darren1983

Have added the Portugal suggestions to the OP as well.

Yeah you can add leagues after you've started.

Yeah this really, the challenge is to take a unplayable team to the top so leagues in the base game that don't have relegation aren't used, it's why we don't have the MLS for example. This challenge used to be only in Europe but we extended it to the rest of the world to offer some variety and difficultly levels but one the main rules we've kept is that relegation from the bottom tier is part of it. If people want to start another thread they're free to do so.

Cheers, changed it now

Have echo these posts really, all I meant earlier was that it's crazy to me that so many people enjoy this way of playing. I was saying recently that I think the reason the thread does well isn't anything I do but you guys (not just the 4 quoted) posting and chatting away that make this thread. You see others where people post a season update and there's little comment on it, and that's fine it's how many of these challenge threads are, but here it feels like we all want to see everyone do well and there's no competition in it, think we can all agree that padders 200 odd year save is one we all remember and is up there as one of our fave saves ever. If you're unsure about something or need advice then someone will be able to answer. I usually save my thanks for the end of the game cycle and guess I didn't say it for FM22 but it's great seeing this place so active once again.

Have added both sn00gle's and XaW's posts to the OP as well, if anyone else has some local knowledge of teams then feel free to post them and I'll add them as well. Also it's crazy that the game isn't even really out yet and we're on page 8 - have no idea why this challenge is so popular but it's great seeing so many enjoy this style of playing FM.

So after those cracking posts by @Sn00gle and @XaW I have spent this evening trying to pick between 3 options, either continue with my FC United save (10 games in and we're top so it's going well) or try somewhere new in either Poland (with Polonia) or Norway (with Lyn) and well I have finally made my choice. Welcome the new Manager of Lyn 1896 We start with quite the small squad But that's half the fun. I've always had a soft spot for Scandinavian football and while my own club has ties with Denmark I've gone with Norway for this, also have top flights on the 5 main leagues in Europe so that should add some danger with those clubs stealing my best players early. Not a massive fan of a running track around our pitch and I must find some kits but this is how we start

Ah man this is brilliant, thank you. Only trouble is it's got me thinking of restarting in Poland for somewhere new. This is kind of thing I was thinking about the other day when I was wondering about clubs to manage. Polonia sounds like a lot of fun. Tempting despite me actually enjoying my start at FC United.

Ah really? OK, I'll remove them from OP for now then.

So I know I said I was looking elsewhere than England but while having a little test to check the dates a team (kind of) caught my eye and well, to paraphrase Harry Potter we don't chose the team the team chooses us So here I am as manager of FC United A regular club for those of us who like to play at this level and one I've taken to the premier League before but never any further, which is part of the reason I picked them, another reason is that after Exeter City they are the second-largest fan owned club in England and I want to see what, if any, impact the new supporter stuff has on a fan owned club. They play at Broadhurst Park A lovely looking ground for teams of this level, but one of the other reasons they caught my eye is a player they signed in real life this summer and who is still there a year into this save with another season on his contract: Yes that is former Manchester United starlet and FM wonderkid Callum Gribbin. He can't do much but pick a pass and take a corner or free kick but should be fun to have play at this level.

Indeed I am yeah.

Any "fallen giants" that are available this year does any one know? Like a few years back in Italy there was Parma and more recently Bari and Palermo, any former league winners from elsewhere that have fallen on hard times or something?

Been thinking over last few days while messing about and I think my main save this year will be back here, see if I can make myself try somewhere other than England as think I've done that to death. Thinking Denmark tbh.

Have updated the OP with the great work from Winksi and Olivier

I still maintain it was your spell in Sweden going strikerless that got me hooked on this way of playing so I may add them for you

Yes, thank you, I saw the great posts by @OlivierLwhen I was on the train going to football on Sunday but then Brentford being rubbish plus loads of train delays meant I'd forgot about it all by time I got home Will add them now and if Olivier wants to keep track and update it at any point I'll add the updated ones as well.

During Beta I'd say the FM22 thread will still be best but on full release, if you're still playing it then think here is fine.

Yeah no worries, I just happened to be testing something else when I saw the post so thought I'd check

From a quick look there doesn't appear to be relegation first season but I'm just testing it now so will let you know. Edit: Seemed for 12 months and there is no relegation from South Korea League 2, I don't know if it's meant to be in or just comes in later seasons (like Holland did/done) though

Far as I know Russian clubs still can't be in Europe so yeah. I should probably remove them from the OP actually.

Sorry for being so slow It's up now Let me know if I've missed anything from the OP or if anything needs adding.

