[FM24] Tongue Utd - Signing only players from the Scottish Highlands

[Makoto Nakamura]

2025/26 Youth Candidates

We can sign four players this season!

[Makoto Nakamura]

4/4/26 - Scottish Amateur Cup Semi Final

We are going to Hampden Park!!!!!

[Makoto Nakamura]

April 2026

What a finale to the league campaign a we utterly destroyed already relegated Back! Now all we have left is the Scottish Amateur Cup Final!

[Makoto Nakamura]

2025/26 End of Season Review

As easy a 1-0 win as you're likely to see and a hefty crowd of 1,179 at the 51,866 capacity Hampden Park saw us seal a domestic treble as well as an unbeaten league season!

Amateur Cup

Jock Mackay Cup

Highland Amateur Cup

Highland Amateur Division One

A goal difference of +70 with Cameron Neville netting 37 league goals, what a debut season!!

Overall Best XI

2025/26 Best XI

Jamie Stephen

Kevin Goller - Lachlan Quate - Stephen Kelly

Luke Manson - Adam Skinner - Cameron McCheyne - Lewis Bannerman

 

 

Cameron Neville - Mark Munro - Benjamin Kelly

Edited December 9, 2023 by Makoto Nakamura

[Jimbokav1971]

On 06/12/2023 at 21:44, Makoto Nakamura said:

2024/25 Youth Candidates

Of the entire intake, only Joel Trueman (YP2m) is eligible to play for us, so only he will be signed.

Oh wow that's tough. 

[Jimbokav1971]

On 07/12/2023 at 22:13, Makoto Nakamura said:

I see this is your 2nd season stuck on 23 season tickets. 

We've been stuck on 23 season tickets for 3 seasons now. Fingers crossed it moves next season. 

[Makoto Nakamura]

2026/27 Pre-Season

A couple of money spinners to start and end a good pre-season!

We're actually not predicted to win the league, exciting times!

A few players return to us, either on loan or permanently for a 2nd spell. 1 player from Tain, 1 from Nairn, 1 from Stornoway, 1 from Dingwall and 7 from Inverness.

 

@Jimbokav1971 We had a change in sales!  

[Makoto Nakamura]

Away trips this season:

Cnoc a' Choilich - Carloway Football Club

Munro Park - Contin

Jubilee Park - Dingwall FC

Fochabers Playing Fields - Fochabers

Morrison Park - Halkirk United

Creagan Dubh - Lochs FC

Bught Park - Merkinch

Pavilion Park - Muir of Ord

Fivepenny - Ness FC

Portree High School - North West Skye

The Garrabost Park - Point FC

Firth School - Rendall

Sir Georges Park - Shetland

Goathill Park - Stornoway Athletic & Stornoway United

 

[Makoto Nakamura]

August 2026

A great start to the season as we progress in every single cup!

Scotstoun Stadium

Munro Park

Hamilton Park

 

[Makoto Nakamura]

September 2026

An entire month of away fixtures but the unbeaten run remains! We're through to face Threave Rovers in the Scottish Cup, Contin in the Amateur Cup, Blackrock Rovers in the Jock Mackay Cup & Point in the Highland Amateur Cup.

Goathill Park

Volunteer Park

Couper Park

[Makoto Nakamura]

October 2026

It is finally over! Carloway end our 76 match unbeaten run...in a game where we really deserved to win! We're also still in every cup available and we'll be facing Glenafton in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup.

Creagan Dubh

Meadow Park

The Garrabost Park

 

[phnompenhandy]

THIRTY-TWO GRAND???? Jesus. I just lost in the Scottish Cup 2nd round and got £5600. You're in the big time!

[Makoto Nakamura]

18 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

THIRTY-TWO GRAND???? Jesus. I just lost in the Scottish Cup 2nd round and got £5600. You're in the big time!

Yet the board still won't approve my junior coaching request. 

Edited December 10, 2023 by Makoto Nakamura

[Jimbokav1971]

3 hours ago, Makoto Nakamura said:

@Jimbokav1971 We had a change in sales!  

Thank God for that. Much less chance now of me being stuck there for another year now I think. I got seriously worried when I saw we had 5 seasons between us stuck on 23 season tickets. 

[Makoto Nakamura]

It's about damn time!

[Makoto Nakamura]

November 2026

Another busy month but we still manage to hold on and win every single game which leaves us 3rd in the league and STILL in every cup!

 

Fochabers Playing Fields

The Garrabost Park

We're off to Falkirk!  There's a few massive games happening in the 4th Round!

[Makoto Nakamura]

Who knows what we'll get, hopefully minor improvements.

[Makoto Nakamura]

December 2026

Amazing again and we've hit the top of the league! Can we hold on to the great form? How far can we realistically go like this?

