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Dan
Welcome to what will be my last attempt at a career for a while on Football manager, mainly because this is going to be a successful one. I have previously started two FM17 careers, my around the world challenge had started well but due to an error with the beta it fell short early. The Gibrlatar save I just lost motivation for after a couple seasons realising it was too ridiculous to even try to conqor. I'm now back with this, London City FC** and their rise to the top of the pile.
** I have moved a London side from a couple tiers lower and renamed them London City FC using the editor, taking out Stortford from the division and the only other change I have made is removing all history and changing kits etc. The clubs reputation has changed from 778 to 2000, the average for a side in this division.
A big batch of leagues loaded, every single one of those are on 'view only' though just to keep me up to date whats going on not only in Europe but with a couple of the bigger leagues across the World. All these view only countries are loaded down to the basement tiers as it allows me to scout players in the lower divisions who could potentially switch to London City FC and be standout players as we hopefully progress up the divisions. England is the only country that is loaded as playable, hence the 'approx player count of 16000'. It'll start on the 1st July, England early pre season.
It'll be the 'normal manager' Dan that'll take on the control of London City FC and hopefully guide them all the way to the top of the English pyramid, well thats the aim. No coaching qualifications and only Sunday League experience for the man from Chard, Somerset. This is heavily shown in the twenty four year olds stats. He'll wear a blue suit, and blue tie for London City FC colors on the touch line.
And here is the team overview. A semi professional club who are set to play in the Vanarama South for the first time in their history, only being established this year. Nicknamed 'The City' for obvious reasons. The chairman loves the club, we're valued at twenty two thousand pounds and have 'okay finances. We will play our home games at the heart of London, Wembley. Perhaps a little unbelievable but who cares, a 90,000 all seater stadium that'll never be filled by us for some years yet! We possess poor training facilities and basic youth facilities.
*I've clicked 'add players to playable teams' to ensure I have a team, currently of newgens, but I will probably replace the majority of these this summer.
2016/2017: Vanarama National League South - 19th (49pts), FA Trophy - 1st Round
2017/2018: Vanarama National League South - 16th (49pts), FA Trophy - Third Qualifying Round, FA Cup - 1st Round
2018/2019: Vanarama National League South - 14th (58pts), FA Trophy - 1st Round, FA Cup - 1st Round
2019/2020: Vanarama National League South - 1st (73pts)
2020/2021: Vanarama National League - 7th (70pts), FA Trophy - 1st Round, FA Cup - 1st Round
2021/2022: Vanarama National League - 4th (78pts), Playoffs - Semi Final, FA Trophy - Winners
2022/2023: Vanarama National League - 2nd (81pts),Playoffs - Runners Up, FA Trophy - 2nd Round, FA Cup - 3rd Round
2023/2024: Vanarama National League - 1st (88pts)
2024/2025: Sky Bet League Two - 12th (64pts), Checkatrade Trophy - Group Stage, EFL Cup - 1st Round, FA Cup - 3rd Round
2025/2026: Sky Bet League Two - 6th (72pts),Playoffs - Runners Up, Checkatrade Trophy - Group Stage, EFL Cup - 2nd Round, FA Cup - 1st Round
2026/2027: Sky Bet League Two - 1st (86pts)
2027/2028: Sky Bet League One - 1st (85pts)
2028/2029: Sky Bet Championship - 14th (55pts), EFL Cup - 2nd Round, FA Cup - 4th Round
2029/2030: Sky Bet Championship - 6th (76pts), Playoffs - Runners Up, EFL Cup - 4th Round, FA Cup - 3rd Round
2030/2031: Sky Bet Championship - 2nd (89pts), EFL Cup - 4th Round, FA Cup - 4th Round
2031/2032: Barclays Premier League - 16th (38pts), EFL Cup - Semi Final, FA Cup - 4th Round
2032/2033: Barclays Premier League - 14th (41pts), EFL Cup - 4th Round, FA Cup - 6th Round
2033/2034: Barclays Premier League - 7th (62pts), EFL Cup - 4th Round, FA Cup - Winners
2034/2035: Barclays Premier League - 4th (76pts), EFL Cup - Quarter Finalist, FA Cup - Fifth Round, Europa League - Runners Up
2035/2036: Barclays Premier League - 3rd (82pts), EFL Cup - Winners
2036/2037: Barclays Premier League - 1st (83pts)
2037/2038: Barclays Premier League - 1st (92pts)
2038/2039: Barclays Premier League - 1st (82pts)
2039/2040: Barclays Premier League - 2nd (85pts), EFL Cup - Winners
2040/2041: Barclays Premier League - 3rd (82pts), EFL Cup - Semi Finalist, FA Cup - Fourth Round, Champions League - Semi Finalist, Community Shield - Runners Up, European Super Cup - Winners
Next Update: London City FC - Pre season round up 2016
Shedender
Queen's Park, an amateur club from Scotland's League Two play at Hampden Park, not overly unrealistic tbh.
Good luck with this though pal, will be following and I'm hoping you'll be able to maintain it for the long run.
Dan
London City FC - Pre season round up 2016
Pre season has come and gone and it ended up being a very, very busy one, i shipped out nearly every player in the club this year and bought in so many new faces to be able to assemble a squad that I thought had the ability to keep this team in the league and not end the career after a season. I'm in this for the long run and am already thinking about next season, and we haven't even kicked a ball competitively yet this year.
