On a quest to be the best. [FM15]

Now to win the playoffs...

Unlucky on missing out in top 2. Hopefully you can win the play-offs

Ooh unlucky to miss out 2nd place by 3 points

We'll see what happens Dan.

Yeah Tommo. missing out on the top two was a 'kick in the teeth' but I hope we can do well in the play-off's.

Cheers Johno, nothing we could have done though with Honefoss winning also on the final day.


It was that time of year again as the play-off's and potential promotion to the top flight of Norweigan football awaited one of four teams but could we finally do enough to get over the finishing line or would it be more heartbreak?


It's heartbreak once again in the first round as Alta eased to a 4-1 first round win on the road but when you're three goals down inside the opening seven minutes then you deserve to lose and remain in the second tier. Monir Benmoussa, Bjorn Helge Risse (2) and Havard Nome were all on target for the visitors while Eirik Ulland Andersen scored our consolation with sixteen minutes remaining.


Following our second first round play-off defeat in successive seasons I have decided to end my stint at Kristiansund as although the squad is good enough, well unless Jean Alassane Mendy remains fit forever, the inconsistency and poor (at times) back four will stop the club from actually getting promotion to play amongst Norway's 'elite' clubs.

What's next on the agenda? Do I remain in Norway or head to another country? Time will tell.


Since I have been in football management, I thought it would be appropriate to show you how my stats are looking and they're slowly progressing with youngster knowledge being the highest with eleven while working with youngsters doesn't seem to want to move and that's quite annoying.

As for the blue bars my media handling and managing finances are the highest while the rest remain solid enough but work can still be done to improve them, the worst stat of the lot is my hands on approach as that's only on 25%, work needs done on that, same as loyalty to players but they'll improve....I hope.

Not again! haha so unlucky!! Where to now? join me in England!!

Just haven't had any luck in the play-off's Dan, one day that'll change though I'm sure.


Since stepping down from the post at Kristiansund BK in Norway I signed on the 'dole' and waited patiently for my next step in football manager as I decided that I would leave Norway for the foreseeable future, returning one day when I've more experience under my belt. After weighing up my options I decided that Scotland would be my next step but who would I manage?


Pre season league favourites Clyde had sacked their manage with the club struggling in the Scottish League 2 much to my surprise as they don't have the worst squad available although it could be stronger, as soon as I saw the post available I decided to jump and apply for it as they aren't a terrible club and could easily win the league.


They have approached me and now a challenge in the beautiful country of Scotland awaits me and truth be told, I can't wait to get started but not until I buy a large supply of diet Irn Bru. Due to the poor start the club have made to the season, the minimum expectation is now to reach the promotion play-off's and I do think that's achievable.

In return for the expectations, I have a transfer budget of twenty three thousand pound although I doubt I'd even need to use that and a wage budget of just over four thousand pound, just like my previous two jobs I haven't agreed to any philosophies or any board requests.


And that's the reason why Clyde sacked their previous gaffer, the league favourites are lying down in eighth place out of a possible ten with only three wins from their opening thirteen games, four draws and six defeats while they've only scored fifteen times and conceded twenty but I'm confident I'm the chap who can turn this around but it won't be easy.

Well, the expectations are heaped on you here, but you seem to be a succes in scotland before so hopefully thisll be the same!

Shame to see you ended your stay in Norway. Good luck in Scotland

Looks like you've got yourself a good situation where you can win a couple of titles before it's all over. Have a good half-season and then put your mark on the club

Yes Dan, I was a success before in Scotland but that was because I was managing Rangers and they're one of the biggest club in Scotland, Clyde will be different but confident we can secure at least a play-off spot come the end of the season.

Couldn't be bothered remaining in Norway Johno for the time being but I will need to return in the future.

That's what I am hoping will happen simoncoyne, seven trophies are available in the country - four leagues and three cups so it'll take a while to chalk them off (unless I can manage a 'big' team that isn't C*ltic.


After arriving at Broadwood I had no proper time to evaluate the squad ahead of my first game in charge which will be against Albion Rovers and I will be 'unveiled' to the fans before the game. As per the norm, I will trying to utilise a 4231 formation as I don't know how to 'play' any other one.


It would be a great start to life at Clyde as we'd go on to defeat Albion Rovers four two at Broadwood. Central midfielder's David Gray and Sam Birch both scored in the first half while striker Scott McManus added two second half goals to seal victory, the only downside was conceding two goals, much to my annoyance.

