Hey guys, welcome to my new story featuring Queens Park of Scotland. You probably have noticed that I havn’t posted for a few weeks, that’s because I took a break from FM. Now that my short break is over I’m ready to play FM again and decided to try my luck in the lower regions of the somewhat forgotten Scottish league. This is obviously a huge challenge and will require a lot of time and patience, something I lack but I’m still learning my trade. My aim is try to lead Queens Park all the way to the Scottish top flight, but if lucrative offers come in along the way I may consider them. I’ll try my best to make sure that this is my last story on FM11, but it may not be my last team. Anyway back to Queens Park. Here’s a short background to the club:
I never noticed that were only an amateur club. I’m not sure what effect that will have in the long run but despite it the club have a good set up. Our training facilities and youth facilities are impressive for a Third division side, not forgotten that we play in a 52,500 seater stadium.
Since were an amateur club, the board didn’t offer me the chance to increase our expectations, as the option didn’t even appear when I started the new game. I was given no wage or transfer budget. I then noticed that none of my players are been paid. I’m not even being paid and neither are my staff. However every disadvantage has an advantage. Bearing in mind that none of my players are on a payroll, I was free to sign anyone I wanted and release anyone I wanted without having to worry about the financial side of the business. I’m still working on a few transfers, but here’s who’ve I bought and sold so far:
Transfers out:
I decided to offload many of the players that I inherited at Queens Park. More will be leaving but right now I can’t locate any more decent players. On top of that I’m failing to get work permits for the foreign players which therefore restricts me to signing just U.K, Irish and some European based players. Here’s who’ve I’ve managed to sign, thus far anyways:
A lot of signings but with no wage bill I’ve nothing to lose apart from my job if all these guys flop and we get relegated or something. I managed to bring in some good players, and unsurprisingly some poor ones too as I’m not used to the quality in the Scottish lowers leagues but practice makes perfect. Anyway, let’s see those who’ll wear the black and white jersey of The Spiders next season.
Goalkeeper:
My first choice goalkeeper will be Phil Imray. This Englishman previously played in New Zealand before joining up with us. My assistant rates him as a excellent goalkeeper and at the age of 26, he will be between the sticks for us for quite some time.
Right Back:
I’ve currently got two good right backs, and a decent prospective one. Danny Hutchins will be my first choice rb. Although his physical attributes aren’t the greatest, he has decent mental and technical attributes. Still only 20 he certainly has a bright future at the club.
Center backs:
Dean Lawrence will partner Omar Rezgane in my central defense. Both lack pace thus meaning I’ll have to play with a deep defensive line. However, both have good defensive attributes and should be important players for me this season. Both lads are determined and want success just as much as I do.
Left back:
I managed to persuade a fantastic left back to join me in Scotland. Maybe the idea of not being paid was the main reason this player joined, but either war he is by far the best left back in the division. Welcome Danny Murphy! He’s quick, determined and a great set piece taker.
Right Midfield:
I found it difficult to improve my field, especially my wingers position and I’m still not convinced that the new players I bought are good enough. Anyway the best right winger I found was this 31 year old from Ireland. His name is Stephen Gavin but I can’t see him last more than one season with us. He’s a determined player that should offer some quality on the right wing.
Left Midfielder:
Again, a position I found difficult to improve but I’m quite pleased with my first choice left winger. His name is Dave O’Conner and he’s a tricky, determined player with good crossing abilities. He’s not that quick but with his dribbling skills hopefully he can provide some magic on the left wing.
Center midfield:
Rob Sissons and Ben Webster will be my center midfielders. Both are hard working and both can tackle good as well. I hope these two guys can perform consistent this season.
Strikers:
My strike partners will be Alan Lee and Ahmed Said. Both are quick, composed and have decent finishing attributes. Ahmed is better than Lee, or so my assistant says anyway. I think both are good players and will hopefully bang in the goals for me this season.
That concludes my starting XI, and due to lack of depth this first season will be more of a learning experience. I’m not sure what to expect, but a good start will be essential. I can still sign more players and I’m still looking for new players. I’m not satisfied with my squad yet. We’ve hardly any depth and I need to sign more players… Here’s my squad in full to date:
My pre season fixture were terrible, but bear in mind I was assembling my squad all summer so they were not my number one priority. We were also knocked out of two domestic cups, and with the size of my squad this good be a blessing. Less games means less worry about injuries and fatigue.
Here’s my assistant’s report. I don’t entirely agree with his assignment thus I stacked him and replaced him with a new much better assistant manager :-D
Our opening month is as followed, we’ve some tough games.
My story will consist of monthly updates, and my next post should be ready in a day or two. Thanks for reading.
Sears
Darren Smith
18 января, 2011 at 20:40
Great to have you back mate, I’ve really missed your posts…I hope you managed to relax and enjoy life without the pull of FM. Anyway back to your game, I am interested in this, as my knowledge of the Scottish leagues is limited and I think you’ve found a really good challenge. Lots of transfer activity and really interesting to see an outstanding stadium filled with unpaid amateurs. lol :) Goodluck mate and I can’t wait to see how you do.
