The Little Club on the Hill...

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AndySams10

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FOREST GREEN ROVERS:

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INTRODUCTION:

After experiencing some technical issues with my laptop and some personnel issues in my life, I've spent some time away from FM while I sorted myself and laptop out. During that time I decided to look back on some of my previous stories that I've done whilst playing various FM versions, to see what type of saves got me hooked on the game, as recently I've been struggling to get the buzz for playing FM'14. As I've mentioned before, the only way I enjoy playing the game is by having a story to accompany my save, which has led to a few rushed stories being set up, leading to me losing interest quickly and ultimately ending the story, which can be very frustrating for any followers I've had.
During my time out reading through my past stories, I've noticed that I always started off the save really enjoying the team I was managing, then I moved club after a season or so and a short while after joining a new club, I realised that I made a mistake and should've stayed where I was.

I'm now back, re-freshed and ready to embark on a one team, long term save, with a story that I hope you will enjoy and follow, as I aim to take Forest Green Rovers to the Premier League and beyond...


BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CLUB:

The club was founded in 1899 and is based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Occupying an elevated position in the hamlet of Forest Green, the club is often referred to as 'The Little Club on the Hill.'

They play their home games at 'The New Lawn' which was opened in 2006. In June 2011 the club began work on making the pitch at the ground the first organic football pitch in the world, which was influenced by chairman, Dale Vince. He then in December 2011 approved the installation of 180 solar panels to the roof of the EESI stand, helping the club generate 10% of the electricity needed to run the stadium.

Forest Green Rovers are currently the longest serving member of the Skrill Conference Premier having served the league well for 16 years. And with positive changes and investment on and off the pitch, chairman Dale Vince is aiming for the club to climb into the football league for the first time over the next few seasons.


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JULY 2013:

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THE STAFF:

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The first major changes I wanted to implement since joining were to the current coaching team, so everyone except physio Paul Maxwell was shown the door, as I set about making wholesale changes to bring in better coaches to help develop the players potential and gain success quicker on the pitch.

TRANSFER NEWS:

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I released 5 first team players as not only would they not get anywhere near the first team squad, I needed to free up some extra wages to allow me to strengthen the squad and with no money to spend, I had to rely on free transfers.
The pick of my signings so far has to be goalkeeper Dean Santangelo, this is an area that I feel was an urgent position to fill and having seen how well he did on Coolmcool's Plymouth save it was a no-brainer to bring him in.

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FINANCES:

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The current state of our finances are not pretty at all, this has been made worse by me releasing numerous backroom staff that were at the club and also letting go players who were still under contract. It needed to be done, so why not start the clear out at the beginning!! Hopefully though as we progress through this season, coupled with future success and promotions, the finances will start to look much healthier.

THE SQUAD:

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The squad looks very good on paper and if I can get them playing the way I'd like and in the formations I will be using, then hopefully we can look to challenge for promotion this season.
Unfortunately as you can see we have experienced some early injuries to a couple of key players, hence the need to bring in Adam Birchall on loan, to act as cover for the injured Jason Walker.
Also, brought in were Eikem Amenku and Bradley Jordan to help strengthen my midfield options.

KEY PLAYERS:

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Eddie Oshodi - Eddie will be a key player at the heart of my defence and with the right guidance and training, has the potential to be a very good player and one who I hope will be part of the club for a long time to come.

James Norwood - Another player with huge potential. I've managed to tie him down for the next two seasons, where I hope he will be the key to our successes, but if big clubs coming knocking, then he will be sold for a high price, which will help reduce our financial debt.

PLAYER TO WATCH:

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Saul Williams - I will be looking to play Saul as back up to either of my inside forwards to see how he develops, if he needs more games I will look to loan him out and hope he can become just as good as James Norwood.


*** NEXT UPDATE - PRE-SEASON ***
​
 
JULY 2013(cont...)

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PRE-SEASON:

Saturday 6th July 2013
Badgers Hill

Frome (1 - 5) Forest Green
Jason Walker (15', 42'), Own Goal (41'), Magno Vieira (49'), Lee Hughes (90')

"A good run out for the lads today and a convincing win. Magno Vieira look very good playing in his new position as an inside forward."


Saturday 13th July 2013
Corinium Stadium

Cirencester (0 - 6) Forest Green
Jason Walker (29', 50'), Joe Martin (39'), James Norwood (75'), Yan Klukowski (79'), Magno Vieira (85')

"Though we were playing against lowly opposition again, the lads performed brilliantly and are beginning to settle in to the 433 formation I've introduced for all the teams to play, from the first team to the under 18s."


