Football Manager Challenge

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

Mentioned this on another thread and there was a few responses so is anybody up for a wee challenge?

 

The Story:

• You are a football journeyman who has just retired from football and have decided to go into management. You see the lower leagues of England as the ideal way to hone your skills and decide the time is right to join the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Jock Stein in the Scottish managerial hall of fame.
  

 

The League:

 

• League Two in England
  

 

The Team:

 

• Any team you want
  

 

The Aim

• To get promotion to League One in the first season
  
• To get promotion to The Championship in the second season
  
• To finish in the top 10 of the Championship in the third season
  
• To get promotion to the Premiership in the fourth season
  
• To beat relegation in the fifth season
  

 

 

The Rules

• You must post screen shots of your transfers after each window
  
• You must post screen shots of the manager overview at each window and at the end of the season
  
• Use this thread to keep progress of your game
  
• Tactics/player discussion is allowed
  
• You MUST sign at least one current Hearts player
  

 

Good Luck !

[Alan_R]

I gather youth players count? (signed from hearts)

 

I'll probably go grimsby. I like them but they are kack, no money or reputation but i'll see how I do.

 

I think starting unemployed wouldve been better. see what we win after 5 or 10 seasons?

[Bigsmak]

What year.. I only have 2005?

[Ivan Drago]

does it have to be within a certain timescale? i.e. do i have to finish season 1 within a certain time?

 

i mite have a bash but dont get much time to play it these days

[Goose Baxter]

Done that with Bradford my friend, but i got premoted from the leagues each year, has to be my best ever time in football manager. Even finished 14th in the premier league in my 1st season then the highest i could finish was 12th so i resigned. Mush say i was gutted when i left but felt great when all my staff walked out as well. Amazing!

 

But i must say its a belter of a challenge if you can do it.

[Ryan Gosling]

Re: Hearts player - just one, or each window?

[Cade]

Which edition of FM will we be using? 2005, 06, 07 or 08?

[Dr. Sheldon Cooper]

I would quite like to take part, but I have never posted a screenshot and don't know how to do it. Could someone please help me?

 

Cheers in Advance.

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

Preferably playing 08 version but I suppose you could use an older one.

 

I've had a look at signing Hearts players and you may have to wait a season as they won't come to a club in League 2 (only 1 player required)

 

There is no timescale, just post your progress as you go along.

 

Think I'm going to go MK Dons.

[Ryan Gosling]

What about a loan signing?

[Bert Le Clos]

I'm up for playing but don't know how to post a screenshot either?

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

What about a loan signing?

 

Aye thats fine.

 

If anyone has anything else to add to the challenge then feel free.

[Alan_R]

I'm up for playing but don't know how to post a screenshot either?

 

Use your 'print screen button' its on the right of my keyboard (Prt Scr-SysRq is what is written on my button) then go into Paint and right click and paste.

and there you have it! just save it and upload to http://www.photobucket.com or somewhere like that. Then im sure you know how to post a picture?

 

honestly its straight forward.

[andrew]

I'll take your league 2 side and raise you a Conference South side to the Premiership in successive seasons:cool:

 

 

A midtable finish in the Premiership in the first season:

 

 

And an FA cup win;)

 

[Dr. Sheldon Cooper]

Use your 'print screen button' its on the right of my keyboard (Prt Scr-SysRq is what is written on my button) then go into Paint and right click and paste.

and there you have it! just save it and upload to http://www.photobucket.com or somewhere like that. Then im sure you know how to post a picture?

 

honestly its straight forward.

 

 

Thanks. If its ok, can I go Peterborough?

[Cade]

I've plumped for Darlington. I have mates that live down there and I've been to a couple of matches in real life.

 

Here's who I've signed (so far):

 

 

First game of the season:

 

 

Gotta love the Jambos.

[Ryan Gosling]

 

No that isn't my name, I just disguised it.

 

Driver for free isn't actually free. He has a 40% add on, plus ?500,000 when I'm promoted, and he was in the reserves so I was thrilled and stunned.

 

Campbell scored a hat-trick on his debut too, and I dunno how on earth I got Stech. Or Driver for that matter.

 

Velicka's loan was cancelled by Hearts, along with Chesney, Kurskis, Kancelskis and Ksanavicius, so I swooped in. Used almost my entire budget.