We were then involved in an eight goal thriller away to Annan, picking up a five three win in the process as Scott McManus scored our first goal of the game from the penalty spot and then Scott Ferguson and Gary Graham added further first half goals. David Sinclair struck home our fourth on the road on fifty two minute and then Ferguson's second on sixty nine minutes was our fifth and final goal, once again it was poor to see us concede three goals.

My second home game at Clyde would see us deservedly lose at home to league leaders East Fife who won 2-0 at Broadwood.

On Boxing Day we welcomed Elgin City to Broadwood and defeated them two one as central defender Ryan Frances and central midfielder David Sinclair were on target as we returned to winning ways.

The year came to an end with a shocking five one away defeat against Forfar Athletic, on-loan Matty Smith scored our consolation goal on eighty three minutes, we barely even deserved a goal, we were shocking. I'm hoping for a better start to the New Year.


We will be heading into twenty eighteen in sixth place which isn't acceptable as the side are still severaly underachieving this season and we'll do well to even secure the (now minimum) play-off spot that is required from the board. They have won six games this season from a possible eighteen, scoring only twenty seven times and conceding thirty three.

But, it could be worse, we could be Montrose who are propping up League Two heading in the New Year.

Done well to get close to play-off spots despite two losses there

Good luck with this Shedender done well to get near to the playoffs

Two points off the playoffs with half the season to go - you *should* make that up easily.

9 points from five matches after the team had 13 points from 13 before you got there; I'd say you're making a positive impact.

Indeed Tommo, but still a long way to go, would have been nice if we'd beat East Fife though.

Cheers Jamie3, good to see you're back around the careers scene.

See, we should make the play-off's 'easily' simoncoyne but then again, we're always due to hit some inconsistent form so I wouldn't be surprised as the squad needs to be strengthened for next season as I detest relying on loan signings. I have made a positive impact but I also wouldn't mind the odd clean sheet here and there..


It was time to enter the New Year here at Clyde and my New Years 'resolution' was to hopefully find some consistent form as we looked to secure a play-off spot come the end of the season but it's not the be all end all as I'm sure the pressure isn't on me as I only arrived around mid-season but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.


2018 kicked off with a hard fought single goal win over struggling East Stirlingshire as the on-loan Matty Smith struck the winning goal after only thirteen minutes.

Just four days later we made the trip to Gayfield Park to take on Arbroath and despite two goals from Matty Smith, giving us a 2-0 lead inside the opening twelve minutes, we then completely collapsed on the road and ended up losing 7-2, I've no idea how that happened but it's completely unacceptable.

We did bounce back though with a 3-1 win at basement club Montrose - Matty Smith, Scott Ferguson and Scott McManus all on target in the first half.

One week later we welcomed Berwick to our Broadwood home as we defeated them four one to record back to back victories as Matty Smith and Ryan Frances both struck in the first half while Scott McManus and David Sinclair added further goals in the second half to seal a 'big' home success.

January did end up with a four two defeat away to Albion Rovers and I was indeed disappointed with the result. On-loan Matty Smith continued his fine form this month with his sixth goal in five games while Scott Ferguson struck a second Clyde goal in second half stoppage time.


Those two disappointing defeats have stopped us from heading into the play-off's at the moment as we are just two points behind Berwick Rangers who occupy the final spot and ten points behind Forfar. It would be stupid if we didn't rule out the league this season as we are a staggering twenty three
points behind the leaders East Fife.

If I'm being honest, I'd rather miss out on the play-off's and target the league next season but we'll see.

East Fife are having a brilliant season it seems so far! Keep it going mate you should seal a promotion spot if you can get it, if not as you said last update, you can target the league next year

They are indeed having a blinder Dan and look odds on to secure the title bar a collapse, the minimum I and the board want is the play-off spot but I wouldn't be too upset if we ended up finishing fifth in the table come the end. I've actually made signings ahead of next season, whether they'll be good enough remains to be seen.


The second month of twenty eighteen turned out to be a short month as only four games were played as we looked to move into a play-off space come the end of the month with only nine or so league games remaining.


A home fixture with Annan began the second month of twenty eighteen as we recorded a four one victory with the majority of our goals arriving in the second period. On loan Matty Smith struck twice after fourteen and fifty five minutes while Sam Birch fired home on sixty four and then Scott McManus added the fourth with four minutes left.

Four days later a trip to leaders East Fife awaited us as Clyde came out on top of a five goal thriller, three two, much to my delight. Our three goals arrived in the second half as Scott Ferguson, David Sinclair and Scott McManus all struck at Bayview.