Not too much 'relevant' news came into my inbox this summer but here are the only two pieces I think you need to know about so far. The board want us to attempt to avoid relegation from the lowest playable tier of English football and I expect us to do this. The English FA Trophy we are expected to reach the Third Qualifying Round. Due to the editor I don't think we'll be in the FA Cup this year. I had also applied for a senior affiliate club this summer, but we failed to find a side.
Here is my current twenty five man squad and I do expect more faces to come in and potentially leave this summer as I continue trying to strengthen the squad I've got to ensure we can stay in the division. We've got three good keepers at the club at the moment and I'm hoping they can compete with each other to fight for that number one spot. We're a bit short in numbers at the back and directly up top. But here are the two best players in the squad at the moment:
Not the best summer on the pitch but I'm hoping we can pick it up as the team begins to gel together as a unit and learn the tactics we are playing with. I was expecting heavy defeats against Newcastle and Everton as they were my 'money making' friendlies organised. We'll see how the season goes though.
Next Update: London City FC - August 2016
Shedender
Dan
London City FC - August 2016
My first competitive month in charge here at London City FC has come and gone and its been a very steep learning curve to say the least. I knew realistically we needed to target thirty five to fifty points this season to ensure we survive in this division. It'd be a tough ask but if we could get points on the board early and beat the sides who are predicted to finish around us, we'd be alright this year.
London City FC' first ever competitive game in the Vanarama South saw us travel away to Dartford with thirty four fans. We struggled to get going and lost out two nil. Pugh netted both for the hosts and stats show Dartford deserved to take all three points here.
What a game! Our first ever game at Wembley, our new home and we toppled Hampton and Richmond to come out three two winners. We coped much better in this game, but found ourselves behind after just eleven minutes. Brad Gascoigne got us back on track before Kabamba had a second for the traveling side. Second half we went more attacking and this paid off. Remy leveled for us with fifteen to go before Bill Cooper netted the winner two mintues into injury time, we had our first point!
A trip to Bath saw them fire the shots away and despite hitting the target just twice, that was enough for them to take a two nil victory. We had our fair share of chances however with just one on target we were never going to challenge them here. Back to the drawing board.
We seem to be making Wembley our fortress, two games at home and two wins, again a late showing doing the business for us. Bill Cooper struck us ahead after just ten minutes. We conceded with nine minutes to go but that didnt dampen our spirits. Pope struck again two minutes into injury time to secure our second win of the season.
Scratch that, its now three games at home without defeat, we drew with Whitehawk however could of won this. We missed a penalty after just four minutes then the traveling side took the lead before the break. Second half Remy leveled for us but Whitehawk soon regained controle. Cooper struck in the final minutes again, sealing a point for us.
We were nowhere in this game and could of lost by a lot more had Ebbsfleet of taken their chances. We struggled against them and you can tell they'll be title challengers this season.
And so, that wraps up our first month in charge, all in all not too bad, two wins, a draw and three defeats from our opening six games, keep this up and we should be safe come the end of the season. Hopefully things are still to improve as the squad gets use to each other over the coming months.
Pointless showing at this time of the season, but we're above the drop after six games with seven points and a minus four goal difference, plenty more topples and turn to come this season, thats a fact!
Next Update: London City FC - September 2016
Dan
London City FC - September 2016
A steady start had been made to life in the highest tier London City FC had ever featured in and we were already averaging more than one point per game, continue this for the remainder of the season and we'll be bang on track to beat the drop this year, its what this season is all about. A second month already completed.
Oxford City are on of those teams we need to be beating this season and despite traveling away from our home fortress, we still managed to secure all three points. Three nil up at the break with goals from Deakin, Cooper and Remy. Oxford pulled one back but we were never losing this battle of the Cities.
Another side who'll be there or there abouts at the top of the pile this season are Maidenhead and it showed when we traveled to them. They sent us home with a lot to work on, losing out five two in the end to the title challengers.
Still unbeaten at home as we welcomed St Albans and claimed a one all draw, a game we probably should of prevailed from with all three points but it wasn't to be. We looked good going forward here, led after ten minutes through Cooper. Akinyemi leveled for St Albans and after that neither side took the hatful of chances they created.
Poole are struggling at the foot of the table so far this season so as we welcomed them it was important we made the most of this game and we did with a three nil win and clean sheet. Gascoigne fired in a free kick after nine minutes and Deakin doubled our lead eleven minutes before half time. Remy wrapped up the scoring, coming off the bench to net in injury time.
What a way to wrap up September. A trip to Welling with sixteen traveling away fans and we struck four past the hose. Copp netted the only first half goal before Remy nette twice and Deakin struck once to wrap up our dominant display and a very good month on the pitch.
Three wins, one draw and one defeat this month has seen us rise up the table nicely as you're about to see. An easier month on paper, one of the easier ones we'll face this season but we done what we had to do. Onto the next set of fixtures.
We're now up to ninth come the end of September on seventeen points edging towards half the target I set of thirty five to fifty points for survival this season. We won't stay up here as this on paper was one of the easier months I had coming up. I'm sure we'll drop back down over the next couple months but we're already six points above the drop.
Next Update: London City FC - October 2016
Dan
London City FC - October 2016
Wide awake still in my hospital bed whilst they pump me with more numbing pain killers so thought I'd continue to smash through this opening season whilst I can be bothered seeming I'm awake. October was a month we needed to keep our run going. September was near perfect, we just needed to hit a bit of a run, however this month was to be much harder on paper.
