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November 23rd, 1975. A young woman gives birth to a boy. The woman, aged 19, has lived her life on the streets. An orphan, and with nowhere to go, she had her son taken away and she was put into care. The son, who hospital staff named Hugo, was put into a nearby orphanage, but it wasn't long before he was taken home by a middle aged couple, Janet and Peter McAllister. They brought Hugo up in the right way, living a good life in Edinburgh, and when the young man was 13 he signed up for Aberdeen's youth team. Football had been the first real passion in Hugo's life, the one thing to get him away from it all. At Aberdeen, he played for the youth team for three years, and at age 16 he was spotted by then manager Jocky Scott, who brought him into the first team squad of a struggling side. Whether it was Hugo, or whether it was fate, no one knows, but in their last 9 league games they dropped just two points, eventually finishing 4th. Hugo started every one of those last 9 games, scoring four goals and becoming a real favourite with the club. His debut came against Hibernian, in March 1992, and from that point he played 198 games in 6 seasons with the club, scoring 76 goals. He holds a place in the hearts of the fans at Aberdeen, particularly because he is the only man to be unbeaten as captain of the club. In 7 games he captained the side, they never lost, and his best result came at Ibrox, as his side humiliated then Champions Rangers 5-1 in front of their own fans, Hugo himself scoring three of the goals. In 1997, aged 23, he found himself leaving the club of his dreams, after the struggling side had sold him to Aston Villa for £4 million pounds, a fee never heard of for a Scottish player. Unfortunately for Hugo, his career at Villa Park never kicked off, and in three seasons he only played 43 games. He was loaned to Watford, and helped them earn promotion to the Premiership under Graham Taylor, proving himself an essential cog of the team with 23 goals that campaign.
His international career kicked off in 1994, as he made his Scotland debut in a friendly against Poland. He eventually went on to gain 24 caps, scoring 15 goals, and playing in all three of their Euro 96 games. Hugo should have had more caps, and would have had more caps, but an incident in Germany that saw himself and three of his team-mates caught in a bar put paid to his Scotland future, and he never played a game for the national side after that. The 2002/03 season should have been a defining moment for Hugo, but it ended in tragedy, his playing career ended in a road accident. A car crashed into Hugo's motorcycle, sending him flying off the road, and his injuries were so sever it cut his career short at the age of 27. A tragedy for such a gifted player. He knew he wouldn't kick a ball again, so went into coaching, gaining the UEFA Gold award within four years. That brings us to now, July 2007. Aidy Boothroyd, after seeing his Watford side relegated from the Premiership, stepped down from his post as manager. Many high profile names were said to be interested, but once Hugo put his name into the hat there was only going to be one winner. The fans were desperate to have him in charge, and their affection for him still held dear, despite the fact he played just 57 times for the club. As it was, the board were under intense pressure, and they wanted the man to be the right man to guide them back to the Promised Land. On July 12th, 2007, Hugo McAllister was appointed the new Watford manager at the tender age of 31, making him the youngest manager in English football. Hugo held the club in high regard, and he wanted to make the club one of the most respected and well remembered clubs of the next few years. He would bring some Scottish charm and wit to the South of England, and the fans would love him even more than they do now.
Authors Note : Game being played on FM08, with English Leagues up to League 2, Spanish Primera and Scottish Premier Division loaded, and a Large database.
