[FM23] Climbing the Jacobs Ladder

[marktonge]

Climbing the Jacobs Ladder

"mid 18th century: with biblical allusion to Jacob's dream of a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis. 28:12)

 

The Jacobs Ladder Challenge is one that has been around on Football Manager for a while now, but is very rarely attempted due to the fact there are few databases around that can support it. Fortunately, there are wonderful people around in the community that work tirelessly that allow me to take on this challenge today. For this challenge I'll be using the 'Around the World Megapack' database by DaveTheEditor. Go and take a look at it if it takes your fancy.

The Challenge

- I've split every FIFA nation into tiers of 10 starting with the worst ranked nations being in tier one (the bottom rung on the ladder), then so on and so on until the top 10 countries make up tier twenty one (the top run on the ladder). You can see these tiers in my post underneath this one. 

- The aim is to start unemployed, with zero coaching qualifications and managerial experience and then take over a team in one of the Tier One nations. I'll then have to win the top division and a domestic cup in order to consider that country complete. 

- I will have to complete 4 countries on each tier in order to take a step up the ladder and start on the next tier. Simple really.

 

I'll be posting in the following format, and trying to keep it going each season so that it's easy to follow:

- Pre-Season Update
- Mid-Season Update
- End of Season Update

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to interacting with some of you along the way, on this wonderful journey across the footballing world.

Tongey.

Edited May 25, 2023 by marktonge

[marktonge]

The Tiers
Bold Green - completed countries. Bold Red - attempted but not completed.

 

Tier One:

San Marino, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Sri Lanka, Guam, Turks & Caicos Islands, Aruba, Bahamas, Somalia

Tier Two:

Gibraltar, Eritrea, Lichenstein, Cayman Islands, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Tonga, Djibouti, Bangladesh

Tier Three:

Brunei, Samoa, Cook Islands, Laos, American Samoa, Dominica, Bhutan, Sao Tome & Principe, Mongolia, Macau

Tier Four:

Chad, Mauritius, Montserrat, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Belize, Cambodia, Grenada, Nepal, Bermuda, Malta

Tier Five:

Moldova, Guyana, St Lucia, Fiji, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Vanuatu, South Sudan, Tahiti,

Tier Six:

New Caledonia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Yemen, Chinese Taipei, Afghanistan, Maldives, Andorra, Botswana

Tier Seven:

Dominican Republic, Lesotho, Indonesia, Liberia, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Burundi, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Suriname

Tier Eight:

Nicaragua, St Kitts & Nevis, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Phillipines, Rwanda, Soloman Islands, Antigua & Barbuda, Latvia, Comoros

Tier Nine:

Tanzania, Togo, Sudan, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Faroe Islands, Azerbaijan, Niger, Central African Republic, Libya

Tier Ten:

The Gambia, Mozambique, Angola, Sierra Leone, Guatemale, Korea DPR, Thailand, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Cyprus

Tier Eleven:

Madagascar, Tajikistan, Estonia, Kosovo, Namibia, Mauritiana, Trinidad & Tobago, Congo, Kenya, India

Tier Twelve:

New Zealand, Lebanon, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Equitorial Guinea, Palestine, Benin, Luxembourg

Tier Thirteen:

Syria, Uganda, Curacao, Haiti, Zambia, Bahrain, Jordan, Bolivia, Gabon, China

Tier Fourteen:

Honduras, Guinea, Israel, Georgia, Bulgaria, El-Salvador, Uzbekistan, Oman, U.A.E, Cape Verde

Tier Fifteen:

Congo DR, Montenegro, Albania, Iraq, South Africa, North Macedonia, Iceland, Jamaica, Northern Ireland, Qatar

Tier Sixteen:

Ghana, Slovenia, Panama, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Finland, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Mali, Greece, Slovakia

Tier Seventeen:

Burkina Faso, Republic of Ireland, Paraguay, Canada, Romania, Ivory Coast, Norway, Turkey, Cameroon, Ecuador

Tier Eighteen:

Nigeria, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Russia, Scotland, Egypt, Algeria, Hungary, Austria, Chile

Tier Nineteen:

Ukraine, Australia, Tunisia, South Korea, Wales, Serbia, Iran, Poland, Sweden, Peru

Tier Twenty:

Japan, Denmark, Senegal, Colombia, Uruguay, Mexico, Germany, USA, Switzerland, Morocco

Tier Twenty One:

Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Netherlands, England, Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina

Tier Twenty Two:

Edited June 10, 2023 by marktonge

[marktonge]

Club History & Trophy Cabinet

 

Clubs Managed:
(Nation / Logo / Team Name / League / Dates in Charge / Reason Left)

 - Gaadiika // Somalia // Somali Premier Division // 28.05.22 - 22.10.22 // Fired (147 Days)
 - Racing Club Aruba // Aruba // Division di Honor // 20.11.22 - 27.06.23 // Resigned (219 Days)
 - Roaring Lions // Anguilla // AFA Senior Male League //  21.07.23 - 19.04.23 // Resigned (273 Days)
 - Freeport RFC // The Bahamas // Bahamian Island League // 08.05.23 - 12.06.25 // Offered job at Cavalier FC (400 Days)
 - Cavalier FC // The Bahamas // BFA Senior League // 12.06.25 - 11.04.26 // Resigned (303 Days)
 - AS Ali Sabieh // Djibouti // Djiboutian Premier League // 31.08.26 - Present // N/A

Trophies Won:
(Nation / Logo / Competition Name / Date / Team Name / Year Complete)

- Aruban Copa Libertador Betico Croes // 07.06.23 // Racing Club Aruba // 22/23
- Division di Honor // 27.06.23 // Racing Club Aruba // 22/23
 - AFA Presidents Cup // 19.12.23 // Roaring Lions // 23/24
 - AFA Senior Male League // 19.04.23 // Roaring Lions // 23/24
 - Island Leagues // 01.03.25 // Freeport RFC // 24/25
 - Bahamian FA Cup // 19.04.26 // Cavalier FC // 25/26
 - BFA Senior League // 09.05.26 // Cavalier FC // 26/26

Awards Won:

*Entered the Bahamian Hall of Fame*

 

 

Edited June 12, 2023 by marktonge

[marktonge]

STARTING IN SOMALIA

 

It didn't take long for me to get my first job in football management. My passport had only just arrived the day before a flurry of job offers had flown into my inbox. I'm not going to lie, I had applied for every vacant managers job going, before sifting through the interview offers to decide where I'd like to end up. I quickly narrowed it down to the following clubs:

- Pelicans (Sri Lanka)
- Gaadiika (Somalia)
- Guam Shipyard (Guam)

From there, all three offered me the role after crushing the interview process and I ultimately set my heart on heading over to Somalia, probably to end up following my lifelong dream of becoming a So

malian Pirate. (joking of course).

Club Overview

Name: Gaadiika FC
League: Somali Premier Division
Nickname: Unknown

Facilities:
Stadium: Banadir Stadium
Capacity: 10,000
Youth Facilities: Basic
Training Facilities: Basic
Youth Recruitment: Fairly Basic
Youth Coaching: Fairly Basic

Honours:
Somali Premier Division (1990)

Spoiler

 

 

[Sahaj Oberoi]

Good luck with this. Would love to see how this progresses.

[marktonge]

21 hours ago, Sahajpal Oberoi said:

Good luck with this. Would love to see how this progresses.

