A 'Bantam's' Broadcast

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Your local Bradford News

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Coral Windows Stadium​


The West Yorkshire club Bradford City F.C has today announced the appointment of young inexperienced manager Matthew Fage. Birmingham Born Fage has a great deal of pressure on his shoulders of the formally top flight side. ‘The Bantams’ formally known as ‘The Paraders’, have expectations of the team this season to make an instant return to "Coca Cola League 1".


The ‘Coral Windows Stadium’, formally known and still affectionately known by the fans as Valley Parade has seen anything but success in recent years and it is down to Fage to bring that back to the Bantam's faithful. With such a dominating stadium for the level of football Bradford City currently finds themselves in, this can provide huge support of a successful side, or devastating effects for a futile one. With some pundits and fans labeling the side a sleeping giant it is all up to Fage to fulfill this aspiration.

After relegation in 1922 from Division One, the club spent 77 years outside the top flight until promotion to the Premier League in 1999. City stayed up, with a then record low of 36 points, in the first season in the Premier League. Relegation followed the following season. Since then a series of financial crises have pushed the club to the brink of closure. The financial pressures have resulted in two more relegations to its current position in League Two.

When announced, as the Bantam's new boss Matthew Fage gave his thoughts of his appointment.

"It is a great feeling to get my break into professional football and I can't wait to get started. Looking at Bradford today they are a shadow of the team that I remember as a lad, which in my eyes isn't good enough. The squad I have inherited here from Stuart McCall is very depleted and will need new additions if we are to stand any chance of a direct return to League 1, however I know there aren't substantial funds to splash cash, free transfers and loans will be the main areas I pursue”.

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Michael Flynn

“I will be using the pre season period to experiment with the players that I currently have at my disposal to determine which areas I mainly need to strengthen. From the balance of the squad I will already be looking to strengthen in attack and defence”​


Rumors have sparked mass interest within the football community with one of the clubs fan sites quoting the new Bantam’s boss when talking to fans outside of the Coral Windows Stadium after his announcement.

“Being a man of many thoughts I am going to keep an analytic diary as a coach on the clubs progress including the playing squad, staff, finances, results and self reflection of my managerial performance. For you all to view and have your own thoughts on, I have agreed a partnership with the massively popular countrywide website www.fm-base.co.uk ;) to host my thoughts”.​



Depending on the time available I have to contribute to this story will depend on whether I give monthly updates or half season updates.
However each season will definitely include a Pre season update, January Transfer Window, and End Of Season Review. I hope you can follow my journey :)
 
Nice start, Enjoying the writting so far.

Off Topic

Do you have a background pack?
 
Thanks roonaldo, chrisstanleyy1987, and Kris ;)

to answer your question... i use the stadiums one. I like seeing the stadiums behind the team im viewing, gives each team a specific feel i think. why do you ask?
 
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Pre Season 09/10
​

I am the type of manager that isn’t concerned with results in friendly fixtures, I focus myself on adapting tactics to suit the team, and adding the right players to the existing squad to achieve my seasonal targets. A very positive pre season for the Bantam’s with many trips abroad and good performances have set the season up nicely. Collecting around half a million in revenue. An added bonus of no injuries to the current playing squad for the beginning of the new season has allowed the best preparation possible.


Transfers
From the existing Bradford squad I have decided to clear out the vast majority and bring in as many loans as possible due to the lack of funds for wages or transfers.
90% of the squad are out of contract at the end of the season, and I will be allowing them to talk to other clubs, with the hope of promotion. Michael Flynn, Simon Ramsden, and Luke O’Brien have been offered deals, as they are key members of the squad.
I have been extremely active in the transfer market despite the financial situation at the club, securing 9 loans and 4 free transfers.


Signings
The only transfers that were completed would be for players of a certain quality that could be obtained for the following season.
I am particularly looking forward to seeing Aaron Davies and Anton Jongsma in action to provide the team with a sharp attacking edge, so to Mamadou Seck to sure up the back line. The acquisition of Tommy Mooney was purely for experience and impact.

Loans
The full allocation of four long-term loans from England were used, a long with five long term loans from Scotland. I have exploited the rule of no limit on loaning players from foreign countries, however realise that they will all not be able to play in every game, due to regulations. All loans were secured as good will gestures from bigger clubs that wish to give their young talents regular football.

