Career The Impossible Challenge - Cockers2505

[Cockers2505]

Simple enough, just bought the game (not been out there for some time, work and lack of interest in 2019 version gave me a break) and I thought instead of the Normal challenges that everyone enters, and does really well with, I thought I would try and become a top manger without spending a penny and become the 'Freebie Master' (if there is such a title 🤩)

Anyway without much introduction, and these updates will either be one long season, or small updates as I'm working flat out 12 hours a day, and so it's as and when, but I'm sure some will take interest to see what Players might fall on the radar for free.

The Team to Start me off in this Epic (or disastrous) journey is... (Drum role please)

CURZON ASHTON of the Vanarama National League.

  

Why these, well I was brought up literally 5 minutes down the road from their ground, so they was classed as my local side (As well as Ashton United)

So this as I said will either go horribly wrong, or as stated above, an Epic Journey, hope this interests some of you out there.

Here's a little taster to set the tongues waging on my progress so far:

Spoiler

Also got invited to the Coaching staff with my first badge:

Thanks for reading, see you soon...

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by Cockers2505

[Kun Aguero]

This will be very tough, good luck!

[Kanegan]

Great to see you back @Cockers2505. Will be keeping an eye on this.

[Cockers2505]

So SEASON 1 has ended for me, and what a season in regards to choosing the right Formation and Tactics

Couple more Manager of the Month Awards

Spoiler

But then the main Point, a good season in my first year:

Clearly took this league by storm, in the end it turned out to be quite easy.

Final endings saw me score over 116 goals and have the best defensive record in the League.

Records and Stats Season 1:

Number one and two top goal scorers, a good fete for a freebie...

69 goals by my main strikers was a good start to my managerial career...

Assists by Diaz went alongside his goalscoring record for the season...

The Averages between the main players did well with the type of tactics I stuck with...

Transfers:

All Players were brought in on a FREE, so a good season had by all...

Spoiler

Players Brought In:

Players Sold or sent out on Loan:

 

 

 

And finally my Managerial Stats showing a Clear Free Spending Season:

Thanks to those reading, hope this continue's to be of interest, if not please tell me...

Edited December 6, 2019 by Cockers2505

[MikeF]

I like this challenge.  At give it a go myself down the line. 
 

Good start mate. Good luck!

[Scratch]

Good to see you back on here! Great start and interesting challenge, definitely different from what many do here (myself included). Will be watching on keenly. 

[BatiGoal]

With an experienced manager like yourself at the helm what could possibly go wrong? Other than ring rust kicking in, getting the Vanarama sack and having only a handful amateur teams knocking on your door. 

Anyway, goodluck! 

[FuddledFox]

Excellent start to your journey.

[Cockers2505]

On 06/12/2019 at 09:03, Kun Aguero said:

This will be very tough, good luck!

Thanks Kun, it will be but I wanted to try something different

On 06/12/2019 at 10:35, Kanegan said:

Great to see you back @Cockers2505. Will be keeping an eye on this.

Cheers Kanegan, looking at your excellent history on here this will be a tough one to impress you 😂

2 hours ago, Scratch said:

Good to see you back on here! Great start and interesting challenge, definitely different from what many do here (myself included). Will be watching on keenly. 

Hi scratch, it's been sometime, I keep my eye on all exploits going on, but had no time really for anything else, but it's nice to be back among such a good bunch of FMM enthusiast's 👍

1 hour ago, BatiGoal said:

With an experienced manager like yourself at the helm what could possibly go wrong? Other than ring rust kicking in, getting the Vanarama sack and having only a handful amateur teams knocking on your door. 

Anyway, goodluck! 

😂 Bati Bati, what could go wrong, well everything eventually, but I won't go down easily, I'll certainly be kicking and screaming before they sack me!! I've set myself a challenge that will either break me, or kill me trying, but I'm sure I will never be the awesome manager as you are 🤔

1 hour ago, Foxy said:

Excellent start to your journey.

Cheers Foxy, let's hope I can make this as interesting as I rise in popularity!

Edited December 7, 2019 by Cockers2505

[Cockers2505]

So first season over, a little success I must admit, but can I keep it going...

Season 2 starts with the same outcome, spend NO money but bring in success in the Vanarama National League

First Manager of the Month Award:

The season starts well, I continue to get the success out of the same team as I did the previous season, until...

Yep, Carlisle United came knocking at the door, they saw my fantastic success story, and want me to bring the same at the their club...

Do I take it, they are in a higher division...

