Runcorn Linnets here we go. Tier 9 league

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Northwest Counties Football League tier 9

This is where my story begins with Runcorn Linnets

Runcorn Linnets FC

General information
Stadium Capacity 1600
Average crowd 200

Now to start.
Staff to start with
assistant manager
1 coach
1 scout
1 physio
minimum training facilities
Very poor youth team
No money for wages
No money for transfers

Season 1

1st thing I did was to clear out some **** players and staff.
I highered a good assistant manager to replace the one I sacked. That led to a decent coach and scout.

I then tried my luck, even though "0" 1st team coaches were advised. I pushed my luck and he was allowed to join my staff, I did the same for a youth coach and fitness coach. They were allowed to join the staff

So I ended up with a these staff
Assistant manager
Coach
Scout
Physio
1st team coach
Youth coach
Fitness coach

My first thing on the gender was to get more staff, I asked the board for some more coaches to work with. They refused "good start"
Played some friendlys, won some, lost some. I was not bothered, its only early.

I visited the board constantly for about 2 months. I need more staff. Eventually they allowed me 5 coaches and 5 scouts.

Runcorn Linnets were playing ok and I was constantly improving my squad with more and more players. I did not need to pay wages. The only downfall was, the good players left for better teams.

Anyway December arrived

My staff update was
Assistant manager
1st team coach
Youth coach
fitness coach
x5 coaches
x5 scouts

18 players in te 1st team
20 players in the reserve team
20 players in the youth team

Knocked out of the only cup competition.
but I was in the league playoffs.
Board was very happy at my position in the league - no worries there.

The new year brought a lot of surprises. My youth team was getting paid for playing some friendlys.
Clubs balance was about 15k.

After a few upsets, I was top of the league by 10 points, with 6 weeks remaining of the current season.
then my bubble burst. Lost my keeper, best keeper in the league, he went to Northampton town. 2 of my best defence got a contract with Chester city and Crewe. Lost 1 of my best midfield to another conference side and a striker to a 2nd division side. I managed to replace them by the end of the season. Finishing 23 point clear @ the top of the league. GOING UP.

SEASON 2 to follow.

 

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Season 2 - lots of changes

After season was finished, I decided to increase the player pool and get a large database. I added about 15 Europeon nation leagues for the new season. (These came active July). Computer preformance dropped slightly, but with more players to choose from, it was worth it.

I started with setting up friendles with championship team to get full crowd in the stadium, to increase my balance. Board offered me 2k wages and about 25k transfer, for the season. I dropped the transfer budget to £0 and increase the wage budget to 2.65k. I released lots of players, who were on 2/3 gold stars.

Friendlies were

Barnsley - 2nd July 2012 Lost 1-0
Coventry City - 6th July 2012 Lost 2-1
Crystal Palace - 10th July 2012 Lost 3-1
Millwall - 13th July 2012 Won 1-0
Watford - 16th July 2012 Won 2-1
Portsmouth - 20th July 2012 Lost 4-0
West Ham - 24th July 2012 Drew 2-2
Cardiff City - 28th July 2012

After the friendles had finished I had a balance of 120k - good start

Board wanted to know what I was aiming for I said to win the league - They increased the wages to 3k/0k transfer (I can alter for transfers if I wanted to)

I asked the board for more coaches - refused
I asked to do a trial day - surprise, surprise. They agreed. Trial team was going to player the under 18s. Trial team wasted 4-1. But 2 players surprised me, I signed them on youth contracts £5pw (pictures to follow)

I needed to make a decistion with the current players I had left. Several teams wanted some of my best players (4 players). So I signed them on 3yrs contracts £50pw. (pictures to follow) My aim was to keep the wages to a minimum.

First games came and went - after 10 games I was 7th. not to bad considering the media thought I was going to be relegated. (There is still time for this.) FA Trophy, knocked out in the 1st game by Witton Albion. Of all teams I had the winners. Northern cup did better, got knocked out in the 2nd round.

Changed the tactics to suit the players 4-1-2-2-1. I had a good run of 10 games undefeated 7 wins 3 draws. I started to bring the team together. Then disaster struck my main striker got a broken leg an was out for 6 months (Top goalscorer) I had no backup. I had the scouts combing the country for a replacement. One player caught my eye. He was from Denmark. Excellent stats - (Picture to follow) I was very surprised to get him. I had to break the wage barrier, I had set for myself of £75pw. he wanted £350pw. I was not going to give him that whatever his stats were. Agreed on £125pw for 3 yrs with a 25% wage rise if we won the league.

Christmas came and went. Jan 2013 I started to specialise the team for the formation I was playing. This time I made sure I had backup players for each position.

After going constantly on @ the board they gave me 8 Coaches, 10 Scout, 3 Physios. Wages was on about 1.2k pw. Transfer market shut. After 32 games I was on top of the league. Guaranteed a PO position 31pts clear of 5th place and 10pts clear of 2nd place. So I started to experiment with different formations, to be ready for the North Premier league. My team could not play some formations. Played 8 games won 1, lost 5 and drew 2. Dropped to 3rd place with 2 games left and 3pts behind leaders. Luck was on my side top team lost, I won. move to 2nd place joint top. My last game was against 5th place, top team was against 15th place. I thought I'm not going to win the league. Lost my temper with the team and drew my last game. For some unknown reason the top team lost. This made me champions. Amazing season. Lots of changes.

Season 3 to follow.