Pavilion Park

Fairmuir Park

Jubilee Park

Portree High School

 

[Makoto Nakamura]

Our Scottish Cup run comes to an end but what a run, and we only lost by the one goal, a great result away to a team 5 tiers above us!

There were a few upsets though!

Edited December 10, 2023 by Makoto Nakamura

[Makoto Nakamura]

January 2027

Two cup exits and we drop points to Shetland but we're just holding off Stornoway United!

Sir Georges Park

Couper Park

The only big loss is Cameron McCheyne, our 1st choice DM who decided to leave us hours before our match against Falkirk to go to a team the tier below us, and on less money.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Makoto Nakamura

[Makoto Nakamura]

February 2027

A shock loss to Arbroath CSC who I believe are a tier beneath us, other than that we have another Jock Mackay Cup Final to look forward to!

Claggan Park

Cnoc a' Choilich

Fivepenny

[Makoto Nakamura]

We should've scored more but it's another Jock Mackay Cup win!

 

[Makoto Nakamura]

2026/27 Youth Candidates

Only Paul MacNab is eligible. Rubbish.  

[Makoto Nakamura]

March 2027

An absolutely massive month sees us win the Jock Mackay Cup and three comprehensive wins in the league as we stay top of the table but now with a game in hand!

Morrison Park

[Makoto Nakamura]

A win in the final match of the season means we are league champions and we are pro-

Oh.

We have a playoff!

[Makoto Nakamura]

Whisper it quietly, but I think we're going to be okay for the second leg!

[Makoto Nakamura]

Two shots on target for them and two goals, great stuff! Promotion is promotion though!  

Edited December 10, 2023 by Makoto Nakamura

[Makoto Nakamura]

2026/27 End of Season Review

We're leaving the Amateur Leagues goodbye! 2 seasons ago Balloan got promoted to the North Caledonian League and immediately gained promotion to the Highland League (They've finished 11th this season) and last seasons winners Alness Utd finished 2nd in the North Caledonian League this season and just a point off top spot.

Overall Best XI

2026/27 Best XI

Jamie Stephen

Craig Munro - Rhys Lobban - Frank Archibald

Derek Dolan - Finlay McDonald - Cameron McCheyne - Kieran McShane

 

 

Cameron Neville - Daniel Low - Benjamin Kelly

[Makoto Nakamura]

2027/28 Pre-Season

A perfect pre-season apart from the Falkirk money spinner.

Four cups for us this season and we're predicted mid-table, could this be where we reach our limit?

We brought back Cameron and James! 

[Makoto Nakamura]

New away trips this season

Dalmore Park - Alness United

Migdale Playing Fields - Bonar Bridge

Claggan Park- Fort William

Recreation Grounds - Invergordon

Ferry Brae Park - Inverness Athletic

King George V Park - Loch Ness

Showfield Park - Nairn St. Ninian

Kirkwall Grammar School - Orkney

Sir Georges Park - Thurso

[Makoto Nakamura]

August 2027

Well it's certainly been an exciting start to the season!  

 

Edited December 10, 2023 by Makoto Nakamura

[phnompenhandy]

I know Paul Brindle well - saw him play for Brora Rangers!

[Vakama2619]

Off to a decent start in the North Caley league here. few famous ish teams in the league this season. (Fort William, Loch Ness)  What league are Johnstone Burgh in currently?

[phnompenhandy]

13 minutes ago, Vakama2619 said:

Off to a decent start in the North Caley league here. few famous ish teams in the league this season. (Fort William, Loch Ness)  What league are Johnstone Burgh in currently?

Wrong thread for this I know (sorry, MN) but in my save they've weirdly gone supernova and are currently 4th in League One!

[Vakama2619]

33 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Wrong thread for this I know (sorry, MN) but in my save they've weirdly gone supernova and are currently 4th in League One!

I considered asking this question in yours and @Jimbokav1971's threads as well, just didn't as to not seem a pest, I believe they're the new Darvel just throwing money everywhere which is why I'm asking, I did a sim with this db in FM23 and they got promoted up to the Lowland League before winning it and losing in the playoff quite quickly. So I'm curious how far they can go on FM. Although I doubt they'll go far in real life after looking at Darvel and them falling backwards now (look away Aberdeen fans).

[phnompenhandy]

5 minutes ago, Vakama2619 said:

I considered asking this question in yours and @Jimbokav1971's threads as well, just didn't as to not seem a pest, I believe they're the new Darvel just throwing money everywhere which is why I'm asking, I did a sim with this db in FM23 and they got promoted up to the Lowland League before winning it and losing in the playoff quite quickly. So I'm curious how far they can go on FM. Although I doubt they'll go far in real life after looking at Darvel and them falling backwards now (look away Aberdeen fans).

