Greetings once again my dear friends! As you read (maybe?) yesterday, I’ve decided it would be in the best interests of our collective sanity if I were to bid a fond (ish) farewell to Wales. Afan Lido is a team I’ll hold dear, and I may one day return to guide them to Champion’s League glory, but it would simply take far too much time to make an even halfway interesting story. BUT! But but but, before we say goodbye, we need to at least see how our season panned out!
Did we manage to win the title? Were able to overcome the dominance of the «big» three of Neath, TNS, and Llanelli?
We sure did! We carried our unbeaten form nearly to the end of the season before finally recording a pair of losses after having already secured the league. Neath kept it close for most of the season, but we saw it through to secure The Lido’s first ever Welsh title! Now for the next question…were we able to avenge last years defeat in the Welsh Cup final?!
Not so much. :( We put up a good fight, but I’m convinced Campbell’s sending off ultimately prevented us from mounting one of our patented second half comebacks. Still, losing the Welsh Cup is of minor consequence (for one, we won the league, and for two, I’m leaving). On the bright side, check out the top three average ratings for the league:
Score! I’ll miss Shane Williams, that’s for sure, and my defenders performed admirably. Odd that none of my strikers showed up, but I guess they did tend to be fairly streaky.
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Now for the inevitable: Where am I (really where are WE, since you guys are a part of this too) heading next? After spending far, far, far too long researching leagues, weighing pros and cons, and making a custom Portuguese league (changed all the team names to cell phone companies), I think I’ve finally, finally decided on where to play next:
Do you get it!? I’m going to Ukraine! See, U-Crane, the crane’s neck forms a «U» shape…yeah? Right? Okay…I’ll admit that wasn’t nearly as funny as if I’d chosen Turkey (there were some great photos for that one), but I was strapped for ideas. The league has always held a certain appeal to me, and I’ve been fascinated by the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv. So who have I chosen to lead Ukraine to glory?
None other than the mighty, the unstoppable, the unbelievable, the supremely talented….
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 18:19
Now that’s a challenge! Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv have dominating the league there for more than a decade now and taking this small team to the top will surely be extremely difficult. But you have our full support! :)
Stromson
23 июня, 2011 at 21:09
Thanks Johnny, I may be in over my head with this one, but durn it all I’m going to try!
plobdork
23 июня, 2011 at 18:33
i actually laughed AT the ukrain joke i got strieght away good luck with your new team:)
Stromson
23 июня, 2011 at 21:19
Haha, thanks plobdork, glad someone appreciates my sense of humor. ;-)
Sibo
23 июня, 2011 at 19:37
Laughed at the U-Crane joke…probably out of pity ;-)
Good luck, it will be great to see someone manage a team that is not one of the «big» ones in Ukraine. Good luck mate! :D
Stromson
23 июня, 2011 at 21:22
Thanks Sibo, it’s probably pity well deserved. :-p I’m looking forward to taking on those big squads, but it may take a few years just to get out of this division. *eep*
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 19:59
Cool and very funny pictures Jon, but back to your story and what a story this promises to be. A real challenge as your club lacks finances, ambition and certainly reputation. A lot to change there but what a ride. Looking forward to this.
Stromson
23 июня, 2011 at 21:24
Thanks Darren, hopefully it won’t be a massive letdown as I’m relegated in my first season and spend the next three years hitting the drink looking for a job. ;-)
Kevin
23 июня, 2011 at 20:46
Hi Stromson
You’re a long way from home now so good luck in Eastern Europe. Like the jokes too :)
Stromson
23 июня, 2011 at 21:24
Hmmm…I do seem to be moving further and further east…That can only mean one thing next…
CHINA
CsAtlantis
24 июня, 2011 at 12:19
Australia’s even further east Stromson, or you could manage in my country league (Malaysia :P), Your team seems to be awful in midfield, good luck finding some guys there, your other two departments seem to be fine
Oh yeah, do you mind posting the half star player? Would be interesting to see how bad he is compared to a Blue Square player
Stromson
24 июня, 2011 at 13:04
Ask ye shall receive: my half star midfielder, who is actually defender being played out of position for lack of any other central midfielders.
vaibhavc
24 июня, 2011 at 14:27
Hey Stromson
U-Crane huh? Must be a great challenge for you. You really need to buy a new guy to replace the half a star player.
Stromson
24 июня, 2011 at 18:44
Yeah, I’m working on that one…
Sears
24 июня, 2011 at 15:13
Your half star midfielder has decent physical attributes… Other than that he’s completely and utterly useless!
I’m really going to enjoy this story, purely because your making it interesting, funny and full of surprises :-D ;-)
Hopefully a tycoon will purchase your club, cuz it’s going to take an age to win the Ukrainian league with that budget ;-)
Stromson
24 июня, 2011 at 18:55
Yeah, he’s doing a pretty durn good job of keeping our bench nice and toasty though! I’m glad you’re enjoying the story, and I’ll do my best to keep it entertaining!
vikingmarius
24 июня, 2011 at 16:03
Well thats a challenge, but I definitely think you can pull of a decent position and with maybe more money next season you can actually have a decent team, but now you need a new midfield
Stromson
24 июня, 2011 at 18:57
I think this may be another season of rather exotic friendlies! We need cash, and in a very bad way…
Laxeyman
24 июня, 2011 at 16:37
Talk about a challenge Stromo! Great choice in my humble opinion, it’ll be tough, especially with your budget, but I’m sure you’ll do well. This should be an extremely and I’m looking forward to it mate :)
Stromson
24 июня, 2011 at 19:41
Thanks Laxey, I’m glad it looks interesting! I certainly think this is going to be one heck of a challenge, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Ana Garcia
24 июня, 2011 at 20:38
Good choice!
Ukraine seems like a good league with good potential, but your team needs a little work! And with very little money you are in for a challenge which makes it even more interesting to follow!
Really good luck!!! :)