Appreciate that mate! Keep checking back and you'll see how far I can get! 

[marktonge]

Gaadiidka | Somalia | Mid-Season Review | 2022

Last time out, I had just accepted the job at Gaadiidka in the Somali Premier Division. A challenging first post in football management in one of the most prominent footballing hotspots in the world. To be honest though, I looked at the squad when I first took over and I had one player contracted to the club. The rest were all greyed out, meaning I had to get to work quickly. I won't bore you with details on all the ins and outs, but there were a lot. I'll post the whole transfer section below so you can see how many exactly.

(You can click the players name to bring up his profile when I brought them in)

Hassan Ibrahim | GK
Omar Aweys | GK
Abdi Suleiman | LB
Abdi Hassan | CB
Abdi Telli | CB
Mahad Abdullahi | CB
Abdifataah Abdi | CB
Mohamed Hussein | AMC
Mohamed Mohamed | AMR
Hassan Aboker | ST
Ali Ahmed | ST

As you can see, there has been a number of ins to the club, but we could still do with more. My favourite has to be, Mohamed Mohamed, so good they named his twice. I wish he was good, but he's not actually proved himself yet. Anyway, onto the football part of the update...

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June 2022



FC Badbaado | HOME | 2-1 | WIN
The perfect start to the league campaign results in 3 points. Abdi Mahamud put us ahead in the first half with a fine solo goal, before Isse Hussein added a second midway through the second. A flurry of changes halted our momentum as we were pushing for a third. It meant that FC Badbaado managed to grab one back in the 78th minute leading to a hectic final 10 where we defended for our lives. We held on thankfully.

Jazeera SC |AWAY | 1-0 | DEFEAT
We followed up our opening day win with a narrow defeat to Jazeera SC. We didn't deserve anything from the game, and we were lucky it was only 1-0. The scoreline definitely flattered us. Not much else to say, apart from that we've got a long way to go if this performance was anything to go by.

Horseed | HOME | 0-3 | DEFEAT
Horseed are by far the favourites for the league, so to go down heavily to them is no surprise. I think we had 3 shots in the game and none of them were on target. That's not going to win any game is it? We were awful. Tactics may need tweaking in order for us to get going and get some momentum.

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July 2022

Dekedaha | AWAY | 2-1 | DEFEAT
Another day, another defeat. It's becoming a habit now, and one that needs changing quickly. We went 2-0 down early doors and couldn't fight back quick enough. We managed a consolation goal through Abdi Mahamud but we couldn't push again to get that equaliser. We played better in this one, but results are what matters right.

Mogadishu City Club | HOME | 1-3 | DEFEAT
Ah, shoddy performance leads to another defeat. I thought we may get something from this one looking at the table at the time, but evidently not. Again we went behind early and couldn't respond. They added 2 more in the second half before Ali Ahmed scored a wonder goal from distance. Our best goal of the season, but one that was in vein unfortunately. 

Heegan | AWAY | 0-0 | DRAW
A point! A singular point! It's our first point in 5 games, so at least theres that! To be honest, once again we deserved to lose this game so I'm delighted to have hung on. This may be a longer job than I first thought!

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August 2022 (First 2 games)

Sahafi | HOME | 0-0 | DRAW
More points, well another point on the board that is. Another bore draw and another game in which we hung on. We're a poor side at the moment and that doesn't look like changing. What's worrying me even more is that we aren't looking like scoring. 

Elman | AWAY | 1-0 | DEFEAT
The one game in which we looked good, we end up losing! That's the way football is. We deserved to get points from this one. We had multiple good chances and a few one on ones to boot, but nothing was going in! It was one of those days. A penalty for Elman in the 74th minute turned out to be the eventual match winner. Oh well. 

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League Table

The table isn't pretty viewing at the half way stage. One thing I can take from it, is that the only way is upwards! We can definitely improve and I'm hoping my tactical changers will help us make that leap. We'll need to make the most of our games against FC Badbaado & Sahafi in order for us to have any chance of staying up. All to play for, and I'm hopeful of a mid table finish this season we can build upon that and charge next year!

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Other News



In massive news for the club. The former Chairperson Mustapha Ali accepted a bid from Mogadishu based investor Abdi Ogle and therefore we are now under new ownership. They invested a total of £0 so that's grand. A pointless takeover to be honest, but who knows whether they will invest in the future. At this level it's all moot anyway. This whole takeover process from start to finish lasted 2 days. 

They certainly move quick in Somalia.

The first bit of good news that I've seen at the club! The Youth Intake is meant to be 5*. That being said, the squad is so weak already, that anyone would probably be an improvement. I'm hopeful a couple of these will slide straight into the first team next season. Let's see who actually comes through eh?



Thanks for taking the time to read this section of the Jacobs Ladder challenge. Come back soon to see how we fare in the second half of our inaugral season in the Somali Premier Division! We're going to need some luck I think!

Tongey!

[marktonge]

Gaadiidka | Somalia | End of Season Review | 2022

 

Welcome back to Somalia, and more particularly welcome back to Gaadiidka. Well, I'm not actually there at the moment but more on that later in this post. Last time round, I updated you at the mid way stage of the Somali Premier Division with us not performing up to standard. I'm afraid to say that things didn't get much better and I received this lovely little message from the board.

That's right, only 10 games into my tenure, I had been called into the bosses office and told that I need to up my game. I had promised them the league title this season, probably somewhat foolishly. Anyway, that was that, and I had a couple of games to turn it round starting with a big game against Dekedaha. You'll see how that went below in a second. I'll quickly bring you up to date with how the remaining fixtures went.

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August 2022 (remaining 3 games)

FC Badbaado | AWAY | 0-1 | WIN
The perfect start to the second half of the season. Hassan Aboker broke free of the back line on the stroke of half time and slotted home into the back of the net. It was the eventual match winner and gave us 3 massive points. Our only league double of the campaign so at least theres that. We played well in all honesty and we could've scored more. 

Mogadishu City Club | AWAY | 3-2 | DEFEAT
Wow, we're scoring goals now which has been our issue all year. We played really, really well but just couldn't get over the line. At 2-2 the game was on a knifes edge and could've gone either way and with both sides pushing for that winner it was the hosts who got it. An unfortunate result but a promising performance. Mohamed Mukhtar gave us the lead early in the game, with Hassan Aboker getting us back on level terms later in the game. 

Jazeers SC | HOME | 2-2 | DRAW
Another game, and more goals to add to our tally! Is this the starting point to kick on this season?! We went 2-0 down in the first half and I thought that was that. The lads got a rattling at half time in the dressing room and they came out a different side. 2 goals from Ali Ahmed drew us level, and we continued to be the better team and pushed for the winner. A header off the bar in the last seconds left me on the floor. Not to be. 

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September 2022

Horseed | AWAY | 1-0 | DEFEAT
A frustrating day at the office as we faced title chasing Horseed away from home. It was a tight affair but we didn't threaten much. It was a boring game in all honesty and they managed to break the deadlock late in the game and claim all three points. 
IT WAS AFTER THIS GAME THAT THE BOARD MEETING HAPPENED!

Dekedaha | HOME | 5-2 | WIN
WOW! Where did this performance come from. Two similar teams down at the bottom end of the table facing off to try and stay in the division! We were outstanding! Mark Dwomah, quickly becoming a cult hero maybe? He netted a penalty with goals spread out throughout the game, with Hassan Aboker netting two more! We were 2-0 up inside 2 minutes which is unheard of for me. I can't quite believe it! The players must've been fighting for me right? That's the only thing I can think of to explain this anomaly of a result! I'll take it though.

