Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
Welcome to the start of something magical. A journey through the slums of the French football pyramid. The chariot we will be using to navigate the sordid alleyways is the club Sporting Toulon Var. The name Toulon will probably be familiar to some, it's a town on the south coast of France I visit twice a year (because it has an airport) then leave quickly because it's a shit hole. But it has a football club of some merit, as recently as 1993 they spent some time in Ligue 1, achieving a fifth place finish in 1988 with hirsute man-sandwich David Ginola leading the line.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/YuYZ9uhqlRh9ndoCp8hQWYzPbegMqMMZQ8SlHEFm.png

Unfortunately now they reside in the Mediterranean block of the DH, or Division d'Honneur. The days of David Ginola and his wavy locks gracing the fields of Stade Bon Rencontre (Stadium Good Game, I shit you not) are but a distant memory. In his place stands the disgraceful figure of Jacques Remy, all 41 years of him, the last man standing in a decades long spiral into the depths of irrelevancy.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/bJNjUZ5nuoc7Ux8dIuwuTwgurB8ZfeGSkp6lllSX.png

But that's where I come in. Young blood, full of vim and vigour, ready to revitalise this once mediocre footballing side back to the middle steps they used to claw at. At the very least I can guarantee eleven men will stand on a pitch and try to kick a ball. The adventure begins here.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Those are brilliant attributes for an uncapped 41-year old.

And good luck.
EOF Gizmo
13 years ago
3 months ago
103
Premium
Enjoying the french leagues this year so good luck!
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
Some interesting news:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/8KYPpaXCtQnkG64TzKzGFaT2h4Y2642MxgW4wrgq.png

I think this may very well be because in the couple of weeks since I began working at the club I've made an accelerated employee acquisition process my priority, given that there were no fullbacks on the team and out wage budget was €10,800pw and one player was earning €2,800pw. He's the player who left the club, under a rapid mutual termination offer (he was 36 as well...).

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HC4E5yoKymKQhGvh84WpEQlon2fWSkfH61tdtvLs.png

There are a few gems dotted in and around there, although only one player has a contract longer than a year, for obvious precautionary reasons, but I can see a few of them spending a decent amount of time with the club, if I can survive as manager of course. Being made favourites is an unexpected pressure I didn't think I would have at this early a stage. Oh well, time to prove someone right.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
The Division d'Honneur just became even more prestigious:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/LqSIXqIyCrEgqL4PjJw23xJH5rCkExOEj09DaLlz.png

Four points for a win, and bless; look at that: you even get a point if you lose. Everyone gets and ice cream, just for taking part.
Johno
17 years ago
1 week ago
2,643
Premium
Weird points system Good luck Fantastic!
George14brfc
12 years ago
3 years ago
3,912
Good luck mate! Always good managing in France! A point for a loss is very odd!
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/T1joBHaqFCZMGFhMcouBLImXnrLJr7Che1Hbo2PC.png

Coming into the winter break we're tied for the lead with only one loss on our record. It's been a pretty smooth season so far and I'm attributing that more to the fact our competition is so poor rather than us being so good. I'm already looking at which players to keep on for next season, barring any major mishaps we're going to be 1st or second at the end of the year. Only first gets promoted, but I still need to keep an eye on what squad I'm taking forward, irrespective of which division we're in.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/H8tpjeeZIuRLAaw9TmYhOAuSR1Rs70RKpej6CVPd.png

I do love a good short season. We absolutely merked it this year, but as I said earlier, our competition was utter balls. There's a lot of dead weight at the club, at least five of the team are over thirty five, but I figure some shrewd dealing could see us have a semi-competitive squad for next year. A lot of good young players should be available on frees, my first priority is to build a rock solid defence, I can trust the attacking options I have at the moment.
Dan
12 years ago
4 months ago
16,964
Weird point system but a fantastic idea and brilliant league season mate! Keep this up!
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
2014/15

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/jCP0Ncx5GWyJYZZk2QUe7yoWwT5W6Vwxx5vTecEk.png

