The Career Of Fola

Right, I've played a few matches on this version of FM but not really got into any but hopefully this can change now. I have done stories/careers on here in the past and it's something that I've really enjoyed so hopefully this will be the same.

I have decided that I want to play in the English league, start low and then move up. I will be looking to move up the footballing pyramid quite quickly and hopefully get into the Football League within a few seasons. I have given myself a bit of a challenge and have decided to take up the reigns at Southport who are expected to finish bottom in the Skrill Premier. I have quite a bit of knowledge of the lower leagues in real life so this is something I'm really looking forward to.



Wish me luck. Updates won't be as frequent in the upcoming week as it's my last week of Uni before Christmas and have deadlines and stuff but should be more frequent soon after.

Good luck mate ! Always enjoy your careers

I'll preview the squad shortly but the board have set me my initial budgets and they're ones that I'm very pleased with. The average wage of my squad is about £400 and as you can see, I now have over £4k in the wage budget to strengthen and also quite a helpful transfer budget as well. Don't want to get ahead of myself too much however I am now quite optimistic of our chances of staying in this league.

Squad
Goalkeepers

In goals we have Danny Hurst who will be initially my number one. I may look to bring in a young keeper from the Football League on loan to add competition but my initial thoughts are that the experience of Hurst should help us fight the drop. The other keeper is pretty crap so I'll be looking to get rid of him.
Key Player:

Defenders

At left back David Fitzpatrick will be my starter on the left. He's a versatile player who can also play in midfield, this may be another position that I'm looking to strengthen.

I'll be looking to strengthen at right back. Matty Flynn will be my starter however my assistant rates Challoner as my best right back but my initial thoughts are that he's not good enough. Has potential but not good enough yet.

We have the numbers but not sure if we have the quality. May look at strengthening here but at the moment I haven't even looked at who I want to bring in.
Key Player:

Midfielders

I'll be looking to strengthen both of the wings. Impressed with Rutherford as I've seen him in real life and I'm a big fan but will be looking to bring in at least one more winger each side.

Very happy with my centre midfielders so won't be looking to strengthen this area. Jamie Milligan will be my star man and the squad will be based around him. He's an experienced player who will hopefully pull the strings for me in midfield. Expecting big things from him.
Key Player:

Strikers

We only have two strikers on the books so will be looking to add one maybe two more. I'm a fan of Hattersley in real life so hoping he can do well for me.
Key Player:

Rustu Recber has been announced as the new assistant manager at Skrill Premier side Southport. He joins newly appointed manager Fola meaning Southport's number one and two, have no managerial experience. Rustu was capped 120 times for Turkey during his career but cannot speak English so that's quite worrying.

As I've always enjoyed your careers I will be following.

Good luck with this mate.

The season's about to start so here's a run down of my transfers. No players have left the squad so my squad now is probably too big so will be looking to move players on. I let my assistant handle the pre season matches and not too bothered about them, more bothered about the league. We kick off against promotion favourites Luton Town.



Ryan Tafazolli has joined from League Two side Mansfield Town on loan until the end of the season. He's a young lad at the age of 21 and will most likely be a starter for me. His heading, jumping and tackling stats are alright for a player at this level. Junior Konadu has also joined the club after his release from Macclesfield at the end of last season. He's a classy player who will hopefully have that extra bit of class that we need- my intention is to use him as an advanced playmaker.

Adam Griffin and David Poole have joined us on loan from fellow Skrill Premier side Hyde. They join us on three month loan deals which I hope to extend if they impress. Both should be starters for us this season on either wing. Amari Morgan-Smith and Ben Mills are two other former Macclesfield players that have joined. Morgan-Smith is a good player at this level and should be able to grab some goals for me. Not too sure on Mills but hopefully his height and strength will be good for a target man.

Joe Clarke is a versatile midfielder who can also play anywhere along the back line. He has joined on loan until the end of the season from Wrexham and has a vast amount of experience at this level. Liam King is the final player to join us before the start of the season. Taken a bit of a gamble on this guy as he joins from North Ferriby who are pretty shit but we'll have to wait and see.

Looks like you've improved the squad with those signings, good luck for the season ahead!

Good luck. Funny that he can't speak English, just don't let him take the team talks...

Thanks for the comments guys, updates of the start of the season will come tonight.

Sean: I only got him because of his international experience, probably not the best move but we'll have to wait and see.

10th August 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 1.


Starting XI: Hurst; Smith*, Flynn, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Poole, Brown, Milligan ©, Ledsham, Rutherford**, Morgan-Smith***.
Subs: George*, King**, Konadu, Mills***, Hattersley.

My first game as Southport manager has ended in defeat after surrendering a one goal lead against promotion favourites Luton. Going into the game I expected a loss, starting with a 5-4-1 formation but after Fitzpatrick's penalty I was all going quite well. We conceded just before half time which is always a killer and then unfortunately couldn't hold on for a draw.

