The Football Managing Mercenary

[PatrickLFC]

What a month! Finishing inside the top 10 would be great progress

 

[Brane_Orsou]

Mid table would be great and the team are really coming along. Your transfer dealings are reaping rewards and here's hoping they continue to progress and push you and the team on next season, assuming you're not offered a more "lucrative" challenge.(H)

 

[DerbyJack]

Cheers Patrick, Top ten would be a huge step from the relegation dog-fight of last season.

Cheers Neavie Pops. First time my early young signings have actually paid off to be honest. Fingers crossed for a step into the Football League!

---

April 2018

2nd April 2018
Vanarama National League

Our superb form from the previous month makes a brief appearance in the final one of the season as we ease our way to a two goal victory over Chelmsford. The performance suggested that the boys were set to continue this superb run of games towards the end of the season but it soon went south...


7th April 2018
Vanarama National League

...A promotion chasing Telford make no mistake with their seasons hopes being poised in the balance in these final few games as they make up for an early goal in style eventually cruising their way to a three goal lead with Telfords boys controlling the majority of the game in style. Despite the result our earlier form did see me gain some early attention...

14th April 2018
Vanarama National League

It seemed the loss and the end of the clubs unbeaten streak knocked the boys for six as they look to end the season early by not showing up against Halifax in the penultimate game of the season. A poor first half showing was compounded by a sloppy own goal and a late finish to rub salt into the wound, hardly the best way to impress my potential employers...

28th April 2018
Vanarama National League

Having been told in no uncertain terms that their efforts in the previous game were not acceptable the boys at least make a game of the final fixture of the season as the force a draw against Maidstone. As one of the oldest men on the field Will Hatfield has been crucial to the clubs efforts and a fine solo strike see's us end a promising season with our heads held high.


April 2018
Vanarama National League

Despite the late wobble the season has been a huge stride forward for both myself and the club as we establish ourselves in the safety of mid-table in the Vanarama National League. With some early attention from League Two clubs and my reputation slowly on the rise things are looking up. This is different. I like it.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

From the bottom of the table to the middle, if we continue at this rate an early trophy us sure to be ours right?

Whilst I'm dreaming of silverware, for three mean it is an every day reality...

​

[TABLE="class: cms_table_cms_table_cms_table_cms_table, width: 800, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Carlo Ancelotti[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Jose Mourinhio[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Diego Simeone[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Bayern Munich[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Manchester United[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Atletico Madrid[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]£250,000 per week[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]£230,000 per week[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]£180,000 per week[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Following the massive departure of Pep, the top three finally solidify their status with the trio managing to survive another hectic season.

For Carlo and Bayern, the Bundesliga title was once again locked away inside the trophy room at the Allianz Arena, with the club's only disappointment coming in the shape of a final defeat in the Champions League courtesy of his close rival, Jose Mourinhio.

Whilst Carlo and Jose bathed in the adoration of their fans, for Diego Simeone his Atletico side were left frustrated in Spain. A failed European run and a disappointing domestic campaign saw the Argentinian forced to settle for just the Supercopa as he looks to keep the pressure high on the La Liga big boys.

For myself the season was uncharacteristically successful.

With the Lions guided away from the foot of the league and into the safety of mid-table and with a brief hint of interest from League Two towards the end of the season I awaited some further job offers from some desperate side looking to cling on to their football league status...

...needless to say, they didn't come but the Guiseley board didn't let me down...

​

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[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Derby Jack[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Guiseley[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]£750 per week[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Two seasons. Two Pay rises.

Fast-track.

With another one hundred pounds added to my weekly earnings I'm already nearing that magical one thousand pound mark.

Only Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand pounds a week left till I'm joining Carlo and co at the top of the listings...This might take me a while.

​

 

[athomash]

Hi, Do you go jobhunting, or just wait for offers? What is your approache?

 

[PelatihDadakan]

Nice layout and good story telling. Keep it up mate!

 

[DerbyJack]

I try to sit back and wait but more often then not I find myself making the first move.

Cheers PlatihDadakan. I'll do my best!

---

Two seasons into my career and I another roll of the dice in the transfer window.

