Hey everyone, welcome back to my Queens Park story. Last season was another success, we dominated the Second Division and finished a huge 31 points above 2nd spot to secure our second consecutive promotion. We now faced a bigger challenge in the Scottish First division. Were currently just one promotion away from the Scottish Premier League, who would have thought a bunch of amateurs could get this far? Anyway I was eager to start my new season so here’s what happened during pre season…
As usual, we predicated to finish bottom. This is astonishing considering our last two title wins have been done in such dominant style. Anyway I can see the advantages of been predicated of finishing last, nobody is expecting to do well thus my team can play without any unnecessary pressure.
Now for some heartbreaking news… I’ve been told that I could change our professional status in the boardroom request area. However, when I hover over the option, it says that »the club cannot change it’s professional status».
I’m so pissed off now.. There’s a possibility that we’ll remain an amateur club forever,which is a joke. How can I keep challenging for top honers if I’m restricted to just signings players on free transfer? I can’t keep going on picking up rejects and try to overachieve with them. This nonsense has to job or I’m quiting and looking for a new job. Larger clubs keep signing my best players, and there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s a bloody joke and I’ve had enough. Our facilities are average, we have a magnificent stadium, everything seems to be in order yet our status is still amateur.
Enough with my rant, here’s our transfers update:
I arranged to let some of my fringe players leave the club. Vernus was a decent defender but his mental attributes were terrible, Gelly didn’t play to much and I signed better strikers, Dosso lacked pace and was getting old and Delchié left for a bigger club even though I wanted him to remain with us for another season at least. Here are the players that will wear the Spiders shirt this campaign.
Dingomé was released by French club AS Monaco and I managed to snap him up quickly. This exciting 21 year old has had 9 youth caps for Cameroon and will be in my XI straight away. He may lack experience, but I’m sure he will be an instant hit with our supporters.
David is a reliable left back who was once at Real Madrid and Sporting. He will be my starting left back and hopefully he will perform consistently.
Isaac Osbourne has enough quality to play in the Scottish Premier League hence he will be essential to any success we have this term. He’s determined, hard working and aggressive. His mental skills are superb and he slots straight into my starting XI.
This Canadian international would be a leading star for most First Division teams thus I’m delighted he joined us. Like Osbourne, he’s hard working lad who hopefully will dominate midfield for us. He’s quite tall, with great jumping.
I have high hopes for this player. Despite being 30, he is a terrific player. He has scored goals at nearly every club he’s been at thus I’m optimistic he can do the same for me. He lacks finishing, but his pace, first touch, composure, off the ball should see him net a few goals this term.
Decent back up goalkeeper.
Another solid youngster with youth caps joins. Amofa, regardless of being just 19 years old, has 14 youth caps for Ghana. His technical attributes are poor, but like most Africans players his mental and physical attributes are immense. Defiantly one for the future and may even be a first team starter this season.
Lewis Guy is a former Doncaster and Newcastle player. He bring a wealth of experience to Queens Park and will be in my starting XI. He’s quick, but needs to brush up on his finishing and composure. A fantastic signing for us!
Not much to say, a good young back up striker.
Wonderful prospective youngster, Reece was released by Blackburn. This kid is the brightest talent we have at Queens Park.His technical attributes are fabulous, but his mental attributes are extremely disappointing. Hopefully these will improve in training.
I now present to you Ibrahim Shikanda, whom is to be the greatest ever player to wear the black and white jersey of Queens Park. This guy has 28 caps for Kenya and is set to join us on the 1st of September. Consequently he’ll miss the first half of the season, nonetheless he should be available to play after January 1st. He’s a phenomenal player and will be fundamental to our progress.
Our pre season went rather well, we won all of are games quite straightforward.
Here’s my squad in full, we currently have 26 players. Considering our situation, this may reduce or increase. As more of our players leave, I need to replace them with others. I’m still looking for more players as my board have aloud me to scout all over Europe. Our team is mixed with experience and inexperience.
That’s it for today’s post folks, I’m eagerly anticipating the new season. The First Division will make or break us. Will we flop or will we secure another amazing promotion? Time will tell, thanks for reading and I’m looking forward to hear your thoughts.
Darren Smith
28 февраля, 2011 at 21:39
That is extremely frustrating Sears and to be honest may well be a glitch in the game. I know how hard it is to build something for so long and then be holted by something so daft! Either way you have signed some incredible players considering your status and no wage budget. I sincerely hope you go up within the next few years and get to see if your status changes then. Very frustrating mate, but you have done miracles so far :)
Sears
28 февраля, 2011 at 22:27
Thanks buddy. I’m gutted that were still amateur, but I guess there’s not much I can do. They refuse to upgrade our facilities, and are happy to watch as our best players continuously depart. Talk about ambition? It’s a joke. Progress may be slow from here on, but I’m not going to give up. Hopefully we can have a decent season, stay up and do well in one of the cup’s.