 

Team hasn't quite gelled yet though.

[BRY]

I think I'll have a go of this - I'll try to start this weekend...

 

But as someone else above, my progress may be slow...

 

 

Are we allowed to use customised tactics/training schedules etc?

[Walter Payton]

I'll take your league 2 side and raise you a Conference South side to the Premiership in successive seasons:cool:

 

 

A midtable finish in the Premiership in the first season:

 

 

And an FA cup win;)

 

 

That's incredible if that's not done with some serious editing! Can you post transfer historys?

[Bigsmak]

That's incredible if that's not done with some serious editing! Can you post transfer historys?

 

Cambridge used to be the cheat team where you started off with several million in the bank account. Don't know if the new versions are the same but.... .

[Say What Again]

Cambridge used to be the cheat team

 

Well remembered.

 

Didn't the 2 guys involved in the original game (Collier?) start in the Cambridge squad as well?

[Say What Again]

Well remembered.

 

Didn't the 2 guys involved in the original game (Collier?) start in the Cambridge squad as well?

 

From Wiki:

 

A cracked version of Championship Manager '94 - End of Season Data Disk, which was available on the Amiga and very common, contained 2 fictional players added by the people who released this illegal version of the game. The players were Mark Collis and Ferah Orosco. They were a striker and a defender, respectively, and are regarded as the first ever fictional super-players in the CM series.

 

I'm sure they were at Cambridge

[Wolfstar]

I just got FM08, but not played it yet.

 

Not sure who to go as my first team? I fancyed going hearts but find the SPL boring/repetitive in the game, much prefer the english leagues. Was thinking of going MKDons... Who is a good league 1 or 2 team to go, with a wee bit cash and half decent team?

[cuthy2k]

I just got FM08, but not played it yet.

 

Not sure who to go as my first team? I fancyed going hearts but find the SPL boring/repetitive in the game, much prefer the english leagues. Was thinking of going MKDons... Who is a good league 1 or 2 team to go, with a wee bit cash and half decent team?

 

Leeds Utd. Once you get good, you can attract the top players and my stadium is currently 55k packing out every game.

[Alan_R]

 

No that isn't my name, I just disguised it.

 

Driver for free isn't actually free. He has a 40% add on, plus ?500,000 when I'm promoted, and he was in the reserves so I was thrilled and stunned.

 

Campbell scored a hat-trick on his debut too, and I dunno how on earth I got Stech. Or Driver for that matter.

 

Velicka's loan was cancelled by Hearts, along with Chesney, Kurskis, Kancelskis and Ksanavicius, so I swooped in. Used almost my entire budget.

 

Team hasn't quite gelled yet though.

 

Utter BS. no way would hearts diminish there squad by releasing those players from transfer. Computer managers virtually never terminate a loan. Same with releasing richie jones from Man Utd. wouldn't happen theyd just let contract run out. I smell a cheat. You've obviously went to the team and terminated them yourself. Also campbell is already on loan at hull. i suppose his loan "just happened" to get terminated as well?

 

How do you even have ?500,000 as well? thats alot for league 2 but may be possible.

[Ray Winstone]

Leeds Utd. Once you get good, you can attract the top players and my stadium is currently 55k packing out every game.

 

Leeds are definitely worth a shot - got them to Premiership in 4 seasons and then a couple more and into European football etc.

[Alan_R]

Heres how I'm doing. I'm Grimsby. Being one of the smaller league 2 teams im expected to avoid relegation. I'll still give promotion a go though but im working on a shoestring budget to say the least!

 

Heres the transfers, considering my finicial posistion I reckon I've done exceptionally well, some great pieces of business:

 

 

and here is first overview, notice Screpis is a fan's favourite already!:

 

[RockyBalboa]

Ill have a go. Means im leaving West Ham as champions of the world in 2011 though

 

Ill post tomorrow who I choose to go! Weekend saver this is

[Dr. Sheldon Cooper]

Well I ended up going Lincoln. Only got a budget of ?30k for a top half finish so need to use it wisely. My one problem is no Hearts player wants to join so am needing to look elsewhere.

 

I'll hopefully post some screenshots tomorrow or Sunday.

