retired_stelutaivan

Bragging

retired_a4anish

do you blame me?

retired_caouetteh

I'm from Alty, and if there was ever proof that this is just a game it's that you getting decent attendences. Having said that I normally have a saved game with them for novelty's sake.

retired_w0lfpack1

Butler, I'm enjoying your current length! There's plenty of one-paragraph-per-season tales for those that like 'em.

retired_cathylynn820

If you wamt more than one paragraph FMS is just around the corner

retired_skinner3

Season 08/09 - End of Season Update

I never thought I would be hugely disappointed in a 3rd place finish...but I was given incredible hope that was thwarted in the promotion playoff lottery.

First; however, the cup news. We lost our FA Cup Rd. 3 tie away to EC Cardiff but the news wasn't all bad for we took a 223K gate which was a record for us. We got favorable draws in the LDV Vans Trophy and dispatched of L2 sides all the way to the North final. We beat L1 Burnley 2-0 on aggregate and then my Robins won us our second piece of silverware by taking down L2 side Shrewsbury in extra time (a 113th minute strike) 1-0!! Vans Trophy Champions!!

Picked for definite relegation we were never lower than 4th in the table. We threatened to take automatic promotion but we drew on the last day and missed by 1 point (a win puts us up). We won 3-1 on aggregate against Cheltenham and then lost a 4-2 heartbreaker (up 2-1 at halftime) to Swansea. Again, the only good news was the fact that we took a 935K gate from the promotion playoffs which made us almost break even on the year (even after 1.2M in transfers) but I have to admit I feel a bit chapped at an opportunity lost.

After hoping to be just a mid-table team, I have to be pleased with our effort. I'm worried; however, that I won't be able to afford a few of my stars...a few are already grumbling for higher salaries. I might have to let them go.

Silverware:
Premier - Chelsea EC - West Ham
League 1 - Hull L2 - Blackpool
FA Cup - Norwich League Cup - Man. Utd.
Champions League - Barca Uefa - Toonies

The board agreed to expand the stadium...and improve the training facilities. Still waiting.

Also...My Vans Trophy win didn't do much for my reputation...I guess I'm still the idiot Yank in Manchester. Still wondering when the job offers will come. This part, at least, is realistic. I wouldn't hire me either!!!

Cheers...Go Robins! Another year in L1.

retired_skinner3

I guess I should have clicked continue before posting...but our training facilities are now 'Top Facilities Plus Youth Academy'. The board is giving me 450K for transfers (down from 1.2M).

What really corks me is the new sponsorship deal. We were under a 55k/yr. contract that ended last season. After two promotions and a solid L1 finish we are rewarded with a 2 year deal at 18K a year!!

retired_tinkfaeree

that might be even realistic, you know. A good lower league side might get much more presence in tv coverage etc. than an uninteresting team in a higher league.

In Germany, there have been cases when getting promoted meant less income out of sponsorship deals and so on, because companies don't want to get associated with notoric losers.

retired_a4anish

the big sponsors must think you're not good enough then

retired_skinner3

Season 09/10 - <STRIKE>Altrincham</STRIKE> Derby County

Time to move on...I said goodbye to Moss Lane. I turned down Gillingham and when Derby's manager jumped for that job they approached me. With several Alty players demanding higher wages that the board wasn't prepared to pay and others wanting bigger clubs to further their careers....I dropped Altrincham like panties on prom night. Seems a bit more likely to get a yankee manager in the Premiership with Derby than with Altrincham...so Derbyshire here I come.

Derby greeted me with an excruciatingly high wage bugdet but a handsome transfer budget of 3.3M. We are shallow in the midfield and defense so I immediately dump two overpaid strikers and poach my old stars from Altrincham (they wanted a bigger club...now they have one). Had a wee shopping spree and bought a few off the shortlist who wouldn't play for me at Altrincham.

I was immediately greeted with a division loss at homeand then an away 4th rd. League Cup tie at Old Trafford. New manager + New Tactics + Away to Man U. = throttling. 0-4. Welcome to Derby.

We righted the ship and I'm proud to say only lost 3 more from the remaining 40 (one of which was our FA Cup 4th Rd. loss to Premier sid Bolton - who won the damn Cup). Derby were clearly the best side in the division and won promotion and the League with 4 games remaining. Don't know that the new manager had much to do with it. Made it nice to give some youngsters a chance to play. 31-10-5...103 pts.

I'd say that Cups Suck Arse...but Derby won the Vans Trophy for me...not surprising since we were the best side in the draw (as the records show). We still went to PK's and beat Tranmere. (Nice side note - this brought my rep up to National).

It was immediately apparent that Derby belong in the Championship...whether we can stay or move up remains to be seen. Our highest paid player by 20k/week is out of contract and wont re-sign..so the wage budget is under control. A good left defender and one more solid midfielder should keep us up. We'll see.

Hardware for the season:

Premier: Chelsea EC: Ipswich
L1: Derby L2: Brighton Conf: Rochdale
FA Cup: Bolton LC: Man. Utd
Ch. Lge: Barca (2 yrs. in a row)
UEFA: Dortmund

P.S. Altrincham saved relegation on the final day by 1 point.

Cheers from America. Go Derby!