Maniema Union | Champions League | DEFEAT | 2 legs
I won't go into much detail on this set of results as we were never really in either game. They were clearly better than us, and the scoreline reflected that for the DR Congo side. When I took over, I didn't even realise we were in the competition and with us fighting to stay up, I didn't put to much importance on this one. We were knocked out at the first chance. 

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October 2022

Heegan | HOME | 1-0 | WIN
With 3 games left in the league, this game had added importance as we NEEDED to win. We did just that with Hassan Aboker netting in the 69th (nice) minute to give us the lead. It was tight, it was edgy, it was fiery. Just what a game should be at this stage, and I'm delighted and proud that we came out on top! Aboker is becoming Mr Reliable at the moment. 

Sahafi | AWAY | 1-0 | DEFEAT
Ah, back to Earth with a massive crash! Sahafi are a poor side and down the bottom of the league. We're not much better but I expected us to beat them. It was a dreadful outing from the lads, and they managed to nick a goal late on to secure all 3 points! It's definitely not what I needed with one game left...

THEN THIS MESSAGE CAME THROUGH...



I had been summoned into ANOTHER emergency board meeting, and this time there was no leaving with a job. They had made the decision to relieve me of my duties. No surprise really as I had stupidly promised them the league title when I took over, and we were way down in the league table. I leave the club in 6th position, and I'm now looking for another job in Tier One of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge...



Thanks for taking the time to read this episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. Come back next time to see where I end up, and with whom I try to get our first tick on Tier One. It can't have started much worse, but as D:Ream once said 
"Things can only get better!"

Tongey!

[marktonge]

Racing Club Aruba


I was't out of management for too long and I've got myself an absolute belter of a new team! I've ditched the African continent and have jet-setted across to the Caribbean to the tropical isle of Aruba! You can't say that isn't an upgrade eh? I'm thinking training by morning, and cocktails by the pool/beach in the afternoon and evening! Can't get much better than that!
Seriously though, I'm delighted to have found myself on my feet so quickly, and with a team that could well be in a position to challenge for the league ad cup pretty quickly! I'll just have to get myself going a lot quicker than I did in Somalia.

Club Overview

Name: Racing Club Aruba
Nickname: RCA
League: Divsion di Honor
Kit: Pink (Home) White (Away)

Facilities
Stadium: Guillermo Trinidad
Capacity: 5,500
Youth Facilities: Basic
Training Facilities: Basic
Youth Recruitment: Exceptional
Youth Coaching: Average

Honours:
Division di Honor (33), Aruba Copa Libertador Betico Croes (5)
 

Spoiler

Finances

The finances at a club are always massively important. With the wage budget at only £453 per month, we're in a good spot considering we have £23,000+ in the coffers! I can't see us spending much money on players, so we'll continue to build the bank balance over the season hopefully. I'll be looking at using that exceptional Youth Recruitment in order to get some players into the first team! It would definitely be rude not too!

The Squad

For some reason or another, the previous manager didn't register any of the players in the squad for the league which has led me to be in a sticky situation. The window opens after the next game so if I can just get through that one somehow, we'll be good to go hopefully! 
In terms of quality, we seem to have a very capable squad through the middle of the park. We haven't got many options for the wings which is trouble for me as I like to play through the wings. Tactical change will be on it's way for me for sure. 
We'll be looking for Jhon Silva to step up and get us the goals for us to challenge for another Division di Honor title!



Thanks for reading this latest episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. Come back next time to see how I fare in Aruba managing the current league champions! Expectations will be hefty but this is the club where my management journey will really start!

Tongey!

[jcricky]

Good Luck with this. How have you got Aruba? Can't find Dave the Editor file with it? 

[marktonge]

3 hours ago, jcricky said:

Good Luck with this. How have you got Aruba? Can't find Dave the Editor file with it? 

Cheers mate! I had to get another database with the North American leagues on it. I used this one and only added the leagues I needed that I couldn't get with Daves pack.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2885983553&savesuccess=1

[marktonge]

RCA | Aruba | Mid-Season Update | 2022/2023



When you compare Aruba and Somalia, and in particular how happy I am managing in them, there is a clear winner and it's not even close. I'm loving my time here in Aruba, living the dream lifestyle. If I could do this in real life, I definitely would. Like I said in the previous update, training in the morning and cocktails by the pool/beach in the afternoons and evenings. I like to think I'm a bit of a celebrity in Aruba now, but I've probably spoken to soon for that. We'll see one day. 

I've made a few signings since joining the side, with one being a name you may recognise from Somalia. Could he possibly be the saves 'Cult Hero'  that follows me around the majority of my clubs? Who knows?

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Transfers | IN

Ayman Hussein | CB
Abdiwahi Mohamed | LB
Mark Dwomoh | DM/CM
Rensy Barradas | AML
Anwar Shakunda | ST

Of course you'll remember Mark Dwomoh as he was the first player that was in my Gaadiidka side back in Somalia. Now, I know we were awful but he stood out as a decent player and he's instantly the best player in this side too. An excellent addition. He's not the only addition from Somalia, as 3 of the other signings are from the Somali Premier Division too. Only Rensy Barradas is from the isle of Aruba. I'm delighted with what we've been able to do in the transfer market, even if we are spending a little over the wage budget right now. 

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December 2022

La Fama | HOME | 0-0 | DRAW
Not the ideal start to my tenure in Arube, but at least we didn't lose. I had installed a new tactic previously, and it had only been a few days since then meaning the players are still getting used to it. We did have a couple of chances in this one, but none of real quality. La Fama will be a tough side for teams to beat so I'm not too disappointed. A solid point in my opener. 

Nacional (ARU) | AWAY | 0-5 | WIN
This was more like it! An fantastic performance by the lads, with Juan Villarraga the hero on the day. He netted 4 times, two either side of the half, and one right before the end. Jhon Silva headed in the other. We were brilliant and shows we are a top team in this league. 

Nacional (ARU) | HOME | 4-3 | WIN | Copa Betico Croes Second Round
WOW, WOW, WOW. We were 3-0 down at the half way stage of this one. The players got a right grilling in the dressing room, and they came out as a different side. We were brilliant and clawed our way back to 3-3 before getting a penalty in the final seconds. Jeamirr Howell calmly slotted it home to send me running down the touchline knee sliding into our fans! 

Porto Caravel | HOME | 2-2 | DRAW
Unlike the previous game, we went 2-0 up in this one. At half time I praised the lads, and it must've made them complacent as we shipped two goals in the second half and couldn't get going. Maybe I need to be harsh on the lads more often as it has a good effect. A draw and a point is acceptable I guess.

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January 2023

United (ARU) | AWAY | 1-5 | WIN
Goals, goals, goals. I changed to having two up front and it seemed to work! Anwar Shakunda netted twice on his debut in a brilliant solo performance, with Erik Santos de Gouveia, Juana Villarraga & Ayman Hussein also scoring. We were brilliant, but United aren't a great side so I'm taking it with a pinch of salt. 3 more points. 

Santa Fe (ARU) | AWAY | 0-4 | WIN
3 more points, and 4 more goals! We're flying now and I'm delighted with how we are playing. Juan Villaragga once again netted a hattrick. He's one helluva player, although strangely enough my assistant told me to transfer list him. Not on this form I won't. Easy as you like away from home.

