From East Manchester to Crystal Palace

[hedger_14]

This is not really a story but I'm just updating my progress probably month by month because I was really wanting to manage one of the lowest division clubs in order to take them to the top division in probably 20 seasons time. 11th Division team trying to work their way up. Promotion spots have been worked out with 39 of the top Tier 11 teams playing off for 18 promotion spots and then on from there.

The team I have chosen to manage is East Manchester who are part of the Manchester Football League. They are predicted fifth but I hope I can promote in my first season so I can get up to Tier 10.

The Team:​

Kyle Ellington (GK) - 23 years old - English
Alan Hill (GK) - 16 years old (Youth) - English
John Molloy (GK) - 16 years old (Youth) - English

Craig Kennedy (D RL) - 27 years old - English
Mark Price (D R) - 25 years old - English
Mark Osbourne (D RC) - 26 years old - English
Robbie Jenkins (D LC) - 15 years old (Youth) - English
Robert Richards (D LC) - 16 years old (Youth) - English
David Brown (D C) - 25 years old - English
Phil Williams (D C) - 25 years old - English
Kevin Cameron (D/WB R) - 16 years old (Youth) - English

Justin Baxter (DM, M C) - 27 years old - English
Kevin Walters (DM, M C) - 16 years old (Youth) - English
Andrew Butcher (M R) - 25 years old - English
Kris Liversedge (M R) - 16 years old (Youth) - English
Danny Pemberton (M L) - 23 years old - English
Adam John (M L) - 16 years old (Youth) - English
Thabo Zondi (M C) - 24 years old - English
Des Stott (AM RLC) - 26 years old - English
Simon Poole (AM R, ST) - 23 years old - English
Darren Keely (AM/F C) - 25 years old - English

Max Rowell (ST) - 16 years old (Youth) - English
James Crompton (ST) - 15 years old (Youth) - English

August - September Fixtures:​

Date - Opponent (H/A) - Competition
19.8.2009 - AVRO (H) - Manchester Football League
29.8.2009 - Walshaw (A) - Manchester Football League
2.9.2009 - Prestwich (A) - Manchester Football League
15.9.2009 - Elton Vale (H) - Manchester Football League
20.9.2009 - Hindsford (A) - Manchester Football League
25.9.2009 - Hollinwood (A) - Manchester Football League
30.9.2009 - Leigh Ath (H) - Manchester Football League

Manager Goals For Season:​

1. Promote from Manchester Football League
2. Sign a few experienced strikers

hedger_14 added 18 Minutes and 38 Seconds later...

Mid July Transfers​

Half way into July, I have signed 2 new players.

Aaron Biggs - Free - 25 year old striker previously playing for Lordswood

Paul Scott - Free - 30 year old experienced striker having previously played for Whyteleafe but had played for AFC Wimbledon and Lewes before that.

 

[mattfb]

Good to get a couple of strikers. Good luck.

 

[hedger_14]

End Of August Update​

East Manchester have signed new players with other players on their way out as well as losing their 2 opening games and probably should have won the first after Paul Scott scored 45 seconds into the game on debut.


Finances: Loss of 2.94K


Transfers:


In: Carlton Cox - 1.5K over 6 months - Wonderful signing of 16 year old Aldershot (Coca Cola League 2) midfielder. (Now 17 and has signed a professional deal)

Paul Reid - Free - 25 year old attacking midfielder signed from Barton Rovers



Out: Kyle Ellington - Free - Goalkeeper moves to Whickham

David Brown - Free - Defender moves to Hallen

Graeme Harrison - Free - Reserve midfielder moves to Holt JCB



Results:

14.7.2009 - GH Academy (H) - 0-2 - Friendly
19.8.2009 - AVRO (H) - 1-3 - Manchester Football League
29.8.2009 - Walshaw (A) - 0-2 - Manchester Football League


Current Position:

16th in Manchester Football League Premier Division

 

[treva]

Rough start to the season. How can you afford 1.5k in six months? You got a transfer budget? I've got absolutely fearsome tweak all and have to get everybody off the free agents list.

 

[mattfb]

Yeah not a great start. You haven't really got rid of a lot of players. I found I had so much deadwood in my team there was no point keeping them. There are so many slightly better players you can get on frees out there. It's all about slowly making every position more solid. 1.5k over 6 months? Thats quite a bit per month. I pay 1k over 2 years tbh.

 

[hedger_14]

Well my chairman didn't interfere. I only have to pay him 5 pounds a week and he is like the best player on my team. 5 stars he has on the report of him. And I try offering players to clubs since my chairman won't let me release them. Update coming soon.

 

[hedger_14]

End Of September Update​

A reasonable month bringing 3 wins from 4 matches takes us back into 7th place in the League. Transfers have been made and it was a very big month.


