Hello!

Well if it isn’t the return of the 5 point list. Seeing as we’ve been running for a year, I’ve encountered a lot of strange things in this game, but what’s great is that you lot have also sent some odd things over.  So, without further Freddy Adu, let’s countdown.

We’ve got a whole lot of history

Player histories are a great thing, but if you create a player in the editor you can’t add in any history unfortunately, but ho hum. In great news, there are certain “hidden” histories in the game, all you have to do is create that player with the right date of birth. Here’s Eric Cantona

Are there others? Well, maybe. But I don’t know who they are. And neither does Google. Lionel Perez was mentioned but he was added into the game anyway after inexplicably missing out pre-patch. Let’s move on.

You’re Barred!

Anderlecht got caught out being naughty boys and, with no detail missing, their resulting ban in Europe was built into CM9798

Screenshot courtesy of @obsoletelyfab

Of course the eagle eyed amongst you will see the ban is for 1998-99, meaning anybody unaware flogged themselves to death for a season, got into Europe only to learn they wouldn’t be allowed to play with the rest of the elite. Nightmare.

Winner takes it all

Ok we’re cheating a bit here but I genuinely didn’t know this was a thing. Seemingly, neither did half of twitter. In Italy, if the top two finish on the same points, none of this goal difference malarky – it’s a playoff to determine the true winner.

Apparently this really happened in Serie A up until 2005/06, though I can’t find any record of the last time it actually transpired that way, mainly because my Italian leaves a lot to be desired. So there you go – another great bit of a detail.

Unrateable

We all know the stats in CM9798 range from 1 – 20. Right? Wrong. When a player declines so badly, their stats can actually fall of a cliff and be essentially zero

Here we have blog favourite Peter Beardsley, still player-managing at 55. Pace? Slow. Stamina? He’s practically dead. Strength? Floppy. He’s really determined though, so that’ll help.

That’s all folks

Don’t you just hate it when you’re finally hitting your stride, 30 seasons in, and the game tells you to move along

So if we get to 30 seasons, and to be fair we are just 10 short seasons away from that, I can call it a day. I only hope I’ve achieved all I need to by then, or I’ll be livid.

Today marks one year since I launched this blog and in the absence of a party, balloons or a cake, I’d like to take the time to reflect on the last 12 months.

Before I move on though, this seems like as good a time as any to thank you all for reading, commenting, tweeting and generally putting up with me for the past year. If nobody read this, it wouldn’t be anywhere near as fun. This is a game from getting on 20 years ago and I’m humbled by the amount of nice words sent in my general direction for the memories this blog has evoked. I hope I can continue this in 2016.

What a 12 months it has been though. Right the way from my very post through to yesterday’s offering, we’ve been through a lot together. You’ll be glad to know what I’m not going to re-write every post from the past year, but I do have some highlights. The first save on the blog saw me go from Wimbledon to Deportivo, but my abiding memory will always be the outcry on Twitter when Steve Haslam went to Real Madrid, including one kind soul tweeting the man himself:

Alan Rogers to Man Utd also raised some eyebrows. That first save saw me move to Auxerre at the start of season 3, and one thing that didn’t make it to blog was that things got so bad I had the “David Black to go?” graphic. I was petrified I was going to be sacked and have to blog my failure, plus a period of being unemployed. Let me tell you, I studied that game to make sure my form turned around and fortunately, it did! Then of course, the  dreaded save game corruption happened.

What was really annoying about this was that I had Deportivo absolutely flying! Considering I hadn’t started that season particularly well, we had a lot of momentum by this stage:

I still have the save game (it’s the 3rd blank square on the above screenshot) but it’ll never work again – my laptop ran out of battery as it was saving, so I would think it is gone forever. I handled it well though:

As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. I reached out to twitter and gave the people what they wanted

And so the Darlington legacy was started. Everything about this save turned out perfect for a blog – I didn’t dominate every division or anything like that, but I genuinely felt the love for Darlington. Even after an early mishap regarding whether Darlington FC really still exists after their financial plight,  I was politely corrected, off we went. It just felt like the stars aligned a bit, especially when things like this happened:

