Hyde F.C. - Up the Tigers!

So, I've chosen for my FM15 story to be with Hyde FC, in no small part because of how badly their real life season went last year. The squad is in need of a number of additions, as you will see below and the finances (again below), aren't in the healthiest shape in the world. Obviously my long term aim of the save will be to have Hyde battling in out at the top end of the pyramid of English football but short term I merely want to steady the ship, and put the finances in a much healthier place. This will mean that I will attempt to strictly stick to my wage budget and avoid bonuses and clauses which would be disastrous for the long term finances of the club. I also have a couple of other ambitions, such as using the youth system to bring through as many first team players as i possibly can, and also because I quite enjoyed doing so in other saves, I have imposed a ban on signing foreign players and will only use players who either represent one of the four constituent countries of the UK (or overseas territories such as Anguilla), or players who were born in Britain or Ireland, even if they have chosen to represent another country as sometimes happens. Obviously, only the beta version has been released so far, so don't expect to see too much from this until the full version on Friday although I will be playing it a bit and updating as such. Up the Tigers!



You'll of course note that theres a frankly startling lack of any centre midfielders in my squad, not ideal to say the least and the first issue which I'll be adressing.



Although currently not in the red, that projected balance is worrying, and ideally I won't go into negative balance at any stage.

Good luck matey! Tough ask!

Good luck

Some signings...

As I previously stated, the main area where I really needed to bring in some players was in midfield, especially the centre midfield area, and so far I have only managed to bring in 2 players, who will play there the bulk of the season assuming no other transfers (which I am looking at). First up is Manny Panther, a 30 year old experienced Scottish player, who I will look to employ as the more defense minded of my two midfielders.



Second was Jason Lampkin, a 22 year old who will be the main playmaker in my midfield area.



Ideally I was looking for both these guys to really function as back up but a few of my targets were snapped up by other clubs and thus far I haven't been able to find anyone else. Panther should be able to do a job I suppose, and Lampkin has some potential so its not the worst situation to be in, but a few more would certainly be welcome.

I also brought in an attacking midfielder, in the form of 20 year old Luke Clark, as I intend to play a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Big challenge this, I'll be following. Went to see them play last year and they were awful!

Good Luck.

GL, did the Hyde logo change from red to blue?

Yes when Man City became a parent club.

Opening Day 2014/15



Obviously not ideal, but 2 of the goals came right at the end when I was chasing an equaliser and then before my tactics had been able to change back to normal. A couple of important players were also missing for this game, and I missed out on another target as Conference Premier teams came in for him. Still, 45 games to go.

Not the start you wished for there but as you say, one game down and 45 to go

Unlucky with the first game mate! But best of luck!

Cheers for reading guys! Should say, I mistakenly thought there was 24 teams in the league so 46 games, theres only 22 so 42 and therefore only 41 to go. Bit of a shocker from me not checking that one!

August 2014

Just one more player joined in August, another centre midfielder, this time Irish player Gary O'Neil, who should be a regular starter for me.



Him, alongside Panther with Lampkin on the bench and Clark ahead of them in the attacking midfield slot will be my preffered option for centre midfield this season.



We followed up the opening day defeat with another poor display at North Ferriby, another game where we let a lead slip. However, we were able to gain our first win against Barrow. A last minute equaliser salvaged a point against Colwyn Bay in a game we completely dominated but were unable to take our chances. A solid win v Bradford PA was up next before we trounced Tamwoth, them going down to ten men after 18 minutes and getting a late consolation goal just to take the shine off it slightly. All that leaves the table looking like this...

Good to see the form pick up towards the end of the month, sitting well matey

Things are getting beter! So lets see how this goes further...

Sorry for the delay guys, been doing a bit of work recently so haven't had time to play this all that much.

September 2014



Started the month with a trip to a Gloucester side predicted to struggle, and from everything but the result you could see why. I was much the better side but somehow managed to lose the game, the killer blow being a bit of a comical own goal by McQuade who blasted it into his own net under absolutely no pressure at all. I was able to bounce back with a comprehensive win over Hednesford, where it really could have ended up about 8-0, what with missing a penalty and some absolutely glorious chances as well. We then faced Brackley, and were very harshly done by as we lost to the dodgiest of dodgy penalties being given and scored by them. That game also came at a price as Gary O'Neill was ruled out for 4 months with a torn hamstring. Next up was Lowestoft at home, and an appalling game of football followed which absolutely deserved to be a 0-0. This was our last league action for the month as next up was a trip to Rushall in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup. A cup run would be absolutely wonderful for the finances if we could get to the competition proper and draw someone from even the League 2, and so it was ideal that we managed to progress with a comfortable, if unspectacular, 2-0 victory. As shown in the stats below, we were by far the better side and an upset was never on the cards.



