Hey guys and welcome to my Football Manager 2012 Scarborough AFC season 2 report. We left off with Scarborough gaining promotion to the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier League Division One North….now that’s a mouth full. :) That first season was near perfection as my Seadogs finished unbeaten in the league setting all kinds of records. More importantly I had set a solid foundation to build on and felt very confident in the ability of my players to last the next few promotions. We may have walked into our current division but it is still a step up, so lets see how Scarborough reacted to the improved opposition.
My board were very hopeful demanding we at least reach a play-off place, I agreed to be honest and settled on the top 5. First place gains automatic promotion in this league while 2nd down to 5th are thrown into a play-off. As you see I have a lot more to work with this year as the board can give £700 p/w extra for wages, I put that down to the fantastic financial year we had.
The media seemed even more optimistic offering Scarborough at evens to gain promotion with only Bradford PA rated above us for the title. While I have a very strong squad those odds seem a little short considering we just gained promotion.
With a decent amount of wages to work with I set about offloading the waste. Some players left to leave room for better replacements while the likes of Ingram and Price were on £100 p/w which they didn’t deserve. I also managed to sign two scouts, two new coaches and a decent assistant manager which is all thanks to the boards willingness to grow.
I probably over did it in the transfer market signing no fewer than 10 players but some were absolute bargains. Lokando at CM, Taylor at AML, Lee at CM and Bover at AMR may even make a difference in the Blue Square North but certainly can have an effect on the division above us which is what I’m looking for.
Now we move onto the squads depth. My defense remains largely the same as does my attack, but the wings have received a boost and so has central midfield. However, looking through the list of players below only 5 players are new to the club, meaning that the strength from last season has translated well into the tier above.
Results — August to October
OK so the start of the season is upon us, I won’t drone on about pre-season Friendlies but I arranged some money gainers and they served their purpose. The official season started very well though as Scarborough were held to just 2 draws. We even progressed in the FA Cup, FA Trophy and ESL Northern Premier Cup…that’s right, I’m in four competitions this year, its like been in Europe lol :)
Results — November to December
The good form continued but not before I drew Blue Square Premier’s Forest Green in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round, we came so close to an upset but were eliminated just before the 1st Round. I also drew Crewe in the FA Trophy which was very unlucky and we lost out there too. So just two competitions remaining…ahhh maybe not, we lost in the leagues little cup comp too. :( So I wasn’t feeling all too festive after all, but at least my boys were outstanding in the league winning every match by a good margin, bar our first league loss in 1 and half years of course.
While Scarborough did exit three competitions in the space of 2 months our morale wasn’t too damaged and this was in no small part down to the league form. After Christmas I found myself top of the tree by 13 points and still to play 2 games in hand. Scarborough’s domination had transferred up a level and retaining the current form should lead to an easy promotion.
Results — January to February
So with Scarborough left to concentrate on the league alone we enjoyed another outstanding run of form winning all 10 games from January to February. I also found some extra time to arrange Friendly matches, we managed an impressive 1-1 draw to Hearts and lost to Aberdeen but the cash brought in re-boosted my finances.
Results — March to April
So this was it, my final two months of a very surprising season. And the old Seadogs kept their heads winning our last 10 matches, some were a little scrappy in the middle but March started very well and April finished with three scorchers. I also arranged two further Friendlies, this time losing to Hibernian and Motherwell but the cash was welcome yet again.
End of season league table
You all know what this may look like, but for the record I’ll show you the screenshot anyway. Scarborough finished on 119 points losing just once and drawing twice. We had a gap of 31 points to second place and averaged 2.6 goals per game as well as just conceding an average of 0.45 goals per game.
Our domination was very pleasing and filled me with confidence going into next season. My next division is the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier League Premier Division…even more of a mouth full than the two previous leagues :) Basically I am now just one promotion away from the Blue Square North. :) And I think we can challenge in the league next season, just look at my players league stats in comparison to the teams around us this season.
Squad stats and finances
After securing our second consecutive title and promotion, I was left to examine my teams performance. One thing is for sure, it was more down to the team than individuals…while we enjoy some exceptional talent for our level the whole squad chipped in at some point in the season. So take a look at the stats below and then I’ll name my top four performers.
Top four performers of the season (click the players names to see their profiles)
4. Peggy Lokando (CM)
3. Tommy Taylor (AML)
2. Scott Bridges (ST)
1. Ashley Hodgkinson (DC)
One other thing you may notice from the screenshot above is that my squad is evolved around youth including three 17 year olds, I am very proud of this and will try my best to keep the average age down in the seasons to come.