Dakota | HOME | 4-4 | DRAW
Dakota are a very good team at this level so to get a draw is alright with me. What's not alright is giving them the chance to equalise in the last seconds when you switch off at the back. A misplaced back pass got intercepted and they put the ball into an empty net. Not cool. Anwar Shakunda was the best player, he has definitely made an instant impact. 

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February 2023 (1 game)

SV Britannia | HOME | 10-1 | WIN
Well, where the hell do I start with this! SV Britannia were the team leading the race at the top of the tree, but we made them look like a non league side. We were excellent and gave them no chance. We made the most of every set piece going, with Ayman Hussein scoring 4 times from corners and free kicks. He got on the end of everything. Anwar Shakunda also got two goals, alongside Erik Santos de Gouveia & Juan Villarraga. I can't quite believe how poor we made them look. it was just attack, after attack, after attack. Easy as you like. 

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League Table


After 11 games, we sit in 2nd position, only a point behind SV Britannia, the team we just annihilated  10-1. We'll be battling it out with them until the end of the season. We have 7 more games to go, so it's all to play for. As long as we stay in good form I feel very good about our chances. 

We're also in the Copa Betico Quarter-Final so we have a chance of the saves first league, cup double. That would be an incredible start to the Challenge. 

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Thanks for reading this episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge, come back soon to read how we fare in the remaining 7 league fixtures and whether we can wn our first domestic cup. Aruba is looking bright for me!

Tongey!

[marktonge]

Roaring Lions // 2023/2024



You'll have to forgive me as I just played and played, and forgotten to get screenshots and write an update for you all about the end of season in Aruba. Things continued to go well and we ended up winning the League & Cup Double with Racing Club Aruba meaning we have now officially ticked off my first country in Tier One of the challenge. 

That being that, we've now moved on again and have landed perfectly on our feet. We've only gone and landed the managers job at the top team in Anguilla. It's an English speaking island which is home to 33 beaches, most of which are white sand and are all insanely beautiful! Wikipedia is a wonderful thing eh. Anyway, I've taken over the vacant managers position at a team called 'Roaring Lions' who reside in Stoney Ground. The perfect side for me to lead to glory as they are the most decorated Anguillan side in their history. They've won 10 titles as of 2023. 

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Club Overview:

Name: Roaring Lions
Nickname: The Lions
League: AFA Senior Male League
Kit: Orange (Home) White (Away)

Facilities

Stadium: AFA National Stadium
Capacity: 4,000
Youth Facilities: Poor
Training Facilities: Poor
Youth Recruitment: Excellent
Youth Coaching: Fairly Basic

Honours:
AFA Senior Male League (10)

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Finances

With a pretty decent £30,000 in the bank, and a wage budget of £0pw we're looking pretty good! Expenditure will be absolutely minimal and the fact we don't have to pay for players will hopefully mean we can invest in the clubs facilities if I'm here long enough. I probably don't want to be here that long considering they are the best team in the country. 

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The Squad:

By the looks of things, I've got a very good and capable squad available. We have a lot of wide players strangely so I'll definitely be playing a 'Wing' dominated tactic. Tyrique Lake is by far the best player at the club and will probably lock down that right winger role. I'll be counting on my only recognised front man Keyini Brooks-Belle to be banging in the goals up top. 17 year old Javis Jones also excites me and will be the main man in the middle of the park. I'm happy with what I've got, although a new Goalkeeper, and a backup striker will be on the shopping list as well as another CB. Depth will be needed.

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Thanks for reading this latest part of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. Like I mentioned above, I've landed on my feet, so success should follow quite quickly. I'll be back around mid-season to fill you in. 

Tongey!

[marktonge]

Roaring Lions | Anguilla | Mid-Season Update | 2023/2024



Anguilla may be done and dusted pretty quickly! As I said in my previous post, we are clearly the best team in the league and I'm clearly the best manager in the league. Just joking about that bit. I always find these early Tiers to be pretty easy once you get a coaching qualification or two, as the players instantly raise their game for you once they are done! I'm delighted with how we've started and you'll see why in just a minute. 

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Transfers | In & Out

I wanted to bring in at least one CB as we were severely lacking here, and I'm glad that I managed to do just that. Sedu is pretty damn good at his role! He'll definitely be a leader back there! Jarvis was a bit of a last second signing as I needed a little bit more attacking depth and he'll come in to provide that for me! 
In terms of outgoings, we only saw one player leave the club in Yariel Fleming! He wasn't guaranteed first team football so jumped at the chance to join Barcelona Atletico from the Dominican Republic.

IN
Sedu Bradshaw | CB
Jarvis Jones | AMR

OUT
Yariel Fleming | AMR

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November 2023



UPRISING |Presidents Cup Group B | HOME | 4-1 | WIN
What a start to life in charge of the Roaring Lions! A 4-1 victory in which we dominated the show from start to finish. Kayini Brooks-Belle got us off to a flyer netting in the 3rd minute before firing us further ahead in the 34th. Jermal Richardson headed home a 3rd to give us a great cushion at the break. UPRISING got one back early in the second half but Shemari Bryan slotted a penalty past the keeper a minute later. 

West End Predators | Presidents Cup Group B | AWAY | 0-3 | WIN
Lifes easier on the islands! It's simple. You train, you play a game, you win, you drink beer. A Kayini Brooks-Belle hattrick saw us run out 3-0 winners and cement our place as Group Winners and into the Semi-Finals!

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December 2023



Ballers (AIA) | Presidents Cup Semi-Final | HOME | 6-1 | WIN
More goals for the Roaring Lions! It's fantastic football and we're showing why we're the best in the country by a mile! Jarvis Jones & Kayini Brooks-Belle both got braces, with Jermal Richardson & Bakari Battice grabbing the others. As easy a Semi-Final as we'll get. Can we secure the trophy at the first attempt? We'll face UPRISING again in the Final.

UPRISING | Presidents Cup Final | NEUTRAL | 4-0 | WIN
WOW. I can't actually think of a more comprehensive cup run as this. We dominated from start to finish, and the Final was no different. We should've been ahead in the first half but none of our 13 shots in the half could find the back of the net. We put that right at the break and Jermal Richardson, Tyrique Lake, Kayini Brooks-Belle & Shermari Bryan all got us goals to give us that trophy! Go on the Lions! ROAR ON!

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February & March (1 Game) 2024

Diamond (AIA) | AWAY | 1-5 | WIN
The league finally kicked off a month after we lifted the Presidents Cup! We showed no sign of letting that affect us as we continued our lethal form and came out with a 5-1 victory over Diamond. We were brilliant and a first 3 points for us in the league! 

Ballers (AIA) | HOME | 4-2 | WIN
Another game, another goalfest as we score 4 more! Kayini Brooks-Belle with ANOTHER hattrick as he claims the match ball once again. Shemari Bryan proving to be the ever dependent from the spot. A shame to concede 2 for the first time in Anguilla. +3.

Development (AIA) | HOME | 6-0 | WIN
WOW. Goals, Goals, Goals! 6 of the best for the Roaring Lions! We're not just purring along, we're absolutely ROARING! Can't quite believe how good we are and how dominant we are. I knew we were heavy favourites for the league but this is something else. 

