displaced_seagull

The sign looked tatty - much like the ground. "Welcome to Dergview Park" it proclaimed, in white text on the faded, weather-worn black background. A small, somewhat shabby arena, with capacity for 800 - but no seating - the ground seemed to blend into the background of Castlederg.

It was only as you looked to your right that you could understand why there was suddenley more optimsim amongst the local sporting community. The proverbial 'eccentric millionaire' had come, seen, and made his mark on the town in the form of a massive new training complex for the two major teams in the area - St Eugene's, the Gaelic Football team, and - most importantly of all for our hero - Dergview FC .

The training complex was spread over a massive area, combining artficial pitches for winter training, a gym, rehabilitation facilities and, most impressivley, a specialist college and youth academy for the two clubs. Here youngsters talented in either sport could continue their schooling as well as get the best possible coaching. Especially on the 'real' football (or soccer, for heathens and 19th Century English businessmen) side - since a certain George Best gave it all up, it's been a pretty dire spell for the National team - currently ranked lower than the mighty Sudan, Syria, Barbados and Madagascar.

Not any more, was the plan. With Dergview the base for this spectacular academy, the idea was that a Northern Irish team - this team, Dergview FC - would become one of the most recognised names in Europe, a multi-billiondollar brand to rival the AC Milan's, Real Madrid's and Manchester United's of abroad. Of course, the 'eccentric millionaire' - an American, by the unlikely sounding name of Bertram T. Furnisher the 4th, didn't fancy this - rather challenging, to put it mildly - task himself. That job would go to someone who he hardly knew. Infact Furnisher hadn't even met his 'man' - and had no intention of contacting him. It would have been difficult - after providing the funds for the new complex, Furnisher turned up dead, with his former financial advisor helpfully informing an undercover F.B.I agent that "the silly old bugger deserved every last whack".

Stuart Fairway was no stranger to football, but he was a stranger to Northern Ireland - and arriving in a town which saw it's fair share of bloodshed in the past didn't help matters. A former player in his native England, Fairway jumped at the chance to manage Dergview, not put off by the one, rather unusual, covenent in his contract - drafted by the club's late benefactor - he would only be allowed to play Northern Irish players, whether this season in the Northern Irish Second Division, or in the future.

"So what have we got then?", Fairway said when meeting Chairman Rory Leckey for the first time.

Leckey had little to do with the new Academy - just as delighted as the rest of the town to be able to use the facilities, but still equally bound by the covenent of Furnisher's will. Leckey's reply was somewhat long, rambling and unsettling.

"15 players - all Northern Irish, so you won't have to sell anyone. You will have to sell before you buy though - he might have built us this academy, but we're just over £5000 in debt. The local pubs have had a whip-round, but if you can find anyone for £850 then you're a better man than Ade Forbes, the last manager. He couldn't, and quit. I'm off on holiday for a fortnight, see you at the first friendly - there's a list on your desk. Oh, and don't shut the door too hard on your way out, it fell off last night and I don't want the Health & Safety boys costing us any more money"

"It's going to be a long season" said Fairway. The sparrow he directed the comment at didn't offer much in the way of reply.

Terk

yay! hoped you'd be back soon. good luck :thup:

Brian of Nazareth

Champions League contenders with only Northern Ireland players. Now that is a challenge, unless you have a subtle scheme to buy players from other nations up your sleeve. Good luck

displaced_seagull

Stuart Fairway - 2

An hour or so later, Fairway had found his office - via a tour of the academy. As he had feared, his office wasn't in the grand new building, but instead in a Portakabin that was still very portable - it hadn't been unloaded from the trailer that brought it here. The driver quickly woke up, and - at Fairway's request - put the gaudy yellow building on the undeveloped wasteground behind the North goal. Advertising hoardings would offer some protection for his new windows, but Fairway made a mental note that any training sessions taking place on the ground - unlikely now with the academy facilities available - would be based around the other goalmouth.

