Jack Baker's Road to Glory (FMH14)

"My name is Jack Baker," I whisper, "and I am here today to apply for the managerial position at Gosport Borough F.C.," I shout.

"Alright young man, just lower the volume level a tad. I'm Margaret, and I'm the club's part-time receptionist. Mark Hook will be out of his office in a moment to receive you."

Mark Hook is the chairman, I think nervously.

I'm only 26 years old, only a few years removed from my own playing days up at Boston United. A crushing knee injury finished any high-level aspirations I had at age 21.

They'd released me without so much as a goodbye card, the Pilgrims.

I was crushed and defeated, and had spent the majority of the last five years since my release sitting in my parents' basement unabashedly watching footage of myself, bitterly hating Boston United for not seeing my obvious potential.

"Hello Jack, welcome to our humble home," says a tall, thick man I take to be GBFC chairman Mark Hook. I instantly snap out of my reminiscence and grasp his outstretched hand.

"Hi Mr. Chairman, very happy to be here."

"Step into my office and let's have a chat, shall we?"

...

Twenty minutes later I leave the office, say goodbye to Margaret, and hop into my car for the long drive home, wearing my new Gosport Borough F.C. tracksuit, with "Manager" written proudly in cursive on the sleeve.

...

"Hello mum, I'm home! You won't believe this- I've got a job! A real job!

"Oh Jacky, I knew that Tesco would need an extra cart pusher! I'm so glad you're finally back on your own two feet! When do you move out?"

"Mum, I didn't apply to Tesco, and I'm too smart to push carts but thanks for that. I'm the new manager of GBFC!"

"What in god's name is GBFC? Is this one of those random Football Manager saves you always ramble on about?"

"GOSPORT BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB! I'm a football manager mum!"

"Wow...I'm so proud that you're going to coach a bunch of losers who can't get a real job and want to live the dream for a few more years! What do they play, Ryman League?"

"Oh shut up. They play in the Conference South."

"I'm so very proud of you my boy...now go do the dishes."

Sigh, I need to move out soon. Training starts tomorrow and I'm so excited to meet the lads. My mum simply doesn't understand what being a pro...erm...semi-pro football manager means!

For all intents and purposes, Privett Park is a serviceable pitch for this level. Roughly 700 seated, room for 4000 if everyone wants to pack it.

As I drive into Privett Park to meet the squad at training and become acquainted with my new colleagues, I can't help but dream that this might be the start of something special. Something big.

I picture an older, matured, grey-haired version of me pitchside at Wembley, managing in a match being viewed around the world.

I fantasize about massive post-game media scrums, primadonna stars, and cheekily engaging in a war of words with opposing managers.

Unfortunately, Margaret is the only person that greets me as I stride towards the pitch, with the team's financial report for the month of June.

"It's not pretty, but we broke even," smiles Margaret coyly. Just a brief reminder that I am in the Conference South with a newly-promoted team. The mere thought that we'd have to face professional teams like Eastleigh this season, with a hodge-podge of bankers, city workers, and unemployed football bums made me cringe. It could be a long year.

I meet with Mark pitchside, as the players change in the tiny underground changing room.

"Hello Jack, now that you've officially accepted our offer, I should let you know some things. Your transfer budget will be 17K, however good luck signing anyone with our wage budget of 3,380...we are, after all, a semi-pro team."

"Of course," I mutter, doing a poor job of hiding my dejection.

"But hey, enough of the depressing talk let's go meet the Southern League's playoff champions from last year- your new team!"

"Yes, let's..." I whisper to myself, almost groaning at the thought of facing powerhouses like Eastleigh...

Gosport Borough F.C.

Goalkeepers
Nathan Ashmore - 22 - 3CA/3.5PA
Gareth Barfoot - 31 - 1CA/1PA

Defenders
Aaron Cook - 33 - 4CA/4PA
Paul Hinshelwood - 25 - 3.5CA/3.5PA
Brett Poate - 29 - 3.5CA/3.5PA
Lee Molyneaux - 30 - 3CA/3PA
Sam Pearce - 25 - 3.5CA/4PA
Ellis Martin - 21 - 3CA/4PA
Jonathan Brodgen - 22 - 2.5CA/3PA
Jack Barton - 19 - 2.5CA/4PA
Ricardo Viana - 26 - 1.5CA/1.5PA

Midfielders
Adam Wilde - 34 - 4CA/4PA
Jamie Brown - 32 - 3.5CA/3.5PA
Sammy Igoe - 37 - 3.5CA/3.5PA
Danny Smith - 30 - 3CA/3PA
Tom Dunford - 22 - 2.5CA/3PA
Rory Williams - 22 - 2CA/2.5PA

Strikers
Justin Bennett - 31 - 3CA/3PA
Andy Forbes - 34 - 3.5CA/3.5PA
Dan Wooden - 22 - 2CA/2PA

The squad isn't great, and while Mark told me he personally feels that the midfield needs the most work, my number one goal is going to be finding an out-and-out striker from a higher level. Ashmore looks like an alright goalkeeper, but if I can an old veteran from a higher league on a free transfer I'll snap him up. The likes of Wooden, Williams, and Viana will have to go just to cut the wage budget.