Faramir

Heartwood sighed as he reread the article.

"They just don't see it the way I do. Time to try and make it work though."

His first call went to his long-time friend Bob Pierson. "Bob, I know they let you go after last season, but I have something that might interest you. Oh, I could offer you a scouting position without a doubt, but what I would rather do is have you as my Assistant Manager. Yes, I know you have little experience on the direct staff of a club- but I need your ability to evaluate players- it is going to be critical to the success of Harrow Hill. Certainly you would receive proper wages- more than you would as a scout. OK, that sounds fine- meet me tomorrow morning and I will have a contract for you."

12.7.05
"I still don't know about this Jim," said Pierson with a wavering voice.

"Look Bob. You saw the article. I *am* going to do it my way and a key to making this work will be evaluating the youngsters. I need your help to make that work- I have always respected your ability to see things in players that others miss."

"Ok, but you need to help me understand what you expect of me as your Assistant."

"I will give you all the help you need. Actually, despite my many detractors comments- we are going to need a full staff of coaches, physios and scouts to make this work. I won't skimp on that, even with our limited wage budget."

"Well, any help you can get me will be appreciated."

"We will need to do a *lot* of teaching to make this work. We will both need all that help to make it happen. I also need you to skim the freely available list- we need to sign some players before they are snapped up by other clubs. We don't have any players currently under contract."

"None?"

"None. So we need to get going and sign a squad up soon."

I was going to return to Harrow Hill with another story, but Bob's challenge suits Harrow Hill perfectly- I stuck mainly with youth when playing them the first time around and will just do the same this time. As before, Harrow Hill starts out with nothing- no staff, no players- but actually in the black this time (60K) and with a 7K transfer fund. The story style will be different this time too. FM2006 with Harrow Hill again edited into Conference South in place of Eastbourne Boro. A long road begun...- MD

mavericktango

poor Eastbourne

(couldn't have happened to a bigger bunch of geriatrics :thup

Faramir

LOL maverick- I just chose them to be consistent with the club I removed in FM 05

***

12.7.05
After a couple hours on the phone, Heartwood stretched tiredly.

"Almost there," he muttered to himself.

Absently, he flipped the folder of information to the other side of the table before picking up his cell phone once more.

"Bob? Yes, well I haven't been off the phone for awhile now. There will be a meeting tomorrow afternoon at Larksfield Road. All the staff are planning on being there- at least I have committments to that from everyone. We will do all the introductions there."

***

13.7.05
Heartwood stood up and the gathered group- men of a variety of ages, but all looking at home in the football surroundings- quieted and looked expectantly at their young leader.

"Thank you all for making this meeting on such short notice. I appreciate you will need more time to make personal arrangements, so this meeting will be brief. The only thing I want to accomplish today is to introduce you all to each other and lay out your areas of responsibilities," offered Heartwood a quiet, conversational tone.

"I warned all of you to some extent- some of you in more detail- what I am planning on doing with Harrow Hill. You can call it an experiment, you can call it madness, I don't much care. The thing I do care about is that you accept the approach and be willing to commit to working with me to accomplish things with this club. Here are the ground rules that I plan on adhering to- We will not have a player over the age of 25 on the club."

There was some murmuring, but it quickly subsided.

"I warned you that many will consider our approach radical. Nevertheless, that is want I want you to be willing to accept in your position here."

He paused and motioned around the room. "Now for the introductions. The reason why we have so many staff- even with the minimal funding for the club- is that I want each of you to concentrate on a specific aspect of our coaching- teaching with the many youngsters we will have. To that end, my right hand man will be Bob Pearson," Heartwood motioned at Pearson in the corner. "Bob will be handling the attacking training and will also be the Manager for the Reserves and Under-18 sides."

Bob nodded at Heartwood in deference.

"Over here are our three scouts- Rob Campkin, Spencer Field and Jamie Wallace." Each nodded in acknowledgement of their name. "Jamie will be our advance scout- scouting our opponents. Rob and Spencer will be combing England and the Isles for youngsters."

"At this table we have Allan Leighton, Simon Smith, Andy Gray and Peter Latchford. Allan will be handling the defense training. Simon is our keepers coach. Andy will training on set pieces. Peter will be handling the tactical training."