As for finances, well you saw me arrange four Friendlies mid-season to help raise the bank balance. This worked wonders yet again, leaving Scarborough with £61K, a staggering £43K more than this time last year. Lets hope the finances keep heading in the right direction as the club does on the pitch.
Well that about does it today, I am really enjoying this save and happy to report no bugs or glitches so far. Bar a parsing error I can’t see anything holding me back, I just hope you are all enjoying the ride as much as I am. I hope you’ll join me next time as Scarborough look for promotion into the Blue Square North, but until then I look forward to reading your comments. I’ll leave you with an illustration of the Seadogs progress to date.
Minch
22 января, 2012 at 17:31
Yet another great season for you there Darren. I dont think you’ll have any problems getting this team into the Football League. Ive started a similar game with a team local to me but are not having anywhere near the success that you are, as Im currently in a 7 way tie for the lead with 10 games to go!
Best of luck for next season
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 17:54
Thanks Minch, I’m really enjoying this save and while winning can help in that area I just think there’s something special about managing your local team and dreaming of the glory they could achieve. I hope you can pip top spot in your save.
PeeDub
22 января, 2012 at 17:33
Off topic I know.
But if there are any forum moderators listening, can you approve my membership? I’ve registered three times only for my registration to lapse (or something) based on lack of approval. Same username. Thanks!
Johnny Karp
22 января, 2012 at 17:38
I have just approved your account, you should receive an activation email shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience but we have a lot of spammers trying to get in.
PeeDub
22 января, 2012 at 18:01
Thanks!
Sean
22 января, 2012 at 17:38
Hey Darren!
I myself loaded up the lower leagues too and am having great fun. The difference between us is that you have more patience and started even lower than me :P I managed Wealdstone and I’m looking forward to you playing them, i’m sure you’ll demolish them :D I hope you keep this up because its really good :D Once you get to league it gets tough but I myself found that you can breeze through league no problem! Anyway, best of luck :D
Sean :)
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 17:55
Its actually more to with the fact I wanted to manage Scarborough (my boyhood team) as opposed to starting in a specific league. I have a lot of history with them and that always makes for a great save :) Lets hope we can continue up the ladder.
vaibhavc
22 января, 2012 at 18:07
Great season Darren, its unlucky how you draw the big teams in the cups, but it was still a great FA Cup run whatsoever.
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 18:33
Thanks Vaibhav, I agree on the cup front, I kept thinking surely we can’t draw another top team but I think we could do better next season. The Cups still brought in a fair amount of money though.
Kevin
22 января, 2012 at 18:32
Well done Darren!
Another successful season and Ilike the way you are crossing off the leagues — sort of like an assasins hit list :) 119 points is truely domination and I wouldn’t be surpsired if clubs above you come looking for your players in the off season. Good news that the database is stable too.
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 18:42
lol, hopefully we can keep killing the competition next season then (sorry I couldn’t resist the cliche!) I have actually found a 16 year old in the depths of English Football who I believe could be amazing in League Two straight off let alone in a few seasons so I’m nervously waiting for offers on him.
Johnny Karp
22 января, 2012 at 18:37
Congratulations on another exceptional season, you took this league by storm and I think you will do that again next season because I believe that there isn’t a very big difference between these leagues from what I’ve seen. You have built a very good squad and that is the most important team. Hats off again and good luck for another step forward!
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 18:48
Thanks Johnny, I agree with you, the imminent leagues do seem to be of a similar standard. Which is very helpful as I’ve been able to build a team of youngsters that I am trying to raise to a high enough level for the Blue Square leagues, that way I don’t have to rebuild the core of my team every year, just make some small adjustments.
Jack
22 января, 2012 at 19:12
Great stuff Darren! Absolute domination! Keep up the good work, really enjoying the story so far, also could you put some highlights up some of the games?
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 20:00
Thanks Jack, I will try and include some highlights next time round.
denson
22 января, 2012 at 19:26
Great season Darren!
I think this is even better than your last story!
This is my favourite story atm!
Good Luck next Season!
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 20:01
Thanks Denson, its always nice to know people are enjoying the read so I hope I can continue to make the story interesting.
