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#515580 Another shot at redemption.
r96
That's a shame. The international challenge was only a bonus part though, right? If so, as long as the Libertadores/CONCACAF CL stuff is still working correctly, then I'd say keep at it with this save. You could always potentially do a separate save for internationals in the future?
#515575 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
r96
Where next?
#515502 Sweet Silverware - Tottenham (FM19)
r96
Here's hoping you can secure Champions League qualification!
#515501 From Small Beginnings to Big Endings [FM19]
r96
Best of luck with the Young Lions!
#515415 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
#515357 Bring it all back to Blues
r96
#515353 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Indeed!
It was a job that simply wasn't working, definitely the least enjoyable job so far - and that says something given I was sacked by Basingstoke Town within six months!
#515298 2019/20 Premier League
r96
#515297 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Easily pleased.
For the fans, amid their incompetent board.
#515294 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Gonna get the boot on derby day... how fitting.
#515280 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
We're gonna win the league,
we're gonna win the league!
#515278 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
One month until I'm out of here, then.
#515115 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Ah man, I really wanted to progress and lose yet another cup final.
#515112 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
For the first time in my 12+ years playing Football Manager, perhaps I need to start downloading other people's tactics/using its presets - because, evidently, I don't have a clue.
#Relegation3, coming soon to a forum near you!
#514997 Another shot at redemption.
r96
#514996 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Just need to find some consistency!
#514914 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Admittedly the three defeats were to teams that finished above us last campaign, and only Larne ripped us a new one, but still...
Hopefully that was just a blip.
#514834 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Good times ahead in 2026/27?
I won't be holding my breath, but a pleasing start nevertheless.
#514781 Now I would walk 500 miles...
r96
#514780 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Cheers!
There have been ups and downs that's for sure, adds to the realism I guess.
#514730 Challenge 1 - Last At Christmas (well new years eve)
r96
Not a clue! In (marginal) fairness, Watford (who somehow survived) and Sheff Utd were within a few points of me for long periods.
Not many teams survive when bottom at Xmas in real life, so I'd say my experience was more realistic.
#514690 Challenge 1 - Last At Christmas (well new years eve)
r96
I recommend using https://www.online-calculator.com/ to add up my score.
#514644 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
I know, right...
win a trophyend a season well sooner or later!#514566 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Ballymena United (NIFL Premiership) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2025-26) Expectation(s): Top half
Overall Team #: 5 | Career Honours: 0
Fairly dull first few months with Ballymena United, by the end. Changes needed in 2026-27.
I only made one signing in the January market, signing young Harry Anderson on loan from Larne. He was very good, netting eight goals in ten starts. His Larne contract is ending soon, I've made a contract offer to retain him - hopefully we do, as top goalscorer Seamus Anderson is leaving when his contract expires. We need Harry. Colin Coyle also joined, but that was done by the club for our reserve squad. Only youngsters left.
Thank you for reading!
Next? January 2027! (hopefully)
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–:
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)
#514562 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
#514560 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Unfortunately we went five winless post-split, we were unlikely to get an automatic European spot anyway. This means...
#514539 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
We've made the top six after the split, which guarantees us at least a place in the end of season European play-offs - which four teams will play in (semi-finals, final), winner gets a UEFA Europa Conference League place for next season. Ballymena actually lost the play-off final last campaign.
#514476 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
On another day we stay up, just one of those things sadly.
At least I wont suffer relegation with Ballymena United... well, I hope not anyway!
#514474 The Fallen Giants -- A new century of history
r96
#514417 [FM20] Earth Trip
r96
Current Team: Ballymena United (NIFL Premiership) | Honours With Them: 0
This Season's (2025-26) Expectation(s): Top half
Overall Team #: 5 | Career Honours: 0
Real Life
Ballymena United were founded in 1934, following the liquidation of Ballymena FC at the conclusion of 1933-34. They are nicknamed the Sky Blues. The club has never won Northern Ireland's top division, though have finished 2nd on numerous occasions.
Ballymena hold European competition experience, qualifying for the UEFA Cup or UEFA Cup Winners' Cup five times between 1978 and 1990; more recently making the UEFA Intertoto Cup and UEFA Europa League in 2004 and 2017 respectively.
Despite no league title or continental title, Ballymena United have won the Irish Cup five times (six counting Ballymena FC's) and League Cup once, as well as other minor trophies like the County Antrim Shield (6). The club holds a strong rivalry with Coleraine. They play their football at the Ballymena Showgrounds in County Antrim.
In-Game
Now January 2026, Ballymena United are currently sitting 7th - we're expected to finish within the top six by the end of my first five months in charge. The race will only likely involve us, Glenavon (5th) and Cliftonville (6th) - we face them both once, as we play seven games before the split... including Cliftonville last. Ballymena have been eliminated from all three cup competitions, by: Warrenpoint Town (Irish Cup, R5), Larne (League Cup, QF) and Ards (County Antrim Shield, SF).
As for the years in-between since the save started and my arrival, Ballymena finished 2nd back in 2021-22 but haven't yet made that step upwards, though have won two more trophies: claiming the League Cup and County Antrim Shield double last season, defeating Larne and Glentoran to do so. Nothing has changed around the club, they still play at the Showgrounds for example.
Journey So Far!
Thank you for reading!
Next? May 2026! (hopefully)
Current Manager Profile:
Career Recap:
Job 001, 2019–2021:
Job 002, 2021:
Job 003, 2022–2024:
Job 004, 2024–2025:
Job 005, 2026–:
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)