League Position: 18th
Next Opponent: Hyde (A)
My Prediction: Hyde 1-3 Southport

Nice update mate looks very good the way you have posted it ! Unlucky in the game though but you were playing a very tough team

13th August 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 2.


Starting XI: Hurst; Flynn, Akrigg, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Rutherford, Brown*, Milligan**, Irie-Bi, Ledsham, Hattersley***.
Subs: George, King**, Konadu*, Mills, Osawe***.

Managed to get our first point on the board this season but disappointed it wasn't three. We went ahead through Rutherford heading in from a set piece but conceded in the second half to get a draw. I expect Hyde to be round the relegation spots with us this year so these are the kind of games we should be winning. Nuneaton up next, will be happy with a draw.

League Position: 16th
Next Opponent: Nuneaton (A)
My Prediction: Nuneaton 1-1 Southport

17th August 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 3.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Flynn, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Rutherford, Brown*, Milligan***, Irie-Bi**, Griffin, Mills.
Subs: Akrigg**, King*, Konadu***, Hattersley, Osawe.

First win of the season thanks to summer recruit Ben Mills, grabbing a goal in his first start for the club. We battered Nuneaton to be fair and with my tactic, I only play one striker so Mills hadn't started before this match, glad I did start him though as he got man of the match. Gateshead are up next, hopefully we can kick on and gain momentum.

League Position: 13th
Next Opponent: Gateshead (H)
My Prediction: Southport 1-0 Gateshead

24th August 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 4.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Flynn, Tafazolli, Griffin, Poole***, Brown, Konadu, Irie-Bi**, Rutherford, Mills*.
Subs: Akrigg, King, Ledsham**, Hattersley*, Osawe***.

Another win thanks to two first half goals and our second clean sheet on the bounce. Before the match we had bad news that captain Jamie Milligan has been ruled out for 6 weeks, giving Junior Konadu the chance to come into the side and make the position his own. We dominated Gateshead in the first half and led through two well taken goals from David Poole and Irie-Bi. Gateshead came back into it second half but the defence held firm. Halifax away next, hoping we can make it three wins out of three.

League Position: 8th
Next Opponent: Halifax (A)
My Prediction: Halifax 1-2 Southport

26th August 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 5.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Flynn, Tafazolli, Griffin*, Poole**, King, Clarke, Ledsham, Rutherford, Mills***.
Subs: Akrigg, Konadu*, Irie-Bi, Hattersley***, Osawe**.

Bit of a bore draw really but our third clean sheet on the bounce is very pleasing. As we only faced Gateshead two matches ago, Konadu and Irie-Bi were dropped as Joe Clarke made his first start for us after his loan move from Wrexham. The draw pushes us up to 6th position, a lot better start than I had originally anticipated. Aldershot up next who are a strong side and to be honest, I'd be happy with a draw.

League Position: 6th
Next Opponent: Aldershot (H)
My Prediction: Southport 1-1 Aldershot

31st August 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 6.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Flynn, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Poole*, King, Clarke, Irie-Bi, Griffin, Mills**.
Subs: Akrigg, Konadu, Ledsham, Hattersley**, Osawe*.

A defeat well deserved against a very strong Aldershot side. We never really threatened and deserved to lose which is disappointing to end our good form of late. Transfer window shuts in a few days time so there may be some movement on that front. Tamworth away next who are currently near the bottom, fully expecting a win.

League Position: 11th
Next Opponent: Tamworth (A)
My Prediction: Tamworth 1-2 Southport

Skrill Premier side Southport have extended the loan deals of Adam Griffin and David Poole from Hyde. Both were initially on three month loan deals but have impressed the Southport coaching staff enough to get their deals extended. Manager Fola has indicated that he expects no more transfer news this window.

Former Southampton striker ">Ryan Doble has signed for Skrill Premier side Southport on a two year deal. The former Wales under 21 international has football league experience after loan spells at Stockport and Shrewsbury but has been without a club since the Summer after his release from Southampton. Southport manager Fola had said that he expected no more transfer news earlier on in the day however, he has stated that he expects two more new faces before the close of the window.

Carl Martin has turned down a new deal at Macclesfield to join fellow Skrill Premier side Southport. Martin has a wealth of football league experience after a four year stint at Crewe, part of the squad that won the 2012 play off final. He was only a non-contract terms at the Silkmen and has now moved on to Southport. It is rumoured that Carl Martin will become Southport's highest earner on an estimated £650 a week, signing a three year deal.

Scott Spencer has joined Southport on a free transfer from fellow Skrill Premier side Hyde. Spencer becomes Southport's final signing of this transfer window and joins fellow former Hyde players Adam Griffin and Adam Poole at Southport. It has come as quick a shock that Hyde have let Spencer leave the club after he had featured in every one of their games so far this season, also scoring against Southport.

TRANSFER WINDOW SHUT!

