Hello folks and welcome back to my *fill in the blank* story! It’s been an intriguing few months, complete with a title appearance, shock resignation, and curious sacking! I spent the better part of 5 months hanging around the Job Center before the right offer finally came my way.As you may have guessed, I decided to make a video for the big reveal. ;-) I’m really enjoying recording them, and so far they’ve been received pretty well. So here we go, check out our new team:
So there you have it folks — we’re going to Wales! Now a fair few of you are probably wondering what would possess me to accept a position in the Welsh League (with the worst team in said league), but reject offers from a BSN/S or BSP club (both of which I received), and you’re well within your rights to do so. It really boiled down to two deciding factors:
1) Afan Lido was a newly promoted team, and had yet to play a league game. This meant I had full control over my starting squad versus trying to pick up a relegation-threatened Aldershot 2/3rds of the way through the year.
2) Earning the Welsh Premier League a respectable place in Europe is the ultimate challenge. I’d like to (if I have the patience) be able to pull of a similar stunt to Excessive’s, and I can’t think of a more difficult or interesting league to try and do it from.
A Little Bit of Background
So now we’re in Wales, and now you know why, and now it’s time to fly! Okay okay, so I have no talent for poetry (especially the convoluted kind), but seriously, it’s time for a little information session on the Afan Lido and the Welsh Premier League. First, here are the rules/nuances for the WPL:
All in all, it’s a fairly straight forward league. The only two notables are the «Two U-19s on the match squad» rule, and the league splitting in half after 22 games (effectively shutting out the bottom six teams). Neither of those are especially far fetched or overly limiting, and the U-19 rule will help me keep a healthy recruitment cycle in place. I prefer 7 subs named to 5, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Next up is a little bit of history about Lido:
Again, not too much to mention. Afan Lido are a squad without much success, and their only notable achievement was a 1995 appearance in the Europa League (then the UEFA Cup). They were knocked out in the first round of that competition, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Latvian side FK Jelgava. Two League Cup wins are the only trophies currently in the case, and the club hasn’t enjoyed much success since that Europa visit. I hope to be the manager to turn things around for them!
Team Roster:
To begin, let’s take a look at the Assistant Reports for the squad before I began my overhaul:
Aside from a small handful of players, there wasn’t much going for us. Most of our players were glorified amateurs, and they just didn’t have the skill to compete on this level. It was quite the task, but I think I’ve managed to compile a squad capable of challenging in the Welsh Premier.
Goalkeeper: Reece Ottley
Picked up on a free (just assume all of my players were on free unless I mention otherwise), Reece is lightyears better than my previous keeper. His Concentration is a bit low, but he should be able to perform reasonably well at this level.
Rightback: Danny Taylor
I brought Danny in to replace the rather poor rightback currently on the payroll (this is going to be a theme). There isn’t anything exceptional about him, but he has a decent amount of potential and should be able to do well for us.
Centerbacks: Liam Hancock and Aaron Morris
I don’t think I’m stretching when I say Aaron Morris is my best player. Both of these guys are new to the squad, and they’re helping to shore up my back line. I’m optimistic they’ll be able to perform well together, and Aaron Morris still has the potential to grow.
Leftback: Paul Cochlin
A pretty experienced fullback, I’m counting on Paul to secure our left flank. My biggest concern is his relatively low pace and subpar marking, but at this level one can’t be too choosey.
Midfielders: Shaun Galsworthy, Andy Robinson, and Keiron Howard
Shaun Galsworthy is the only incumbent player to be retained in the starting eleven, and one of only three that’s even left on the roster. Coincidently, he’s one of my best players and the anchor of my midfield crew. Keiron and Andy were both brought in on free transfers, and they’ll be helping Shaun out quite a bit. As a collective group, I think this is the strongest aspect of my squad.
Attacking Midfielder (R): Bradley Robinson
A relatively talented player with oodles of potential, Bradley will be in charge of generating attacking movements on the right. His crossing needs a bit of work, but I feel confident that he’ll develop nicely.
Attacking Midfielder (L): Craig Williams
Maybe I’m crazy, but I think this guy looks a little like a young Simon Peg (not that Peg is old). Regardless, he’s a solid winger and miles ahead of my incumbent. He’s spent nearly his entire career in the Welsh Premier with Lanelli and TNS, and I’m hoping he’ll be able to continue his success here.
Striker: Craig Hughes
Probably the biggest question mark on my current squad, it remains to be seen how Craig Hughes will pan out. He’s older than I typically go for, but I was in desperate need of a striker and he’s had a pretty solid career (including a rather successful stint with Newport County). Hopefully he’ll hold up and bag a few goals along the way.
