The Trials and Tribulations of a Football Manager (Career)

May 2017:
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Monday 1st May 2017:
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Tuesday 2nd May 2017:
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Darren Forsyth (ST) and Aaron Willis (LM) were picked in the Team of the Week for the Danske Bank Premiership.
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Loughgall have been given £27k for achieving 7th place in the Danske Bank Premiership.
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Friday 5th May 2017:
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Saturday 6th May 2017:
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FINAL:

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Venue: The Oval, Belfast
Attendance: 8,000 | Kick Off: 3.00pm
Referee: Carson, J. | Weather: Drizzle, 19c
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LOUGHGALL TEAM:
Hazard, C. (GK)
Telford, M. (RB) | Alderdice, N. (c) (CD) | Black, R. (CD) | Moffatt, R. (LB)
Wilson, L. (RM) | Dallas, M. (RCM) | McMahon, M. (LCM) | Willis, A. (LM)
Mullen, W. (ST) | Forsyth, D. (ST)
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Substitutions:
Drummond, W. | Feeney, S. | Henderson, G. | Wilson, D. | McComb, C.
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History Makers As Loughgall Lift Irish Cup:
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On the anniversary to mark fifty years since Loughgall began as a Football Club, it was only fitting to watch them raise the Irish Trophy and be crowned winners on this wonderful day at the Oval in Belfast as their fans celebrated into the night of this long journey to be achieving an amazing piece of history for the club.

Manager, John Smith, played a team that has been on a good run as of late in the final games of the league - while Aaron Hogg had to miss out on the final due to being cup-tied, it was Conor Hazard who stepped up and helped assure his side of the win with a good performance between the sticks, whle Mullen and hot striker Forsyth continued their fine forms with goals for each as Captain Neil Alderdice scored the first to set them on their path before picking up the trophy in his hands and raising it for the fans at the final whistle.

Loughgall's manager must have had words with his players before they kicked-off, as they came out looking to strike from the first ball kicked. It took till the 18th minute of the match before we saw our opening goal, as a corner was knocked back out before the ball found it's way back to Wilson on the far edge of the box. His looping ball across to the far post found Black, who headed it back across and found Alderdice at the far end who headed home from close range to give Loughgall a dream start to the game.

It got even better for the side, when just minutes later Willis sent a through-ball down-field for Mullen to chase - and he did so, taking the ball in his stride before despatching it around the keeper and into the far end of the goal to give Loughgall a two-goal advantage after only twenty minutes of action. It got so much better for the Loughgall manager, as he watched from the sidelines his side tear Linfield apart after so much disappointment against them in the league and other cup round - as they moved the ball around after picking it up, before Dallas played a delightful pass between the defence allowing Mullen to latch onto it and drive into the box. As the keeper came rushing out to block him, he kept his head and played it across goal for Forsyth to score one of the easiest goals he'll ever have into an empty net and give Loughgall the fantastic lead going into half-time.