Nice mixture of screenshots/journalism. Got the mix very well.

7th Septemer 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 7.


Starting XI: Hurst; George***, Flynn, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Poole**, King, Clarke, Irie-Bi, Griffin, Doble*.
Subs: Martin***, Konadu, Rutherford, Spencer**, Morgan-Smith*.

Crap result as we lost to ten man Tamworth by two goals to one. We didn't actually deserve anything out of the game which is frustrating to see as we've been playing well recently. Decided to give Doble a start after his transfer but he didn't have the best of games and was subbed off. Disappointing to lose against these as they're another side I believe will be struggling come the end of the season. Next up is Welling and I'll be happy with a draw to be honest to stop our run of defeats.

League Position: 13th
Next Opponent: Welling (H)
My Prediction: Southport 1-1 Welling

14th September 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 8.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Martin, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Rutherford, Brown***, Konadu**, Irie-Bi, Griffin*, Morgan-Smith.
Subs: Akrigg, Clarke***, Ledsham**, Doble, Spencer*.

Got my prediction right which is pleasing as we drew 1-1 at home to Tamworth. We did it the hard way as Irie-Bi was sent off for two bookable offences before Fitzpatrick grabbed his third penalty of the season after Rutherford was brought down. Happy with this result- we have Lincoln up next, another draw would be pleasing as they're a good side.

League Position: 16th
Next Opponent: Lincoln (A)
My Prediction: Lincoln 1-1 Southport

17th September 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 9.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Martin, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Morgan-Smith**, King, Milligan*, Ledsham, Rutherford***, Spencer.
Subs: Akrigg, Clarke*, Konadu, Doble***, Griffin**.

Bore draw but a well earned point against a strong Lincoln side. This results leaves us in 16th position so comfortably in mid table which is much better than I expected. Was good to see captain Jamie Milligan back in the side after his lay off- going to ease his back into the side. We have Braintree away next who are currently 5th in the league, will be lucky to get a draw.

League Position: 16th
Next Opponent: Braintree (A)
My Prediction: Braintree 1-1 Southport

21st September 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 10.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Akrigg, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Morgan-Smith, King**, Milligan*, Irie-Bi, Rutherford, Doble***.
Subs: Martin, Clarke**, Konadu*, Griffin, Spencer***.

Another draw but another one I'm happy with against an on form Braintree side. Fitzpatrick bagged his fourth penalty of the season but a mistake from Hurst handed the draw to the home side. Unfortunately, despite us not losing, we are now 19th in the league only 2 points off the relegation zone. We face Alfreton next who are on really good form and sitting in 4th position- not sure why but I can see us grabbing a win in this one.

League Position: 19th
Next Opponent: Alfreton (H)
My Prediction: Southport 1-0 Alfreton

24th September 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 11.


Starting XI: Hurst; George, Martin, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Poole***, King**, Milligan, Irie-Bi, Rutherford*, Spencer.
Subs: Akrigg, Griffin*, Clarke**, Konadu, Doble***.

Poor performance added by a poor defeat that keeps us in 19th position but only 1 point off the drop zone. We had Luke George sent off before half time for a two footed lunge but this defeat adds to our long run without a win. We face Dartford next who are currently second bottom, MUST WIN GAME!

League Position: 19th
Next Opponent: Dartford (A)
My Prediction: Dartford 1-2 Southport

28th September 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 12.


Starting XI: Hurst; Martin, Akrigg, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Spencer, Clarke*, Milligan, Irie-Bi, Rutherford**, Doble.
Subs: Griffin**, Ledsham*, Konadu, Poole, Hattersley.

Poor result against Dartford which sees us drop into the relegation zone. Ryan Doble could of bagged us the winner late on but missed his one on one opportunity. After our good start to the season, we have given ourselves a real challenge to stay up and haven't won for a while now. Woking at home next, need to win this match but to be honest, we need a win from anywhere at the moment.

League Position: 21st
Next Opponent: Woking (H)
My Prediction: Southport 1-0 Woking

As you can see, 12 games gone and we are in the relegation zone. Hopefully we can sort this out stay up then build for next season. Long time to go yet so not too worried.

5th October 2013 - Skrill Premier - Matchday 13.


Starting XI: Hurst; Martin, Akrigg, Tafazolli, Fitzpatrick, Poole***, Ledsham, Milligan, Irie-Bi*, Griffin, Doble**.
Subs: Rutherford***, Konadu*, Morgan-Smith, Spencer**, Hattersley.

Absolutely gutted. It looked like we were going to grab our first win in 9 matches but Woking hit a late equaliser to cancel out Ryan Doble's first goal for the club. We face Wrexham next, again we need a win but to be honest, I'd be happy with a draw. It's a bit concerning that after 12 matches, we've only managed to score 9 goals, this is something that we will need to change.

League Position: 21st
Next Opponent: Wrexham (A)
My Prediction:Wrexham 2-2 Southport