The Rules
As an addition to this year's challenge, to make sure that the promoted clubs have the correct squads, you will need to use this DDT file. This file will load all of the players for the clubs eligible for the challenge and save loading the massive database created by loading all of the English players. Instructions for use are included in the file, thanks go to michaeltmurrayuk for providing us with this. Please read the instructions carefully, make sure you are clear exactly where it goes.
Load a game with the English leagues only, with the Blue Square N/S selected, a large database (or smaller if preferred), the attribute masking, real players and transfer boxes ticked and the add key staff box unticked. No additional players from any nation should be loaded. It should look like this.
The extra levels of detail that you can change while in the game are up to you, as they shouldn't make a difference.
Add yourself as an unemployed manager, the details are not important at all. I like to call mine 'Holiday Man'.
Go on holiday until 25th June, this shouldn't take too long, perhaps about an hour. Saving on 24th June may give you a better choice of teams by reloading the game then going on holiday for one day, I would strongly recommend trying this.
Retire your 'Holiday Man' manager. It is always a sad moment, a bit like the bit in Bambi, just without the deer dying.
Add a new manager, the options are up to you but 'past experience' must be set to the lowest possible which is 'Sunday league footballer'. I understand that choosing different nationalities may have an effect later on, but I trust people will be sensible with this. I would expect people to use their own true nationalities.
Take over one of the new clubs promoted to the Blue Square North or South, they should appear in this list which also shows the reputation of the possible clubs. The reputation should act as a difficulty level, the lower the reputation, the harder your game should be.
It is now up to you to manage this club all the way to the Premier League title and UEFA Champions League crown.
You may not move clubs unless you are sacked.
If you get sacked, you can either take over a newly promoted club that satisfies the original criteria (check the club's league history), or just start again.
Any form of international management is not allowed, until you have completed the challenge.
After discussion, it has been decided that assigning parent clubs and loaning players is completely up to the player, although it should be noted that on occasions a parent club can lend players which will make the first season or two slightly less of a challenge. It is completely up to you how you play this one, but everyone know real men don't use parent club loans.
To sign a player, you must be able to scout them, this doesn't mean you have to, just he must be accessible to your scouts. If you have a foreign player on a free transfer who is willing to come on trial, you do not need to be able to scout them.
No external utilities such as FMScout should be used and the database should be unedited. Should SI release a data update, this would be allowed. It is advised that people should update using the latest patches as they are released.
Rules for the Thread
Player naming is allowed. (This is a warning for those of you who do not wish to see this)
Discussion on tactics is allowed. (This is another warning for those of you who do not wish to see this)
Screenshots for anything are encouraged.
When you join the challenge, could you post a screenshot of your manager's profile on the 25th June like this.
Progress of your club should be documented using this thread, we want to hear the story of your club all the way through. Please keep us updated, even if you are doing really badly.
At the end of every season, could everyone post some kind of season review, including at least a screenshot of a league table and the clubs transfer page. If you give this a title in bold it makes it a bit easier to pick out.
This Website
- Along with updating the forum, you must update this website first when you start the challenge, and once each season is finished.
- If you do not update this site, you will not be included as participating in the challenge.
- You must register the username you use on the football manager forums when you register on this site.
- You must be registered in the football manager forums to participate in the challenge.
If you have any further questions please see the Guide or the Frequently Asked Questions. If they both fail then contact us.
When taking part in the challenge you can register with the site which tracks your progress throughout the challenge. If you do not sign up to the website, your name will not appear on the list which I will post in this thread.
How to Post a Screenshot
* While in FM, press the 'Prt Sc' button (usually next to F12 on your keyboard).
* Open an image editing program such as Paint and paste the image
* Save the file as a JPEG
* Upload the image to an image hosting website such as Photobucket or Imageshack
* Post the direct Url to the image here.
How to Add Links
At the top of the forum, go to 'quick links' then 'edit options'. At the bottom, select 'enhanced interface' and save the changes. This will give you access to the extra posting tools that make it easier to post links. Once you've done this, highlight the word you wish to turn into a link, then use the link button (looks like a little globe) to paste in the direct Url to your screenshot.
Let the fun begin