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#536054 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Damn, look at that form...
...and yet, out of nowhere, League Two side Grimsby Town offer me an interview:
I didn't apply for it or anything. I obviously attended, though honestly wasn't too fussed either way - happy to stay, happy to go.
They came to me before the Billericay Town defeat, a fixture that was followed by a board meeting from my guys at Bradford City. They made me convince them that I'd win the next game, versus Bromley.
A few days short of that aforementioned match-up, Grimsby Town got back to me:
Let's go! I've finally made it to League Two, just not in the way I had imagined. A real shame that I couldn't get here with Bradford City, but given my play-off form there and recent results I couldn't turn this opportunity down.
With that said, Grimsby Town are not in a great position. They sit second bottom of League Two in 23rd, level on points with @Dan's Yeovil Town. York City are 6pts ahead, while Stockport County are stranded down the bottom by 8pts. There is still a lot of football to be played though, as we've literally just hit the halfway marker of twenty-three matches - and the January transfer market is just over a week away.
I'll do a more in-depth look at my new club shortly. Excited, though hopefully I wont suffer a third-career relegation!
#535953 Nordic nights & Scandinavian days
r96
I'm sure you'll miss relegation once more - wish you luck!
#535890 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Oops indeed. Quite the capitulation!
#535833 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
The scariest part - we didn't even go 'attacking' once, they literally just ripped us open for fun.
#535831 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Bradford City (English National League) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2031-32) Expectation(s): Reach play-offs
Overall Team #: 7 | Career Honours: 0
Frustrating times.
Despite taking the good performance from October's final fixture into wins over Sutton United and Gateshead, we've reverted back to being unable to play football - no matter who we play.
We drew with mid-table Ebbsfleet United, inexplicably got battered by a bang average Chester team before securing a (probably decent) point with then-second place Hereford. It all makes for annoying viewing, as none of our performances - barring the three straight wins - have made any sense whatsoever... we just aren't turning up consistently, I guess.
We do, for now anyway, remain in the play-off places. We're 7th, 7pts off 1st and 1pt clear of 8th. Practically in the same spot as this time a month ago.
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–2027:
Job 006, 2027–2028:
Job 007, 2029–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
With Khimik:
Club: 2024 Promotion (pic)
Personal: 2024 Manager of the Month, November (pic)
With Bradford City:
Personal: 2029 Manager of the Month, February (pic)
2029 Manager of the Month, October (pic)
#535752 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Bradford City (English National League) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2031-32) Expectation(s): Reach play-offs
Overall Team #: 7 | Career Honours: 0
Less said about October, the better.
We had a big downturn in form, which always arrives every season without fail as every man and his dog figures out the tactic at exactly the same time. I switched things up for the month's final fixture, versus Hemel Hempstead Town, and we miraculously remembered how to play football again which was nice - winning 4-0.
Before that we had lost to leaders Port Vale and promotion chasing Havant & Waterlooville, while tier six outfit Altrincham dumped us out of the FA Cup after scoring with their first three shots; despite languishing near relegation in the National League North. Elsewhere, struggling teams Maidstone United and Billericay Town held us to draws.
We remain in the play-off spots in 7th, 6pts off Port Vale and just 1pt ahead of Carlisle United.
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–2027:
Job 006, 2027–2028:
Job 007, 2029–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
With Khimik:
Club: 2024 Promotion (pic)
Personal: 2024 Manager of the Month, November (pic)
With Bradford City:
Personal: 2029 Manager of the Month, February (pic)
2029 Manager of the Month, October (pic)
#535607 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Bradford City (English National League) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2031-32) Expectation(s): Reach play-offs
Overall Team #: 7 | Career Honours: 0
September, just like August, was a pleasing month.
Just like last month, the period in question actually began on a negative note as recently promoted Blyth Spartans held us to a draw at Valley Parade - at least we showed fight with a late equaliser, not for the first time this campaign. We would go on to secure one-goal wins in four of the next five fixtures, namely versus Carlisle United, FC United of Manchester, Gainsborough Trinity and Bromley. The only bad result was a potentially costly 2-0 loss to promotion rivals Barnet.