I absolutely promise you that wasn’t set up either. During all of this madness, I needed ideas to keep the blog interesting, and decided to run with the live text idea. Basically, if a big enough game came about, I decided to give it the full coverage. Yes, I shamefully tweeted some prominent live texters but in my defence, they said these things:

So the Division 2 playoff final was my first attempt, before increasingly grander matches got the treatment. 2 FA Cup finals and a UEFA Cup later, I then wrote about 10 as part of a book. Ridiculous. You can review the live texts (and everything else) over at Season Summaries

Away from updating you on the saves I’ve tried to bring some variety to the page as I wanted this to become a one-stop shop for all your CM9798 needs. The Community XI was a load of fun, again I did fear nobody at all would vote but those fears were misplaced and you did the game proud. Even now, I can see in the site stats people search Google for the game, end up here and trawl through the nominations to try and find that bargain they may have missed. There were also a bunch of list articles in the early days that may be a little outdated now but the point still stands:

5 Players in CM9798 Who went on to Alternative Careers

5 Players in CM9798 with inexplicable positions

10 Current Premier League Managers still playing in CM9798

I could probably re-write the last one every few months, such is the modern management world. Seeing as it’s an anniversary, I do have another of these lined up.

This blog has also introduced me to a number of CM addicts through Twitter and email, and this was really the basis for the Champ Man & Me series. My original plan was to ask willing volunteers to answer a Q&A over e-mail with a view to combining it all. The problem was, more than a dozen of you sent in answers and it became a very cumbersome draft that was already 2000 words long after about 3 sets of answers. I still have the draft to this day. Instead, the series went ahead on a one-to-one basis with various people ranging from the creator of a 90s football podcast to a TV commentator. Just when I thought I’d peaked, the creators of the game Paul & Oliver Collyer agreed to answer some questions on the series, which I’m still amazed by to this day. The full list of Champ Man & Me’s are below:

Chris Darwen (Author & Editor of The Higher Tempo Press)

Ally Bain (Qualified Coach & podcaster)

Mark Carruthers (NonLeagueDaily.com editor and Pundit)

Dan O’Hagan (Football Commentator)

Ash Rose (Alive & Kicking 90s Podcast Creator)

Paul & Oliver Collyer (Co-founders of Sports Interactive)

Incidentally, everybody I asked to do this agreed with one exception, who didn’t reply. It was during the Rugby World Cup and so I asked a rugby player to take part, thinking that was good business. I would imagine he was a tad busy though, so we’ll let him off.

Of course, writing this blog has opened some doors that led to me writing a book about this great game. It started with me writing some pieces for The Higher Tempo Press and before long, Chris had asked me to write a book and now it’s on Amazon. Did I imagine that would happen when I started this 12 months ago? Absolutely not. But if you’re reading this now and you’re considering writing about something, just bloody do it. Who knows what can happen, and what have you got to lose?

It’s been a mad 12 months, to the point where I can’t remember what I did before I wrote this blog. What will this year bring? I have some new ideas that I’ll hopefully be able to roll out, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s still CM9798 at the end of the day. I would like to bring more interaction in though, maybe partnering up with some of the FM Community for scenarios or podcasts. There’s a bottomless pit of opportunity.

For now though, thanks for walking down memory lane with me. This turned into a much longer post than I anticipated, but then I have always had a good memory. Thank you for making this blog what it is.

Happy blogday to you all

Dave

Happy New year to you all. Welcome to the 2012/13 season, or season 16 if you prefer. Last time out, we witnessed Italy win Euro 2012 and I received the job offer I’d been waiting for, or perhaps it was an SOS call. Either way, I’ve answered the pleas and now I’m manager of Division 2 Newcastle.

Division 2 is not where I want to be, I’m a multiple time Champions League winner but sometimes, you’ve just got to do what is right. To paint you a picture, look at this for a history:

Pretty grim – we haven’t even been close to getting back in the Premier League since relegation in 1999. As it stands we’re not even one promotion away…

The squad is full of unknowns…and my ex-Darlington goalkeeper Philip Humphries, who has England caps. That should help.

Celestine Babayaro is also there but I’d rather he wasn’t.

Well that works.