The first team to beat us at home this season, it was always going to happen so I'm not overly bothered by that, however I do feel we could of snatched a point here. We had a couple chances, just didn't end up taking them that was all. Both Gosport goals came before the interval.
A trip to Hungerford is certainly not one I'm going to be looking back on and remembering in a hurry. We were hammered with our biggest defeat to date as they ran riot in a five one victory. We were outplayed and outclassed, end of.
Promotion chasing Bishops Stortford became the second team in as many games to take all three points from us at our home Wembley. But thats life, they're in that position because of results like these oh and the fact we have a poor disciplinary record with two sending offs, four bookings and giving away a penalty.
I thought we could of won this game, but on the pitch we failed to make many chances and then didnt take any of the few that we did create. Cost us a bit as Weston Super Mare jump us here.
After four games and four loses on the bounce, we returned to home and returned to winning ways as we beat traveling fourth place side Truro in a bit of a shock result. Two second half goals in two minutes from Okokjie gave us a two goal lead before Afful tried to rally Truro back into the game late on, to no avail.
Not a great month to have on paper but we managed to get through it eventually. Four defeats on the bounce have obviously cost us but we finished strongly with that victory against Truro to be able to go into November on a higher note.
We've moved down to thirteenth in the league table, really consolidating ourselves around the middle of the pack at the moment this season and with any luck this is where we'll be come the end of the season. But the priority of course is beating that drop. Currently up to twenty points from sixteen games this season.
Next Update: London City FC - November 2016
Dan
London City FC - November 2016
November has been and it was a nice short month for us, not really sure why but we only played three matches throughout the month, kind of makes it pointless when we then face six or seven games in a month down the line a bit further. But thats that. With just one win in our last five games, we needed to get some points back on the board this month.
Good news is I've completed my first coaching badge and immediately the board have allowed me to go on to get my next one with them saying the more badges I get the better coaching/management experience I can deliver, lets just hope thats true anyway!
We went into this away tie against Concord knowing if we lost it, they'd jump us and so could a couple other clubs. When Okojie netted after just four minutes I thought we could of gone on to smash them, however the game evened out a bit. Jasaitis leveled for the host with twenty five minutes remaining. But it was to be our lucky day as Wilson converted a ninety second minute spot kick.
A very dull game at home, we just sat back and let them hit us, trying to then hit them on the counter, goalless it ended, a point for us nonetheless.
And our FA Trophy journey has started. The board wanted us to get to the Third Qualifying Round as a minimum expectation and we started there so that was that done. Non league side Larkhall gave us a great game, however it was us who came out on top with an injury time winner from Remy.
A short but unbeaten month has seen us pick up four points from a possible six in the league and progress onto the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy where we'll face fellow Vanarama South side Gosport and look to continue a short run, however the cup isn't important to me.
Up to eleventh, creeping into the top half of the table, it'd be good if we were here or here abouts come the end of this calender year with one month to go. Currently just a seven point gap between us and then the first relegation spot. We need to try and open that gap to hopefully ease pressure a little bit and the fear of getting caught up in that relegation fight towards the end of the season.
Next Update: London City FC - December 2016
Shedender
Dan
London City FC - December 2016
The festive month of December was upon us and the 2016 calendar year was about to be seen out. As of late our form has been a little up and down, jiggling around with tactics and what not, just struggling to find something nailed on that'll work at the early stage of this career. However we are still picking up points and, at the moment at least, still set to be the drop zone, but its early days.
We were unlucky here, losing out four two to Hemel Hempstead sort of flattered them in the end. We led through Okojie after just four minutes however come the break the away side led, both goals from Ogleby. Second half we went overload and were rewarded nine minutes from time as Deakin leveled. But before I got around to changing it we had conceded. Went on to lose out four two.
The FA Trophy First Round drew us against Gosport and it seemed to be all them. Eventually they found the break through just ten minutes from time through Bentley. However we weren't rolling over easily, Gascoigne scored to force extra time. Nothing really happened in extra time though, so a replay at home it would be.
The replay was a bit of a better match and I'm fuming we lost this. We were the better side with the stats perhaps defending that statement. We had a two nil lead after just sixteen minutes with goals from Okojie and Connolly. However Gosport struck on the thirty fifth and seventy fifth minute to draw level, forcing extra time. It went all the way to penalties where we were eliminated.
We returned to league action picking up an unlikely win against playoff chasing Chelmsford, beating them two one at home.Travis struck first, thirteen minutes before half time before Smith leveled for the traveling side. Martin was the man to give us an undeserved wins stats wise as he struck sixteen minutes from time.
You know you've nailed your tactics when you claim a point against top of the table side Dartford, and it could of potentially been all three points. We set up with a couple buses parked but still went behind after the first minute. Wilson saw his penalty saved just before the break which could of lifted us on to greater things. Deakin equalised for us to steal a point sixteen minutes from time.
The less said about this game the better, we had the better share of possession however we struggled to do anything with it and that in the end cost us a heavy four nil defeat. Not the way i wanted to end the calendar year. We'll need to improve in January.
And a quick round up of the festive month of December. Just one win from six games, two of those were in the FA Trophy though so one league win in four games isn't so bad for us. Its important we now press on in the New Year, stop making so many careless mistakes and pick up the points we deserve to ensure we survive.
