retired_brittni10

KUTGW

retired_tonytranbg79

Thanks guys

retired_tonytranbg79

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The Champion

SOUTHPORT WIN THE LEAGUE

In a statement released to the press the Southport FC board are believed to be overjoyed with this achievement. They said wining the league with a new boss at the helm would be a hard task, but it is one that has been completed first time of asking. A spokesperson for the club praised manager Gary Peterson for getting Southport promoted as champions. They say that Peterson is a manager that lives and breathes success and long may it continue.

After a long hard season, his first as a manager, Gary Peterson had won promotion. Over the past few months Peterson’s Southport side have been battling for the top spot with rivals Barrow. The two had been yo-yoing between first and second place since Christmas. Finally towards the end of the season Barrow had lost their form and tripped up, whereas Southport had strung a decent run together.

The fans of the club are said to be over the moon with the way the season had gone, and that manager Gary Peterson was the man to thank. Although a playoff place was always within their grasp throughout the season clinching the title and automatic promotion place means they are guaranteed to go up. For the other remaining promotion slot Barrow, Droylsden, Stalybridge Celtic and Nuneaton Borough are going to have to fight it out.

At the other end of the table it was a sad story. Vauxhall Motors, Bradford Park Avenue and Ashton United have all been relegated. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

By the time his birthday came around, two weeks after sealing promotion Gary Peterson was back in work. The excitement surrounding the club had died down somewhat, but there was still a buzz around town. Peterson couldn’t go anywhere without being congratulated and thanked. The fact of the matter was he could so easily not have been here to witness it. A week before they won the title Notts County had approached Peterson about him taking over as boss at Meadow Lane.

It was a hard decision to make to stay with Southport, but he had to see the season through. But to say the offer hadn’t seriously tempted him would be a lie. County were in League two, so he would have skipped a league. He would be a manager of a professional football club he would be playing better teams, and work with more talented players. County were also 9th in the league so it wasn’t like they would get relegated, this tempted him even more. He just couldn’t do it, he had to see the season through and collect the silverware. There would be other chances to manage a professional outfit, of that he was sure.

It wasn’t an easy task to win the league, Barrow’s spot of bad luck in games helped no end. Over the whole season it would be a case of Barrow throwing it away rather than Southport clearly wining it. That didn’t bother anybody connected with Southport though. There were more drawn games in the second half of the season, also closer run games. They had picked up the odd defeat but fortunately so had everyone else around them. The one game Peterson did enjoy was the 2-1 win in the reverse fixture of the Kettering game. Once again he had got one over on Wilson, he enjoyed that, and didn’t hesitate to rub Wilson’s nose in it.

Despite there being no training for a couple of months Peterson still had to asses the squad. He needed to make decisions where the team needed strengthening and who to sell. He knew already there was a lot of work to be done before pre season games and training. Paperwork, there is too much of it in football was his last thought before setting off for a birthday meal with the squad.

shannon2007

Well done on promotion, and well done for not being tempted away

Mike..

Great stuff in-game, and in this thread.

...and such composure from Mr Redmond in not demanding destruction of the save-game when the relegated sides were confirmed

shannon2007

Well tbf, they will come back

retired_tonytranbg79

Thanks guys. Yes I was tempted to leave the relegated sides out, but I don't think lying about it was the morally right thing to do

retired_tonytranbg79

Peterson had regressed somewhat back to his teenage years, although he knew the squad assessment needed to be done it was a case of forever ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’. Once the playoff final for the third promotion spot into the conference was won he knew he had to do it. The final was between Barrow from Conference North and Welling of Conference South. The winner would join his Southport side and the ‘Chelsea’ of lower league football, Hornchurch.

They were known as that for their financial power for a lower league side, a huge wage budget and rich backers. Many people were waiting to see the bubble burst and see the day the money left the club and what they would do. That day hadn’t come yet though. Southport, Hornchurch and the winner of the playoff would be replacing Farnborough, Northwhich and Leigh RMI, who were relegated from the conference.

