Simon McMorr - The Life

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Simon McMorr

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Simon McMorr - Chapter I

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"One Lemon Ice Tea, please" - I said as I sat down in the scorching heat of Hong Kong.
"God I hate this humidity... And the ****** mosquitoes!"

It was early June, 2014.

I have only just moved to this monstrous, busy city, after few years of trying to rebuild my life.
The financial crisis of 2008 hit me hard. It was like a slap in the face. Repeatedly. 1000 times.

I lost my job, my savings, everything but my sweet loving wife. She's my everything.

She offered we move to Tai Po, in Hong Kong, her parents will support us. Yes, she is Cantonese.
I was ashamed. When we got married I had money, cars, property. Now I was coming to her parents like a dog with tail between his legs, asking for a penny.
I have nothing.

I had no choice though, but to go, look for new life here.

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I was walking down the seaside, on my way back from the job agency.

"Sir, would you like to play with us? We need a goalkeeper?" Asked a little boy. He looks about 12.

When you live in Scotland, you forget how big football is all around the world, not just in Europe. Everyone loves it, everyone plays it, everyone knows about it.

"Sure, why not?" I replied.

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I ended up playing with some youngsters during weekends. Tagging along as a goalkeeper, advising them, coaching them. It helped me to take away my mind from fruitless job seeking.

I knew a thing or two back from the Sunday Football leagues in Scotland. I used to coach youngsters like them every weekend. More as a hobby than a job, but the kids loved it. And so did I.

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"You're good with the kids" - said a voice behind me.
"Yes... You just need to show them some faith. They are keen. Quick learners..." - I replied.
"Are you good with adults too?" - said the stranger.
"I wouldn't know. I never coached adults before"
"Excuse my manners, sir. My name is Cheung Hok Ming, but please call me Ming. I am the chairman of the local club. Tai Po Football Club"
"It's nice to meet you, Mr Cheung"
"Oh, please. Ming is just fine. Are you a busy man, Mr...?"
"McMorr. Simon McMorr. You can call me Simon"
"Ahh, an Englishman! English love football" - I could correct him here. I am Scottish.
"Yes... I come from Britain. I am not that busy these days. Actually, I am not busy at all..."
"How fortunate. Would you like a cup of tea, Mr Simon?"
"Sure, why not. A cold one, please. Ice Lemon, ideally. But let us finish the game first..."

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We didn't go to a restaurant or a coffee shop. We walked down the road to his office, inside the stadium
grounds.

"You see, Mr Simon. We are looking for a new coach... or as you call them, a Manager. Our most recent one left us recently."
"Oh..." - I replied.
"I will be honest with you. We are not rich, like your English clubs. All we have is a small bunch of dedicated people, who want to play. They want to be somebody!"
"And you'd like me to....?"
"Manage them, train them, fight with them against other clubs in Hong Kong"
"I could do that... but I need to find another job. I am jobless."
"I will pay you. We are a professional club."
"Oh... And you want me to manage them any way I like? Coach them, train them, use the tactics, any way I like?"
"Yes! You see, we haven't really got any philosophies. The players just want to play."
"Well Mr. Ming. I think you have just found yourself a new coach."

I thought: It might not be what I am used to in terms of employment, but let's give it a shot. Something might just come out of it.

Actually, it's more than that. It's a dream come true. Doesn't matter what club, the size, or where it's located.
Who wouldn't want to manage a football club!? As a job?!

"Just one little thing, Mr Ming." - I said as I poked my head back into the room.
"Yes, Simon?"
"I am Scottish."

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“This will not be easy” I thought to myself.
The team isn’t very strong. True, there are some truly dedicated guys around here, but we only just got promoted from a lower league.
This will be a fight to avoid the relegation drop. Winning anything just now is a dream, far, far away.
But we shall fight, like dogs. Eat the grass if need be. Cry from pain, be sick from tiredness.
But we shall not give up.

I have seen the boys in training, I know they are dedicated.
Joao Sales seems to be an absolutely quality for a club like this. Another Brazillian who was just not good enough for bigger dreams amongst all the other talents coming out from his country.
But it’s good for us, he’s a great guy, hopefully he can carry us and score a few good goals.


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Funnily enough, we need a goalkeeper. But I won’t do. I can’t really…
The guys we have on the team try hard, but they are just not good quite frankly.
I don’t want to disturb the club too much in the first season with too many charades, but we need to get a goalkeeper from somewhere.

I shall call Li. My scout. One and only.
He must find someone for me.

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Two days later I hear my mobile ringing.
“Wai?” – I answered in Cantonese.
“Boss, It’s Li. I got your goalkeeper!” – shouting my scout on the other end of the line.
“Li, that was quick, you’re a good guy. But is he any good?”
“Well… He is a bit of a strange guy, but he is very brave, and not afraid to come out and get that ball form getting in the goal.”
“Eccentric…” – I thought. “Ok, Li, let me have a look at him. Where will I find the guy?”
“His name is Hon Ho, he plays for the Eastern team.”
That’s good. I know their guy, we have a few players on loan from them. Let’s see if we can make a deal.


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I was impressed. The guy was a little older than our current keepers, which is good. He will bring some experience with him.
Li was right, the guy is quick, and his reflexes are pretty solid. Could be a little bit better in air, but I suppose he will do for now.
“Let’s get that deal done.” I said to Cristiano, his current manager.
"You do know that we only just signed him from your club last season?" - said Cristiano.
"No... I didn't know. You see, I am a new guy on the block, I guess still got a lot to learn."

Li, Li, Li... you could have mentioned that at least, so there's no surprises.
Anyway, it's a good thing, that means the goalkeeper knows the club. He knows us. He won't feel out of place.



