The Mists of North London - The End

[The Shots]

June 30th, 2009

"Ahhh, I walk past her everyday, going to collect my small wage as a semi-professional player. Infact as it is my only job, I get payed benifits. I have to go out, even when it is frezzing. Sometimes I watch the players jog past. Somtimes, I don't."

It had been a few weeks since I started getting benched. I was dismal. Every week I have to get up early, do a pre-match match warmup. Train hard, and get repaid with a place on the bench. 7 weeks it has been now. I was starting to get fed up.

--------------------------------

I needed a new job. One better than this.
"I love football so it had to be a job involed around the game. If I can manage my son's old Sunday League team, surely I can pass a coaching coarse with the F.A?"

I agreed with myself that on the way back, I would stop at the Library for the free computer use, to look at coaching jobs in and around the area.

I saw this:

Barnet F.C. Looking For Local Coach ​

Barnet F.C. are looking for a local coach, from the area to take up a coaching job as the teams second coach on a fantastic £650 per-week. With the club offering this kind of money, we expect you to come on time to everything, and have a level 2 coaching.

If you have any managerial experience, that is welcomed.
Then it had some other things, that I don't want to share on the web, unless someone tries to hijack my idea.

You can guess what I thought.
I rushed to my mum's house. She was great at English, so I told her I need to write an application. I added in that she was so intteligent, she could get me the job single-handedly. So she accused me of being lazy, but I reassured her to write this for me.


July 1st, 2009

12:00pm: I rushed to my mum's house to add in the final details, then went to the post office, to get it delivered first class.
It cost extra but it better be worth it.


July 7nd, 2009

The post came.

"I bet it is to me saying I have got the job!!!"

I let my hopes raise too soon. I opened the letter sent from Barnet F.C. I read:

Dear Mr. Creighton,

We are delighted to hear that you aplied for the job. Unfortunatley, we took someone else onboard. We are sorry to break the news to you like this.

Luckily enough our previous coach had moved on, and the person we hired, didn't wan't to take the job. So you have been officially approached by the club.

Team: Barnet F.C.
Wage: £750 per-week.

I screamed with enjoyment. 36, and hired at Barnet. What a dream!

Although, I still had to do an Interview...

---------- Post added at 05:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:36 PM ----------

For the tittle:

If Barcelona were in L2..., they would be like my Barnet.

 

[martinbissett]

Great OP. will follow and see where this ends up

 

[Crayth]

Goooood luck!

 

[Cam!]

Lol I thought you had actually put barca in League 2. That would be a bit rubbish so this is better

 

[rhhthsrthr]

I actually thought this was some sort of thread about what you did when you put Barcelona on League 2 but this is 10x better.

Love the OP, got me reading and I got caught into it.

 

[The Shots]

July 10th, 2009

Today, I got on the bus, to go to my interview at the club lodge.
They were really nice there, and were happy, I was not some fat, old, balding guy. We went into a room where there were the most important people at the club. It was kind of scary being here. I had never entered a place like this.
The room was dimly lit. It was all brown with leather seats.
Everybody was chatting, except me. I didn't know anybdy ;(

Suddenly, the Chairman Tony Kleanthous walked in with a thud.

Everyone was suddenly quiet.
"What am I doing here." I mumbled to myself.

However he looked at me in an approving way, witch made me 100% commited to do well for the club.

----------------------

Long story short, I signed the contract, then went to meet the players at 16:00.
They welcomed me to the club, in a great way witch made my heart warm.
I knew this was my dream job, and the club for me, who I half supported because of my area.


July 11th, 2009

Today was my first training session at the club. I properly met the players, and got to know their personalities, aswell as who was good, and who was bad.

The club haad no signings, and nobody wanted to leave with such a high spirit on at the club.

--------------------------

When I got back home, I had a letter in the post. The beggining was about clamping down on benifit fraud.

"Oh ****." I thought.

I just remembered I didn't cancel my benifits. I was in big trouble.

I was too scared to open the letter, but I had 24 hours. Yesterday!
Then there was a bang on the door saying "POLICE, OPEN UP!"

I walked in shame to the door.
Opened it to violent banging. They said i'm under arrest for benifit fraud.

"A tear came down my eye. Had i ruinened my job, after the first day?!?"

---------- Post added at 06:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:13 PM ----------

Thanks for all your support guys.

There will be a shock soon.

---------- Post added at 06:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:14 PM ----------

July 12th, 2009

I woke up in a Police cell.
When the officer saw I was awake, he told me "You have been released on bail, expect a hefty fine though."

Embaresingly, my mum collected me from the Police station.
She was mad at me, and started going on about, how she helps me, then ends up paying for my bail. She wouldn't be suprised if I got the sack.

---------------------------

I had to go to training. I secretly did not tell the members of staff, that I had been arrested, and had a court case tomorrow.
I was building a great relationship with the players. They were loving my new routines.

Today, the Manager had let one of the kids in the Under 18's take part in the session.
After he came to me in private to state that this was one of his best training sessions ever.

