Hot Prospects - Page 5 - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

**WozzaWolves** · 06-05-08, 11:32 AM

Oh my widge. This is turning into a TV series.

Maybe Sky Sports should put something like this on instead of crap stuff like volleyball lol

KIU!!!!!!!!!!!

**Fedorico Roma Fan** · 06-05-08, 11:42 AM

omg, this is just amazing, the amount of detail you have included in this is just great. KUTGW!

**Hartynips** · 06-05-08, 12:22 PM

Hot Prospects

As you can imagine the following couple of days were a bit on the active side. The Ajax fansite was flooded with messages wishing Maduro a speedy recovery. The first team were given the following day off, with orders to all report for training Friday at 9am. Van Giel also wanted me to have the day off, but I ignored it and wandered into the training ground offices at around 8am. I had lots to do.

The rest of Thursday I concentrated on wrapping up the remainder of our transfer targets. We had now formally signed Finnish wonder-kid Lauri Dalla Valle on a permanent contract, and Dzsudzsak had also arrived and made himself at home. He was looking great too, confidently knocking the ball around in the youth team training sessions, scoring goals and creating chances.

At 10am I received a call from the hospital, Hedwiges had come round but had no idea of where he was or what happened. I sent Hennie Spijkerman over to check up on him, while I busied myself making a phone call to a man representing a Feyenoord youngster I had been sent an email on. Giorgino Wijnaldum had been on the Feyenoord books for a while, but they seemed to be stalling over offering him a contract. In the meantime his agent, who was also his father, had tried to...Well, I guess “Pimp” is the only word to describe it, to other mainline clubs. I hated these situations. Usually the parent used all their own inadequacies and misgivings about themselves, boying up a youngster into thinking they were world class, only to be completely let down because a scout has given them the bare bones, their kid will be lucky to get a job in Burger King, let alone play top flight football. I agreed reluctantly to meet him and his son.

At 12.30pm I was sat in the restaurant of the Golden Tulip, overlooking the canal. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I was thinking I should be at home with the missus and the dog, drinking beer in the garden, or splashing about in the pool...Christ I was really...
“Mr Hart?” I looked up, the waiter was stood next to my table. “A Mr Wijnaldum to see you sir, shall I send him through?” I nodded, and stood, awaiting my guests.

The oldish man that shuffled in was not what I expected. A black, medium built greying man, with a pleasant face, holding his hat in his hands. He was a near spit of actor Morgan Freeman. I was guessing he was attempting to dress for the occasion, though his suit looked as though it had seen much better days. His son was wearing an old blue Nike track-top, and scruffy jeans although both items of clothing were scrupulously clean. This must have been the best attire they could mange. I immediately felt sorry for them both. I shook hands, and motioned them both to sit down.

After exchanging pleasantries I learned what I had feared. Mr Wijnaldum, whose name was also George, was a poor man. He worked nearly every available hour at a local cosmetic factory, earning a poor wage, feeding a family of six. His son did various local chores to help out with the money, but the income was poor. They rented at an extortionate price, a small 2 bed on the outskirts of Rotterdam. Housing in Holland is at a premium. George junior had three sisters, all under the age of ten. He was expected to follow his dad into the same line of work. They had barely been able to afford the bus fare here.

The only outlet for them was in their son and his supposed footballing ability, Mr Wijnaldum explained. The family did not want to live off his son, but equally they would be destitute in a matter of months with the growing rental prices. I could relate, We had had enough trouble back in England with the growing cost of living.

When he spoke of his son’s ability with a football, the old fella’s eyes just lit up. Junior looked a little embarrassed at the praise being heaped on him, but kept a steady gaze on me when our eyes met. Here was a tough little sod I thought to myself. He was not “pimping” his son out as he explained, he just wanted someone to give Georgino a chance. I agreed to take him on for a weeks trial. Without further ado, I organised a twin bedroomed room in the hotel, and gave them 200 Euros to get themselves going, for a couple of meals and especially to get Georgino some kit for his trial. I would claim it back on expenditure.
The gratefulness in the old man’s eyes was plain to see as he clasped my hand firmly. The boy was welling up. I wished him luck and agreed to meet him at the training ground with Adi Koster at 9.am the following day. I left the hotel, I had been with them for two hours!

When I got home I explained all to Tam over a beer and some re-heated lasagne. Ever the sceptic, she said they’d probably taken the money and run. She was normally right about these sorts of things, however, I was too tired to care. We would see.

Following morning was bright and breezy. I arrived at the training ground at 8.20am, Picking up Adi Koster on my way in. as soon as we arrived, sat by the glass fronted doors on a new football, decked out in some new adidas training gear and possibly the worlds biggest grin, was Georginio Wijnaldum.

**WozzaWolves** · 06-05-08, 12:35 PM

Another superb update. The detail is unbelievable.

KUTSW

**VeggiSmurf** · 06-05-08, 03:57 PM

yet another sweet and detailed update here i love to read this stuff

metro · 07-05-08, 08:07 AM

nice updates. this story is great

**Fedorico Roma Fan** · 07-05-08, 08:13 AM

another great update mate, this should be a TV show!

**Bozza** · 07-05-08, 02:44 PM

This story does indeed deserve a nobel prize!

