OverlyHappyHobo
6 years ago
9 months ago
35
If you saw this series title and clicked the link expecting a run-of-the-mill Man United save with painfully defensive football and not many notable trophies (cough cough), you would be wrong on all three counts

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/WxjSPp6uPQO0iAmlDQe2doyAzar24bqCTVmruPkA.png

This is Fergus McShane. He is a 20-year-old former youth academy player trying to make his way in management. He is a former youth graduate of the Cliftonville academy, but a broken leg at 16 stunted his development. Two years later, he was playing Sunday League football in his native Belfast. He completed a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education but was unable to get a job after graduation. As a result, he was forced to enter the world of football management, hoping to reach the pinnacle of Northern Irish football.

"Join me, and your life will be filled with more long balls and tiki-taka than you could imagine"
DNZY
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
1,882
Premium
Love the Northern Irish leagues, will follow for sure!
OverlyHappyHobo
6 years ago
9 months ago
35
Thanks DNZY, appreciate it!

All right. I should probably update you on what's happening.

Only a couple of jobs in the top three tiers of Northern Irish football are available, but there are a host of clubs in the amateur leagues. I applied for four jobs accordingly.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ChN63McuApSYJT4AYO2zESl56an34HDM9aoMrMY9.png

A good balance of league clubs that I can build my rep at along with amateur clubs for a quick promotion to up my stock. Now to wait and see who comes back.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/udbw6JwfVo7N0JxF6vERD674yTR9OK0kOb4wtWHC.png
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MeqQQpGlbQ10sJtldkKZpDmMPvLEtYxUuynLMk8Q.png

Wow, that was quick. Seems like my rep is higher than I imagine. It's hard to say which job appeals to me more, but I guess that's what the interviews are for.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/sYJExXTEUbAPhn7aZhkiieKSV6dy6HUxAn6s7FuY.png
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/wDKX73OLIwsYovLnKv1b0T6G0dotz9uvS6u0pbDy.png

One is offering a non-existent wage budget to challenge for promotion from the third tier. The other is offering a decently sized budget to survive in the second tier. I think the decision is fairly obvious.
OverlyHappyHobo
6 years ago
9 months ago
35
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/VymOg2a7KwQeNpeKumr8lAn9Dm6IoNlPN2WvLS2v.png

My first job in management will be at Knockbreda FC in the second tier of Northern Irish football. A pretty high standard to start at, so let's hope that I can live up to it.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/1cQQgJcqKlXcxPEclMeWqaScTp1hPrdnTwy3KeRs.png

Originally founded as Knockbreda Parish, the club was founded in 1947, but was only admitted to the Northern Irish amateur leagues in 1989. Through a series of gradual promotions, they joined the Premier Intermediate League (the 3rd tier) in the 2009-10 season, before winning the title and promotion in 2012-13. Under the leadership of President Colin Russell, the club remains optimistic about staying in the division and dreaming of a first ever promotion to the top flight.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ztviJ3yVxcNqd74pWgFvd7ykvieKJXsp5liNUJxv.png

The squad is quite a solid one, with quality to boss the division below but one that might struggle in the 2nd tier. While the star ratings do make it look good, there is a lot of improvement left to be done.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/uzrxfYLeYXF0QoR7BvlJS9tyeXOXelmz2NhszzXk.png

The finances look similarly optimistic, with 300 pounds available to be spent. However, the club is predicted to go into serious loss by the end of the year, so maybe all that money isn't there to spend.

So that's the new club. Time to get settled in and run through pre-season.
OverlyHappyHobo
6 years ago
9 months ago
35
October 2017

If you're wondering why there isn't a September update, it's because the only thing of importance that happened was that I was rejected from the job at Boreham Wood without an interview. Wasn't a great month, but onto this one.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/sF7ZFlgWPRPgHXyD51meoDPABHcKtboNv8zMn9c1.png

Third time lucky? Desparation is gradually increasing over here.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Q9FWkIbzCEKc8cq5Nku6UUdqiPtLHSKm8Ahh492U.png

YES! Finally, a job offer. I did say I didn't want to begin in England but its mid-October and I'm desperate to get at least some work in. I will be the new manager of Chelmsford City!
OverlyHappyHobo
6 years ago
9 months ago
35
Just some screenshots from my first day at my new club.