The excellent form this month continued as we made three wins from three as we got some revenge for that 5-1 drubbing dished out by Falkirk as we beat them 3-1 at home. Scott McManus scored twice from two penalty kicks while our third goal was an own goal on sixty six minutes through the unfortunate Gerry McLauchlan.

February concluded with an eight goal thriller at Elgin City as the points were shared in a four four draw. Matty Smith scored twice (once in either half), Paul King struck early in the second half and Scott McManus fired home his third penalty in just two games this month but we couldn't win but I'm happy with the comeback as we did trail 3-0 iirc.


Because we're just unable to keep a clean sheet (minus the 1-0 home win over East Stirlingshire) we have failed to move into the final play-off spot as we've a minus 1 goal difference compared to Berwick's plus 5 goal difference. Our win over East Fife earlier in the month was just their second of the season, shows how strong they've been.


The final piece of news this month is that I've finally completed my National A Licence but my word, it seemed to take forever and really thought it would never be completed. Just as previous coaching badges, I was urged on and encouraged by other staff members to complete and get the licence that I need if I'm to get further in football management.

Due to me completing the final National course, I'm now "eligible" to go for the Continental Licences although I doubt Clyde would be willing to pay for one, at least yet and not for a few years although circumstances could change and they could be willing.

Just nine games were remaining of the twenty seventeen twenty eighteen campaign as we look to secure the minimum of a play-off spot, which, if we can get lucky in some games and the teams above us both drop points then it's likely. Four games awaited us in March, two at home and two on the road.


Our first game of the month was at home to Arbroath and we suffered a disappointing three one defeat as our only goal was scored by left winger Paul Orrick after twenty four minutes.

It was then a ten goal thriller in our away game at East Stirlingshire, winning six four in a game that would be remembered by Sam Birch who struck a hat trick while Matty Smith, Scott Ferguson and Brian McQueen were also on target against the struggler's.

We then moved into the play-off spots after the penultimate game of the game as we beat Berwick Rangers three one - Paul Orrick, Scott McManus and a Jonathan Fairbairn own sealed sealed a huge home win.

A home clash against basement boys Montrose and it finished in a two all draw but it was disappointing as we squandered a two goal lead as goals from loanee's Sam Birch and Matty Smith saw us 2-0 up at half time but we conceded twice in the second half and that's a frustrating result which is the type of result that'll cost us a play-off spot.


So we find ourselves in the play-off spots with just five league games remaining and we're now a point ahead of Berwick who have slipped down to fifth place. The problem this season isn't the goal scoring as we've netted sixty five goals in the league but we're conceding a load of goals as well - sixty four in the league isn't good enough for who were predicted to win the league pre season.

The pressure was on now, just five league games were remaining as we looked to secure a play-off spot which was the absolute minimum the board wanted when I arrived at the club back in December, four games were played in April and one at the very beginning of May that I've decided to put into this update too.


A nine goal thriller at home to Albion Rovers started the month of April as we won five four in a game that will be remembered by on-loan Dundee United striker as he struck all five goals for us at the Broadwood Stadium, he'll be missed if/when he leaves after his loan deal.

It was then an eight goal thriller away to Annan as we secured a five three win as both Gary Graham and Graham Webster struck twice on the road while the other goal came on twenty minutes from left back Euan Murray, again we failed to keep a clean sheet.

We then hosted league leaders East Fife and we eased to a well deserved three nil victory in a game that secured our place in the play-off's. Matty Smith broke the deadlock after only two minutes before we added two more goals in the second half through Euan Murray and Scott Ferguson.

The penultimate game of the season was a trip to Forfar as we recorded a hard fought 2-1 away win as we had a two goal half time lead through Scott Ferguson and Matty Smith but we couldn't keep back to back clean sheets for the first time at the club as we conceded in the second period.

The league season concluded with a 'pointless' home game against Elgin City who won four one, our goal arrived from loanee Matty Smith sixteen minutes from time.


Against all the odds, Arbroath have pinched the league title on the final day of the season as long time leaders East Fife will head into the play-off's along with Forfar and ourselves while Montrose will be in the relegation play-off against Cove Rangers, a tough enough game for the basement club.

It was time for the semi final of the play-off's and we were drawn out to an East Fife side who lost the league title on the final day of the season so I knew it wouldn't be an easy two legs but I had the side confident as we've beaten them before in the league, how would we fare over two legs, could we advance or would it be more "Shedender" heartbreak in the play-off's?


