Wealdstone - From the Bottom to the Top

Introduction

Hey guys thanks for taking the time to read my first Football Manager story. My name is Nathan and I have been playing Football Manager since FM12. I have logged 912 hours(Ouch)on FM13 and after buying FM14 I have decided to write a story on Wealdstone FC, enjoy!

About the Story

After a years out, the former Sunday League favorite, Nathan Jones will make a return to football as the manager of newly promoted Wealdstone FC from the Isthmian League Premier Division. Nathan made his name his name while playing for his local side, Bromsgrove Sporting but his career was cut short due a broken ankle 3 years ago. This is Nathan Jones' first foray into management and he has expressed his enthusiasm to take Wealdstone to new heights.

Why Wealdstone?

There were many teams promoted from the lower tiers of English football into the North/South Skrill so why Wealdstone?

Wealdstone FC was formed in Wealdstone, in the London Borough of Harrow, but now is currently based a few miles away in Ruislip, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Their honours include the Skrill Premiere(1985), the English FA trophy(1985) and the English Southern League Cup(1982). Although, Wealdstone may be more famously known as the starting place for club icons Stuart Pearce and Jermaine Beckford.

Pundits place Wealdstone FC to finish 20th in the Skrill South this season, so new manager Nathan Jones has to beat the drop.

Preseason I

In just over a month at the club, Jones has already completed several transfers, but has said that "It's unlikely that anymore business will be completed, the hand I've been dealt at Wealdstone is already fantastic. I can't wait to knuckle down and get some games under my belt". Here are the transfers so far.

Transfers Out

Louis-Rae Beadle - ML/AML/ST - Kings Lynn, Year Loan

The 24-year old who joined at the start of the season shows potential but will unlikely get first team football this season at Wealdstone FC.

Ross Matthews 28 - DL/C - Free
Dan Goddard 27 - MRC/AMC/ST - Free
Max Rose 24 - GK - Free

Manager Nathan Jones stated that "After deliberation with the staff we all agreed that Ross, Dan and Max were not up to the level needed to play in this division but I wish them all the best in the future".

Transfers In

Ian Johnson - Chief Scout - Free, 1-year part time £150 p/w

The 31-year old began his career at Wigan in 2000. Johnson has played for Southport, Skelmersdale, Marine and Burscough. Johnson retired age 23 in 2006 making no senior appearances in his whole career. This is his first non playing role.

Matt Jones - DR - Free, 1-year part time £475 p/w

Matt Jones, 29, began career at St. Albans City making 6 apps. He later joined Bishops Stortford in 2005 making 136 appearances, scoring 2 goals. After a spell at Bishops Stortford Matt joined Dartford in 2011 but failed to start once. In 2013 he joined Hampton & Richmond making 34 appearances scoring 3 goals.

Manager Nathan Jones appears pleased with his business, during a press conference he declared "Matt Jones is going to be a vital player this season, its great to have him on board especially in a position which is lacking depth".

Simon Jackson - DR/C - Free, 1-year part time £235 p/w

Jackson, 29, began his career at Charlton Athletic in 2002 but failed to make a single appearance over 2 years. Jackson has had spells at Woking, Fisher Athletic, Bognor Regis Town, Sutton United, Staines Town and Maidstone.

Jones: "I'm glad to welcome Simon to the club, right back was a position where we needed quality and depth so to have the likes of Matt and Simon on board is really pleasing".

Preseason II

Results

In-Depth

Wealdstone Vs. St. Albans

Jones: "We didn't click as well as I'd hoped, although the boys are still learning the formation and the lack of match fitness is apparent. On the plus side chances were created after changing to a more direct tactic, but finishing needs improvement".

Wingate & Finchley Vs. Wealdstone

Journalist 1: "How'd you think that went compared to Tuesdays game against St. Albans?".
Jones: "Yeah, that was a much better game than Tuesday. I thought we were dominant in possession and the lads were clinical in front of goal. Our new boys played well, Simon scored which was great to see".

Abingdon Town Vs. Wealdstone

Jones: "I thought we played some good football and scored good goals alike. And my Forwards are giving me a good headache by both getting goals during preseason".

Wealdstone Vs. Maidenhead

Journalist 1: "A good win against opposition in the same division, how did you think it went?".
Jones: "I thought we were dominant in possession and the amount of shots on target we had. And, like you said Maidenhead are in the same divisions so I'm very happy with the performance against opposition we'll face this season.
Journalist 2: "Scott Wilson has been confirmed to be out for 3-4 months with a broken ankle. How big of a loss is he?"
Jones: "Scott has been in terrific form so far so its a shame to see him out for such a long time. Thankfully we have players to come in such as Scott McGleish, and I have the utmost faith in his ability".