[Ryan Gosling]

Utter BS. no way would hearts diminish there squad by releasing those players from transfer. Computer managers virtually never terminate a loan. Same with releasing richie jones from Man Utd. wouldn't happen theyd just let contract run out. I smell a cheat. You've obviously went to the team and terminated them yourself. Also campbell is already on loan at hull. i suppose his loan "just happened" to get terminated as well?

 

How do you even have ?500,000 as well? thats alot for league 2 but may be possible.

 

Firstly, thanks for your big huffy attitude.

 

I haven't got the latest update, I have the 8.0.1 version of the game in which Driver is in the reserves. It isn't Richie Jones, it's a free transfer called Richard Jones, who's Welsh. Campbell was not on loan at the start of the season in 8.0.1.

 

Anything else, or should I delete my game and install the update (that I don't want) just to please you?

[RockyBalboa]

Firstly, thanks for your big huffy attitude.

 

I haven't got the latest update, I have the 8.0.1 version of the game in which Driver is in the reserves. It isn't Richie Jones, it's a free transfer called Richard Jones, who's Welsh. Campbell was not on loan at the start of the season in 8.0.1.

 

Anything else, or should I delete my game and install the update (that I don't want) just to please you?

 

Go yirself Panda! Thats exactly the attitude that makes someone a good manager. **** what anyone says and play your game

[Ryan Gosling]

 

Not exactly a world beater in this version, is he?

 

 

No Man Utd?

 

 

No Hull?

[Ryan Gosling]

In other news, I'm in a bad bit of form. 2nd, a point behind Barnet. Was doing fine but then Lee, Campbell and Stech's loans expired at the same time, while Kostadinov ruptured his achilles, so I'm left with Velicka who wasn't been too prolific, although he hit a hat-trick in his last game. I signed Bjarni Vidarsson on loan from Everton but he fractured his skull on his debut, and I signed Tom Heaton from Man U to play in goal, with Rui Fonte from Arsenal up front.

 

However, Neil McCann is joining in January along with Tomas Kancelskis (?31k for the pair). I've also secured the loans of Aidan Downes from Everton and Craig Lindfield from Liverpool on loan for the window opening too.

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

I've went MK Dons. Made a few shrewd loan deals (will post the screen shots tomorrow) made Spurs my parent club which assures I'm never short of decent players for the diddy leagues.

 

My front 4 of Makela/Jemal Johnson/Snodgrass/Fanzui (spelling but I can't be arsed checking) are awesome!

 

Managed to get Richie Jones on loan from Man Utd and a real quality Arsenal right back.

 

Start of December and I'm currently sitting second, in the 3rd round of the FA Cup and in the Semi Finals of the Johnson Paint Trophy or whatever it is called (diddy cup)

 

Can't get my away tactics right and it's costing me! Currently 5 points behind the leaders but I have a 100% home record so far.

 

Will post some screen shots tomorrow .... enjoying it so far!

[Ryan Gosling]

Chesney's contract was up with Kaunas and for some reason EVERY Lithuanian at Hearts is interested in League 2, so I got him ASAP.

 

 

[Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC]

Chesney's contract was up with Kaunas and for some reason EVERY Lithuanian at Hearts is interested in League 2, so I got him ASAP.

 

 

 

Same with my game, will be looking to get a few when the chance comes round.

 

I have 4 long term longs but can I sign short terms loans in January? (end of season?)

 

What was you transfer budget BTW?! Looks like you have had over a million to spend!

[Ryan Gosling]

Same with my game, will be looking to get a few when the chance comes round.

 

I have 4 long term longs but can I sign short terms loans in January? (end of season?)

 

What was you transfer budget BTW?! Looks like you have had over a million to spend!

 

Transfer budget was a pittance but I had over ?1m in the bank so I did a budget restructure. It's worked wonders too.

 

4 long term loans for the entire season, as many loans of up to 3 months as you want (but a player can't spend more than 3 months with you, that's how I lost Campbell, Stech, Lee).

[Ivan Drago]

I call shenanigans!! SHP is a cheat!!!

 

Just jesting, but incidentally i came across a bit of a bug once in the lower divisions, i was trying to get Copil to come on loan, and my scout said he'd be extremely interested in coming, and the player said he was looking to gain experience by going on loan. however every time i made an offer he just knocked me back!! I think i was Bristol City so its not like i was a small team, has this happened to anyone else?

