Monday, 4 May 2009
XFA season round up
As season 4 draws to a close we have seen Turkyie take top spot in the Premier League once again. St John's most famous team did not let their fans down, before the season had kicked off there was talk that Hajduk Spliff would give them a run for their money however this was soon dispelled once Cihangir's team got into their stride. Second place went to Shiny Toy Guns which have sadly moved onto pastures new. Coming in a respectable 3rd place was Geordies Utd, a very solid and well run club under the stewardship of Shaun Punton. With Raynes Park Rangers and Hajduk Spliff finishing 4th and 5th respectively the XFA will be able to boast a strong line up in the UFFA Gold Cup once again.
Championship
The Championship was won by Never Back Down FC but with a very annoying 100% AI. Second place was secured by Club Athlectico de Middleton and James Crumps' Crumstars coming in third. James will be wheeling and dealing in the pre season I would think since this will be his second promotion running, a rapid raise to the land of milk and honey can sometimes see team become the whipping boys but with Mr Crumps tactical nounce I think they will do ok.
Onslaught and Lazio United coming in 4th and 5th will be looking at the possible chance of playing in the Premier League as well with 6 places available this time around.
League 1A
Bishop Ultras have taken their first silverware with the 1A title which sparked scenes of amusement when Jon Williams was reportedly seen celebrating in the board room with a glass of Fanta. Amaranth J F C came second and some of the media have found this quite an achievment with rumours their manager, Chris Parkin, prefering the lobby chatroom to the training pitch. Ritchie Coles' Natural Born Losers managed to win a close battle with Horse's Head FC for the third spot. With only one point separating them in the final few games it really was an interesting battle.
League 1B
Chris Buchan's merry gang of thugs and opertunists won this league and in doing so got their hands on their first silverware for Boocan VFC after finishing second three times in the MLFA. Harcester United brought home the runners up spot and battle for third and fourth between Emperor Elite F.C and Peking University saw Godswill's troops triumph.
League 1C
League 1C title went to Million Town managed by Jamie Vinall. Atheletico Dalek and Tyne And Wear Boys came in second and third but a special mention to one of the more colourful managers around, "The Hoff" of Chelsea Football Club. Coming in last place in never nice, however to come last and still only have 8% AI games is impressive, a big round of applause from everyone please...
That just leaves the cups.
The XFA Cup went to Manchelski United .
And Never Back Down took the Non Premier League Cup.
Congratulations to everyone that won their league or cup, but dont forget, it all starts again next season.......
Monday, 27 April 2009
Talking Turkiye with StJohn's Number 1 Manager, Cihangir Kirac
Having just won the Team of the Week Award for the tenth time in fourteen weeks, as a manager how does it feel to be in charge of the gameworld's top team?
CK Well, it is of course a big thing for me. I am really glad to be the top team for this long and the aim of the game is to be the best - so, because of that, every time I win this award I am more than happy!
When recent Team of the Week Awards have been announced, a number of your fellow managers have responded to your team's accolade either with congratulations or with criticism. Do you have anything that you'd like to say to the managers of StJohn?
CK I really work hard for this award and I don't understand some of the criticisms. This award is given to the team which has to be the best team of that week. I win more points than all the other managers in that WEEK! As a result, anybody can win that award if they win more games than me and, if you think about it this way, if you beat a higher ranked team you earn more points. So if I win 20 games and another team with a lower ranking wins 20 games he or she will be the team of the week!
A number of these managers would like to know the secret of your success! Do you have any tips that you would like to share?
CK I did play in other gameworlds, so I know some players better than the new managers and I have been playing this game since the first Championship Manager on the Amiga 500. So I can say that experience is THE factor. Also, I can't understand some other managers, when they say the players are old or something. For example, when I played Football Manager 2006 (my favourite) I had Zlatan Ibrahimovic - pictured - he scored 50 goals a season and once he was 34, he scored 45-42, so I think I credit old players more (this might be my secret).
Four other teams have won the Team of the Week Award: the now-defunct Globe Trotters United, Aussie Gus' Red Reg FC, Kuba Poznanski's AC Warsaw and Kadir Uysal's Wasted Turkish Youth. Do you consider any of these teams as your rivals for the gameworld's number 1 spot, or is there another team that you reckon as a threat?
CK Of course, anybody in the first 20 always threathens me. Look, people have David Villa, Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi, Pato, Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo etc. I don't have these players and these players make a lot of difference!