Linfield scored what only resulted in a consolation goal in the 55th minute, when Mulgrew played Bates inside the box and he slotted it past Hazard in goal - but this was going to be Loughgall's day and as the final whistle blew - players and staff invaded the pitch as they shared this amazing moment, dancing away for the fans before Alderdice finally lifted the trophy for the club and raised the roof once more.
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Loughgall have been awarded £5k for playing in the Northern Irish Cup Final.
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Loughgall have been awarded £11k for winning against Linfield in the Northern Irish Cup Final.
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Loughgall have paid out £5k to be shared among the squad on a pro-rata basis after winning the Irish Cup.
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Sunday 7th May 2017:
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Wednesday 10th May 2017:
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Tuesday 16th May 2017:
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Loughgall have paid out £10.75k to be shared among the squad on a pro-rata basis after finishing 7th in the Danske Bank Premiership.
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Wendesday 17th May 2017:
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Sunday 21st May 2017:
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Wednesday 31st May 2017:
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Best Player In Europe Award:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2. James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
3. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
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June 2017:
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Thursday 1st June 2017:
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Sunday 11th June 2017:
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Tuesday 13th June 2017:
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Thursday 15th June 2017:
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What a fantastic end to the season, resulting in us ending on a great run in the Play-off matches - leaving us unbeaten in 6 games, before we destroyed Linfield in the Cup Final, a match I thought we would have it tough after Linfied did the double with a League and other Cup to their name already this season - but we spoiled their party and had one of our own.
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Other News:
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Managers Out:
04/05 - Hibernian sack Alan Stubbs
06/05 - Llandudno sack Huw Griffiths
06/05 - Harland & Wolff Welders sack Gary Smyth
07/05 - Workington sack Derek Townsley
07/05 - Portsmouth sack Paul Cook
07/05 - Stalybridge Celtic sack John Flanagan
07/05 - Accrington Stanley sack Paul Cox
07/05 - Institute sack Kevin Deery
07/05 - Fleetwood Town sack Rob Edwards
14/05 - Greenick Morton sack Jim Duffy
14/05 - Bromley's Interim-Manager, Neil Smith resigns
22/05 - Everton sack Quique Flores
01/06 - Glebe Rangers's Ryan Brown resigns
01/06 - Bradford Park Avenue's Richard Dryden resigns
01/06 - Concrd Rangers's boss Luke Garrard resigns
02/06 - Curzon Ashton sack Hayden Bird
05/06 - Watford release Paco Jemez to sign for Everton
16/06 - Forfar's Manager, Dick Campbell, retires from football
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Managers In:
15/05 - Wigan Athletic promote Interim-Manager, Gregor Rioch, to the role of Manager
19/05 - Institute promote, Paul Foy to role of Manager
20/05 - Bromley hire Martin Foyle
20/05 - Sheffield United hire Russell Slade
22/05 - Harland & Wolff Welders hire Junusz Piecha
25/05 - Hibernian hire Mick McCarthy
30/05 - Accrington Stanley hire Dean Smith
31/05 - Fleetwood Town hire John Jensen
03/06 - Preston hire Nigel Clough
04/06 - Stockport hire Andy Butler
04/06 - Motherwell hire Gary Locke
04/06 - Stalybridge Celtic hire David Bayliss
04/06 - Portsmouth hire Phil Brown
05/06 - Everton hire Paco Jemez (Watford)
05/06 - Millwall hire Gary Rowett
05/06 - Greenock Morton hire Gus MacPherson
07/06 - Kidderminster Harriers hire Adrian Pennock
16/06 - Curzon Ashton hire Steve Kittrick
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Next Month:
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16/06 - Beginning of Pre-Season

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Overall Best Eleven Squad:

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Seasons League Positions (Graph):

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Cup Competitions Review:

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Loughgalls End of Season Awards:

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Loughgalls 2015/2016 Season Review:

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Loughgall's End of Season Confidence Review:

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Loughgall's Season Injury List:

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Loughgall's Stats:

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Loughgall's Player's Final Review List:

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Manager's Season'sThoughts:
My second season in charge saw us playing in the Danske Bank Premiership, and it was a tough challenge - one of which we finally overcome, having survived any threat of relegation and kept safe from the battle for long periods of the year.

We had several good cup runs once more, resulting in a couple of Quarter-Finals and winning the Irish Cup for the first time in the club's history, which has helped the club qualify for a European competition spot.

My third season will be my toughest yet, as I signed on for another year after guiding us into a European competition spot and want to test the waters there - while hopefully having a better season in the league.
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Other Leagues News:
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Divisions / European Competitions:

European Champions Cup:
Man City beat Chelsea 3-2 at the Miillenium Stadium, Cardiff to lift the European Cup.

Euro Cup:
Arsenal defeat Manchester United on Penalties, after a 1-1 draw to win the Final.

Euro Super Cup:
Paris Saint-Germain beat Shakhtar 3-0 to lift the Euro Super Cup.

English Premier Division:
Man Utd won the Premiership by 6 points, ahead of Chelsea (2nd) who both finished well ahead of their nearest opponents - Tottenham (3rd) and Liverpool (4th). Man City's final game win over Crystal Palace ensured their 5th place, just ahead of Arsenal whose defeat to Stoke saw them drop down a spot and fail to make the top end.

Reading finished bottom, below Derby and West Bromwich Albion who are all relegated - a good 5 points behind 17th Crystal Palace in the end.