[Ryan Gosling]

I call shenanigans!! SHP is a cheat!!!

 

Just jesting, but incidentally i came across a bit of a bug once in the lower divisions, i was trying to get Copil to come on loan, and my scout said he'd be extremely interested in coming, and the player said he was looking to gain experience by going on loan. however every time i made an offer he just knocked me back!! I think i was Bristol City so its not like i was a small team, has this happened to anyone else?

 

The player's interested in signing full time but not on loan, I found. Bit strange right enough.

 

Velicka's pulled it out the bag for me, he's scored 15 goals since Campbell left and Branny is back fit.

[JamboLad]

Think I will give this a go a but later on. Just nipping out for a bit and will start later this afternoon.

 

Any ideas on what team to go?

[JamboLad]

I cant really be bothered actually

 

Well I might.

[JamboLad]

started as MK dons

[JamboJen]

The challenge has come too late for me, I'm into my 2nd season as Manager of Macclesfield Town.

 

My advice would be don't go as Macc if you want to try this challenge! Media prediction is 24th for 07-08, and I think my transfer budget was ?30k with a lot less for wages, so I swapped them and signed one of my pre-existing loan signings for ?12k and used the rest for wages.

 

My first season I avoided relegation (woohoo) and while I clearly was nowhere near to meeting the challenge I'll post a couple of screeenshots I saved anyway!

 

Oh and I didn't know the way of saving the screenshots so it's the web page version instead...

 

 

 

[Alan_R]

Firstly, thanks for your big huffy attitude.

 

I haven't got the latest update, I have the 8.0.1 version of the game in which Driver is in the reserves. It isn't Richie Jones, it's a free transfer called Richard Jones, who's Welsh. Campbell was not on loan at the start of the season in 8.0.1.

 

Anything else, or should I delete my game and install the update (that I don't want) just to please you?

 

hahah. ironic that you called me huffy. Regardless what version driver is a prospect in the game. What i said about terminating loans still stand but I couldn't care what you do, I was just pointing out a few things. I'll enjoy my game regardless of anyone else.

[Dr. Sheldon Cooper]

Just finished the transfer window with Lincoln and still having the trouble of not being able to sign any Hearts players.

 

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/IanW1992/?action=view&current=LCFCOverview1.jpg" target="_blank">

 

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/IanW1992/?action=view&current=LCFCTransfers.jpg" target="_blank">

 

 

Could anyone help me as to why this didn't work?

[Ryan Gosling]

hahah. ironic that you called me huffy. Regardless what version driver is a prospect in the game. What i said about terminating loans still stand but I couldn't care what you do, I was just pointing out a few things. I'll enjoy my game regardless of anyone else.

 

If he's such a prospect why are Notts County the only team interested in him?

 

[RockyBalboa]

I started with Stockport. Just about to start the season.

[Martin]

I've started off as Bradford. Only have 50k to spend but the size of the club possibly helps to attract better players. Managed to get a ton of loan players in, particularly from Scotland. First match arrives and then I find out that you can only have 5 loan players in the squad, not good!

 

Drew my first match 3-3 at Grimsby, although was 3-1 up with three minutes to go. Got humped in my League Cup match at Scunthorpe but have won my next two league matches 4-1 and 3-1, so top of the league at the end of the window. Sent a few of the loan players back and I'll just have to rotate the rest. I have one of the best names in football upfront - Willy Topp! McGlinchey has been immense and Vito Plut is a goal machine.

 

[/img]

[Ivan Drago]

The player's interested in signing full time but not on loan, I found. Bit strange right enough.

 

Velicka's pulled it out the bag for me, he's scored 15 goals since Campbell left and Branny is back fit.

 

aye had that as well, with Copil he wouldnt sign full time but wanted to go on loan, but still wouldnt come, was doing ma virtual manager tits in

[Alan_R]

If he's such a prospect why are Notts County the only team interested in him?

 

 

I'm just basing it on my last hearts game. Sold him to newcastle about 3 or 4 seasons in for ?9m. maybe if differs game to game? or hes just responded well to my training.

 

Although just because only 1 team is interested doesn't mean hes not going to get really good later on...