Sold/Loaned Out
There haven’t been too many leaving the club to date, however there are many on the transfer list with clubs interested. Hopefully by the end of the transfer window they will have moved on and further their careers. The likes of Peter Thorne, Chris Brandon, Michael Bolding, Matthew Clarke were all labelled as weak links and were first to be transfer listed.

Finances
Besides how active the club has been in the summer transfer window, only a small amount of money has been spent on signing on fees and wages. With the added help of financially positive friendly fixtures being arranged the club is in a fantastic position to star the season. In the Black with wages, transfer budget and overall club balance.


Squad
The squad that has been assembled for the current season in my opinion is of a decent quality, however I would rather not have the vast amount of loan players that may lack the passion that committed players display. With them all being young and hungry with the passion to play im sure it won’t be a problem.

Goalkeepers & Defenders
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Midfielders
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Forwards
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Presumed Starting XI
I am planning to keep my usual traditional style of a simple 4-4-2 and a controlling style, keeping possession with attacks focused around beating defences with roar pace.

Start on season
By avoiding many of the stronger teams in the first two months of the season there is hope for a strong and positive start to the season, although an anticipation of a very tough Christmas period.

I have decided that the next update will be the January Transfer Window, due to University work massively building up. Hope you enjoy the set up so far, any advice would be welcome, and criticisms will be severely dealt with XD.
 
wow hadnt seen this story untill nopw and im keen to follow :D i like storys , i think i might make 1 soon
 
Jamees said:
wow hadnt seen this story untill nopw and im keen to follow :D i like storys , i think i might make 1 soon
Click to expand...

I only started it last night, but the server didn't save or something so it got deleted. So i had to redo today. but its all done now, so its all good :)
 
A bit off topic sorry.
But i had bookmarked a tactic that i've downloaded from FMbase, but everytime i click on the link now it keeps taking me to this thread lol.

Also i can't find the tactic anywhere on the tactics page either now?

It is the Cuatro Tres Tres Tactic, this is the thread i have in my bookmarks.
20506791.jpg


When i click it, it bring's me here....
Anyone know the new place i can find the thread i am looking for? Thanks. :)
 
Instead of saying 'Off topic, what skin are you using' or saying anything not related to the story, why don't you PM him?

Anyway, Good Luck, I'm following ;)
 
Great Layout, don't usually comment on the stories but this looks good and bit different from the usual boring stuff. i WILL be following, good luck
 
Sorry for the late repliess... Thanks for your interest, much appreciated. I chose bradford because i remember going there years ago with my beloved Birmingham and thinking that i like how big the two stands are, and seeing them fall through the leagues is just terrible. So putting them back where they belong ^^)

05bolasj
The skin i am using is called Mitreous from FM Scout http://www.fmscout.com/i-824-Mizuiro-skin-for-FM-2010.html
caught my eye when browsing their site.
Its a very different layout than the original skin so takes a a bit to get used to. But i like it.

Barkermush
I havent got a clue! why you searching that page and getting this one :S i haven't created any tactic and put it on here so i really don't know. One of the mod's will be able to explain that to you better, as they know how the site works better than i do. sorry.

But ye thanks everyone for your support ;). Im only gonna do 3 updates a season, and have a fair amount of Uni work to do for the near future. And with the acquisition of Soul Silver Pokemon XD this had taken a back seat for a couple of days. But im gonna be playing it a bit today to try and get the January transfer in over the weekend.
 
End of January Transfer Window

The Bantam's Battle​


Matthew Fage the new manager of the recently relegated Bradford City FC has sparked a great attacking flair from his players in the first half of the season. The Bantam's fans and board had expectations of a quick return to the third tier of English football, however with a severe lack of funds and a below par squad the task was a tough one for the Bantam's boss.

With the summer acquisitions to Bradford City being made up from many loans and a few free transfers a lack of enthusiasm was shared amongst fans who rapidly lowered their expectations. The signings that were gained by Matthew Fage rapidly gained success on the field all feeling they had a point to prove. Placing Bradford in a great position to make a quick return to Coca Cola League 1.