Saturday 20th July 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 1) Shrewsbury
James Norwood (1', 17'), Lee Hughes (91')

"Our toughest test of our pre-season and what a performance beating a team two divisions higher than ourselves. We were dealt a huge blow, when striker Jason Walker was ruled out for 6 weeks after picking up an injury midway through the first half."


Saturday 27th July 2013
The Meadow

Briscombe & Thrupp (0 - 4) Forest Green
Lee Hughes (9', 68'), Magno Vieira (25', 36')

"We finished off our preparations with another win in a game we dominated from start to finish. Lee Hughes, who replaced the injured Jason Walker, bagged a brace, while Magno Vieira continued his fine run of form, as we go into the start of the season full of confidence."
​
 
AUGUST 2013:

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Saturday 10th August 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (1 - 0) Hyde
Dale Bennett (65')


Tuesday 13th August 2013
Liberty Way

Nuneaton (1 - 2) Forest Green
Adam Birchall (42'), Yan Klukowski (58')


Saturday 17th August 2013
Sincil Bank

Lincoln (1 - 2) Forest Green
Adam Birchall (34'), Yan Klukowski (pen 80')


Saturday 24th August 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (0 - 2) Luton


Monday 26th August 2013
The Deva Stadium

Chester (0 - 1) Forest Green
James Norwood (19')


Saturday 31st August 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (2 - 1) Alfreton
Yan Klukowski (9', 21')


LEAGUE TABLE:

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MONTHLY REVIEW:

"A very good start to the season with five wins out of six, with the only disappointment the loss against promotion rivals Luton. The team is starting to become used to the formation I'm looking to implement throughout the club and though we've had a few injuries to key personnel, the back up players have come in and done well.

We were dealt a blow at the end of the month when key player, James Norwood picked up an injury.

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Finally, with first choice left back Chris Stokes missing until next month, I've brought in young Southampton left back Isaac Nehemie on loan for the season."

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​
 
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SEPTEMBER 2013:

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Saturday 7th September 2013
Cressing Road Stadium

Braintree (2 - 2) Forest Green
Jason Walker (30', 54')


Saturday 14th September 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (2 - 1) FC Halifax
Jason Walker (13'), Magno Vieira (50')


Tuesday 17th September 2013
Park View Road

Welling (3 - 0) Forest Green


Saturday 21st September 2013
The Abbey Stadium

Cambridge (0 - 1) Forest Green
Lee Hughes (27')


Tuesday 24th September 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (1 - 2) Tamworth
Adam Birchall (70')


Saturday 28th September 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 1) Gateshead
Lee Hughes (13'), James Norwood (27'), Yan Klukowski (63')


LEAGUE TABLE:

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MONTHLY REVIEW:

"An indifferent month with two losses and a draw against sides that we should be beating. I changed formation for the game against Cambridge and the lads responded with a vital win. We are conceding too many goals for my liking, but with more key players coming back from injury in defensive positions, hopefully we can cut out the silly mistakes."
​
 
OCTOBER 2013:

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Saturday 5th October 2013
North Street

Alfreton (0 - 2) Forest Green
Lee Hughes (30', 83'), Al Bangura (sent off 36')


Tuesday 8th October 2013
Aggborough

Kidderminster (0 - 0) Forest Green


Saturday 12th October 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (1 - 1) Macclesfield
Saul Williams (28'), Chris Stokes (sent off 83')


Saturday 19th October 2013
Blundell Park

Grimsby (1 - 2) Forest Green
Jason Walker (36'), Magno Vieira (73')


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4th Round Qualifying
Saturday 26th October 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (2 - 1) Slough Town
Jamie Turley (2'), Jason Walker (18')


LEAGUE TABLE:

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MONTHLY REVIEW:

"A nice unbeaten month with two wins and two draws in the league, which keeps us nicely in the play off positions at the moment, but five points from Luton who also have a superior goal difference.
We progressed to the 1st round of the FA Cup, where we will entertain Portsmouth at home. Hopefully with a cup run we can bring in some much needed money to help with our poor financial state.
The board have made small noises that by selling players in the coming months, will help reduce the debt and James Norwood, who I'd hoped we would build a team around, has since requested a transfer to a bigger club."
​
 
Going well mate, Dont know much about the lower end of the league but i have faced Forest Green a couple times in the Cup as Plymouth and won both times comfortably:P Hopefully you can make them a little better. KIU
PS are they also known as The Green Army?
 
coolmcool said:
Going well mate, Dont know much about the lower end of the league but i have faced Forest Green a couple times in the Cup as Plymouth and won both times comfortably:P Hopefully you can make them a little better. KIU
PS are they also known as The Green Army?
Click to expand...

