DanW19's Journeyman Adventure

I have only recently been appointed here at Guseley shedender and do like the challenge, however I thin Pompey would be a step in the right direction

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January 2015, another new calender year was upon us, the later months of last year weren't to exciting as form with Guiseley wasn't beautiful and I was beginning to debate whether leaving Bleid-Molenbleek was a good idea at all. However we had bad news to begin the new year, before pulling out an absolute blinding month as we put the pieces together and finally clicked.


Okay so not the ideal start to a new calender year, but it wasn't all bad. Maybe if I had resigned from Guiseley a few days ago when the board gave me the ultimatum I could of had the job, in the end they weren't in the position to pay the compensation meaning their finances can't be great, but I apologised to my board and players and got on with the opening month of 2015.


We kicked off the new year traveling to the leagues top side Altrincham and caused a slight upset. A superb performance by us saw us take all three points late on. James Walshaw the man on target with his goal coming with just over half an hour from full time.

Another tough game saw us return home to welcome high flying Nuneaton and for the second game we were expected to get nothing but came away with all three points. The game was very equal throughout the ninety minutes but once again Walshaw was the man to make the difference with his goal coming eighteen minutes from time.

A second home game on the bounce saw us welcome my slightly favored FC United of Manchester. This game had a fast pace to it as we took the lead after fifteen minutes through Dobie. United leveled just two minutes later and after very little happened. However a late change of mentality sending the team to overload with three minutes remaining paid off as Logan got up to tap home from close range.

We recorded our third clean sheet in four games as we traveled to Brackley. A cracking performance saw us continue our fine form and early on we showed good morale as Rowe put us ahead after nine minutes. We then had to wait forty mintues for the next goal, four minutes after the restart Sirrell doubled our lead before Walshaw wrapped up a dominant three nil win.

Next came the only sour point of the month as we were held away from home against Colwyn bay. We fell behind early in the first half however thought back to claim a point. Second half our goal came and it was Dominic Rowe to find the net to secure a point.

We returned to winning ways as we welcomed the leagues bottom side Stafford however they made us work for it. We took the led after five minutes with Ainge nodding home a corner before Stafford struck twice to take the lead. Come the break we were three one down and looking down and out. Second half an inspired performance saw Rowe net one and Walshaw net to bring it back to three all and come the seventy eighth minute we went on to claim the win as Walshaw netted his second of the game.

And we ended the month unbeaten as we won our sixth game in seven. Another narrow performance which was enought as we kept our fourth clean sheet from seven in a one nil win. James Walshaw netted on the seventy eighth minute for the second time as he won us all the points again.


Six wins and a draw from seven games in January. Also reported as nineteen points from a possible twenty one, an absolute storming month for us has certainly helped our playoff hopes and boosted us up to fourth in the table. And we've closed the gap on the front runners. Just three points behind league leaders Altrincham we are still in with a shout of claiming a title this year!


Yay! First managerial award since the beginning of the jouneryman over three years ago now and it feels good to get my name down and recognised for the work I put in. Sticking with Guiseley through the season may not have been entirely my choice but with six wins from seven in the first month of 2015, things certainly look bright as we edge towards the end of the season.

missed loads of this due to being away the week, nice move to guiseley after doing a successful job in belgium, looks like things are on the up here

Thanks for catching up Zan, realised you weren't around for a week or so!

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We went into February buzzing on a high and who could blame us after the fantastic month of January that we just had. Everything seemed to be working for us and piecing together nicely. However our fixtures cut down from squeezing seven games into four weeks to just three games in four weeks this month.


We began February with an away game traveling to Worksop as we looked to keep the good form going, and that we did. David Thompson ensured February continued our good form as he netted within fourteen minutes and on the stroke of the break Sirrell doubled our lead. Second half we added a third with Dobie converting from the spot before we conceded a consolation goal.

The biggest challenge of the month saw us travel to fourth place Kettering who's form hasn't been outstanding lately but still a tricky place to go to. Unfortunately it was a goalless game for both teams, we both made chances but neither took them, leaving it in a stale mate come the end.

