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Newcastle United. A big club, without a trophy in more than 50 years, by their standards a scandalous length of time. Many managers have tried to bring the success back, and those many managers have failed. Keegan, Dalglish, Robson, Souness - all have tried their hand but none of them could live up to the expectations. Keegan's Newcastle side had thrown away a twelve point lead to Manchester Utd, while Bobby Robson had seen consistent Premiership finishes of 3rd place, and Champions League football. Two F.A Cup Final defeats included in that has seen the fans growing more and more frustrated on Tyneside. They know that they are a massive club, in fact, a huge club, and success would be forthcoming. All it needed was a manager who would make some good signings, spending money wisely, and play the attractive football that was needed in the Premiership.
Graeme Souness couldn't handle the pressure, and on May 16th 2004 he handed in his resignation. The speculation was mounting down at St. James Park. Who would take the reigns? Would Bobby Robson come out of retirement? What about a big name foreign manager? Capello, Lippi? Somebody like that would please the fans at Newcastle, they wanted a proven manager who could bring that success. So imagine their surprise when Freddie Shepherd and the rest of the board opted to bring in someone with no previous management experience, albeit three UEFA Pro Standard coaching badges. Three years coaching experience at Sevilla followed by four more years at Arsenal wasn't enough for the Newcastle fans. They wanted someone proven, who could guarantee success. So, who is this new man?
Well he goes by the name of Nicholas Simpson, an Englishman who spent four years in Spain. His playing career wasn't a massive deal, playing 235 career games for Manchester City. He was never an international, and as a 6'4, burly centre forward he intimidated many a defender. Scoring 108 goals he lies in the top ten all time scorers for the club, but it was the way his career ended that many people still remember. Thirteen years ago it was, a horrible sight for those watching it. He turned his defender and as he was in mid turn a tackle came from behind. The sound was awful. His left leg broken in 4 places, two of the bones snapped clean in half. Although he did get it mended, it took him 18 months to get over it, and his playing career was out of the question. So he did his coaching badges, earned them in three years before his first coaching role came up in Seville. His talent for coaching became apparent, and everybody always said he would be a manager one day. Still, at the ripe age of 34 here he is, manager of Newcastle United. A Premiership club. Nobody could have predicted that. Not one person. Still, the questions that lingers is one that all fans of this once great club are asking : "Does he have what it takes?" - There is just one way to find that out. And we will...
FM 2005 game, English Leagues (up to Championship), Spanish Primera Division, Italian Serie A with a huge database.
FM 2005 is still my favourite of the FM series, and I came across a story on my archives that I had started with Newcastle on FM06. I suddenly had the urge to re-start the game, albeit on FM05, so hopefully the enjoyment I had on the FM06 game will be matched by this one.
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Nick's first day in the job was hectic. As soon as he walked through the door, Freddie Shepherd had handed him the clubs finance sheet. The club's bank balance looked healthy, nigh on £40 million in the account, with £17.5 million of that available for new acquisitions. The only devastating factor was the clubs wage bill, which was a massive £200,000 in the red. However, this would soon be rectified as many of the older players who were on high wages would be leaving the club soon. Still, Nick wasn't to be deterred. His opening press conference went well, the press seemed impressed with Nick's attitude and his demeanour. The board and the fans seemed quite impressed too, although Nick knew it would take some time to win the fans over, and the only way to do this is by winning football games.
The squad, although it was relatively big, did need a lot of work. There were some players who just weren't up to scratch, and without being cruel, they were not premiership quality players. The defence in particular were not good enough and Nick knew that it was the main priority to get some quality in at the heart of his team. His first training session gave him enough knowledge to know what positions needed strengthening in the team. With this in mind, Nick gathered his scouts for a meeting, assigning them to specific parts of the world to look for some exciting talent to add to the squad at St. James Park.