UPRISING | HOME | 4-0 | WIN
Another game against UPRISING. The 3rd time we've played them and the 3rd time we've scored 4 against them. Jarvis Jones the new signing came in and scored a lovely little hattrick. He nicked the penalty away from Bryan who wasn't happy. Kayini Brooks-Belle! Fantastic once again and we're 12/12 points in the league with 5 games to go!

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League Table

A dominant start to the season sees us sitting pretty at the top of the tree with only 5 games to go! I absolutely love small seasons as you can just rattle through them. Turns the bad around quickly and just focus on the good! Look at that goal difference! +16 over 4 games. ALHCS Spartans are hot on our tails, but I'll back us to beat them when it comes down to it! 

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Thanks for reading this latest episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge! We are performing well as we should be, but can we maintain it over the last 5 games? I think so, but funnier things have happened in Football. I'll see you all at the end of the season!

Tongey!

[marktonge]

Roaring Lions | Anguilla | End of Season Update | 2023/2024



An unbeaten season on the cards? What an achievement that would be this early on in my career. It would certainly make future employers look twice that's for sure! Anyway, can anyone remember how my daily life goes here? Cocktails and Wins! I think I'm going to end up being an alcoholic by the time I finish managing in the islands. The local bartenders keep giving me free drinks for every goal the team scores! I'm pissed most nights. 

Here's how we got on in the last 5 games of the season.

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March 2024

ALHCS Spartans | AWAY | 0-3 | WIN
This was the game that could've really derailed our title charge! They were closely monitoring us and keeping us in check at the top of the table. Well we put that to bed with this result. It was all square at the break which was a rarity, but we put the pedal down in the second half. Jermal Richardson, Jarvis Jones & Kayini Brooks-Belle with the goals. 

Kicks Utd | HOME | 5-1 | WIN
Well, I don't think we've had a game where we haven't scored 3 or more in all competitions. That record continued with a 5-1 victory! Kayini Brooks-Belle with 2 goals, and a superb perfect hattrick for Tyrique Lake who finished it off with a calm penalty in the last seconds. 

Attackers (AIA) | AWAY | 2-7 | WIN
More goals! Well actually, LOTS more goals! Kayini Brooks-Belle did what he does best, and for the first time this season he scored 4! He's just a different gravy baby! We're rompng to the league title, and tbh my attention as switched to having a perfect season!

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April 2024

West End Predators | HOME | 3-0 | WIN
The West End Predators weren't nearly as predator'ish as their name makes them sound like. In fact, they were rubbish! We made them look average and even though they were 2nd in the league at the time we turned them over. A brace from Shermari Bryan saw things out after the main man up top put us ahead. 1 more game to go!

Masters (AIA) | AWAY | 0-3 | WIN
3 first half goals from 3 different players saw us take a comprehensive lead into the break and made the second half a non-contest! We coasted to an unbeaten season and deserved every single victory! 

AN UNBEATEN SEASON FOR THE ROARING LIONS!

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League Table



9 wins out of 9 for the Lions, and my first unbeaten season for a god damn while! The goal difference is remarkable for only 9 games! In fact we only conceded 6 goals in the league, whilst scoring 40! Incredible! I haven't even waited for the final games to be played before I posted this as it's not even close! We've won the league by a minimum of 8 points!

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Player Stats

Goals:
1) Kayini Brooks-Belle - 22 (13)
2) Shemari Bryan - 8 (11)
3) Jarvis Jones - 8 (13)

Assists:
1) Jarvis Jones - 8 (13)
2) Jermal Richardson - 8 (13)
3) Shermari Bryans - 7 (11)

Average Rating:
1) Kayini Brooks-Belle - 8.13 (13)
2) Jarvis Jones - 7.86 (13)
3) Shermari Bryan - 7.75 (11)

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Thanks for taking the time to read this latest episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge! Another country ticked off in Tier One, meaning one only more to go and we can climb a rung to Tier Two. Where will be next? Who knows, but check back here to find out!

Tongey!

[marktonge]

Freeport RFC | The Bahamas | 2024/2025



Goodbye Anguilla, Hello Bahamas! All I've got in my head is that damn Beach Boys song.

"Bermuda, Bahamas, Come on Pretty Mama"

I'm here anyway, and I've been hired as the new manager of Freeport Rugby Football Club. Hopefully we will be focusing on the football side of things, rather than the rugby side as I don't have a scooby doo about rugby. It confuses me, so I'll stick to football. The side play their football in Freeport, which will come as no surprise to anyone here. They currently play in the second tier of Bahamian football, which means I'll be here for a longer time than the previous teams I've been in charge of. I'll be looking to put down some roots in a little beach bungalow, but that'll come. 

Freeport is such a beautiful place, and I'm guessing a fair amount of tourists visit the area! Maybe we can entice some of them to come and watch us play. Maybe some are good at football and will sign on for us! I'll offer them free beer and half priced board at my bungalow. They can do the cooking though as I don't fancy that every night! I think I've come with a foolproof plan for the future right? 

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Club Overview:

Name: Freeport RFC
Nickname: The Port
Founded: 1965
League: Bahamian Island Leagues
Kit: RED (Home) & WHITE (Away)

Facilities:

Stadium: Grand Bahama Stadium, Freeport
Capacity: 4,000 (3,100 Seated)
Training Facilities: Poor
Youth Facilities: Poor
Youth Coaching: Basic
Youth Recruitment: Basic

Honours:
N/A - Nothing won. 

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Finances:

Just like at my previous club: Roaring Lions, the club is in a pretty good place financially as there are very little outgoings. The wage budget is once again £0pw so anything the club makes from admission costs and sponsors isn't really coming back out again. If I'm here for a few seasons, I'll be looking at the board upgrading some facilities hopefully. We'll see anyway. At the very least, they'll be able to pay for my coaching qualification courses.

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Squad Overview:

The club has a really good set of players, and a very god number of them to provide some squad depth and rotation options. I think the only thing of note is that we lack that top end quality in serious numbers. We only really have 4 good players at the club:

Marc Laguerre (AMR)
Evelt Williamson (CM)
Dwayne Francois (CM)
Michael Julmis (AMR)

It's a shame that two of them play the same position but I'll fit them in somehow. I'll be looking to delve into the transfer market to pick up some more quality in defence, and probably up front too! We'll definitely need it to mount a title challenge. 

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Aims:

The club finished bottom of their respective league last season, but it was pretty close overall! I'm not sure why Baha Jrs. B got relegated in 3rd, instead of us in 5th. That doesn't make much sense but we'll see as we play through the season. Results are obviously going to be close and each game is going to be piviotal. We play each other 3 times so I'll be expecting to push towards the title if I can. 

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Thanks for reading this latest episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge, make sure you pop by or even comment below if you're enjoying it. I'll update you around 1/2 way through the season to assess how we are getting on.

Tongey!

 

[marktonge]

Freeport RFC | The Bahamas | Mid-Season Update ||2024/2025




I've found myself a new favourite cocktail: The Bahama Breeze! It's an absolute banger when celebrating a win. I treat the coaching staff to a well deserved drink or two after every win, in what we now call "Club Dub". It's a known tradition in which cocktails start flowing, and the music starts blaring! Just a way for me to thank my coaching staff after all their hard work. 

Of course Toni Macaroni's is the beach bar of choice! Occasionally the players try and sneak in but me and the barman are tight and he won't let them in. They have to go down the road to Joe Conch Shack! No gate-crashing my party. Treat em mean, keep em keen! 