And so at the end of the 2016 calendar year things aren't looking too bad for us. We're over halfway through the league season now and have picked up twenty eight points and should be on to hit my target of fifty points which I had set myself back in August. Thats what I think we'll need as a minimum to survive this season. At the moment its looking good with us up in fourteenth place, five points above the drop zone.
Next Update: London City FC - January 2017
Dan
London City FC - January 2017
Happy New Year!! And I'm hoping this calendar year can give us plenty to cheer about. We go into 2017 with survival still our main hopes for this season as we sit five points clear of the dropzone at the start of January. We had to ensure we won a few games and kept that momentum to hit a good run. If we could win four or five games on the trot safety wouldn't be that far away.
Kicked off the new year against Bath at home which we are continuing to hold a good record at. We played well and took the game to them. Goals from Ford and Okojie sent us two nil up with less than half an hour to play. Bath struck a late consolation back but we weren't throwing these points away.
We held second placed Ebbsfleet at home to a draw, that now them and league leaders Dartford who failed to beat us at home. Douglas gave us a twelfth minute lead before Kedwell leveled for the traveling side. They had Connors sent off with eighteen minutes remaining for a second bookable offence in six minutes. We couldn't quite press on and grab a winner though.
Well beaten here, horrible game for us and horrible result, back down to earth with our first defeat of the new year and it was away from home.
Back to back defeats on the road again, this time against Wealdstone, a side I was hoping we could beat with them so close to us in the league table. It wasn't to be though. Cox gave the host the lead after just three minutes. Second half Okojie leveled for us but again we were overran and Whichelow secured the win for them.
As we welcomed Oxford City to Wembley we were neck and neck in the league, just goal difference separating the pair of us. And thats how it was come full time too. When Cooper fired in for us just before the break I thought we'd go on and dominate second half. Unfortunately we couldn't got hit on the counter and drew one a piece.
And so we end January with an away win against Whitehawk, very happy to pick up all three points off of a side just a few places up the table from us. A snatch a grab win here with us scoring from our only two shots on target. Martin gave us the lead, quickly cleared out by Shomotun for Whitehawk to level things within two minutes. Okojie was our man to net the winner again, seven minutes after the interval.
Two round up the month, two wins, two draws and two defeats saw us take eight points from a possible eighteen, not quite taking half of those on offer to us but it was good enough from my point of view. As long as we're picking up points thats the main thing. Still a way to go this season though, anything could happen.
We drop one place in the table as Wealdstone jump is into fourteenth and we sit fifteenth come the end of January, only on goal difference but they do have a game in hand. We are just three points above the drop now with Oxford City, Weston Super-Mare and Hungerford all on thirty three points, Gosport and Welling on thirty four and thirty five respectively then us and Wealdstone on thirty six. Just five points separate ninth to twentieth and we're only eight points off the playoffs! The table is tight this year, but I'm still confident of fifty points being the magic number to target this year.
Next Update: London City FC - February 2017
Dan
London City FC - February 2017
Three months left to go this season and survival was hanging in the balance, yes we were sat up in fifteenth place, but we were only three points clear of the drop zone and with fourteen games still to go this season I'm sure there will be some exciting times ahead yet. I accidentally played a game of March a the end of the month so thats included in this update too.
A good point came as we held Maidenhead at home, coming back from behind twice in a very even game. Marks put the traveling side ahead before Deakin leveled for us. Comley immediate put Maidenhead two one up just after the restart. Once again it was Okojie who netted the late goal to earn us a point, seven minutes from time.
This was definitely one of the more pleasing displays I've seen from my side this season, a dominant showing, away from home and keeping a rare clean sheet. Connolly and Okojie struck first half goals before Wilson wrapped up the three nil victory late on. A few more displays like this would be nice.
I think this was our fourth meeting with Gosport this season and they beat us here one nil. We tried to contain the game but just couldn't do anything when we had the ball.
We traveled to the leagues basement side Poole who seem to need a miracle to survive relegation this season, we went expecting all three points but came away with none. A poor showing from us allowed Hallahan to net twice in two minutes for the host, we were nowhere to be seen.
As I said I accidentally played the first match of March and it resulted in a two one home victory against Welling. A pleasing showing saw us hold a two goal lead at the break, Gascoigne and Okojie both on the scoresheet for us. Welling threatened to come back into the game with a goal twenty three minutes from time, but we held our own.
Four games in February saw us win one, draw one and lose two and then added on the bottom is the first game of March, making that results screen look a little bit better. Okojie was among the goals this month, netting three goals in five matches.
That has now seen us shoot up the table as we occupy eleventh spot with just nine league games remaining this season and survival is looking more and more likely for our newly formed side. We've opened up a seven point gap between ourselves and the drop zone now. We just need to hold firm the last two months of the season.
Next Update: London City FC - March 2017
Dan
London City FC - March 2017
Our penultimate month of the footballing season and as ever, it'd be an important one for London City FC. I was now just hoping we could remain strong throughout the last couple of months and hold our own to avoid the dreaded relegation. Each month we seem to be picking up valuable points, now we can't be too far away from survival being confirmed surely. March was only a four game month, with one of those being Welling which was played last month and we won two one.
Youth intake for this season, pretty average for a squad in this division, no one is likely to make it to the big time, the ratings are rubbish and so are the scout reports due to their poor stats. But hey, they'll all be signed on and shoved into the under eighteens and under twenty ones to see what they can do. Anyone who shines will be given an opportunity in the first team.