Season Outlook:
Now that you’ve seen the squad, let’s take a look at how the pundits think we’ll do this year:
Hahaha! Those are by far the worst odds I’ve ever been given. I’d advise you to go ahead toss $5 on us, and you may be due for a very sweet payout. I’d personally give us odds closer to Airbus or Haverfordwest, and I think we’re capable of mounting a potential title challenge, and hopefully will qualify for a European spot. Meanwhile, check out our season ticket sales:
We’re soaring! Moving up to the Premier league gave us 6 whole fans, unbelievable! This is one of those screenshots I plan to save for 20 seasons down the line when I do a «then and now» post. :)
Wrap Up:
I think we’ve got a pretty decent squad together, and I’m gunning for a top half finish. We’re predicted to finish last, but I’m fairly certain we can avoid that fate. My pipe dream is to take Afan Lido as far as I can, and I want to turn the Welsh League into one of Europe’s elite. That’s no small task though, and I won’t be able to do all of that with just Lido. This project will likely involve turning Lido into a perennial contender, and then moving on to a different Welsh squad and building them into contenders as well. Is a Champion’s League title in the cards? Perhaps, but I think I’ll focus on regular runs in the Champion’s and Europa leagues to begin, and then we’ll go from there.
Surprise, it’s a bonus!
What’s this now!? A bonus? That’s right folks, I went ahead and recorded our first ever league game for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
Thanks for reading all, and as always, I’d love to hear your comments/concerns/suggestions!
Excessive
2 июня, 2011 at 13:58
Haha! Finally :)
There have been some great stories with welsh teams that I have read on other blogs and it seems like you have the determination to do well and stick with the club for the long haul. Looks like you have brought in a well rounded squad too! It is going to be tough to knock TNS off their perch but given a couple of seasons, I can see you lot taking that crown ;).
Europe will be a whole different kettle of fish though, and I’ve heard stories of domestic dominance and European embarrassment in the past. Hope it doesn’t fold out that way for you mate ;).
Good luck in Wales. Watch out for the sheeps!;)
Excessive
2 июня, 2011 at 15:08
Also, thanks for the shoutout!:D.
Couldn’t watch the video, but I just whitnessed that 4-0 slamming away at Haverfordwest. Brilliant mate, hope you lot can build on that.
Loving the vids aswell pal :)
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 16:19
Yeah, it’s going to be a very long journey. I want to focus on consolidating domestically for the first few years, and then build up for Europe. It’s going to take quite some time, and there’s no guarantee I’ll ever be able to pull it off, but damned if I’m not going to try!
Glad you’re enjoying the videos, and that shoutout was well deserved! Yours was the best story I’ve ever read, and no small part of my motivation to try and perform a similar feat here!
Sibo
2 июня, 2011 at 14:14
YAY! Two awesome videos and a great update, thanks a lot man! I saw the first vid late last night though so I already knew who you were with (yes, one sad person in this world does check your youtube page at 1 in the morning in the UK!!)
If you still need staff here are three men I think might be willing to sign for you and they will be very good for your level if they do:
Niels Gerestein- Assistant Manager
Craig Brewster- Coach
Gareth Williams- Coach (although he may be a player when you find him he will accept a coach contract)
But don’t let me tell you how to play! Good luck man and great result in your first game against, what I believe is actually not a bad team, for Wales.
Good luck! :D
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 16:38
Oooh, sneaky…I’ll have to be more careful about my youtube updates. ;-) Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll be sure to take a look at them (though I think Craig Brewster is still playing, and hasn’t yet retired). Thanks for the support Sibo!
Sibo
2 июня, 2011 at 17:50
Oh yeah, a great player for you would be Gifton Noel-Williams, if he hasn’t got a club, he is like the Llorente of the really bad teams, no offence! :D
Excessive
2 июня, 2011 at 23:18
I second this^ :D
Sibo
3 июня, 2011 at 00:06
Ha! So now you have to sign him if he’s available because Jake agrees with me! :D ;-)
Johnny Karp
2 июня, 2011 at 14:20
That’s a very interesting job and a very challenging one too considering the squad. But the first game went very well, I guess the other competitors don’t have world class players either :) Good luck!
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 16:41
Yeah, I don’t think there’s anything remotely «world class» about anyone in this league. :-P It’s definitely a long term project, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun along the way.
Darren Smith
2 июня, 2011 at 15:26
OK, let me start this comment by saying I was gonna tell you off for not going to Croatia…but you did say sorry in the video so I’ll let you off. lol no but seriously Wow, Wales and you have huge ambitions, it seems like the impossible task but after watching Jake win the CL anything seems possible.
