retired_quique

Saturday 24th July 2004.

As I get into the office I recieve a note from the secratary, It informs me that David Morley does not want to join the club and he has pulled out of negotiations. It is another blow as it seems getting players in is going to be harder than I thought.

A phone call from Ian Browns agent also informs us that he won't be joining us either. I liked the look of this defender but he has decided to go to Spain instead. It's starting to look like no one will join us.

I did find one or two players yesterday but I won't meantion any names just now as the players will end up rejecting me anyway.

With a week to go until the start of the season it's time to push the lads to the limit in training so their ready to take on Morton next week. It looks rather unlikely that we will have any new players at the club before then but we are always hopeful.

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Wednesday 28th July 2004.

There has been nothing but rejections in the transfer market so I've just spent the last few days working with the lads we have. I thought we needed a few new players in but it dosn't look like it will happen as even players from the same division as us are refusing to come for more money than they are on.

I have made a little dossier of the players I have and by the looks of it we will have to go through the season with only these players.

GOALKEEPERS

Paul Mathers 34 :- Will be the first choice keeper this year, managed to do well in the friendlys we've had and I hope he can continue the good form he's shown in between the sticks.

Ross Buchanan 23 :- In an ideal world I would release him now but we have no one else so it would be a good idea to keep him at the club for the time being.

DEFENDERS

Mark Perry 33 D RLC :- He has showed in the first few friendlys that he can really hold the defence together , I will make Mark captain of the team as he's a wonderful example to follow.

Shaun McSkimming 34 D LC :- Having played in all friendlys its clear to see that playing a full season is going to be hard for him, Knowing him he will want to play in every game but I think he will need a few games off here and there.

Robbie Raeside 32 D C :- I can't see much options but to play Robbie in the centre with Perry. I was hoping to get another defender in as Robbie lacks a bit of pace but I know Robbie won't let us down as he's got all the experience needed for this division.

Ian Good 26 D/DM L :- Came on as a sub in most friendlys for McSkimming, I was going to give him a try but McSkimming will need to rest throughout the season so there might be a bit of rotation involved.

Craig Tully 28 D/DM C :- Was involved in all the friendlys but I think Raeside edges out Tully for the first team place, Tully might sneak a game until a right back is signed though.

Allan Youngson 19 D/M L :- Came on as a sub, Failed to impress in a position we have too much players in. Transfer listed for 1k.

MIDFIELDERS

Bobby Duncan 21 D/AM L :- Has impressed in pre-season and I expect him to be a big part of the team this season.

Jamie Buchan 27 DM RC :- Another great performer in pre season should be another big player in what is our strongest area of the park.

Clark Bain 19 M R :- Hasn't impressed in pre season and has been rewarded by being placed on the transfer list.

Graeme Stewart 22 M RC :- Most likley a sub this season but he will get the chance to impress during the season as he never let us down coming off the bench.

Scott Robertson 19 M C :- On loan from Dundee, Played in all friendlys but he will be hard pushed to get into the first team as he is not much of a team player. I could look to sending him back to his club.

Richard Shand 19 M C :- Another that hasn't impressed and will be allowed to leave the club once we find a buyer.

David Hagen 31 AM RLC :- Had a good pre season and will be a starter in the first team, He has alot of experience and will hopefully chip in with a few goals.

Kieth Gibson 23 AM RC :- Didn't really show anything special in pre season but will be a first choice pick at the start of the season, It will only take a few bad games for him to lose that place though.

STRIKERS

Craig Campbell 20 F RC :- On loan from Ross County, I would send him back but we only have two other attackers so it's not a very good idea. He will play as a sub at the start behind the other two.

Martin Bavidge 24 S C :- The lad has an eye for goal and when a chance comes his way he tends to take it, He walks into the first team as first pick and hopefully he will repay my faith in him.

Scott Michie 20 S C :- The other first choice striker, Although he will have to pull his finger out if he wants to stay there as Campbell will easily replace him in the team.

retired_quique

Thursday 29th July 2004.

There is some great news after thinking we would start the season with no new players we have managed to get a player in on trial, Danny Ogunmade was a player the scouts gave us that had been released from Ross County, He has agreed to join us on trial and will go straight into the squad to face Morton on Saturday. He is a 20 year old left winger that I think could fit in at the club,we will run our eye over him for the next month.

From the good news of signing a player the bad news of a four week injury, The physio informs me Iain Good strained his ankle ligaments and needs to be sent to a specialist, It means Iain will be out for four weeks but as he was just cover we hope we can get by without too much bother.

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Saturday 31st July 2004.

The season kicks off today with the challenge cup first round against Morton. The players are looking forward to the game and so am I.

We are without Bavidge for the game so Craig Campbell takes his place in the first team, The only other missing player is defender Iain Good who is out for 4 weeks.

As the game approached I started thinking that our friendlys against Liverpool and Aberdeen were bigger occasions. Only 519 people turned up for the game against Morton but that would not put us off.

The game started slowly with both teams happy to settle down to the pace of the game. With both teams happy doing nothing David Hagen scored a fantastic 30 yard drive in the 23rd minute to put us up 1-0. We were looking good for our lead but were forced to make a change as Campbell came off Injured, Bavidge was put on in his place even though he is carrying an arm injury.