All of that leaves me sitting 11th in the league, but still not too far off the playoff places which is where I'd ideally like to be finishing. Winning the league is I think a bit beyond my team at the minute, but a playoff place is very achievable and a good run and who knows.



We also drew Arlesey in the next round of the FA Cup, another team from a division below us so that should hopefully be a winnable tie, and leave us just one stage from qualifying for the competition proper and the chances of a big (in comparison to Hyde's stature) pay day.

If you can put together a decent unbeaten run, top spot in the league wont be too far away!

October 2014



October started with a trip to play Leamington, and despite falling behind and looking second best for the first hour the game changed completely when in the 65th minute, they were reduced to 10 men. We quickly seized on this and took the lead, and despite them then equalising, we were able to regain control of the game and run out convincing winners in the end. Manny Panther was also sent off, but fortunately this happened far too late to have any direct impact upon this game. It does however leave me with a bit of a headache as most of my midfield is now missing through injury or suspension. Next up, a home tie against table topping Chorley, a game which the board had designated a fan day and a chance to hopefully improve the long term crowds. It was therefore ideal that, although we were unable to win the game, we played reasonably well and the game was an exciting one for the bumper crowd of almost 750, so hopefully that'll help long term. Up next was that aforementioned FA Cup tie versus Arlesey, and due to an absolutely huge amount of injuries, I was forced to play an under strength side. Despite this, we were able to run out 3-1 winners to progress to the 4th and final qualifying round, where we were drawn against Grimsby, currently second in the Conference Premier, a massive challenge. Before that game, however, we had a trip to play Boston United to take care of. and although we fell behind to an early penalty, we managed to come back and win convincingly with Gray getting a few goals. The big game against Grimsby came up, and when they took the lead through a cross that managed to find its way in I feared the worse, but McNiven scored a late late equaliser to guarentee a replay and another chance to get into the first round of the FA Cup. The replay came next, and despite taking an early lead, we eventually succumb to a 3-1 loss, and while not ideal, it is encouraging that we managed to take one of the better teams from the division above to a replay and had them on the ropes for a while.


All that leaves me just outside the playoff places, but crucially with a game in hand over all the teams above me, against struggling Worcester. Hopefully a win there will propel me back into the playoff spots.



In other news, the FA trophy qualifying round draw was made this month.



I also thought I'd give you a look at the financial situation 3 months into the season. As you can see below, the situation is now far more healthy than it was at the start of the year, and we're even predicted to make a profit over the rest of the season. If we were to manage to attain that then it would be almost 3 times what our balance was when I took over, which can only be a good thing as we look to expand.

October was a much better month there mate!

Still in the fight like it was already said you just need a good run of games...

November 2014



We started the month with a trip to struggling Solihull Moors, and we really should have been winning this sort of game, but simply failed to turn up and were comfortably beaten. Two late goals made it look far better than it was, 4-0 would not have flattered them (see spoiler below). We then faced Worcester, and bounced back in style, absolutely thumping them 4-0. A disappointing draw with Gainsborough followed this, as we twice led but were pegged back within a few minutes both times and couldn't quite find that killer blow. Top of the table, and starting to look like they were going to pull away with it, Harrogate were next and its easy to see why they're top, as they were quite simply put, a better side than I was. Our league business for the month was finished off with a smash and grab victory away to Chorley where they were dominant and we finished with 9 men due to injuries, but a defensive calamity by them at the end of the first half allowed me to take all 3 points. Our FA trophy tie against Whitby was the only remaining fixture of November, and we continued to the next round with a comprehensive 4-1 victory. Overall, not the best month, but that win against Chorley has made it a lot better than it might otherwise have been. Still, sitting roughly where I was at the end of October around the Playoff places...

December 2014



The month began with the visit of North Ferriby United, who were also chasing a place in the playoffs, and had beaten us in the early days of the season. This time, however, we managed to record a 2-0 victory where we were never really threatened, a late goal line clearance the only danger they posed. Next up were Conference Premier side Nuneaten in the FA Trophy, and despite battling hard we were unable to prevent a frankly superior side from triumphing 1-0. Next up, Leamington, and a routine victory was marked by Regan Walkers goal from 55 yards out after a goalkeeping error, his first goal for the club. Oxford City were next up, and our only 2 shots on target managed to find the back of the net, as we gained revenge of sorts for that opening day rout. The boxing day fixture was a visit from fierce rivals Stalybridge, and despite Manny Panther recieving his second red card of the season in the first half, we were able to win 2-0 thanks to an own goal and a bit of a fluke from Almond. The final game was against a Colwyn Bay side who were sitting second bottom and had picked up 1 point from their last 9 matches. Naturally I failed to beat them, and was only able to snatch a 1-1 draw at the end, despite being by far the better team. Despite this, December was a fantastic month, if we'd beaten Colwyn Bay it'd have been even better but some great wins in there.