Beta is live so I guess the challenge is once again live! Good luck to you all this year

Last year we had a record (well a record since I started tracking it) number of completions so let's see what this year brings User Club Country Year Completed Version jstu9 Lami Fiji* 2035 FM23 libbyshuss Aachen Germany 2063 FM23 Dr Pepepr Man Bashford England 2041 FM23 leyrtj Magesi South Africa 2031 FM23 grff Otahuhu United New Zealand* 2033 FM23 grff Al-Nojoom Saudi Arabia* 2033 FM23 Barnsley FC United England 2053 FM23 grff Ifeanyi Ubah Nigeria* 2033 FM23 fries South Shields England 2044 FM23 ludak OFK Beograd Serbia 2041 FM23 the_hdk Polonia Warszawa Poland 2039 FM23 thomas_e Energie Cottbus Germany 2033 FM23 Neo_Geo Chiasso Switzerland 2034 FM23 hubwub Comunicaciones Argentia 2027 FM23 hubwub Tampico Madero Mexico 2027 FM23 the_hdk Karsiyaka Turkey 2039 FM23 HenTheChicken Mumbles Wales 2046 FM23 glennuk Worthing England 2056 FM22 thomas_e Katwijk Holland 2036 FM22 Neo_Geo Katwijk Holland 2038 FM22 Daddy Karpaty Lviv Ukraine 2041 FM22` toshimitzou1 Haukar Iceland 2035 FM22 libbyshuss Whitby Town England 2066 FM22 libbyshuss Chaco For Ever Argentina 2056 FM22 dkouv Sant Andreu Spain 2039 FM22 OlivierL Africanos Bragança Portugual 2038 FM22 Ronaldo Beckham Toulon France 2037 FM22 SpS_Zen Heibei Kungfu China 2032 FM22 fries FC United England 2043 FM22 Daddy Deportes Concepcion Chile 2037 FM22 thomas_e Unterhaching Germany 2040 FM22 Flashman\'s School Days Tacuarembo Urugay 2032 FM22 Pauldinho7 Beira-Mar Portugal 2042 FM22 DrJones Huelva Spain 2031 FM22 SpS_Zen Mbombela United South Africa 2038 FM22 Zdnap Lotte Germany 2032 FM21 OlivierL RW Essen Germany 2030 FM21 toshimitzou1 AO Aigaleo Greece 2041 FM21 darren1983 South Shields England 2046 FM21 TerminalPortugal Portalegrense Portugal 2043 FM21 scarp Bora Rangers Scotland 2049 FM21 libbyshuss FC Mirassol Brazil 2045 FM21 holidaysong FC United England 2048 FM21 Slipky Ashton United England 2036 FM21 steve.rush Sannois SG France 2046 FM21 Cheez3y Wits South Africa 2026 FM21 Armeniar Sedan France 2035 FM21 Cheez3y Lyn TF Norway 2031 FM21 thomas_e Sacachispas Argentina 2030 FM21 JAwtunes Widzew Lodz Poland 2038 FM20 vikeologist Palermo Italy 2041 FM20 thomas_e South Shields England 2040 FM20 dkouv Scarborough England 2045 FM20 Miek Nuneaton Boro England 2049 FM20 Padders Scarborough England 2277 (not a typo) FM20 thomas_e Energie Cottbus Germany 2033 FM20 XaW Kettering Town England 2036 FM19 thomas_e Real Jean Spain 2038 FM19 b101 Sampedrense Portugal 2031 FM18 * challenge was completed on a custom database.