Matt Clark
22 января, 2012 at 19:37
amazing season yet again darren
based on the domination i would say that your current squad would win the next league
quick suggestion, when you get to bsn it may be a good idea to remove the lower leagues to be sure of no bugs
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 20:03
Thanks Matt, I too get the feeling this squad is capable of doing well but I will be looking for a few additions in quality.
As for removing the lower leagues I am stuck in that as my first thoughts agreed with your suggestion, but I have read some comments in the past where gamers deleted the lower leagues and then bugs started like Man Utd been included in the FA Trophy…I think it may cause more problems than it would solve.
lewisbaker
22 января, 2012 at 19:38
how do you get the lower divisions for england
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 20:05
You can download them here http://fmadvanced.forumfree.it/?t=59060264
Steve
24 января, 2012 at 21:43
Hi
First of all… great story. Loving reading every word of it.
Secondly, I’ve downloaded the editor file from that website you mentioned but I can’t get it to work, Any advice on where to put it?
Keep up the good work!
Darren Smith
25 января, 2012 at 11:58
You also need the actual editor for the game, if you have that already then create a folder in documents/sports interactive/football manager 2012 and name it ‘editor data’ You then need to put the database in there. However, if you have not got the editor for FM 2012 none of this will work.
Tom Miller
22 января, 2012 at 19:53
Congratulations on your promotion Darren your doing really well :D
I’m sure you can keep your form going into next season.
Good luck with getting to the football league, it’s going to be a hard challenge
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 20:15
Thanks Tom, I’m quite confident going into next season but still want to strengthen the squad. If we can win the league before the seasons even begun I want to build a team worthy of the league above that, thats my thinking anyway.
Woody
22 января, 2012 at 20:13
another stunning season Darren well done
hopefully next season you’ll qualify for the F.A Cup and F.A Trophy with an easier draw
i don’t think next season will be as easy but you’ll still get promoted i think
anyway well done and good luck
and also how long do you play on FM a day on average
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 20:32
Thanks Woody, progressing in the FA Cup means money and getting to the 1st Round would bring in cash to secure the club for two seasons so that is my aim. I usually play FM for 2 hours every week night and then an insane amount over the weekend, probably 10 hours on Saturday and a similar amount on Sunday…my wife must really love me lol ;)
Sears
22 января, 2012 at 20:42
Whoa, you smashed everything in your path Darren. Like Johnny said, there isn’t much difference quality wise in these divisions so you should reach the football league in no time ;)
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 20:44
Thanks Sears, I am feeling good about our chances but don’t want to get too carried away.
Adam D
22 января, 2012 at 21:41
Well my prediction of it taking 15 years to get to the league proper is looking to be on the rocks. I also assume my prediction of not getting a wage budget increase from the board for changing the seasons target has been blitzed.
My lack of lower league knowledge does seem to have helped me on one though, I was unaware that Bridlington started in the same league, so my prediction of Darren beating them into Npower legaue 2 and also not losing to them whilst he’s in charge looks to be a safe bet unless they pull of a giant killing in a cup competition.
Darren Smith
22 января, 2012 at 21:48
lol, yeah to be honest I didn’t know what to expect until I started this save so wouldn’t expect anyone else to know either. Hopefully Bridlington will never pull off that upset ;)
CsAtlantis
23 января, 2012 at 01:08
Wow that is nearly absolute domination Darren (shame about the cup form, but you can’t have everything I suppose), your improved wage budget turned out to be really useful, good luck in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, getting into the Blue Square North would mean you’re back in the provided leagues :P
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 11:47
Thanks mate, it was a really good season and we punched above our wait in the Cups although I’d have liked a longer run. But there’s always next season I guess. :) Once I reach the Blue Squares things will start to tighten up I think but lets hope we can continue to progress.
Marcko
23 января, 2012 at 11:24
Wow Darren this is truly amazing! At the rate you’re going I can see you having back-to-back promotions all the way:D its really a pity that you’d quit once you reach league two though, getting them up to the EPL would be a real fairytale
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 11:44
The only reason I’d quit after getting to L2 or L1 is if theres an error with the game or the board don’t progress with the club…otherwise I’m in it all the way :)
JoshJames
23 января, 2012 at 11:37
I dont suppose you could help a not-very-good-with-it guy with downloading the league system? I went on your link but cant really work out how to download it…
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 11:42
You’ll have to be more specific than that I’m afraid, the instructions seem simple to me so to avoid me just repeating them what is it you don’t understand and I’ll try to help. Please also note you need the editor before you can get this download, if you got the game through steam you won’t have it.