A good couple months has put you up there in the right place!!

January 2015



We kicked off the month with our second match against local rivals Stalybridge in less than a week. And for the second time in a week, we triumphed, this time even more emphatically running out 4-1 winners. Barrow were up next, and Regan Walker was in fine form netting all 3 goals. Next up we faced Solihull Moors, as two of the best attacks in the league faced each other it was sure to be a high scoring affair, with them nicking it by 4 goals to 3. A poor Lowestoft team, the only team we previously failed to score against in the league, were up next and this time we made no mistake, netting a 3-1 victory. Gloucester up next, and despite a late scare when they got 2 back we triumphed 4-2. We then snaked past Guiseley, taking the only real chance of the game, Regan Walker getting his 7th goal of the month on his way to player of the month. We now sit atop the table, although a few of the teams just behind have a game in hand. Harrogate and Solihull have to play each other in there game in hand, so no danger of both overtaking me from that.

February 2015


By far and away the worst month of the season thus far. Injuries really took their toll, as I was frequently having to play players out of position or guys that would be nowhere near my first team in any other circumstances just to get a team out. We started off with a poor draw against Boston United, with Manny Panther receiving his 3rd red of the season in the process. Across the board, my discipline has been one of the worst in the league this season, but Manny accounts for a fair amount of that. We were then humbled by Stockport, a game we never really got going in and I was forced to play my 6th and 7th choice centre midfielders together due to suspension and injury, obviously not ideal. A hugely frustrating draw against relegation candidates AFC Fylde next, we were so much better than them just couldn't turn that superiority into goals. We finished the month away to Gainsborough, a game which at full strength we would probably win at a canter, but with the amount of guaranteed starters missing it was no surprise to lose 1-0. A shocking month sees us slip down the table to 5th, still in the playoff places, which is after all my target, but we'll need to improve in order to guarantee that's where we finish the season

Wow thats a horror month but its so close still with a couple months to go!

March 2015

First off, this month we got the youth players into the club. Not much to write home about to be honest, the only player who I can maybe see having a chance of making it into my first team at any stage is 15 year old goalkeeper James Williams, and even then if I get up the leagues quickly he simply won't be good enough. Still, he'll make an able back up for just now.

I was also offered a new contract with Hyde, and as I obviously intend on this save being about getting them up the divisions I duly signed it.



The month started in the same poor run of form as February had ended with a high scoring, but ultimately disappointing draw with Guiseley. We were then beaten by Harrogate in a close game, which I think effectively killed off any hope for the title which still lingered, but the playoff places were still very much within grasp. Now without a win in 6, we faced struggling AFC Fylde, who less than a month earlier we had drawn with. Its the type of game we really should be winning, and in a fairly startling return to form, we demolished them 4-0, hopefully a sign that the poor form and poorer performances of the last month and a half were behind us. We then faced a Stockport side, and without usual keeper Billy O'Brien, as he had been called up to the Wales under 21's squad, Williams was able to make his first steps in the first team. 2-1 down at half time, we were then sparked into life by a somewhat aggressive team talk, and 3 goals without return after the break sealed a crucial victory and looked to have well and truly put the last month behind us. We end the month still well and truly in the playoff battle, but with just 5 games left and 8 points to make up, it would take a miracle for Hyde to be crowned champions.

April 2015


The month started with two fairly disappointing draws, firstly against Hednesford where not a lot of note happened, and then against Bradford PA, where the game swung on a red card for one of their players allowing me back into the match. My inability to win these matches meant that winning the title was now absolutely 100% beyond me, but to be honest, I'd expected that for a while. All that remained was to try and guarentee a playoff place to have a second shot at going up to the Conference Premier next season. A routine victory against Worcester followed this, where we led almost the full game and then saw it off in the dying embers. Up next were Brackley, who battled hard and were certainly a tough opponent, but in the end we overcame them, and the match was crucial for this reason. Our league campaign closed against Tamworth away, and we played reasonably but with nothing really to play for except the possibility of finishing 3rd as opposed to 4th, we were defeated, with a Tamworth player netting a hattrick. A hugely encouraging season, and had it not been for a poor start and that huge blip in February/March, we might not have needed the playoffs but that's where we find ourselves and that's what we must focus on next.