However we ended the month back on a high as we played at home for the first time in February and recorded a second clean sheet on the bounce. A dominant display saw Walshaw put us in the lead after fourteen minutes before Dobie converted from the spot for the second time this month. We added a third in the second half as Walshaw grabbed his brace in a plain sailing month.


Continuing the unbeaten form over the last three games has seen us once again rise up the table as we now sit up in second place and on the tails of league leaders Nuneaton just two points adrift from them. There are still thirteen league games to play and a long way to go, but we are in the title hunt and I am hoping we can keep the form up around this level now!

You know how I love to be "critical" to try and wind you up (I shouldn't, I know) but you've hit some great form and long may it continue.

Shedender, such a nice comment from someone like yourself, i hope we can keep this fine form coming now we have finally found it!

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March was next on the agenda, as it is every year, but we went into it flying high in second place and with twelve matches under our belt without losing in a row we were really beginning to feel the title push come on nicely. All we had to do now was keep to it and hope the league leaders slip up.


We began March by welcoming mid table side Solihull Moors where we advanced with just a point come the end. We fell behind in the first half but luckily had a goal in our pockets for the second forty five. Luke Dobie earned us the point as he struck low and hard outside the box.

Our only win of the month came as we traveled to Histon. A fine performance from everyone on the pitch rallied us to a two nil win as we battled through late on. Histon were down to ten men as we took the lead through Walshaw seventeen minutes from time before he saw red. With three minutes left on the clock Sirrell managed to find the net to secure us a two nil win come full time.

We ended the month with a second successive clean sheet along with our fifteenth game unbeaten however it wasn't a beautiful game. We welcomed lowly placed Harrogate and unfortunately couldn't battle our way through and had to settle for a single point come the end.


With just six league games to go we are really proving to be title challengers now despite sitting off the pace back in December. We are now unbeaten in fifteen and I'm not sure if its a glitch or what but we are on some fantastic form right now and feel like we can beat anyone. Now four points behind league leaders Nuneaton but level on points with second place Altrincham the next six games are going to be huge as just six points separate the top five clubs.

Take the League man!

Thanks Robbie! It would be ideal to end up top!

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As we entered April we were prepared for another tough month, we returned to the busy fixture list as we were set for five of our final six games to be played in April. Already on a fifteen match unbeaten run and not losing this calender year our morale was sky high and our league position was very healthy two. But could we put the icing on the cake now and press for the top spot?


We began the penultimate month at home as we welcomed playoff chasing Stalybridge, a confident start saw us open the scoring within eleven minutes as Danny Morton struck a fine free kick. We conceded just before the break to bring the game back into contention. Second half we went on to claim three points as Rowe struck just eight minutes from time.

However as we hit the road and traveled to playoff chasing Worcester our unbeaten run of sixteen games came crashing to an end. We took the lead within eight minutes through Sirrell but come the break we found ourselves two one behind. We made chances but failed to find the net and crashed to a two one defeat.

Luckily we had a morale boosting game up next as we traveled to lowly placed Boston United. We were behind at the break as we started poorly but after the restart we kicked into life and claimed the win. Lynch put us on level terms ten minutes after the restart and less than a minute later Rea doubled our lead to gift us three points.

But as we faced our third game away from home on the bounce we also fell to our second defeat in three games. Gainsbury netted either side of the break and done enough to topple us to claim all three points, we didn't play pretty football and slipped to defeat.

Returning home to end the month we welcomed Droylsden and returned to winning ways when it mattered in the penultimate league game of the season. Once again we fell behind just moments before the break and it looked like we were heading for another defeat. However we managed to turn it round when Rowe netted eleven minutes after the restart and a fortunate own goal guided us to all three points.


We made it sixteen on the bounce without defeat but finally lost two games this month, however winning the other three has certainly helped our league position. The win against Droylsden in the penultimate game of the season has left us sitting top. It may only be by a single point over second and third with fourth place Nuneaton just three points behind, but going into the last game of the season we are on the verge of winning the league!

your form since the new year is amazing, heres hoping your next update shows guiseley as champions

Thanks again Zan! If we win the league it would be fantastic for us! We are capable of doing it with the form we've found lately!