Wealdstone Vs. Watford U21

Journalist 1: "How did you think that went".
Jones: "I'm really pleased because we created lots of good chances against a team which pundits believed would win comfortably".
Journalist 1: "And how would you say preseason has gone on the whole?".
Jones: " After a shaky start, I think the lads produced some quality performances. The players we've bought in have settled in nicely and I can't wait to kick off".

August

Results

In-Depth

Debut - Skrill South - Wealdstone Vs. Salisbury - Saturday 16th August 2014

My debut was against Salisbury City, who were relegated from the Skrill Premiere last season. I was hoping for a continuation of form from preseason and the team duly delivered. Scott McGleish got on the scoresheet after 26 minutes with a well placed shot. McGleish later doubled his tally with a penalty in the 63rd minute.

Salisbury Sack Harris

Mikey Harris has been sacked by Salisbury City Chairman William Harrison-Allen after Salisbury's 2-0 defeat against Wealdstone on the opening day of the season.

Although Harris finished runners up in English FA Trophy last season, he could not save them from the drop in the Skrill Premier.

Salisbury will be looking for a new manager and speculations to Harris' successor is rife, with Rob Scott being touted as favorite by the media.

Skrill South - Welling Vs. Wealdstone - Tuesday 19th August 2014

Next it was on the road to Welling, sat 17th in the table. Not that it mean much at this stage. The first goal came from Ryan Beswick from the penalty spot only 8 minutes in. The game soon opened up when Welling's Abdullahi was sent off for a second yellow on the 25th minute, leading to two goals from Elliott Godfrey scoring in the 28th and 74th minute. Overall a great win on the road.

Bentley Considers Quitting

Wealdstone fans will be disappointed tonight to hear that one of their key players, defensive midfielder Mark Bentley (36),is set for long spell on the sidelines. Bentley has sustained a broken leg following a challenge during training, which will keep him out of action for 7-8 months.

Mark Bentley himself has admitted that "Even when healed, the rigours of professional football may be too much to cope with so I'll consider my options".

Wealdstone manager Nathan Jones has recently spoken to press on the matter backing Bentley, "It's a massive loss to lose Mark because he's a quality player and a massive figure here, whatever choice he makes in the future, me and the staff will be 100% behind him".

Skrill South - Wealdstone Vs. Farnborough - Saturday 23rd August 2014

The third game was an absolute goal fest against Farnborough. A fantastic performance by Ryan Beswick sealed the victory. Beswick scored with a point blank header in the 31st minute, but Ming equalised for Farnborough 8 minutes later. Beswick scored again with a shot on 43 minutes. But once again, the equaliser came shortly after from Tommy Whitnell with a driven shot on the stroke of halftime. Scott McGleish put Wealdstone ahead after 61 minutes with a well timed finished. Beswick scored his 3rd goal of the game putting Wealdstone 4-2 up in the 70th minute. Joe Lolley gave Farnborough fans a glimmer of hope in the 84th minute but the final score was 4-3. Although we shown great finishing prowess, the inconsistent defending was something to think about.

Skrill South - Concord Rangers Vs. Wealdstone - Sunday 31st August 2014

Our last game was against Concord Rangers who from kick off, looked like an equal opponent. But after the sending off of Jamie Beasley in the 25th minute, Concords day went from bad to worse. My possession based tactic mean that Concord didn't have a chance with only 34% possession and 4 shots on target, at home. Inform winger Beswick scored first with a tap in from a Hubbins cross. Hubbins then scored in the 65th minute with a tidy finish, then Hubbins doubled his lead on the 80 minute mark. Impact substitute Godfrey completed the route with a simple finish inside the area in the 88th minute. Although we won that game comfortably there were a few scares at the start of the game where set pieces were poorly defended, I will be training this in weeks to come.

Skrill South - League Standing - End of August 2014

A fantastic start this season, I feel the 4-5-1 possession based tactic worked brilliantly so far and the quality of some of the players at our disposal is really positive.

Player of the Month (PotM) - August 2014

Player of the Month has to be Ryan Beswick. Beswick started all four games achieving consistently high ratings, 5 goals in 4 games, 1 assist and 1 Man of the Match award. Finishing August on a astounding 7.9 average rating.

Jones Makes News

Wealdstone manager scoops August award.

Wealdstone's lesser known manager, Nathan Jones has won Skrill South Manager of the Month award.