Finances: Loss of 2.45K


Transfers:


In: James Agwu - Free - 16 year old determined striker probably the second best striker in the side now signed from Maidstone



Out: Phil Williams - Free - Transfered to Uppingham T

Steve Smith - Free - Released

Danny Pemberton - Free - Transferred to Haslingden

Jack Gregg - Free - Transferred to Holt JCB

Guychel N'Sumbu - Free - Transferred to Lymington Town

Andy Daniel - Free - Transferred to Sawbridgeworth

Justin Baxter - Free - Transferred to Haslingden



Results:

2.9.2009 - Prestwich (A) - 3-1 - Manchester Football League

15.9.2009 - Elton Vale (H) - Manchester Football League (Match postponed to 12.10.2009 due to water logged pitch)

20.9.2009 - Hindsford (A) - 3-0 - Manchester Football League

25.9.2009 - Hollinwood (A) - 0-1 - Manchester Football League

30.9.2009 - Leigh Ath (H) - 2-1 - Manchester Football League


Current Position:

7th in Manchester Football League Premier Division



October Fixtures:

Date - Opponent (H/A) - Competition
5.10.2009 - Springhead (A) - Manchester Football League
12.10.2009 - Elton Vale (H) - Manchester Football League
18.10.2009 - Atherton T (H) - Manchester Football League
28.10.2009 - Wythenshawe Amateur (A) - Manchester Football League

 

[treva]

I always offer players, releasing them costs a lot of money in compensation. Being in Tier 7 there were a lot lower clubs who were happy to take them, whereas I imagine it's more difficult in Tier 11. It seems you were able to get rid of a few anyway.

Good month with only one loss and the rest wins.

 

[mattfb]

Yeah, decent month there. You got rid of a few players to. Did it cost you anything? Free transferring my guys didn't cost anything.

 

[hedger_14]

Only Steve Smith because noone would take him and it costed me about 400 pounds to release him.

 

[hedger_14]

End Of October Update​

A very good month taking 10 points from the 4 matches to get us back into title contention and getting rid of a lot of dead wood to bring in new players.


Finances: Profit of 1.61K


Transfers:

In: Freddie Squires - Free - 16 year old defender signed from Wooton

Adam Catchpole - Free - 16 year old defender signed from Staines

Richard Adamson - Free - 17 year old striker signed from Staines

Nathan Beckett - Free - 17 year old defender signed from Staines

Gary Lockyer - Free - 16 year old striker signed from Ramsgate

Kevin Williams - Free - 18 year old defender signed from Boreham Wood

Barry Leach - Free - 16 year old defender signed from AFC Wimbledon

Tom Ide - Free - 16 year old defender signed from AFC Wimbledon


Out: Mark Price - Free - Transferred to Saffron Walden



Results:

5.10.2009 - Springhead (A) - 0-0 - Manchester Football League

12.10.2009 - Elton Vale (H) - 2-1 - Manchester Football League

18.10.2009 - Atherton T (H) - 2-0 - Manchester Football League

28.10.2009 - Wythenshawe Amateur (A) - 4-2 - Manchester Football League


Current Position:

3rd in Manchester Football League Premier Division



November Fixtures:

Date - Opponent (H/A) - Competition
2.11.2009 - Royton T (H) - Manchester Football League
7.11.2009 - Old Altrinchamians (H) - Manchester Football League
15.11.2009 - Rochdale SH (A) - Manchester Football League
22.11.2009 - Stockport Georgians (H) - Manchester Football League
30.11.2009 - Manc Gregorians (H) - Manchester Football League

 

[hedger_14]

End Of November Update​

Another great month for East Manchester undefeated in the 5 matches they played to jump them up to 1st place in the Manchester Football League.


Finances: Profit of 3.86K


Transfers:

In: Marc Beresford - Free - 23 year old goalkeeper signed from Margate


Out: Aaron Biggs - Free - Transferred to Haslingden



Results:

2.11.2009 - Royton T (H) - 2-0 - Manchester Football League

7.11.2009 - Old Altrinchamians (H) - 2-1 - Manchester Football League

15.11.2009 - Rochdale SH (A) - P - Manchester Football League (Match postponed to 27.11.2009 due to water logged pitch)

22.11.2009 - Stockport Georgians (H) - 1-0 - Manchester Football League

27.11.2009 - Rochdale SH (A) - 1-0 - Manchester Football League

30.11.2009 - Manc Gregorians (H) - 0-0 - Manchester Football League


Current Position:

1st in Manchester Football League Premier Division



December Fixtures:

Date - Opponent (H/A) - Competition
7.12.2009 - Dukinfield T (A) - Manchester Football League
18.12.2009 - Elton Vale (A) - Manchester Football League
23.12.2009 - Chapel T (A) - Manchester Football League

 

[mattfb]

Great month there, won almost every match and didn't lose. Top effort.

 

[hedger_14]

End Of December/Year Update​

4 points from the 2 matches played in the month so it was a pretty relaxed month for us. We still sit on top of the Manchester Football League.


Finances: Loss of 4.88K (Because I had no damn home games for the entire month)


Transfers:

In: None

Out: Max Rowell - Free - Released
Simon Poole - Free - Released



Results:

7.12.2009 - Dukinfield T (A) - 3-1 - Manchester Football League

18.12.2009 - Elton Vale (A) - P - Manchester Football League (Match postponed to 26.3.2010 due to water logged pitch)

23.12.2009 - Chapel T (A) - 1-1 - Manchester Football League


Current Position:

1st in Manchester Football League Premier Division



January 2010 Fixtures:

Date - Opponent (H/A) - Competition
2.1.2010 - AVRO (A) - Manchester Football League
6.1.2010 - Prestwich (H) - Manchester Football League
19.1.2010 - Walshaw (H) - Manchester Football League
28.1.2010 - Leigh Ath (A) - Manchester Football League




Table:

Team Statistics:

Player Statistics:

 

[mattfb]

Wow, looking good. 2 points ahead of second and you've played 2 less games. Gotta try make those make up games count with maximum points.