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Cheers Wimb. This is probably the most satisfying job I've ever done. On the other hand, this was easier than managing West Ham. At least in the lower leagues, it's easier to find 'impact' players.
The Stevenage game saw us set a couple of records. First, our 90 goals scored was a new Conference record. Second, Mills had set a new club record for most assists in a season with 15.
As might be expected the last game of the year for us would be played in the rain. It was a cool afternoon in Northwich and drizzly as well. All the regulars plus Johnston got the starting nod for the game. We had won convincingly the last time we had faced Northwich, winning 4-0. A win today would put us over the 100 point mark for the season. Just over 1600 were there for the last Conference game of the year.
Northwich did a good job of controlling possession and attempting to keep us from doing much damage. But, the boys of AXFC would not be denied. We opened the account on 16 when Mills made a cross into that box that Morgan nailed with a beautiful header to make the score 1-0. Northwich went back to holding the ball and only made two successful attacks on our goal. Browne turned away one shot and watched the other whistle past the goal on his right. Nine minutes before half-time, Fleming launched a pass into the area that Asser picked up, made a short run and planted it neatly for the 2-0 lead. The second half was dull as we took possession of the ball and never really gave it up. We took a few scattered shots, but failed to land very many of them. Northwich didn’t even get a shot. Thus, our Conference season came to a close quietly as we turned our eyes League-ward.
Stalybridge and Macclesfield would join Hayes in non-league obscurity next season. Meanwhile, we would be taking the place of Lincoln in Division Three. We were awarded 110 grand for winning the Conference, a sum that wasn’t all that adequate to bolster our finances as I began housecleaning the roster. We would have to accommodate seven summer signings over the next couple of months. Several members of the first team who were either bit players, or who weren’t going to be resigned, were handed their unconditional releases the day after the season ended. We also began our youth summer training which was intense and covered all phases of the game. The board were surprised at a couple of the releases, but mostly made no comment. Once the first team had been purged, I turned my attention to the reserves. May bring with it the board’s evaluation f my performance. As usual, they were delighted and commended the turnstile numbers. However, they rebuffed my suggestion that the stadium could use expansion. As it was, I had more important things to worry about. A few reservists were called up to the first team and their statuses adjusted accordingly. I also released a couple of guys who had no hope of making to the first team. In addition, I added Derek Fleming to the transfer list and the veteran drew much interest. Blackpool was the first to make a bid for Fleming. On May 10. Fleming came to terms with Blackpool and the 100 grand deals would go through on the 31. That made two of our Scots who would be moving to Blackpool with both fees netting us a profit. As May rolled along more news kept coming in. Watford hired Steve Evans as their manager. Torquay, who seemed to lose their managers to the Scottish League, hired fellow Conference manager Craig Lewein from Hereford. The day after the manager news, a new board took control of Middleborough in an attempt to right the floundering franchise. On Saturday evening, Everton beat Newcastle 1-0 to win the FA Cup. A few days after that, I accepted a 6,000 pound bid for Fuff from lower league side Lancing. The deal would go through on the 31. The following Wednesday saw Newcastle beat Chelsea 2-0 in the UEFA Cup final as well a Hereford defeat of Scarborough in the FA Trophy replay on penalties after a 1-1 regular time draw. On Sunday May 22, Manchester United clinched the Premier League title. On Wednesday evening, Manchester United won the Champions League final over Lyon 3-2. For the second year in a row, English teams had won the European club double. It seemed that English football was in the ascendance. Of course, how English the top Prem teams actually were was open to question. The following Sunday saw Gordon Strachen receive his walking papers from just relegated Southampton, who hoped a fresh face would help them in Division One next year. A few days later, Hereford hired Paul Merson to be their new boss. After that, it was Southampton’s turn to hire a boss. Amid many speculations over a number of candidates, they settled on Nicky Law, hiring him on the 29. The hiring set the dominos to toppling as Bristol City, who were entering the Premier next season along with Leeds and Cardiff, were forced to look for a new gaffer. The transfer deadline lifted and Fleming, Little and Fuff left for other teams for a combined 266,000 pounds. We also acquired one player, Neil Quinn from Cliftonville for 5,000 pounds.
I sat in the bar awaiting my fellow exiles. Once again, we had to come from all across Europe in order to meet. Since I had gotten the Exiles into the League, it was my privilege to select this summer’s watering hole. I selected a tiny pub that was across the street from Yankee Stadium. They filled into the pub in fits and starts, and within the hour everyone had arrived. We started the meeting off with drinks, just bullshitting about days gone by. Then, the meeting turned serious. I handed out a financial reported that showed AXFC had finally started to turn a profit. This cheered the table considerably, since it was their investment which had started AXFC five years ago. I quickly outlined the roster improvements that would help the club survive the League. We had plenty of talent and a very bright future. Then, I stood up, drained my pint of stout and ordered a refill. I faced my fellow investors.
“Gentlemen, four years ago, AXFC began life as a professional football club. From that rather modest beginning, AXFC has made its way slowly and surely up the Conference table. This past season, we won the Conference and are poised on the cusp of League success. Getting AXFC into the League had always been my goal. Having achieved this goal, I am now resigning as manager. I have seen too many managers and coaches try to hang on to their job when times get rough. I am not like that, I prefer to quit at the summit of success. A more experienced manager than I can take AXFC to greater glory on the next part of their journey. I am now going to move on with my life. I am flying back to the US and my flight leaves in five hours. I am moving on with my life. But, I will always remember and cherish my time with AXFC and I’m truly grateful for having had the chance to take them into the League. “
With that, I drained the second pint of stout and walked out the pub. I walked to the Underground station and got on the train that would take me to Heathrow. I did not look back.
and good story too :thup:
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