I have started this website more than two years ago with no help at all from anybody. I did ask a fellow blogger for help back then but I didn’t hear back and I guess that is why, after making this blog popular, I always helped anybody who asked me to. I have tutored several rookie FM bloggers since then, some of them turned into successful writers, others got lost along the way, one or two even posted ridiculously offensive comments here at some point. But most of them are good friends of mine now, very good friends.
This website has grown far more than I would have expected back when it all started and that is mostly thanks to you, the readers that always came back to check out our stories and provide suggestions or encouragement. As I said, I have had lots of «blogging students» and a few of them stand out because of their talent and passion. One of them is Darren Smith, the creator of allthatisfootballmanager.com. Most of you already know him and those who don’t surely will because Darren will be joining me here, we will run and own this website together and make it bigger, better, faster, stronger than ever! Two of the best FM blogs around will become one and I hope that this move that I’ve been planning with Darren for a while will give you more and better Football Manager content. Along with Darren the team of writers from allthatisfootballmanager.com will also move their stories here, I’m sure that you will enjoy the great writing skills that make Sears, Warren, Birdy and Dave very special. Here are a few words from Darren:
Hey guys, for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Darren Smith. I am a football fanatic and have a real passion for Football Manager. I started my blog, Allthatisfootballmanager, over a year ago. Johnny has been a huge part of my blogs growth from day one and we have become good friends. Some of you may remember me writing for Football Manager Story and I have been a follower of the site for years. Johnny and I have been in talks for some time about merging Allthatisfootballmanager with Footballmanagerstory. I am very excited to see the move finally happen and can’t wait to get posting. Like Johnny, I am here for anyone who needs help or just wants to chat, so I hope you will all welcome me and the new authors.
So, that’s the announcement, stay tuned for some more very nice surprises ;)
Excessive
25 марта, 2011 at 12:19
Oo goodo! More stories to get my teeth into ;).
Been looking at that site and Darren you have done a fantastic job, put together some great stuff and it will be nice to see on here I’m sure.
Good luck with the merge lads, can’t wait!:)
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 13:57
We’re working on it, everything should be in place shortly.
Sears
25 марта, 2011 at 12:36
I can’t wait until I get posting here Johnny… I’m going on work experience to an Army Barracks next week so my first ever post on this phenomenal website probably won’t be until next weekend :-(
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 13:57
Hey Sears, how’s the Army thing going? We’ll be waiting for you, don’t worry! Just stay safe and don’t play with guns :)
Sears
25 марта, 2011 at 14:33
I don’t start till Monday… :-) Can’t wait though!
Vaibhav C.
25 марта, 2011 at 12:44
Nice job guys, it means more blogs for us readers! Are Ana and Sayam still going to continue?
Vaibhav C.
25 марта, 2011 at 12:45
and Kevin, sorry I forgot you!
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 13:02
Sure thing mate! Ana, Sayam and Kevin will still be here!
FMCrazy
25 марта, 2011 at 14:12
Just signed up after seeing this on Allthatisfootballmanager, this is great! More stories for others to read and more popularity to this site, perfect!
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 15:43
Thanks mate. I have read your comment on Darren’s post and I agree with him, there definitely could be a place for you here.
Alex
26 марта, 2011 at 12:26
I would love to be a part of the writing community, I currently have a small blog at FMCrowd that was started by Vitaly Mokosiy (Truefootballmanager) and it is going well. This is such a great website it would be amazing to write here :)
Darren Smith
26 марта, 2011 at 14:52
Hey Alex, I’ve just sent you an email. Its with reference to your comment so take a look mate. :)
Alex
26 марта, 2011 at 15:04
I haven’t received an email :(
Fmcrazy@live.co.uk
Darren Smith
26 марта, 2011 at 15:34
Thats weird, I’ve just re-sent it anyway mate.
Stromson
25 марта, 2011 at 14:40
That’s excellent, this is by far my favorite FM site and I’m thrilled to see it growing!
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 15:42
Thanks mate, we’ll do our best to remain the best!
Laxeyman
25 марта, 2011 at 15:56
Great news, the two best blogs merging together should create an unbelievable blog! Looking forward to it :)
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 19:50
Thanks Laxeyman, we won’t let you down! :)
Lye
25 марта, 2011 at 16:08
Hi Johnny,
Just commented in Darren’s site and this is a magical move. I have told Darren that he really put his heart in creating a fantastic site and you are bringing the best out of both of you by inviting him here. I am really happy to see both of you joining forces together and this means we are getting the best out the best FM blogs and the best FM bloggers.
As always my support will be always here and thanks for making a better FM blog for us. Cheers.
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 19:51
Thanks a lot for your support Lye, it means a lot to both of us.
ravenie
25 марта, 2011 at 16:13
Great idea guys, it’ll be great to see the site flourish.
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 19:51
Thanks mate, I’m happy that you like the idea.
hils
25 марта, 2011 at 16:23
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!! That is a great idea!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 19:51
;)
Sayam Khan
25 марта, 2011 at 17:51
What a nice suprise! When I first saw the title, I thought the website was closing believe it or not! I must admit both websites a very similar so this idea is great!
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 19:54
Sayam, I can promise you that this website will be here as long as Football Manager will exist. Even if I’d give up on the website I will make sure to find somebody just as good to replace me but that’s not the case for the foreseeable future :)
bigbaz
25 марта, 2011 at 18:56
cant wait! love reading the stories on here!
Johnny Karp
25 марта, 2011 at 19:58
Thanks mate.
Kevin
25 марта, 2011 at 23:44
Johnny
Very smart move merging like this. Things can only get better for both of you. Looking forward to having everything in one place.
Johnny Karp
26 марта, 2011 at 09:41
Thanks Kevin. You were an «insider» on the move and you know how much I wanted to see this done. :)
Daniel
26 марта, 2011 at 11:57
sorry johnny but you left two writers from allthatisfootballmanager out Ana and me/Daniel this merge of two great sites will be great for everybody
Johnny Karp
26 марта, 2011 at 12:03
Hey Daniel. Ana Garcia was an author here before allthatisfm so she won’t be a «new» writer here at all, we all know her talent and passion. About you, I thought that you had stopped writing on allthatisfm, maybe you can sort that out with Darren because I think you are a good storyteller.
Daniel
26 марта, 2011 at 12:13
thanks for the compliment :) nah i hadnt stopped writing ive been sudying for my gcse’s as they are rapidly apparoaching and my west ham save got corrupted jus tafter i finished 7th that season . so hopefully ill be writing again very soon
BrainKiller
26 марта, 2011 at 15:26
Yippee! More stories!
Calin
27 марта, 2011 at 08:15
Wow, really nice to hear that and it was quite a surprise to see 2 big sites merging! I am sure that now Football Manager Story will become probably the best FM blog out there. Congrats for making this happen!
Johnny Karp
27 марта, 2011 at 12:16
Thanks Calin.
Ana Garcia
27 марта, 2011 at 19:28
Was away all weekend, so I missed the big move! :(
Am really pleased for both Johnny and Darren and am sure together the site can be even better. I have wrote FM stories on many sites for a while now but this one always feels like home!
Am looking forward to the future!! :)
Johnny Karp
27 марта, 2011 at 19:41
Hey Ana, I’m very happy that we finally made this move. I believe that this place will become even better for all the FM fans out there and that’s also thanks to your magnificent stories.