The Results

From my personal opinion the start of the season has been a very successful one, i had limited resources and just tried to use the knowhow i had to gain useful loan players. Mainly from Scotland as their is no limit on the amount of players that can be loaned and used in games, this has become an invaluable resource.


The start of the season started off extremely well in League terms, going on a 19 game unbeaten run before falling to an embarrassing defeat to Darlington, who were rock bottom of the league with minimal points. Since this loss the team lost much needed confidence for success, developing problems away from home being unable to break teams down, where different tactics were then applied.
Our league home record fell to the impressive outfit of Shrewsbury town in a hard fought encounter where the Shrews just scored that vital goal that proved the difference at the final whistle.


All three cups that we were eligible for were disastrous in many forms, crashing out second game of the season in the first round of the Carling Cup to Nottingham Forest in front of a huge crowd at the Coral Windows stadium didn't go down well with the fans and could have proved massive in terms of team spirit, damaging our promotion hopes. It was urgent for this result to be rectified.
The JPT which we considered to be our main target for a cup run, however a distraction from our main target of the season and with a small squad is probably better for us to be out of it. An embarrassing defeat again, however smaller scoreline our local rivals Rotherham knocked us out in the second round on penalties after a 2-2 draw at the Don Valley stadium. This was after an impressive display against the formidable challenge of Notts County at home where we cruised to a 3-1 victory stating our intentions for the season.
The FA cup developed a similar story where we were well beaten by Walsall at the Beskot stadium.

League Table


With the league being very close up the top end of the table it is very much all to play for in terms of promotion. No one team absolutely excelling throughout the season and running away with the league. Just a fortunate turn of results allows my Bradford side to sit at the top at the current stage of the season. Anywhere in the top three will be a fantastic achievement from my players.

The Squad

The current playing squad has played massively better than i had thought to begin with, the appropriate tactics for a club of this level have applied and created a successful side. The likes of Simon Ramsden, Luke O'Brien, Michael Flynn, and Gareth Evans from the existing Bradford squad have performed fantastically. All of them playing regularly in the promotion battle.


The acquisitions of Anton Jongsma, Aaron Davies and Mamadou Seck have contributed to the teams success being the only new additions before the January window.
The latest additions are... Mark Burchill from Kilmarnock and Davide Enrico Somma from Leeds United for very minimal fees. Both out of favour at their former clubs and wanting to prove their worth in professional football, therefore fitting in well to the current set up.


End of Season Prediction/ Aim

I would like to remain in the top three by the end of the season to cement our place for promotion. With the squad i have at my disposal i wouldn't be surprised if we get out classed at times by the teams up and around us as they have squad with much further depth and experience at this level. If we can beat the teams below the promotion places we may stand a chance of staying where we are.


An end of season review will be updated as the next post for this story... i hope you are enjoying it so far. Im enjoying the challenge so far.
 
If I saw all them transfer at the start of the season? I'd say you would have a tough season, as they would need some time to gel. But looking at the results and the table you've had a good season so far.

Keep up the good work.
 
Ye i expected the same. I have only signed 6 players really...
Just a lot of loans to bulster up the squad.
Although a few of them play a big part in my first team.
Maybe it doesn't effect the team cohesion as much with loans, like it does with permanent signings?
 
First of all i would like to say how much i like the layout, its great. Actually i'm also managing Bradford at the time in the "journeyman challenge" so i'm really interested to see how you do. You've done great so far, and i think you can secure promotion without the biggest trouble.

For next season i would recommend you to look at the likes of Pedro Botelho, Dorian Dervitte, Kyle Bartley, Corry Evans and especially the explosive striker Fabien Brandy who's contracts expires in their respective clubs. The last named Brandy has been absolutely immense for my Bradford team scoring 40 goals in 50 apperances so far. At the moment he's the topscorer in the championsship with 15 goals in 17 apps. His stats don't look to impressive, but i can guarantee that he is the best i've ever had in lower league, even better than Kabamba Musasa in the former versions of fm. :P

Good luck, and keep up the good form.

Bantams for premier league!
 
Joe
Thanks for the support mate, appreciated

vkoppel
Thanks for the advice and support mate, will definitely look to the likes of those players to build my hopefully promoted side. I always look at the young players that get released from higher leagues they prove to be invaluable.
<) Bantams, Bantams, Bantamsss <) ;)
 
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