3

Spoiler

Potential superstar alert!

An Aussie goalkeeper from near Perth, this kid has massive potential, and if he can get anywhere near it, I don't think it will be too long before we have a new number 1 in the squad.

With pace to burn, and quality finishing, Reid looks like a potentially brilliant striker, even though the staff rate him highly as a winger.

An exciting M(C), another kid with pace to burn, so if we get his numbers up in other areas, he should be knocking on the door before too long.

Overall, not much to get excited about just yet, but there is some potential down the track.

It seems a let down after getting a first team player straight out of the Academy last season, however, this intake will be a work in progress.

Punch · June 3, 2023

MAR 2029 - Match Day 39 - At Havant & Waterlooville FC

Westleigh Park - Havant

Spoiler

Match Report

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A fairly tight match at H&W as we struggled to hit the target, despite a number of chances.

Docherty gave us the early lead, but from their, both sides struggled to make a real impact on the match.

We take an important three points away from home to keep the pressure on the teams above us.

Table

Spoiler

Wins all round again as we all continue or good form, keeping the spread at 5 points, with 7 games to play.

Up next...a tough match up as we host 5th place Oxford.

Punch · June 4, 2023

MAR 2029 - Match Day 40 - Vs Oxford City

Footes Lane - St Peter Port, Guernsey

Spoiler

Match Report

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A defensive masterclass as we frustrated Oxford who dominated the majority of the match, but we kept them scoreless.

Kirkpatrick fired in the only goal of the game, against the run of play, and we managed to hang on to secure another important three points.

Table

Spoiler

Everyone keeps winning so the spread stays at 5 points, with 6 games to play.

We did, however, confirm qualification for play offs as a minimum, for the first time, which will also be our best ever finish in the National South.

Up next...we travel to 16th place Chelmsford.

Punch · June 4, 2023

MAR 2029

A stunning month where we remain perfect, despite not playing our best.

Particularly satisfying to keep picking up wins when we were being outplayed.

A pretty happy Analyst this month, as we score more, and concede less than expected.

An incredible month where the top three teams went undefeated, and have bolted from the chasing pack. The spread remains 5 points, with 6 games to play.

Despite a perfect month, I was runner up in the Manager of the Month award, as Dag & Red were also perfect.

Stats

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

A solid loss this month, showing how important those Cup runs are to our finances.

A massive month to finish the season, including a massive clash at home with 2nd place Dag & Red on match day 44.

Punch · June 4, 2023

APR 2029 - Match Day 41 - At Chelsmford City FC

Melbourne Community Stadium - Chelmsford

Spoiler

Match Report

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Another come from behind win as we edge Chelmsford in a tight one.

The hosts scored just before the break, but we hit straight back, catching them napping.

Maybe still shocked from the goal before the break, we caught them again straight after, securing what would be the winner, and collecting another valuable three points.

Table

Spoiler

With Dover held to a draw, Dag & Red take the lead, while we stay 3rd.

The spread is now down to 4 points, with 5 games to play.

Up next...we host 15th place Totton.

Hootieleece · June 5, 2023

You beat Chelmsford and it is down to four points that match with Dover is looming large in the title race.

Who are your losses to? Which two do you think you should have won?

Punch · June 5, 2023

46 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

You beat Chelmsford and it is down to four points that match with Dover is looming large in the title race.

Who are your losses to? Which two do you think you should have won?

We don't play Dover again, it's Dag & Red (now leading) in match day 44.

Our losses are to Welling (away), Dover (Twice), Horsham (Twice), Dag & Red (away), Carshalton (Home), Oxford (away).

Oh dear, we have been beaten twice by Horsham, who will probably be relegated this season...that's a little painful.

Punch · June 5, 2023

APR 2029 - Match Day 42 - Vs AFC Totton

Footes Lane - St Peter Port, Guernsey

Spoiler

Match Report

Spoiler

We got off to a great start with an early goal, but struggled to push home our advantage, not taking any further chances, heading to the break at still 1-0.

We continued to dominate in the second half, finally getting a second goal to enable us to relax a little, before a late third goal sealed another three points.

Table

Spoiler

The form of these three teams over the past two months has been insane as wins all round keep the spread at 4 points, with 4 games to play.

Up next...a tough match up as we travel to 7th place Carshalton.

Hootieleece · June 5, 2023

14 hours ago, Punch said:

Oh dear, we have been beaten twice by Horsham, who will probably be relegated this season...that's a little painful.

There are your regrettable losses.

Good luck with the rest of the season.

Punch · June 5, 2023

APR 2029 - Match Day 43 - At Carshalton Athletic FC

Colston Avenue - Carshalton

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Match Report

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A massive away result as we secure another come from behind win, in dramatic circumstances.