Annoyed we've lost this one, mainly because we played so poorly all over the park. Riviere then got himself sent off leaving us with ten men for forty minutes. Hungerford struck eighteen minutes from time to steal all three points.
Bounced back to surprise Bishops Stortford with a one nil win. The playoff chasers only saw us hit one shot on target at their goal and we won with that. Travis netted for us on the sixty third minute, a lifeline victory for us that'll go a long way and a big dent to the hosts playoff chances.
Again I'm annoyed we didn't win here. Weston Super Mare played with ten men for seventy six minutes and still managed to take a point from us. Connolly gave us the lead before the break and despite firing shots away we could never find that second goal. Grubb leveled for Weston and then they were happy to play out for a point.
A good month in the end on paper with us taking seven points from a possible twelve with two wins a draw and a defeat. All in all this has boosted our chances of survival this season and with a month to go, hoping we can do it sooner rather than later.
Dropped back down to thirteenth now but an eleven point gap over the drop zone makes me more and more confident that we're going to do it this season and remain in the division, that hopefully prolonging this career, if I get a new contract offered to me. There are just six league games to play and a couple wins in April will secure our spot in the Vanarama South next season.
Next Update: London City FC - April 2017
Shedender
Dan
London City FC - April 2017
The final month was upon us, I've completed a season within twenty four hours because being in hospital is very boring indeed. So glad I bought my laptop though and smashed through the season. With one month to go, six league matches and us being three points short of my target of fifty points, would we beat the drop this season and be able to begin to focus on next year...
Two qualifications bagged this season and onto a third one as well. The board are more than happy putting me through these courses and paying for them. I just need to keep asking. However I'm yet to have a new contract offered to me...
Eastbourne Boro could of had six or seven had they been a bit more consistent at hitting the target here. We could of had a couple ourselves. However two goals conceded in the opening twenty seven minutes sealed the win for the host.
A trip to Truro also ended in defeat, we didn't see much of the ball at all this game, just thirty nine percent of it. A fortieth minute goal from Thompson saw the host beat us.
Back at home we drew two a piece with Concord Rangers and this proved to be enough for us to seal our fate in the Vanarama South for next season. We led twice in this game which was very annoying to end up with only a point. Our goals were from Travis and Connolly whilst Cawley and a ninetieth minute goal from Johnson sealed them a point, but importantly our survival.
We went back on the road and just couldn't create chances or take the very few we did, that resulting in a loss. Baptiste gave Hemel Hempstead the lead after half an hour before Skarpetis netted eight minutes from time to stop us snatching any late points.
Not even any form at home as Wealdstone beat us three nil. The less said about this the better.
We finally showed some fighting spirit in our final league game of the season which saw us travel to Chelmsford and fight back from two down to snatch our final point of the season. Gray gave the host the lead after just four minutes before Tomlinson doubled this tally four minutes before the break. Second half we fought back into the game through Deakin and Martin to claim the point.
A horrible final month for us saw us pick up just two points from our final six league games and thats not good to end on. The only good thing is that we secured our spot in this division for next season and we can now start to build ahead of that.
Back in my August post I said I felt we needed to hit between thirty five and fifty points this season, closer to the higher number, and we finished on forty nine points, this leaving us in nineteenth come the end of the season and ten points clear of the drop zone in the end. Gosport and Margate also join us on thirty nine points in eighteenth and seventeenth whilst Hungerford occupy sixteenth, three points ahead of us. Dartford won the league with ninety points whilst Ebbsfleet finished second on eighty nine points and deservedly won promotion via the playoffs.
Next Update: London City FC - Pre Season Update 2017
Dan
London City FC - Pre season round up 2017
My second summer in charge has proved to be just as busy, if not busier than my first summer in charge with plenty happening on and off the pitch. We had an okay side but were just too inconsistent come the end of last season, this year I was hoping we'd be a bit more consistent if we could bring in the right faces etc. So I've been to work with the squad and hopefully got a side capable of challenging to finish higher than nineteenth this year around. And as you can see, a new set of kits to kickstart the new season.
Bad news, the club wish to move back closer to their home of 'London Colney' which could see us leave Wembley as our home stadium in the near future. This would be a shame as I wanted the club to stay here. But obviously we'll just have to see what happens as the seasons trickle past. Secondly and obviously, I got a new contract deal, meaning I'm at the club for at least another year.
The expectations for this year are the same as last, the board want us to attempt to avoid relegation from the Vanarama National League South again, I'm hoping we can finish slightly higher than nineteenth this year around. The FA Trophy we just need to reach the Third Qualifying Round which is the same round we start the competition in and for the FA Cup we need to reach the Second Qualifying Round.
As you can see I have been a little ruthless on the squad this year, letting go plenty of players as well as replacing them. Most of the new faces are of better quality than those who have exited to squad either because they weren't good enough or because they didn't want to accept a new deal. We've only spent a little bit of money and have a couple more players to come in yet too.
And here is the squad I now have possession of for the season ahead although as I said, I think I have a couple more players to come into the squad yet. It still isn't stacked with quality but I've got players who can grow into quality for the team in this division over the next couple of years and thats whats going to be important, building for the future not for instant success.
Quick look at the two players who are considered the 'best in the squad' to their rating. Very happy to get Liam Gooch in goal, he seems to be a great signing for a club in our division and can hopefully help stop some of the problems we had at the back last year. Jake Bennet can play at the back or in midfield so handy having another versatile player for our squad.