The squad I had at my disposal had some real quality to it already, a squad built by previous manager Aidy Boothroyd. The transfer market was a key thing, particularly for a Championship side, and although I had just over £8 million pounds at my disposal, I was determined to use it wisely, and not spend the money irrationally. Before any signings were made though, I managed to offload £8,000 off the wage bill, Gavin Mahon moving to Premiership side Wigan for £250,000. This left us with plenty of other options at the back, and I was quite happy to go with what we had. The squad was already full of talent, although between the sticks it was a straight fight, with Mart Poom and Richard Lee the goalkeeping options
In defence, Lloyd Doyley was the first choice at right back, while Jordan Stewart was my favourite for the left back spot. In the middle, Danny Shittu and Jay DeMerit were my first choice centre backs, with the experienced Matt Jackson and youngster Adrian Mariappa the back-up options
Our midfield was a very strong area, with Santiago Aloi and Al Bangura the candidates for the holding role in front of the defence. Lee Williamson and the currently injured Damien Francis were prime to fight for the central midfield role. The wings were due to be occupied by Jobi McAnuff, Tommy Smith and Anthony McNamee, and I was confident we had a very strong midfield to be more than good enough to compete in the Championship
In terms of Strikers, we were strong in that area too, with two proven Championship quality strikers in Nathan Ellington and Marlon King, with 20 year old Tamas Priskin as the natural back-up. Further to that, we had Steve Kabba and Darius Henderson, meaning that the strength in depth was second to none in the striking department.
I came to the conclusion that we were decidedly weaker in defence than in attack, but I had my problem positions at the top of the list that needed to be sorted out as soon as possible. The squad we had was already full of quality and we had the ability to win promotion back to the Premiership at the first attempt
The first transfer of our season was completed very soon after, Manchester City's goalkeeper Joe Hart joining on a season long loan, strengthening the options between the sticks, giving us three 'keepers to choose from. I was delighted to have secured Joe's services, as he was highly rated by both his club and his country. He went straight into the squad for the opening friendly too, taking his place on the bench for the trip to Boreham Wood
I wasn't too happy with playing pre-season matches against lower league opponents, but with the games having been arranged before I took charge there was nothing I could do about it. In the end, the home side proved to be no test for us, as first half goals from my first choice strike partners Ellington and King secured the win. Ellington's pace taking him past his man and round the keeper, before King headed home Lloyd Doyley's cross. The second half saw a different side, as I made 9 changes throughout the second half.
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My playing career was relatively successful, or at least I think so. My time with Hibernian saw me play nearly 200 games for the club, and from midfield I scored 76 goals, a record I'm proud of. If I'm honest, I was never a flair midfielder. I was a box to box player, working for the team, and my stamina levels were high. I like to think of myself as a good player, and the Hibernian fans might be inclined to agree. My hero was Glenn Hoddle. He was a hell of a player, I just thought he was brilliant. He should have earned 150 caps for England, not 50. I wanted to be like him so much. When I moved to Villa, I thought I had my big break, but it never worked out. When I moved to Watford, I had my best season ever, scoring 23 times in 45 games. I helped them earn promotion, and I thought I was a favourite with the fans. The next year, my career was ended in a car crash, and I went on to earn my coaching badges. Now I'm here at Watford again, this time as the manager.
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Cheltenham provided our next pre-season opponents, and once again we were not tested at all. The victory was even more comfortable than the previous one, and once Marlon King opened the scoring after 16 minutes it was the sign for the floodgates to open. Tamas Priskin doubled the lead, while Danny Shittu headed home a third right on half time. Priskin and King both scored again in the second half to round off an easy 5-0 romp, a performance that impressed me a lot. Fair enough, it was only Cheltenham, but it was still a mightily impressive win
My international career was quite a short lived one, I only earned 24 caps. Maybe I should have earnt many more, and indeed many people agree with that view. My debut came against Poland, and I scored twice in a 3-1 win. Getting a standing ovation when I came off after 83 minutes of that game brought a tear to my eye. It was incredible. Now if I was to tell you that my life was textbook, and perfect, then I would be lying to you. The car crash that ended my career also brought more heartache, as my girlfriend Emma was injured so severely that she is resigned to a wheelchair. We've been together for twelve years, seven when the accident happened. We're married now too, got married in 2005, and it was the happiest day of my life. She looked beautiful in her dress, and that day will live in my memory. She has never let the fact she is in a wheelchair bother her, and she is the most amazing and incredible woman I have ever met
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Our third pre-season match saw us travel down to non-league Northwood, and for the third straight game we ran out as comfortable winners, this time the final result was 3-0. Nathan Ellington grabbed a brace, while Marlon King's fourth goal of the pre-season saw us have the game secure by the interval. It was yet another impressive performance, and with the players getting fitter by the day, I was delighted with the way that the season was shaping so far. King and Ellington looked like forming a productive partnership up-front, and the defence was yet to concede a goal.