Trailing at the break as we were being dominated by the hosts, and were probably lucky not to be further behind.

We continued to soak up the pressure in the second half before finally starting to turn the tide.

A goal against the run of play woke us up, and as we kept up the pressure, we earned a late penalty which was converted to give us a huge three points.

Table

Spoiler

A massive three points because Dag & Red were beaten, and Dover were held to a draw.

Dover retake the lead on goal difference, but we cut the spread to just one point, with three games to play.

Up next...our final home game of the season, and probably the biggest game in the clubs history as we take on 2nd place Dag & Red, in a match with massive implications for the season.

Swaban · June 6, 2023

This title race is going down to the wire! Im genuinely more invested in this than in my own save haha

Punch · June 6, 2023

36 minutes ago, Swaban said:

This title race is going down to the wire! Im genuinely more invested in this than in my own save haha

Haha that’s awesome!

But that table is insane, with three games to play, we could all end up 100 points or above, and one of us, possibly even two, will not get promoted… :onmehead:

Punch · June 6, 2023

APR 2029 - Match Day 44 - Vs Dageham and Redbridge FC

Footes Lane - St Peter Port, Guernsey

Spoiler

Match Report

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A massive result at The Lane as we pull off another come from behind win to take down Dag & Red.

It was all the visitors and they took the lead, before we finally started to get into the game, leveling in injury time.

The second half was almost a mirror of the first as we soaked up their pressure, but managed to keep them out, before the tide turned again, and we started to turn the pressure back on them.

A cracking goal from Pepe, after a great sequence of team passing put us back in the lead for good, and we were able to secure the three points.

Table

Spoiler

The win jumps us to 2nd place, leaving us a point behind with two games to play.

At the other end, Basingstoke become the first team to be relegated.

Up next...we travel to 22nd place Worthing.

Hootieleece · June 6, 2023

Don't underestimate Worthing, Relegation threatened teams have destroyed more promotion or champions trophies than I can count if you get complacent against them.

Punch · June 6, 2023

44 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

Don't underestimate Worthing, Relegation threatened teams have destroyed more promotion or champions trophies than I can count if you get complacent against them.

No complacency on this end...My heart and hairline could do with a little less of the come from behind kings reputation that we are gaining though :lol:

Punch · June 7, 2023

APR 2029 - Match Day 45 - At Worthing FC

Woodside Road - Worthing

Spoiler

Match Report

Spoiler

A match where the final score was a lot closer than the match suggested, as we were always in control.

Even though it took until after the break to score, we were patient in attack, sealing it late, before giving up an injury time consolation.

It was nice not to have to chase a game and come from behind again.

Table

Spoiler

The result was even more important as Dover were held to a draw by Gloucester, meaning we take 1st place, and our opponents continue to stumble.

Up next...the final match of the season, and our destiny is all in our own hands as we travel to 14th place Weston-super-Mare.

Punch · June 7, 2023

APR 2029 - Match Day 46 Preview

The final day of the season approaches and we find ourselves still in a three way battle for the League title.

We take on 14th place Weston-super-Mare, away, and the equation is simple...win, and we are promoted as League Champions. Draw or lose, and we are at the mercy of other results, and may find ourselves in the lottery that is the promotion play offs.

3rd place Dag & Red probably have the easiest task away to relegated Basingstoke. If they win, we would need at least a draw to remain above them on goal difference, as they can not make up a 21 goal difference.

2nd place Dover have the toughest assignment on the final day, at home to 5th place Oxford. Should they win, a draw would not be enough for us, and we would need to win to stay above them, however, should Oxford hold them to a draw, we would remain above them on goal difference, as they also can not make up a 14 goal difference.

There is so much happening on this final day, with any possible combination of outcomes and Champions.

It's crazy to think that this three way fight that has been going on for three months, will result in one of these teams not being promoted.

Will our title chances fade with a whimper, or can the Green Lions roar into the National League.

Swaban · June 7, 2023

what an insane run in, Dover must be gutted to stumble so late on. Good luck on the final day mate!

Punch · June 8, 2023

APR 2029 - Match Day 46 - At Weston-super-Mare

Woodspring Stadium - Weston-super-Mare

Spoiler

Match Report

Spoiler

I have been involved in some ridiculous games in FM, but this one completely takes the cake, as we do a Manchester City to come from the clouds and win the title in injury time.

Going behind early, we were in 3rd place, and headed for the crap shoot of the play offs for 94 minutes of this game. Even the hosts having a player sent off on the hour didn't spark us.

In the first minute of injury time, some panicked defending allowed Lukas Easter to unleash a thunderous strike, which rattled the cross bar and deflected into the path of Pepe, who's own thunderous strike slammed into the back of a defender, hopelessly wrong footing the WsM keeper as the ball rolled over the line. 1-1, but we were still in 3rd place.