Not the best pre season on the pitch once again, but I'm hoping its just the squad getting to know one another and the tactics. Bring on the competitive fixtures.
Next Update: London City FC - August 2017
Dan
London City FC - August 2017
And back to the competitive side of footballing life, last August we kicked off the season with seven points from our opening six games. Once again we would be targeting to hit fifty points to survive this season. If we could beat last seasons total of forty nine I'd be pleased. We have a stronger squad this year I feel so just need to make sure we do enough on the pitch to earn those points.
We started the season against recently relegated Maidstone which I knew would be a tough encounter. But much to my delight we dominated the game and stole a point despite finishing with ten men, infact playing with ten men for fifty three minutes. Copp was sent off in the first half and Owen then fired the host ahead. Street netted on his competitive debut to earn us a point.
A draw against Weston Super Mare, annoyingly I felt we could of taken all three points, they finished with ten men but the sending off was late and didn't change the game.
We start the season three games unbeaten with a superb away win against Whitehawk. We dominated possession, had the majority of shots and took our chances as we struck a three nil win here. Street with his second in three games in the first half. Wilson netted from the spot before Moli came off the bench to put the game beyond doubt.
Our first defeat of the season came against Basingstoke and we were really poor here. Second half we got dominated by Basingstoke. They deserved the win and Bateson delivered a hatrick for them.
A ding dong battle between us and Welling which we stole a point from. Bennett originally gave us the lead after eight minutes before the visitors leveled just two minutes later and Smith put Welling two one up in the seventeenth minute. Second half Guppy leveled for us to steal a point for us.
A superb five goal thriller against high flying St Albans saw us narrowly lose out, however the host could of had more. We trailed after sixteen minutes and were two down three minutes after the restart. Wilson netted from the spot kick for us with forty minutes remaining however St Albans struck back immediately. Copp gave us a late rallying cry, but we slipped short here.
Well we've managed to pick up five points in our opening three games and six points from our opening six games. A point short than our tally this time last season but we've had a tough start. The team are hopefully still gelling, we've been in contention for points this season already.
Six points from our opening six games, just need to keep our form, hod on to some good play and hopefully we can press on. Strange to see Truro and Gosport are off to such a bad start, one point each from their opening six games. They'll be tough teams for us to beat. We just need to continue to beat the teams around us this season to stay up again.
Next Update: London City FC - September 2017
Dan
London City FC - September 2017
An okay start to the season left us heading into September needing to pick it up a little bit and get some serious points on the board. The main aim was to survive again this season however if we could do it with a better league position I'd be much happier, progress is progress whichever way we do it. We also need to try and pick up more than forty nine points this year.
We managed to kick off September with a comeback win against Hungerford, winning two one. Muko opening the score for the visitors after just thirteen minutes. Street leveled for us on the half hour mark. New signing Thewlis then netted what turned out to be the winner, seven minutes after the restart, a tight affair, we came out on top of.
We made it two wins from two in September with a narrow two one win away at Eastbourne Boro. Bennett gave us the lead a minute into injury time of the first half. By half time there had already been five bookings, surprised we didn't see a red card. Jalen Jones leveled for the host and then scored an own goal which turned out to be our winner.
As we welcomed Hemel Hempstead we got battered, well our goal did anyway. They fired away twenty one shots, hitting the target with fourteen and scoring four of those as they ran away with a four two win. Our goals were from Guppy and Whisken before the break, we lead two one at half time but eventually ran out of steam here.
The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round drew us at home against Egham and we did exactly what we needed to do here against the non league side, win and progress. Moli struck a brace whilst Street and an own goal went on to secure a four nil win. I was hoping this could press us on this season from here.
Battered by Maidenhead, the less said here, the better really. We were poor, disappointed that Galliford was dismissed before the brea too.
Also battered by Sutton United, they're under us on the table but I was hoping we could atleast stand up for ourselves here. I really don't know whats going on as of late. We need to regroup and pick up points.
The FA Cup Third Qualifying Round drew us away at non league Folkestone, again a team we should be ebating but unfortunately we fell short, forcing a replay. Wilson gave us the lead before the break. We dominated and should of won the game. Miller leveled for the host though, twenty two minutes before the end and we couldn't break it through. This will cause us more fixture congestion next month.
The month round up, we started so well, picking up two wins from two, it then went sour with three league defeats in a row. We're still in the FA Cup which isn't a neccessary right at the moment. Probably best if we bow out the FA Cup soon and regain our composure with our league form.
We're struggling already this season, down in eighteenth place with twelve points from eleven games. This time last season we had seventeen points from eleven games and were up in ninth place. The impact of the FA Cup is potentially costing us this year. The sooner we can focus solely on our league form the better. Also the three newly promoted sides of Kingstonian, Dulwich and Sutton United doing well is costing us.
Next Update: London City FC - October 2017
Shedender
Dan
London City FC - October 2017
Our season just never seems to of kickstarted just yet and I'm hoping its not too far away. With the way some of the new teams have started this season I think survival for us this year will indeed be even tougher than it was last time around. There is still a lot of football to go this season of course so I'm not doubting our survival or anything like that, but we need to find something.
Getting all these managerial qualifications but at the moment it isn't helping me in my current position. Need some big names to come to us and decide they want to play for a manager with qualifications and play for pennies, any takers?
