FM_TNSSO
Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2018
- Messages
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The Not So Special One – Dorking Around
In the words of Eminem… ‘Guess Who’s Back, Back Again’! Yep, after nearly 6 months away from the site, I’m returning to the game with a new story. A change in direction in my career in the New Year saw me give up my old work laptop which had FM on it and take on a new one in my new position. However, the new employers are a little more ‘on it’ with the IT Security and all gaming websites/downloads are blocked on company equipment. I’ve been mental busy for the opening 5 months in my new role and unfortunately, buying a new laptop had taken a back seat and therefore so had Football Manager. However, I’ve now taken the plunge and although £600 lighter in my pocket, I’m back on FM again! Oh, how I’ve missed you!!
I had some decisions to make. After 6 months away, what sort of game did I want to play….well, after some deliberation, I decided on one of my favourite challenges from over the years – taking a team from the bottom of English football to the top….or trying to anyway!
The team I have chosen to go with (as the story title may give away), is Dorking Wanderers in the National League South.
Dorking are a relatively new club to English football, having only been formed in 1999 and have seen a sharp and quick rise to the National League South, having achieved 3 promotions in the last 7 seasons!
This is my management profile. I start my career with a National A License coaching badge and have previous playing experience at a professional regional level….so I’m a face in the game, although certainly not a footballing legend by any stretch!
Meadowbank is a 2,000 capacity stadium, with one proper stand. It’s not much, but it’s home and we’ll do our best to make it as difficult as possible for visiting teams here over the coming years!
The club’s finances are in decent shape considering their lowly stature in English football, with over £60k tucked away in the bank. I even have a small budget of £15k to play with in the transfer market. Although, with only £500 available in the wage budget, I don’t think I’ll be affording any superstars.
I’m pleasantly surprised with the size of my squad. I’ve got plenty of options all over the pitch and this is a rarity down at this level where numbers are usually not in such abundance! According to my Assistant Manager’s judgement, the defence looks like the weakest part of the team and this is something I might need to address in the short term!
There’s no doubt that we are strongest in attack and that’s backed up by the fact my best player is one of my strikers. Jason Prior is a proven goalscorer and has netted 199 goals in his 366 career games to date! He bagged 21 in 37 games for us last season and will lead the line again this year.
Prior’s strike partner is likely to be 29 year old Elliott Buchanan who has recently joined the club and will have a point to prove after managing to get no games under his belt for Kingstonian last season!
Another player worth a mention is our very own midfield maestro, Jake Gallagher. He looks like a tasty little player at this level and with a good work rate and ability to pick out a decent pass, he could be the man in the middle of the park to find the front two on a regular basis!
So I think I’m just about ready to get this show on the road! But one last thing before I do…let’s have a look at what the board expect from me! Despite it being our first season up at this level, expectations are high enough with a top half finish expected so the pressure is most definitely on! Working within the wage budget is critical to the club’s long term stability and with regards to transfers, it seems the board favour younger players for the first team.
Let’s have it!
In the words of Eminem… ‘Guess Who’s Back, Back Again’! Yep, after nearly 6 months away from the site, I’m returning to the game with a new story. A change in direction in my career in the New Year saw me give up my old work laptop which had FM on it and take on a new one in my new position. However, the new employers are a little more ‘on it’ with the IT Security and all gaming websites/downloads are blocked on company equipment. I’ve been mental busy for the opening 5 months in my new role and unfortunately, buying a new laptop had taken a back seat and therefore so had Football Manager. However, I’ve now taken the plunge and although £600 lighter in my pocket, I’m back on FM again! Oh, how I’ve missed you!!
I had some decisions to make. After 6 months away, what sort of game did I want to play….well, after some deliberation, I decided on one of my favourite challenges from over the years – taking a team from the bottom of English football to the top….or trying to anyway!
The team I have chosen to go with (as the story title may give away), is Dorking Wanderers in the National League South.
Dorking are a relatively new club to English football, having only been formed in 1999 and have seen a sharp and quick rise to the National League South, having achieved 3 promotions in the last 7 seasons!
This is my management profile. I start my career with a National A License coaching badge and have previous playing experience at a professional regional level….so I’m a face in the game, although certainly not a footballing legend by any stretch!
Meadowbank is a 2,000 capacity stadium, with one proper stand. It’s not much, but it’s home and we’ll do our best to make it as difficult as possible for visiting teams here over the coming years!
The club’s finances are in decent shape considering their lowly stature in English football, with over £60k tucked away in the bank. I even have a small budget of £15k to play with in the transfer market. Although, with only £500 available in the wage budget, I don’t think I’ll be affording any superstars.
I’m pleasantly surprised with the size of my squad. I’ve got plenty of options all over the pitch and this is a rarity down at this level where numbers are usually not in such abundance! According to my Assistant Manager’s judgement, the defence looks like the weakest part of the team and this is something I might need to address in the short term!
There’s no doubt that we are strongest in attack and that’s backed up by the fact my best player is one of my strikers. Jason Prior is a proven goalscorer and has netted 199 goals in his 366 career games to date! He bagged 21 in 37 games for us last season and will lead the line again this year.
Prior’s strike partner is likely to be 29 year old Elliott Buchanan who has recently joined the club and will have a point to prove after managing to get no games under his belt for Kingstonian last season!
Another player worth a mention is our very own midfield maestro, Jake Gallagher. He looks like a tasty little player at this level and with a good work rate and ability to pick out a decent pass, he could be the man in the middle of the park to find the front two on a regular basis!
So I think I’m just about ready to get this show on the road! But one last thing before I do…let’s have a look at what the board expect from me! Despite it being our first season up at this level, expectations are high enough with a top half finish expected so the pressure is most definitely on! Working within the wage budget is critical to the club’s long term stability and with regards to transfers, it seems the board favour younger players for the first team.
Let’s have it!
