Hey guys and welcome to my FM 2012 Scarborough AFC season 12 report. My boys may have failed in all the cup competitions last season but we won the EPL title in dramatic fashion. Three sides were in with a shout on the last day but my Seadogs reined victorious in a title race that I’d rather not endure again. :) After our first Premier League title I set myself two goals for the coming season. A) to begin building towards my Y2G system, this meant making money in the market and bringing in my first crop of youth and B) to try for the Champions League final, feels too far away right now but that is what we should aim for.
But before we crack on with all news Scarborough I have a minor update on my old strikers, Southern who now plays for Birmingham and Shepherd who plays for Manchester United. Both strikers play upfront for their nation now and seem to be first on the team sheet…between them Southern and Shepherd have scored 32 International goals including a goal a piece during the World Cup third place play-off.
OK, lets get back on track and update you on my pre-season. Very early in the season my board announced an initial transfer budget of £44.97 million with £1.6 million a week wage budget.
Between then and the official board expectations I had signed a few names so my budget dropped to around £13 million but all that was irrelevant as I wanted to make a profit in the market anyway. What did matter was the board requesting a push for Champions League football and the media listing us as second favorites to win the title.
Before sharing my transfers, its worth mentioning that the board invested £7.5 million to bolster the bank balance during August.
This season I wanted to make my first steps towards becoming a self sufficient club. It will take many years before I can offload the big wage players without effecting my sides quality, but I took the first steps this season. All the players sold were either over paid for their ability, over paid full stop or not as good as other players on the market at a cheaper price. All my player sales totaled £65 million.
Some of my transfers in were direct replacements for players departing. Diomi joined for £15.75 million to replace Mangan on the right wing who left for £16 million. Hussein joined for free to replace my goalkeeper Mexilhao who left for £20 million and Brooks joined for £12.5 million to replace left back Juan Jose who left for £20 million. Most of the other signings will be for the future and are under the age of 20, around 5 of them are just 16-17 years old.
Premier League results — first half of season
After taking last season to the wire, I felt like a good start to the season was paramount. My boys seemed to share the same ambitions winning 11, drawing 5 and losing just one game during the first half of the season. Our only loss came to Chelsea who still seem like a thorn on my side.
After December Scarborough may be top of the league but only by one point to Manchester City who also have a game in hand. We are in a far better position than we were this time last season but there’s still a tonne of work to be done.
During January my board offered a change of expectations but I decided to stick with the top four finish and accept a budget of £15 million.
January saw a little transfer action as I offloaded my under performing 26 year old striker Vieira for £12 million. This was a lot less than I originally wanted after offering him out for £22 million so the end transfer was a slap in the face.
The main reason I parted company with Vieira was to make way for a new wonderkid, Luis Diez is 18 years old and cost me £21.5 million. That seems like a lot of cash but I think he could be the next big thing and I also invested a further £4.8 million on two 17 year olds. With my first crop of youth almost in place my seasons transfers have made a profit of £4 million which is what I expected.
With the bank balance dropping again my chairmen decided to invest yet more money during November and February. This investment totaled £57 million and has inspired me to start planning a summer clear out next season…but for now lets see how the second half of our season went.
Premier League results — second half of season
Going into the new year and my side started very well, from our next 15 fixtures we won 12, drew 3 and lost zero matches. That amazing run put us top of the league and looking good for the title before disaster struck. My Seadogs lost to Liverpool before beating Man Utd and then losing 5-2 at home to Arsenal, we also suffered a bad run of injuries. At that time Man City rose above us before Scarborough won the next two games and Man City lost the Manchester derby.
The league campaign was feeling heated with Scarborough top on 86 points, two points above Man City in second but also holding a favorable goal difference.
With one game to go Man City hosted Stoke and Scarborough were at home to Aston Villa. The only way we could forfeit the title was to lose and then watch Man City win.
The outcome of my match against Aston Villa was decided early on, the Seadogs ran rampant in a 6-1 victory. But we did lose star striker Fabricio to injury and our captain Ross will be suspended for the start of next season after his second red card of the season.
But at that moment nothing else mattered other than the EPL title. While Man City thrashed Stoke, it did little to help their cause as we racked up 89 points and won our second consecutive title.