Before I set about luring every single talented teenager in the country to Guiseley without drawing the un-wanted but much deserved attention of the police force there is the small matter of making some space within the Lions first-team...

The initial three transfers of the window all went to plan as we ship out some of the oldest but least talented players in the squad as their contracts come to an expected end.

With the window seemingly going completley to plan it wasn't until the final few days of the window that things took an unexpected turn.

In comes League one Bolton and the clubs new record transfer fee of Seventy Thousand as the Trotters splash the cash to snap up our central defender Mich'el Parker after just one solitary season with the club.

With space freed up in the team it was time to quickly bolster the ranks before the new season.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

​

First signing of the season has us make quick moves to bring in Portugeuse defender Luis Silva. The former Stoke City product was unfortunate to be released from the club at just nineteen years old but the Potters harsh moves allowed us to snap up a young and hungry defender set to make a huge impact in the National League.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free​

I was in dire need of some more cover in the central midfield department when we came across Slovakian Under Twenty One player, Christian Herc. Having spent the entirity of last season on the sidelines the former Wolves player makes one last ditch attempt at salvaging his career with a place in the Lions first-team.

From: Out of Contract​

Cost: Free

​

Final arrival has me make an attempt at making up for the late departure for Mich'el Parker with the signing of Harry Brockbank. Despite not being quite as talented as Luis Silva, the former Bolton player still has a shot at making it back into the football league as the new arrival and the club look to ****** an unexpected promotion.



A solid but slightly uninspiring window.

With three more young players added to the ranks I now have the youngest squad in the entire country by quite some distance, time to see if these youngster still have some fight to make it back into the football league.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

Preseason
2018/19

14th July 2018
Friendly

We start the pre-season with an encouraging victory over League Two's Grimsby. Having welcomed the The Mariners to Yorkshire we showed them that we would be no push over as we clung on to a result in front of a dubious home-crowd as our young squad showed up their football league opposition to secure the draw.


21st July 2018
Friendly

We are unable to repeat the feat against Bradford as a goal just before the break has us slump to a hard-earned loss. The boys certainly showed the same fight that saw them pick up an encouraging result in the previous game but despite a harsh red-card the boys proved toothless in front of goal as they settled for the narrow loss.


1st August 2018
Friendly

We make a short trip across Yorkshire as we go up against lowly Skelmersdale. We certainly proved ourselves to the lowly opposition as we smash home three first-half goals to secure the points with the only blight on an otherwise dominant performance saw us concede a goal against the run of play to give the minnows something to take home.


6th August 2018
Friendly

Rounding off the Pre-season comes a match up against Yorkshire giants and Parent club, Leeds United. The Lilywhites dominated procedures comfortable throughout the majority of the game until the final few seconds in which back-up striker Jordan Preston found the back of the net to showcase the clubs never say die attitude.



A short but by no means disappointing window as the club proves itself against football league opposition and even secures a more then respectable result against the Mighty Leeds United before we look to take our promising displays into the forth coming season its time to check out the formation...

The Christmas Tree formation is still someway from completion as I hold it steady with the more cautious 4-4-1-1 formation that proved so successful last season.

With attacking midfielders flooding the market there is no reason why I couldn't make the change to my favored 4-3-2-1 formation but quite frankly...I'm too scared.

Having never made a start to a career like this I'm keen not to upset the balance.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

August 2018​

11th August 2018
Vanarama National League

We start the season off in feisty but fine fashion as we sneak a win against a Wrexham side who were rumored to be early contenders for promotion this season. With the boys making showing some surprisingly early promise the red card is quickly ignored as we make a superb start to the season.


18th August 2018
Vanarama National League

The good news keeps coming. Once again the referee takes centre stage as we are gifted a route to the points with just ten minutes remaining on the clock courtesy of a risky challenge in the box. The veteran midfielder Will Hatfield make no mistake from the spot showing his young team-mates how to keep a level head.


21st August 2018
Vanarama National League

Following our winning start we are quickly brought back down to earth by a rampant Newport. The Welsh side are eager to ****** promotions this time around and have certainly laid down an impressive early pace. A three goal white-wash keeps the Rodney Parade faithful heading for a return to the football league.