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May gave us the opportunity to win the league, we had just one league game left of the season and I thought I would drag it out into a separate update to April just to build up the tension. We went into the final league game top of the table narrowly and knowing only a win against Southport would be enough. Here is what happened...


The final league game of the season saw us play at home welcoming relegation survivors Southport and we dominated from start to finish, knowing only a win was good enough to secure the league title. We were fortunate to take the lead after just fourteen minutes as Dobie was brought down and converted from the spot. The rest of the goals came in the second half, Rowe netted with fourteen minutes left on the clock before Sirrell scored our final goal of the season coming outside the box.


And with that win over Southport it was finally confirmed for us! The surprise package of the season and our superb form in the second half of the season had warranted this! With just two defeats in twenty games I believe it was we have finally done it, promotion is ours!


We had done it! A superb turn around since January had seen us climb up through the table and come the end take the top spot. We may have only sat top of the table for a mear two weeks but its enough for me as we are crowed champions and promotion is ours. What a performance come the end. Poor Stafford at the other end finishing on just twenty points and conceding over 100 goals this season.

I love it when the deciding game is the next month, it certainly adds some drama to the thread... I'm just glad you posted them close together time wise, you could've had us on the edge of our seats all afternoon!

Congratulations mate, looking forward to next season!

Epic turnaround, congrats! Are you planning on staying with Guiseley or moving on? I'm sure there will be clubs interested in your services.

Yer I didn't have the time to make it drag out too much, just wanted to share with everyone! Thanks Willz, hopeful a long stint in England awaits.

Thanks Henry! It truly was the best turnaround I have ever been in charge of! It appeared declaring interest in the Pompey job was the best thing I did! For now I look to stay with Guiseley and hopeful the pre season can allow me to build them for the next step.

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I figured with my league done and dusted it was time to fly back over to Belgium to visit my first team I was in charge of. Bleid-Molenbeek. Having been in charge for the first two seasons I left them after guiding them to promotion, however how would they cope in the Belgacom League. I only left because I thought they would struggle to pick up many points, they have their new stadium being built, but was I right to leave...


Ummm, yes! It appears I made the right move at the right time. Bleid-Molenbleek picked up just twenty points from thirty three league games during the season and fell to relegation come the end of the season. It was good timing to leave, I feel for Bleid following their relegation but I'm more than sure they will make the promotion jump up again next season, however I will be staying here for now.

Woop woop!

Wow. Congrats on winning the league and I'm sure you can do well the next.

Yes Robbie! Woop indeed!

Thanks Shedender! I'm pretty fortunate that I stayed with Guiseley now, hopefully we can make a good push at the blue square premier this year

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So with the new season on the horizon it was time to prepare ourselves for the new pre season and it was going to be another long season for us to cope with. The finances weren't brilliant, the squad was small and for me, well I was loving England for now and couldn't wait to get another season started.


The summer started with some good news. Following our surprise promotion last season the board went on to offer me a new one year deal. I am now earning a whole £600 a week at Guiseley and will be here for at least another season after the board offered me the contract it was swiftly accepted.


The season expectations have been released and they aren't that 'expectatious' thats for sure. Its not a word but I've just made it up. However the board want us to try and battle safely against relegation. It will certainly be tough with the squad we have and the finances we are living on. No transfer budget but five and a half thousand for wages, which we are already using the majority of, it could be a long season.


Here's the financial situation of the club, they are in debt by over half a million now, paying off a two million pound loan debt as well so things aren't going to get any brighter. The wage budget is all but used up to meaning I have little room to bring in new players at the moment, however I will look for some loan deals this summer to try and strengthen the squad as we already have a small side.


Here is the current squad, we've lost a few players from the squad due to them not accepting contracts and I have had to dive into the reserves and under eighteens to bring up any players that are worth bringing up. A squad with some talent which will be relied on at all times this season. Our midfield and defence look tight enough, however upfront we are lacking quality.