Welcome back everyone!! Well another year has passed and we're back at this insane challenge This is the new incarnation of the Youth Academy Challenge started by ri916 and continued by Braumiller before I picked it up. This new thread will also play host to people that are starting on older versions if they want, just easier to keep people active even if not on latest version. Please let me know if you’re playing on an older version though. The Aim To win your chosen countries' top division and win the Champions League of your continent with a previously unplayable club using only your academy as a way of acquiring new players - this mean NO TRANSFERS of any kind. No buying back former players. Even on a free. No loans not even as part of a deal to sell your player. The Available Countries Previously any Country in Europe was eligible as long as you can get a previously unplayable side promoted from Holidaying, however from last couple of years we were happy to extended it to the rest of the world as well as long as the team meets the criteria of being previously unplayable and that is the same this year. Custom leagues will be allowed from now on however if you complete the challenge on a custom DB we'll list your achievement with note to say it was done on a custom DB because we have no way of verifying the DB. Not all leagues are able to be used though so please ask in thread, by tagging myself and/or XaW, to check before you start. Helpful Information There is often lots of speculation about what impacts the youth intake and what you as a player can do in order to get the best intake you can and the below is the information we have thanks to @Seb Wassell (sorry for the notification here mate) Newgens & Youth Intake Youth Recruitment The Club’s recruiting of Juniors, those of home and foreign origin. Youth Facilities The training facilities available for Juniors (only). Does NOT apply to visible players already at the club. All visible players currently at the club use Training Facilities regardless of age. Junior Coaching The quality and quantity of Junior Coaches at the Club. Nation Youth Rating The potential maximum quality and quantity of Juniors produced in that Nation. Game Importance How important football is considered to be in that Nation. Producing Newgens The Clubs with the best Youth Recruitment will generally pick up the best Junior talent from that Nation first, the scale of that talent being determined by the Nation Youth Rating and Game Importance. The lower the Youth Recruitment the further down the pecking order a club will find itself. Two clubs with identical Youth Recruitment will be sorted by Club Reputation. Being lower down this pecking order does not mean quality Newgens cannot be produced, it simply lowers the chances. Youth Facilities and Junior Coaching then simulate and determine how that Junior progresses in the Club’s Junior system until a Newgen is produced and appears in game. It is at this point that the Current Ability (CA) and Potential Ability (PA) of the newgens are decided. The above factors all contribute to both CA and PA equally. Head of Youth Development (HoYD) The club’s HoYD is responsible for bringing Newgens into the club. He will influence what “type” of players are selected and can partially or fully pass on his personality to some of these Newgens. The “type” of players selected refers to a player’s position and style, for instance a HoYD with a preferred 4-5-1 formation and a Technical Coaching Style may produce more technically styled midfielders than another HoYD. The HoYD will also influence the rare “freak” or exceptional Newgens that come through, modifying their ability and style. This role is filled by the HoYD by default, however if none is employed whichever staff member is set to be responsible for youth development will fill this role. Youth Intake Preview In FM22 the Development Centre will provide a preview of the upcoming youth intake ahead of the day itself. This preview will provide some information on the general quality of the intake, positions that are either blessed with or lacking in quality and any other notable highlights. Currently it seems we DON'T get an inbox item for when poaching other teams players happens, but we instead get in an extra player in the first possible intake. Not ideal, and I hope SI will fix it, but at least it's possible to see after the player appears so worth checking how many players come through - it's usually 16 so any more than that and you've likely got a poached player in your intake Junior Player Poaching It is possible for Juniors to be poached from another club's youth system. This will most commonly occur from smaller reputation club > larger reputation club. When this occurs a inbox item is received, offering a few details (similar to that of the Youth Intake Preview) on the player that has been poached. Poached players will appear in the next appropriate youth intake. Known Issues There are some known issues in some countries that people should be aware about before they start games in those leagues. If anyone has anymore than please tag me (and link me to the bug report) and let me know and I'll add to this: Belgium - In the lower levels here there is an issue with clubs losing way too much money for their level. As a result clubs will often find themselves in big debt really early on making it hard/nearly impossible to improve facilities Scotland - Once again there is an issue with youth teams in Scotland where you can't sign U18 staff , can't delegate it to your DoF. You can't ask your assistant or Hoyd about training updates (u18) or let them arrange friendlies . And you can't move players from A team to U18 team , once a player is in your senior team , he can't be moved. The Reset Dates (Dates will appear when they have been confirmed for FM22 so please tag me when you know and if the country you pick isn't listed below just let me know the reset date and I'll add it) Some leagues (any you find please let me know) don't have relegation for the firsts season so if you want to play in those leagues you will be required to holiday for 2 seasons. Norway for example the top two tiers run the first season and without relegation in the lowest one. Holidaying a season will make the other leagues start as normal season 2. So holidaying through that will allow the normal promotion to the 3rd tier. The reason for this is that all amateur football has been suspended this season in real life. Also as of FM21 (I think it was) the sides that are picked to be promoted from the unplayable leagues are no longer picked the day before the league reset so we now have to holiday to a point usually a few weeks before the league reset. Save