Game crashed after the last game, so lost the last 3 games of the season. Just holidayed through them till I got roughly similar results to not change the table too much.





First Leg

Oxford City were our opponents in the Playoff Semi Final, while in the other game, North Ferriby played Barrow, who had sneaked in at the last minute. Oxford were the team who dished out that massive 4-1 loss to me on the opening day, but I was consequently able to defeat them later on in the season so clearly evenly matched teams. Being at home first leg also allowed an opportunity to try and build up a lead to hang on to in the second leg, and straight from the off we looked to try and do exactly that, taking the lead within 12 seconds. Just 2 minutes later, Oxford were able to get a chance and thankfully they struck the bar from around the penalty spot area, but this was a let off as they could easily have scored. A great run by Gray allowed him a chance on around the 25 minute mark, but he stuck his effort over the bar. A few minutes later they failed to deal with a cross from the right, and Almond struck the post, but we were well on top at this point in the game. Into the second half, and much of the game passed without incident, until we failed to deal with a long ball, and they capitalised. 1-1. 10 minutes to go and McNiven, on as a sub, worked a nice pass into Hughes in the box but his shot was wide when he really should have scored. The rest of the game fizzled out, and we really should have gotten more out of it but were wasteful with our chances. The other semi finished 2-2 in the first leg, with North Ferriby still to play at home.

Second Leg

The second leg came around, and with the away goal rule not in force, I knew that I could approach this game like any other. We very nearly came unstuck a minute in though, when a dangerous cross was met by their forward whose header rattled the cross bar before the rebound was cleared. After this however, literally nothing happened for the rest of the first half, no chances, or even half chances to speak of. 0-0 half time. We got off to an absolute flyer in the second half though, a cracking delivery by Lampkin after he'd beaten his man on the wing met by Steven Tames, in because of injuries, and his near post glancing header found the net just a minute into the half. The lead didn't last long, as barely 5 minutes later a man got free on the edge of the area and blasted his shot into the top corner to level things. A while later, Tames had another chance but this time his shot was outstandingly saved by the City Keeper, keeping it at 1-1 for the time being. The rest of the match passed without incident, and we reached 90 minutes still tied at 1-1. Extra time was upon us. This proved to be a tense affair, both sides desperate not to lose rather than to win, and the dreaded shootout, was the only way to end the game...

We went into the final as the underdogs, at North Ferriby's ground, and with absolutely no pressure on us to succeed really, as whatever the result, the season has been a success. We almost took the lead just 2 minutes in, when from inside the area Reece Gray hit a shot that was unfortunate to hit the post and rebound out before being cleared for a corner. McQuade got his head on that resulting corner, and was unfortunate to see his header saved. A second corner fell to Luke Clark who shot wide, but we were threatening already. 4 minutes in, and we had another chance as Gray again hit the post, this time from the edge of the area. By the 13th minute, we had another chance, and had hit the post again, as Clark got on the end of Almond's cross and flicked his header onto the near post. After this there was a bit of a lull for about 20 minutes before we got on the attack again, and this time we made it count. A lovely bit of play on the egde of the area between Clark and Gray allowed Almond a chance through and goal and he made no mistake, drilling it low past the keeper. That is how it stayed until the interval, and its more than fair to say we completely dominated the first half and should have been more than the one goal up. The second half kicked off, and we were still dominating, and made this pay very quickly. O'Neill intercepted a loose ball, and played a one-two with Almond before laying it back to Panther. He then found Clark, who looked up and spread it right to Hughes in acres of space. His cross was met by Gray in the middle who headed it across the keeper and found the net, for his 20th of the season. 2-0. Our third goal, which more or less guarenteed the match, came not long after this, as Clark's cross was headed onto the post by Hughes and the rebound landed very nicely for Gray to finish into an open goal from inside the six yard box unmarked. An easier goal you will not see.Gray completed his hat trick on the hour mark after Hughes' cross was spilled by the keeper, and he was able to once again slot home into an empty net. 4-0. We were then content to sit back and frustrate North Ferriby as they tried desperately to get into the game but were still unable to create any real chances. With 20 minutes to go it could have been 5, as Giverin's Free kick from out wide was flicked onto the bar by Liam Chilvers. We saw out the rest of the game without incident and were deserved winners of the playoff, completely bossing it the final from start to finish. But the way the final went isn't the thing that really matters, the only bit that really matters is this little sentence here.

Brilliant work mate! Well done on promotion!

Great job getting promotion! Big test in the Conference Prem coming up!