To be honest, I expected to come in here, sign a few players and we’d get promoted easily. I couldn’t have been more wrong though – make no mistake, this squad is absolutely diabolical. It takes us a few games to get our first win, albeit in the League Cup.

That’s followed up by our first league win

After this start, we really needed reinforcements

George Weah’s re-gen isn’t available for transfer, but oddly they will loan me him. He makes a big difference!

The goals against column is a real concern though. It feels like every attack against us ends in a goal, and none of my goalkeepers are able to make a difference.

This is a good result

This is a bad result

Coventry are a Premier League side though, read into that what you will. I’ve tried all 4 of my keepers without success.

This game loves to put you in pressure situations too

Great, neither side want a derby in their current states. Sunderland are in Division 3 whilst we concede 3 a game! We get away with it with a late turnaround.

Phew. We’ve rallied a bit and we’re as midtable as it comes.

Only 3 points from the playoffs though! Goals against is a concern – I’m just not sure how to stem the flow though.

There’s been the usual array of stories away from Newcastle, starting with the Charity Shield

Batistuta broke my heart…and now Gerry’s too.

You’re probably (not) wondering who replaced me at Norwich. Well…

First division leicester have their manager pinched – they’re now bottom of that division. Norwich meanwhile…

Oh, Gerry. I say that a lot. The table is randomised I’m sure

Blackburn have just been promoted under Darren Huckerby, and now this. Sheff Wed have got to be a good bet for the league because of their Argentinian goal machine, whilst Liverpool are probably the strongest side over the last few seasons. Darlo aren’t going well but this is how Gerry does it. Where are Man Utd!?

15th! Gordon, what are you playing at? Boro prop up the division, 51 year old Peter Beardsley still a few weeks away from returning from a broken leg but it’s probably hampered his managerial ability. Wolves have also collapsed after some decent seasons.

Whilst I try and figure out the best way to stop leaking goals, I’ll look forward to seeing you all again in the next update. Tata for now.

The World According to CM9798 is available on Amazon now

The managerial merry-go-round is in full rotation as we head towards 2012. The England job is up for grabs and it’s causing a right stir. Spoiler alert – it isn’t the only International job on the table. I shall tease you no more, let’s crack on.

So the poisoned chalice that is the England job has become available, with Glenn Hoddle finally getting the sack after 15 years in the job. Yes really. I threw my hat in the ring and to be honest, I thought I nailed the interview, so this was a smack in the face

Disgusting. I’m too annoyed to even go for the Juventus job, and seemingly the rest of the world follows suit as AC Milan manager Francesco Guidolin gets out of jail free.

When I say gets out of jail free, I mean he is taking Milan to Serie B

A great appointment. The whole of Italy is disgusted so the Italian FA sack their gaffer too

Did somebody say keep it tight?

Another of the original managers makes a move, and now the biggest club side in the world needs a new manager

Oh my. I didn’t even apply. I don’t have any desire to take that job though, I’m done with the top level of Spain. Soz. Barca make a bit of a strange appointment instead.

Madness going on. Milan get a new manager by raiding fellow strugglers Fiorentina.

It doesn’t stop there, did you consider Brian Flynn in any of this?

Remind me, why was Brian Flynn at Valencia? No matter, I just hope he can get over this

A Brian Flynn for Christmas in Vicenza. And why not.

Anyway, there was a brief break in managerial movement to determine the League cup finalists

Liverpool have lost a little bit of impetus under Brian Little, Unsworth is a big loss but he is preparing Norway for Euro 2012. Sheff Wed, under Bryan Robson, are a real threat now they have the Batistuta re-gen. They’re also in the running for the FA Cup.

Man Utd are always a threat, Gordon Milne hasn’t been as tragic for them as I expected. Not to worry, time for more sackings.

Oh Daishy, you seem to get sacked once a season. Liam has now turned up at Birmingham, who are in Division 1.How do you replace Liam Daish?

Roy Evans is a league winner from 12 years ago, in many ways it’s a coup.

This is more of a surprise though.

Reid has been at West Ham a while and has won all sorts with them.

The stupidity continues as West Ham poach Alvin Martin from Leeds…

And just when you think it can’t get any more odd, Leeds appoint this man to fill the void.

Only in this game can Alvin Martin and David Beckham feature at the same time.