Cheers mate. I don't know too much about Forest Green either, but I played with them on an old save on FM'13 and really enjoyed being them, so thought why not attempt a one team save!
Things are going well at the moment, but injuries are starting to hurt us, but Santagelo is proving to be a top signing!! :P

Yep, they have about five nicknames, with Green Army one of them, along with the Green Devils. (6)

Thanks for the comments, really appreciate feedback. :D
 
NOVEMBER 2013:

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Saturday 2nd November 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (2 - 1) Dartford
Kieran Forbes (6'), James Norwood (25')


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1st Round
Saturday 9th November 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (1 - 2) Portsmouth
Jason Walker (47'), Al Bangura (sent off 92')


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Tuesday 12th November 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (0 - 1) Nuneaton


Saturday 16th November 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 1) Lincoln
Yan Klukowski (54', pen 73'), Luke Oliver (83')


Tuesday 19th November 2013
The Raymond McEnhill Stadium

Salisbury (1 - 0) Forest Green


Saturday 23rd November 2013
The Racecourse Ground

Wrexham (3 - 4) Forest Green
Kieron Forbes (18'), James Norwood (24', 66'), Eddoe Oshodi (77')


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1st Round
Saturday 30th November 2013
Longmead Stadium

Tonbridge (0 - 3) Forest Green
Jason Walker (pen 17'), Own Goal (50'), Magno Vieira (83')


LEAGUE TABLE:

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MONTHLY REVIEW:

" A very busy month and it's starting to tell on the players, as most are struggling with their fitness levels, but as I have a small squad of players I trust I have to keep persevering for the next month, then can look to add a couple more players in January.
We were very unlucky to be knocked out in the FA Cup, having two goals disallowed and completely outplaying Portsmouth, but that's football, though we have progressed into round two of the FA Trophy.
In the league we sit nicely in second and in the play offs, but are still quite away from Luton who are top."
​
 
Apologies for the lack of posts lately, only just got back from a holiday in Verbier. (H)
 
DECEMBER 2013:

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Saturday 7th December 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 1) Grimsby
Kieron Forbes (3'), Jason Walker (43', pen 84')


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2nd Round
Saturday 14th December 2013
Meadow Park

Boreham Wood (1 - 2) Forest Green
Dale Bennett (49'), Lee Hughes (84')


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Tuesday 17th December 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 1) Braintree
Jason Walker (29', 63', 85')


Saturday 21st December 2013
The Shay

FC Halifax (2 - 5) Forest Green
Magno Vieira (6'), Jason Walker (pen 45', 86', 89'), James Norwood (60')


Thursday 26th December 2013
The New Lawn

Forest Green (4 - 1) Aldershot
Jason Walker (8', 50'), Luke Oliver (41'), James Norwood (80')


Saturday 28th December 2013
Edgar Street

Hereford (1 - 0) Forest Green


LEAGUE TABLE:

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SUMMARY:

"A brilliant month in the league and FA Trophy, with the only downside being the disappointing loss to Hereford, one of our rivals and a side that are struggling at the foot of the table.
I've also introduced a new starting formation that I implemented from the FC Halifax game onwards and it looks like we are beginning to put together some fine wins and performances, and as the players become more accustomed to playing in it, hopefully we can start to close the gap on Luton at the top.
Looking ahead to January and with the transfer window opening, I'll be looking to bring in some quality on loan to help add competition to the squad and will also look to offload some fringe players too, to help with the finances, which are still in a poor shape!"
​
 
AinsleyLee said:
Looking good, can't believe Lee Hughes is still going haha
Click to expand...

Cheers mate. Haha, yeah I know, though he isn't playing that regular at the moment! I'm trying to sell him too, as my finaces are shocking and he's the highest earner at the club!

