Teemu's Big European Adventure

Brutttalll

UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round leg two

7 July, 2016


Tonight's second leg match against Sibenik was one that was a bit strange for the Red Devils. Going into the match there was some hope that they could sneak one out or even get a scoreless draw. Well that was not the case as this second leg was really bizarre.

Manchester 62 had to navigate the match against one of the strictest referees in Europe, Antonio Damato. He is known to have huge biases against certain clubs and countries and is also known for giving preferential treatment to the visitors. Well he would strike quickly by giving our players two cards within the first two minutes. In total he would hand out 5 cards making Neimenen's club have to be very careful all match. That was one of the factors for this bad match.

The other issue in the match were the injuries. Two key players went down, winger Anthony Hernandez and goalkeeper Dayle Coleing. The injury to Coleing was the most impact of the game. When he went down there were no substitutes left so defender Jack Sergeant had to takeover. He did pretty decent in his time in goal only allowing one goal.

The best moment in the match was when striker Thomas Lucena scored in the 88th minute. This was the first European goal for the club scored by the club and it was an amazing moment in this chaotic match.

Despite the losing this round the club has made around €300K in funds that should help the club in the nest few years. Now that Europe is over Man 62 will now set their focus to a few friendlies and then the Gibraltar season and look to return next year.

Well, you scored twice over the two legs!

Unlucky mate, there's always next year, although hopefully it'll be the champions league

Last season for Manchester 62 F.C. it was a very up and down season where the club was all over the place in the table. Early on in the Teemu Neimenen era the club struggled and at the end of the 2015 portion of the season they would only have four wins, one draw and six losses. At this time he was on the verge of getting fired as his club were in sixth place. Somehow when the calendar changed to 2016 the Red Devils turned things around and finished in third place.


The turnaround in 2016 has really energized the club and their supporters. During this time they would climb to the third spot reaching the Europa League for the first time in history. Lead by Jeremy Lopez and John-Paul Duarte the Red Devils were able to get a few upsets including wins over Europa FC and Lincoln Red Imps. In cup play they would exit in the semifinals of both the Premier and Rock Cups.

Since the end of their season in May the club has had a very short rest period due to European play. For the first time in club history they were drawn in the first qualifying round of Europa League. Facing a really good side in HNK Sibenik of Croatia, the Red Devils were thought to have been obliterated. Somehow in both legs Teemu Neimenen was able to get the club ready. The two scores of the round were 4-1 and 5-1 giving a 9-2 score on aggregate. It could have been a different outcome in the second leg if injuries and a biased referee had not interfered. Overall it was a great first appearance for Manchester 62 in Europe.




Veterans Carl Hoefkens and Aaron Payas are by far the biggest names who have left so far this summer, with both becoming free agents. It is reported that neither player were pleased with the way the club was ran and had refused renegotiating their contracts. Both Hoefkens and Payas were among the highest earners of the club so hopefully Manchester 62 can get some suitable replacements. Seven others left the club as well.

Anthony Phillips has been the big name linked to the Red Devils all summer, but the deal has yet to go through. The 16 year old who currently plays for Philadelphia Union Academy has been on Neimenen radar for the last several months. Rumor has it that Phillips does not want to leave his club in America and a really good deal will get him to make the switch. Previously talks have broken down between the parties. If he does join the club he will not be able to join due to his age. This is a big risk that Neimenen has taken.




The first major question that is to be pondered is if Teemu Neimenen can keep up the good run of form the club has had since January. If he can continue the progress of last season it would not be a surprise to see Manchester 62 up close to the top of the table by seasons end. One way the club will be working to improve everything is that during the preseason the Red Devils are facing a few Ligue 1 reserve sides to get ready for the season.

Another question is on the transfer front. Will Manchester 62 be able to add a few more players, especially ones that can fill the vacant roles of Hoefkens and Payas? Due to the money that was made during Europa League the club has been able to finally invest in scouts and that should help Manchester 62 find the best talent they can find.