I might just note at this point, that my experience running the lower league club is probably as big as the story characters, so there might be gaffs and silly mistakes made, but let's see where this gets me.

I wanted to do an FM story for some time now, and though I will finally give it a shot, trying out something new, which will make it ever more exciting :)
 
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“Boss…”
“Boss, wake up”.

I opened my eyes. I was having a nap after another busy afternoon out on the pitch. In front of me was Chon Man Ho, our Head Physio.

“Yes Man? What’s going on? Are you not on your way home yet?”
“I was going to but… Vincent has been eating street food again.”

Ehh… Our star winger. He’s Dutch. Still young. Still pretty stupid.

He’s keen on trying new things, he says that all the time. Must have been eating something strange again. Must be that stinky tofu they sell on streets.

“Is it bad?”
“Quite bad for food poisoning. He will miss tomorrow’s friendly game for sure”
“I guess we will just have to do without him then. But please. Can you tell him to stay away from these stands once the season kicks off? Tell him to eat something he’s used not. Tell him to eat something that will not glue him to the toilet seat.”

 
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Mate, I'm loving this already. I'm looking very forward to reading it! Great story so far!
 
Good stuff, well written. Also, I can't remember the last story I read from Hong Kong, so always nice to mix it up a bit! :D
 
Another hot evening. The last one before the real test starts. I need some Ice Lemon Tea.
The boys did well.
We all had to adjust, but they have taken on the new way of playing well. There’s still a long way to go in getting them comfortable with this passing play, but there’s definite progress.

And Ye Jia. Oh boy, if I only knew he was still this good. A veteran really, he’s only been chosen to play due to some injuries, but I might now need to reconsider him in the first team after such performances.
He seems really comfortable in that shadow striker position, not something he was used to, but he fits perfectly with our forwards.

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“Well done boys” – I said as we all entered the changing rooms.
“This was by far the highlight of our pre-season games. Four goals, out of nowhere. This is top drawer stuff for a pre-season game. I am very pleased.”
“Do you think we can beat the relegation zone, chief?” – asks one of the youngsters.
“Beat it? I’m sure we can! I tell you what. If you guys keep playing like you did today, we can achieve even more. Maybe not this year, maybe not next, but we can go places, we can be successful. It’s all in your hands boys!”
“Be ready this Saturday. The real test begins then.” I said on my way out.

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Our pre-season ends. We look good. We could do with couple more additions to the defense, but our financial situation is not in the best shape.
Mr Ming only just told me that he will need to retain further percentage of any player sales, to help with the costs of running the club. I have no hard feelings for him. He needs to make sure the business keeps running. I need to make sure we keep winning.
We will have to do with what we have.

 
It was a hot day. I was roasting. Man I really don’t like this humidity…
The stadium looked pretty empty. I’m sure we can accommodate close to 3,200 people.
There’s only 450 top here today.

We need to entertain. We need to show good football. Attract more kids, more folk to come and watch games. They all love their horse racing during the weekend. And gambling on them.
To **** with that. Who wants to watch running horses?
We need to give them new passion. Inspire them. Attract more fans.

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The game kicks off. The sun is scorching. Our pitch is a shambles. We need to relay it as soon as we get some cash.
I wave at some of the fans who came to support us. They are a good, loyal bunch. Let’s make them proud.

I begin to sit down, when folks on the stands behind me erupt.
“Goooaaallllll!!!”
What?! Are we loosing already? This is bad…
I look up to see one of my wingers celebrating. Jing Teng. He’s a good lad.
Turns out the lad managed the fastest goal, beating any previous league record. He scores within 1st​ minute.
This is a great start!

What can I say? I can’t hide the smile off my face for the rest of the game.
Man of the match?
Ye Jia. He just keeps impressing me.

 
I’m determined to give these guys the best I can, but I can’t handle all the coaching myself.
Plus, I don’t have the expertise.
Yes, I am an alright coach, but my expertise has always been tactics. I don’t know much of specialized training, such as goalkeeping, fitness, and aerobics.

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Players were not happy recently with the quality of training.
They complained at poor training facilities. Wish I was loaded, I’d build state of art facilities for them.
But we can’t afford it.
They wanted better fitness coaching. So I employed a new fitness coach. It will cost us, but I feel it’s important to invest money this way.
Now they want better ball control coaching.

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I’m starting to wonder why did I get myself into this. Yes, the results are brilliant so far, but I didn’t realize the extent of things I need to manage.
My father always laughed that world spins around money and bums, to put it nicely.
I’m starting to understand what he meant by that.


“Ohhh, look at yourself Simon. When did you become such a whiner? Get to grips with yourself and crack on with this job.” – I spit on the grass and I start to correct the defender’s positioning in their daily exercise regime.

We have 13 days till our next game. Let's be ready.
 
We dominated the game.
The boys did well in keeping the ball.
This was not an easy game.
It's never easy when you play away.
They gave their best.

How did we not score a winner is beyond me.
Or maybe not, I think I know why. Could it be that our key striker and two key midfielders got injured halfway through the game?

I didn't realise I would end up saying this one day, but there needs to be a crackdown on hard challenges.
"Did you give away your red card to your family during the Chinese New Year ?!" - I recall shouting at the referee during the game.
No booking after all these terrible fouls on our players.

Anyway... a draw is a draw. A point is better that no points. We are clear of relegation zone and that is the bare minimum we want to achieve.
But the next game is against a potential title challenger.

And we are ridden with injuries...
By the looks of it I have 6 guys out for at least 5 weeks, some maybe even longer.

 
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