True Champions - The Story of a Young Manager

[*Paul*]

18th June 2009​

I met up with Simon Jordan last night. He said that I was a good manager and told me to believe in myself. "Me, a good manager...Simon Jordan called me a good manager." I thought, still in shock. We had a chat about the club; the history of it, the current squad and some more things he thought I should know. He left me a brochure put together. It was a great evening really and we toasted my success. I went to sleep at 12:00pm after thinking about it all. I am going to visit the training ground tommorow morning and discuss terms all day. Then on the 22nd, I will get to meet the players and staff and watch them train. I really can't wait.​

19th June 2009​

It's currently 7pm and I am sitting on the sofa after a tiring day. This morning I went into Simon's office and we came up with my wage, around £4,000 p/w. We didn't add bonuses. So we discussed the bonuses and everything else. Then he helped me find a suitable agent. We then discussed transfers, training and expectations, as if I was manager already. I finally left his office at 4:30pm and then I went home to watch some TV and relax for a bit. But the real thing I am looking forward to is meeting the players...in only 3 days! ​

22th June 2009​

I already know my squad and I'm not even manager yet! It was a great day, first I watched them train and then we had lunch together. I had some pasta and salad. After lunch we had a little 'huddle' time, about 30 minutes when I discussed to them my aims, and other things they needed to know. After that, I met the staff for 2 hours and we discussed everything to do with the club and ambitions. Then I went home. That was the best day of my life, and I am thinking about it now, looking up at the stars in the night sky. Soon my dream shall come true. ​

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24th June 2009​

I have a couple of days off, as I am not the manager yet. Mr Jordan said I will probably be unveiled as the club's new manager in about 2 weeks. I am excited yet nervous and I have nothing to do really to pass the time. I can go on my PS2 but even that has lost it's thrill now. Sometimes I go out to the local park to play a bit of football with my mates, sometimes I go to the pub with them. I really don't know what to do in my spare time. I wish I had a hobby apart from football like music or art, or drama. I'm sure that would help pass the time. However, I just sit in front of the TV watching Top Gear, Friends and Sky Sports News on Freeview. That is really all I do all day. I don't have any work, hobbies or for that matter - a life! My destiny will be decided in 2 weeks. ​

28th June 2009​

The chairman, Simon Jordan has told me that discussion with my agent (yes, I now have one!) are improving and they are making progress. I just told me agent that I don't care about the money invovled really, unless they pay me such a small amount that I starve. I doubt that though. I brought a season ticket, today, for Liverpool, the club I support. I had to borrow some money of a friend, but he didn't mind - as long as I payed him back. I promised to pay him back before the end of July - I get my Crystal Palace wages! Life is really looking on the up, with some dosh to spend and something to look forward to. I can smile again, and I haven't felt this happy since I was a kid. ​

1st July 2009​

Pinch, punch, first of the month (no returns)! Well, I have signed a contract with Palace, which starts on the 7th July and ends in 3 years time! Wow, they must be desperate to give a rookie like me a contract that long. However, I mustn't go over the top, because I perfectly well know that I can be sacked in the blink of an eye if results (and luck) don't go my way. I can't wait to start work here.
*Thanks for the comments guys, keep them coming. I may change the format when the season is underway. Don't go away, more to come after the break . ​

 

[*Paul*]

7th July 2009​

I am now official Crystal Palace manager! I have made a bid for Manchester United defender Richard De Laet for a season long loan. I am sure we can get him, United are willing to loan him and he is willing to join. He is a bright prospect and I would love to buy him permanently but we just do not have the funds, I'm afraid. Anyway, I've started to assess the squad and I have already told Ryan Smith to pack his bags and go: I have released him. I am fully aware I may get criticised for this but he is taking up space and wages, when he is not even League 1 quality in my opinion, although he may do well in League 2. I wished him the best of luck and he is official leaving tommorow. I have many transfer targets lined up, but I know I will have to sell in order to buy. I may release and sell a lot of players in the next few days, and I am looking at a lot of loans and frees, in fact I won't let myself spend any money this transfer window. Anyway, with Ryan going, I will be looking for an replacement. I will be playing a 4-4-2 diamond anyway, so Ryan wouldn't of been needed, although he could of been backup in the team just incase we change tactics. Still, his replacement may be in a different position, or maybe even a promotion for a youngster from our great youth facilities. I am also excited about our wonderful stadium, Selhurst Park. Absolutely brilliant, a 27,000 all-seater. I hope I don't let the wonderful fans down!​