Soon he was joined by four men - assistant manager Dean Loughlin , Coach Steve Clarke , Physio Stephen Moore and Scout David McLaughlin . Fairway sat them down and invited them to offer their opinions on the team. It made suprisingly pleasant listening, with all 15 players in the squad seemingly having something to offer. Fairway, however, was immediatley on the lookout for new faces. Sending scout McLaughlin out on the road, he urged him to find players with just two criteria - Interested and born in Northern Ireland.

In the afternoon Fairway met his players for the first time - as promised, all 15 of them turned up to meet the new manager - something which immediatley endeared the current crop of Dergview 'stars' to Fairway. He addressed his squad as a unit, stressing the importance of the coming season - the youth academy would provide stars of the future, but it would be up to this crop of players to ensure they had a good, solid club in front of them. Although there is only the one relegation place in Northern Ireland Division Two, Fairway knew from his preseason chat with Chairman Leckey that mid-table was very much the target.

As promised, he did find a list of preseason friendlies, all of them now confirmed. They would begin on a Wednesday evening, July 30th to be exact, at home to First Divison side Haarland & Woolf Welders . It would be the only home friendly of the three - trips to Non-League sides Grove Utd (Tuesday 5th August) and the University of Limerick , from over the border in the Republic on Saturday 9th August. A week later, the season would start proper - with Dergview's first of five Group 4 games in the Intermediate League Cup. It would not be an easy group to progress from, with Ballyclare, Bangor and Donegal Celtic all Division One clubs, as well as fancied Chimney Corner from their own Division - Crewe United, also from Division Two, made up the numbers.

As Assistant Loughlin led a training session, Fairway settled down in the (relative) comfort of his Portakabin to watch proceedings - and more importantly, make notes on his squad. Elsewhere, in Belfast, the football world would recieve another shock - and another Englishman would be making his mark on the Northern Irish game...

displaced_seagull

Paul Miller (1)

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www.bbc.co.uk/football - International - Saturday 19/7/03

'Cash-Strapped Northern Irish go for Internal appointment'

"The Northern Irish FA have this afternoon announced their replacement for manager Sammy McIlroy, who left to join Stockport earlier this month. With the country's football currently undergoing hard times as a result of faliure on the international scene of late, cash problems have worked against those thought favourites for the post - including Lawrie Sanchez, Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Quinn.

Instead, the new manager of Northern Ireland is Englishman Paul Miller , a 27-year old Coach who has been working for the Northern Irish FA as Under 17 Manager for the past two years. Miller, little known in England, spent his entire career as a player in Ulster before forced to retire through injury at the age of 24.

At a press conference to announce the appointment, Miller stated firmly that "it doesent matter which club you play for, if you are good enough, you will get in my squads". It is believed that his comments are a reference to critiscim of former managers for not looking in the Domestic leagues for International players.

NIFA Chairman Pat Semple said; "We are pleased to appoint Paul, who has done a lot of great work with the young players. We hope he can transfer his talents to the senior team, and although we are almost definatley out of the Euro 2004 race, Paul has been appointed to work with the club managers and build a team capable of living up to the greatest traditions of Northern Irish football."

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Miller breathed a sigh of relief - the press conference was over, the media had their soundbites and, perhaps suprisingly, nobody had questioned his credentials for the biggest footballing job in the province. He meant what he said - anyone could be involved, weather they played in Northern Ireland, England or anywhere else for that matter - so long as they had the right blood, and had the talent, they had a chance.

With 49 days to go before his first game - a very tricky-looking trip to Kiev to face the Ukraine, Miller had time to consider things - and, no doubt, see players he had pencilled in ruled out through injury.

displaced_seagull

Authors Notes

Yep, it's another Lisbon Lions-esq story - well done to Bob for creating a superb challenge that has inspired so many of us (Not that I have anything against the Lord of the Rings challenge, but having um, never read the books/seen the films I doubt I could do it justice).

I've decided to start with one manager as Northern Ireland manager simply because I fancied the challenge - but don't go expecting any Dergview callups for a few years yet! . If/When Fairway gets good enough (and IIRC you need one hell of a reputation as a foreigner to take a national job in 03/04), Miller will step aside and Fairway will (Hopefully) get the job on merit.