"Seated over here at this table is Dave Burgess, Stuart Bell, Ian Gray and Max Griggs. Dave will be handling the strength training. Stuart is in charge of the aerobic training. Ian will be working on the ball control training and Max is in charge of shooting."

"Against the wall over there are Mark Leather and Rob Harris, who are our physios. Their word is law on the condition of the players."

Griggs spoke up, his easy presence showing he was comfortable so far, "When do we start training players?"

Heartwood laughed lightly, "As soon as we have some. It will likely start with a trickle coming in- maybe a few as early as this afternoon. What I want you ready to do is have a plan for when they start arriving. We will work out how to coordinate trainings as we need to.

Faramir

13.7.05
Heartwood was seated at a table with Campkin, Field and Wallace.

"Rob and Spencer- you are going to be very busy for a good long while."

The pair looked at each other with an air of resigned humour. Campkin offered, "I think we realized that going in Jim."

"Here are your marching orders. First, give me any names of youngsters- I mean the 15, 16, 17 year olds- that you have a decent level of knowledge about. Please let me know of any of them you think are worthy of signing. We can't afford to watch other clubs sign up any promising youngsters who might be kicking about and happy to sign with us if we offer first."

The pair nodded in agreement.

"Next. I want you to eyeball each Premier and Championship club Under-18 side. I know what a task that will be- but I consider it of key importance to get a good look at all those clubs' youth players. If any of them are released- I want to know. With no youth program of our own- we will need to build up and this is the best way I know how to get freely available players that can help us."

Field spoke up, "You want that done first? Or do you want general scouting first?"

Heartwood grinned, "Both. Don't worry, I know it is a daunting task, but I need you two to plug away at it."

Campkin asked, "Any general limitations on who to give you reports on?"

"Only one. I want players who are 22 or younger only- again with the emphasis on the 15-18 year olds that might be available."

Faramir

13.7.05
"The first signings will be arriving today Bob, I wanted to go over them with you."

"Ok, who is signing on the dotted line for us?"

"The first few are Darren Gwyther, Ashley Carew, Craig Farr, Pat Lynott and Samuel Okikioulu."

"I remember seeing all of them."

"They were the happiest to have any kind of contract offer."

"Darren is a striker, right?"

Heartwood nodded, "Darren is a 20 year old who has been out of football several years. He was overjoyed to get a chance to come back and play. Ashley is a 19 year old who was released after several seasons in the Gillingham youth program."

Pearson absently stroked his chin, "I remember Craig Farr. He was a keeper I liked a lot when he was coming up through the Swindon youth program- he must be 21 now."

Heartwood shook his head in agreement. "Pat is a 21 year old DMC last played for Wycombe a few seasons ago- both he and Samuel were others who were really happy to get any contract offer."

Pearson stopped him, "Now wait. Isn't Samuel older- over 25?"

"No, he is 23 now. He will turn 24 during the season."

"And?"

"I signed him to a one-year contract Bob. I just think we need a physical center back and he fits the bill. Besides, he and I both agreed that if there was any interest at all from a bigger side for him during the season- I would consider letting him move."

Faramir

14.7.05
"Rob and Spencer gave me their lists and I worked late into last night. I have agreements with several youngsters and they are due in today Bob."

"Can you give me a lowdown on them?" asked Pearson.

"As much as what Rob and Spencer gave me. Misiu Mlynowski is a 16 year old striker who was released from the Portsmouth youth program. Robert Burns is a 17 year old left winger who hadn't signed a professional contract with anyone. Danny Smith is a 17 year old leftback who was released from the Liverpool youth program. Jon French is a 16 year old striker who came out of the York youth program. Roger Charles is a 16 year old midfielder who hadn't signed a professional contract before. Joe Foote is a 16 year old midfielder who hadn't signed a professional contract."

Pearson chuckled, "Him I remember."

"Who?"

"Joe Foote. I remember they were calling him 'Bigfoot'. He is one of the biggest midfielders I have seen at his age and still has a bit of pace and speed despite his large frame."

Heartwood laughed along with Pearson, "Last is a 15 year old winger- Simon Varty. He comes from the Carlisle youth program."