A number of other teams in StJohn's top 10 are very youth-orientated, while your squad looks instead to experience. As this is the average age of your squad, is it true that life begins at 30?
CK As I mentioned before, I believe in some players like Martin Petrov: he made more assists than the games he played in one season, while he was 33. I think in long term they will achieve more but I don't like to play this game without well known players and I have the ones I can afford. By the way I am almost 30, so I see these players as my generation!
You have invested more in your players and their wages than in stadium construction, with sixty thousand fans fighting for eighteen thousand seats. Is the team before ground approach one that you would recommend, or was that just the way that things turned out?
CK Everybody has two choices: investing in their stadium or investing in their players. You can't have both for a long time. For me, I did not want to wait to afford good players so I bought all I can and that made me top of the rankings. Now I am building my stadium slowly. I think it is not too bad for me and I can earn more than the total wages, so I am happy(maybe I got lucky!).
Coming from the Xtreme Football Association, how do you rate your FA as a community?
CK I mentioned before that I played other gameworlds and in all the gameworlds, the best FA was the XFA. I think XFA is by far the best community!
Turkiye have won the XFA Premiership twice in a row, and the XFA Cup twice as well. What targets have you set yourself for this season?
CK If I can win the XFA Premiership, it is more important than every other cup for me. So, first comes XFA Premiership, then the XFA cup. However, I really want to win every cup I can!
Your closest contender for the XFA title is probably Saeed Shah's Hadjuk Spliff FC. How did you react when you heard that Sergio Aguero had left the Gravel Pit for £5.5m?
CK Well, I think he thought two or three good players are better than one great player and he is RIGHT - he had a good offence but now has a more balanced team, which makes him more frightening. But, of course, no defence wants to see Aguero, so we will play and see how it will effect things.
Lastly, as a real-life Galatasaray fan, has life as a Cimbom supporter influenced your Turkiye team?
CK First of all, I am really really proud of Galatasaray as they are the biggest club in Turkey and always are backbone of the national team. However, Galatasaray did not influenced my FML team. Emotionally, I wanted all the Galatasaray players and to play with the real life tactics of Galatasaray but it just did not happen!
Thanks for the interview, Cihangir, and good luck with the rest of the season!
CK I want to thank you for this opportunity and good luck to all my fellow managers!
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
XFA DIV. 1B Newsletter!
Monday, 20 April 2009
Interview with Bay Harbour Butchers manager Kylar Stern
KS Some people might think its daft as its 'only a game' but I was sincerely touched and flattered. FML is something I regard more as community where we also play football than a football game where we also talk to people. Craig, who won it last year and won Managers' Manger this season, is a top bloke and I am honoured to follow in his footsteps.
I tend to regard myself more as a 'twitchy recluse' than an out and out misanthrope but I think that's less to do with me and more to do with the vast majority of people 'in real life' acting like complete dicks most of the time - the FML community is a refreshing change as people here are, on the whole, courteous and friendly to one another.
How do you think that managers across the gameworld can help to improve the StJohn community?
KS I think the StJohn community is evolving in positive ways - the rivalries between FAs seem to be building a sense of camaraderie within the FAs and I think the best thing people can do to improve the StJohn's experience is to get involved - talk to the journalists in their leagues, have a boast, make a suggestion - use the journalists to spread the word. I get sent copies of all the reports across the XFA in my role as organiser but whether I was an org or not I think I would try to get my hands on them anyway - and from the other FAs too - they all have their own 'flavour' - like the Premiership, La Ligue, Serie A etc do in the real world.
You also won the Most Improved Manager of the Season award. What do you think propelled you to the award and what tips would you give to managers looking to radically improve their fortunes?
KS I think my decision to give up sleep and play FML 24/7 was a big help. That and the all coffee and instant noodle diet.
In terms of things that might actually be helpful to people I really have one key tip - wage auctions. I picked up nearly all of my lads in wage auctions because I have never had the financial resources to compete directly with teams in the same rankings bracket as myself- while its a shame that people leave FML or move gameworlds, a search of managers who haven't signed in for a while's squads has unearthed a collection of overlooked gems. I think basing my tactics around the players I have managed to get rather than trying to shoehorn them into a tactic has worked out well - but now I am in the worlds most elite league - the XFA Premiership - I guess I will find out what the boys are really made of.
