The Mighty Hinckley United - FM 2007

[Northern Lights]

Hmm... I needed a new challenge, so took over at Hinckley United, who were Conference North and expected a top half finish, I think.

First season, I went up via the play-offs, so that was nice.

Second season, I came 17th in the Conference, and it was looking a little shaky.

Third season, I set the all time points record for the Conference and won it by 20 odd points.

Fourth season, I got promoted by coming second in League Two.

Fifth season, I am currently 8th in League One after five games or so.

Up the Hinckley!

[Vamp]

Not bad, I could never stick with a club for that many seasons nor find any good buys for low clubs.

[Northern Lights]

I admit it is tough, but loan signings and transfer listed players from higher-up clubs are the way to go in the first season.

[Neo Matrix]

How long have you been playing that game? I've taken a year (on and off) and just about finished my first season as Northwich Victoria in the Conference North. Two games to go and I've won the title...

[Crazy Jamie]

I decided to start a career unemployed in FM2005 and see where I could get to. Rushden & Diamonds were the only club available and I got the job. Top half finish expected in the first season in League Two. A couple of good loan signings won me the league that season, and I scrapped automatic promotion from League One in the second season for successive promotions.

Unfortunately I then had some problems. Most of my star players were loan signings, and as such they all returned to their clubs. The immortal John Sutton, with 28 goals in my League One season, went back to Millwall who decided to keep him. The Championship was simply too competitive. I could scrape survival, and even managed mid table one season, but with no money and no pulling power for players I couldn't do much from then on. I did actually manage to put together a decent team and was in the play off places in January, but then my computer died a horrible death. So I won't be getting that game back again.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

That sounds great with Hinkley, I may have to start a low game when I have a few days spare

[Rahul]

I started unemployed in EA's Total Club Manager (now known as FIFA manager), and got a job with Dagenham and Redbridge. That was GREAT fun. 16 seasons later I managed to play in the Champions League. However, that game was much faster than Football Manager. I dont think I've ever gone longer than 6 seasons in Football Manager. And that took a LOT of time.

The problem with playing such long games is that everything changes a lot, and you really have no clue about many players since almost all of them are computer generated.

[Donpaulo Inc.]

I really like it when the game gets to that point

[Crazy Jamie]

So do I. It makes finding a really talented youngster much more rewarding because they were randomly generated.

I did that in my career with West Ham. Seventh year in and nearly all of the world's best players from the start of the game had retired. I managed to find a fifteen year old Welsh left back called Mark Phillips playing for Swansea. Bought him for 200k when he had tens in nearly every attribute, and three years later he had fifteen or sixteens in most attributes and was the most valuable full back in the world at the age of eighteen.

[Northern Lights]

Heh. I'm 6 points clear at the top of league one. Still in the same season. 21 games gone.

I'm optimistic. I use my scout loads. :D

[Acid Ammo]

Only FIFA Manager I play is FIFA 06 Career Mode. I began with Macclesfield on League Two. On the first season, after some loans and some sales, I finished 3rd and managed to go to League One. That apparently made a very good impression, seen I got a proposal from Newcastle. I instantly took it. On my first season with Newcastle, I had to stick with the current players (including Shearer, Elliot and Keane). We finished 7th and won the FA Cup. On my second season with Newcastle, I did some signings for defense, seen it was my poorest section. We finished 4th and won the League Cup and the Community Shield. On the third season with the glorious United, I accomplished important signings and actually won the Treble! This is my fourth season with them and this is my Starting XI:
GK: Groeningen (Prospect)
RB: Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund)
CB: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
CB: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
LB: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea)
DM: Mortem Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn)
RM: Scott Parker (Newcastle)
LM: Damien Duff (Newcastle)
OM: Kieron Dyer (Newcastle)
FW: Michael Owen (Newcastle)
FW: Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich)

[Rahul]

Thats one hell of a defence.

I've a game with Newcastle. I find it easier to do well with them since they already have amazing players. Luque and Owen both had 20 goals a season for me. Emre, Parker, Duff, Dyer and Martins were also incredible. Didn't even need to sign anyone but defenders. And I remember I was able to get Gonzalo, who played like a beast.

Anyone noticed that its virtually impossible to get Bayern players to leave their club in Football Manager?? In 2005, even Ballack wouldn't sign anywhere else after running out of his contract.