Peterson actually decided to go and see the final, as a neutral of course. He had mixed feelings for who he wanted to win. He didn’t see eye to eye at all with Barrow boss Lee Turnbull, so seeing them lose wouldn’t make him lose any sleep. Also for the same reason he would like to see them get promotion so he could beat them in the Conference. In the end it was a comfortable win for the Conference South side running out 2-0 victors. By the time Peterson got home he was too tired to do squad assessments, it would be the final case of ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’.

retired_tonytranbg79

He was up bright and early at 5.30am, seeing as he wasn’t training with the lads due to the break he decided to go for a jog to keep him fit. His apartment wasn’t far from the beach so he decided to jog the full length of the beach and back down the sea front. It was a beautiful and peaceful time of day he thought. Returning back to his flat he switched on the coffee machine and went for a shower. Feeling fresh and with coffee in hand he sat down at his desk to finally do the squad assessments.

Steve Daly - Didn’t feature at all this season, still young an will have learned a lot from Dicko

Steve Dickinson - apps: 48, conc: 52, cln: 14, avg rat: 7.17 - Ever present throughout the season a key player. 8 well deserved man of the match awards. Won’t look to replace him, but if there is a bargain Dicko may move to the bench.

Jimmy Williams - apps: 10(2), avg rat: 7.17 - Did well when called upon, useful as backup but wont push for a first team spot.

Jerome Fitzgerald - apps: 39, gls: 1, avg rat: 7.18 - Good first team player, never let us down and chipped in a few assists to boot. Whether he is replaced or not depends on funds, but would be happy to have him in the squad.

Billy Barr - apps: 12, gls: 1, avg rat: 4.25 - Bad judgement on everyone’s part about him. Useless, the only reason he got so many games was cover for fatigued or injured player. Fortunately was on a short term contract that wont be renewed.

Alex Mortimer - apps: 36, gls: 1, avg rat: 7.03 - Did well when playing, better than expected. However it was always a thought to find a replacement, he will have to be a backup player unless a replacement can’t be found.

Mike Basham - apps: 22, gls: 1, avg rat: 7.23 - Came in halfway through the season, fitted in straight away. A couple of assists and a man of the match award to his name. No need to replace him, he will start next season.

Earl Davis - apps: 32, gls: 4, avg rat: 7.22 - Only injury and suspension kept The Earl from playing. Solid and reliable with a handy number of goals for a centre back. Like Basham a couple of assists and a man of the match award to his name, he will play with Basham next season.

Farrell Kilbane - apps: 27, gls: 1, avg rat: 7.11 - Mainly used as cover, bnut forced his way into first team in front of Ramage before Basham was bought. Again a couple of assists and a man of the match award to his name. Cover for next season.

Peter Ramage - apps: 14(1), gls: 1, avg rat: 7.14 - Did well at start of season but after a lengthy injury wasn’t the same. Did manage a couple of man of the match awards, picked up vital experience for his career.

Neil Fitzhenry - apps: 34(4), gls: 6, avg rat 7.00 - A handy reliable player who had his off days. Hand full of usually spectacular goals and a few assists, earned 2 well deserved man of the match awards. A maybe for first team next season.

Jordan Fowler - apps: 11(4), avg rat: 6.60 - Didn’t live up to expectations and then only became a cover player.

Adam Roscoe - apps: 3(1), gls: 2, avg rat: 6.75 - Came in and did well when called upon. Youngster is one for the future.

Steve Pickford - apps: 31(2), gls: 5, avg rat: 7.67 - A very good player who scored some vital goals and chipped in with a few assists. Picked up 3 man of the match awards, he liked his yellow cards. Lost his way halfway through the season but won his place back. Will play next season.

Phil Brown - apps: 21(12), gls: 2, avg rat: 7.12 - Bought as a highly rated youngster earned his way into the first team. Handful of assists and a mom award he is definitely one for the future. Will feature next season.

Steven Cooke - apps: 26(3), gls: 9, avg rat: 6.66 - A brilliant start to the season banging a good few goals and lots of assists earning a couple of mom awards. Lost his way in the second half of the season which was disappointing. Gained invaluable experience.