25th August 2018
Vanarama National League

On the back of the emphatic defeat the boys make a quick return to winning ways as they slot home within just seconds of the opening whistle. The Lions then quickly shut up shop as they looked to keep Maidenhead out for the remaining Eighty Nine minutes with the defence making up for their sloppy showing in the previous game.


August 2018
Vanarama National League

Aside from the defeat to Newport it has been an impressive start from the Lions in the National League. With three quick-fire victories the club finds itself in an early playoff spot as they clubs relegation nightmares quickly start to change to dreams of life in the football league. There's a long way to go yet.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

September 2018​

1st September 2018
Vanarama National League

Our early promising form continues into the second month of the season as Robbie McDaid leads the club into a two goal lead before the Shrimpers ensured a nervy finish to the game as they dominate the entire second-half of football with our defence once again proving their worth to keep them at bay.


3rd September 2018
Vanarama National League

Our first draw of the season has us forced to settle for a point against a strong looking Boreham Wood. A second-half red card for our fiery Australian Captain, James Wesolowski ruined any hopes of coming away with all three points as our now flagging defence is once again pushed to their limits to save us from an undeserved defeat.


9th September 2018
Vanarama National League

With the games coming thick and fast and our defence being pushed to their physical limit a collapse in form was on the cards and it certainly didn't waste any time showing its face. A struggling Halifax are thrown a lifeline as they pick up a comfortable two goal victory with The Lions unable to muster a single shot throughout a one-way second-half of football.


15th September 2018
Vanarama National League

Its back to back two goal defeats as we are once again left disappointed following a smash and grab victory from lowly Whitehawk. With the boys foolishly switching off before the break we are soon punished with the determined Whitehawk tucking home two quickfire winners to shred my second-half plans.


18th September 2018
Vanarama National League

The games are coming thick and fast but the returning Wesolowski adds some much needed backbone to the team sheet with his opening goal giving the boys something to fight for. Another goal conceded before break unfortunately meant the Aussie's opener was not enough but non the less a point is a welcome sight following the previous two games.


22nd September 2018
Vanarama National League

With the frantic pace of the games coming thick and fast, the boys are struggling to keep up. Another tricky tie has them seemingly set to settle for a hard-earned point against Torquay but with mere seconds left of the game the sea-siders find a route to the back of the net to ensure the long journey home is worth the trip. Disappointing.


29th September 2018
Vanarama National League

Having gone from conceeding numerous goals before the break we now go to letting slip just moments after the opening whistle as Woking fire themselves into the lead with the Lions once again worryingly impotent in front of goal. Robbie McDaid has all but disappeared. Come back Jack Cassidy, all is forgiven!


September 2018
Vanarama National League

An incredibly busy fixture list punished my young squad as they are quickly given a lesson in just how tough life down in the depths of English football can be. With eleven games played and the season now very much in full swing it looks like those Football league hopes have already been snuffed out. That's more like my style.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

October 2018​

6th October 2018
Vanarama National League

September was certainly a difficult month but Will Hatfield's experience in the middle of the pitch makes the difference as our work-horse midfielder finds the back of net twice to give us all three points in the battle between the lower league sides of Yorkshire. A much needed return to winning ways...


9th October 2018
Vanarama National League

...And its gone. On the road against Chester and we are soon condemned to another defeat courtesy of some lackluster attacking football and an unfortunate own-goal from our Portuguese defender Luis Silva. Aside from the result the defender has shown some strong early promise and certainly didn't deserve to be rewarded so cruelly.


20th October 2018
FA Cup - 4th Qualifying Round

The league might be ramping up the pace but the FA Cup finally comes around to give us a much needed break and passage into the first round of the competition following a midfield showcase over a Croby side stranded at the very bottom of the English game. Non the less I'll take the result!


23rd October 2018
Vanarama National League

On the back of the narrow win we continue the pace in the league as we secure a deserved three points over a relegation threatened Bromley. Canadian attacking midfielder Doughty has been missing for the majority of the start of the season with niggling injuries but his return see's him bag a goal and an assist to mark his return in style.


27th October 2018
Vanarama National League

We are struggling to amass the kind of form that saw us start the season towards the top of the table and our bruising captain, James Wesolowski is certainly starting to show his frustration as he picks up his second red card in as many months. With just ten men we are unable to keep Accrington at bay as Stanley score a late winner to add to our woes.