The friendly list has also been confirmed for pre season and its fair to say its going to be a challenging one for us. There are a few 'easier' games for us whilst there are also a few tough games where we are playing just for money. Aston Villa, West Ham and Bury are all booked in for the money we make whilst we start and finish pre season with easy fixtures against Atherton Colls and Cheadle.


I have gone on to add a couple more leagues in to try and force a move out of England within the next couple of years should things go sour with Guiseley. The French and German leagues have been loaded down to the lowest playable leagues and I wouldn't mind a long run in either of those countries.

well done on winning the league, massive turn around your players produced, would be good to see you move to germany in the near future

Thanks again Zan! It was a great turn around for us come the end

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Pre season is over and done with and it was the biggest pre season in Guiseley's footballing history. With them winning promotion from the Blue Square Bet North for the first time ever, they looked forward to their debut season in the Blue Square Bet Premier, now we faced the problem of getting ready for the net season. Here is what went on behind the scenes this summer.


We will jump straight in at the transfer end of the summer, the deals took place nearer the close of pre season so the new players have had little chance to play with the team but we have brought in three faces. Firstly young Welsh striker Gethyn Hill.. Scouted at the trials game he proved to be a big signing for us. I then realised how far over the wage budget I was so signed two loanees. First nineteen year old James Stimson has signed from Sunderland on a year loan deal and could play a vital role upfront whilst Alari Naylor has joined on loan from Newcastle to sure up our defence a little.


Our friendlies didn't go too bad this summer we put in some pleasing performances to surprise ourselves and our opponents in a couple of occasions. We started confidently with a four nil win before narrowly losing out one nil to Aston Villa. West Ham were too good for us but we picked up a great three nil win against League Two side Bury. Five clean sheets from seven games is very good for us and if we take this form straight into the season we will be fine this year.


Our team report isn't too bad in comparison to how I imagine some teams are sitting this season. Gethyn Hill has certainly strengthened my attacking options so has Stimson on loan from Sunderland. Midfield, defence and in goal we are good enough to compete, its just putting the final pieces of the puzzle together now as we head into the season as hopefuls with an outside shot at the title.

Why have you switched to euros (see bottom of "transfers in" ) for? You're being complicated again ffs.

You're squad, on paper, looks good to have a successful season. KIU. I've been tempted to do a journeyman career, similar to what you did last year.

Shedender I didn't personally change that, the game updated earlier and now it wont go back to '£' its already set as sterling on the preferences screen. Our squad is decent enough to compete this year I feel, I would love you to join my journeyman adventure!

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Life in the Blue Square Bet Premier has kicked off and we have made a steady start to the competition. The opening month of August saw us face six games. Three at home and three away from home saw us really try and make a strong start to the division. Would we be able to cope with the pressure of the big teams.


The league season started with us at home welcoming York and recording our first three points of the league season. Welsh striker Gethyn Hill made a brilliant debut for us as he put us in the lead after just six minutes and just after the half hour mark we doubled our lead with him claiming his second of the game. Second half York tried a comeback, we conceded once but held strong.

However our on off season began early as we traveled to Hereford and fail to a three nil defeat. We were never competing in the game, two down at the break and looking awful only to add an own goal later in the second half as we fell to a harsh three nil defeat.

We returned to winning ways as we welcomed Forest Green. Once again we were better and started the first half well. Stimson bagged his first goal of the season after his loan move before Sirrell grabbed one three minutes from the break with the only goal of the game.

One win one lose continued to be the moto as we fell to another defeat on the road. This time we traveled to high flying Barnet who clearly had too much quality for us. All three of their goals came before the break whilst they added a fourth in the second half only to be ruled out for offside.

We finally picked up our first three points on the road as we truly beat Lincoln easy come full time. A nervy first half saw the scores at one all as Lynch put us infront after twenty two minutes and Lincoln leveled. Second half we took the driving seat and goals from Sirrell either side of Stimson's second of the season was enough to secure a valuable four one win come full time.