11th July 2009​

We beat Bromley today, by a massive scoreline too! It was a great confidence boost for me and the team, and to watch and see my assistant manager Mick Jones do so well (I was watching, not actually managing the game) was just brilliant.​

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v
Crystal Palace 5-0 Bromley

8' Lee

22' McCarthy

29' Scannell

64' Scannell

66'John​

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I'm delighted with the lads. Not bad for my first game (at least I picked the team), huh? ​

13th July 2009​

My first ever signing! And guess who it is? Manchester United Football Club's, yes, The Manchester United's Richard De Laet. I have finally got him on a season long loan, it's so good. However, I had to sell as we were exceeding the wage budget the chairman gave me, and if we exceed that we can't even get in free transfers! I released Calvin Andrew and sold Johannes Ertl to Sheffield United, Nick Carle and Shaun Derry to Ipswich. For the sale of the three money transfers, I managed to make £740k for the club, of which only about £150k were put into my transfer/wage budgets. I thought Andrew was on too big a wage for a player of his quality and it was not worthwhile to keep him due to his current long term injury. Ertl, Carle and Derry were not in my first team plans and I though I had got a good deal out of them, especially Carle for £450k. I was delighted with my first transfer and my sales, I though if this carried on we could survive relegation easily. The only worrying thing with these transfers was squad depth, especially next season when De Laet would return to Manchester United from his loan with us. But, oh well, I'm going to look on the bright side, and that side is very bright.
*If you are following or have read a bit of this, please comment. Also, thanks to JamieReed24 for the icons, which I copied off his story. Keep reading!​

 

[Elzy2010]

Keep up the good work mate, view my story click the link below

 

[Martinz0309]

Absoultey brillent !!

 

[burkeyoa]

Superb stuff mate. Love your writing

 

[*Paul*]

Keep up the good work mate, view my story click the link below

Absoultey brillent !!

Superb stuff mate. Love your writing

Thanks guys, I will update again soon. Will take a look at your stories (if they are in your signature).

 

[::SirMax::]

Good,great story

 

[*Paul*]

16th July 2009​

A poor performance for us in a game against Millwall. We are away at The Den, but I won't accept any of this in the proper season. Steve Morrison and Ashley Grimes scored for them, whilst Alan Lee scored for us. Again, I was watching on as my assistant took charge, I was just seeing the players, who played well and who played badly. Only Neil Danns impressed me really. ​

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v
Millwall 2-1 Crystal Palace

9' Morrison

45' Lee

86' Grimes​

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A very poor result against a League 1 side, I expect better next time!​

17th July 2009​

Another player released today, Matt Lawrence is the man who I have got rid of. After my staff said that he was on massive wages for a player of his (poor) quality, I had a look at him in training, keeping my eye on him and I decided to get rid of him. Apparently a host of League 1 clubs are after him, in a list which includes Colchester and Norwich. I am probably going to make a massive clearout here at Selhurst, we cannot afford to pay all these overpaid player's wages. I will also be looking to bring in some of my own players, with most of them on loan. I expect to bring in at least 5 players this window. ​

23th July 2009​

I've signed a couple of players, quite please with my signings, actually. I've sold Danny Butterfield for £150k to Leyton Orient. I've signed a couple of youngsters in Thomas Dau, Gary Frewen and Adam McGurk, some good loans in Ben Turner and Fabrice Muamba and a established played in Richard Hughes from Pompey on a free transfer! What a bargain! I don't see why Portsmouth didn't keep him, I know they are in Administration but I would play him over Hayden Mullins, who they are keeping, any day. I hope I can get more transfers like him. Very happy with my dealings so far.
*I will continue this story with FM 2011 with Book 2 (This one is Book 1). Therefore, I will temporarily close this thread when I finish Book 1 and open it when I want to start Book 2. Thanks. ​

 

[Alcaraz]

Good luck with Palace mate,they are always a challenge to manage

 

[*Paul*]

I look forward to this I did enjoy the old format alot though:'(

Good,great story

Good luck with Palace mate,they are always a challenge to manage

Thanks for the positive comments guys, keep them coming. If anyone wants any information or screenshots then please say. Also, please rate this thread. Expect updates soon, I am currently in November in the game.
@Alcaraz: Yeah, of course they are, any club with no money to spend and in Administration would be a challenge. It is a very fun game being Palace, though.
@casey32: You enjoyed the old one? I think it was quite good, although I am surprised you like it that much. I hope you like this one more though, I do .