Decided to give Northern Ireland a go after managing there in a non-story game shortly after the release of 03/04. Technical stuff - Last patch, Dergview edited to have a Youth Academy. England (to Conference), Scotland (to Division Three), Northern Ireland (To Division Two), Ireland (To Division One) and the top leagues only in France, Holland, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Finally, thanks already to Terk and BoN, as well as anyone else reading - your views and comments are much appreciated :thup:

displaced_seagull

Stuart Fairway (3)

Having watched his players train - on and off of course, all part-timers, they all have other jobs to go to - since Saturday, on Wednesday evening Fairway delivered another rousing speech to his men. The talk was all tactical - he knew that, given the probable state of the pitches - not to mention the opposition - a standard 4-4-2 formation was a must, with anything else perhaps a little optimistic at this stage. Between the sticks it would be a straight fight between two 'keepers, with both having decent credentials. Of the two, 26-year old Kenny Allison would start the season as first choice with 22-year old Jonny Leitch as his backup.

In defence, Fairway knew the importance of having a solid back line. At right back, one of the three Sproule brothers, 24-year old Gareth Sproule , would get the nod - pacey and with a good work ethic, his position looked secure. On the left there was just the one choice - but Jim McCaskie , 25, looks more than competent at this level. Club captain Victor Dougherty is 32, and an institution at the club, having been a 'Derg' since the clubs' Non-League days. Alongside him in the centre of defence, 29-year old Darren Crozier , with Neil Coulter , 21, and John Sproule , 29, deputising.

The midfield, however, would have more options. On the right flank David Burke , 26, and the younger Steven Campbell , just 20, both have admirers - and pace. Unfortunatley there was no such luck on the left - no left sided midfielders in the squad, with Fairway targeting the position for early aquisitions. In the centre of the midfield the typical 'chalk & cheese' combination that has worked so well elsewhere was definatley on the cards. Creative, intelligent midfielder Andrew Sproule would hopefully provide the assists, while Stephen McColgan , 29, would win the ball in the first place - a real powerhouse. 21-year old Mark McHale meanwhile, would clearly run through brick walls for his hometown club, but needs a little footballing skill to go with his obvious willing and great attitude.

Up front, again, choices would be limited - just two in fact. Stephen McNamee , 28, is a big, powerful player - strong in the air and destined to be a serious threat at corners. Alongside him, the 'baby' of the squad - 18 year old Gareth Watson . Despite his tender years Watson appears to have a lot of potential - lethal inside the area, and with the pace to open up opportunities elsewhere. Despite the pair's obvious talents, Fairway quickly realised that - like the left flank - more strength in depth would be needed up front.

Despite his optimisim regarding the squad, it was clear Fairway needed - and wanted - to make additions. Unfortunatley it quickly became clear that first trialist - 20-year old left midfielder Dixie Craven was not up to the task. Yep, it would certainly be a long season...

Tyrone the Magazine

good to see u back ds and a fantasitic start :thup:

displaced_seagull

Cheers

Stuart Fairway (4)

The transfer market was proving a tough cookie. If anything, there seemed to be a dearth of outfield players - rather suprisingly, the vast majority of players who might, possibly, be available were goalkeepers. With two already, Fairway felt little need to add a third to his squad, and instructed scout McLaughlin to keep looking.

Trialist Dixie Craven soon found himself back in favour - of sorts - with the 20-year old handed the chance to impress on the left flank against Haarland & Woolf. Though a preseason friendly, it would be a big day for Fairway - his first chance to see his new team in action. All that training had to be worth it...

