Nelson

15 hours ago, Bobfoc said:

I remember wondering if most customers would buy the Championship Manager games once SI left Eidos and started the Football Manager games because they didn't realise what had happened. As it turned out, Championship Manager 5 was delayed and was beaten to the punch by Football Manager 2005 anyway. Any potential benefit from naming confusion died pretty much there and then.

I remember thinking the same but at the time (and still go on occasionally) I was a very active user on the SI forums and it was always extremely busy so I think most knew and I imagine those who didn't would have known someone who was.

Technically Football Manager 2005 was the successor to Championship Manager 03/04 as SI owned the code and database. Eidos just owned the name.

5 minutes ago, Liam Mk2 said:

What happened to Eidos' Championship Manager? Did it just fail and cease to exist? Do Eidos even exist anymore?

The last full one was 2010 which was so successful they had a "pay as you want" promotion for a digital copy of the game. There was a 2011 version for iPhones.

Eidos were bought out by Square Enix.

The world cup finally busting out its Japan shit. Looking forward to this game that I'll totalling not be watching on my phone while I work.

Since I moved to my current house nearly 5 years ago I've been promising myself I'll attend at least a few Salford City games as their ground is about a 20-25 minute walk from my house. Now they're at this level, I have no excuse. Up the Ammies!

1 hour ago, Colly said:

Is that right? Seems unlikely that that package of games would exist, outside of the last day of the season there isn't usually more than one game on TV at once is there? Plus they'd only sell like a month of Prime for it... 

Also, lol PM Corbyn. 

Yep

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44396151

Better than PM May!

12 minutes ago, Adam es Tranquilo said:

I agree with that.

It doesn't currently bother me as I've not got Sky Sports, so if I want to watch a Premier League game I will either go down the pub (mostly for Sunday games) or stream it (mostly for games like Swansea v Everton on a Wednesday night), but I do fondly remember the days when we had a Sky Sports subscription and that meant any and every game available to watch. If I had my own place now I'd consider getting a BT package for the same reasons Baddar states: PL + Champions League, but I'd not get Amazon when I already have Netflix.

Anyway, i believe Amazon has only bought two full gameweeks of games, i.e. one set of midweek fixtures in December will be entirely broadcast on Amazon and then so will one of the Bank Holiday rounds of games at Christmas.

It could actually be something a left-wing government could consider - definitely handy that the leader of the major left-wing party is a big football fan!

I believe they have all 10 boxing day fixtures as part of it and their games will be free to Amazon Prime customers.

45 minutes ago, Colly said:

I mean that's easy to say, but if they get a Newcastle away game I'm not going to go "oh well, this wouldn't have been previously available to me so I won't watch it". The whole method of selling off the rights is silly, and while I've never been for a "teams sell off individual TV rights" model, the fact is that football is different to "I need Amazon to watch Clarkson" and needs something to suit rather than me having to pay an increasing number of suppliers more and more money to watch my team. 

Very true. I'm of the belief anyway where it should be made law (as the World Cup, FA Cup final etc is) that at least some top flight fixtures should be on free to air TV. One of these extra packages would have been perfect for that.

I believe this is an extra package Amazon have bought rather than them buying rights once owned by Sky or BT so technically, nobody is losing out.

Plus, if they stick it on Prime, then I'll have a reason to actually use it than just for free next day delivery!

Got to the Europe League final with Bangor City! Finished 3rd in our Champions League group and went via that route. Ended up losing 3-0 to Barcelona in the final but it did wonders for Wales co-efficient as we've gained a 2nd Champions League place.

I've been doing the same thing as what's been said above, signing young prospects but also developing my own players. 4 of my first choice match day 18 came through my youth academy (I don't have a dead cert starting XI) and a few good prospects getting a game here and there so happy with that.

We're also searching for a site to build a new stadium. Oddly enough smaller than our current one but we don't come close to filling it and this new one will have better facilities and will be all-seater.

On 21/03/2018 at 09:21, Nelson said:

At Bangor City, once I reach the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions/Europa League, my home matches were moved to the Racecourse Ground due to requiring a minimum of 8000 seats, however, now they've been moved to the "Conwy International Stadium" owned by the local council. My first match there was apparently thee first match there and it was a 38,500 sell out which got us a whopping £1m in gate receipts, hammering our record attendance and gate receipts. At the Racecourse ground we were limited to 10,500 as standing areas are not allowed in Europe. 