FA Cup results
The FA Cup is the only trophy in English Football that Scarborough have not lifted and our wait for a complete domestic cabinet will go on. After progressing through the third, fourth and fifth round we were then beaten by Liverpool at Anfield.
League Cup results
We won this competition in 2021 and looked good for a repeat in the early rounds after thrashing Forest Green, Newcastle and Fulham. I then expected the boot as Chelsea were drawn in the semi-final. But to my surprise we went onto win the first leg 3-0 before pushing our luck at Stamford Bridge hanging onto lose by two goals and thus qualifying for the final.
League Cup final vs Cardiff
Venue: Wembley
Attendance: 90,000
Starting formations:
We may be against Championship opposition but I decided to field a near full strength XI bar my striker and right winger. With an attacking strategy employed and my eyes on the prize it is safe to say I was confident of victory. Rather than make you read too much I’ll let you watch the match highlights below.
Match highlights: Click here to watch the League Cup final highlights
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Match stats:
After a nervous opening that included the Welsh side pulling level, my boys dominated with 64% possession and 31 shots. We absolutely slaughtered Cardiff and my wingers proved too clever with their positioning, off the ball movement and creativity. Another trophy added to my collection and one that made this season a domestic double triumph.
Champions League results
Scarborough were placed in pot 3 for the draw which led to a rather interesting group. Marseille are very strong while we all know Real Madrid are one of the best but I was shocked to see Lecce in there. Either way we won 4 matches, drew away to Marseille and lost away to Real Madrid.
All very positive results in my opinion and they certainly made the group table look positive. Scarborough finished top, 2 points above Real Madrid.
The First Knockout round looked positive at first glance, but research showed Sporting Lisbon to be a tough opponent. Not only did they win the competition in 2014 and 2016, but they still maintain a very good squad. Despite the Portuguese champions quality my Seadogs progressed 5-2 on aggregate to the quarter-final where Real Madrid who won this competition 2015 await. I knew that beating the Spanish giants would come down to a clean sheet at home and we managed that with a 1-0 win. While we did concede during the second leg, we also scored an all important goal to progress 2-1 on aggregate.
That left one more opponent between me and my famous black suit!! But Manchester City were drawn for the semi-final which did calm my passions a little, my main English rivals have won this competition in 2013, 2020 and 2022. I entered the first leg away from home expecting to keep the scores respectable so my fans would have something to cheer for at home. But boy were my expectations wrong, we actually ran out 1-0 winners. I couldn’t believe it and then just as reality sunk in my boys went onto win the second leg 2-0!!!
That is right, we have made it to the Champions League final where my nemesis awaits. Chelsea beat Benfica and have setup a real dream final for the neutrals of Great Britain. Just to demonstrate how tough my Knockout round run was, below is a list of the Champions League past winners. You’ll notice that from the 11 in game years I have played, 7 of them featured Sporting, Real, Man City or Chelsea as the winners of the Champions League. This just demonstrates the quality of my opponents.
I am planning a Champions League final special post, so I am afraid you’ll have to wait for that…but it will be well worth the wait with tonnes of analysis and yours truly suiting up in black with a red tie! But before we finish today’s post, I have the usual end of season upgrades to share with you that totaled £5.8 million.
My board also agreed to expand the stadium again, this will result in a capacity of 20,255 at a cost of £3.8 million.
OK, that is officially everything for today, but stay tuned for the biggest game of my Football Manager career as I face Chelsea in the Champions League final…if the match itself isn’t enough for you to tune in for, then just drop by to see images of me wearing a suit while sweating it out on the biggest stage…I promised you all I’d come through and I don’t like to break my promises. ;) So before you read my next post, be prepared for me too…….
Kevin
31 марта, 2012 at 20:44
Hey Darren
Brilliant run to reach the CL Final…looking forward to it. Another tantilising season in the EPL though you must have been sweating bullets after that 5-2 defeat to Arsenal. Still, you rallied and pulled off a title winning season. Too bad about the FA Cup. Puzzling indeed??
Anyway, good luck!!
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 22:35
Thanks Kevin, looking through the opponents I never expected to progress so far. And I agree losing in the FA Cup was a little strange, we were by far the better side but I think the fixtures just caught up with us.
Bence Répási
31 марта, 2012 at 21:03
Hi Darren!