That made me delighted. I was doing my job properly, but may lose it tommorow.

July 13th, 2009

Today I went to court.
I was a compleate wreck, and I knew I would lose.

You don't want to get board from the story, so basically:

I have to pay back all the benefits, I could of illegally claimed. Plus a £2,500 fine. With additional costs, it comes up to around £3,200.
It was due in next wednesday.

"I don't have that kind of money."

I had to request that the chairman would pay for me, and I would have to pay 25% of my wages until the debt was played back. With 5% interest.

"This guy knows his money"

He accepted.

He invited me to a staff drink at the pub tonite...

 

[rugrat123]

hmmm inresting i definetly will be following the police bit got me stuck in

 

[rhhthsrthr]

Definetely following this. I wonder if there's some sort of suscribe tool on this site.

 

[The Shots]

There is a subscribe tool, but you get updates by email.

 

[Eds]

Brilliant story so far, but I laughed when you said, "I added in that she was so intteligent". Oh, the irony.

 

[The Shots]

July 14th, 2009

Barnet F.C. Manager Mark Stimson has been sacked from the job, after a bust up in the pub, with fellow staff from the club.

He reportedly punched the chairman in the face when he ablertantly anounced that he was unhappy about he was running the club.
They were both drunk.

Sky Sports understand new coach Josh Creighton will be the clubs new caretaker manager. This has come as a shock to the public who thought the long serving reserve manager should have taken the job.
But in an interview he said he rejected the offer, as he wouldn't like that much work pressure over him.

Creighton has impressed in his week at the club, so they thought it was nessercary to give him the position.
We have not been able to get an interview with him, yet but it should be on the website soon.

Yesssssssssssssssssss! I said it the top of my voice when I got offered the job. I was tottally confused about how I got the job over the assistant, and reserve manager.
It is only a temporary job, for the first three league matches of the season. But it was still a great feat, plus I can pay off my debt quicker.

-------------------------

The fans are not too pleased, as they don't know me, but in an interview with the captain he said "On behalf of the whole team, I would like to let you know Creighton is a great coach, and we have alot of respect for him at the club."

The training session went really well. however it got interupted when I got a message about the chairman being angry and wanting too see me immediatly....
Something to do with the FA.

---------- Post added at 08:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 PM ----------

July 14th, 2009

...I slowly walked into the Chairman's office, fully knowing what to expect. I mean, he told me to go to the FA about the Benefit Fraud. Simply enough: I didn't. Plus now with the previous managers "Issue" we were stuffed.
Also the Police alerted the FA about me so...

He shouted at me as loud as he could: "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO TELL THE ****** F.A. - WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU DONT. NOW WE HAVE THREAD OF POINT DEDUCTION. WITH THE CLUB FACING RELEGA - I can't even say it. We are expected to get relegated, now point deduction!"

I was trying to hold in the tears. We could only hope for what would happen. Maybe a transfer ban.

That reminded me, I better get in these signings.

----------------------

I did not control pre-season, so I will not post that.

But I have offered contracts and made loan bids for players.

---------- Post added at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

July 17th, 2009

I have been in talks with agents, sent my scouts around. Been to some places, however in the end we came up with 10 signings.

These were massive for the club, and I hope the next manager will really make an impact, as I am going to have fun coaching them.

We managed to sign:

Pavol Suhaj - Free

Lars Stubhaurg - Free

Luka Senincanin - free

Kieran Cadogan - Loan

Antonia German - Loan

Kyle Hendry - Loan

Eddie Johnson - 10k

Christian Gyan - Free

Karsten Jonasen - Free

Nicolás Mazzina - Free

Luka Senincanin

Karsten Johasen

Christian Gyan​

--------------------------

The chairman was happy with the signings but was still mad at me for forgetting.
We are awaiting out future.

 

[Joss]

Abblertantly? Wtf does that mean?
Anyways, looks good so far, Good luck.

 

[The Shots]

Abblertantly? Wtf does that mean?
Anyways, looks good so far, Good luck.

I spelt it wrong XD

Anyway, more update tomorrow.

---------- Post added at 08:46 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 08:31 PM ----------

Thanks for the support. More updates tonite.

 

[Alcaraz]

Looks great so far mate,keep going and yeah I will definetly follow ofcourse

 

[rhhthsrthr]

Lol, nice way to intoduce the point reduction.

 

[The Shots]

July 18th, 2009

With all my signings in, I went to training fearing for my job.
I went to introduce the new players to the team. The players welcomed most of the players, and were deleghted we snapped up ex-feynoord star. They have really got on with Luka Senicanin, who has a sharp eye for goal, and a good finishing technique.
Unfortunately they semmed to have left out Pavol Suhaj, whom they think has "past it" and should not be played ahead of the rest of the team. He failed at Crewe, and should not be a part of English football. He came to the dressing room with 3 ladies by his side ("player"). The players and fans are not too confident. He is not as good as the young loan stars.

------------------------

Today we played a local training friendly against Enfield Town. It was at our Training Stadium, with a field, the few fans could watch from the byline.