Benjamin Collett - apps: 35(3), gls: 8, avg rat: 7.16 - A very good youngster, consistent and scored and set up many a vital goal earning him his 2 mom awards. Got great experience, he is up for sale by Man U but I doubt we could afford him.

Alex Porter - apps: 22(11), gls: 6, avg rat: 6.85 - Slow to start of with but an excellent end to the season. Like Brown he earned his way into the squad, scored some good goals and set up a few too. Definitely earned his 3 man of the match awards. Will probably start next season.

Matthew Birley - apps: 5, avg rat: 6.60 - Came in and did a job, injury stumped his amount of games.

David Poole - apps: 6(6), gls: 2, avg rat: 6.67 - Did a job for us and contributed a little to the cause.

Terry Fearns - apps: 18(4), gls: 5, avg rat: 6.75 - Expected more from him and that is why he lost his place. Did contribute to the cause and earned a mom award. Will only be a backup next season

Neil Robinson - apps: 37(5), gls: 21, avg rat: 7.11 - An excellent season bagging us lots and vital goals as well as setting them up for others. Surprised he only got 1 mom award. Will play next season

Liam Watson - apps: 38(5), gls: 21, avg rat: 7.26 - Our star player for the season. Also the biggest surprise, glad he didn’t leave the club. When given his chance he took it with both hands and clung onto it. His goals and assists were vital, again surprising he only earned 2 mom awards. Will most likely start next season.

Already it was obvious that for next season certain areas, especially midfield width would have to be bolstered. There were also niggly doubts as to whether some players, like Watson could reproduce this seasons form. He hoped that he would get a fair bit of transfer money to play with because the squad needed a fair bit of work to survive next season.

retired_tonytranbg79

After his usual morning jog Peterson decided to go into town for breakfast. He popped into his local paper shop for his usual bunch of papers. Then he went into a local coffee shop he often frequents, ordering a full English and coffee. He knew he shouldn’t be eating full English breakfast but it was his weakness. After he had finished he ordered more coffee and moved to the outside balcony where he could read his papers. It was then a tall dark haired Scotsman approached him. He introduced himself as Kenneth Mackie chairman of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Sitting down he got straight to the point, he wanted Peterson to be manager. He told Peterson that he was the man for the job that he could get Inverness CT into the Scottish Premiership. Peterson would have £325k to spend on players and time to do the job. Another tempting offer for Peterson to contend with, yet he knew that he wouldn’t take it. Peterson loved Southport and wanted to take them as far as he could, with that he flatly refused the job.

Southport were now in the Conference National, the team needed bolstering, Peterson got his scouts to start searching for talent. Some players hadn’t had their contracts renewed and of course the players that were on loan had gone back to their clubs. The fans player of the year Liam Watson had told him that this next season would be his last. Billy Barr, Paul Douglas and Michael Powell had all left the club and Steven Cooke, Jordan Fowler and Benjamin Collett had returened to their clubs. This left the squad in a precarious position, he needed some wingers desperately, a defender or two and a striker were also on the shopping list.

The first signing was Michael Bamber a left back who could fill in as a winger. He was brought in on a free from Weymouth, he was a good tackler and had a bit of pace about him. He would fight Alex Mortimer for the left back role. Ciaran Ryan the young Bolton right sided winger was brought in on loan. He looked very promising and would fill in the vacant winger role. West Brom’s young left winger Lloyd Dyer was also brought in on loan. He was fast, hard working and delivered a good ball. Alex Porter would again have to fight for his place in the starting line up. The services of Steven Cooke were once again brought in on loan for a second spell at Haig Avenue. This time however, he would be a bench filler, but a useful one. Phillip Bardsley a young defender from Man U was drafted in on loan also. The youngster was quick and would challenge Jerome Fitzgerald the right back spot. Two more Man U players were bought into the club this time permanently, released from the club they were eagerly snapped up on recommendation. Firstly 19 year old striker by the name of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake very quick with good off the ball movement and a neat finish will see him get a fair share of starts. Secondly a familiar face of Benjamin Collett was signed to help give squad depth and to create competition for the right winger spot.