To finish off I’d just like to say congrats on the videos. There entertaining and especially seeing how you manage the matches themselves. Do you record this with a camcorder? And to finish the comment, let me provide you four quotes that made me chuckle. lol
‘Ow balls!’
‘What are you doing!’
‘I stabbed myself with a pen’
and the best of all ‘…the other Jon who stole my name.’
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 16:48
The irony was that I didn’t even realize there were Croatian jobs available until after I’d accepted the Afan Lido gig! The ambitions are huge, and it remains to be seen if it’s even a possibility, but I’m going to give it an earnest go!
I’m really glad you’re enjoying the videos, and I’m using FRAPS to record them. It’s definitely a learning process, and they’ll get better as I learn!
The last quote is my favorite too. :-p
Darren Smith
2 июня, 2011 at 18:58
I assume you don’t have to pay for it? After pressing the hot key to start and then again to stop the recording…it transfers the video into my windows player, what do you do from there to get it on YouTube? Sorry to be a pain I’m new to recording but would like to give it a go. :)
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 19:10
I believe there is a limit on how long you can record for the unpaid version, so I did go ahead and drop the $36ish for the full version (plus I don’t mind paying for software if it works well). I use Windows Movie Maker (http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker?os=other) to compile the video and upload it to Youtube.
Darren Smith
2 июня, 2011 at 19:32
Thanks for that Jon, I’ll have a think and see what other products can be used but probably folk out for that in the end.
Excessive
2 июня, 2011 at 19:55
I know we would love to all hear your Yorkshire accent ;)
joe lance
2 июня, 2011 at 15:42
Ha Wales then. I hope you achieve you aims. So how did Hereford do? Hope they were relegated. You don’t dump a member of the FMS family and go free, lol. All the best with this challenge.
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 16:51
Haha, I was just about to respond to your comment on the other post and then I saw you’d commented here. Hereford did end up being relegated, so I guess firing me didn’t work out quite like they’d hoped. Appreciate the support!
Laxeyman
2 июня, 2011 at 16:21
Looks like a really interesting challenge there Stromo, I’ve never seen a Welsh story, so this is a unique story :) It’ll take time to turn Lido into a Champions League team, but I’m sure Excessive can give you some tips ;) Your first game went well, good luck!
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 16:52
I’ll probably be looking to Excessive for advice more than once, but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to! I appreciate the support, hopefully I won’t get sacked this time. :-p
Ana Garcia
2 июня, 2011 at 20:14
Interesting twist! (I read your other post also, but will just comment here).
Hereford dont know what they are missing! I also have never seen a Welsh story so its a very interesting turn your story has taken.
Am sure you will give those loyal 31 season ticket holders a real treat this season!
Good luck!! :)
Stromson
2 июня, 2011 at 23:59
Thanks Ana! I think I’m going to propose we make those 31 fans members of our «heritage» foundation and give them heavily discounted prime seating once we’re famous. ;)
Kevin
2 июня, 2011 at 21:08
Hey Stromson
Very intersting choice of team and I think you have your work cut out for you in the Welsh Valleys.Nonetheless looking forward to an intersting story and your historic rise to European glory :)
Stromson
3 июня, 2011 at 00:00
Huge understatement amigo. :-p I could forsee this taking a rather lengthy amount of time, but hopefully it’ll be worth it!
Martin
2 июня, 2011 at 21:17
ooooooo The Welsh League…good luck with this one, your in for a very challenging story here. Your first game went well man…good luck :)
Stromson
3 июня, 2011 at 00:02
Thanks Martin, hopefully the rest of the games go just as well. ;-)
Sears
2 июня, 2011 at 22:38
Haha, have fun in the Welsh league! Brill video ago, what ring tone is that :-D? Your dogs are quite noisy as well :-D :-D Great post bud and keep those video’s comin’!
Stromson
3 июня, 2011 at 00:04
Hopefully it’ll be more fun than not, and I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos! I do have rather vocal dogs, and it’s just a default ringtone that came with my phone (Samsung Galaxy S).
CsAtlantis
3 июня, 2011 at 03:30
Oh the Wales league eh, there’s something a bit interesting about your players, why are most of them lacking a lot in terms of physical attributes?
But i guess considering that the prize money is miniscule that’s all you are going to get eh :P, good luck in the league!
Those odds of 2001:1 could pay off well, just 10 quid could make a fortune :D
Stromson
3 июня, 2011 at 12:35
Yeah, my players seem to be about on par with most BS N/S sides — in other words they’re carp! Hopefully in the next few years we’ll be able to start attracting some slightly higher quality players into the league (I’ll need to nab em while they’re young).