Dergview v H & W Welders - Friendly

After a warm welcome from the small, but enthusiastic crowd, Fairway settled down to watch his side have the best of the opening exchanges. What was to follow though was nothing short of extrordinary. Trialist Dixie Craven further decreased his chances of a contract by giving the ball away just inside the Dergview half, and Johnny Clapham swooped onto the ball, taking it forward before finding Craig Singleton for a simple tap-in. Three minutes later the scores were entirely different - two opportunist strikes from the edge of the area in the space of two minutes put Dergview 2-1 up - Andrew Sproule scoring both, with the first assist coming from brother Gareth, the second from a cracking pass by Stephen McColgan. After the break hero became villian - goalscorer Sproule (Andrew) adjudged to have pushed Singleton inside the box on 49. This time, Johnny Clapham hit the target - beating sub 'keeper Leitch from the spot before being replaced. The game ebbed and flowed - the visitors looking superior at times, although Dergview showed some promise. On 86 however, the game would be decided. A Coulter free kick put Gareth Watson clear inside the box, and although he needed a second chance, the young striker showed a great predatory instinct to stick the loose ball away from close range.

Dergview 3 - H & W Welders 2

Thursday morning, and after victory came the inevitable - acceptance of trial offers. Fairway, however, wasn't at Dergview Park to see versatile midfielder, 30-year old Francis O'Donnell arrive for a fortnight. Instead he was at the academy - or at least, in the rather luxurious press facilities. Despite the concerns of Chairman Leckey - "We can't afford him, it's a big gamble" - Fairway got his man.

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www.bbc.co.uk/football - Northern Ireland - Thursday 31/7/04

'Dergview Land Legend'

"Second Division Dergview FC have pulled off something of a transfer coup with the signing of 35-year old ex-Northern Ireland international Kingsley Black .

Black, a versatile midfielder, made his name with Luton and Nottingham Forest, playing alongside the likes of Roy Keane, Stuart Pearce and Des Walker for Forest, before moving on to Grimsby, and latterly Lincoln. Dergview have an optimistic and ambitious plan for the future, involving playing only Northern Irish players, and it is this that attracted Black to the club.

He told BBC Sport; "They've got a good attitude and a good idea with only playing Northern Irish players. The manager has spelled out his ambition to me, and though it is very optimistic, you can't fault that, and if it helps the national team then all the better"

Dergview boss Stuart Fairway said; "Kingsley is a very talented player, and one who I remember playing against on a couple of occasions. He was always tricky and dangerous then, and I think he'll be a real boost to us this season. We've got a lot of work to do, but having someone of Kingsley's ability - and most of all, experience - around can only be a good thing"

Black made 30 appearances for the National Team over his career, scoring just once. He has signed a 2-year deal for Dergview, taking him near to his 37th birthday.

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As well as Black - and O'Donnell, Fairway was also in the hunt for a new striker. Paul Savage , 18, needed little encouragement to join from Non-League Benmore on a free, with his hometown club getting 25% of any future sell-on by was of recompense.

By Tuesday morning - and with the trip to Belfast to play Grove United coming up in the evening, both Savage and Francis O'Donnell signed permanent terms with Dergview, bringing the squad up to an 18-man strong outfit. For Dixie Craven though there would, as expected, be no contract - the trialist leaving having failed to impress.

Grove Utd v Dergview - Friendly

If the first friendly was exciting, this one would turn out to be absolutley incredible. After just five minutes Gareth Watson clipped home a shot from close range to put the visitors ahead, but within the minute, Jim Smyth found himself with the time and space to level. On 8 Andrew Sproule restored the advantage, crashing home a shot from the edge of the box after great work by McColgan. Again Grove got the ball forward from the restart - and again they scored - this time striker Samuel Stewart able to prod home inside the box. After such a frenetic opening, it was hardly a suprise when the pace dropped off a little. On 24 however, the visitors took the lead - and this time, never let go of their grip. Andrew Sproule bagged a fine brace - giving him a hatrick - before the break, scoring on 24 and 33. After the break Fairway rang the changes - on 65 making six changes. They would have an immediate impact. On 71, new signings O'Donnell and Paul Savage combined, the latter putting himself on the road to a hatrick - the second and third goals coming on 83 and 90 - with a fine, well taken shot on the turn. As he made the trip back to Castlederg Fairway smiled to himself - his three new signings had looked superb, and things were very much looking up.

Janz

d_s is back!!!! great start