Career Tree attempts the Chippenham One Season challenge

[Mr Tree]

No particular affinity to either team, but I'm a southerner so let's give "Chip-e-num" a go.

Obviously I don't want to reveal too much of my hand, making it easier for others to surpass me!

So here are some random updates from the progress so far...

Our first friendly was encouraging:

Helpfully, the cretins above me organised four away friendlies and not a one at home, but we managed to get one win at least, and against league opposition:

Ok, down to business then. A late equaliser salvaged a point in the first game of the season:

Finally we were allowed to play in beautiful Wiltshire, but alas another draw (we actually went on to draw six of the first 10) - centre-back Will "Wendy" Richards with the equaliser after snooker star Matthew Stevens put Slough in front:

Our first league win soon followed, with two goals from the Duke:

We're pottering along in the league... And we got through the first cup match:

But an unfavourable draw pitted us against Mighty Maidstone in the next round, and the dream was swiftly extinguished

We got into a bit of a rot, not helped by my stupid keeper sustaining two injuries in the early weeks, keeping him out for the best part of two months. Finally the rot stopped on a glorious night in Essex:

Which led to this fantastic sight:

And monthly honours followed for my right-winger and, more importantly, for me:

The games come thick and fast, and the squad is poor and thin. But the best XI lend themselves to my preferred formation, and we're doing alright. I'll be interested to see how my score compares... I'm not going to be one of the game's elites, but hopefully I can get through the season without getting sacked

Edited January 1, 2019 by Mr Tree

[FuddledFox]

Without seeing the league table it’s hard to know but that looks like a solid start to life at Wiltshire’s top club to me.

[Mr Tree]

Just now, Foxy said:

Without seeing the league table it’s hard to know but that looks like a solid start to life at Wiltshire’s top club to me.

It's been up and down... All will be revealed... One day... Maybe

[Mr Tree]

Halfway stage of the season:

Never seen zero shots at half-time before! (yes, it ended 0-0)

Progressed a couple of rounds in the FA Trophy too...

[danovic78]

Its a tough old league, I have started my challenge too with Chippenham.

The hardest job is trying to keep a full 11 fit with such a small squad and 42 league games!

[Mr Tree]

4 hours ago, danovic78 said:

Its a tough old league, I have started my challenge too with Chippenham.

The hardest job is trying to keep a full 11 fit with such a small squad and 42 league games!

indeed! fair bit of rotation going on with my team. i haven't used the 41-year-old much yet though

[danovic78]

11 minutes ago, Mr Tree said:

indeed! fair bit of rotation going on with my team. i haven't used the 41-year-old much yet though

I had to use him then he retired midway through the season! 😥

[Mr Tree]

2 minutes ago, danovic78 said:

I had to use him then he retired midway through the season! 😥

 cheeky sod extended his contract in mine! the assistant reminded me that all their contracts would expire, i didn't care so I clicked "Assistant renews", so everyone got a new deal, including the old geezer!

[Mr Tree]

We've reached the finish line!

Sadly, got a tough second round draw and a kick in the balls in the FA Trophy:

Things continued to be up and down in the league:

A few unfortunate injuries down the stretch led to some defeats, with Torquay securing their playoff place with a win at my place, leading to this bizarre text:

So where did we finish overall?

We did get as high as 4th, but the late slump led to us needing to beat Chelmsford and hoping Hampton & Richmond could deny Welling... Alas...

Our lads did well:

This is how the squad performed:

And of course, per the challenge rules:

Good fun, and I may well dip back in due course to try and take a team from there all the way to the Prem

[FuddledFox]

So close to the playoffs!

Great effort mate.