Everything went to plan in the first leg against East Fife at Broadwood as we recorded a hard fought but perhaps well deserved three one victory against the league runners-up. Full back Euan Murray broke the deadlock on thirty three minutes before loanee Sam Birch, who won't be returning next season, made it two before half time.

The "fifers" pulled a goal back on the hour mark through a Ross King strike but Scott McManus made it 3-1 just before stoppage time.

I'm sure almost everyone knows the return leg at Bayview is going to be a tough one but with a 3-1 advantage, it's our play-off to lose in 'four' days time. Could we seal a place in the final against either Forfar or second bottom of League 1 Queens Park or would the heartbreak continue in a different country?


We needed a late comeback and a draw at Bayview to seal our place in the final because goals from Kevin Smith and Ross Brown saw East Fife lead the second leg 2-0 and square the game up at 3-3 on aggregate but goals from David Sinclair and Matty Smith inside the final ten minutes sealed our place in the final.

We will be playing Forfar over two legs after they saw off Queens Park.

The time was upon us, one team and two legs of football was separating us from League One and promotion or failure in the promotion picture and remaining in League Two next season which I suppose wouldn't be the be all and end all. Our opponents Forfar saw off second bottom League One club and amateurs Queens Park while we beat East Fife 5-3 on aggregate.


So we headed to Station Park for the first leg of the play-off final and suffered a disappointing two one defeat as just like the second leg against East Fife at Bayview, we fell 2-0 behind at half time as Craig Smith and Craig Donaldson struck. Centre back Ryan Frances pulled a goal back for ourselves five minutes into the second half but we couldn't get at least level.

It all came down to the second leg, could we turn the game around and secure promotion?


You bet we did. A sensational night at Broadwood saw us win the second leg 3-1 and thus win 4-3 on aggregate and secure promotion to League One and I honestly didn't expect it. The night started brilliantly (for us anyway) when Craig Burns put through his own net inside the opening minute but Craig Smith equalised on the night to regain Forfar's advantage on aggregate.

It set us back and at half time we needed to 'regroup' and ten minutes into the second half Matty Smith, in what'll be his last appearance for the club put us two one up and then Scott McManus' goal on sixty one minutes was enough to see us win on the night, on aggregate and secure an 'unlikely' promotion as we needed to turn a first leg deficit.


Done. The first step in Scottish Football has been completed (if I choose to accept it as a 'won' league) but the one thing that we have won is promotion to League 1 and I couldn't be happier as we had four tough play-off games and after losing both play-off games in the first round at Kristiansund, I am chuffed to have secured promotion.

Cheers, Shedender! Good luck in League 1.

Congrats on your promotion

Well done on the first of what I expect to be several promotions with Clyde

well done Promotion Shedender

Cheers Gendo, it's going to be tough in League 1 that's for sure.

Cheers Johno.

Thanks for the comment Dan, first of several promotions? Don't think so, I just want to avoid the drop this season.

Cheers Jamie3.


Following our play-off victory over Forfar last month, it was time to build the squad ahead of the challenge of League 1 football as I expect next season to be extremely tough as we're predicted to finish down in ninth. A lot of signings will need to be made as the majority of last seasons squad who aren't good enough aren't getting their contracts renewed,


There is zero pressure on us this season as the minimum expectation from the board is to avoid automatic relegation and I believe that's possible depending on how much talent I'm able to get in this summer and yes, it will be an extremely busy transfer window so you need to brace yourselves here. You've been warned.

We haven't been given a transfer budget which is slightly disappointing but have got a good wage budget and that'll be helpful as I've already agreed to bring in an absolute extraordinary amount of players on pre-contracts but they will be announced in the next update.


Just four games have been announced so far in our pre season program with two being at home and two on the road. Our two home games will be against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County while we'll be on the road to Elgin City and Armadale Thistle, I'm not sure on how pre season will get on with all the new signings.

With an eleven day break between the Ross County and Elgin friendlies, I may add another two or three in between.

As my first full pre season at Clyde embarked and with promotion to League 1 secured I decided that my assistant manager Bob Malcolm needed to organise friendlies which he did and take charge of them which he'll do as I needed to spend quite a while in the transfer market and on the training ground to train the new players to my tactics with the rest of the coaching team.


I did state that it would be a busy summer at Broadwood and no less than SEVENTEEN players have arrived this summer and I expect them all to play at least some part of the season as we look for survival in League 1.

The first six signings all arrived on June 11 after agreeing pre-contracts from fellow Scottish clubs while two joined from 'unattached' - central defender Michael Travis, central midfielder Kris Faulds, striker Liam McLaughlin, right back Jack Cook who was here last season on loan, goalkeeper Dylan Rooney and left winger Stephen Day all joined from Arbroath, Stenhousemuir, St. Mirren, Livingston and 'unattached' respectively.

