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Started out with Brighton in the Coca-Cola League 1. The team was expecting to struggle, there was no money just debts due to the new arena being built. Well I played the team I had, got a couple of freebies and loans in to fill the holes but mainly the team was the original players. They went on to be extreme overachievers winning the league.
The following season in the Championship was horrible. Still no money and with a stadium capacity of less than 9k we kept losing money. Got rid of pretty much the entire reserve and U18 squad. Had perhaps 16 or so players in the first team and kept losing money. Got a couple of more players in to compensate the loans leaving for home and some aging fast deteriorating players. The number one signing that season was probably Chris Eagles from ManU on a free. Still played 7-8 of my original squad though. The season was horrible and we got relegated straight back down.
The following season had about the same conditions as earlier. No money and couple of players needing replacements due to age. Got a couple of freebies in and was tipped midtable. Once again my players proved their determination and after the play offs we found ourselves back in the championship. Still playing around 8 of the original team.
Fourth season things starts to look up. The new 22k arena is done and we sell out all 17700 season tickets. My chairman goes idiot and sell Eagles for 1.7M of which he generous as he is gives me 80k to find a replacement for. Get a couple of freebies in again. Playing 6 of my original 11 in the first team and is predicted a 23d spot in the league even though the bookies give me better odds. My boys go out and give it their all and after the last game is played we find ourselves second in the league and promoted to the premiereship.
This is a very long post and for that I appologise. I'm just finding it amazing how much my loyalty towards my original team has payed off. It also shows how a well geled and determined squad can reach above all expactations, maybe even a tad unrealistic. I have gotten by by signing old players on short contracts changing them out after a season or two keeping a core of 7-8 of my original starting lineup and rotating the 4 others with new signings.
In all previous versions of the game I have pretty much signed new teams for every season to fit the challange. The success has been pretty much the same but damn it feels much better to do it this way. The upcoming season will most likely need more players as my squad has been rather thin over the seasons but I'll be damned if my brave overachievers wont get the chance to prove themselves once again.
Interesting post, I've found a similar thing with Cardiff, playing a similar team over a number of seasons really does pay dividends to overall team performances.
Ive still got the same core players that kept me in the Premiership in my first season there (by the skin of our teeth) and we have now won the Champions League two seasons running and the Prem three seasons running. Ive added some strength in my squads depth but 7 or 8 players are the same.
that must be a good feeling wish i could find it!! lol im more of a slow progressor it takes me time but il never forget my spell in the conference and ending up champs with stockport over the years they lost a lot of players and left with not so good kids. My main achievment was going unbeaten with blackpool for a whole season with only changing one or two players loyalty in the end obviously paid off, doubt il get the chance with FM08 but who knows fingers crossed
It probably helps that Brighton have got quite a few highly-rated young players, that are capable of playing well in the Championship (and possibly above)... they will then grow with you as the club expands.
COngratulations, nice to hear a success story when you're against the odds.
I've noticed the same thing. I always sign youngsters and bring them into the first team after they've developed. Because of this, my first team have had 5+ season together (time in the reserves plus time in the first team). The game must reward you for having a team that's gelled together, as my youngsters always perform way above expectations and bring trophys to the club
my brother is about to take leeds back into the epl. he is in preseason. got promoted every season. he has had offers from dortmund, man city, stuttgart and Lens. He has turned them all down and stuck it out with leeds. Loyalty seems to have kept his squad happy and his team has really geled and could even make a european spot this year in their first year. Loyalty does pay off
Lost my parent club (Liverpool) when I got promoted but it seems my board went out and got me a new one as I all of a sudden got the message we are linking whit Barcelona. Things are looking good for the new season.
The payoff of loyalty? 
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