there and then holiday to the league reset in order to get different teams. Holland - there is now no relegation from the bottom tier of Holland which is why they are currently not used for FM23. South Korea - Same as Holland really, relegation has been postponed in Korea again so this country is not used for FM23 Andorra - Argentina - January 1st Austria - June 14th. Save on May 29th for different teams Belarus Belgium - June 30th. Save 1st April for different teams Bulgaria - June 18th. Save May 15th for different teams Brazil - Chile - January 11th China - Croatia - June 20th. Save May 20th for different teams. Czech Republic - June 30th. Save 28th May for different teams Denmark - June 30th. Save on 11th June for different teams England - June 25th. Save on May 29th to get different teams. Faroe Islands - 20th January 2023. Finland - December 17th France - June 20th Germany - June 20th. For different teams to be promoted, make a save around June 6th Greece - Hungry - June 20th. the best way to select a team is to holiday until the final match day of the 2nd tier (May 21st) and then save. After the game is played a relegation playoff between 3 teams from the 2nd tier and 3 from the unplayable division is set up. At that point, look at the teams and find if you want one, then save scum them to winning the playoffs. Then holiday until June 20th and take over the team. Iceland - 25th November. Save on September 25th for different teams Indonesia - Israel - 20th of June Italy - 30th June. Save on May 28th for different teams. Lebanon - 26th June. Save on May 6th for different teams. Mexico - June 10. To get different teams save May 28th. Northern Ireland - June 25th. Save on May10th for different teams. Norway - January 13th. Poland - June 28th. Save May 27th for different teams. Portugal - June 30th Romania - Scotland - June 25th. Save on May 6th and then holiday one more day and see who is in the promotion playoff. If it is the team you want, save again and make sure they win the playoff. Serbia - Slovenia - Slovakia – South Africa - Spain - July 10th. Save on May 28th for different teams. Sweden - December 26th Switzerland - June 30th. Save on 12th June for different teams. Turkey - 20th June Ukraine - June 27th. Relegation playoff is June 3rd so save then to ensure you get a newly promoted side Uruguay - 1st Jan Wales – June 25th. Save May 13th for different teams. Database Settings Mandatory Database size can be small, medium or large Advanced Options have to be as shown here – Optional Any additional settings in the ‘Advanced Database Setup’ – Due to us not being allowed to buy players, adding extra players just adds to the realism of your game and potentially slightly increases difficulty. NOTE – It is highly recommended you add the highest unplayable leagues for your country, as this will help make sure the promoted teams (you will be taking control of) have players. As an example, this is what I loaded for England for example - Players from Top Clubs in Europe (or all players from whatever continent you are playing in) is also recommended We used to limit this to just loading the leagues from the country you are playing in but we now allow you to load as many leagues as you to add a bit more immersion into their saves. You don't have to add any more than the country you are playing in but the option is there for people that want to. Steps When Getting Started Add yourself as an unemployed manager. Call him holiday man if you want. Go on holiday until the reset date of your nation or the day before if you’re planning on reloading. Retire the manager Add a new manager with your chosen nationality and the lowest possible reputation and qualifications Choose the newly promoted club of your choice Rules for when taking over your club of choice You're allowed to keep any player that starts under contract, you can extend their contracts as often as you like Any players that are on loan at the club can be used but their loans can not be extended If your board sign players for you and you can't cancel the deal these players can not be used, they must be sold ASAP, you should also post a screenshot in here when they've been signed so that we know they've been given to you Rules for the Challenge No loans or transfers in are allowed but you can sell and loan players out. If you are sacked, sorry, you have to start again. No save game editors are allowed. Only cosmetic database edits are allowed. (Team/competition names/logos) No international management until completion of challenge. Signing backroom staff is allowed. Signing players on trial or signing grey players isn't allowed. Rules for this Thread Player naming is allowed. General discussion on tactics is allowed, although people should not refer to downloaded tactics. They are not banned, but I would expect the majority of people to avoid them. Screenshots for anything are encouraged but please post links to your pictures, don't post them as images as it makes the pages slower to load. When you join the challenge, could you post a screenshot of your manager's profile on the league reset date. Progress of your club should be documented using this thread. The beauty of these challenge threads is to share your story and to read others. Please keep us updated, even if you are not performing as you may wish. Season Update Youth Candidates All Tagged Players Attribute page Transfers (to prove that you haven’t signed any players) Squad League Table Anything else is optional.  Also, some people like to nickname/tag their best players from each youth intake in chronological order. For example, you could nickname your best player in the intake in season 1 as *their name* YP01a, and so on. But this is not compulsory if you don't wish to. Completions Over the years I've been running the thread we've kept track of completions and some great work by @OlivierL and @Winski we have some visual representations of them: Completions by Continent: Countries not completed based on youth rating from FM22 Map Overview of European Countries (those in white are uncompleted at this point of FM23 but will be updated as we go) Map Overview of The World (those in white are yet to be completed) Ideas for teams to manage If you're looking for an idea or 2 for who to manage than both @Sn00gleand @XaW have made some suggestions for teams in countries they know about. For Poland Sn00gle has this post with some interesting teams And XaW has some suggestions for Norway The7Striker also added some ideas for Portugal Good luck to all

Well with Beta confirmed for sometime this evening I shall have the new thread up later. Obviously still use this thread to post in if you're waiting for full release to start your next attempt.