"I recall scouting him as a 14 year old. He has a pretty nice balance of skills for how young he is."

"Obviously, he won't be seeing any Senior time until he turns 16, but I like his chances of being a future contributor for us."

robterrace

Like the sound of this again, like a lot of your excellent stuff. KUTGW.

Faramir

Thank you robterrace- your kind comments are appreciated Glad to have you along on the journey

***

"I finally have some friendlies set up Bob."

"Who did you managed to work things out with?"

"Welsh side Buckley is first at Larksfield road on July 23rd. Then we face Bamber Bridge at Irongate on the 27th. Cinderford comes here on the 30th. Welsh side Bridgend arrives here on August 3rd and we finish with Welsh side Caerleon on the 6th."

"At least we will have a full week after that last one before we begin Conference South play."

***

17.7.05
"Rob and Spencer gave me a quick report on several other promising youngsters. I managed to sign another batch that will be here tomorrow."

Pearson looked up from his notebook, "Preview, please?"

"Anthony Millerick is a 16 year old defensive mid who was released by Basingstoke. Nick Muir is a 16 year old midfielder who was just released by Gillingham. Cory Johnson is a 17 year old striker who signed his first pro contract with us. Michael Johnston is a 17 year old center defender who also signed his first pro contract with us. Matt Hill is a versatile center mid/defender who was released from the Sheffield Wednesday youth program. Nicky Hawkins is another versatile center mid/defender- from the Nottingham Forest youth program. Jonathan Harris is a 16 year old left winger from out of the Exeter youth program. Scott Harber is a 16 year old center mid from the Portsmouth youth program and Peter Sutton is a 16 year old striker who last played a couple years ago for Stourport."

"A lot of youngsters there. I hope we have a couple diamonds in there."

Heartwood laughed, "I wouldn't count on it Bob. I am mostly worried about having enough bodies for now. I am aiming for about a 30 man squad that should still be well under our weekly budget of 3,800/week."

Faramir

18.7.05
"That should do it for the initial signing group," murmured James Heartwood to Bob Pearson.

"No more after these?"

"I didn't say that," grinned Heartwood. "I just meant we can slow down the frenetic signing pace after these and concentrate on more quality. We can take longer to scout and rescout players after these."

"Well, tell me who these new additions might be."

"Sean Coburn is probably the biggest addition. I can easily see him as our Captain. He is a 21 year old right winger with a solid skill set and is reentering football after last playing for Southend several seasons ago. Another key addition is Billy Nott."

"Nott I know," remarked Pearson. "I scouted him a lot when he was with Arsenal. I wonder why they didn't keep him?"

"I don't really care why they didn't," smiled Heartwood. "I just like the fact we were able to get a good contract with him- he is a likely midfield starter for us. At age 18, he could be with us for a good long while. Also signing with us are a pair of keepers- Paul Catley and Alex Hards. Catley signed his first pro contract with us and Rob thought he had impressive potential for a 17 year old. Likewise, Spencer though Alex was a very promising 19 year old and he comes out of the Portsmouth youth program."

"So we have a full complement of three keepers now?"

"Yes. Also the last three additions are 21 year old forward Robert Dickinson from the Ipswich youth effort- I think he will be a starter up front for us- Steven Webb, a 20 year old rightback/rightwing who comes from the Nottingham Forest youth program and David Carns a 20 year old rightback/center defense player who hadn't ever signed a professional contract before this."

"Sorry Jim, but this seems a pretty motley collection to begin the season with."

"I have to admit you're right Bob, but this is what we have. We need to figure out how to get enough good results to avoid relegation."

Faramir

22.7.05
"A couple more signings before we start the season Bob," stated Heartwood.

"Hmm?"

"Jamie Chandler is a 20 year old leftback who signed his first pro contract with us and Lewis Tozer is a 20 year old DC who had been out of football last season, but came through the Leicester youth program.

"How many do we have under contract now?"

"30, and we managed to do that and still remain about 1,000/week under to Board's weekly wage budget."

"That's good for now at least, but we may still want to add players..."

"True and we may well end up over that budget during the season- but we are at a good starting point for the moment."