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:44
Thanks Darren. I kinda missed writing as well and I still don’t feel any huge urge to play FM so that’s good. Restricting myself to playing just a month is a good idea. My knowledge of the lower leagues of Scotland is crap as well but it’s an learning experience and the idea of trying to overtake Rangers and Celtic at the top is extremely tough… But defiantly achievable. In my home Cup game against Raith, only 435 people turned up I think ha. Looking forward to it myself
GS Fan
18 января, 2011 at 20:54
This should be very interesting! I’ll be following this one closely. Good luck and try to be patient :)
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:46
Thanks GS Fan and although patience isn’t my best characteristic I do know that being patient will be essential to any success I endure.
Birdy
18 января, 2011 at 21:19
Good luck Sears. What an Amazing Stadium would not of picked that with an Amateur Club. Some nice transfer Activity and some nice signings good luck!
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:47
I’m pleased with my transfers, but unfortunately there wasn’t much talent available on the market. My stadium is great, but we’ve only managed to get just over 400 people in to watch us :-D
?nonymus
19 января, 2011 at 00:27
Hey Sears,
Great to see you start a new story with a lower league team but I have two questions: You will not continue your Liverpool story? And what about your Sampdoria story?
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:49
Thank’s ?nonymus. No, I won’t be continuing either of those two stories but may start the European Challenge in the near future again.
kevin
19 января, 2011 at 00:27
Hi Sears
Welcome back mate. I could hardly beleive my eyes when I saw your choice as Queens Park were on my shortlist of teams back in November but I opted for a «safer» Wrexham in the end. I always thought is amusing that their home games were in this huge stadium and a couple of thousand if that show up to watch :) I like the left side of your team in Murphy and O’Conner — if I’m picking favorites. Anyway good luck up / across in Scotland and this is one story I’ll be following closely!
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:51
Hey Kevin, it’s good to be back :-)
Really were they? That’s interesting. I thought nobody would consider going near the lower leagues of Scotland :-D A couple of thousand? I’m lucky to get a few hundred in :-D Murphy is a quality left back and couldn’t believe when he actually signed for me! Thanks Kevin, hopefully this will turn into a good successful story.
Wazz
19 января, 2011 at 07:35
Thought it was QPR for a second. Well, this should be a great story Sears. How many league(s) below the top flight league is this?
Good luck Sears. :)
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:53
Yeah, when I was writing up the post I’d QPR written in the title :-D I thought they were called Queens Park Rangers… I’m currently three promotions away from the promised land. I’m in the third division!
Lye
19 января, 2011 at 08:01
Hi Sears,
Pardon me,i thought you are managing QPR when i glance at the title. After reading through, then i realized it is a Scottish club. Interesting choice there. Scottish top flight has always been dominated by Celtic and Rangers. Hoping to see you up there against them though it will be a long journey. All the best in a new club and new league. Good luck.
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:55
Thanks Lye. I also thought they were called queens park rangers. It will be a very long journey, hopefully my last on FM11 regardless of how successful or unsuccessful I am. I’m using your Thurrock story as inspiration Lye. Cheers for the good luck wish
Johnny Karp
19 января, 2011 at 08:16
This should be extremely interesting, I have never managed an amateur club. The downside as I see it would be that any of the players would be able to walk out of the club anytime they want since they don’t have a contract and are not getting paid. Best of luck, I’ll surely follow this story with great curiosity! :)
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 21:58
Either have I Johnny :-D Yeah that’s a major disadvantage, but I always remember that very disadvantage has it’s advantage. At least I don’t have to fork out wages or pay for players. Thanks mate
warren
19 января, 2011 at 18:14
Hey Sears
An interesting choice of team to manage and its one that I have wanted to keep going but after 6 months I tend to get bored so if you can keep this story going it will be very interesting.
Good luck and I hope your successful with Queens Park
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 22:04
I tend to lack motivation from continuing some games as well but hopefully this will make for a exciting and challenging story. Thanks Warren
Laxeyman
19 января, 2011 at 18:20
Hi Sears, this seems like a very interesting story in the making, a great choice managing Queens Park, I reckon. When I saw your 52,000 seater stadium I couldn’t believe it. You’ve made pretty good signings too, I have Sissons for Droylsden and he served me well in as good a league as League 2, so he should be good for you. Good luck for the season mate.
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 22:00
Glad you like my choice of club Laxeyman. Can’t believe it myself that an amateur club have a 52,500 seater stadium :-D Sissons is a good players, and good to hear that he’s good enf to play in League Two. It’s music to my ears… Thanks for the good luck wish
Fabio
19 января, 2011 at 19:31
What happened to Liverpool and Sampadori how did you get on or did u fail miserbaly with them?
Sears
19 января, 2011 at 22:03
I did quite well with Liverpool, and rarely played my Sampdoria game. But after considering some things and due to a family illness I took a few weeks break from FM. Everything is slowly beginning to settle down and I’ve some time to play FM again.
Ana Garcia
20 января, 2011 at 13:02
Interesting choice!
I love the way that you sold almost everyone you had and then replaced them all!
Will be good to see how well you can get on with an amateur club, and the problems that it may bring and good luck on your new story.
Sears
20 января, 2011 at 17:21
Thanks Ana.