JoshJames
23 января, 2012 at 11:44
Well i clicked on the link and then when I go to download it it tells me i dont have the programme to download the link so im guessing im clicking on the wrong link or something!
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 11:48
You need to download WinRAR first, then you can use that to extract the file.
TheZiggy
23 января, 2012 at 11:59
Another brilliant season, totally dominating the league. The number of competitions you get at this level seems insane, but you coped quite well with it. The way you pushed some of those teams in higher leagues, is very encouraging.
A third successive promotion to get into the Blue Square North looks a good possibility. You’ve made excellent use of the friendlies as well to build the finances, so all is looking great right now.
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 12:04
I too am encouraged by our performances against teams a few leagues above us…I think that can be seen as a good indicator and my boys should hopefully get another promotion next season.
Martin - F.M.J.S
23 января, 2012 at 13:40
Well done Darren another great season. You are storming through the League in style. You got a strong side for next season. I look forward to how you get on.
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 19:25
Thanks Martin.
Bhargav
23 января, 2012 at 14:11
Now that’s what I like to see! You are just steamrolling over the opposition!
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 19:24
Thanks Bhargav, lets hope we can continue the great form for another year.
ri916
23 января, 2012 at 15:51
well done on another great season! you will get back to back promotions all the way to the EPL and then it will take you 2 seasons to win it. theres my prediction ;) good luck!
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 19:14
lol, I’m not sure about back to back promotions to the EPL, but that would be amazing. I guess it all comes down to my board and how much room for growth they allow. They could help me get to the EPL fairly fast or they could make it so I am stuck in the lower leagues forever.
Laxeyman
23 января, 2012 at 16:24
Brilliant season again Darren! Incredible stuff mate, you’ve done an amazing job so far, and your team is already easily good enough to get into the top 6 of the Northen Premier League Division, so with a few additions I’m sure you’ll get promoted :)
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 19:13
Thanks Laxeyman, I have made a few additions but only one made a regular first team place and he is like a god for the lower leagues. :)
nielsneutron
23 января, 2012 at 18:28
Back to back promotion? When will it stop?
If I were you (but I’m not) I would be careful to not bring in too many new faces this season as your team is so dominating.
Darren Smith
23 января, 2012 at 19:11
Yeah, I’m hoping for another promotion next season too. While the quantity of players may seem a lot next season its more down to me offloading dead weight but still needing backup players of a respectable standard, the first team will remain largely the same.
Daves
23 января, 2012 at 22:10
Hi Darren,
still here following another amazing story, congrats for the promo (dejá vu), let me start to say that the english foot its unbelieveble (in a good way) 4 comp so low in the league, in Pt just if you r in one of the main comp ( 1st and 2nd League) that you r allowed to participate in 3 diferent national competitions ( and the league cup its quite new and if yo u are in LIGA you get to go for the second fase of the league cup that only starts in january, and you get in the cup @ the 3rd Round only). Back to Scarborough, bad luck in the cups, with the time you’ll get better and its allways more dificult to go trougth the nock outs, at least for me! Nice squad there, you really know how to pick them. The president of your his full of it, you just got promoted and he just goes one and demands
another straigth away, that’s probably bcz he just knows that he got lotery getting a manger like you on his team… Well to finish, just wanted to say that I’m just as confident as your board and I know you gonna get that promotion again…
No Batle No Victory…Go Scarborough
Darren Smith
24 января, 2012 at 11:53
Thanks, hopefully we can keep building and rising through the leagues.
Iain
24 января, 2012 at 15:10
Epic stuff Darren! I’ve been trying your Arsenal/Malaga tactic recently, and managed to finish 6th in my first season with Chievo (predicted 15th), with no transfers. We had a fairly terrible away record but were practically unbeatable at home. We seemed to get exposed at the back away from home a lot, albeit not as badly when I switched to the ‘counter’ strategy. I love the tactic though as it produces some great football.
Before my summer clear-out I just wondered whether you could advise me on getting rid of the ‘dead wood’. I always find it hard to sell for some reason, as I never seem to get any offers when I transfer list players. You seem to be very good at shipping out your unwanteds. Do you always need to offer the players to clubs, or just set their asking price lower? Any advice would be great. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Darren Smith
24 января, 2012 at 19:17
Thanks Iain, glad to hear the tactics are providing some entertaining football. As for advice on selling, I almost always offer my players to clubs. And as for what amount you request, well that is down to the players quality, game time, form, value and age. I usually try and get almost double a players value if he’s very good, attracted interest in the last year and played a fair few games. If the players you are offloaded haven’t played any games and have a low value you’ll struggle to sell them full stop and might have to accept a very low price or loan deal. But yes, you need to offer them to clubs, transfer listing hardly ever works.