24 hours after the game, I secured another signing for the team, this time it was Blackburn's central midfielder Bryan Hodge, a player I felt would improve with experience. Although he wasn't quite ready for the first team just yet, for a fee of £28,000 I was more than happy to take the gamble of signing the youngster. He did have obvious qualities, and his tackling ability was exceptional, even at his tender age. I still wanted more cover in the centre of midfield, but Bryan would see some playing time
He did just that in our toughest test of the pre-season so far, an away game against Brighton at the Withdean. He started in the central midfield role, and certainly impressed in the first half. The goals didn't come till the second half though, as substitute Will Hoskins volleyed home from the edge of the area. Al Bangura settled the score with nine minutes left, curling home a free-kick from 20 yards. Once again, we kept a clean sheet, and another good performance made me happy. We had just one game left in the pre-season campaign, and with the players really starting to gel together I was becoming more and more content with the job I was in
That final pre-season game was against Tranmere at Prenton Park. Though the home side tried valiantly, they couldn't contain our quality. Tommy Smith put us in front in the opening three minutes, and Marlon King continued his good form with the second goal. The third goal came in the second half, with sixteen minutes left, as the promosing youngster John-Joe O'Toole hit a sweet half volley from thirty yards to secure us a 100% record in pre-season, with fifteen unanswered goals in five games.
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With the opening day of the season fast approaching, I had time to make another signing, this was a signing that I was delighted to secure. West Brom's central midfielder Ronnie Wallwork had, for whatever reason, fallen out of favour at the Hawthorns, and with the price tag of just £100,000 attached to him I was quick to fork it out for the former Manchester United man.
Ronnie fitted in brilliantly with the rest of the lads, and his obvious abilities were easily recognisable. He went straight into the squad that travelled down to Leicester on the Friday night for our opening game. It looked like it would be a tough test for us to pick up a positive result in the match, as the home side were one of the favourites for promotion, but I was confident in my side's ability to pick up the win
Leicester had some good players, and their Walkers Stadium was a lovely ground. As I made my way to the dugout I realised that this was where my future lay. Being a football manager was what I wanted, and the atmosphere was unbelievable. It got a bit more hostile fifteen minutes into the game, as Nathan Ellington latched onto a poor defensive pass and slotted home past Marton Fulop. 'The Duke' probably should have had another goal before half time, but fired straight at Fulop, while the Hungarian 'keeper pulled off an unbelievably good save from Marlon King. To be fair, it wasn't all one way traffic, as the home side had their chances, but with both Poom and Fulop on good form we held on for a solid win against a pretty good side.
We didn't need to wait too long for our next game, as Gillingham provided us with our first round League Cup opposition. It was a competition the board seemed to want us to do well in, but I was not inclined to agree. I didn't really care too much for the Carling Cup, with promotion to the Premiership my main priority. With this in mind, I rested several players from the starting eleven, and the team I put out was still one I fully expected to beat our League One opposition. After 23 minutes, we were well on the way, Jobi McAnuff's tap in put us in the lead, but our inability to convert the chances that fell our way was our downfall, as Steve Lomas equalised after 72 minutes to send the game into extra time and eventually, a penalty shoot out. Our exhibition of penalty taking was shocking, as we scored just once and succumbed to a 4-1 defeat and a first round exit, not something I was too upset about to tell the truth
Preston made the trip south to Vicarage Road yet, and despite having some good players, I expected us to beat Paul Simpson's faltering side. We started well, forcing Preston 'keeper Andy Lonergan to pull of two good aves, from Marlon King and Lee Williamson. We didn't have to wait long to take the lead though, Marlon King converting Tommy Smith's cross. Going into the break, we should have been further in front, and had it not been for Lonergan we would have been. Our inability to yet again convert our chances cost us dearly, as the visitors got themselves back into the game after 68 minutes, former Liverpool man Neil Mellor firing past Mart Poom to earn his side an undeserved point. Even after the equaliser, we could have won the game, creating three more decent chances, but we had to settle for just the one point.
