In to third, woo!

2014-10-29 22:46#197705 Neal : What a goal friendly month after that first drab match! Still doing quite well in the league, though, promotion looking a certainty

It was indeed. So many goals which made for great watching. Although I think we should have killed some of the games off!

2014-10-29 23:13#197710 Justice : In to third, woo!

Wooooooo! indeed.

When I set out on this challenge I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to try and take my first club to the dizzy heights of the Premier League or whether to jump ship for a higher calibre club if the offer came along. Back on Football Manger 14 I decided that the focus would at first be taking Notts County to the Premier League and ensure they became a sustainable Premier League club if I chose to leave. This is something I achieved before the job at FC Bayern München came along and I would have been stupid to have turned it down. I took the job at one of the world’s most successful clubs and I enjoyed my time there until it became obvious that I had created a club that would consistently win things. This is of course the point of management but the challenge element that had been there at Notts County had disappeared. I missed the challenge and ultimately became bored of the game.

Despite this, I am setting out on this unemployment challenge with the same approach as I adopted on Football Manager 14. I will stick it out with my current club, Boston United, until I decide I cannot achieve anything else with the club. I will also ensure that the club are in a sustainable position and won’t suddenly slip back down the league. This approach has led to me signing a one-year contract extension with the club. The offer was put forward by the chairman; I did not seek out the extension. It appears to have been a result of the over-achievement we have been experienced this year in the Vanarama North division.

We are currently in a strong position in the league and definitely still in the mix for a play-off spot with the league title slowly going from our clasp. To achieve a play-off spot in my first season with the club that I started with in the relegation zone would be a great achievement. It would also be new territory for me as I have never experienced the play-offs in my time on football management games. I hope that I manage to repay the faith the chairman has shown in me and guide the club to their first promotion since 2002.

Player of the Month – Caine Winfarrah

Congrats on signing a new contract, and it looks like a playoff spot is inevitable!

Average month. Looking very close between 4th and 6th so let's hope you don't suddenly stumble too much from here on! And whatever approach you decide to take, I am sure it'll be just as enjoyable to read as your last story!

A very tight league table! You could potentially win the title or miss out on play-offs. I hope you can get promotion!

JasonRM:The play-off spot is almost ours! I was very undecided when it came to the new contract but thought a bit of job security would be good.

AaronHJFT96:The gap is unfortunately getting closer and closer. As long as we keep playing well I am confident we can get at least one of the play-off spots.

Justice:I think the league title is just out of our reach but the play-off spots are definitely not.

When I first joined Boston United it was a club that had had a very poor start to the season. They languished in the relegation zone and were bereft of confidence. The chairman expected me to turn the club into a top half finish standard team by the end of the season. It seemed a difficult task especially as I had to repair the damage the previous manager had caused at the beginning of the season; on that note he has had the cheek to come out and cause a stir between me and the club saying he could have done well if given the chance and the club were mad to put their hopes on me. What a clown! That single message provided me with huge inspiration that I instilled in my team and over time the confidence of the lads grew. We won games, we demolished sides that visited York Street stadium and we became a team to be taken seriously.

So far in this story I have banged on and on about Marc Newsham; heck, if I read a story that seemed to just focus on one player I would have stopped reading it by now. But I cannot emphasise how good this lad is. He has been at the forefront of every attack, he has scored an incredible 27 goals in 29 league appearances, which is somehow still a huge distance away from the club record of 42 goals by Jimmy Rayner in the 1967/68 season. He does however hold the record for the club’s oldest ever place to make an appearance at 28 years of age, the fastest goal scored in 47 seconds (which he achieved this season) and the most goals scored in one game after his hat trick against Guiseley earlier in the season. Without him we would not have reached the play-offs and have finished the season just one point behind deserving league winners, Harrogate Town. It is going to be vital that Newsham has another storming season next season, whether we earn promotion or not through the Vanarama Conference North Division Play-offs.

Do I think we can win the play-offs? Why not? We have been pitted against Stalybridge Celtic who have been tough opposition so far this season. I have just watched the Football Manager: An Alternative Reality documentary and listened to Adam Le Fondre describe how he led Stalybridge Celtic to become a sustained Premier League side. Unfortunately they haven’t got that quality this time around but they have beaten us once this season, which means it will be a very nervy affair when it comes down to kick off.

Player of the Month – Marc Newsham

So unlucky to miss out on the title by one point, but congrats on making the play-offs!

Woo!! What a month, you destroy Leamington! Good luck in the play offs my friend...Not that you'll need it

A great month James, what a shame you just missed out on the league title..
Nonetheless, congrats on making the play-offs, good luck

Justice:It was a valiant effort by the lads but the draw against Stalybridge really didn't help us.

AaronHJFT96:Leamington didn't stand a chance bless 'em. I quietly confident about the play-offs but of course, I already know the result.

pompeyblue:It was a shame but a good end league position to say we started in the relegation zone.

Unlucky losing out on the title by one point! (Although, to see my local team win it (Harrogate) is nice) I'm sure you won't get too demoralised and find you in the Conference Premier next season

2014-10-30 23:23#197837 Jack : Unlucky losing out on the title by one point! (Although, to see my local team win it (Harrogate) is nice) I'm sure you won't get too demoralised and find you in the Conference Premier next season

Damn Harrogate Town!! A win against Stalybridge and that update would have been totally different!

Grrrrrr you beat Leamington again! I think you are an awesome writer and your updates get better and better