We don't like doing things the easy way thats for sure. It took extra time for us to get through but we did it, beating non league Folkestone second time of asking, six two. We trailed after six minutes before Wilson leveled for us. Moli then gifted us the lead before the non league side leveled to force extra time. They ran out of legs though and we then dominated with goals from Moli, two from Okojie and a goal from Street in Extra time.
We do seem to see more of the ball this season and snatched a point away at Chelmsford here. An own goal gave us the lead after just seventeen minutes. But again we failed to hold on to the lead, conceding in the sixty fourth minute, settling for a single point.
Dull game at home against Wealdstone, either side could of won it, neither side did win it.
Where on earth did this come from!? We faced last seasons South winners Dartford and current Vanarama National side and smashed them six nil in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying round. Wilson netted twice as did Street. Bennett and Okojie both on the scoresheet as well. We lead four nil at the break and continued piling on the pressure in the second half. If only we could play this way in the league as well.
A trip to Hampton and Richmond which saw us take the lead twice, first through Street and then through an own goal, but we blew it twice so once again, forced to settle for a single point.
Anddddddd another draw! This time we blew a two one lead at half time, dominated the stats with twenty one shots, ten of those on target and fifty six percent of the ball. The game really has it in for us at the moment.
League leaders Bath beat us two nil and again looking at the stats we could of probably got something from it. We conceded in the thirty third minute and sixty sixth minute.
Nearly an unbeaten month bar the defeat to end October against the league leaders. Its just annoying we're picking up so many draws and throwing away too many points from a leading position. We've really got to sort out our complacency especially as of late, perhaps when we are out the cup competitions we can focus on this a bit more.
Sixteen games played and only sixteen points earned, we're currently four points worse off this season than last season having previously had twenty points after sixteen games. Had we of held on to the lead against Hampton and Richmond and Hayes and Yeading we'd be two points better off than last year right now and up in mid table, instead we're sat in nineteenth, five points clear of the drop zone though.
Next Update: London City FC - November 2017
Shedender
Dan
London City FC - November 2017
Into November and itd be a busy month for us competition wise but not so busy on the pitch itself as we faced just four matches this month but across all three different competitions. Would we be heading into the festive month still in all three competitions. We were already beating expectations in the FA Cup as we reached the First Round proper.
Wow, no one likes conceding seven in a game but I guess this was expected. We traveled to League Two side Hartlepool in the FA Cup First Round and lost out seven nil. Strangely we had the better run of possession here too.
I don't get whats going on with these newly promoted sides this season, they're all playing well and doing so well up the table that its making it harder for us and we lost out away at Kingstonian here too.
A league win! Struggling Gosport, who we played four times last season. They're not having the best season and we put more pressure on them with this two nil second half win. Street and Moli finding the net for us.
We're out the FA Trophy, no big issues we were never going to win it, stops fixture congestion, we can now solely focus on the league.
On paper, a horrible month, but hopefully it'll transfer to better league form from here on in as we are out both cup competitions.
Eighteenth in the league with nineteen points on the board. As I've said a couple times now, I'm hoping with us being knocked out both cups we will start putting points on the board now and making the gap bigger between us and the drop zone which is currently just seven points approaching the halfway stage of the season.
Next Update: London City FC - December 2017
Dan
London City FC - December 2017
So as you're about to see, I'm changing the update slightly, I still plan to run it month by month but instead of screenshotting every single match I'll just do a month overview instead. At the moment whilst we're in these lower leagues the stats aren't meaning a lot anyway and I just want to play the game rather than stopping so regularly to update which is taking its time. Anyway, into the festive December month, could we string a few good performances together here.
Again it was a month which featured more draws than wins, more defeats than wins and it'll start to cost us if we're not careful. We drew with newly promoted Dulwich Hamley, one all after taking the lead after just two minutes against Thewlis. We beat struggling Margate two one, a game we had to win. A strong late rallying draw against Maidstone saw us come from two down to draw two a piece, Street netting both goals. He then netted a hatrick against high flying Weston Super Mare as we lost out four three. A sour end to the month losing four nil to relegation threatened Whitehawk.
Still eighteenth and at the end of the calendar year we're on twenty four points from twenty three matches. We still need to find that 'brilliant' month from somewhere to boost our points tally a little bit. We are nine points above the drop zone so thats a comfortable margin at this stage of the season, just need to maintain beating the teams around us to ensure we stay up again this season. I still also want to beat our last seasons points tally of forty nine.
Next Update: London City FC - January 2018
Dan
London City FC - January 2018
A New Year and hopefully a new start for our club and the turning point to future success with any luck. Five games awaited us to kick off the new calendar year and I was just hoping we could get back among the points. I'm not sure here I'm going wrong at the moment, but hopefully a turning point is soon.
Well its a little better I guess, two wins a draw and two defeats to kick of 2018. Seven points from a possible fifteen on offer still isn't too bad for a side fighting against relegation as far as I'm concerned. The year started with a trip to Basingstoke where we claimed a two all draw. We led through Street but trailed two one at the break. Bennett netted to earn us a point. We then beat struggling Truro four two with Moli netting a hatrick. Two defeats against Welling and St Albans before we ended the month with a victory against Hungerford one nil, a late Josh Street goal grabbing us the points.
Still eighteenth, still nine points above Gosport and the drop zone. Safety is seeming more and more likely this season as we go by each month. But obviously until its mathmatically secure that we'll stay up we'll continue to fight. Still aiming to beat last seasons league position of nineteenth and points total of forty nine. However its likely to be tough now with us eighteen points off that tally with fourteen games left to play this season.