Massive overhaul of staff. Everyone is on one year contracts again just because it's easier to manage and leaves me open if anyone turns out to be a dud. With that said I feel good about this squad, a lot of 4.5/5 star scout reports and that bodes well for ourselves going forward. Also young, I like them young.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ha3n3bdYHI9ThJyJZDwF9QZxXwhvoxMbtF8LQ1AJ.png

Blah blah blah jinxing it, but that's still a fucking long time. When I get to the winter break I'll post up the league table. I think I might also post up some pictures of my staring XI and subs.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/gnvzUszFwkMp6FTB5PkYJKqrScbZWHKNWMaYs6uD.png

Fucking hate reserve sides, it's total pot luck what kind of players you'll face. Some talented dick could have bummed the manager's wife and so he's dumped in the reserves, whereupon he releases his frustration in the form of a hattrick. Fucking hate reserve sides.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/lx7RvGwzapzZsYE0PbqX08MhBNNTam05h9Xhnl6W.png

At the halfway stage we're primed for a push towards promotion. It's hard to compete with a team who have yet to lose a game, but with two spots available for promotion I feel we have a good chance.

There have been a number of injuries and I've been forced to play players out of position.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/FcXYTpS9RTlLtgOsbTngN9URfIDrBb8OcEP1MJwQ.png

Christophe Tall was brought in for the future, but with my third striker wanting to terminate his loan and both my right midfielders getting injured, he's played a part in all 13 games, starting the lat five at right midfield. Scary times, but the first team experience will definitely stand him in good stead. Ideally he could develop into a good substitute impact striker as far up as Ligue 2.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
Injury situation is getting so bad I was forced to play two fifteen year-olds up front in a league match.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/FcXYTpS9RTlLtgOsbTngN9URfIDrBb8OcEP1MJwQ.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/QaTHrUzfk7PldfV7D01HzYMYXNjutkoQ3mUIOf8P.png

It ended up being our biggest scoreline of the season...

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/QXnt25ubc8u0Do35KMb10x3SwViysmvunjYZ25FE.png

I don't know whether that's a sign or not, but they have another chance in a few days because it's a week or two until either Montiel or Firquet are back to full health.
Franck
17 years ago
2 days ago
4,255
Love it when that sort of thing happens.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
Franck
17 years ago
2 days ago
4,255
Only in adversity can we show our true character.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
I'm down to Tall and Brice Bisio. I haven't spoken about Bisio before because he's irrelevant.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/C23SZggnUAQ5tLDjZ1C9pP3fPUVdTOFDrU7IRWMo.png

The only reason he still exists as a Toulon player is because, for some bizarre reason, he started out on an amateur contract. Even thought he could probably be earning €400pw somewhere. I don't know, maybe he has some shit set up already and just uses semi-pro football as a way to stay in shape. An all expenses paid gym or something. Either way, it's getting pretty threadbare around here.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/fTWMmOpPXai5cB2Q3L0FOuYUX0ATQmRYfQp61PoT.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/FghIg0365wCLnbanioY1dQdUpRN5zpyy3fYJyZYJ.png

Six games, one striker for two weeks until leading scorer Marc Montiel returns from injury. Let's fucking do this.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZoA2xoUwPE2NbJQQY5SRMLk1fKflsfU5VzXAKpAx.png

Well that's the main course over with, onto the dessert.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/n0W8DAnraWwqtuX0sC2wbPpWbBgn02lubSA7tEe1.png

A two legged playoff match against a relegated CFA team. Winner takes all. A brief look at their squad makes me think they're going to be a bit of a handful, but I'm glad I avoided the two reserve sides.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/fkzTS9U6RF9SMnLraoNltdUS7dxpQBdqKxqSkMoE.png

Tight 1-0 victory, with a red card to boot. Tall, who is first choice now, is on fire at the moment.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/i16KCST74TRP1Wy1yLCUOt3WRq3SktFT2fxbFoW4.png

Amazing. I had a good feeling going into this game and the early goal settled things. It's been a very successful season and we're now only two steps away from the big leagues.

The major problem facing us in the CFA is the big reserve sides, Lyon, Marseille etc, who will be very difficult to navigate.