Transfers | IN & OUT



Obviously there are more players leaving than joining, but that's ok. That's how you roll in the second division and on amateur contracts. Players quite commonly leave to go and sign for a club in the top league. The pay is the same, but the prestige is higher. 

IN

Carlos Richardson | RB
Rene Duval | CB
Joseph Kirby | AMC

OUT

Sean Bethel | CB
Michael Moss | CM
Ambry Francois | CM
Isiah Wood | ML
Ronaldo Mullins | AMR
Raymorn Jones | ST

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October & November 2024

Baha Jrs.B | FA Cup 1st Round | HOME | 5-0 | WIN
What a fantastic start to life in the Bahamas! A nice 5-0 win sees us progress in the FA Cup to the 2nd Round. A brilliant performance with 5 different scorers putting the ball into the back of the net. 2 before the half from Logan Wood & Evelt Williamson, before Devaughn Curry, Shakeem Lewis & Travis Green put the icing on the cake in the second half. All in all, a good days work. 

Renegades B | HOME | 6-1 | WIN
We follow up the 5-0 win, with a first league win of the season. A 6-1 victory with a brace from Shakeem Lewis, and a massive 4 goals from Logan Wood. A little switch of player position making sure that Wood played up front worked wonders and paid dividends straight away. I'm trying to figure out who's good in the league and who isn't, and it seems that they aren't. A great first league game for the lads.

Sharks (BAH) | AWAY | 3-3 | DRAW
Well, I've not had to type in a different colour other than Green for a long time now. This is the first time I've dropped points in over a year. That's a crazy stat. This was a great game of football. It was back and forth with us coming back from a goal down twice, before taking the lead in the 83rd minute and losing that lead 4 minutes later. A fantastic match for the neutral and one I'm not too disappointed in. 

Western Warriors B | AWAY | 1-2 | WIN
Back to winning ways as we beat Western Warriors B away from home. We weren't that good in all honesty, but we got the 3 points which is the main thing. Michael Moss put us ahead in the 33rd minute, before Logan Wood added to the lead in the 64th. We conceded a late goal in the 84th minute leading to a last 6 minutes of panic stations. We held on thankfully.

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December 2024

Renegades B | AWAY | 3-4 | WIN
Last time out against Renegades B, we absolutely trounced them 6-1. This time it was a much closer affair. The result was the same, but it was more stressful for sure. They were ahead in the 73rd minute but a screamer from Shakeem Lewis put us back on level terms before Logan Wood broke free of the last man and found the back of the net to give us all 3 points. 

Sharks (BAH) | HOME | 3-1 | WIN
Another win for the Freeport lads! Evelt Williamson the hero on the day as he nets a 30 minute hattrick. You can't ask for a better performance from an individual. He's a consistent performer and I'm delighted for him. He definitely deserved his MOM award. Another good win. 

Dynamos (BAH) | FA Cup Second Round | AWAY | 2-1 | DEFEAT
Our first loss of the campaign and it comes in the FA Cup. Now success probably wasn't on the cards as we're a second tier outfit right now, but I'd like to have played a bit better. The scoreline definitely flatters us. Logan Wood grabbed our only goal of the game. I guess on reflection it's not a bad result against a Premier League side. 

Baha Jrs | HOME | 5-3 | WIN
Back to winning ways, and back to scoring lots of goals! Evelt Williamson & Joseph Kirby both grabbed a brace, with Logan Wood grabbing the other goal. We were brilliant. The only downside beinng that we conceded 3 goals. That's not on in my eyes. Defensive training incoming so that doesn't happen again.

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League Table



We're storming into a commanding lead at the top of the Group A table! We currently have a 6 point gap to Baha Jrs. who occupy that 2nd place. We also have a game in hand on them so it could well be a 9 point gap. With only 6 games to go we're in poll position to go on and win the Group. Easy sailing so far...

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Thanks once again for taking the time to read this latest episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. We're well on our way to something special here in the Bahamas, so thanks for sticking with us. Come back soon to see how the season ends and see if we can get ourself into the top tier of Bahamian football. 

Tongey!

[marktonge]

Freeport RFC | The Bahamas | End of Season Update | 2024/2025



Well, well, well, you're about to find out why you can't rest on your laurels! Things may be going excellently but strange things can happen in the blink of an eye! I'm absolutely fuming with how the season ended, but you'll find out why in just a second. Read on to find out. 

A few of you who may be waiting in Tony Macaronis for me to start the party, may be waiting for a little longer! Bahama Breeze fuelled Club Dub are no longer at the moment. 

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January 2025

Baha Jrs | AWAY | 1-2 | WIN
A tight victory away at Baha Jrs is a very good result. We didn't play our usual free flowing attacking football, but we did get all 3 points! Evelt Williamson got us in the lead just before the break. They got on level terms mid way through the second half, before a last second winner from Logan Wood secured us the points in a game that could've gone either way.

Sharks (BAH) | AWAY | 2-3 | WIN
Another tight game, and another game in which it could've gone either way. We're struggling to find our usual attacking forceful football, but I'm sure it'll be back. Two injury time goals in the first half saw us take the lead after going behind. We stretched our lead further when Williamson scored a penalty. A late goal for Sharks made it closer but we rode out the storm at the end and still claimed our maximum points. 

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February 2025



Western Warriors B | HOME | 4-1 | WIN
The first of two games against Western Warriors B this month, and the first of two hammerings. A Logan Wood hattrick was the highlight of the show as we showed them that we are a lot better than they are. They are bottom for a reason. Easy as pie.

Western Warriors B | AWAY | 1-5 | WIN
The second win this month, and a second hammering of the same team. We won 9-2 on aggregate over the two games. That impressive. Logan Wood once again showing them why he's the best striker in the league. It'll be tough to keep hold of him.

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March & April 2025

Renegades B | HOME | 4-1 | WIN
Will you look at that. We found our scoring boots again, and with 4 different goalscorers it proves we have scoring ability all over the park. I'm delighted with this performance. We were never in doubt or troubled in this one. Excellent.

Baha Jrs. | HOME | 4-1 | WIN
Make that two 4-1 victories in a row this month. Baha Jrs were no match for our fantastic attacking football. Joseph Kirby was insane scoring a hattrick. The 2nd being an absolute stunner! We're on fire at the moment. The final game of the season was a brilliant spectacle for the fans. Where did we finish though?

League Table

That is an absolute battering of a league campaign! We won the league title by a whopping 18 points! That's insane after only 12 games. We absolutely dominated the rest of the league, but as of now it means nothing as we have to play in a Playoff to go up! That seems strange when you absolutely batter a league. 




I'm into the Bahamas Hall of Fame. Not many of you can say that eh?

Islands League Promotion Playoff Final



I'M ABSOLUTELY FUMING! Let me just tell you the result we've had when we've played Baha Jrs this season!

HOME - Freeport 5-0 Baha Jrs - FA Cup
HOME - Freeport 5-3 Baha Jrs - LEAGUE
AWAY - Baha Jrs 1-2 Freeport - LEAGUE
HOME - Freeport 4-1 Baha Jrs - LEAGUE

Then we only go and lose in the most important game of the season! Like, how does that even happen? We only lose one game all season, that being in the FA Cup, and we've only dropped points in one league game. I'm absolutely baffled, but we'll go again next season. IN THE SAME FRICKEN LEAGUE!

