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Meet Aaron Softley. Last year, at 24 years of age, he fractured his fibula playing for Hoggs Head Old Boys in the East Riding Amateur League Division Four. With the manager leaving in aggressive fashion soon after, quoting that his team is 'full of no-hopes, pensioners and heart attacks waiting to happen', Aaron volunteered to manage the club in exchange for a free pint and parmigiana down at the Hoggs Head each Sunday. That season, from gaining just 3 points from the first 8 games, (from a forfeit) and suffering a headline making 18-0 loss before Aaron took control, they ended up amassing 67 points from 35 games, albeit winning 1-0 most of the time. Managers across East Riding praised Aaron at the end of his season for his use of an inventive, asymmetric 6-2-1-1 formation where he deployed Big Jack, a 140kg monster, up front as a poacher and signed up a 73 year old goalkeeper whom used to play in the Norwegian Second Division in the 1960's to keep between the posts.

After his huge success at Hoggs Head, 25 year old Softley finally decided that he should venture from the inconsistency and obesity of the Sunday Leagues and venture into the world of semi-pro and professional football. After being fast tracked and subsequently passed his Continental Pro Licence, Aaron Softley now searches for his first paid job in the world of football.

NB: From now on, I will be speaking in first person

So now, I look for a job, scouring the Earth to find any team crazy enough to test me out. Bear in mind, I have loaded up 88 leagues so, hopefully, some team will test me out. I will be updating every fortnight on the job front to see what I can land myself and, well, here the Journey begins !!! I am also starting in July 2013, if anyone wondered

Well, I'll be damned ! It seems my success with Hoggs Head has spread throughout the world as, one day after sending out my resume to every job going, I came back with 39 Job Interview Offers !

Most of them come from Indonesia, where I really don't want to go becuase of it's *cough third-world *cough* living standards but, I did do an interview with all the Super League teams as that would be a great opportunity to get into the AFC Champions League. Overall I went to just 8 of the interviews that I was offered as some of the teams were abysmal

So much Red !



Rundown of the Job Offers:

Frigg Oslo FK – Nowegian Second Division – Declined
Vidar FK - Norwegian Second Division – Declined
Algard - Norwegian Second Division – Declined
Asane IL – Norwegian Second Division – Declined
Ostiden IL – Norwegian Second Division – Declined
Jomo Cosmos – South African First Division – Interview
Persebaya – Indonesian Super League – Interview
Yogyakarta – Indonesian Premier League – Declined
PSBL – Indonesian First Division – Declined
AC Oulu – Finnish First Division - Interview
Sint Niklaas – Belgian Third Division – Declined
Birkebeineran – Norwegian Second Division – Declined
Skedsmo – Norwegian Second Division – Declined
Nesodden – Norwegian Second Division – Declined
PSSB – Indonesian Premier Division – Declined
PS Mitra Kukar – Indonesian Super League - Interview
PSB Bogor – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Witbank Spurs – South African First Division – Interview
Rupel Boom – Belgian Third Division – Declined
Persikad – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persela – Indonesian Super League – Interview
Persehan – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persiju – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persikasi – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Makasaar – Indonesian Premier Division – Declined
Persipro – Indonesian Premier Division – Declined
Persikubar – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persires – Indonesian Premier Division – Declined
Persika – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persigubin – Indonesian First Division – Declined
PSKT – Indonesian First Division – Declined
PS Sumba Barat – Indonesian Premier Division – Declined
Persiram – Indonesian Super League – Interview
Persatu – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Yahukimo – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persibas – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persewar – Indonesian First Division – Declined
Persebo – Indonesian Premier Division – Declined
Polokwane City – South African Premiership - Interview

The major jobs I am looking at right now is definitely Polokwane City, because it is in such a reputable league and, also, Jomo Cosmos and Witbank Spurs, as these are young teams with decent finances with lots of potential. Number one preference is definitely Polokwane though

I have sorted out the teams I have applied for in what preference I would accept the job. The premise I will go by is, if the 1st Preference is gone, I will then accept 2nd preference though I will delay the 2nd Preference job if 1st Preference is pending etc.

1st
Polokwane City

2nd

Jomo Cosmos, Witbank Spurs

3rd

PS Mitra Kukar

4th

Persiram, Persela, Persebaya

5th

AC Oulu

Fingers Crossed !!!

Well, I got job offers back from Jomo Cosmos, Witbank Spurs, Mitra Kukar and Persiram !!!