This season is looking already real good. Congrats to winning both the EPL and the League Cup!I hope the next post will be about Scarborough won the first CL Trophy in its history!
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 22:35
Thanks mate, the next post will be a special one whether we win or lose, but I hope I don’t dig out my suit for now reason. ;)
sammy
31 марта, 2012 at 21:39
hey darren another great season. But why instead of slowly expanding your stadium, isnt building a new one better? by the way i cant wait for the CL final post. been lovin your story.
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 22:39
Thanks Sammy, if I could just build a new stadium I would but that isn’t an option as we gained a new one in League One and the board won’t do the same again for long time.
Sears
1 апреля, 2012 at 19:51
I think you have to wait something like 20 years before your board build another new stadium….?
MRDNRA
31 марта, 2012 at 21:48
Congrats for the season so far, looking forward very much to the CL final post. It just shows what quality your side has, to over come the winners of the majority of the last few seasons in each round. I might almost say it was the toughest possible run to have!
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 22:40
Thanks mate, I think the opposition we beat was the best part of our run to be honest. I remembered seeing their names as winners but not for the majority of my in game years.
TheZiggy
31 марта, 2012 at 22:00
The league ended up as a closer fight than I was expecting, but those Citizens are really tough to shake off. Well done on winning the Carling Cup again, which I oddly seem to find trickier than the FA Cup. The really big thing is, you did make it all the way to the Champions League Final. I’m hoping you can dish out some real disappointment to Chelsea.
Some of those signings are outstanding, in particular Diome and Hussein. To get a keeper of that quality on a free is quite amazing.
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 22:42
To be honest the league was a lot closer than I imagined too, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea all have fantastic player but City are just ridiculous. I was very proud of those signings, there are a lot of incredible keepers in my game but Hussein for free was just crazy.
Aaron Rogan
31 марта, 2012 at 22:29
More good progress Darren, how are the club’s finances looking at the minute? By the way, noticed Feyenoord made the Champions League final last year. What’s their side like?
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 22:46
Thanks Aaron, the finances are looking good at the moment but its not fair to leave it there as my owner keeps pumping cash into the club. If it weren’t for him I’d be in a tonne of debt…but I am going to become self sufficient soon and plan on taking drastic measures to do so.
Feyenoord have a good team, not great but still good and they seemed worthy of the luck they got to make the final.
Robin Albone
31 марта, 2012 at 22:32
Hey Darren, Great season I was just wondering mate, will we be seeing an FM 2012 Guide as you did with the FM 2011 one?
Thanks Robin.
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 22:48
Hey Robin, unfortunately myself and Johnny are struggling to find time for such a guide this year…the main site and scouting network have just taken off and become more work than last year. I’ll never rule a guide out but at the moment I don’t see how its physically possible without more hours in the day. ;)
Steven
31 марта, 2012 at 22:58
That’s a really brilliant CL run, genuinely really excited for this final!
It seemed inevitable with your uprising, but even so it was a lovely surprise to see you marching to the final.
Also, grats on the great work in the league and in the transfer markets!
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 23:48
Thanks Steven, this is the most nervous I’ve been going into one single game and I will research the opponents within every inch of their squad. Lets just hope it works.
saltwater
31 марта, 2012 at 23:36
Another incredible season, took the champions league by storm as with the Carling Cup (when I was watching the highlights and Cardiff scored I was thinking «could it happen»?) thank God no, and surprising to see United finish so low, and since I will NEVER get to 2022 (purely cos I play most of my matches in full match) it would be very interesting to know who is the red devils manager in that year.
You really know how to build up tension, quite simply I cant wait for your next post. Were you thinking of doing commentry and video etc..
Either way enjoy that final! (It just had to be Chelsea — the bogey team!)
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 23:51
Thanks mate, we have had a great season for sure and the best is yet to come. Funny you mention the Cardiff game, I was panicking when they scored too but it was soon obvious my boys would win.
Everything is set for a grand finale and as mentioned it has to be the bogey team. :) I will have pics of me in the suit throughout the final and just right in the usual way including more suspense and stats so hope its a good read.
Tegar Triemanudigdo
31 марта, 2012 at 23:38
Congratulation on your domestic league success again! Man, I just can’t simply believe those regen really monstrous if you developed well! It’s pity that in my country (Indonesia) there’s no quality regen for it (Screw you, SEGA!)
