First career save on FM08. Beta2-patched.

Leagues Loaded : South Africa, China, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Holland, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Brazil.
European leagues fully loaded, rest of the world view only.

Randomizer sent me to St. Albans, a few miles out of London, for those of non UK origin like me. Half decent squad, good facilities (for a BSS side anyway). Got a four year contract with the board wanting us to be a respected BSN side by the end of the four year plan.

2007-2008
My scouts incompetence/unwillingness to find me any players meant that i had to trust the existing squad. Despite some stupid defending at times, we were more than decent going forward, so by January we were in the playoff spots.

Finally got me a new scout and a goalkeeping coach then, signed a few players and the team went on a winning spree. At some point i was leading the division by 7 points and was in the semis of both the Setanta Shield and FA Trophy.

What followed was my worst month in living FM history, with only a plucky draw and 7 straight losses. So, after losing both Cup semis, we managed to just get the second spot in the league, on goal average. Signed a couple of Blue Square National rejects in preparation for the playoffs, who made all the difference in the end. Got Sutton in the playoff semi, won with 3-2 and 2-2, got Newport in the final, won at penalties after a boring 1-1 match. Promotion!

BSS: 2nd with 80 points, promoted via playoff
Cups sucked arse in the end.
9 players signed (2k cost), 18 released/sold (22k revenue)

2008-2009
We were predicted to finish dead last in BSN, so a very busy pre season saw us sign 16 players, almost all on frees, while most of last year's squad, except a few first-teamers were released or sold. Managed to hustle 400k from Wolves who got the hots for one of my best players. Not worth it at all, but i took the money and ran.

We started slowly, which is to say we started like we finished last season, straight losses with the occasional draw. With 16 new players, it was kind of to be expected, so i decided to wait before taking drastic measures. Finally, around December, we turned the ship around, pulling some wins and generally playing better.

In the end we got 11th place, which i was more than happy with, seeing as the teams who got relegated had only 7 points less than me. Post season saw me ask for better training/youth facilites, which were granted.

BSN: 11th with 55 points
Cups sucked as usual
16 players signed (9k cost), 24 players sold/released (412k revenue)

I'm sure season 3 is just as good!

Obviously not, he's buggered off

2009-2010
Having some money to spend for the real time, and having better training facilities, i decided to gamble a bit. Told my board i was going for the playoff spots, so i would get some more money for wages. Replaced most of my coaching staff and managed to sign a few good players.

Again, a slow start, but we picked up pace sooner than last year, and without never being spectacular or impressive, we managed to win the league. Lots of lucky 1-0 wins, so i knew i had to work on the team to make sure our first ever venture in League Football wasn't to be a disaster. Oh, and we won the FA Trophy too.

BSN: 1st with 89 points
Cups were good
9 players signed (125k total cost), 12 players sold/released (110k total revenue)

Ye of little faith! :p

Hmm, you weren't showing in the user list...

Two promotions in three seasons... That's something I'll never achieve.

Good luck in the football league.

2010-2011
First year in League 2, time to turn professional. I spent most of the summer trying to re-sign my coaching and playing staff, as they decided that their 25% wage increase wasnt nearly enough and most wanted twice their previous salaries. In the end, i had to release a few of them, but none of the irreplaceable ones. At least, with us being pro, i could sign a much needed extra scout and attract some better quality, regarding the playing staff. Funnily enough, my own 4 year part time contract was re-negotiated which meant i was the only one on part-time in a professional squad. (Minor bug there?)

Anyway, the board set their expectations as low as they go ("try to avoid relegation". We did just that. Spent most of the season hovering just above the relegation line, only seldom going under it. Most of my summer signings proved to be trustworthy, if not inspiring and a striker i got on loan towards the end of the season managed to score 10 goals in the last 8 matches guiding us to the heady heights of 14th position.

Cups sucked arse, as i managed to get beaten in the 1st round of every cup competition i entered.

At least i managed to increase my attendances, going up to 3000 , compared to 1400 in our last year in BSN.

CCL2: 14th with 61 points
Cups were not that good
9 players signed (one on loan, total cost 90k) 13 players released/sold (total revenue 175k)