Faramir

Kenneth McCoy looked on in disbelief. The ashes of the Phoenix Sports ground still smoldered from the fire.

"What a waste! Now, we are doubly pressed," muttered McCoy to himself.

The Fireman walked tiredly up to McCoy, "Sorry, mate. It isn't going to make things any easier, is it?"

McCoy shook his head negatively, "No, it won't. We didn't really have much backing to begin with and now we are going to be solidly in debt to get something rebuilt before entering ECN next season."

"You likely heard the Chief on the cause?"

"Yes, just one of those celebrating our win- it was an accident- not much more to say than that."

The fireman clapped him on the shoulder, "Don't fret too much Kenneth, all us fans of Phoenix are still with you."

McCoy smiled with determination, "Good to know. Time to start doing my job I guess."

***

At McCoy's small flat he sifted through folders.

"Good thing I had all these at the flat, instead of at my office," he commented to himself.

McCoy's daunting task seemed more insurmountable now, but he had maintained his optimism throughout the ordeal of the accidental fire that had burnt the Phoenix Sports Club to the ground.

"Well, I can't run this like the last couple seasons. I am going to need some actual staff to tackle the ECN."

He sifted through more papers, still talking to himself..."and to be realistic, we will need players- players under contract."

Rubbing his brow with a timeworn gesture indicating a headache he again muttered, "750K in debt, this isn't going to be easy."

Still he was able to chuckle, "Nothing like an *original* headline from the press."

Will Phoenix Arise from the Flames?"
Phoenix Sports was still celebrating in the streets their win that would take them to the ECN, when the awful spectacle of their Grounds burning became a stark reality. According to official sources, the fire was accidental- due to one of the celebrants tossing a cigar into a rubbish bin. Phoenix fans, players and staff were fortunately out of the Grounds before the fire actually began. The Grounds is considered a complete loss, which will force Phoenix Sports to scramble to be ready to enter the ECN.

***

As in Harrowing Misadventure, a bit of editing done- as Phoenix Sports (in Brinsworth) was edited in to the ECN. Same as Harrow Hill- Phoenix Sports starts with nothing- no staff, no players (except even a larger debt) and it is a 'build it from scratch' story. Using a Large DB, instead of the Huge DB used on Harrow Hill.

Macca_SAFC

Was worried this was an Aldershot story for a minute. Great start Faramir :thup:

Peacemaker7

Nadessico

for a moment i thought u were going to burst into Embrace then peacemaker :eek:

superwalli

Well Faramir, you just can't live without running at least 5 stories at a time, can you
I don't mind it though!

Faramir

Macca- No, no- wouldn't poach like that

PM7- Thanks for the serenade (A little off-key, but that is par for the course )

superwalli- actually down to 4 (both Harrowing Misadventure and Troubled Visions are finite)

Thanks guys- appreciate the comments

***

13.7.04
It is going to be an uphill struggle for us, but at least the staff is coming together now. We will have to do without a physio for the time being, as I couldn't find one willing to come to us in our strained financial situation. I was also forced to recruit all my staff from the scouting ranks- as they were willing to take the chance to improve their standing in the world. For my Assistant Manager, I signed 23 year old Simon Clifford. Our two starting coaches will be 36 year old Jamie Irvine and 34 year old Paul Sharp. Our two scouts will be 33 year old Rob Campkin and 22 year old David Jarrett.

We also had reason to celebrate today as we now have our first player under contract. 19 year old DMC Andrew Wright agreed to a contract with us. I hope that Rob and David can find some youngsters willing to come play for us- as I have pursued all my initial leads and most of them are unwilling to come to Phoenix.

***

14.7.04
Our second signing for the club is 18 year old Rightback Hassain Sulaiman. I had only sketchy information on him, but his pace and intensity both were attractive (along with being one of the very few young players that considered signing with us.)

Faramir

18.7.04
We completed our first transfer signing (they will all have to be on free or with only sell-on clauses for a good long while due to our difficult financial condition) as we now have a keeper. 34 year old Craig Taylor comes to us from Worcester and was happy to move to a club where he would have a chance to gain playing time at this late stage of his career.

The Board also announced a 40K cash injection to help with expenses, but that is a pittance compared to our troubled bottom line.

***

19.7.04
A nice addition to our backline is 24 year old SW/DRC Martin Ridley. Ridley joins us on free transfer from Leek Town and is likely assured of a starting place in the middle of our defense.

***

19.7.04
Later in the day, our roster began filling out more as contracts were accepted by players. 29 year old Nigerian Striker Lawrence Yaku was granted a conditional permit to remain playing in England as he joins us from Maidenhead. Yaku should be one of the leaders on the club. Another addition I value for leadership is 33 year old DC Rob Cousins. Cousins came to us from Forest Green and like Taylor was happy to have a chance to move to a club that might play him. Pairing up with Yaku up front will likely by 24 year old Striker Adam Webster. Worcester let him come to us on free- which I found a bit surprising.

Lord Crumb

Going to be tough, I have no doubt of that.

Campkin and Jarrett, I used them in my Hornchurch story, though Jarrett was a splendid fitness coach in that story.

Look forward to the rest of this story.

Flying_Fin

I enjoyed your Harrow Hill story a lot, and it was really sad that the save file had to go poof :/

So it's great that you are doing a similar approach again!

Good luck! :thup:

Spav

Faramir, I suppose I can get used to supporting Phoenix Sports instead of Harrow Hill.

I now understand your choice of name having read of the demise of your Harrow Hill save game.

Good luck with this story. :thup: