retired_bcollier2005

Managing (or rather not managing) Workington was a struggle ... Park Avenue I'd describe as frustrating but strangely enjoyable

God knows how I'll feel if we ever get promotion ...

By the way, what's the longest it's ever taken anyone to get promotion from Conference North or South?

retired_twesty

I once spent 13 seasons in the Swedish 2 division before achieving promotion, now that really was a struggle.

I am enjoying reading this dwv1968, KUTGW.

retired_bcollier2005

Season 7 (2011/12) Bradford Park Avenue (Conference North)

The Board seem happy enough with life in Conference North, as they announce that they expect another reasonable season. With a nominal transfer budget, I'm not sure they can expect much more, and it looks like I'm going to need to sell to buy. First out of the door is our injury prone 'keeper, but after three games, it's not looking like the best decision in the world - P3 L3 F0 A8 and bottom of the table ...

Blaming my assistant manager helps (as he hadn't handed in his notice I hadn't realised the season had started :cool and slowly but surely we start to climb the table. With five games to go, we've clawed our way into second place, but leaders Ashton are almost out of sight, and when we loose our next game, they're crowned champions. We go on to secure second place with one game left, so its the torture of the playoffs again ...

Final Record (2): P42 W20 D10 L12 F58 A45 PTS70

FA Cup: 4QR 0-3 v Barnet (A)

FA Trophy: 3R 0-1 v Barnet (H) (replay after 1-1 draw)

Playoffs

We're the form team of the four, but we get the draw I didn't want when we're paired with Hednesford, as they've duffed us up twice this season already.

The first leg's at home, and we sneak a 3-2 win courtesy of a hat-trick from our leading scorer, but it's backs against the wall stuff in the second leg. Hednesford have the pace up-front to exploit our lack of it at the back, and it's only poor finishing on their part that means we're approaching half time without a goal. Then to my surprise we nick one on the break, and I'm delivering a slightly different half-time talk than the one I had ready :thup:

Midway through the second half it's 1-1, but sticking a defensive midfielder on in place of a winger steadys the ship, and we're off to Old Trafford again.

This time it's Vauxhall Motors waiting for us ... and by God are they ready; it's 35 minutes before we have our first shot (by which time we're 1-0 down) and it takes an own-goal on the hour mark to get us back in the game. Then with ten minutes to go, our pedestrian defence concede a second (and with it the game) and it's a long journey back over the Pennines ... :thdn:

Off to see if I can find the strength for another season ... and maybe a pacey central defender ...

retired_kswansonwoolf

In all my years of playing this game I'm rather happy to have avoided any sort of playoffs by finishing either above or beneath the playoff spots... and this thread is a good indication of exactly why I should be happy.

KUTGW!!

retired_dvrsecuritylab

Ah, but when you get through them, the feeling borders on orgasmic

retired_sofialong

Sounds like a real struggle :thup: Good luck next year.

retired_Harish Chandra

Great read! 5th time lucky?

retired_mdibrell

Good read, good luck, good bye.

retired_weakling

KUTGW Looking good! Especially since you started by finishing bottom! Good luck with the play offs next season!

retired_bcollier2005

Season 8 (1012/13) Bradford Park Avenue (Conference North)

For me, the close season should be a time for quiet reflection and planning for the season ahead ... not for frequent trips to the job centre to pin up job advertisments Yes, it's that time of year again ... two coaches and one assistant manager gone before the first pre-season friendly, and a scout before the start of the season proper. I wonder if they're trying to tell me something??

In the absence of a scout to find me a pacey centre back, I tweak our tactics slightly, but then our new scout strikes what looks like gold - a six foot tall, 16 year old DC with pace to burn. Now I don't know if it's him or my tweaks, but suddenly we look a lot more solid at the back.

Come halfway, and we're sixth, but everybody's bunched up, with only eleven points separating first from ninth. However, our form isn't good, and after an abject performance against Droylsden, I blow my top. The next thing I know, Chesterfield offer me a job, and this time, I'm sorely tempted; in fact, I ask for a week to think things over, and when we're 0-1 down at half time in the next game, I've almost made my mind up to go. In a rage, I don't bother with a teamtalk, and make three changes, but our second half performance (we come back to win 2-1) softens my heart and I decide to stay

Thankfully, it's the start of a resurgance in form, and with three games left, we're still in with chance of the title. It's only a mathematical one though, and eventually we end up fourth.

Final Record (4): P42 W19 D15 L8 F70 A44 PTS72

FA Cup: 1R 0-2 v Chester (L2) (H)

FA Trophy: 1R 1-2 v Forest Green (Con) (A)

Those end of season thingys (Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to say the P-word)

Two points covered the four teams at the end of the season, so whoever we get, it's probably going to be tight. As luck would have it, we draw Worksop, and it's a chance for revenge for our defeat two years ago.

Both games are dominated by defences, the first (at home) ending 1-1 and the second 0-0 after extra time. So it's penalties to decide who's going through. Now please excuse me, but I think the glory of this shootout deserves recording in full.

Worksop go first ... and miss (0-0). Up steps our inspirational captian and leading goalscorer ... and misses (0-0). Our 'keeper saves from theirs (0-0) but he then saves our next (0-0). Worksop score their third (0-1) but we miss again (0-1). Our 'keeper saves again (0-1) but we can't capitalise (0-1). Worksop miss their chance to wrap things up (0-1) ... but we do the job for them (0-1).

Eat your heart out Swedish Mr. Burns!

Going to ask Frank for a free holiday ... and he if even dares to suggest Conference North or South .......

This isn't the end though ....