on FM 07 i got gateshead to the premiership, and the stadium only upgraded 1000 seats to 12,000 all seater from the 11,000 all seater it starts off as. Also, i dont know if its the same on 08, but on 07 you get loadsa TV money so have a healthy transfer budget in the
prem even if you have crap finances...as long as they aren't to crap.
On 08 currently top of League 2 with Bath in my 3rd season.