500 words in and I’ve barely mentioned Norwich. We’re bang average. We’ve stayed up quite easily but not consistent enough for the top 8. I’m treading water until something that entices me shows up. Sevilla are still getting on just fine without me though.

Liverpool/Man Utd Champions League clash there. Tasty. The semi-finals see Monaco back in the big time, whilst Sevilla play Man Utd.

Interestingly, the top of the Premier League is quite open

Bryan Robson is trying to achieve the treble with Sheff Wed, and Milne is trying to achieve a different treble with Man Utd. Gerry Francis is also involved. Meanwhile at the bottom

Is that enough to get Peter Reid the sack? Southampton’s goals against makes interesting reading, whilst Everton still can’t score. It looks like 2 from 4 to join Southampton in being relegated.

So another crazy few months has come to a close. Next time we’ll be in Norway for Euro 2012 – though England won’t be. David Unsworth is the English representation, as his Spain side will go seeking glory, and I will make a series of A-ha puns. Until then…

Welcome back to 2011, if you’ve been with us since the start – power to you, there’s been some rough times, but you’ve stuck with me through the latter 90s and the entire noughties. Now here we are, the culmination of 2010/2011, where I find myself as Norwich manager having come from Darlington via Madrid & Sevilla. That’s an odd CV. What have I been up to? Well, let me tell you…

League Cup

The latest pointless cup winners are in, and it was a bit of a grudge match for Roy Evans, as he takes his new club Derby up against a club he enjoyed much success with before ultimately getting them relegated.

Oh, Roy. Hard to take, probably. Still, he’s got a chance of revenge in the FA Cup

FA Cup

Roy! I’m sorry for ever doubting you. A shocker for Brian Little though.

Incidentally Batistuta junior can’t play for Sheff Wed as he already played for me but Bryan Robson is another with a huge degree of success in the FA Cup. How will it get on in the final?

How very one sided. Derby relegated too…spoiler alert there. Give it up man Roy

Division 1

When I took the rather odd move to manage a first division side, we sat 8th in September and I was aiming for the playoffs. However, momentum was building nicely until Sheff Wed shelled out £9m for my Batistuta re-gen, and now I’m just hoping we can keep it together. Remarkably though, we’ve got ourselves into this position:

So, three teams could win it and 4 are in the mix to be promoted. We’re definitely the entertainers with the most goals scored. As luck would have it, 4th place host 2nd place – it’s on!

It’s really on!

It’s off

Gee, way to go for it Blackburn. QPR are no use to me either. So it finishes like this:

The dreaded playoffs it is then. Coventry are brushed aside.

So to the final then, and an early red card has us in pieces but Ogliari comes up with the goods as he so often does.

Promoted! Well done us. There’s some talented players in the squad:

Moustaid is Legwinski re-generated but he’s been injured all season. Zidane was ok for a 37 year old and got a vital late goal. Speaking of goals

Our late run of form was amazing, deserving of promotion I’m sure you’ll agree

Anyway, let’s move on. Sevilla regained La Liga

Real Madrid all the way back in 13th I might add.

Champions League

Sevilla were on course to retain the Champions League too

But that soon went very wrong…

This was regarded as a “shock result” by the game, incredible really.

Premier League

There’s not much shocking about the Premier League though, Liverpool may have changed manager but they have retained their title – with ease I might add

Man City are still managed by Joe Royle, one of the few original managers remaining. we already knew of Derby’s demise, but Swansea have joined them and Chris Waddle (another original) & his Burnely side will have to make do with Division 1 next season.

Still time for some International stupidity. Who gets both goalies sent off?

Oh and look who got a second chance

See how he manages with a squad of no players which he can mould from scratch.

Who wants some awards!

Remember when I signed Castro (Chilavert) for Darlo? So many memories.

So with another season in the bag, we just need to find out if Beardsley & Weah are going to call it a day and whether I should stick with Norwich or move into yet another new job. Big questions, which will hopefully bring you back next time. To end with though, I bring you news that Arrigo Sacchi took Napoli to the last 8 of the Champions League, before leading them to relegation and instantly retiring. Toodles for now!

Get ‘The World According to CM9798’ in time for Christmas – available now on Amazon