Alone at Woodside

retired_thefall05 · 09-18-2006, 06:23 PM

FRANK sent me to manage my local side Bishop’s Stortford in NCS. Having watched and played for the reserve side (once*) I was quite pleased with the challenge of taking them up the divisions. England and Scotland Leagues loaded.

(*Real Life knowledge of team did not aid in anyway to game)

Season 2005/2006 Bishop’s StortfordNCS

Transfer Kitty: £0
Expectations: Mid Table

I inherited a youthful squad which lacked any really attributes in the required areas. The press picked up on my dealings, noting the complete over-hall of the team with no less than 8 players (£0) in and 6 (£60,000) out. The new scout came up trumps with a few gems, notably a ATT/MID, a former Man Utd trainee DR, and a 19 ST. Any remaining young lads were sent to the reserves.

In a league which was notably dominated by Weymouth (!), our season was pretty straight forward. A good run of 6 games unbeaten would end with a defeat, followed by another unbeaten run. It was either win or lose, as the team only drew 5 games all season(?) At one point we lied 2nd, only 5 points behind, but our inevitable decline came and we lost 3 on the spin, all to teams in and around the playoffs. Sitting 4th, a run of 4 wins (a 3-1 away victory at champions Weymouth being the key) from our last 5 saw us finish a respectable 3rd.

Play-offs were relatively simple. A 3-0 home win killed off the semi after the 1st leg, and the final saw 5th placed Weston-Super-Mare lose a player half way through the 1st half for two yellows. Game finished a comfortable 2-0 victory to secure promotion at the 1st attempt. (a feat I had yet to achieve in previous saves)

Cups were crap.

Key players were 19yo ST (as above) who secured 20 league goals, and ATT/MID who took the captains armband in his stride to pick up 7 MOM and 12 assists.

retired_thefall05 · 09-18-2006, 06:23 PM

Season 2006/2007Bishop’s StortfordConference National

Transfer Kitty: £0 (£394,000)
Expectations:Fight Bravely against relegation.

The new season had bought little hope. Both fans and board wanted to fight bravely from relegation, but I was slightly more optimistic.

Another new scout was bought in to boost numbers, with a clear objective to invest in youth. Some 9 kids were signed on YTS contracts, a few who did get playing time in the cups. The board agreed that our training facilities were poor, so were upgraded to basic to match others in the division.

19yo striker from last year failed to sign a new deal, and was shipped out to Blackpool for 500k.

Christmas we sat a healthy 5th in the league, mainly due to a loanee from Watford scoring 14 league goals. Wins away at Stevenage and Relegated Oxford were the highlights, although the team was starting to break down with injuries. January window saw the signing of a famous Italian striker who was rotting in west ham reserves.

Completed a very successful season, we finished a happy 5th in the table, whilst fluttering with 2nd for a while but scrapping into the playoffs on the last day. The Play-offs were nail biting, going through on penalties in the first round, and scoring in extra time against Chester to secure a 2-1 win in the final, securing back to back promotions and league football for the 1st time.

Loan’ee striker played integral part, as did the famous Italian ST signed in Jan. But the freebie Captain from last year improved yet again to lead the side, and gained interest from Championship clubs during the summer.

Cups were crap, although our school boys got us to the F.A Cup 1st round proper, setting up a home tie against Crewe. Lost 1-0 but valuable experience was gained, along with a nice earner from the gate.

retired_thefall05 · 09-18-2006, 06:24 PM

Season 2007/2008Bishop’s StortfordLeague 2

Budget: £342,000 (£1,109,000)
Expectations:Fight Bravely against relegation

After back to back promotions via the playoffs, I was concerned my side was too weak for league football. Signed a new deal worth £400 for 2 more years of service to the Blues cause.

On turning pro, the club was re-vamped. 4 new scouts, 3 coaches, a physio and a new assistant manager were all bought in to manage the step up. I was also given a huge increase in salaries for the players (from £120 to £1400!) A load of players came in every position, funded by the weirdest sale ever. Signed a 17yo for 90k for ONE day, and was approached by Crystal Palace asking how much I wanted. Putting a price of £1m, I thought they’d run. But no. £1m, in cash, for 17yo! Also offered 1st team defender around for 250k.

In came several players I had chased for almost 2 year, 18yo striker and a 20yo DM, both from conference south. With a couple of expensive premiership youngsters added also, the squad was over flowing with players, but still on budget. £625k spent, £1.3m in.

The season went reasonably well, although after 1 point from 4 games, I began to curse my over spending. It was a solid, yet unspectacular start to our assault on league football, however held a good run of form at home. Also played in front of 13,000 at MK Dons, and drawing. No threat to relegation nor playoffs, but a 15th finish was a decent start.

18yo ST scored 25 league goals, and was Player of the year. 17yo I sold to Palace was now worth £2.5m and played for ENG u19’s. Italian ST retired without a flourish.

Cups s**k a**. The under 18’s/reserves were destroyed by Ipswich 6-0 at home in LC, but a nice gate was received to soften the blow.

retired_thefall05 · 09-18-2006, 06:30 PM

Season 2008/2009Bishop’s StortfordLeague 2

Budget:£899,000
Expectations:Fight Bravely against relegation.

After last seasons exploits, I was generally happy with the side that I had, although I was concerned that I have over spent greatly, and not really in areas I should have done. In comparisons to other teams in the league, I had double the amount of players, and a huge transfer budget (which I was scared to spend) The majority of the players from my 1st season lingered about in the reserves, and were not league standard. I also realised that that my team was very young, with a average age of 22.

The scouts picked up a few good signings, including a Danish 18yo who represented in the Euro Under 21 champs. Others to mention are RW, ST (to replace the retired Italian), a DM and a DRL, both signed from premiership reserves. My investment in youth began to pay off as the under 18’s won the league without dropping a point, with several players making the step up to league level when injuries crippled us. One 17yo scored 28 goals in 21 for u18, and scored 3 in 5 for 1st team and is now worth £1.2m. The scout also found a Italian DM in January who was immense, 7.86 average rating and 6mom.

This was arguably my best LLM season to date. The new signings were just what we needed. The new RW worked wonders, getting 14 assists and 9 goals (pen taker) whilst a new ST poached from Colchester reserves scored 26 league goals (before a 2 month injury in March) Defensively the side was more solid, with the DR/L flexibility a real aid through heavy injuries. We never dropped from the top 3, and sat top of the pile during the final third of the season. Although it sounds impressive, we only won the league by 1point, on the last day of the season.

Another plus, FAC 3rd defeat away at derby was a plus as 2 under 18gems caught my eye, who had a great impact in the tail end of the season.

retired_thefall05 · 09-18-2006, 06:32 PM

Sorry if this breaks any rules in any way, was no intentional. Also, i did question the length of the career updates (see pervious thread)

retired_jramsey · 09-18-2006, 06:42 PM

It seems to conform to the LLM Rules, although I wouldn't be an expert. Although 3 promotions in 4 seasons breaks a rule. You're too good a manager for LLM lol.

KUTGW!