What is your proudest moment in your FML career thus far?
KS I think that's a toss up between winning these awards and coming in as runner up in the MOCHE (The Mods Orgs and Chat Helpers Elite League). Although my boys went down 2-1 in the final to Ian's amazing team making it that far felt like a real achievement - and putting out Horatio Hornblower's outfit on the way felt great. That match was the best I have ever played in FML- it had the lot- away goals, extra time, missed penalties... someone should make a movie of it, it really had that Hollywood feel.
You bagged promotion from the Championship to the Premiership in the XFA, so will get the chance to fight against the likes of perennial 1st ranked Turkiye. How do you rate your chances for the new season?
KS To be honest I would have liked another season in the Champ to consolidate - every team in the Prem could sell one player and buy my whole squad, my sorry excuse for a stadium and the club cat - but now I am there I am aiming for a top ten finish. While Turkiye are unquestionably the best team in the gameworld and I have a great respect for them and their manager, Cihangir - who is also a really nice guy - it's been my ambition since day one of my FML career to become the top team in the world - he's keeping my seat warm - though he might be keeping it warm for a good while yet!
You’ve brought in thirty players since the start of the month, with Anton Putsilo the biggest fee at £120,000 and let fifteen players leave. Are you a Harry Redknapp –style wheeler-dealer, or is there different thinking behind your transfer strategy?
KS Most of the players who came in are part of my youth strategy. Anton Putsilo and William Chiroque have gone straight into the first team at AMC and LW respectively and I also strengthened the bench but the future of my team is definitely the youth. Jonno Pereira who just turned 17 is definitely the leading star in my youth team - and incidentally my squad's highest wage earner at 14k - but I have high hopes for a few boys coming through.
As you tend to buy low and with wages around £70k lower than the highest in your league, is the plan to amass a war-chest of cash for the next set of transfer auctions? Or will the money be invested in stadium construction?
KS They say that necessity is the mother of invention and as we have never had any money, the Bay Harbour Butchers have always been a frugal club - our record signing was 350k and I don't see that changing. What money we do have is going into stadium construction as our shack is a disgrace and the loyal fans deserve better - and, of course, the income they will bring in is vital for the future of the club.
If you’re not a Redknapp type, which manager do you think your FML philosophy most follows? Are you a professor of football like Arsene Wenger, or an old-schooler like Alex Ferguson?
KS FML is a constant learning experience for me - although the various Football Manager games have eaten years of my life FML is very different. I would say my role models as a manager are people from inside FML - Jay Derriman, Craig Legend and Steven Xu would head the list but I have learned from everyone I have played.
Having scored up managers’ awards, will this be the season that you add some FA silverware to your trophy cabinet?
KS Well, my first round XFA cup draw was a blow - away to Turkiye. My boys gave it their best but we went down 2-0 leaving us free to 'concentrate on the league' as they say. With Jonno spearheading the line up I have hopes of maybe getting my first official silverware in the XFA U18 competitions - but even with Jonno's fearsome strike rate we will need a lot of luck.
Kylar, thanks for your time and best luck with the new season!
Friday, 17 April 2009
XFA SEASON UNDERWAY!
Well the seasons underway and some teams are steaming ahead with there games and already some intresting results in all the leagues are been thrown up. Realthing beat Turkiye 1-0 in a battle that Realthing fans will never forget as Turkiye threw everything but the kitchen sink at superb goalkeeper Chris Kirkland who was man of the match. Realthing who were tipped to go down this season are showing strong will and determination to stay up in the top flight this season. Turkiye are top at this early point of the season and look good to once again win this prestigious title of the XFA Premier league.
CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
Well the season at the minute sees James Francis's team GUNNER BOY GOONER 4 LIFE top of the table having played a considerable amount of games more than the opposition. The favourites for the title CLUB ATLETICO DE MIDDLETON are a little disappointed with there result against the leaders and will hope for a better set of results in the next few days. Can I also point out that strong and new manager to the FA Joe Gymer's team ONSLAUGHT FC are looking set to join the elite in the Premier league next season with a comfortable start in the Championship.
XFA DIVISION 1A
CHESSBURY UNITED and HORSES HEAD FC are challenging for the top spot in the division at this early stage with FC BASINGSTOKE just waiting in the wings and not playing any games just yet. There are also worrying times as two managers went missing shortly after the start of the season when there boat sank somewhere in the Irish sea and have not been found yet, Fans of CHICO FC and LIVORNO UNITED are very worried and are asking for there money back on season tickets that they have bought.