Chelmsford City FC


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/CuNdQNviAAL7nAlQiultEppiefPU7cBMD28YZbkK.png
The first of many jobs on this journey.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Avk4sVD3aPNM77J6Tis1agkQWrHlbj4VWj97jO0u.png
The general background. Spent most of the noughties in the 7th tier, but has spent around a decade at this level.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/LbuICBWt8Ii9V7W6sZuLvGwrYXzUIpnVC74arFN7.png
The squad. Definitely good enough to be winning promotion, or at least challenging for the playoffs. Bit worrying that most of the stars are loanees though.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/2QCmkiAt2wzf6KoK3XqDsyRwDEfLy3NwC7mAYw5T.png
The finances are not massively comfortable, but I have some good leeway with the wage budget. Bit worrying how much red we might be in at the end of the season.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/otU7bCUE7ED4kZvA8KU9tdfGOUraV8wzVAtlm3kI.png
And finally, the reason I was brought in. A side meant to be challenging for promotion are barely staving off relegation. However, not all is lost, considering we remain just 7 points off a playoff place. This campaign could yet turn out to be a successful one.

For a first job in management, it's not terrible. I'm targeting a playoff push for season no.1, but I definitely want promotion by the end of next season.
OverlyHappyHobo
6 years ago
9 months ago
35
October 2017

Chelmsford City FC

An update on how the rest of the month went.

Fixtures:
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/7GH5yZgivWOzWCtfp02f4ungEM5u1TNeMwDkL5CN.png
I'm happy it wasn't a loss, but this game was a frustrating one. They took the lead with a quick finish within the opening minutes, and from there seemed to shut up shop completely. We were really knocking on the door throughout the game, and a red in the 21st minute should have vitalised us to come back and win the game. Although Oyenuga did equalise, we weren't able to break down their hard defence and ended up sharing the spoils. Frustrating.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ul4CkV5NJ8s6WUY9qdQFOBF5ikYncegnrq1eO2tq.png
That's more like it, a convincing victory in my first home game. They seemed to have more of the ball but we were far more dangerous with it, constantly looking for chances. Jonny Giles stood out today yet again with a goal, Oyenuga picked up his second in as many games and Danny Green converted a penalty for a convincing 3-0 win. To top it all off, they missed a consolation penalty late on, smashing it into the bar. A strong performance.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HH7SLA2NcO50UNnHRhwJ2CWjfkeusqVuzpjxNQR1.png
A 2-0 scoreline may suggest a comfortable victory, but this one was all about clinicality. In a shootout like this (38 shots in the game), it was all about the finishing ability of our men upfront. Lee Barnard started his first game for me and impressed by grabbing the opener, before young midfielder Wesley Fonguck scored late on to put the result beyond doubt. Another day, another 3 points.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Ta6KHlDhzhFgzAOMEesDtyZXJyJvL7BZUHNfIAPe.png
An unbeaten first three games, with strong performances in attack the focal point. We seem to be able to create loads of chances, which can only help us.

League Table:
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vDDYoEqlBjAZnMcqCfucZN3H3dWgtYzkHdLnNHXZ.png
The slow climb has begun, those points have taken us up to 14th in the league. With only 4 points between us and the playoffs, another month like this could leave us in a strong position come the transfer window.

General News:
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/qsoI94g2IIfWLyzjknmNHpiGYiwiHvtpYVOGtgNp.png
On the eve of my first game in charge, I asked the board to sponsor the first step of my coaching badges. Although they were reluctant, they eventually gave in and I will be studying for a National C License.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/LJJ1dsNKIlxt8PLXKcQJgO6GAb8kToz8sjkLDloZ.png
This also happened. I noticed we didn't have a senior affiliate, which is really important to get easy access to loans. I went and requested the board for one and convinced them to start looking.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/BE0h8aHsSxyRzrFObH4ryLB30Tsg6wCODWALqgG2.png
The resolution of that was that we announced a link with Bristol Rovers in League 1. This should allow us to get some easy access to quality loan signings.
OverlyHappyHobo
6 years ago
9 months ago
35
Quick storytime post.

I was in need of reinforcements within the defence, especially at left back where we were lacking in proper quality. I browsed the market and found a player who wanted to be a first teamer. Although his stats didn't look good, I thought his athletic ability must be able to help us out. Plus, he wants to be a first teamer, so he MUST be good, right? RIGHT?

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/dQ6fGKiMTY7qIGMqtILJsKw89kM04ZOztHtgXvkM.png
Lee Spires. All 76 kilos of him. Absolutely bad. Not even good enough to play for the division below. And I've got him on a big contract till the end of the season. Isn't that just lovely.

I'm not saying he won't play, but there's a reason I didn't include his name in the screenshot, because no one is going to remember it.

I'm a massive idiot.

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