So, because Polokwane City rejected me :(, its now a decision between Witbank Spurs and Jomo Cosmos. Jomo Cosmos certainly have better finances, and have just suffered a shock season in the National First Division, so there is great potential to be successful there but they have very high expectations. Witbank Spurs, however, has been on a downhill since it's creation in 2009, so it would be fun to try and pick them up and get them into the Premiership.

Choices.... Choices.... Choices

Jomo Cosmos appoint unknown manager Aaron Softley

League Expectations: Win Promotion from South African First Division

Media Expectations: 3rd Place

Last Season:14th National First Division


It's official ! I chose Jomo Cosmos F.C to start off my journey. When I read through their history I simply could not resist ! Created by South African legend Jomo Sono, this team has been all about promoting the youth in South Africa and has finished consistently in the top 8 in the Premiership. In recent years,though, they have lost their sway but still have a massive emphasis on their Youth Academy which I love about a team. The finances of this team are outstanding for the division so we will be able to snap up some great transfers before the season starts. Our expectations are high but so are my ambitions !



As you can see, our stadium is, comparatively, massive so we can easily gain extra finances in the long run if we go over our wage budget. We might have to work on our scouting range though as I am pretty much restricted to Africans at the moment

Squad:






Lots of young talent and skill in this team but also a lot of dead wood to replace. Two players that will definitely be fundamental to my season will be the two sons of Jomo Sono, Bamuza and
Masilele. One problem is that we are only allowed five foreign players, meaning I will be trying to sell the average El-Hadji Samb, Nwadike and Kaimbi off to free some space; though the talented Swazi player,Badenhorst, will hopefully stay and take a rotation role. Interesting fact, our average age is just 24, lets hope Alan Hansen isn't correct !

Next update: August 1st, Friendlies and Transfers

Monthly Update

Great month so far, though not much foraging in the transfer market. I have been trialling an attacking formation out and it has worked brilliantly in our friendly matches. The team is looking wholly positive at the moment, being undefeated and some new superstars are emerging from the deadwood that the team has offered me !

Transfers:

In:

Name: Luis Boa Morte, (Trial)



I have given a trial to the now 35 year old West Ham legend, Luis Boa Morte. I really wanted to see if he had the old potency he sported at West Ham and Arsenal and so far he has not failed to dissapoint. 3 goals and 1 assist in 5 matches is a great feat so far and, with bags of experience from teams such as Arsenal, West Ham United, Fulham and Sporting Lisbon, this man could easily lead our team into a title challenge. Though it will all depend on what his final wage demands will be as paying out £2500 a week for a deteoriating 35 year old may be a risky move for a team destined for youth.

Name: Simba Sithole, (Work Permit)



This boys stats, for a 22 year old, are irresistible for a club of our caliber. Recently playing 5 matches in the South African Premiership, this boy has been trialled by the big clubs and has an all-round ability in physical, mental and technical stats. Also, the contract offer is only £500 a week so, for an upcoming player, it seems we have picked up a complete coup. Sadly, we have to wait until the end of the month in order for him to move but, when he does, a first 11 position will beckon him.

Match Results:

A great start to the season in terms of friendlies, being undefeated even against a Premiership club in these first 10 days. I have been able to see who are the superstars and who our flaws are so we do not have to do transfers blind. The best result, of course, is our 9-1 demolition of local club City Sharks where most of our players saw an 8.00+ rating; a great debut match.The 3-3 draw against Premiership team FS Stars also shows great progress from the team as it shows we have the potential to mix it up with the big boys. One worry, though, is that we have not got a single clean sheet despite playing fairly weak teams. Because of this, it looks like investing more into the defense department will be necessary in order to get consistent results.

Tactic Used:



I have been experimenting with an attacking and high tempo based 4-2-4 formation with Boa Morte dominating the left midfield. I have opted to have a deep lying forward in order to have a more cohesive attacking partnership and so far, it has done justice for the team. I will have to rethink our defensive tactics though, as, so far, we have conceded a troubling 8 goals in 5 games.

Star of the Month:

Name: Okey Nwadike
Apps: 4
Goals: 4
Assists: 1
Average Rating: 7.30
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Our recently transfer-listed, 30 year-old striker has certainly been impressive in these early friendlies. Banging in 4 goals in 4 games, including a 9.7 rated hat-trick in my debut meant I have had to think twice about selling this star. Despite being the best on pitch, I will have to wait a few more games before I make the decision on whether he stays or goes as there is still no hiding that his skills are average for the league; though if he can keep up this form, he may become our most lethal force this season.


Next Update: September 1st The Season Starts !

Good luck!