St. James Park has been a wonderful ground to English football. It is massive, and many a team has fallen to Newcastle there. Nick had been to the ground as both a player and a coach, and he knew just how passionate and emotional the Geordie people could be. Nick loved the way that the Newcastle fans were, and he couldn't wait to walk out of the tunnel as Newcastle United manager. The fixture list has thrown up a tough start for Nick and his side, and he knew that he would need to act fast in the transfer market to bring in the right players to his squad and to boost the morale of his players - and the fans, for that matter
danny.harv - My Pompey one just faded out of my story writing ambitions to be honest. I was never keen on FM07, and the Pompey story just lost my interest. Anyway, I've got plenty to write on this so hope to keep you interested
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She walked out on him three years after his career ended. She said she couldn't live with somebody who was a failure. It was harsh, it hurt him bad. It was ten years ago that she walked out, but it hurt him really bad. They had been together since they were 14, and she left him at 24. I mean, all because he couldn't play again. He hadn't spoken to her since that night, he hadn't been able to build up the courage to ring her. He did still think about her, and he did still love her. Well, the memory of her anyway. He always wondered if he was at fault, if he could have stopped her going. When she turned round and walked out of the door, that was the last time he saw her. The last image he had of her was of her back. Admittedly, he didn't think about her that much nowadays, but he still had not been with anybody since then. He wasn't sure if he could bring himself to do that, at least not yet.
...
Nick had virtually gotten her out of his mind, and now he had one focus. Getting Newcastle back to greatness. He wasn't happy with the friendlies that had been pre-arranged before he joined though, five pre-season games against opposition that can only be described as average at best. Still, results didn't matter in pre-season, it was all about getting your players fit, but Nick would certainly have enjoyed testing his side against better opposition than what they would be. He had a few days before that though, with just training sessions and his coaches advice to decide his best eleven. In reality, he already had a fair idea, but he wanted to be absolutely certain he was picking the right team.
For Nick, he hadn't seen much in the way of European quality in the side, and with the first few training sessions he was evidently unanimous that some of the current crop of players needed to be moved on
In goal, it was between two players, but it was only ever a one horse race. Irish international Shay Given was easily the first choice, although for now, Steve Harper would have to do as a back-up 'keeper, although years were catching up wih the Englishman.
At the back, the full back positions were easy, with Stephen Carr taking the right back slot while under-rated Frenchman Olivier Bernard was the obvious choice at left back. In the middle, we were very weak, with Aaron Hughes the best of what was on offer. The Ulsterman could play across the back four, but for the time being he was looking good for a centre back spot. His other two challengers for the role were English, Titus Bramble and Steven Taylor, the latter being very highly rated by the academy staff and one Nick had big plans for.
The midfield was one of the stronger in the division, with Nicky Butt the favourite for the holding role in front of the back four. The former Man Utd man had no competition, a situation Nick had to rectify as soon as possible. On the wings, the main contenders were enigmatic Frenchman Laurent Robert and England international Jermaine Jenas. There was plenty of support though, as Darren Ambrose, Kieron Dyer, James Milner and Lee Bowyer would be fighting it out for the other places in the side.
Up-front, Nick felt his side were at their strongest, despite the fact that his two best strikers were the wrong side of thirty. Club captain and fan favourite Alan Shearer would be the driving force behind the side, while Dutchman Patrick Kluivert had looked capable of reproducing the sparkling form he had shown at the Nou Camp. Craig Bellamy was the paciest of the front four, and could play a key role, while Shola Ameobi was another player held in high regard by the coaching staff
Strong in attack, and very notably weaker in defence and the centre of midfield, Nick made it his priority to strengthen both those areas significantly before the start of the season got underway, as he needed as good a start as possible to please the Newcastle fans
Nick had not waited long to get the ball rolling on the transfer front, instantly faxing a £4.5 million pound bid to Anderlecht for their promising young centre back Vincent Kompany. This had come both on Alan Murray's recommendation and Nick's own knowledge, as he knew Arsenal had been chasing the player for some time. As it was, his old club had failed to make their move, and Nick had no hesitation in bidding for the talented young Belgian. He had doubts over Bramble's ability, and he wasn't sure that Steven Taylor was quite ready for the first team just yet, so making the bid for Vincent had made sense.
There also looked likely to be another million and a half added into the transfer fund, as Birmingham had wasted little time in bidding for the out-of-favour Michael Chopra. The striker was not a part of my plans, and I was not overly concerned that we were going to lose him to a fellow Premiership side. One concern that he did have however, was the lack of creativity in the centre of the park, something which had prompted him to take a massive gamble.