Of course I do, this must be a bonus on reaching my goal, I mean come on they are in the Sky Bet League 2 which raises my profile more than if I stayed with Curzon Ashton.

My only downfall, is the next game, I am playing my team, Oldham Athletic 🤔 do I throw this...

Fixtures played:

Spoiler

They have had pretty decent start to the Season, but that Oldham game is haunting me...

League Standings:

They are doing well, but look who is doing better, this is a right pain for me, do I sit in the stands and let the Assistant pick it... 

Transfers already made:

Spoiler

In:

The good news, all free, Loans and Freebies

So my new Manager role begins, obviously as highlighted, away game against Oldham, they lie first, with us sitting in second, and the result was...

What a start, couldn't kick off any better, a shame it has to be against my team, but eh, this is FMM 2020...

So my career so far, 1 season and 17 games played for Curzon Ashton, left them is a really good position, 2nd and only 2 losses in the 17 games...

Where can I go with this team, will there be a bigger club knocking on my door very soon, and can I get he right players for the right price, of course FREE, we will see...

Thanks for reading, and hope some of you enjoy...

Edited December 10, 2019 by Cockers2505

[MikeF]

Nice work so far. keep it up mate. 

[Kanegan]

Great job so far mate.

[BatiGoal]

Making surprisingly solid progress, old man. You still got game 👍 

[Cockers2505]

1 hour ago, MikeF said:

Nice work so far. keep it up mate. 

Thanks Mike, lets hope my good streak doesn't end soon

1 hour ago, Kanegan said:

Great job so far mate.

Cheers Kanegan, so far so good

18 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

Making surprisingly solid progress, old man. You still got game 👍 

Wow, cheers Bati 😂 I can't say anything as I became a grandad 6 weeks ago 🍻🍺

[Woody]

Nice start to your 'freebie' career Cockers. 

Did this myself a few seasons back but i stayed at same club and played the save just till we won the Prem. 

 

[Cockers2505]

13 hours ago, Woody said:

Nice start to your 'freebie' career Cockers. 

Did this myself a few seasons back but i stayed at same club and played the save just till we won the Prem. 

 

Thanks Woody, I thought about doing that, but then you do get frustrated at the lack of funds and slow build up of the club, so this one I thought I would try and reach the top as quick as possible by moving up via clubs, it's just a fun Challenge to myself, I'm sure there is not many people interested, but we will see.

[HeartsBoy]

Nice stuff so far mate 👍

[Cockers2505]

On 11/12/2019 at 09:05, HeartsBoy said:

Nice stuff so far mate 👍

Thanks mate

A quick reminder for those who might not be up to speed to this little Challenge I set myself, well Curzon Ashton went well, got them promoted out of the Vanarama National League North, to the Vanarama National League.

Then Carlisle United Chairman liked the look of my journey so far, and just like most Lower League clubs, they took a chance with me and hired me as their new Head Coach/Manager.

I took over with 17 games gone, and here I am, 1 game played against my beloved Oldham where I beat them at Boundary Park to start my Carlisle career off with a bang.

So what have I done since, well come inside and let me tell you...

Manager of the Month's are still going well, as i'm sure for most people doing well, but they look nice...

Cup Exploits...

Wins against bigger clubs came to excite the club, could we get some silverware with this unknown new manager, and be loved for ever...

We saw off Luton away with an emphatic 0-3 win in the FA Cup, before beating Bolton at their own ground with a 0-3 away win, the University of Bolton Stadium was mobbed by it's away supporters.

We wasn't finished there, Brunton Park was visited by Aston Villa Reserves in the Leasing.com Trophy Northern Section Semi Final, Everyone believed there was an upset on the cards, and we would bow down to their superiority of such a big club, but not this time, we came away with an excellent 3-1 win to prepare us for the Final.

The Final was decided, Carlisle V's Coventry in the Leasing.com Trophy at Wembley Sunday 28th March 2021, be there, history will be made...

Spoiler

 

All this excitement I had brought to the club, earned me my next badge, the Silver Coaching certificate...

Job Status - Very Secure, success is just round the corner, and I'm the man to do it...

The next part of this journey was an email that guaranteed us a Sky Bet League Two play-off, I had continued to keep the club at the top of the league from when I took over, can I continue to get us promoted...

The news came in...

We has done it, Promotion had got the club ecstatic once again, I had guided them to the Sky Bet League One...

