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Just joined this forum as it's the way I like to play the game. Has rekindled my love of playing down at the bottom, so will be loading up my Lewes save when I get home from work. Currently in 2011/12, so I think I'm fairly safe about the 3 year rule? I'll do a summary of my career upto this point later, just thought I'd start the thread now, due to the fact I'm looking forward to writing updates.
Don't you hate it when you press send, then you come up with a much better title?
Anyway, living in Brighton I wanted to manage a local team. However Brighton & Hove Albion being far too big, I decided it had to be one of their neighbours. With Worthing never making it into the Conference South on any of the games I've played previous, Lewes were the only real option. Added to the fact my brother is a fan it sealed the deal.
2005/06 - Season 1.
My aim was simply to finish mid table. With a squad of just 17, I needed to recruit some new players. After some scouting I managed to pick up some good young players to aid me in my new quest. After a 10 game unbeaten at the start of the season, the cup came along and slowed my progress as I dropped points to clubs around me.
A strong season kept me in second place for the majority of the season, performing far above expectations, but some 20 points adrift of Weymouth how took the automatic promotion. So a play-off against Cambridge City was the result, and having gone down 2-1 in the first leg it left Lewes with all to do. Unfortunately I could only manage to get a draw in the second leg and was resigned to a second season in the Conference South. However, in the grand scheme of things a fantastic season!
So a summary of my first season;
League Finish: Conference South - 2nd (Play-off Semi-Final Losers).
FA Cup: Second Qualifying Round.
League Cup: N/A.
LDV Vans Trophy: N/A.
FA Trophy: Fourth Round
With the disappointment of losing in the play-offs being put to the back of my mind I looked forward to the challenge of the season ahead. However the biggest issue was what to expect? The board were still only expecting mid-table, but I was ambitious and wanted at least another play-off finish.
Another strong start saw me race to the top of the league and it was in the top two that I remained for the majority of the season. Having led the league by approximately 10 points at one stage and the league seemingly in the bag, the players relaxed. And it was at this point we started to drop points and struggle. It was wasn't long before we were overtaken by Bath City and went into the final day of the season needing a win to get the title.
Losing 1-0 at Welling with ten minutes left, and Bath City losing 2-1 at Newport County, Bath looked to be heading up on goal difference, until the loanee striker popped up to level the scores at 1-1. Then with 89 minutes on the clock his strike partner put the ball in the net, putting Lewes 2-1 up and into the Conference National! Another brilliant season for the Rooks!
Summary of my second season;
League Finish: Conference South - 1st (Promoted).
FA Cup: Third Round
League Cup: N/A.
LDV Vans Trophy: N/A.
FA Trophy: Second Qualifying Round.
So having managed to stumble over the line last season to win the Conference South, I faced a massive challenge to keep Lewes in the Conference National. Staying in the division was the name of the game this season, and managed to sign some kids in the close season who all looked strong and I thought could make an impact into the first team later in the season. Struggling for the majority of the season, I managed to steer Lewes to a comfortable mid-table finish in 10th place.
The highlight of the season however was making the final of the FA Trophy for the first time in the clubs history. After a 0-0 stalemate against Grays Athletic after 90 minutes, my team of kids and veterans had to face the difficult prospect of extra-time. They didn't disappoint as one of my promising young stars grabbed the winner to win the final 1-0. Shame he didn't show any loyalty and left for Championship Southampton on a free due to his age. From this point onwards, I made saw I signed players with a minimum fee release clause, so should someone want one of my kids I should recieve a hefty sum.
Summary of my third season;
League Finish: Conference National - 10th.
FA Cup: Second Qualifying Round.
League Cup: N/A.
LDV Vans Trophy: N/A.
FA Trophy: Winners.
That'll do for now I think. Not sure what you guys think, but it's tough trying to remember the details of seasons I did months ago, so thats why player signings & details are brief! Will update the seasons inbetween those above and my current either later tonight or tomorrow when I've finished my current season which will include more specifics!
Tis tough to write about it without saying player names!
Those updates are fine. We don't want player details, other than to mention things like 'my academy player broke through to the first team and was capped by Ireland under 21s' or similar.
Lewes - The Impossible Dream? 
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