Davewig1980
28 февраля, 2011 at 22:00
Interesting that the board seems to think that it is okay for you to keep your amateur status! Looking forward to see how you progress this season — could well be crunch time seeing as you have had it quite easy so far!
Sears
28 февраля, 2011 at 22:31
My board are stupid. We have one of the best stadiums in Scotland which can hold 52,500 fans yet were still amateur. We’ve done well to gain two consecutive promotions thus far, but this may be a bridge to far. Thanks David.
Laxeyman
28 февраля, 2011 at 22:24
Can’t believe you’re still an amateur club, should be at least semi pro considering the level you’re playing at. Your board is terrible :( However, you’ve brought in some good players, I saw Lewis Guy play for Oldham last year, and he was quite good, so I’m sure he’ll bang in the goals for you. Good luck for the season Sears!
Sears
28 февраля, 2011 at 22:34
We should have been semi pro last season, and pro this season! However every disadvantage has it’s advantage. We have a good stadium, healthy finances and a good team. I just hope we can turn pro if we do well this season. We could be the first amateur team to participate in the top flight :-D Lewis Guy is great for this level,I’m sure he can score a few goals this term. Thanks Laxeyman.
Lye Kuek Hin
1 марта, 2011 at 01:33
Hi Sears,
You are very patient. I will quit if my board doesn’t do anything to prove they are ambitious. I agree with Darren. Despite the difficult circumstances, you have made very good signings. Look forward to a good start by you. Good luck.
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:31
Ha, in truth, I’m not patient.It’s probably my worst characteristic :-D I’m hoping to get off to a decent start in order to give my team some much needed confidence. Thanks Lye :-)
Calin
1 марта, 2011 at 07:58
Very nice signings, Sears, especially for an amateur club (which is sad to see, by the way). However, I guess you’re up for a real challenge here and who knows: maybe you’ll be the first amateur club to win an European cup :D
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:35
Ah well, at least I don’t have to pay wages :-D Hopefully we can turn pro soon though, I’ve seen some amazing regens’s and am so jealous that other teams can buy them :-( Thanks Calin
Wazz
1 марта, 2011 at 08:52
Good signings Sears. Also, that’s really awful that your team can’t become a professional club. The team deserve that. Looking forward to see how your team will do in the league mate. Good luck!
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:36
Thanks Wazz. My new center back that is arriving soon looks amazing. Can’t wait to start the new season!
CsAtlantis
1 марта, 2011 at 14:40
hopefully Sears if your team gets promoted to the Scottish Premier League they will finally decide to turn pro, good luck with your new players, some of them are class
And if you don’t turn pro, you can have the awesome achievement of playing in the SPL with an amateur side
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:40
Thanks CsAtlantis. I couldn’t imagine an amateur club in the top flight, it would be astonishing. I’m delighted with my new players, can’t wait to see them in action.
darthbane999
1 марта, 2011 at 15:20
Is the reason you can’t turn pro is because of the club’s finances? Anyway good job out there with the signing and stuff.
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:43
Our finances are healthy, we have around £2 million in the bank. Thanks
kevin
1 марта, 2011 at 17:39
Hi Sears
I hope that option changes the more you progress as it’s deserved for sure. Anyway some good signings all round and I like Osbourne in particular. Looking forward to another exciting season from north of the border.
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:45
Cheers Kevin. Hopefully we can have a successful. season.
Johnny Karp
1 марта, 2011 at 18:52
I’m sure that the club will turn professional if you get them to the Premier League, I can’t imagine an amateur club in the top flight! On the other hand, it would be just as nice to remain amateur in the SPL, that would be unique! Anyway, I’m predicting another fabulous promotion, best of luck!
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:47
Me neither, it would be kinda cool though. We’d probably get trashed in every game :-D
I’m just hoping for a decent season, maybe another good cup run. Thanks Johnny.
Ana Garcia
1 марта, 2011 at 19:14
Shame about the amateur status, must be annoying to keep losing your players.
But I guess there is nothing much you can do, hopefully it wont hinder you too much and good luck on the new season!
Sears
1 марта, 2011 at 19:49
Yeah, it is. I’ve had some amazing full back and they keep leaving. Thanks Ana :-p
DoSomeResearch
14 марта, 2011 at 20:52
Queen’s Park’s status won’t ever change!
They’ve ALWAYS been an amateur club, and probably ALWAYS will be..
Hence the club’s motto, ‘Ludere Causa Ludendi’ — Playing for the sake of playing
This is the way football should be, no money, just fun!