We were not done yet though as we pushed up, causing more chaos in the Seagulls defending, with Captain Joe Docherty finding Evgenios Alexandrou at the top of the box, and he curled a cracking shot through a mass of defenders and into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations as we leapt back into 1st place.

With the hosts a complete rabble at the back, we ran away with another goal as Jamie Cameron added the icing to the cake before the referee finally blew the whistle and ended the injury time carnage.

We started the day in 1st place, looked for all money like we would finish 3rd, and face the play offs, before an insane 5 minutes of injury time changed the course completely, and we lifted the National League South Title...I need a lie down after this one.

Table

Spoiler

Dover, and Dag & Red both won, but it mattered little as our win kept us in 1st place.

Guernsey Green Lions - National League South Champions.

One more time for good measure as we add another trophy to our collection.

Up next...a stiff drink and a lie down before we review an incredible season.

Swaban · June 8, 2023

wow, what a season. Congrats mate!

Hootieleece · June 8, 2023

Incredible Ending! right up there with this year's Belgian League!

Congrats! you have some work to do before reliving this experience in the National League! You're up to the task!

Punch · June 8, 2023

4 hours ago, Swaban said:

wow, what a season. Congrats mate!

4 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

Incredible Ending! right up there with this year's Belgian League!

Congrats! you have some work to do before reliving this experience in the National League! You're up to the task!

Thank you both! Great season, crazy ending, but we continue the climb. GOing to be a very different kettle of fish next season though.

Punch · June 8, 2023

A crazy ending, a brilliant season, the Green Lions roar

Punch · June 8, 2023

APR 2029

A perfect finish to the season, including that crazy last game where three injury time goals lead us to the title.

A happy Analyst, although we have dropped in our tackles won.

We are off to the National League, and while the play offs are still ongoing to see who goes up with us.

100 points and over 100 goals...an amazing season!

Our perfect month lead me to the Manager of the Month award, which made for a happy Chairman.

The finances take another hit this month as the ever increasing wage bill and costs are making their mark.

Punch · June 9, 2023

MAY 2029 - National League South Play Off Final

A tough beat for Dover who lead the League for about 40 of the 46 weeks, only to lose 1st place to us with two games to play, missing out on the title, and then missing out on promotion as well when they went down in extra time in the play off final.

The beautiful game, can be a cruel game as well.

Punch · June 9, 2023

May 2029 - FA Cup Review

Everton upset Man City to take out the FA Cup, while we were named the biggest over achievers.

Punch · June 9, 2023

2028-2029 Season Review

Punch · June 9, 2023

2028-2029 Season Review - Stats

Goalkeepers

Just the one keeper used this season, as well, he's simply the only one who is good enough.

Sejdini, while his numbers may have been slightly down this season, continues to be our best keeper by a mile, and performs solidly, keeping our defensive line in order.

Defenders

Our defence was our most improved aspect of our team this season, and was a big reason for our run to the title.

A lot of games where we gave up goals to drop points and concede draws last season, we managed to turn into wins this season, which made all the difference.

Midfielders

Solid performances across the board in the midfield, Alexandrou being the standout.

Forwards

Docherty and Kirkpatrick combine for 60 goals, but a massive season for Pepe, continuing to improve dramatically.

Docherty is closing in on Allen's appearances record, but still has some way to go before catching his goals record.

Punch · June 9, 2023

2028-2029 Season Review - Attributes Review

That time of the year where we get to evaluate the attribute changes of the troops.

Goalkeepers

Sejdini far and away our number one, but there was some decent improvement from Hudak.

Need some improvement from the younger kids to give him a challenge.

Defenders

Plenty of solid options in the defensive line, but in good news, there are some of the younger kids really starting to show improvement.

Midfielders

Plenty of options in the center, again, younger kids starting to push up to challenge the first team regulars.

Forwards

While we now have no 50 point forwards, there have been some huge improvers in the forward line.

Best XI

The numbers continue to grow, although we are a very young team, the continued growth is good for the club and our future.

There is plenty to like about the squad for the new season ahead, but it's going to be hard work in the higher division.

Punch · June 9, 2023

JUN 2029 - pre-season things

Dag & Red promoted with us, while Oldham & South Shields join us from the National North, while Wycombe & Accrington drop out of the Football League.

We kick off our season away to Gateshead, before facing Gillingham in our first home game in the National League.

There are no expectations from the Board this season, only hoping for us to be competitive and avoid relegation.

We are massive favourites for the drop, and I can see why as there are some big clubs in this League.

There are also clubs spending will over £1 million on their wages, while some are over £2 million...while we are spending less than £300k.

This might be our toughest year yet.

Plenty of money out of the account this month, and that might be the normal as our costs are going up.

The tax bill won't help.

Some new sponsorships should help a little bit.