We then completed deals to sign attacking midfielder Connor Pring from Brighton, defender Aaron Cunningham from Hartlepool, defender Joe McNulty from Bristol City, midfielder's Levi Sutton and Elija Chilekwa from Scunthorpe and Bristol City, defender Kyle Hempshall arrived from Mansfield, right back Tom Ashton came from Port Vale, strikers Kyle Bailey and Alex Jackson arrived from both Leicester and Port Vale, central midfielder Ben Fox from Burton and finally left back Anthony Breslin from Wolves.

Seven players also departed the club as well as last season loanees, they shouldn't be missed.


Despite all the changes off the field with the insane amount of signings I had made (that I hope we don't regret), it was a mixed but promising pre season on the field as we didn't lose a game, winning four and drawing three from the seven that ended up being arranged. The side beat Inverness, Ross County, East Kilbride and Armadale Thistle while drawing with Ashfield, Clydebank and Elgin City.

And I thought my transfer windows were busy! Superb friendlies though it'll put you right in contention this season

17 players in is incredible I suppose the fact that they doubled your wage budget encouraged that!

Decent preseason, good look for League 1

Needs must Dan, if I had kept the current squad then we would've got tanked week in and week out, now at least I've got some chance of survival if the team gels quickly.

The funny thing is though KEZ, I just went crazy signing some quality players (for the level we're at) on pre-contracts that I completely lost count but c'est le vie, I hope they're good enough and gel quickly enough to save our bacon in League 1. Pre season or not, I was very disappointed with the draws at Ashfield and Clydebank.


With an extremely busy transfer window behind us and a decent, if not unspectacular pre season behind us, it was time for the competitive football to begin and just like in the Championship/League 1/League 2 the season began with the first round of the Challenge Cup and we were drawn at home to League 1 'rivals' Stranraer while we also faced league 'rivals' Alloa in the same round of the League Cup.

Our league campaign kicked off with a tough trip to Stranraer.


My first Challenge Cup game in Scotland saw us beat Stranraer 4-2 at Broadwood Stadium in a game that saw us almost have a full squad of debutents due to our busy transfer window but they seemed to gel as Stephen Day, Kris Faulds and Liam McLaughlin (2) all got on the scoresheet, our 'reward' was a second round trip to Championship favourites Hibernian, some reward.

Our first game in August was the League Cup first round tie at Broadwood against Alloa and we defeated them three one as for the second game running Stephen Day struck our first goal of the game on thirty two minutes while late strikes from Scott Ferguson and a Kris Faulds penalty sealed a second round trip to Premiership Kilmarnock.

The league season began on the road to Stranraer and we left Stair Park with a three one victory as attacking midfielder Connor Pring struck our first League 1 goal of the season on thirty six minutes, Michael Travis scored three minutes into the second half and then Stephen Day sealed the points with the game entering stoppage time.

Our hopes in the Challenge Cup ended as Hibernian eased to a five one victory at Easter Road, Liam McLaughlin scoring our consolation goal with sixteen minutes left.

We made it back to back league wins as Stirling were beaten two one, Alex Jackson and Scott Ferguson the scorers.

Seven days later saw us make the journey to Alloa and they got full revenge for the League Cup defeat, winning five one despite Paul Cowie giving us a seventeen minute lead, I was furious that we capitulated on the road and we better bounce back in the league or this could be a long, long season despite a promising start.

Kilmarnock away would conclude the month of August as we would slip to an expected defeat, losing 3-1. Levi Smith scored our goal, which we perhaps didn't fully deserve with nine minutes remaining, I didn't expect us to beat the Premiership side, especially away from home, would have been 'unrealistic'.


It's still been a promising start to the League 1 season minus that 5-1 drubbing at Alloa although they are expected to finish second in the league and ourselves ninth. It's been a terrible start for both Stenhousemuir and Stranraer but I need to concentrate on my own 'charges' and hope they don't go on a massive losing streak now.


Much to my delight and surprise, Clyde are going to be paying nine hundred and sixty pounds for a course that will see me, if successful, gain my Continental C Licence and I feel that's really needed if I'm ever going to make it "bigger" in football management in the future and win more trophies at bigger clubs, no disrespect to Clyde.

I think we've all done that before. I know I have! July 1st rolls around and then all these new players keep coming, and they don't stop!

Better head to the shops to get some more name tags...