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The first time I captained the club, I was so proud. When I led the team through the tunnel and onto the pitch, I felt on top of the world. Without a doubt, my best game as captain came at Ibrox, as we humiliated then champions Rangers 5-1. I don't know whether it was the occasion, or whether it was just one of those days, but everything clicked into place that day. I had a brilliant game, scoring three and having a hand in the other two goals, and after that game I was a real hero to the Aberdeen fans. I just loved the adoration I got from the fans, and even now I still get appraoched by Aberdeen fans, wishing me well and asking how I am. I love that, I really do. I have to say, I still crave for that passion of being on the field, joining in with the team, but I can settle for the management size of it. I love this, it's definately something for me, and I want to be here for a long time. I love it. Football is my life, and my passion, and I want football in my life for a long long time.
The final game of the month saw a trip to the Midlands to face Mick McCarthy's Wolves side. They had some good players, and I was a little wary about their ability. I had nothing to worry about come the end of the game, as a solid and professional performance from the team saw us run out as comfortable 2-0 winners. Marlon King's header just before half time sent us in ahead, and Nathan Ellington rounded Matt Murray to seal the win and double his personal tally for the season.
The monthly awards saw Marlon King pick up second place in the player of the month award, while midfielder Al Bangura came third in the young player of the month category. The awards were not something that was extremely important to me, but it was always nice to see players pick up awards as an acknowledgement for their hard work throughout the month. I didn't get in the top three for manager of the month, but that suited me just fine. I could go about my business quietly and just let the team do the talking on the pitch
I was happy with the start that the side had made, although the board were not too pleased with the early exit from the Carling Cup, something I hadn't really been unhappy about. Still, I expected the month of September to start with a win, as Ian Holloway's Plymouth made the trip to Vicarage Road. Marlon King picked up a slight knock in the warm-up, which saw him drop to the bench and Tamas Priskin came into the starting line-up. It was our left back Jordan Stewart that put us in front however, latching onto a loose ball and hitting a 25 yarder into the top left hand corner. Once again though, our worrying habit of creating chances and not finishing them hit us again, as we should have been three or four clear come half time. It wasn't until twelve minutes from time that we looked to have secured the points, Priskin firing across the 'keeper and into the far corner. This looked like being enough to give us three points, but two awful pieces of defensive play cost us the points, as first Rory Fallon and then Paul Wotton capitalized to give their side a point
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My coaching talent, and my eye for spotting a player was apparent quite early on in my career, in fact it was my first manager Jocky Scott that spotted it. I always used to give my advice after the game, and even at the age of 17 I was invited to all the captains meetings. When the crash happened, and my career ended, it was Graham Taylor that suggested I go on the UEFA Coaching course. I did go on it, and I actually enjoyed it. I didn't think I would, I thought I'd miss the football too much. The coaching was what I wanted to do, I knew that from the very start of the course. It took four years of damn hard work, but I got there in the end. I never expected to get into a job as quick as I have, but I'm at the club that gave me a chance to coach. I will always be grateful for that, and the club holds a dear place in my heart.