Juan Sebastian Veron had not had a glittering career in English football, as he had found himself fall out of favour at Old Trafford and then at Chelsea, and he subsequebtly found himself on loan at Inter Milan. However, Nick had thought long and hard, and he felt that the third time would be a charm as he duly made a bid of just over four and a half million for the Argentinian who, quite simply, could be as good as anybody when he turned it on. It could prove to be a major mistake, but Nick was confident he would be a big hit with the fans
A home fixture against German side Bochum was the first test under Nick's management, although test is possibly the wrong word to be using. It was a simple game and an easy victory. Nick did fully expect the victory, but the poor start his side made had given him time to think twice. There was nothing to worry about though, as first half goals from Patrick Kluivert and Craig Bellamy gave his side the easiest of pre-season wins, although the injury picked up by Jermaine Jenas, one that would see him out for two months, meant his search for a midfielder would need to be stepped up
It had been a relatively simple game, and Nick was pleased to have seen a win. All he wanted now was to make sure that his side got their fitness back and that their football was at a good standard for the competitions they would be taking part in over the course of the season.
With the pre-season advancing along quite nicely, Nick was getting more impressed with the skills that some of his side were showing him in training. He was particularly impressed with the strikers, as all of them seemed determined to show that they were ready for a starting berth. Not only that, his search for a winger had been finalised. When Jenas picked up his injury, Nick had made it his priority to find a new wide man.
That man was Bayer Leverkusen's German winger Daniel Bierofka. He was unhappy at Leverkusen, as it had been made perfectly clear to him that he wasn't in the first team plans, and Nick was more than happy to fork out the £400,000 asking price for a man that can play on either side of the midfield, and even behind the front two should he be needed there. Nick was delighted to have secured his signature, and he felt that the German would provide vital cover for the team
Our second pre-season game was the start of our tour of Sweden, and it saw Newcastle travel to a place Nick was not overly familiar with, Olstykke the opening opponents of the tour. Quite frankly, it was a game that Nick had expected to win comfortably, but the fact that his side had not scored, despite having 23 shots on goal was worrying, but they did keep a clean sheet, at least giving Nick something to smile about. The best chances fell to Craig Bellamy, who missed a quartet, but overall Nick felt the team was getting fitter with every passing day
Less than 24 hours after the opener, the signing of Anderlecht centre back Vincent Kompany was completed, as the youngster agreed terms on a four year, £4.6 million pound deal, one which Nick felt would be a superb signing for the team. Kompany was strong, quick, good in the air and at just 18 years of age he had years ahead of him in the game. He fitted in well with the training, and he went straight into the squad for the next game
That next game was against another lower league Swedish side, this time it was NFA. This was a different game than the previous one, as Niks aw his side keep another clean sheet, their third successive one, but this time there were three goals scored. Lee Bowyer opened the scoring, sliding home Milner's cross, before Kluivert headed home right on half time. Shola Ameobi scored the final goal just after the interval, and Nick was delighted with the win, a nice easy, simple win for his side
"Trust me Craig, you won't regret it. You will get games, and I need a 'keeper badly. It's a better standard than what you are playing in now"
"I know, but I've been here so long now. What sort of role will I have in the team?"
"You'll rotate with Shay. Half and half on the games. I know it might not sound that good now, but you're still young. You'll become first choice eventually"
...
Nick was desperately trying to get a third 'keeper added to the squad and his first choice was Hearts stopper Craig Gordon. The Scottish international seemed reluctant to leave Tynecastle, as he knew he would be guaranteed regular football there. In the end, although it took a while, Nick managed to convince him to sign his name to a three year contract at St. James Park. That made three 'keepers in the first team squad, something Nick had always been keen on.
The transfer dealings for the day were not finished, as Argentinian midfielder Juan Veron's move was finalised and he travelled down to his new home. Nick was delighted to be getting such an enigma in the centre of his midfield, and he knew that Veron would be the creative force behind his team's season. He still felt that they were a little light in that department, so he sent his scouts on a mission to find another central midfielder.
...
"Boss you should see him. Tell you what, I've never seen a 16 year old with talent like that since Rooney"
"Hmm. It's a big gamble though Deano, I've never heard of the kid. Who's he play for again?"
"River Plate. He's started 6 of their 7 games so far, and the hat-trick he scored that I saw was unbelievable. I think it's worth the risk boss"
"Alright. How much you reckon they'll want?"
" 'Bout half a mill. No more than that I would have thought"
Alright then, I'll get the bid away to them"
...