Fingers crossed I get a slightly expanded wage budget. It's currently €12,750pw. Even an extension to €17,000 would be perfect just to bring in a great striker and maybe a high profile defender. As it stands I'm spending €13,500pw and I can't even afford to re-sign my best left defender. It's going to be a very tight off season.
Poe
17 years ago
2 weeks ago
3,675
You should bring in Lilian Laslandes in some capacity - I feel he'd improve your club.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
2015/16

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vII5Lo44mf4FY28Z7xitNesRav0jloWXQHu8FFal.png

Literally turning money away in order to play for this club for free. So hard for Toulon.

You should bring in Lilian Laslandes in some capacity - I feel he'd improve your club.


He's not interested.
Dan
12 years ago
4 months ago
16,964
FC Sete set the pace there! what a season they had and yuo had!
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/6zCSauhSLFiRZSkTMXgY4q5DGzr38b00igLapoMP.png

Two very solid loan signings to plug some gaps in the team, the only other major signing was a left back Jelle Rykx. Agrati, as you can see, left the club and rejoined. That's because my wage budget it so overdrawn I couldn't afford to keep him until I had got rid of some players on the opening of the transfer window. I did want to sign a superstar striker (in context) but until the club's finances are eased a little it seems I'm stuck at this €15,000pw limbo that means I'm going to have to fight to make do with what I've got.

I'll do a little run through of the major players in the team:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/5rlZPcWYIW0O4ozMWrcuj1KLIutgg5Ci9MvK2PWX.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/htxFKgsR09vv9exL7UVjBbXvPULdxAoatysqgnas.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/3oq6keQ9pI8v8kDWMabuH7LDgrr9rEaSdqRW5Vv7.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/rVJ9m72PR6rMmeOS7SGmcxVIx8qLbHEvgmC9Z13x.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Vt2AbgI4uOGsariYdIiKCiD5Bw5rOn9B9ZBePUea.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MWXCm7eYhoyP4P7ffjkuxEnCG1AqV0ID4NclUVZa.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZsYcUb1BTYxNSAn1IrzDFEDvIVuYIluGqVuDwxin.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/dROJ3kdhMUx2z1AoI76E3rJP4jfVvYRPClzCFfiX.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/fMqzAaX5Oq5a6XS5u0SER4aWlYk6YOcRFpMyHM8b.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HNnDRKV3oFwXdPZlUoIoNjLQdYZ7v2aXMetb49A2.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/gCqxBMjTuLKISP9qcVCPYM2oaPLxrACsFXNKcq47.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/yPzaV6zF4RbnufoDXBkeg3K4fLu2oenlI7kV7vcP.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/AyYNcKzp16HbtmXBnQaeZoYNPiOBiNsIhydkTXJo.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/D44ki6SZwIVMWQbCsawyehJ7WlSfhsZmdxS8Gjwj.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Vp12wrLoH2VuSQMjNqSqQD9KtT3WAVrZDrhTquoI.png

I think the team is fairly well rounded. It's not as rock solid as I would like it to be, but given that I don't actually need to finish top, I just need to finish highest of the non-reserve teams, I think we have a chance of making it in this division.
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/u43rXZeZKouytNwreCr8BeTJsBMsbZmXpOB1s73k.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/nOGsKDV4rQdRAPM1mT8ATbRkx7xXDpZF84LMr3eF.png

This is what I mean. How the fuck are you supposed to compete with that?
Fantastic
13 years ago
1 week ago
2,496
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/SxvzJlHaKAShPzx2P9o0DRktSdibjRnZLGURGgvM.png

I didn't expect offers so soon for him. but I feel as though the price isn't right. I'm going to hold out for €1.5m, with the asking price set at €1m, which I think is a pretty good amount of cash and should give us enough left over to bring in good players. I might be playing this one dangerously, but he's got a hell of a lot of potential and I don't want to walk away feeling shortchanged.
Telegram Sam
15 years ago
5 months ago
5,082
Premium
Great read so far. I'd definitely hold out for more money for Tall.

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