An away trip to Lancashire to face Burnley was next on the agenda, again a game I expected to win. It was the home side that took the lead though, Michael Duff heading them in front after 7 minutes. Jordan Stewart equalised, his left wing cross beating everybody and dipping over the head of the Burnley 'keeper and into the far corner. We went in at the break in front, thanks to Tommy Smith's left footed half volley on 39 minutes. Elliott's equaliser looked like it might secure his side a point, but it wasn't to be, as substitute Tamas Priskin broke clear of the defence and slotted the ball home underneath the onrushing 'keeper to give us a win we needed after a disappointing result against Plymouth.
The first (and only) major tournament I played in was Euro '96 in England, a tournament that went quite well. I mean fair enough, we didn't qualify, but we had two good results in the group, one which contained Holland, the host nation England and Switzerland. Our first game saw us play Holland, a game which nobody expected us to do anything in, but we gained what I thought was a very creditable 0-0 draw. Early on in the match Holland threatened to overwhelm us, and Andy Goram made a great save from Seedorf. From the resulting corner, de Boer saw his shot handled on the goal line by John Collins, but fortunately for us the referee failed to see the incident. This seemed to motivate us, and from then on in we played brilliantly, with both Gary Mac and John Collins had opportunities well saved. We threatened the most during the match and in the second half, we created more opportunities when Spencer came on as a substitute for Booth, but in the absence of Ferguson we probably lacked a striker who was capable of causing the Dutch defence problems. I came close late on and in the end we settled for a fine draw, although we could have had a win
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Stoke were our next opponents, and they had shocked everybody with their impressive performances last season. They shocked me in this game too, as they were very resilient in getting a draw. We did have chances, Marlon King, Jay DeMerit and Tamas Priskin all missing chances to put us in front. Sidibe missed the visitors best chance, but King, Williamson and McAnuff missed good chances in the second half, and we came out of the game with a 0-0 draw that we should have turned into an easy win, without a shadow of a doubt.
I was disappointed with some of the performances so far, and with some difficult games coming up I knew we had to improve our performances drastically if we were going to stand a chance of gaining promotion. The team knew I was upset, and it was nice to see that they got their heads down and worked hard in training, and with a tough match coming up next they really worked hard during the next few days
That tough game saw Crystal Palace make the trip to Vicarage Road, and we had a blow before the match, Tommy Smith picking up a thigh strain, which meant Anthony McNamee took his place on the left wing. It was McNamee who set up the first goal, his deflected cross falling into the path of Ellington who slotted home past Julian Speroni. Marlon King doubled our lead twelve minutes into the second half, heading home McAnuff's cross, but the man who provided the second goal put himself into my bad books, as his rash tackle resulted in a yellow card, but he decided to have a moan at the referee about the said tackle, earning himself a second yellow and an early bath. Luckily, it didn't affect the result, and we ran out as 2-0 winners, but Jobi's foolishness could have cost us so dearly.
The best midfielder I ever played with was Gary MacAllister. He was never rated as world class, but when you played with him it really showed off his true class. His passing was second to none, and although I only played with him at international level, I learnt so much. He was not only a top notch footballer, but he was a generous guy too. He did so much for charity, and when it came to family, nobody was a better husband or a father. I am so grateful to Gary, he took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew. I owed so much to him, and he is still a very good friend of mine. I have had problems, sometimes I struggled with the fact that Emma was in a wheelchair. Gary was brilliant, always there for me, and for that, he will always have my friendship
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Newly Promoted Bristol City provided us with our final opposition of the month, and despite the fact that they were newly promoted, they had looked comfortable at this level. They had some good players, in particular dangerman Lee Trundle, and I was slightly wary of their threat. I was proved right, as Enoch Showunmi put his side in front just 24 seconds into the second half. We had to wait until the last ten minutes to get ourselves a point, Tamas Priskin sliding the ball underneath the Bristol City 'keeper, although the amount of chances we had, it should have been three points. I was disappointed to have drawn three of our games, and although draws are better than defeats, we needed to start turning some of thos draws into wins, and converting some of the many chances we were creating in matches
The Heady Heights of Hugo... 
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