In any case, I’ll be looking forward on the CL final post. Oh and your photo wearing suit of course. LOL
Darren Smith
31 марта, 2012 at 23:52
Thanks mate, it has been a great season and the regens truly are brilliant. You’ll soon see the suit mate. :)
Malhar Bhadbhade
1 апреля, 2012 at 00:51
hey darren,
congrats on winning the title again, i think you other teams will find that you won’t lose your grip on it from this point on :D even more excited to see you in the champions league final! hopefully the special post is coming up sometime soon? the players you signed were also fantastic, Luis Diez does look like he could turn out to be a quality player. and that goalkeeper you got on the free is also amazing. great coup that. anyway, congrats once more, and waiting for that special post :D cheers!
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 09:42
Thanks Malhar, if I was keeping things the same I’d certainly agree some domestic dominance is in order…but I intend to make some big changes and bring through my next crop of youth soon so keeping a grip on the title may not be so easy. The next post won’t be out until nearer the back end of this week, but it should hopefully be worth the wait. :)
Malhar Bhadbhade
1 апреля, 2012 at 10:20
aaahhh nooooo!!! haha, i thought it would be out in midweek sometime. oh well, there’s the champions league to look forward to midweek..and i’m sure it will be worth the wait..good luck!
John Martin
1 апреля, 2012 at 08:39
Exellent stuff Darren, the Y2G system has been placed into your team and has worked a treat! The way you’ve worked through the english leauges system is remarkable and you are now into the biggest club final in football well done! Just a quick question, if you are to win the champions leauge how many more seasons are you planning with the seadogs and when will the champions leauge final post be up?
Thanks John
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 09:48
Thanks John, I don’t have a set plan for when this save will end, I guess that will happen when my passion and interest in it calms down. If I was guessing I’d say there’s still another 2-3 seasons after this one at least, even if we can win the CL. The next post will be towards the back end of this week mate.
Johnny Karp
1 апреля, 2012 at 10:49
Congrats on the double Darren, that was another amazing season. And I can see just one ending for it: Darren celebrating winning the Champions League in a fancy suit! :)
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 10:52
Thanks Johnny, it was a great season and lets just hope I’m not left wearing a fancy suit after a miserable performance like Liverpool in the Cup final all those years ago :) P.S. That doesn’t imply my suit is white as the Liverpool players wore, it is indeed black. :)
vaibhavc
1 апреля, 2012 at 14:04
Oh fierce competition for the Prem as usual. It always gets won on the last day of the season. I will be looking forward to the CL update, but it will be hard to explain to your family why you are wearing the suit.
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 14:07
lol, my wife gave me a funny look when I first mentioned it to her but she’ll be the one holding the camera. :)
Connor Traynor
1 апреля, 2012 at 16:59
Hi Darren
I am a massive fan and i was hoping if u could upload ur seadogs tactic or give me a link to try it out and have success like yourself
Thanks
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 17:07
Thanks Connor, you can download my Seadogs tactic here http://www.mediafire.com/?pqu0aera2ipb9zi
Connor Traynor
1 апреля, 2012 at 17:18
do you use any oi, match prep and shouts
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 17:25
I ask my assistant to do the OI and match preparation. I rarely use shouts, but if we’re struggling to make an impact upfront I shout get ball forward and hassle opponents. If we seem to be sloppy on the ball I shout retain possession and get stuck in.
Liam O'Rourke
1 апреля, 2012 at 18:56
Well done Darren
Since I purchased my first FM (ye olde Championship Manager) series in 2001-02, before that, I was hooked on premier league manager for the Sega), I can honestly say, this has been the most impressive FM stories I have ever come across.
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 19:11
Thanks Liam, this has been the most enjoyable save I’ve taken on so glad you are enjoying it too.
Sears
1 апреля, 2012 at 19:53
LOL can’t wait until I see you in that suit :D That was a stunning season and I hope you can cap it off with an amazing CL win … Best of luck!
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 20:11
Yeah it should be fun, lets hope we can get the result but it’ll be a close affair thats for sure.
Martin - F.M.J.S
1 апреля, 2012 at 20:53
Well done again Darren on another very successful season. It was another season going down to the wire. I look forward to your special post on the CL and to see the suit Good Luck :D
Darren Smith
1 апреля, 2012 at 21:00
Thanks Martin.
