Dragnet

Hi I'm currently playing as Dumbarton on FM07 and am just wondering if I need to do something specific to turn pro.

The stadium has gone from 2k to 6k+ capacity, the training ground is about to be upgraded and theres 4M in the bank. I've finished a high of 4th in SD1.

The vast majority of my players are on semi-pro contracts so I'm wondering if I need to offer them full-time ones for the board to change status. Any one know? Thanks

Swindon69

I'd offer full-time contracts as a full time team gains quite an advantage over the semi-pro teams anyway.

saved_by_barry_horne

I would imagine if you got promoted to the SPL then you would automatically become pro. But before that it is usually based around reputation and bank balance.

neil220779

It's up to the board, putting your players on F/T contracts won't turn you pro, however, as Swindon69 says, giving your players F/T contracts will give you an advantage over P/T teams.

GeorgieMc

Interesting because I'm Dumbarton on FM08 and into my third season and looking at trying to go pro. I've got a few people signed to full-time contracts but others don't want to even with a wage increase and neither do my non-playing staff.

I'm guessing like was mentioned above it might just be a case of forcing the issue by getting promoted to the Premier and then it will change.

Dragnet

OK thanks I will start offering them FT contracts. I've started to struggle in SD1 and I wonder if this is partly why, as other teams players are FT. However, I just cant seem to attract the same quality of players particularly in the loan market which I guess is because I'm semi-pro.

Do I need my staff to be full time as well as I can only offer them puny money anyway?

If I need to get to SPL to turn pro it could be very tough but I like a challenge

bermybhoy

How on earth did you get 4m in the bank?

Presumably your coaches would have more time to provide training if they were also full time so the standard of that should go up a bit.

muncherdave

you have the money, so get all your players on full time contracts and they should make you turn professional. just one part time player will stop you from turning professional though from my experience

Dragnet

Well 2.5M was from a grant which I think was to expand the stadium although never explained. 6 months after completion the money hasn't been paid back. Not sure if this is a bug.

Swindon69

If it was a grant not a loan it wouldn't be repayable.