We head into October sitting 3rd, 2pts off of undefeated leaders Port Vale who we actually take a trip to next time out; Barnet are the club that separate us.
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–2027:
Job 006, 2027–2028:
Job 007, 2029–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
With Khimik:
Club: 2024 Promotion (pic)
Personal: 2024 Manager of the Month, November (pic)
With Bradford City:
Personal: 2029 Manager of the Month, February (pic)
2029 Manager of the Month, October (pic)
#535523 The Barca Buffoon
r96
Sounds like a fun story, will be following!
#535489 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Bradford City (English National League) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2031-32) Expectation(s): Reach play-offs
Overall Team #: 7 | Career Honours: 0
Positive, if not perfect, signs early on.
Things began badly as Fleetwood Town defeated us our home soil, we did fight-back from 0-2 to 2-2 but they ended up scoring again in stoppage time. We recovered nicely, scoring seven goals in the next three games against Wrexham, Woking and Newport County. August concluded with a disappointing draw away to newly-promoted Chesham United, though in fairness they have begun their first season at this level relatively well.
We sit 4th after five fixtures, five points off early leaders Sutton United who have impressively won 5/5.
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–2027:
Job 006, 2027–2028:
Job 007, 2029–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
With Khimik:
Club: 2024 Promotion (pic)
Personal: 2024 Manager of the Month, November (pic)
With Bradford City:
Personal: 2029 Manager of the Month, February (pic)
2029 Manager of the Month, October (pic)
#535435 Nordic nights & Scandinavian days
r96
#535385 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Bradford City (English National League) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2031-32) Expectation(s): Reach play-offs
Overall Team #: 7 | Career Honours: 0
2031/32 is almost here. Pre-season for it went excellently, hopefully it's a precursor to some success.
Expected wins were secured over Upton AA, Caley Braves, Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Dumfries (10-0), which preceded the return of the Valley Parade Shield. Bolton Wanderers defended their title, defeating us in the final; we had beaten Juventus U23s, who finished 3rd by virtue of getting past Dutch outfit Excelsior.
Days later we drew with League One side Wycombe Wanderers, before beating National League North's Chorley 7-1 to wrap things up. Just two friendlies weren't won, both narrowly so against league opposition. Decent.
The media have predicted us to finish 3rd, while the board again would like play-off football.
I signed four new players in the off-season.
Experienced centre-back Alfie Jones arrives from Kilmarnock, while right winger Benjamin Harrold signs on a free transfer from Northampton Town. Gwyn Hunter-Wilson, a young attacking midfielder, joins on loan from Crewe Alexandra for squad depth.
The big signing is Lewis Richardson from FC United of Manchester, the striker notched double figures in each of the last four campaigns for them - hopefully he can transfer that form to us, he's started very well with eight goals in pre-season.
Anthony Scully (interestingly to FC United - a forward swap of sorts), Allen Fontaine, John Harris and Jay Kelly are the notable departures, among others.
Also during pre-season, I asked the board to get some affiliates going - both outward and inward. They agreed, subsequently teaming up with Southampton (Championship) and Skelmersdale United (NWCFL Premier).
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–2027:
Job 006, 2027–2028:
Job 007, 2029–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
With Khimik:
Club: 2024 Promotion (pic)
Personal: 2024 Manager of the Month, November (pic)
With Bradford City:
Personal: 2029 Manager of the Month, February (pic)
2029 Manager of the Month, October (pic)
#535305 Nordic nights & Scandinavian days
r96
Good luck on the final day!
#535269 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
It is frustrating, but what can we do? ... well, I could get promoted!
To quote Mr. Gerrard, we go again!
#535244 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
That's how the 2030/31 National League finished.
Stockport County secure a second consecutive promotion to return to the EFL; for the first time since 2010/11! Morecambe will join them in League Two, going up after just one season in non-league. Leaving this division are Guiseley, Burton Albion, Darlington and Kettering Town. Burton the big droppers, given they were in the Championship as (relatively) recently as 2017/18.
Joining us, Bradford City, from League Two will be Carlisle United and Port Vale. Carlisle only went up last season, while the next campaign will be Port Vale's first in non-league football since the very early 1900s.