It would be stunning if the Red Devils didn't one again finish in the top three. They should be able to continue the amazing run from last season and the Europa League matches and friendlies against better teams should help. In cup play they should be able to make the semifinals and even push for a shot at the finals if all things go well. There is a small chance Manchester 62 could finish in second place or first if lucky but a lot of things need to happen first. Europa and Lincoln are once again the teams that will be in the way of trophies.


PREDICTIONS:
Argus Insurance Premier Division: Third
Gibraltar Rock Cup: Semi Final
Gibraltar Premier Cup: Semi Final

Good luck in the upcoming season, make it a big one!

2016 Summer Transfer Window

1 September, 2016

For manager Teemu Neimenem this summers transfer window has been really busy. After the departure of nine players he had a lot to do so that the squad could be stronger than the previous year. Well It was a really good window especially for the fact chairman John Charles Camilleri announced that the club has formed a partnership with Greek club Platanias. Thanks to this partnership the Red Devils were able to get a few guys on loan. Here is what happened in terms of movement and below are a few of the key players that have joined.



Dimitris Skouloudakis: Striker

Antonis Efthymakis: Goalkeeper

Graeme Torrilla: Defender

Scott Ballantine: Attacking Midfielder

Those loan signings from Greece should be a cut or two above most players in the league good luck for the season

Preseason

10 September, 2016


The 2016/17 preseason has finally come to a close for Manchester 62 as they now are settled in and ready for the upcoming campaign in the league and in cup play. In the six matches the Red Devils played really good and had a much better preseason than last season. The matches included two Ligue 1 reserve squads, three Gibraltar clubs and one Spanish side. Overall the club had a 3-2-1 record.

For manager Teemu Neimenen this preseason was all about continuing the positive direction that has been carried over since January.

“I was really looking to have a good mixture of friendlies for the guys to play so I can determine how well we will do. From what it looks we have a chance to be a top two club in the upcoming season. I was also very happy about the impact the new signings have made on this squad, especially the Greeks,” said Neimenen about the preseason.

The most impressive match in the preseason came against the Bordeaux Reserves. In this match the Red Devils were heavily out matched and it seemed to be a long day. Somehow we were able to counter the French club and get a 2-1 victory. With goals coming from Byron Espinosa and Thomas Isola and play from other younger Red Devils, it looks as if the club is starting to approach a new area.

The 2016/17 Argus Insurance Premier Division season kicks off on 24 September as the Red Devils take on Britannia as the away side. Season tickets are still available and start at €60.

We would like to wish our Red Devils good luck in this upcoming season.

Barring the defeat to L'OM's reserves, some good results in there mate!

You are going to need to get off to a good start to have any shot at this title!

Superb pre-season, good luck in the new campaign!

Some promising results there for sure, good luck!

Everyone: I think you will like what I am going to post and this season I think we have a chance at the title if things go the way of the opener

Red Devils win season opener in blow out fashion

24 September, 2016


In front of 1,372 fans at the Victoria Stadium the fans were treated to one of the most explosive matches in Man 62 history against Britannia. As the away team the Red Devils were looking for a way to kickoff the new season showing the last half of last season was no fluke. Well we certainly did with a blowout 7-0 win. This would become our highest scoring match in club history.

With several new faces including the three Greek players on loan manager Teemu Neimenem was hoping for something positive to kickoff the season. It all started in the 20th minutes as winger Estiven would score the clubs first goal of the season, fourteen minutes later he added his second in the 34th minute. Brian Perez would follow up with his own in the 51st minute. The game would soon get out of hand when Anthony Hernandez scored just five minutes later. Both Hernandez and Perez scored once again with goals in the 86th and 89th minutes. Between those two goals Dimitris Skouloudakis scored his first as a Red Devil.

The Manchester 62 staff, players and supporters could not ask for a better start to the season. This will be a match always to remember and hopefully the Red Devils can continue all season long. The next match is set for a clash between us and newly promoted Leo FC. Manchester 62 is the home squad for the match that will be taking place on 1 October with a 6:00 PM kickoff