 

 

So I think I know why this stadium was built as Scotland and Wales are hosting Euro 2036. Around that time, the Wrexham Community Stadium and the Bridgend Community Stadiums were also build with capacities around the 40,000 mark and have only been used by clubs for European games and the occasional Wales U19 internationals. These 3 as well as the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff City Stadium and the Liberty Stadium will be used on the Wales side of things for the tournament. Italy will be using my training facilities.

Easily the best youth player I've ever had come through. My current 1st choice right-back wanted to leave due to interest from English Premier League clubs so I thought I'd cash in and make this guy my new first choice

In season 2034-35 and finally got Bangor City to the knockout stages of the Champions League - bring on Real Madrid!

My star striker - 20 year old Chris Davies came through my youth academy, helped Wales to the World Cup semi final (but got injured in said match and missed the start of the season) and was named on the bench in the World Cup dream team. Not bad for a player from the Welsh Premier League!

I currently have 4 Welsh internationals in my team, 3 which came through my youth academy.

"Not planning to return any time soon"

Bit of a dig at virtually relegating Swansea too.

14 hours ago, Liam Mk2 said:

What on earth was the score in that match?

I can't remember now but I'm winning most matches by 3 goals plus in the Welsh Premier League. My team is head, shoulders, knees and toes above everyone else now.

Put in spoilers due to screenshots

13 hours ago, Gazz said:

I think they should have included a 'ultrahard Brexit' where you're forced to play 44fucking2 and every striker has to be at least 18 stone.

Thanks. I'm now going to have to go and watch Mike Bassett England Manager.

At Bangor City, once I reach the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions/Europa League, my home matches were moved to the Racecourse Ground due to requiring a minimum of 8000 seats, however, now they've been moved to the "Conwy International Stadium" owned by the local council. My first match there was apparently thee first match there and it was a 38,500 sell out which got us a whopping £1m in gate receipts, hammering our record attendance and gate receipts. At the Racecourse ground we were limited to 10,500 as standing areas are not allowed in Europe. 

Some screenshots in here so put it in spoilers for length.

On 27/02/2018 at 13:59, Nelson said:

In my quest to raise the Welsh Premier League to one of the top leagues, I'm well on my way as the reputation has risen from 1 star to 1.5. Went into the last day of the season with Bangor City, 2 points off the top with TNS in first and playing TNS at home. They go 1-0 up early on, I level it but they regain their lead before I equalise a 2nd time with a free kick right on half time. 5 minutes into the 2nd half, I go in front for the first time but my lead only lasted 5 minutes before an own goal made it 3-3. After that the match was pretty even until the last 15 minutes when we started pushing for a winner which came 5 minutes from time from 18 year-old newgen Tim Newell who I got on a free from Cardiff Met Uni with his 25th of the season to win the title 2 seasons in a row. 3 days later, I make it a league and cup double with a 2-0 win over Bala Town.

We have now gone full time and were unlucky to lose in the Champions League first qualifier, going out to Sparta Prague on away goals after they scored in the 118th minute. 

I also made it to the group stage of the Europa League last season so the money from that has been invested in upgrading the training facilities for the seniors and youth, increased scouting range and data analysis facilities. Still have a shot of making the group stage again this season.

Failed to make the group stage, losing to PSV in the final qualifying round. Can take pride though as the aggregate score was 4-3 which included a 2-1 win in the Philips Stadion.

Tough start to the league campaign with 1 win and 3 draws in my opening 4 which I put down to the number of new (full-time) players settling in. After that, I win the 7 of the next 8 with one draw so back at the top of the table.

In my quest to raise the Welsh Premier League to one of the top leagues, I'm well on my way as the reputation has risen from 1 star to 1.5. Went into the last day of the season with Bangor City, 2 points off the top with TNS in first and playing TNS at home. They go 1-0 up early on, I level it but they regain their lead before I equalise a 2nd time with a free kick right on half time. 5 minutes into the 2nd half, I go in front for the first time but my lead only lasted 5 minutes before an own goal made it 3-3. After that the match was pretty even until the last 15 minutes when we started pushing for a winner which came 5 minutes from time from 18 year-old newgen Tim Newell who I got on a free from Cardiff Met Uni with his 25th of the season to win the title 2 seasons in a row. 3 days later, I make it a league and cup double with a 2-0 win over Bala Town.