Appreciate your interest in my story. :)
 
JANUARY 2014:

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TRANSFER NEWS:

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Daniel Akindayini - End of Season Loan from Tottenham Hotspur

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Scott Davies - End of Season Loan from Oxford United


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Saturday 4th January 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 1) Salisbury
Jason Walker (20', 30', 47')


Tuesday 7th January 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (2 - 1) Hereford
Yan Klukowski (25', 67')


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3rd Round
Friday 17th January 2014
Kenilworth Road

Luton (2 - 2) Forest Green
Asafu-Adjaye (18'), Bradley Jordan (66')


3rd Round Replay
Monday 20th January 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (1 - 0) Luton
Daniel Akindayini (26')


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Saturday 25th January 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 2) Chester
Daniel Akindayini (26'), Dale Bennett (51'), Scott Davies (68')


Tuesday 28th January 2014
Ewen Fields

Hyde (1 - 3) Forest Green
Jason Walker (pen 52'), Scott Davies (80'), Bradley Jordan (82')


LEAGUE TABLE:

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SUMMARY:

"I've brought in Daniel Akindayini from Spurs, who has had a great start for us and if he lives up to the potential he is showing in real life on the game, then we will have a top player on our hands for the remainder of the season. Also added to the squad is midfielder Scott Davies who will add good experience to the starting eleven.

Since I've changed our formation and the way we will play, we've been on a fantastic run, with seven wins, a draw and a loss, which has enabled us to close the gap on leaders Luton to two points."
​
 
FEBRUARY 2014:

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4th Round
Saturday 1st February 2014
Haig Avenue

Southport (0 - 2) Forest Green
Daniel Akindayini (3'), Yan Klukowski (12')


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Tuesday 4th February 2014
Recreation Ground

Aldershot (1 - 3) Forest Green
Kieron Forbes (8', 47'), Yan Klukowski (48')


Saturday 8th February 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (1 - 3) Barnet
James Norwood (63')


Tuesday 11th February 2014
Kingfield Stadium

Woking (1 - 0) Forest Green


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Semi Final - 1st Leg
Saturday 15th February 2014
Kingfield Stadium

Woking (1 - 1) Forest Green
Marcus Kelly (42')


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Tuesday 18th February 2014
The Moss Rose

Macclesfield (1 - 1) Forest Green
Bradley Jordan (65')


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Saturday 22nd February 2014
Semi Final - 2nd Leg
The New Lawn

Forest Green (2 - 1) Woking
Agg - (3 - 2)
James Norwood (19'), Eddie Oshodi (79')


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Tuesday 25th February 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 0) Southport
Jason Walker (35'), Eddie Oshodi (70'), Daniel Akindayini (75')


LEAGUE TABLE:

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SUMMARY:

"This month was by far my worst during my first season in charge, with too many disappointing lossess and draws, meaning we weren't able to capitalise on Luton's poor run of form, which still left us in second place with two months remaining of the season.
We did however progress through to the final of the FA Trophy, a competition that we have never won, so hopefully I can change that statistic and allow the fans to enjoy their day out at Wembley and see their team lift the trophy."
​
 
MARCH 2014:

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Saturday 1st March 2014
Gateshead International Stadium

Gateshead (0 - 1) Forest Green
Jason Walker (90')


Saturday 8th March 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (0 - 1) Cambridge


Saturday 15th March 2014
The Lamb Ground

Tamworth (1 - 0) Forest Green


Tuesday 18th March 2014
The New Lawn

Forest Green (3 - 1) Welling
Jason Walker (3', 24', 72')


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Final
Sunday 23rd March 2014
Wembley Stadium

Chester (1 - 2) Forest Green
After Extra Time
Jason Walker (13'), James Norwood (sent off 91'), Kieron Forbes (113')


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Saturday 29th March 2014
Haig Avenue

Southport (1 - 1) Forest Green
Daniel Akindayini (85')


LEAGUE TABLE:

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SUMMARY:

"I managed to win our first trophy when we lifted the FA Trophy with a fine extra time win against Chester, which hopefully will be the start of many more in the future!
Our league form again suffered and with it meant Cambridge entered the fray for the race for the one automatic spot. Though we have dropped to third in the league, we are still pretty much guaranteed a play off place, but with just six games left, there's all to play for between ourselves, Cambridge and Luton.

Finally, we had our youth intake for the season and one player stands out and that is 15 year old attacking midfielder Stuart Bowerman, hopefully he will get some game time next season and can develop into a good player."

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Stuart Bowerman - Youth Player
​
 
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