I wasn't finished there though, I had another big game to contend with, so now we was on the brink of bringing in 2 trophies to the Club, Promotion had been secured, I had a headache trying to decide which players would face Coventry at Wembley, they all trained well, they had all played so well throughout the season, but only 11 could start the game, there was going to be some sad faces on the bench, and even more sad in the stands...

Sunday 28th March 2021 - Carlisle V Coventry Leasing.Com Trophy - Wembley Stadium London England.

The crowd came in the thousands, we filled the stadium for this day to remember, the season had already made us proud with the Promotion, but this would raise the roof to win another Trophy...

How did we do...

It's there, another fantastic win for Carlisle, a goal in the first half scored by Scott Wilson in the 17th minute, before we score another in the second half to clinch the win, Ryan Loft secures the win in the 85th minute, can this be true...

To be continued...

Edited December 13, 2019 by Cockers2505

[Cockers2505]

Season 2 Update...

So with an emphatic win in the Leasing.com Trophy, we finish the season on a massive High...

I kept us at the top of the league, eventually clinching the League and becoming League 2 Champions.

I have kept the same Tactic and formation throughout so far, using 2 strikers in both Teams so far, but as I move up the League, and maybe to a better team, this could prove to be to much and might need to switch to Single striker formation, but we will see.

Final Standings...

We did well around, eventually finishing on 113 points and only loosing 2 more games throughout the rest of the season.

Player Stats... 

Spoiler

Goals...

Assists...

Average Ratings...

 

What is good about the Formation so far is the amount of high averages I seem to get even with some of the 'Let's say' lesser players, I brought in a few more freebies, and let go a lot of the Loanees as I wanted to make this my team and not the one I took over...

OutStanding Player...

Remi Oteh

He was on Loan from QPR, but if anybody want to look at a player for the the future challenge, then maybe this guy could provide the missing link in some of the challenges??

As time goes by, you can train him to improve all over, his Shooting rate was already high, but with more training his Pace, Stamina and Strength gets better...

When I took over he was not being used, so I thought why not give him a shot with my other striker, and wow did he surpass all expectations, eventually banging in 33 goals from 34 games...

His exploits proved to be a winner in the league also getting the most goals...

Due to the successful season, I picked up Player of the Year with Jose Fran who I picked up on a Free as all my players...

Final Managerial Stats for the Season...

As you can see, 2 League titles and a Cup to my name, not bad considering I haven't spent a penny on any of the players I have brought in. So my season ends again on a high, Just as a side reward, I took over as the Ghana manager to hopefully boost my Managerial Stats.

To be continued, thanks for reading for those who do...

[broodje kip]

Great work there 

[BatiGoal]

Lovely lil player that Oteh dude. I've seen worse progressions, mate. 😉 

[Cockers2505]

21 hours ago, Lord Danish said:

Great work there 

Thanks Danish, is not as exciting as a 1K for example, but i thought can i actually become the best manager in the game without spending a penny, so it’s definitely challenging so far

21 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

Lovely lil player that Oteh dude. I've seen worse progressions, mate. 😉 

 cheers Bati, i’m sure there is talent out there to be unleashed, unknown players who turn out as starlets, i don’t look at editors or pre made lists, i do it all by what they look like in regards to stats

[Cockers2505]

Season 3 Kicks in, and Carlisle have made me proud, winning League 2 and the Leasin.com Cup, can anything get better...

My cup exploits begin with a good win against Sheff Wed at Hillsborough.

Folivi continues his free scoring for me, and a new freebie, Xande scores the other, both in the second half.

A few more awards fall my way...

Spoiler

A managerial award pops up, as always most of these I haven't got a clue why I get them, but they always look good, this one for winning 100 goals...

And then came along my 'Gold badge', does this make me an Elite manager now!!!

So how could my first season in Division 1, a few more free players brought in to help me, but what can this team do against some really good, and big clubs that have fallen from the top recently.

Well, 

Took the league by storm, another successful season that get's me promoted to the Championship...

So I kept the good run going to the point of winning the League, another promotion, and again all on a freebie...

Fixtures

Spoiler

 

Some good wins, and some silly losses, finally going 16 games unbeaten to clinch the League...

Final Standings

Another 100+ points and over 100 goals, GA could of been a little better...

Players Awards

So my free striker, Michael Folivi continues to show his talents claiming the top goal scorer...

Another player not wanted, Jordan Cox, but proves that he his required by somebody, getting the Player of the Year award...