Malhar Bhadbhade
25 января, 2012 at 03:08
hey darren,
congrats on a fantastic season…and good luck for the next. i think you will keep gaining promotions every season :) so looking forward to watching you play in the football league. hope there arent any glitches anywhere :D
Darren Smith
25 января, 2012 at 11:54
Thanks Malhar.
Martin Pickard
25 января, 2012 at 11:59
Hey Darren! I can’t really say anything different to what’s been said above lol…great season and you’ll be in the League 2 before you know it! Keep up the posts :-)
Darren Smith
25 января, 2012 at 12:03
Thanks Martin. :)
Chris Haigh
27 января, 2012 at 17:38
i really love how you keep doing this darren, in every playthrough i read you are always making money everywhere even if the team are in the lower leagues and it’s great to watch. I only wish i the steely determination to do it but i almost always end up spending over the odds in wages and staff wages and generally end up losing money everywhere. I’m reallyimpressed with the 4 top performers for the league level you are in and how young most of them are! You truly are getting set up for the coming season but i still see a few more signings as always!
Darren Smith
27 января, 2012 at 18:32
Cheers Chris, as mentioned the money is coming mainly from cup runs and Friendlies so I’ll have to keep that up for sure. I am actually going even younger with my stars next season so stay tuned :)
Godders
6 июня, 2012 at 15:27
Darren.
I’m into my second season, so far reads P 11, W 10, D 1, L 0, F 26, A 6, GD + 20, PTS 31.
Into the 3rd Round of The FA Cup, 2nd Round FA Trophy and Evo-Stik League Cup 3rd Round.
Using The Manchelona this time around instead of the Arsenal Tactic which I used last season.
Balance is currently £222,475 to date:- 17 Oct 2012.
Darren Smith
6 июня, 2012 at 19:07
All sounds good, well done.
Godders
7 июня, 2012 at 23:13
Thanks Darren.
I should of said I used your Scarborough version of your Arsenal Tactic.
Perhaps I needed to arrange at least ten friendlies at the start of the season to bed the tactic in.
Regarding the Manchelona Tactic Darren, I have to say well done with that one, but I do have one question, I was thinking of changing the role of the center backs to a Ball Playing Center Back, do you think It will improve the passing rate at the back?
Sorry Darren just thought of another question lol what’s your view of changing the inside forwards role to an advanced player role?
Darren Smith
8 июня, 2012 at 11:49
Whether changing the CB to ball playing will effect the passing stat depends on the player. It will increase his number of attempted passes but his ability will dictate the rest. As for changing the wide roles it depends on your players, but it wouldn’t be the same tactic if you did.
Unc GodSpurs
9 июня, 2012 at 11:56
Hi Darren
Thanks again for your help, I will test the Ball Playing Center Back role, to see how It fares.
I will also leave the Inside forward role as It Is.
PS Darren I look forward to you doing an old Ajax System challenge, now that would be nice.
Darren Smith
9 июня, 2012 at 14:01
Glad to help, as for the old Ajax system challenge, that would be good but probably not going to happen for FM12 anyway.
Godders
10 июня, 2012 at 16:16
Hi Darren.
Sorry to bother you again but you are the guru :-)
I can’t seem to access any details such finances, or players in or out on any of the previous stories on the site?
I take It as something your team are working on to sort out?
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 16:27
Unfortunately we had a small problem with the hosting company and had to lose a few image files, these are obviously some of the files that were lost and won’t be added I’m afraid.
Godders
10 июня, 2012 at 16:42
Thanks again Darren.
Mariano
23 июня, 2012 at 15:36
Amazing season Darren!
When I look at the stars of your squad depth and the start in the picture where you show the AV ratings your scout gives very few stars to your players, but he is wrong as you won the league very easily.
If I start a save and I have the scout giving me that report I would look for lots of new players.
Could you explain how you can know how good your team is?
Cheers
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2012 at 15:52
I just explained this on the previous post you commented on Mariano. Here is what I said…
‘To know how the players are any good just look at their attributes and compare them with players on the division above, its that simple, alternatively rely on scout reports.’