30th October 2018
Vanarama National League

Despite not having our midfield maestro in the starting lineup the boys show up for the final game of the month as we cruise to a two goal victory against Maidstone. The ever reliable Josh Doughty continues to impress with the opening goal with Finnish midfielder Alex Bradley completing the victory.


October 2018
Vanarama National League

A thankfully more mixed month then September as the boys find a way to grab the points and force their way back up the standings and into the comfort of the top half of the table. With a season objective of mid-table safety I will be more then happy to end the season right now.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

November 2018​

3rd November 2018
Vanarama National League

November gets under way in dramatic fashion as we battle our way to a slim victory by sneaking past a strong Macclesfield side. our Finnish midfielder Alex Bradley is certainly making the most of Wesolowski's continual suspensions with the teenager grabbing his first career brace to help us to all three points.


10th November 2018
FA Cup - First Round

Having thrashes us by the very same scoreline in the first month of the season, Newport once again make an unwanted return to slam us out of the FA Cup without so much as an attempt at a fight back from the Lions. With now money coming in from a long cup run it looks like any hopes of a third wage raise might be put on the sidelines.


17th November 2018
Vanarama National League

To their credit the boys once again bounce back from the thrashing at the hands of Newport to make it back to back victories in the league with a slender victory over Cheltenham. With just give minutes remaining our Canadian maestro emerged to fire home the winner and continue to solidify our place in the top half of the table.


24th November 2018
Vanarama National League

The mini winning streak is brought to an end as the boys once again leave it late securing a point courtesy of a Will Hatfield leveler just four minutes from time. With Gateshead also looking to make their long await arrival in the football league, the point is certainly not to be shrugged at.


27th November 2018
Vanarama National League

The club wastes little time making it back to picking up the three points as they ease to victory over a North Ferriby side. The result came courtesy of yet more brilliant work from our Canadian midfielder. Josh Doughty has proved to be in superb form since his arrival at the club. Unfortunately it seems we might have trouble snatching more foreign point winners from here on...

November 2018
Vanarama National League

Whilst the rest of the country gets used to life outside of the European Union, Guiseley has once again been sneakily making its way back up the standings and now sit tantalizingly close to the playoff spots as we tear our way to the mid-way point of the season. Much bigger news then Brexit.


​

 

[DerbyJack]

December 2018​

1st December 2018
Vanarama National League

The festive run in gets off to a superb start as we pick up an unexpected victory over a Tranmere side still frustrated to be left out of the football league. With Robbie McDaid finally back to his best things are back to their best and it seems our improved form has not gone un-noticed by the football league...

4th December 2018
Vanrama National League

With a potential jump to League Two on the line, the boys slump to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Forest Green with not so much as a sniff on goal. Despite the disappointing result it seems my reputation has certainly taken a much needed boost as another application makes its way onto my desk.

11th December 2018
Vanarama National League

With my hopes raised high for a break through into the big time, the boys actually showed up for me and pulled out an impressive performance against Ebsfleet with two players very much cut out for potentially joining me in the football league finding the goals that mattered. In the end the result proved to not be enough...

15th December 2018
FA Trophy - 1st Round

Despite the disappoint, the FA Trophy reminded me that I still have some unfinished business in non-league football as we make an early mark in the competition to book our spot in the next round despite yet another red card for the increasingly uncontrollable Wesolowki. The result and yet another big move in the inbox assured my disappointment was short lived...

22nd December 2018
Vanarama National League

...Well not for long. A return to league action has the boys narrowly pipped by a difficult Wrexham side with the Welsh side leaving it late to strike home the winner and the result was compounded by yet another frustratingly short hope of making it into League Two as my fourth interview comes to another disappointing end. Bah Humbug!

26th December 2018
Vanarama National League

The boxing day game see's Alex Bradley follow his midfield into the stands. The Finnish midfielder has come on leaps and bounds following Wesolowski's inability to stop crunching every player in the division but it seems the captain might have had a word with a teenager as a two footed challenge has him deservedly sent from the pitch with the boys settling for a point.