The award panel made their decision after Stones manager guided his team to victory in all four league game this month.

Wealdstone 2-0 Salisbury (16th Aug)
Wealdstone 3-0 Welling (19th Aug)
Wealdstone 4-3 Farnborough (23rd Aug)
Wealdstone 4-0 Concord Rangers (31st Aug)

Mike Ford of Oxford City came second, whilst Whitehawk's Darren Freeman took third spot.

September

Results

In-Depth

Gloucester Vs. Wealdstone - Sunday 7th September 2014

The first game of September was against Gloucester City, Gloucester found themselves 21st in the league with 1 win from 4 games. They also conceded 6 goals in their last game alone, on paper this was a winnable game. As predicted, the first goal came in the 6th minute from target man McGleish, with a header, smashing crossbar and in from a floated cross provided by Hubbins. Beswick scored the second goal, with a great individual effort 27 minutes in. Sending the fullback the wrong way and charging into the area to slot past the keeper. Beswick's second came from our goal kick, Gloucester midfielder Kerwan missed the header leading to a defensive error by Craddock. Beswick was quick to react placing it past the keeper. Gloucester did claw a goal back on the 57th minute with a driven shot from Ferguson, unmarked on the edge of the area. A great game on the road full of goals.

Wealdstone Vs. Hayes & Yeading - Tuesday 9th September 2014

Our next game was only 2 days later forcing me to put out a fitter, but weaker side against 14th placed Hayes & Yeading. Regan was sent off in the 22nd minute on a foul on Godfrey going one on one. But H & Y were able to equalise, Bosch unmarked, received the ball from a set piece and smashed it home. But star-man Beswick managed to claw a goal back in the 64th minute, cutting in and driving in a near post shot just outside the box. The game ended 1-1, fitness was obviously affecting our performance forcing to play a weaker side. In conclusion a poor game, and one to forget about.

Wealdstone Vs. Dover - Saturday 13th September 2014

After a few days off, our 3rd game was against Dover. Dover were 6th in the league but had lost their previous game to Gloucester at home. The first goal fell to Ademole on the 14th minute. A great run past our left back smashing it into the post, but he was quick to get the rebound. We quickly reacted and McGleish tapped home from a near post corner, 16 minutes in. Dovers Bellamy scored Dover's 2nd goal when a clearance fell to him on the 31st minute. We eventually equalised from captain Cronin's volley, when a set piece got cleared off the line and he hit it into the top left corner. Dover lost Bellamy at the end of a game to a red card, but it was too late to punish the opposition. Even though we dominated possession the team struggled to create chances.

FA Cup 2nd Qual. Rnd - Wealdstone Vs. North Greenford - Sat 20th September 2014

We were firm favorites for this cup game and it was a good chance to get some form back for the league. The first goal came quickly when Godfreys shot, from inside the penalty area after great work from Hubbins on the 2nd minute. The second goal came from a rebound after Crook's initial shot outside the box was saved. Pett was first to the rebound scoring 18 minutes in. We scored another goal from Godfrey on the 34th minute. More great work by Hubbins, crossing perfectly to Godfrey with the near post header beating the keeper. The final nail came from Hubbins, when an attempted cross beat the keeper at the end of the game. A fantastic performance from him, and from the team, Dominant with possession and shots. Hopefully we carry on to to the league.

Wealdstone have been drawn against Chelmsford on Saturday 4th October 2014

Chelmsford Vs. Wealdstone - Saturday 27th September 2014

Our fifth game this month was against FA Cup opponents Chelmsford. Chelmsford found themselves 7th in the league losing only one game. We scored just 3 minutes after McGleish slotted in after a Adams deep free kick. Chelmsford equalised in the 66th minute with a Harris volley. I thought the result was fair considering CHelmsford were favorites.

Wealdstone Vs. Weston-Super-Mare - Tuesday 30th September 2014

The last game of September was against Weston-Super-Mare, sat in 10th. McGleish scored 3 minutes in after a Beswick's volley got saved, and McGleish was first to react. Headley equalised in the 34th minute with a shot just outside the box. McGleish scored again with another rebound. Our 3rd goal came from a Sargent own goal after a goalmouth scramble hit off him last. McGleish got his hat trick on the 87th minute with a near post tap in from a corner. WSM got a goal back from the spot on the 91st minute.

Skrill South - League Standing - End of September 2014

PotM

A tough decision for player of the month when Beswick continued to impress. But Scott McGleish scored 6 goals in 5 games with 1 assist and an average rating of 7.8.