We miss. out on promotion after falling at the final hurdle!

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Thanks once again for reading this latest heartbreaking episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. You've seen us fall at the final hurdle, but you're going to come back and read how we come back next year and win it all right? Thought so. 

Tongey!

[marktonge]

A New Challenge | Staying In The Bahamas | Cavalier FC

I was sitting on my porch looking out over the ocean, drowning my sorrows after losing out in the Promotion Playoff Final, when my IPad pinged into action! I had received three different invitations to jobs: all three of them from teams in the BFA Senior League. It would've been stupid of me to not attend any of them, so I replied and went along.





Cavalier FC finished in 4th position in the BFA Senior League last season. 
United FC finished as runners up in the whole league including the Playoff Final
Bears finished as runners up in their half of the BFA Senior League

As it happened, the only team to offer me the job after attending the interview was Cavalier FC. So here I am, standing infront of you all as the new manager of Cavalier FC.

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Club Overview:

Team Name: Cavalier FC
Nickname: N/A
League: BFA Senior League
Founded: 1971
Kit: RED & WHITE (Home) & WHITE (Away)

Facilities:

Stadium: Roscow A.L. Davies Soccer Field
Capacity: 1,000 (700 Seated)
Training Facilities: Poor
Youth Facilities: Basic
Youth Recruitment: Excellent
Youth Coaching: Basic

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Squad Overview:



It's a fairly decent squad once again, and I'm sure I'll be making some more improvements from the transfer market. They'll be no spending money on transfers of wages so it's a free for all to improve with. We do have some very good players and every player apparently is a quality prospect once they mature a little. Ones to look out for are:

Elijah Delancy | GK
William Thompson-Palmer | CB
Tre Bain | CM
Dwayne Francois | ST

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Thanks for taking the time to read this latest update: I'm excited to see how I fare in the top league here in the Bahamas! Up the Cavaliers!

Tongey!
 

[marktonge]

Cavalier FC | The Bahamas | Mid-Season Update | 2025/2026

I thought life was going to be tricky at Cavalier, having gone up a division, but it's been the total opposite. In fact, I've had that much spare time after giving the lads a day off after a big win that I've found myself a new local haunt. Club Dub is back baby, and it's an absolute belter! 



Senor Frogs is our new host, and we've had a lot of memorable nights here so far. I've even invited the players some nights, although it's more of a coaching staff kind of night. My Director of Football is becoming quite a local myth after his activities on a night out. Anyway, enough about Club Dub, I'll bring you up to date with how this season has gone so far...

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Transfers | IN & OUT

3 in, and 3 out. I'm delighted to bring back Ea-Rhon Rogers who was released by Freeport under my time due to registration rules, but I managed to persuade him to rejoin my journey here at Cavalier. Ethan Godet comes in to strengthen the back line further, and Ricardo Mareus was a late addition towards the latter few games of this half season. I was saddened to see Ednel Godet leave the club around the same time as he was performing pretty well.

IN:
Ea-Rhon Rogers | DL
Ethan Godet | CB
Ricardo Mareus | RB

OUT:
Devaughan Pedican | CB
Matty Webb | AML
Ednel Godet | ST

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October 2025



Bears | AWAY | 1-2 | WIN
Our first win of the season in my first game in charge! It was by no means pretty, but we got the job done which is all that matters. We actually went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Peter Francois & Ethan Adderley, but let our performance slip as the game went on. We let a soft goal in and they put the pressure on. I was impressed with how we held on when it mattered most. 3 points. 

Baha Jrs. | HOME | 2-0 | WIN
A team that offered me the job at their club came to visit, and I sent them packing with their tails between their legs. A 2-0 win with Evelt Williamson & Ednel Godet starring and netting. Evelt was a former player of mine at Freeport but he left just before I did. I'm glad to have joined up with him again as he was quality last season. He's already showing that here in Nassau.

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November 2025



Dynamos | HOME | 2-0 | WIN
3 in a row for the boys from Nassau. A debut goal for Ethan Williamson and a late, late strike from experienced winger Jackner Louis gave us a massive win. We left it late, but we deserved all 3 points so I'm glad to have come through this one. They are a decent team.

Western Warriors | AWAY | 1-3 | WIN
Jackner Louis is really starting to show his experience out on that right wing. He's been brilliant the past two games and he showed once again that he's still got quality even at the age of 32. He scored one early and one later with Ethan Williamson netting another goal to give us that 3-1 victory. We weren't troubled massively in this one but were professional enough to come through and gain all 3 points. 

Baha Jrs. | AWAY | 0-4 | WIN
Our best performance of the season, and against the newly promoted side Baha Jrs. We were brilliant, and I love it when we have different scorers for each goal! We have quality all over the field. We dominated this one from start to finish and we're now 5/5 in the league. 

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December 2025 & January 2026 (1 game)



Boca (BAH) | FA Cup Second Round | AWAY | 0-3 | WIN
We've only gone and progressed nicely into the 3rd round of the FA Cup. It was an easy tie for us, and we came through it with ease. A 3-0 win thanks to goals from Ednel Godet & 2 from Jackner Louis. A fantastic performance and a chance to progress further. 

Dynamoes (BAH) | AWAY | 1-1 | DRAW
A 1-1 draw is our first dropped points of the season so far. We've been immaculate until now, but a 1-1 draw was an alright result for us. An early strike from Peter Francois put us ahead and in control but we really let our performance drop after that. I think the lads thought it was far to easy, and they made us pay by getting that deserved equaliser. A rare draw, but it's not a bad result in all honesty.

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League Table:



6 games in, or half a season complete and we're on top of the table. As of now we'll be in that playoff spot which will decide where the trophy is heading. We've got a 3 point gap between ourselves and Western Warriors, but we also do have 2 games in hand so the gap could stretch up to 9 points. We've only got 6 games left so it's definitely in our hands as of now. Come on the Cavalier!

We're also still in the FA Cup so success may be on the cards in that one too. Could we get a double? It's too soon to tell, but that's the aim for sure!

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Thanks again for reading this latest episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. Things in Nassau are looking good. Senor Frogs is a new local haunt and I look forward to welcoming you all to our promotion party there soon! 

Tongey! 

[marktonge]

Cavalier FC | The Bahamas | End of Season Update | 2025/2026


As Jimmy Buffet once said: "It's 5'oclock somewhere!" I'm certainly living my life by the rule, but only when things are going well on the pitch! When that happens, my life is easy and I just get to sit back, relax and watch good things happen. When it doesn't happen, I whip out the old alter-ego: Don Tongio. You don't want to meet him. If you do, you know you're in for a tough day. Anyway, enough about that. I'll update you all on the second half of the season now as that's what you're here for...

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January 2026

Western Warriors | HOME | 5-1 | WIN
We continue our dominant race towards the title with a 5-1 hammering of Western Warriors. One first half goal thanks to Peter Francois then 4 goals after the break set us up nicely! They did get a consolation goal midway through that second half but they never troubled us more than that. We were dominant. Easy as you like.

Dynamoes (BAH) | HOME | 4-1 | WIN
When you follow up a 5-1 win with a 4-1 win, you know you're doing something right! Peter Francois easily claimed the MOM award after his stunning hattrick! His first 2 goals were classy solo goals and then of course he had to take a penalty to give him that hattrick! Ethan Williamson then rose heighest at the back post to head home a corner. We're just on a roll.