We managed to go in at half time up 1-0 and I tell the lads to keep it up as they are not giving Morton much chances infront of goal.

The score stayed 1-0 until the 80th minute.
We were looking comfortable at 1-0 but Michie made sure of the win by scoring from a Bavidge pass.It was a great performance all round but we need to do that every week when it comes to league games.

Peterhead 2 (Hagen,Michie)
Morton 0

Peterhead team:-Mathers,Perry(c),McSkimming,Raeside,Tully,Gibson(S tewart 51),Duncan,Buchan,Hagen,Michie,Campbell(Bavidge 24).

Morton team:- Coyle,Collins(c),McCulloch,Greacen,McCluskey,P.Wal ker(McAllister 18),Thompson,Millar,Maisano,Weatherson,Hawke.

retired_quique

Game info:- (A bit late but better late than never.)

I'm using a patched up version of Football Manager 2005 on small data with the following leagues running:-

Scotland(All leagues), England(Conference north/south and above), Italy(Serie B and above), Spain, Holland, France and Portugal(Top leagues only.)

This story will hopefully all be in the form of a diary from the perspective of me Barry Gunn about the highs and lows of my managerial career.

Good or bad comments are always welcome.Good comments are more welcome but if it's constructive critisism I can handle it,Honest.

I don't think there is anything else to add so all thats left to say is I hope you enjoy reading.

retired_jgirl87

Well, I have nothing bad to say about your story. It's been a good start so far and there's lots of details which I like as it helps give a much better picture of your club and the goings-on. KUTGW :thup:

retired_quique

Cheers spav, There was a bit of inspiration from your RKS Radomsko diary.

Sunday 1st August 2004.

Most of the players are off today but I ask the lads who picked up knocks in the last game to come in first thing in the morning to get checked over by the physio. With the small squad we have the last thing we need is players out for a long time.

We had three players who came in Keith Gibson, Jamie Buchan and Craig campbell.It was good news for Buchan and Gibson as they were sent home after a quick check and told they would both be back in action in a few days.

It was not so good news for Campbell who needed a trip to hospital to confirm he had a fractured wrist. It means Campbell will face a month on the sidelines and leave us with only two fit attackers for the start of our league campaign.

After hearing the news of our injurys I go to the office to wait for news of the challenge cup 2nd round draw. When the news comes I am pleased with the draw we got, We managed to get a home tie against Ayr United. Ayr are a division ahead of us but having already gave them a good beating in pre-season they will be more worried about the game than us.

With all the staff now away home it gives me a chance to look for some players to bring in. With only two fit attackers we really need to get another one in.

retired_quique

Monday 2nd August 2004.

The morale is quite high today in training after the win against Morton. The only problem is it's now two weeks before the first league game so we need to try and keep the morale up. The plan is to arrange a friendly at the weekend against local opposition and if all goes to plan we should beat them by a few goals to keep the spirits high.

The good thing about having two weeks until the season start is I can find a few players for our problem positions. It looks like I'm going to have to start panic buying soon, I have a feeling we will see a few poor players coming in. If I had a bit more than £160 to offer players for wages I could have one or two half decent players, Its the boards desicion though and I have to respect that.

The odds from Ukbetting.com made me laugh when I saw them, Gretna have been made rightly favourites but 4 teams have been placed on evens including us. I know the bookmakers don't like losing money but I think putting 4 teams on the same odds is ridiculous. I suppose it shows how close all the teams are in the division.

After the odds were released I recieved a phone call from the local paper the Evening Express. The question I'm asked is if I think I can win the league, Thinking of team morale I say yes I think we are more than good enough. The only way I said this is in the hope that it might get the players and fans going at the start of the season. Realistically we need three or four players in to be up there, and I will be working hard to get them in before the league games kick off.

retired_quique

Tuesday 3rd August 2004.

The Queens Park boss Billy Stark phones me first thing in the morning to ask me about right midfielder Clark Bain. He offers me 1k for the transfer listed player. The bid is a good offer for the player but due to injurys I have had to turn Starks offer down.

With another handful of players rejecting to join Peterhead and instead going to play in the non-league its getting fustrating in the transfer market.

With seeing how difficult it is to get players I have decided to offer our trialist a three year contract. Danny Ogunmade has not really had a chance to impress yet but with it being so hard to get anyone in we have offered him a contract now.

retired_quique

Saturday 7th August 2004.

A slow week for news so it's meant quite alot of time on the training pitch with the lads. We are looking sharp and can't wait to show our skills on the pitch. Since the league games don't start until next saturday I managed to arrange a friendly against Buchanhaven Hearts. It should be a game that will give the lads a run out and let them get a few goals to keep the morale up.

Before the game we recieve news that we have made our first signing of the season Danny Ogunmade has agreed to join the club on a free transfer and will be a good addition to the squad.

The game against Buchanhaven Hearts didn't go quite as expected, We won the game 3-1 thanks to goals from Gibson, Michie and Stewart but Bavidge one of our two fit attackers was red carded for a silly tackle. It leaves us only one attacker for the season opener if he gets suspended.