And we ended the month with a third defeat to go along with our first three league wins. Rocky form is brilliant. Ebbsfleet were without a win as we welcomed them and we were poor, maybe misjudged the situation. Two goals before the break and one after was enough to sink us to a stupid defeat.


Here is the league table after just six games, theres not a lot to say really other than we need to drastically improve. With just one automatic spot available and one playoff spot to get out the league it will be tough for us and we are over achieving as it is so maybe we should be happy with where we stand so far?

I feel I may of been a bit harsh on my league position following the August update, we are over achieving and sitting in a fantastic position so far this season and September was set to continue challenging us. September was a massive month, and I mean huge. We faced eight games in just four weeks, playing almost every three days was certainly hard on us but we gave it our best!


September began well as we welcomed AFC Telford and recorded all three points. A game which had just two goals, both coming our way and in the first half was enough to see us through. Dobie opened the scoring after just ten minutes before Chris Brown doubled our lead three minutes before the break with what proved to be the final goal of the game.

Our inconsistent form continued however as we faced a second home game on the bounce, this time welcoming Burton. A narrow game saw the away side take the lead after twenty minutes from a harsh penalty however we clawed back level five minutes after the restart as Hill secured us a point.

We then faced a trip to Wales to face Wrexham, expected to win the league this year they were struggling a bit and we picked up a huge point off them. Initially we took the lead through Sirrell after just four minutes. However the home side clawed back level before the break and neither side broke the deadlock in the second half.

However traveling away for the second game running saw us slip to our first defeat in four games as Boreham Wood proved to b toog ood for us. A narrow game saw the home side take the lead early on and double it before the break. Second half Dominic Rowe brought us back in contention with nine minutes on the clock after the restart but we fell to a one all defeat.

Back at home we welcomed Newport Co and returned to winning ways with a decent win. A strong start saw Dobie put us infront before Walshaw doubled our lead after just eighteen minutes. Come the break we were two one up. Second half Rowe added our third and it was straight forward from there to pick up all three points.

Back to back wins were confirmed at home for the first time this season as we welcomed Cambridge and narrowly beat them. The only goal of the game came after just thirteen minutes and it came from our leading scorer last season James Walshaw as we wrapped up all three points.

High flying Alfreton were next on our agenda as we traveled there looking to cause a shock, unfortunately that didn't happen for us. Alfreton proved to be way too much for us. We conceded three goals, two before the break and one after as we slipped to a big three nil defeat.

We ended the month with a trip to Gateshead where we chucked away the lead twice to end with a single point. Hill put us infront after just three minutes before Gateshead leveled just five minutes later. Before the break we were back infront as Rowe netted on the stroke of half time. Second half Gateshead once again replied to our lead and leveled things out as we ended up settling for a point.


We are coping brilliantly in the Blue Square Bet Premier division and sit eleventh after fourteen games already sporting twenty one points this season. We are predicted to finish twenty first this season so with us already ten places above our expected finish we are looking good. The league table is close, just four points outside the playoffs and eight points off top side Chester. As we know from last season, a string of good performance could really bolster our chances of promotions, we are still hanging in here.

I expect promotion.

You need to sign a goal scorer, as you haven’t scored that many in the opening fourteen games but since you’re a good manager, I’m sure you will sort the scoring problem.

Not a bad start at all, especially at home... If you start to pick up a few more points away from home, you will be in and around the play-offs at the end of the season thats for sure!

Great career so far btw! KIU!

Hopefully you can get your squad playing a little more consistently! Your team is good enough to make the playoffs for sure.

Oh Shedender you and your awfully low standard expectations never seize to amaze me! We do need to find a constant goal scorer and rather soon!

Thanks for reading SamL. We have started well and at home we seem to be much better, but as you said away from home we need to start picking up some points, otherwise we will never pick up a playoff spot.

Consistency we need Hitman, but we are struggling to find it!

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October 2015, another big month for us as we struggled through seven matches over the course of four weeks once again. Not sure how the team are expected to keep coping with hectic fixture lists like this but it is beginning to hit the clubs morale and their form.