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February 2026

Nassau (BAH) | FA Cup Quarter Final | AWAY | 1-3 | WIN
FC Nassau are a team in the Bahamian Island Leagues so we were the overwhelming favourites in this one. We showed why with a fantastic attacking performance. Jackner Louis continued to show why he's so important to the team with 2 more goals. Peter Francois completed the job just before the half, and just like that we were in the Semi-Finals.

Bears | HOME | 4-4 | DRAW
What a game the neutrals had for them as we played out a 4-4 draw with Bears. It literally had everyting! We were actually 3-0 up at the break, and then the second half carnage started. They scored early before we regained our 3 goal lead. We then let our performance drop and we paid the ultimate price for that. They scored 3 times between the 70th and 85th minute! Not ideal, but a point gained I guess.

Baha Jrs. | HOME | 4-1 | WIN
Back to winning ways wit a bang. Jackner Louis with 2 goals before the break, to add on to 2 more goals from Peter Francois & Tre Bain. Being 4-0 up at the break meant we could relax slightly after the half and we did just that. Not so much that we let them back into the game, but enough to rest ourselves for the next couple of games. You've got to take those chances when you get them. 

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March 2026

Renegades B | FA Cup Semi Final | HOME | 4-1 | WIN
Our first semi-final in the Bahamas, and we came through it with flying colours. Without our main man Peter Francois we would be nowhere. He was magnificent today and continues to impress the Bahamian football world. He netted 4 times and earned us the win on his own. I don't think we'll find an easier Semi-Final in our journey. The final awaits...

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April 2026



Western Warriors | AWAY | 0-2 | WIN
Another game ticked off en route to us winning the league phase! We weren't at our best in this one, but we got the job done. Peter Francois got us ahead in the first half with a cheeky finish from inside the area. Jackner Louis completed the job with a solo run down the right before a one two led him to be free on goal. +3.

Bears | FA Cup Final | NEUTRAL | 2-1 | WIN
Well, well, well. Consider this another trophy ticked off and one that leaves us with just the league title to complete in order for us to climb to Tier Two. This was a fantastic game that was end to end. Bears are a good team, and ran us all the way. Jackner Louis fired us ahead in the first half, before we were pegged back in the middle of the second half. They put pressure on us until the end of the game but we held on to force extra time. New signing Ian Winder, at 30 years old, had all the composure in the world as he found himself free in the area and slotted it easily into the back of the net. SCENES. CHAOS. CELEBRATIONS!

Bears | AWAY | 3-1 | LOSS
Our first loss in the season and it comes against the team we just beat in the Final. I think they wanted revenge, but it's not to worry. We've already wrapped up the top spot in the league so I'm not to mad. Peter Francois put us ahead early doors, but after that we were terrible. Not good, but not disastrous. 

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League Table



As easy a group stage as you'll find. We were brilliant and fully deserved to top the group. Western Warriors ended up finishing just ahead of Bears meaning the only team that beat us weren't joining us in the Playoff competition. A cool 10 point gap between us and Western Warriors shows how good we are. Onto the Playoffs.

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Champions Playoffs:



Western Warriors | Champions Playoff Semi-Final | NEUTRAL | 3-0 | WIN
We comfortably sail through to the Final of the Playoffs after beating our fellow Group B side Western Warriors. Our main goalscorer Peter Francois was in fine form netting a brace with Ryan Hudson getting the other one. We were never troubled and this was about as comfortable a Semi-Final we could get. I'm sure it'd be harder in the Final.

Renegades FC | Champions Playoff Final | NEUTRAL | 4-1 | WIN
BOOM. Another trophy in the bag. This was a tense game in regulation time. Ryan Hudson equalised for us on the stroke of half time with a firm header into the bottom corner. It stayed 1-1 until the end of the 90. Extra time. I had given the lads a rocket up their ass, and it must've worked as we flew out of the traps. Tre Bain scored 2 minutes in, before Ian Winder got the first of his two a minute later. He rounded it off in the 110th and that was that. The Bahamas ticked off! Tier One Ticked Off!



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Player Stats:

Goals:
1. Peter Francois | 20 (18apps)
2. Jackner Louis | 11 (17)
3. Ethan Williiamson | 4 (17)

Assists:
1. Kevin Francois | 11 (15apps)
2. Jackner Louis | 11 (17)
3. Ea-Rhon Rogers | 4 (13)

Average Rating:
1. Ian Winder | 7.80 (6apps)
2. Jackner Louis | 7.74 (17)
3. Ethan Williiamson | 7.27 (17)

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Thanks for reading this episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. The final part of Tier One. We'll be moving onto Tier Two in the next episode and I'm excited to see where this journey will take us. We'll see in the next episode anyway! Check back to see where we end up!

Tongey!

 

Edited June 10, 2023 by marktonge

[marktonge]

Back to Africa | Destination Djibouti | AS Ali Sabieh | Tier Two



It's been a couple of days since I wrapped up Tier One with a successful year in the Bahamas with Cavalier FC. We managed to win the Senior League and the FA Cup in the same year which meant it was time to resign and move on to pastures new. That new pasture is the wonderful country of Djibouti. 

I'm not going to lie, I don't really know much about Djibouti, but from a quick wikipedia search I can tell you 3 interesting facts...

1. Lake Assal is the lowest point in the whole of the African continent. It's also the 3rd lowest point in the World.
2. Djibouti is the third smallest country in Africa. It's behind.
3. The capital city: Djibouti City is built on a bed of coral reef.

You should know a little bit more about Djibouti now, but if you want to know more, feel free to go and research and pop your favourite fact down below in the comments.

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AS Ali Sabieh Djibouti Telecom



Welcome to my new stomping grounds. It's a little bit of a mouthful, but I'll just refer to them as AS Ali Sabieh from now, as that's what they are in the game. It's far different surroundings to my usual Caribbean haunts, but it'll do for now. Hopefully I won't be here too long and I can get back to my sandy beaches and tropical cocktails. 

Club Overview:

Name: AS Ali Sabieh Djibouti Telecom
Nickname: N/A
Founded: 1991
League: Djiboutian Premier League
Kit: Yellow (Home) & Blue (Away)

Facilities:

Stadium: Stade Hassan Gouled
Capacity: 10,000
Training Facilities: Poor
Youth Facilities: Poor
Youth Recruitment: Basic
Youth Coaching: Basic



Honours: 
Djiboutian Premier League (7) | 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Djiboutian Cup (3) | 2006, 2016, 2018
Djiboutian Super Cup (3) | 2013, 2014, 2016

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Squad:



I've only got a small squad available to me, but that isn't a huge surprise to me. I'll be looking at adding to the squad of course, but only for the right pieces. I definitely need a couple of central midfielders as on first look, I have zero at the club which is a worry to me. That's where I'm headed first of all, before getting a couple of depth pieces in. I'd like another good striker to partner Mahdi Hossein Mahabeh up top. 

The best players are:

Moussa Robleh | GK
Hamze Hassan | CB
Ahmed Mohamed | CB
Ahmed Hassan Djama | ML
Mahdi Hossein Mahabeh | ST

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Thanks for reading this latest episode of the Jacobs Ladder Challenge. We're now in Tier Two, and about to head into an unknown journey in Djibouti. Make sure you check back soon to see how we get on. I'll be back at mid-season to update you all.

Tongey!