 

[Zaiaz]

Nice story so far will defo follow... Check put my story, it's called "from russia to win- a Chelsea fc story

 

[*Paul*]

25th July 2009​

What a game! We absolutely dominated and I am delighted with a brilliant win, in my first game officially in charge of! I even put some reserves on in the second half and they still scored about 5 goals! Also, I have signed Santiago Ezquerro and Kyle Bartley (on a 3 month loan). ​

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v
Oxford Utd 1-7 Crystal Palace

19' Ezquerro

43' Eikrem

47' Beesley

55' Pinney

71' Scannell

73' Scannell
76' Ferrell

77' Scannell (pen)

88' Cadogan​

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A fantastic win for us, I was particularly impressed with Sean Scannell, hope he can keep this up! A bit strange though, the first team 'lost 2-1' in the first half whilst the reserves 'won 5-0' in the second. I guess that's life though. ​

27th July 2009​

What a day! Not only did we win against one of the best teams in Portugal, I also managed to offload another waste of wages, Claude Davis, who we had signed from Derby. Apparently, he is going to go on trial with MK Dons. Still, I still can't believe we won this game, an absolutely brilliant win and I am proud of the lads. ​

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v
Crystal Palace 3-1 Sporting Lisbon

27' Adrien

36' Scannell

46' Eikrem

76' De Laet​

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If we keep playing like this, I reckon we can get promotion. I really am getting carried away. Anyway, I am packing my bags: I'm going to Greece in 2 days for a tour. ​

28th July 2009​

I really can't wait to go to Greece, what at great place! We are going to visit some cities, including Athens, and play football too. We have our first match tommorow against Marsaxlokk. Then, 2 days later, we face Tarxien and on the 3rd of August, we have Floriana to beat. We fly home on the 6th, 2 days before out first league game against Plymouth. You know what, I may take my PS2 with me to Greece, I may get bored when we're not sightseeing or playing. I'm also looking to sign former Portsmouth and Fulham defender Dejan Stefanovic, after Norwich released him recently. ​

 

[Parker_Rangers_1873]

great read ! keep it up

 

[Bodell]

Took me a while to read through it mate, but It's a good read. Expect another follower. :wub:

 

[AdzKingIV]

Absolutely love the layout mate. Class story

 

[*Paul*]

Took me a while to read through it mate, but It's a good read. Expect another follower. :wub:

Absolutely love the layout mate. Class story

Thanks guys, I will update some time soon, I really appreciate the comments. Please rate the thread .

 

[wunzigan]

Great story, started to read today and cant get enough of it. I wonder if management couldnt get you a raise on your wage, considering the money you are making for the club and the results so far....

 

[Zaiaz]

FREAKIN AWSOME MATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WONDerful!!!

 

[miskell99]

Good luck Paul. Should be good. Try and get Rhys Murpht up front on loan.

 

[*Paul*]

Great story, started to read today and cant get enough of it. I wonder if management couldnt get you a raise on your wage, considering the money you are making for the club and the results so far....

Wage rise? I wouldn't want it anyway, it would ruin all my profits .

FREAKIN AWSOME MATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WONDerful!!!

Thank you (K).

Good luck Paul. Should be good. Try and get Rhys Murpht up front on loan.

Rhys Murphy has performed for me before, although I really do not need him with a fantastic strike force in Alan Lee, Sean Scannell, Adam McGurk, Stern John, Santiago Ezquerro and some loanees.

Thanks for all the comments, I will temporarily stop (and close) this story. Expect it to be continued in September, when school starts. Mind you, I have reached November in the game so updates may come thick and fast once the thread re-opens.
Thanks for your understanding :wub:,
Paul
* I will close the thread in half an hour.