Right, I didn't know they were the new monied non-league side. I'll keep that in mind in surveying the lower leagues in real life

[Vakama2619]

5 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Right, I didn't know they were the new monied non-league side. I'll keep that in mind in surveying the lower leagues in real life

I could be very much wrong here as my source is some reddit comment FM, but apparently Kyle Lafferty is playing for them so seems like it. 

[Jimbokav1971]

1 hour ago, Vakama2619 said:

Off to a decent start in the North Caley league here. few famous ish teams in the league this season. (Fort William, Loch Ness)  What league are Johnstone Burgh in currently?

 

1 hour ago, phnompenhandy said:

Wrong thread for this I know (sorry, MN) but in my save they've weirdly gone supernova and are currently 4th in League One!

 

22 minutes ago, Vakama2619 said:

I considered asking this question in yours and @Jimbokav1971's threads as well, just didn't as to not seem a pest, I believe they're the new Darvel just throwing money everywhere which is why I'm asking, I did a sim with this db in FM23 and they got promoted up to the Lowland League before winning it and losing in the playoff quite quickly. So I'm curious how far they can go on FM. Although I doubt they'll go far in real life after looking at Darvel and them falling backwards now (look away Aberdeen fans).

Are we talking about Johnstone Burgh here, (going Supernova?)

If we are, (I've never heard about them until right now), 

They're flying in my league, but I'm not sure why.....

23/24. 1st in WoS 1st Div. (Promoted). 

24/25. 1st in WoS Premier League. (They lost in Playoffs). 

25/26. 1st in WoS Premier League. (They won in the Playoffs).
25/26. They won the Junior Cup Final.

26/27. 1st in Lowland League. (Leading the Playoff Final 3-1 from 1st Leg). 
26/27. They are in the Lowland League Cup Final. 
26/27. They got to the League Cup 7th Round. 
26/27. They got to the Scottish Cup 5th Round. 

They must have an ultra-ambitious board because they sacked their manager who won the league both seasons. 

Oh I see. 2 League titles but only 1 promotion. They sacked him because he lost the Playoff.

Dec 2023. New El Presidente.
Mar 2024. Turned Pro. 
Apr 2024. WoS 1st Div Champions. (Promoted). 
Sep 2024. Youth & Training Facilities upgraded.
Apr 2025. WoS Prem Div Champions. (Not promoted).
May 2025. Manager sacked. 
Mar 2026. WoS Prem Div Champions. (Promoted). 
May 2026. Junior Cup Champions. 
Aug 2026. Capacity increased by 1k.
Apr 2027. Lowland League Champions, (Winning after 1st leg of Playoffs).  

I'm guessing the big thing here is turning Pro. 

[phnompenhandy]

2 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

I'm guessing the big thing here is turning Pro

Isn't going from semi-pro to pro much like going from amateur to semi-pro? i.e on its own, a drain on resources.  Looks like sugar daddy terrain to me, or at least serious sponsorship/investment.

[Vakama2619]

6 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

 

 

Are we talking about Johnstone Burgh here, (going Supernova?)

If we are, (I've never heard about them until right now), 

They're flying in my league, but I'm not sure why.....

23/24. 1st in WoS 1st Div. (Promoted). 

24/25. 1st in WoS Premier League. (They lost in Playoffs). 

25/26. 1st in WoS Premier League. (They won in the Playoffs).
25/26. They won the Junior Cup Final.

26/27. 1st in Lowland League. (Leading the Playoff Final 3-1 from 1st Leg). 
26/27. They are in the Lowland League Cup Final. 
26/27. They got to the League Cup 7th Round. 
26/27. They got to the Scottish Cup 5th Round. 

They must have an ultra-ambitious board because they sacked their manager who won the league both seasons. 

Oh I see. 2 League titles but only 1 promotion. They sacked him because he lost the Playoff.

Dec 2023. New El Presidente.
Mar 2024. Turned Pro. 
Apr 2024. WoS 1st Div Champions. (Promoted). 
Sep 2024. Youth & Training Facilities upgraded.
Apr 2025. WoS Prem Div Champions. (Not promoted).
May 2025. Manager sacked. 
Mar 2026. WoS Prem Div Champions. (Promoted). 
May 2026. Junior Cup Champions. 
Aug 2026. Capacity increased by 1k.
Apr 2027. Lowland League Champions, (Winning after 1st leg of Playoffs).  

I'm guessing the big thing here is turning Pro. 

Yeah thats them

[erik45]

On 09/12/2023 at 21:38, Makoto Nakamura said:

In Amateur Division One, the third best goalscorer was K. Syrjanen, could you show his profile? I would like to know if he has Finnish background as his last name suggests. My translation for "Syrjänen" would be "a person/family who lives in a remote place" - very fitting name for a player in Highlands

PS. Love the save! This has given me inspiration to start same kind of save - but in Lapland! Now I just need to choose a team from Norway/Sweden/Finland.