So the season began quite nicely as we welcomed high flying Exeter and claimed what proved to be our only win of the month. We fell behind after just ten minutes and things looked sour from then on. However a fantastic second half saw us come from behind to secure the win. Gethyn Hill stepped up brilliantly to net twice before Stimson also managed to find the net late on.

But things turned sour from then on. We traveled to a relegation threatened Grimsby and came from behind to seal a draw, Grimsby netted twice before the break leaving us with it all to do. Hill grabbed one back on the stroke of half time before Luke Dobie brilliantly stepped up to earn us a point.

A second away game on the bounce saw us travel to struggling Stockport. Once again we were awful! We held on to the nil nil score line till the break. After the restart Stockport took the lead, luckily we earned a late point as Sirrell jumped highest from a cross to nod home.

We then faced a battering as we faced three straight defeats. Returning home to welcome Kettering we were awful. Dobie may of put us infront within half an hour but we were pulled back level before the break and come the second half our hard work was undone as Kettering leveled.

Salisbury were also too tough for us and we failed to score this time. Goals either side of the break saw us continue our search for a win in another terrible performance.

And we went five league games without a win as we returned home to welcome high flying Chester and for the second game on the bounce this month failed to score. Chester netted both their goals before the break and it killed us off completely. Any constant form is slipping away now.

It turned really bad as we traveled to the lesser league side Bradford PA. An awful performance saw us slip behind just after the restart which seemed to dent morale even further than its already dented. Luckily we earned a replay with a late goal from Hill, but we are on a sinking ship.


An absolute horrible month for us has seen us drop right out of our hopeful playoffs spots. We've slipped down to sixteenth in the league having picked up just a single win this month. We are only seven points clear of the relegation zone now and I'm on the verge of stepping down from my spot here. Its beginning to feel more of a drag than an enjoyment, but we shall see what comes about. A team meeting has already been called but it had no affect.

forms definitely been hit, heavy and if you said a team meeting hasnt helped things you could be in trouble. hopefully you can beat bradford in the replay and boost the teams hopes

been a bit up and down as others have said, hopefully someone starts banging the goals in!

Thanks Zan! However we need another miracle now if we want to return the form we had last season.

Dodds we need a constant goal scorer but finding one is hard, we are over spending on the wage budget and in big trouble financially!

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November is a very, very short update and there is a reason for that, that reason will be revealed very shortly. However I think reading over the previous update, a few of you can probably guess whats about to happen. Well here goes whats happened over the last few days.


The FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay didn't go to plan. An awful draw in the initial game against our fierce rivals before playing the replay and it falling even sourer. A penalty ten minutes into the replay from John Oliver was enough to sink us out the FA Cup before we even started, meaning our rivals got one over on us.


That was it! I have had enough here at Guiesely and to be honest enough of England. It was time to pass the challenge on to someone else who may be able to turn their slumping season around. I intended to stay longer here but the enjoyment was going and instead of killing the career. My time here at Guiseley is now done and once again I had towards the job center in search of another job.


This was becoming a familiar scene now, we are back at the job centre for the third time in almost four seasons. There are already a few jobs that are lurking about which I may be 'known enough' to capture but I will look into it. Firstly the FC Bayern would be a dream job, however my reputation is nowhere near good enough for that stage yet. El Salvador is another which is out of my reach whilst Guiseley is another place I won't be returning to. I also don't fancy another stint in England immediately which is why I am ruling out the Hayes & Yeading and Bedford job. A quick return to Belgium could be on as I will investigate the Antwerp job as well as a first appearance in Germany and France as I look into the Erfurt and Brest jobs.

I would take a look at Antwerp or Brest personally.

I doubt you would get the Antwerp job, seeing as you haven't done amazingly well with any of your teams so far. Brest or Erfurt for you probably.

Your best bet is to try and get the Erfurt job. I doubt Brest or Antwerp will be interested and Bayern def. won't be.

You should remove England so you're never tempted to return and replace it with another country.