I tried out 3 formations, playing 32 players all together. The new signings were bigging to gel, and were welcomed. it was 4-3 at 72 mins, when I changed my tactic. It was going well, and in the 87th min, Pavol Suhaj got past the ball. A great run down the wing by Luka Senicanin, who drew the keeper out, but chipped it to him. Suhaj eyed up the ball and smacked into the top corner.

Of the stand. - Well if there was one.

It looked like it was going to be a draw. I subbed him off for Antonio German, who scored an absolute screamer from 28 yards. We were winning 5-3. They scored a cheat penalty in 91 mins, but it had no effect on the game. We had one the match!

--------------------------------------

19:30: I arrived home to recieve a hand written letter in the post. It was from the Chairman.
We had to go to a meeting with the FA to find out and discuss our - well I don't know what it is. Maybe point reduction, maybe a fine, maybe instant relegation? Okay worst case senario but still.

It was for tomorrow at 13:00.

"Ah man, i've surely lost my job. I ruined the club, and I haven't even played one game yet. After I finish my temporary job as caretaker, I may aswell look for a new one?"

I thought about contacting the FA by phone, but I might as well ask in private after the meeting for new jobs available?


---------- Post added at 06:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:25 PM ----------

"Now an important message: Barnet F.C. staff, have been asked to atend an interview with the F.A. today at 13:00. We will be interviewing the FA and the Barnet manager over the recent affairs taking place. We believe this is going to result badly for the team and new caretaker manager Josh Creighton."

-------------------------------------

July 19th, 2009

12:45pm - I arrived off the train at 12:35. It took me ten minutes to get her, but I saw the chairman, and had to avoid him, taking a longer route.
We got invited to sit in the lounge, while everyone got ready.

We all sat down in a room overlooking Wemberly Stadium. The guy looked over at me.

What was his name again? Oh yeah. Lord Triesman.

He said: "We all know about recent affairs, so there is no need to go into them. After discussing with the Police, Members of the FA and Football league, we have come to a conclusion about what is going to happen. You will be deducted 9 points from the league table if you fail to pay a £75,000 fine by Friday 7th August, 2009. The fine needs to be paid in cash. No execptions. However we have taken into account that the club is over it's wage budget. The chairman of your club will owe us the debt, if he fails to pay by the dedline. If you have any questions, you are free to ask."

We were all silent. just sitting there in the room, waiting to be kicked out. I just wanted it over, so I could talk to one of the guys who wanted to give us a 'Formal Warning' to find myself a new job.

--------------------------------

13:45 - I stayed around for about 10 mins to talk to the guy.
I found him, but he was talking to Triesman. I waited around the corner, and stopped him as he walked past.

I asked him if there were any jobs available. He laughed in my face. Then said I can check it out, but I think there are one up in Hereford, Burton and Daghanam and Redbridge. Also the Assitant manager job at Leeds.

I told him, I would put in some applications, and said "Thanks for your help"


---------- Post added at 07:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:19 PM ----------

July 20th,2009

I phoned in sick today. I had a cold, and could not face the players knowing about everthing, so I decided against going to work.

I lay down, and snuggled under my covvers.It was 09:00. Plenty of time to sleep.
I dreamed about Barnet playing in the luscious Champions league Final. Our squad was against the best players in the world. We were all geard up for the match.
I skipped most of it, untill I lifted the cup myself aloft my head. All the fans cheered for me, I was really happy, and kissed it. It was "A dream not come true."

I awoke to a thud on the door. I checked my watch. It was only 11:00. How could I of slept for 2 hours? Then I turned on my new* freeview. The date was July 23rd. I must have came down with serious flu.

Anyway, the front door knocked, so I awnsered. It was my new mate Bille, the youth coach. He rushed in jokily, asking if I was alright and things like everyone thought I was on drugs ect.
I told him I slept for 2 days strait, only waking up for short pee breaks. He cut me in the middle of my scentence obviously not interested in what I had to say. "Great news, after the chairman paid the fine to the FA, the members of the board sacked him for poor handleing of club affairs. Everyone is delighted, as we have a new chairman trying to buy the club.

"Fantastic!" I thought to myself. We have a new chairman, so I will try to stay at the club.

Too late to turn down my other applications now.

 

[joel-lfc]

Looking good mate

 

[The Shots]

Looking good mate

Did you even read it?

If so, it's not looking good actually.

 

[Nixon]

Did you even read it?

If so, it's not looking good actually.

Jeez, he's complimenting your story, lighten up.

Maybe proof read to remove some mistakes in spelling and grammar. And what does 'lucurios' mean?

It's a good idea for a story though, I'll give you credit for that!

 

[The Shots]

Jeez, he's complimenting your story, lighten up.

Maybe proof read to remove some mistakes in spelling and grammar. And what does 'lucurios' mean?

It's a good idea for a story though, I'll give you credit for that!

luscious?

I appreciate the comment from him, but if you comment, I expect you to have read some of the story.