Next Update: London City FC - February 2018
Dan
London City FC - January 2018
Three months to go of competitive football until we can hopefully begin rebuilding the squad once again this summer coming. We've more news on coaching qualifications as well as the youth intake for another year. Not that they're even that good or important but I'll post them anyway. Four matches throughout February, four wins is a big ask...
Another course on the go. I'm now studying for my Continental B Licence. Only a couple more till I've bagged the lot of qualifications. Then I'll probably be the most qualified manager in the basement tier of English football. Hopefully my knowledge and qualifications will soon bring some better players in.
Probably not a lot to see again, Bewley could make something of these lower leagues and if any of these impress over the next couple of seasons they may get some game time in the senior squad. I will of course sign them all on once again and see what happens.
Four points from a possible twelve on offer throughout February, all in all not too bad once again. A goalless draw against Eastbourne Boro kicked the month off before we easily beat Hemel Hempstead three one. We then went on to lose two nil away at Maidenhead and then home to Sutton United.
Still eighteenth and still nine points clear of the drop zone, we do have a game in hand however so could ease ourselves a little further away from the drop and move us up to seventeenth with a draw. We've got two more months of football to play, ten matches left and still fourteen points short of my points tally last season.
Next Update: London City FC - March 2018
Dan
London City FC - March 2018
The penultimate month of the footballing calendar year was upon us and a real good month here could see us confirmed safe in this division for the following season. However it was unlikely the month was going to be that good. We had five matches to play and as each match has passed this season, its looking less and less likely that we'd beat our previous points total of forty nine.
The board decided to approached me with a new contract offer much earlier than last season. If I'm right they waited till the last couple weeks of my contract last year. So its nice to have penned a new deal already seeing me set to stay in charge next season.
Well again the month started quite brightly, unbeaten for the first three games of it as we grabbed a point away at Wealdstone, Deaking netting for us after just four minutes. We then held Chelmsford to a nil nil draw at home before beating high flying Hayes and Yeading one nil Okojie with that goal. But it turned sour with hard games against Hampton and Richmond, losing two one and Bath who we lost out to three nil.
Five games to go this season and we're now just seven points above the drop zone and Whiehawk who are trying to escape. We are relatively safe but not mathmatically just yet. We're nine points off last seasons points tally so thats still within reaching distance but I hope we can at least match it. We shall see what happens.
Next Update: London City FC - April 2018
Shedender
Dan
London City FC - March 2018
Here it is then, the final month of my second season in charge of London City FC and we have made next to no progress at this moment in time. As we go into the final five matches of the league season it looks like we're set to fall short of last seasons points tally but we could perhaps finish higher position wise. Its been a weird season thats for sure.
WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT IS THIS! Three league wins in a month! On paper it was perhaps the easiest month we've faced all season facing sides around us in the table, bar Dulwich Hamlet, but surely this would be enough to save ourselves. Kingstonian came to us and we beat them two one, Okojie and Guppy netting as we led two nil at the break. We then lost to struggling Gosport three one, who are fighting for survival and playoff chasing Dulwich Hamlet delivered a three one defeat on our final home game of the season. But we finished strongly away from home, beating Margate two one, Whisken and Moli netting then beating Truro one nil thanks to Josh Street, our top scorer this season.
Well, we ended up matching last seasons points tally of forty nine and improved our league position from nineteenth to sixteen this year around, so we have made minor progress and steps forward, finishing thirteen points clear of the drop. Comparing more stats to last season, we scored fifty one goals last year, and scored fifty one this year, strange, but conceded seventy two last year and just sixty eight this year.
Are there many/any people reading this at all? Enjoying it? I've made no progress in two seasons but its been a fun challenge and I'm happy to carry on with this if people are liking it...
Next Update: London City FC - Pre Season Round Up 2018
Shedender
Dan
London City FC - Pre Season Round Up 2018
A third summer in charge here at London City FC and a third season set for us in the Vanarama South, I'm not too concerned we're still in the basement tier, I originally targeted three to five seasons here until we finally began climbing the leagues, hopefully after this season we will begin to move. I've managed to keep the squad together this season and added some better quality players, hopefully we're stronger this year around. I want a mid table finish.
Pre season expectations are the same for the third season running, attempt to avoid relegation and lose the save if we were to drop out the lowest playable tier of English football. I'm targetting a mid table finish this year though, however didn't change that on my expectations. Reach the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. Good draws in both competitions and we could go further.
The players that have left this season are ones that either didn't want new deals or weren't good enough for the season ahead so I reduced the wage bill and got rid of these. I've bought in a couple new faces of which will provide stronger competition for the places on the pitch and hopefully give us a stronger side on the pitch this year.
Here is the squad I've got on paper for the season ahead, admittedly it still doesn't reap with quality that stands out but I'm hoping it should be strong enough to give us a better finish than we've had the previous two seasons. A couple players are on non contract deals and don't want to sign permanent deals. Gooch will remain our number one this season.
Our two strongest players according to the assistants ratings for the season ahead, both new faces to the squad this year too.
The best summer we've had on the pitch to date in this career, mainly because I focused on playing smaller sides and ensuring we picked up wins in them to carry through morale from this summer into the season it self. It wasn't about playing the bigger teams for money this year.
Next Update: London City FC - August 2018