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Well done turning pro. I hope it doesn't ruin your finances though.

[Jimbokav1971]

4 hours ago, phnompenhandy said:

Isn't going from semi-pro to pro much like going from amateur to semi-pro? i.e on its own, a drain on resources.  Looks like sugar daddy terrain to me, or at least serious sponsorship/investment.

Yeah, I would expect it to be a huge drain on resources. I think every player has to be paid a min of £350 pw or something like that. It's just not sustainable at this level. They must be covering a considerable debt. 

[phnompenhandy]

5 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

Yeah, I would expect it to be a huge drain on resources. I think every player has to be paid a min of £350 pw or something like that. It's just not sustainable at this level. They must be covering a considerable debt. 

Ooh, now this does NOT add up. I just had a wee gander in the editor. No daddy, no loans, no debts. And minimal sponsorship. I looked at the teams around them in League One, and they have far more income than I'd expected. Burgh should NOT be competing at that level

[Jimbokav1971]

29 minutes ago, phnompenhandy said:

Ooh, now this does NOT add up. I just had a wee gander in the editor. No daddy, no loans, no debts. And minimal sponsorship. I looked at the teams around them in League One, and they have far more income than I'd expected. Burgh should NOT be competing at that level

Yeah that makes sense to me. Had it been a Tycoon or a Sugardaddy I think we see the info on the club history screen that I checked. What this means is that it;s just an ambitious board and the club is running at a big loss and the Chairman is covering the losses. 

Let me look under the hood in my game because I save regularly so can check at a few different points. 

Johnstone Burgh. I save regularly to help me load for bug reporting and I'm slack at going back and deleting them, so let's have a look and see what I can see. 

1st Dec 2023. Prior to takeover. Rep 1508. Oh hang on. I've got it straight away. 

They have a bank balance of £3,939,397 (£3.9M). Maybe this is in because of the edited dastabase? The new chairman hasn't taken over yet. 

I've saved my save and I'm going to take them over and see what I can see from inside. 

It says the finances are only ok. £3.9M at that level should surely be rich. 

They've had £4M since the start of the save and just been living off that. 

The question that asks though is...... how does someone buy a non-league club that has £3.9M in the bank? 

I completely understand them turning pro and being really successful and it possibly explains the ultra-ambitious Chairman who took over and then sacked the manager who won 2 leagues on the bounce but didn't win the playoffs. What it doesn't explain is how he managed to buy the club in the 1st place. 

Going back to my current save, there has been an update. 

1st of all the Takeover wasn't someone buying the club. It was elections, which means that this is some sort of fan owned club or something like that. Right? Certainly not the standard UK model of ownership. 

Ok, hang on a minute, there name is starting to ring a bell for me. Let's move from game to real life for a moment. 

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/renfrewshire/johnstone-burgh-taken-over-ambitious-30491741

It's not an Edited database thing. 

It's a real-life thing.  NOW I remember! 

Kyle Lafferty actually only scored 22 goals for them in all competitions in 2 years in my game. 
Graham Dorrans only made 44(11) appearances over 3 years. 

At least we know the why now. 

[phnompenhandy]

11 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

Kyle Lafferty actually only scored 22 goals for them in all competitions in 2 years in my game. 
Graham Dorrans only made 44(11) appearances over 3 years. 

At least we know the why now. 

Both are out of my save now, but Lafferty went in the first season Bermuda!

Now in 2029, they're worth 1,3M and they're 1.3M in debt, so that 4m got used up, and they're financially 'insecure' with no great income. Guess their bubble's about to burst!

[Makoto Nakamura]

Well, @Vakama2619, @phnompenhandy& @Jimbokav1971 here is my Johnstone Burgh, it's a very different picture!

A bit of a difference from what you guys have been getting!

[Makoto Nakamura]

September 2027

We're settling in to the league rather well, no big shocks or struggles so far!

Showfield Park

Claggan Park

[Makoto Nakamura]

7 hours ago, erik45 said:

In Amateur Division One, the third best goalscorer was K. Syrjanen, could you show his profile? I would like to know if he has Finnish background as his last name suggests. My translation for "Syrjänen" would be "a person/family who lives in a remote place" - very fitting name for a player in Highlands

PS. Love the save! This has given me inspiration to start same kind of save - but in Lapland! Now I just need to choose a team from Norway/Sweden/Finland.

No Finnish background here, but he was born in in Dingwall so he can play for us!  

Best of luck with your save, I do hope to see a thread!  

3 hours ago, Ronaldo Beckham said:

Well done turning pro. I hope it doesn't ruin your finances though.

We're actually only semi-pro so it's not too bad for us!

[Makoto Nakamura]

October 2027

A surprise exit in the very first round of the Jock Mackay Cup but other than that We're still having a really good time and just the two points behind Loch Ness! Sadly no unseen stadiums were seen this month.