XFA DIVISION 1B
REGGINA 1914 FM2009 are top of the league having played twelve games more than there opponents BOOCAN VFC who are just seven points behind the leaders. SINTRENSE and there manager AMB TABAQUINHO are following and are waiting for any major slip ups from the teams above them.
XFA DIVISION 1C
Rob Page and his team TYNE AND WEAR BOYS are showing everyone how its done having played more games than any other football club here in the XFA and look nvery much the favourites to come up out of that division. Ant Witheyman must also be extremely pleased with his team ATHLETICO DALEK who look like they will challenge MINERBIO for second place in the division.
WRITTEN & EDITED BY :- Sharon Lowe (CHIEF XFA JOURNALIST)
Thursday, 16 April 2009
THE XFA NEWS
Hello to Joe Gymer manager of ONSLAUGHT FC who joined us from SFA its believed this is due to many bad decisions by the officials in many games to do with this fantastic clubs matches. Do not worry Joe you will be safe with us in the XFA.
Mark Sovereigns SOVEREIGNS CITY have signed Rivaldo and are hopeing to keep hold of influential striker Felix Alejandr Borja who was there top striker last season and will hope for the same return in goals this season.
Big mention to Darren Constable of BASINGSTOKE TITANS who's a cracking little manager and good luck to him in the new season.
Ritchie Cole's team NATURAL BORN LOSERS have joined the XFA from the PFA and I would love to welcome him abored to the most enjoyable FA around.Please note Ritchie your team is in for some battles this season.
Joe Woronowycz and his team THE CURLY WURLYS have joined from the WCA and will be a fantastic addition to the best FA around.His team's overall play is a joy to behold and will look forward to commenting on his team's performances this season.
I must admit that I was sorry to see Paul Andrews leave for the XEFA but the arrowing news that his players are all on assault charges and affray after a bar room brawl with many players from the REALTHING then there was only one team ever going to stay with the XFA and that was REALTHING whos players have been dropped of all charges due to the damning evidence against players of CANON FODDER FC.
Its also true that Horatio Horblower also known as Matt will be starring in XEFA'S version of PRISCILA QUEEN OF THE DESERT (DRAG QUEEN MOVIE) and will be joined by Sam Doidge,Tom Curtis and Alex King.They are all very much in love.
TURKIYE & HAJDUK SPLIFF LOOK LIKE THEY WILL LOCK HORNS FOR THE PREMIERSHIP TITLE
Once again the season's about to start and we are already talking about the astonishing TURKIYE but this season there's a new challenger in town in HAJDUK SPLIFF and can I just say how excited I am to be part of the premiership again this season. I have a sneaking feeling it will be REALTHING's last as they look set to fight relegation. GEORDIES UTD are going to be looking at improveing there position after a fantastic season last time out. Sander Hasselo will also be looking to close the gap on the leaders and I look forward to a fantastic season with all these big names in the division.Mick Morans NEVER BACK DOWN FC look to bounce back into the premiership after relegation last season.I would also like to mention Savell Martin's SAV AFRICA who are looking like they could be a surprise package in the CHAMPIONSHIP as I know the lad well after playing his team in the qualifying leagues all those seasons ago.
LOWER LEAGUES
DIVISION 1A- will be contested between Gordon Birch's FC BASINGSTOKE and Jon Humphreys CHESSBURY UNITED as these two giants of the game will battle it out to become champions of DIVISION 1A.
DIVISION 1B- will see a battle in what seems to be the stronger of the three lower leagues with Chris Buchan's BOOCAN VFC,SS Peles NK JOGURT and Nick Jenkins SPRINGFIELD TOWN. So good luck to all the teams in that division which seems as though it will be an hard slog.
DIVISION 1C- my mate Rob Pages TYNE AND WEAR BOYS look strong favourites with strong willed Italian manager Steffano Accorsi's MINERBIO looking like the team to chase him all the way for the title this season and could be the divisions biggest shock if TYNE AND WEAR BOYS do not turn up this season.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH ALL THE TEAMS IN THE XFA THE BEST OF LUCK THIS SEASON AND ALL THE LUCK FOR THE SEASONS AHEAD.
P.S LETS BEAT XEFA TO AS MANY TROPHIES AS POSSIBLE.