We have now gone full time and were unlucky to lose in the Champions League first qualifier, going out to Sparta Prague on away goals after they scored in the 118th minute. 

I also made it to the group stage of the Europa League last season so the money from that has been invested in upgrading the training facilities for the seniors and youth, increased scouting range and data analysis facilities. Still have a shot of making the group stage again this season.

Finished my first season in charge of Bangor City in the 2021/22 season after a spell in Northern Ireland. TNS were still winning it every year and the previous season Bangor had finished 2nd, 18 points behind TNS. I'd have been happy to just repeat that.

We ended up taking TNS all the way to the final game of the season, they were 1 point ahead of us at home to Airbus UK and we were away to Gap Connah's Quay. A win would only do unless TNS lost 8-0 and we drew.

In the January transfer window, TNS signed Zack Clough which at the Welsh Premier League level was a massive signing and he banged them in for fun but I noticed before the last game he was injured so I thought we had a chance there and it turned out I was right as TNS lost 3-0 and we won 4-2 to end the 11 year dominance of TNS.

The board are now upgraded my youth facilities, increasing junior coaching and youth scouting scope as one of my philosophies is to bring young players through.

Bring on the Champions League!

After back-to-back promotions, I'm now in the Northern Irish Premiership with Tobermore United. 8th after 4 games, winning one and losing 3, conceding exactly 3 goals in each game. My only win so far was pretty amazing, away to the Crusaders, getting battered every way possible and find myself 3-0 after half an hour. I pull it back to 3-1 just before half time with a penalty. I go more defensive in the 2nd half just for damage control as a 3-1 loss wouldn't be terrible so not a lot happens until the 71st minute when I pull it back to 3-2 and I think "right, ok!" Two minutes later it's 3-3, four minutes after that I'm 4-3 up, five minutes after that I'm 5-3 up ("right, all eleven of you, get behind the fucking ball!!!"). They start throwing everything at me, I'm still not confident at this stage even more so when the 4th official holds up the board for 5 minutes of stoppage time! ("Where the fuck did you get 5 minutes from?!"). As they overload, I break to make it 6 right at the end!

I've played every edition of Football Manager and the majority Championship Manager titles before that. As we were such underdogs in that one that has to be my greatest comeback of all time.

EDIT: If it was the other way around, yes, I probably would have rage quit!

After winning the Northern Irish third tier in my first season with ease, I lost my first match in the Championship and then picked up 25 of the next 27 available points to go 5 points clear at the top. Signed a great 16 year old who's 17 now and easily my best midfielder and only getting better. CA was on 2 stars when I signed him, 6 months later now on 3.5 with 4 and 1 black star PA. It's a shame I can only sign players on non-contracts so pretty soon a Premiership team will come and take him away for nothing which has happened so often but enjoying the challenge of having to replace them with no money. Most of my players are on £20-£40 per appearance.

1 hour ago, Benji said:

Should've done the San Marino challenge.

I thought that but I thought that whilst not easy by any means it would be easier as once you get the club side in Serie A, the clubs reputation will grow more rapid. Getting a solid N. Ireland squad with the majority of players playing in the Northern Irish Premiership would be pretty cool.

I got this game last Thursday. I've bought every Football Manager since the first one after the split from Eidos. I usually start with a National League North or South team and go journeyman or try and get them in the Premier League. I thought I'd try something different this year. I started unemployed with the intention of starting in the Northern Irish 3rd tier. After the first season was over, I got my first job at Tobermore United. They are amazingly terrible, I love it. Our crowds are in double digits and the only deals I can offer are non-contracts so my best players are constantly getting poached for free.

In my first season, I won the 3rd tier (which in the game is Championship 2, but I'm sure it's called something else now) and the Irish Intermediate Cup which is for 3rd tier teams downwards and Premiership reserve teams. 

My aim in the long term is to obviously win the Premiership but also build a top youth academy and bring players through, have some success in Europe, increase the reputation of my team which in time will increase the reputation of the league and see how far I can go.