Not much help there :lol:

Friendly season kicks off.

Jtomsett11 · June 9, 2023

5 hours ago, Punch said:

2028-2029 Season Review

Wow, what an ending to the season, I was catching up and didn't think you could overturn Dover and Dagenham to be honest with their form but you really did do a Man City with your end of season form being just superb! One step closer to the football league!

Punch · June 9, 2023

3 hours ago, Jtomsett11 said:

Wow, what an ending to the season, I was catching up and didn't think you could overturn Dover and Dagenham to be honest with their form but you really did do a Man City with your end of season form being just superb! One step closer to the football league!

Thank you!
It was a crazy run the the title, and in everything that was going on, I think I forgot to point out that we won 13 in a row, including beating Dag & Red, to finish the season.

We really learned how to turn draws into wins.

This new season could be brutal though. There are some crazy strong clubs in the National League at the moment.

TelcontarTargaryen · June 9, 2023

Congratulations. Always nice to clinch a title after a last day drama. Stressful but most fun way to do it.

Hootieleece · June 9, 2023

I find it weird that you the Champions are lower preseason than Dag& Red that you beat to get there. The Media must just be looking at Payroll. They do the same in the Championship in my save with Preston.

Punch · June 10, 2023

5 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

Congratulations. Always nice to clinch a title after a last day drama. Stressful but most fun way to do it.

Thank you! Crazy ending but brilliant season.

5 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

I find it weird that you the Champions are lower preseason than Dag& Red that you beat to get there. The Media must just be looking at Payroll. They do the same in the Championship in my save with Preston.

If you also looked at the players, we have an average age of 19, and limited experience, and yes our payroll is basically nothing compared to the teams we’re up against, but we have pretty much been ranked dead last every season.

shd34_216_42 · June 10, 2023

5 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

I find it weird that you the Champions are lower preseason than Dag& Red that you beat to get there. The Media must just be looking at Payroll. They do the same in the Championship in my save with Preston.

I'm guessing that the displayed odds are more a measure of squad talent based on some aggregate CA measure. (If you continually check it throughout the season, it dynamically changes, and I would expect Guernsey's odds to improve over the season based on this measure given it's built around youth development.)

Punch · June 10, 2023

National League Wage Comparison

I thought this was an interesting comparison of what we are up against this season.

Figures are yearly amounts, as at 1 July 2029, so could change before the season starts:

The first shock is the we are not the lowest wage spenders.

Notts Co spend 8 times as much as we do.

If we increased our wage bill by £500k, we would still be below the League average.

While it doesn't always translate into results, I mean we won the National South last season with one of the lowest wage bills, but it does show what we are up against with some of the much bigger clubs.

Edited June 10, 2023 by Punch

Swaban · June 10, 2023

Im surprised to see Notts County still in the National League this far in, I thought they'd have established themselves in the football league by now

Punch · June 10, 2023

12 minutes ago, Swaban said:

Im surprised to see Notts County still in the National League this far in, I thought they'd have established themselves in the football league by now

In this save, they have never made it back to the Football League.

They have made the play offs plenty of times, but never made that last step.

Punch · June 10, 2023

Racking up the miles

Another obstacle we face this season is that now we are in the National League, we are no longer travel protected by being in Southern Leagues.

Remembering that it is 336 klm / 209 miles just to get from the from the island of Guernsey to the Portsmouth Ferry Terminal.

We are going to rack up some serious travel miles in our away games this season, not to mention we still need to add in any away Cup games.

Not sure the game calculates the amount of travel into fatigue, but this would create another serious issue to be managed this season.

Swaban · June 10, 2023

22 minutes ago, Punch said:

Racking up the miles

Another obstacle we face this season is that now we are in the National League, we are no longer travel protected by being in Southern Leagues.

Remembering that it is 336 klm / 209 miles just to get from the from the island of Guernsey to the Portsmouth Ferry Terminal.

We are going to rack up some serious travel miles in our away games this season, not to mention we still need to add in any away Cup games.

Not sure the game calculates the amount of travel into fatigue, but this would create another serious issue to be managed this season.

Irl I believe that both Jersey and Guernsey are liable for the travel costs of each team that has to travel to either island. Do we know if this is also reflected in game?

If so, I can see this season costing you a fortune

Punch · June 10, 2023

12 minutes ago, Swaban said:

Irl I believe that both Jersey and Guernsey are liable for the travel costs of each team that has to travel to either island. Do we know if this is also reflected in game?

If so, I can see this season costing you a fortune

You are correct, they do cover their opponents travel costs, so does Isle of Man as well I believe.

I don't think it comes under travel costs, but at the end of most seasons, we end up with a large expense under 'other' costs, I have always figured that is the game giving is a financial hit to cover the other teams travel expense.