English Sky Bet Championship:
Brighton won the Championship by 4 points, ahead of Fulham (2nd) and Ipswich (3rd). It was Leeds United (6th) who find themselves promoted to the Premiership after many years out of the spotlight after winning the play-off against Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Sheffield United were rock bottom, 9 points behind fellow relegated teams Preston and Millwall who failed to win on the last day and better Barnsley who remain in the Championship.

Sky Bet League 1:
Rotherham won League 1 by a solid 12 points, ahead of Bradford City (2nd) who are also promoted and joined by Wigan Athletic (4th) won beat Shewsbury in the Playpffs. Crewe, Colchester, Southend and Oxford are all relegated. Oxford failed to get one more goal to help leapfrog Rochdale who escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth.

Sky Bet League 2:
Port Vale won the lead by 3 points, ahead of Luton (2nd) and Wycombe (3rd) who are all promoted. They are joined by Yeovil who beat Hartlepool (6th) to win the Playoffs. Meanwhile, Morecambe and Crawley are relegated.

Vanarama National League:
Barnet won the league by a whopping 24 points. Mansfield (3rd) join them after winning the Playoff against Eastleigh (5th). Solihull Moors, Stockport, Guiseley and Kidderminster are all relegated.

Vanarama National League North:
FC Halifax won the league by 13 points. Barrow (3rd) join them after beating AFC Fylde (5th) in the Playoffs.
Bradford PA, Workington and Corby are all relegated.

Vanarama League South:
Whitehawk won the league by 12 points, and joined by Maidenhead (2nd) who beat Sutton in the Playoffs.
Weymouth, Bishop's Sortford and Kingstonian are all relegated.

English Community Shield:
Chelsea beat Man City on Penalties, after a 1-1 draw to win the Community Shield.

English FA Cup:
West Ham United defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the final to win the FA Cup.

Capital One Cup:
West Bromwich Albion won on Penalties, after a 1-1 draw against Chelsea to win the Capital One Cup.

Johnson's Paint Trophy:
Scunthorpe beat Gillingham 3-2 to win the cup.

English FA Trophy:
Mansfield won 3-0 against Woking to win the trophy.
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Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership:
Celtic won the Premiership by 11 points, ahead of Hamilton (2nd), Aberdeen (3rd) and Hearts (4th) who are all in Europe. Queen of the South are relegated.

Ladbrokes Scottish Championship:
Rangers won the Championship by 7 points to win Promotion back to the big time, while Stranraer and Morton are relegated.

Ladbrokes Scottish League 1:
Dumbarton won the league by 4 points, and joined by Alloa in Promotion.
Annan and East Fife are relegated.

Ladbrokes Scottish League 2:
Elgin City won the league by 3 points, and joined by Brechin in Promotion.

Scottish Cup:
Rangers took Penalties to beat Aberdeen after a 1-1 draw to win the Scottish Cup.

Scottish League Cup:
Hibernian won 1-0 against Dundee Utd to put their hands on the League cup.

Scottish League Challenge Cup:
Rangers won 2-0 over Raith to win the Challenge Cup.
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Danske Bank Premiership:
Linfield won the Premiership by 9 points from Cliftonville (2nd) and Crusaders (3rd) who get Euro Spots.
Dungannon and Glenavon are both relegated.

Northern Irish Football League Championship 1:
Distillery won the league by 6 points, from Ballinallard Utd (2nd) who are also Promoted.
Dergview and H & W Welders are relegated.

Northern Irish Football League Championship 2:
Lurgan Celtic won the league by1 point from Bangor (2nd) who are also Promoted.
Glebe are relegated.

Northern Irish Cup:
Loughgall beat Linfield 3-1 to win the Irish Cup.

Northern Irish League Cup:
Linfield beat Cliftonville to win the Irish Cup.

Northern Irish County Antrim Shield:
Ballymena Utd won 2-0 over Donegal Celtic to win the Northern Irish County Antrim Shield

Northern Irish Steel & Sons Cup:
H & W Welders beat Bangor 1-0 to win the Northern Irish Steel & Sons Cup.

Northern Irish Intermediate Cup:
Ballinamallard Utd won 2-1 over Distillery to win the Northern Irish Intermediate Cup.

Northern Irish Mid-Ulster Cup:
Dungannon won 3-1 over Warrenpoint to win the Mid-Ulster Cup.
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Next:
Pre-Season Begins: June (Loughgall: Season 3)