29th December 2018
Vanarama National League

We round off the month and the year with a draw that felt more like a win for a beleagured squad. The Lions have been smashed by Newport of late, with County thumping in six goals without reply in both the League and FA Cup but a determined side held their own to end their poor run and secure a well earned point.


December 2018
Vanarama National League

A difficult month has us slip down the table but with the club still well into the top half of the position and the playoff spots by no means out of reach, there is plenty to be looking forward to as we head into the new year. With just four months of football remaining its shaping up to be a tight finish in the National League.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

January 2019​

1st January 2019
Vanarama National League

The new year starts in disappointing fashion as we hold on to an important point but certainly threw away what should have been an easy three. With a two goal lead it seemed to be all too easy for the Lions until a spirited late comeback saw Maidenhead grab a share of the spoils.


5th January 2019
Vanarama National League

The new year disappointment is short lived as the boys are back to their efficient best to pull off a smash and grab victory over the Shrimpers. Morecambe were slow off the mark with the Lions quickly taking advantage as Oliver thumped home a fine individual effort from the right, with the boys happily defending till the whistle, with the football league once again seemingly impressed...

12th January 2019
Vanarama National League

A mixed start to 2019 has us slip to defeat against a high-flying Boreham Wood with McDaid's equalizer snuffed out by a dominant second half from the home side. With the boys once again proving to be worryingly weak my potential suitors once again decided against offering me the job. This is starting to get cruel.

19th January 2019
FA Trophy - 2nd Round

With League Two seemingly content to tease me from afar, my misfortune is added to as Accrington dump us out of the FA Trophy following an end to end game in Lancashire. Once again the unfortunate McDaid finds himself on the losing end despite his leveller but it seems I can at least take some comfort from the cup exit...

26th January 2019
Vanarama National League

The FA Trophy might be out of reach once more but at least that gives us the opportunity to concentrate on our league exploits with a smooth victory over a hapless Halifax. With McDaid feeling the relief of scoring for the winning side, my hopes were raised for breaking my own managerial misfortune...

January 2019
Vanarama National League

...Surely their cannot be many managers left to fill the jobs? With my head held low and the Chairmen throughout the entire league seemingly grouping up to keep me in non-league football, I can atleast take come comfort from Guiseley's unexpected high position in the league. Every cloud and all that...

​

 

[AldoKemp-1]

Quality story man! McDaid is just unreal for you ! how many goals did he finish up on last season ? hopefully you get a bigger job soon but be sad to see you leave Guisley!

 

[naterr]

You seem to have such bad luck with the interviews!

why not trying being really aggressive and angry in your next interview.

 

[Brane_Orsou]

Interviews are not your friend, I remember in your last story you had a similar experience with failing interviews, can you not use some of the tricks that helped you out in FM16 here?

 

[DerbyJack]

​

Cheers Aldo, I have to say the Northern Irish striker has certainly filled the gap very well. He made Twenty Five goals in total apparently. Not a bad return at all! Thanks again!

I think you might be on to something Naterr. Walk in like I'm in charge!

It sure feels that way Neavie. Trouble is I have no idea how I did it. I think I might just blag my way through it and hope!

---

February 2019

2nd February 2019
Vanarama National League

Red cards have blighted the entire season and the boys made sure they would continue to cause me concern as the seemingly uncontrollable Wesolowski drags Canadian play maker Doughty off the pitch with him as we gift Whitehawk an easy victory. The disappointing result did not however stop the influx of League Two job offers...

9th February 2019
Vanarama National League

Having somehow talked my way out of every single job interview thus far I was determined to ignore my links with Grimsby but following a massively disappointing game at Nethermoor Park and the boys inability to find the back of the net against ten men I was finally given some long awaited good news. The football league awaits...

February 2019
Vanarama National League

So it's come to an end. Never before have I joined a club and actually made such a positive difference. Having joined the Lions two seasons ago, I've managed to take the club from relegation favorites to mid-table safety. Decent. With just a couple of months of football remaining its time to pack my bags for my long teased jump up to League Two.

​

 

[Brane_Orsou]

Well done mate, what new "technique" did you adopt for the interview?where are Grimsby in the league? I'm sure Guiseley will build u a statue shortly!

 

[Death Ball]

Yay! Promotion!