So I thought I would show some players that might interest a few of you in lower leagues, or even future careers? they have simply been amazing for me, and as the heading says, FREE

Spoiler

Michael Folivi - Released by Watford, and shows his talent with some reasonable stats...

32 goals in 50 games is a good return for someone who cost me nothing, and wasn't wanted by anybody...

Remi Oteh - Did me proud, his stats are good for lower league, his overall stats keep high throughout...

After taking him on Loan I got him for free after QPR let him go their loss...

What a freebie, this guy is brilliant for me, used him in 2018 version, and as always did me proud...

Yes, no introduction, Eric Lamela, all said and done, what a player to get for free...

Another unwanted player, Danny Drinkwater, solid season for me in midfield, and did well Mentoring others...

Marc Albrighton was my back up IF, I could play him on any side which made him such a versatile player

Anyway the eagle eyed people out there will realise a lot of these images are ones after my next series of images, that's because my challenge to the top took another step up, and not due to the promotion with Carlisle, so what with you say, well...

Yep, Crystal Palace of the Premier want to take me on, yes jump to another League, bypass the Championship, well do I? would you?

As always not bothered about the Money, but the League standing is currently not looking good, sat in 12th position.

Obviously I couldn't resist, I had to see whether my abilities could continue in the Premiership, could I really win anything with totally no money spent...

Current Fixtures gone.

Spoiler

So they won their last game with a 2-0 win at home against Chelsea, can I continue the same result...

And the answer was NO, but it's a start, and something I can try to build on.

League Standings...

So as mentioned, they sit in 12th, 13 games lost and only 8 games won, not looking good...

Transfers already done...

 

 

So where can I go with this now, can I turn this team around, buy my usual freebies, and actually get Crystal Palace to be one of the big successes of the Premier League...

to be continued...

Edited January 8, 2020 by Cockers2505

[BatiGoal]

Congrats winning the league with Carlisle and under those circumstances too. No easy feat, and some of the freebies are quality players. 

But I can see things becoming a lot more difficult now with Crystal P. Hope there's good Bosman material out there or you'll be toast.

[Kanegan]

Great results with Carlisle. Crystal Palace is definitely a big step up but you need to unearth some good gems for the PL dogfight.

[Mr Tree]

great stuff Cockers, good luck with the Eagles!

[Cockers2505]

15 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

Congrats winning the league with Carlisle and under those circumstances too. No easy feat, and some of the freebies are quality players. 

But I can see things becoming a lot more difficult now with Crystal P. Hope there's good Bosman material out there or you'll be toast.

Hi Bati, thanks mate, I have been quite lucky with players so far, and the tactic and roles have suited the players, so it's been good so far, but as you said, the difficulty starts here.

7 hours ago, Kanegan said:

Great results with Carlisle. Crystal Palace is definitely a big step up but you need to unearth some good gems for the PL dogfight.

Thanks Kan, hopefully have a big shout in the Prem, and see where I get

2 hours ago, Mr Tree said:

great stuff Cockers, good luck with the Eagles!

Thanks Mr Tree, they have a few players that will give me some success already, but it's the freebies I will be concentrating on to help me along

1 hour ago, LiamTaylor said:

What Formation and tactics and player roles do you play with I want them thanks Liam. 😊

Hi Liam, I will post my screenshots later, I guess it works for me, not changed it with any of my teams so far

[Cockers2505]

5 hours ago, LiamTaylor said:

Ok just wondering what Formation you use it sounds great and keep up the hard work 

Nothing special, but it works for me, the only thing I ever change is 'work into box' to 'shoot on site', mainly on away games

no explanation apart from I used it before in 2018 and it simply continued to work and in any league, simple

 

[AndersJ]

Did only first catch up About now! What a great run - this truely looks very challenging - keep up the good work :)!

[Cockers2505]

On 06/01/2020 at 22:05, AndersJ said:

Did only first catch up About now! What a great run - this truely looks very challenging - keep up the good work :)!

Thanks Anders, it is actual a good challenge for myself, you see all the good work by others, which I truly a man impressed by, but they spend millions to get the results, which I understand that is what football is about, but!! Can you do the same without spending a penny?? 

I present this Challenge, and it's actually fun whilst doing it, I'm not getting as bored as some that I've done where you just win everything year in year out after buying all the regens

On 06/01/2020 at 22:13, LiamTaylor said:

Thanks I will give it a try with my Doncaster team thanks for your help buddy. 😊

Let me know how you get on, like I said it's something I have used before and I get enough success without having to change it! Let me know if you like or dislike