retired_lapepe

IRL it's impossible, but I think it's unlikely in FM unfortunetely. Have any FM clubs below Isthmian etc been promoted to ECN/ECS? Can in practice any non-league club get promoted or only clubs from the level below S/N?

I don't think SI will make such a patch, it'll be another floodgate scenario. I guess that's one of the reasons they provided 'us' with the Spawn of Satan

It's possible to take over AFC Wimbledon, but it can take a few seasons. When they get up they have a manager, so he's gotta get the sack first.

creative36

There's always a chance anyway.

A very small chance undoubtedly, but it's fair to say that ~20 years into any save game there are often a few unusual-looking teams hovering around the lower leagues. SI might have toned this down in recent versions, but the longer a game runs for, the greater the chance an obscure team will get promoted into the game.

retired_kswansonwoolf

Even though it was unrealistic, I loved how different the English divisions would look after 20 seasons under CM01/02. One of the biggest attractions of a long save.

retired_lapepe

Just had a little read on how AFC Wimbledon have done. Mighty impressive I gotta say!

2002/03: 3rd Combined Counties Football League Premier Division (W36 D3 L7)
2003/04: 1st Combined Counties Football League Premier Division (W42 D4 L0 :eek
2004/05: 1st Isthmian League First Division (W29 D10 L3)
2005/06: Currently 6th in Isthmian League Premier Division (W8 D6 L4)

Should have a fair chance of promotion to Conference South in a few seasons.

FC United of Manchester began on the tier below where AFC Wimbledon began, i.e. on 10th in the English league structure.

2005/06: Currently 1st in North West Counties Football League Division Two (W11 D3 L1)

Looks like they'll get promoted this year, but it's a long way to go. First to North West Counties Football League Division One. Then (if my guess is correct) Northern Premier League First Division (UniBond) -> Northern Premier League Premier Division (UniBond) -> Conference North.

That is quite a stretch, but they got good finances so it's possible given enough time. If they got up they'd be a giant though, with their huge average attendance of about 2,700 :eek:

retired_merri13

Were does FC United of Manchester came from? I mean, is their history something like how AFC Wimbledon started off of is it just a newly formed club? Last option seems a little unrealistic to me because of their 2,700 average attendances.

retired_tinkfaeree

It's a club that was started by former Man U fans who aren't too happy of Malcolm inside.

retired_merri13

Ahh, thanks. Now I also know how they come up with that name

retired_lapepe

Perhaps. Time will tell. But they've done really well so far. One can't expect back-to-back promotions all the way to the Conference. Looks like they have a fairly pro setup though, even if they spend a few years in Ryman Premier they should be able to get up. Probably not this year, but perhaps next.

How are the promotion rules in these leagues? Tried to find some info, but with little luck. Is it 1st (and 2nd?) directly up, and one from four playoff spots in all the leagues down the levels?

retired_sandra

Promotion has changed somewhat this season to allow for the expansion of the Conference National.

Only two teams are getting relegated from the Conference National this season. Two teams are getting promoted from Conference North & South - the divisional champions and playoff winners (last season the two playoff winners met for the third promotion spot).

Conference North & South are not expanding to 24 clubs, so as last season three teams are relegated from the two divisions. Replacing them, two teams are promoted from the Northern (Unibond), Southern (Dr Martens) & Isthmian (Ryman) Premier Divisions - the champions and the playoff winners.

The promotion won't change next season, instead four teams are getting relegated from Conference National, to continue to allow champions & playoff winners to be promoted from Conference North & South.

Back to FM, AFC Wimbledon have just played their first season in Conference South in my game, 2008/9 and finished 21st. Wonder how long it will take them to come back again?

retired_sandra

Oh, and the only sign of FC United so far have been the early qualifying rounds of the F.A. Cup & Trophy.