From Rosey Posey to European Glory: A Bonnyrigg Rose FM Journey

[KWFM]

With the latest news and the now even longer wait till the next iteration of FM I thought it was only right to clear the deck, go back to the original database and start a fresh save. Something slightly different whilst keeping some of the home comforts. I’ve tried (and failed) many saves over the past 6 months, losing interest after a season or two and even having a laptop crash on me most recently. Now we’re back in the game and I’m looking to make this my most committed FM save to date! So here we go…

From Rosey Posey to European Glory: A Bonnyrigg Rose FM Journey

The Beginning of a Scottish Fairytale…

Welcome to my latest Football Manager save—one that starts in the small Scottish town of Bonnyrigg and (hopefully) ends under the bright lights of the Champions League final. I’ve taken over Bonnyrigg Rose FC, a semi-professional side in Scotland’s League 2. The goal? Take this humble club from mid-table obscurity to the top of European football. Ambitious? Absolutely. Impossible? Not in FM.

Meet the Club: Bonnyrigg Rose FC

Bonnyrigg Rose Football Club— "The Rosey Posey"—has been kicking about since 1881, but only recently made the jump to senior league football. Right now, we’re valued at a modest £148K, and our squad is made up of part-timers. Our fortress? New Dundas Park—a ground that holds 3,000 fans (86 seated ha) and boasts a pitch condition officially rated as "Very Poor." Perfect for tiki-taka, right?

Board and Fan Expectations: Don’t Get Relegated (and beat Newtongrange!)

The board isn’t setting the bar too high, which is fine by me. The main tasks for this season are:

• Stay within the wage budget (easier said than done)
• Grow the club’s reputation
• Finish mid-table in League 2
• Be somewhat competitive in the cups

Meanwhile, the fans want to see some defensive solidity, good set-pieces, and, most importantly, a win if we ever come up against our local rivals, Newtongrange. No pressure.

Squad Assessment: Diamonds in the Rough (and Some Deadwood)

After my first deep dive into the squad, it’s clear we have some talent, but also some… let’s say, financially questionable contracts.

Key players to build around:

• Kerr Young (CB) – Solid, dependable, and one of the leaders at the back.
• Cameron Forbes (CM, 17) – Young, exciting, and has the potential to be a club legend.
• Dean Watson (AM, 21) – Skillful playmaker, could be a difference-maker in attack.

But let’s be real—this squad isn’t built for long-term success yet. I’ll need to cut costs, bring in fresh legs, and figure out a tactical setup that plays to our strengths. A 4-3-3 sounds like a solid base to work from, but I do like the idea of creating some 3 at the back formations to help us a bit more defensively.

So What’s Next?

The transfer window. This is where the real work begins. Expect plenty of ins and outs as I look to fine-tune the squad before the season kicks off.

Stay tuned for the next update once the window slams shut. Will we find some hidden gems? Will I regret my decisions immediately? Only time will tell. Let’s get this journey started.

#FromRoseToRiches