CsAtlantis
2 апреля, 2012 at 07:42
Congratulations on winning the league and league cup, could you make it a treble? Also nice to see you’re not overspending on the transfer market and despite a lot of players coming in, your team seems to have blended in well
Good luck against your nemesis Chelsea :D
Darren Smith
2 апреля, 2012 at 11:59
Thanks mate, I plan on steadily decreasing the spending year by year and making a reasonable profit in the market so my owner doesn’t have to keep pumping cash in.
Conor Donovan
2 апреля, 2012 at 14:33
Well done Darren! Very well played! I hope you won the final because you deserve it!
I’ve recently started out with a lowly non-league team myself and I’m in the 11th tier. Hopefully I can replicate some of what you’ve done with this team!
Darren Smith
2 апреля, 2012 at 19:21
Thanks Conor and good luck with your lower league game.
John
2 апреля, 2012 at 15:13
Hi Darren. Wonderful season! Can’t believe the suit is coming out so soon! Better dust the shoulders off. I’m doing this kind of thing myself (not quite as well!) but I’m in my second season at the end of January and I’m struggling. I’m about 14th out of 22 and my finances are fading drastically. Do you have any tips or specifics for why you did to do so well?
Thanks in advance!!
Darren Smith
2 апреля, 2012 at 19:23
Thanks John, it is weird to think the suit is been dusted off so soon. As for advice I’d just say pay tonnes of attention to every detail and take your time. Make sure training schedules are done properly, you have great coaches and arrange plenty of mid-season Friendlies at home to Scottish clubs (preferably top division) to make extra cash.
Stromson
2 апреля, 2012 at 16:41
You know, I think I could get used to these really close title runs. ;-) Another wonderful season Darren, excellent job. I’m looking forward to that next update, you know, with the suit and all.
Darren Smith
2 апреля, 2012 at 19:24
lol, yeah I’m sure the close title runs make for a better read. :) Not sure I want it every season though. ;)
Federico
2 апреля, 2012 at 17:22
Told you could reach UCL this season!
Great job on the double.
Do you rotate much your team in FA/League cup matches? Or how big is your first team squad?
Darren Smith
2 апреля, 2012 at 19:25
Thanks mate, I do rotate my players from the cup matches to league and try to have minimum of two players for every position but tend to have a couple extra midfielders and one extra striker on top.
Tejas
2 апреля, 2012 at 20:54
Darren, what tactic do you use?
Darren Smith
2 апреля, 2012 at 21:28
You can download it here http://www.mediafire.com/?pqu0aera2ipb9zi
Federico
2 апреля, 2012 at 22:59
But your 11 subs have almost the same level that the first team? For instance, I have like 3 really good subs, maybe 3,4 regular (generally players in development), and the rest has a big difference from the first team.
Darren Smith
3 апреля, 2012 at 11:52
At the moment my second string players are close the main ones but next season will change as I clear out a lot of stars and replace them with youth from the reserves.
sachithyoda
3 апреля, 2012 at 15:53
wow congrats on the double and reaching the cl finals!!
and those are some amazing talents you got there! how do you find them? do you use genie scout or do you have some other technique for finding great regen?
Darren Smith
3 апреля, 2012 at 18:22
Thanks mate, but I don’t use any tools to aid my game, I actually disagree with the likes of genie scout as I see it as cheating. I just have tonnes of scouts that are set to roam every continent. I also do filtered searches every in game week and just look through tonnes of U21 and U19 sides.
Brenner
3 апреля, 2012 at 16:31
Wow what an amazing run, good job Darren!
I started to watch this story, because I am playing as Newcastle City (made my own club with the editor) and started in the BSN. But can you post a download link for your tactic, i would love to try it out with my squad and see if I can reach as far as you did!!
Darren Smith
3 апреля, 2012 at 18:23
Thanks mate, I have already posted the link for two other readers so if you look up through the comments its there.
Ana Garcia
3 апреля, 2012 at 21:37
As always an amazing season Darren!
League table was close again but you just edged it and your new signings settled very well to take you to the champions league final!
So the best of luck with that!! :)
Darren Smith
4 апреля, 2012 at 12:09
Thanks Ana, fingers crossed for the CL!