As usual, four teams are coming up into the National League. From the North: Gainsborough Trinity and Blyth Spartans. From the south: Hemel Hempstead Town and Chesham United. Four surprise packages, it must be said - none of them, as far as I understand, have ever played in the fifth tier of English football... certainly not in the save at the very least. Whipping boys aplenty, perhaps?
Lastly, below the spoilers you can see all our awards et al. from this season.
#535149 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Great news: We won a penalty shoot-out!
The catch: We get knocked out by a penalty anyway.
Onto 2031/32!
#535144 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Next up, second place Morecambe away.
Bromley vs. Wrexham, who beat AFC Fylde, is the other encounter.
#535142 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Feared the worst when penalties were summoned. For obvious reasons, but also Déjà vu from last season's elimination.
Onward!
#535136 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
#535132 Nordic nights & Scandinavian days
r96
Unlucky with the RoPS interview, perhaps another time!
#535082 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Bradford City (English National League) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2030-31) Expectation(s): Reach play-offs
Overall Team #: 7 | Career Honours: 0
Play-off football secured!
We ended up reaching the board's expectations on the final day, thanks to a 3-0 victory over Maidstone United; who stayed up thanks to Guiseley's defeat to Woking. That was our only victory in the final four fixtures, though we did remain unbeaten to extend that streak to an impressive eleven matches - all those draws were actually crucial.
In all honesty, we probably don't deserve play-offs given our overall season form - shown by the fact I was literally moments away from the sack on two occasions. But... I will obviously take it.
We'll meet third place Havant & Waterlooville, who in my eyes deserved to be champions this season, in the first round of the play-offs - the same stage we were eliminated from last season. Wrexham and AFC Fylde face-off in the other fixture.
Lastly, in a massive show of faith, the board offered me a new contract... which I duly signed. Nice confidence booster ahead of the dreaded play-offs.
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–2027:
Job 006, 2027–2028:
Job 007, 2029–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
With Khimik:
Club: 2024 Promotion (pic)
Personal: 2024 Manager of the Month, November (pic)
With Bradford City:
Personal: 2029 Manager of the Month, February (pic)
2029 Manager of the Month, October (pic)
#535072 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
One. Game. To. Go.
Surely not even we can mess this up? We host 20th place Maidstone United, who still have survival to fight for, while FC United of Manchester will play Morecambe, who are vying for the title.
#534938 Now I would walk 500 miles...
r96
Bring on League Two!
#534908 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Bradford City (English National League) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2030-31) Expectation(s): Reach play-offs
Overall Team #: 7 | Career Honours: 0
That, eventually, turned into a rather pleasing run of matches.
It not only kept me in the job, but also reignited our play-off push as we've moved into 7th. FC United of Manchester, who were fighting for the title at one point, are just 1pt behind us. That Fleetwood Town loss was the only low, low point, as we got wins over Chester, Ebbsfleet United, Billericay Town and, crucially, Kettering Town.
There are just four more matches left to fulfil. We'll face relegation-threatened duo Newport County and Maidstone United, as well as promotion rivals Wrexham and Bromley; those two being back-to-back... a make-or-break period.
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–2027:
Job 006, 2027–2028:
Job 007, 2029–:
Awards/Trophies:
With Limerick:
Club: 2022 End of Season Play-offs (pic)
Personal: 2022 Manager of the Year (pic)
With Khimik:
Club: 2024 Promotion (pic)
Personal: 2024 Manager of the Month, November (pic)
With Bradford City:
Personal: 2029 Manager of the Month, February (pic)
2029 Manager of the Month, October (pic)
#534903 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
For the second time this season I've avoided the sack.
It wasn't a bad time to go five undefeated!
#534899 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Lads turning up!
All we need to do is avoid defeat at home to fourth bottom Kettering Town. I think we all know what's coming...
#534897 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
#534889 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
#534882 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
1pt secured, just 8pts more to go...
#534841 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Five games to save my job.
Must accumulate 9pts across games with FC United of Manchester (4th), Barnet (10th), Ebbsfleet United (13th), Billericay Town (6th) and Kettering Town (18th). Those positions are pretty meaningless, given we've been terrible against everyone recently.
Needless to say, I'm not confident.
#534836 The 'South' American Dream?
r96