The player Dean Saunders had been so impressed with was a 16 year old striker fom River Plate, Colombian Jhon Jairo Mosquera. Dean thought he was worth gambling on, as he was only going to get better, and as Nick trusted Dean's judgment without thinking, he duly faxed off a £500,000 offer to the Argentinian side.
The same day brought about the side's fourth pre-season game, as they were entertained by F.C Nordskaelland. It was a good game, 6 goals altogether, but once Laurent Robert had opened the scoring with a thirty yard shot after less than two minutes then there was only going to be one team who would win the game. Despite the host having the cheek to equalise, Nick's side went two goals clear thanks to Shearer and Bellamy, and even going at half time 3-2 in front wasn't enough to deter them, Bellamy grabbing the only goal of the second half and giving Nick his best win of the pre-season so far
More transfers were completed within the next 48 hours, no fewer than three players agreeing terms. Mosquera quickly did, stating that the chance to play in European competition and to test himself in the world's best league was his reason for signing for Newcastle. Nick was dleighted to have such another highly promising youngster in his ranks, one of many he hoped to get along the way
The second man to agree terms was another central midfielder, Lazio's Roberto Baronio. He wasn't quite in the same mould as Veron, but he could certainly do the business if needed to. For a fee of £2 million, Nick was happy enough to pay that and be picking up a very capable back-up player. The Italian midfielder went straight into the squad for the final pre-season match, against yet another non-league Swedish team, this time it was SonderjyskE. It was another easy win for Nick and his side, as first half goals from the two wingers, Jermaine Jenas and Laurent Robert, were enough to seal a fourth win from five in the pre-season campaign, and with just two goals conceded it was not to be brushed off lightly.
After that final game, yet another youngster agreed terms with Nick to join up with his new side. This time it was Envigado's defensive midfielder Freddy Guarin. Alan Murray had been full of praise for the young man, and on his advice a bif od £1.5 million as made. With Envigado short of money, and Guarin expressing a desire to move, a deal was quickly and effectively struck, and all that was for Nick to wait for the work permit to come through.
Nick was working on a transfer that he felt would be a real coup for himself, the team and one that the fans would love. He was desperately short in defence, and if this transfer came off he would have a world class defender at his disposal. An offer had been made, and accepted, and with the side keeping his wishes and not disclosing any information, Nick had begun the process of negotiations with the player, hoping he could have a deal struck fairly quickly.
Nick was a delighted man a few days later, as he finally completed the transfer of French defender Lilian Thuram from Juventus for a fee of £3.5 million. The fans were so happy that a top class defender was joining the ranks of Newcastle. That was something that they had not had in years, a real world class, quality defender, let alone a World and European cup winning one. Nick had paraded Thuram around the ground just three days before the season, with hundreds of fans turning up for the autograph signing
With Thuram signed in time for the opening day of the season, the squad was strengthene further when Freddy Guarin's work permit application was completed and he registered just 24 hours before the opener, and both new additions went straight into the match day squad for the opening game against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. They had Roman Abramovich's money to fund their title push and had spent nigh on £40 million in the summer, so Nick was not looking forward to a trip to Stamford Bridge
Had the game finished after half an hour, Nick would have been delighted, as his side started the game superbly well. Patrick Kluivert headed them in fron after 11 minutes, converting James Milner's cross past Petr Cech. Kluivert, Shearer and Nicky Butt all had terrific chances to double the lead, but none of them were taken. Nick's side payed for this when Mateja Kezman broke free and slid the ball underneath Shay Given. The home fans were expectant after that, but yet again Nick found his side dominating in the second half, Kluivert, Jenas and Veron all missing good chances, and had they secured all three points then it would have been totally deserved. As it was, Nick and his side had to go away with just the one point, a result which they would have taken quite easily before the start of the game
The damage sustained from the match was a little niggle in his groin for Veron, but Nick decided to give it a few days and test the groin on the training ground. Thuram had looked solid at the back, and looked like forming a secure partnership at the centre of the defence with young Belgian Kompany, something that is the base of any successful team
Veron's groin had not passed the test, so he only started on the bench for the visit of his former employers Man Utd. Once again, Nick saw his side play superbly in the first half hour of the match, Alan Shearer heading the ball home from Laurent Robert's cross. Again, they should have gone in at half time at a better advantage than they were, and once again they paid for it, Ryan Gigg's undeserved equaliser sending the visitors back to Manchester with a point that they would quite readily admit they didn't deserve
It's written in black and white... 
Linear Mode