Georginio all the way!

busheyladd · 11-05-08, 12:34 AM

Keep It Coming Nips :P

Immense Storyy

**Hartynips** · 11-05-08, 04:14 AM

Hot Prospects

We had got to day three of his trial, but it hadn't take long for Georginio Wijnaldum to impress the youth coaches. Standing on the sidelines watching, his passing and moving abilities were evident to see as he knocked the ball around in a youth 7-a-side game, and his link-up play with Dalla Valle was particularly pleasing. Within his first day or so they had seemed to have struck up a good friendship, and I walked away from the training pitch, leaving Koster in charge of warm down.
Well the youngster had nearly had his week to earn himself a contract, I'd check back on him later.

I wandered into the training ground offices, narrowly missed being mown down by Vito Wormgoor in his new BMW in the carpark, blagged a coffee from my secretary, and sat down at my desk. I opened my laptop, logged in, and within seconds was confronted by an email. A very angry one.

It was from a guy named Dick Voom, the assistant manager at Feyenoord and he didn't seem to be a happy bunny.

"Dear Mr Hart. It has come to my attention that you and your club have been involved in a potential tap up of one of our most promising players. Georgino Wijnaldum is considered to have a potentially long and distinguished career at Feyenoord and we are not appreciative of your disrespect of our contract terms, or your attempt to corrupt him. You have until 8.30am tommorow to return him to De Kuip or we will take action with the Dutch FA"

Corrupt him? Was Ajax a disease all of a sudden? I wasn't having that, I rang the stadium, and got his secretary first time.
"Voom, please." I told her.
"Err...I am sorry but he is in a meeting at the moment, perhaps.." She stammered into the phone, I cut her off.
"Now" I said "Immediately. Get him out of his meeting right now." I went on hold. Two minutes later though...
"What the hell is this?" an angry deep voice came on, "Who are you?"
I changed tactic slightly, I would let him think he had the ball nice and safe, then I'd clatter him.
"Mr Voom?" I asked nice and sweetly "My name is Steve Hart, you left an abusive email for me this morning?" There was a moment of silence at the other end, maybe this guy sent a lot of abuse over the internet, and couldn't place me.
"Ajax? About Wijnaldum?" I prompted.
"Yes I know damn, you, what are you playing at?"
"Well he's a talented kid, Mr Voom, what can I say?"
He was getting angry, I could feel it through the phone.
"When will he be returned to us I want...."
"Listen" I raised my voice "Firstly he's not been offered a new contract, so we are well within our rights to approach him. Second point, your treatment of him has been less than favourable, and with his family about to become destitute, somebody has to look out for their welfare, and thirdly." Pause for breath, "If you ever threaten me again or send me an abusive email, I'm driving all the way there personally, to knock you the hell out mate. Get me?"
In the words of Gordon Ramsay it was, "Voom? Done!"
Complete silence at the other end for a second then "We will want a compensation package. I will be in touch"

Phone then went dead, but I could imagine him kicking holes in his office at the other end. This was not going to be a pleasant ride, and I doubted I'd get through the day without a cross Van Giel on the phone later. The elderly secretary Ingrid was peering over her glasses at me from her desk, wondering why I had lost my temper.

I rang Koster's mobile, asked him to send Georginio up to the office. Ten minutes later an exhausted Georginio walked in. I smiled at the youngster, and motioned to a chair. "Sit down mate, this wont take long"

I saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, he'd been called to see the manager three days into his trial, it could only be bad news.

Dheano · 11-05-08, 05:49 AM

Ooh this is looking good Harty

KIU mate :D

**VeggiSmurf** · 11-05-08, 07:14 AM

Good update m8 love to read it

metro · 11-05-08, 07:51 AM

Wow! this is nice story of a signing.

**liveru** · 11-05-08, 07:59 AM

Brilliant Harty mate.

Shocking behaviour by the Feyenoord manager but you sorted him out, well done.

Anyway, great update as usual.

**Hartynips** · 11-05-08, 08:58 AM

Cheers for the comments guys really appreciate them. The story is coming along well.

Apologies to Dick Voom, should he ever come across that post, my interpretation of the character is in no way a reflection of him, I'm sure he is a top bloke!

More updates on the way, as we roll into the first league game of the season!

**Fedorico Roma Fan** · 11-05-08, 11:08 AM

mate i love this story! by far my favourite one on here mate, hopfully you keep it running until the release of FM09!...............then start a new story ;) LOL KUTGW mate i love it!

**Bozza** · 11-05-08, 03:22 PM

Fantastic update!

Quote:

I opened my laptop, logged in, and within seconds was confronted by an email. A very angry one.

And you didn't even visit FMFormation?

I hope that Feyenoord wins this battle though! Wijnaldum should stay at the club, he isn't an Ajax player and he never will be hehe.

Keep it up mate!

**Hartynips** · 15-05-08, 09:59 AM

Hot Prospects

Within ten minutes of our meeting Wijnaldum was in tears. I offered him a three year contract worth 945 Euros per week, on the basis we could get his old club to agree to this compensation package. We weren't out of the woods on the transfer yet, but I had a feeling we'd pull it off.

In the meantime I rang van Giel to let him know about my conversation with the assistant manager at Feyenoord. I wanted him to hear it from me first, but surprisingly he was fine about it. He agreed that we would have to reach a negotiation over the compensation package. I hung up feeling good. Things were looking up.

***********************************************

The return leg at Spartak went even better. We dominated the game, but once again Pletikosa had an absolute stormer. Huntelaar netted our opener on 54 minutes via a deflection off Mozart, from just inside the D. On 88 minutes, a quick thinking Albert Luque put the tie to bed with a looping header over the keeper, after great work from Kennedy Bakircilogu. We were into the Champions League proper!

Thus entered into the first game of the season. Facing NAC Breda away at Rat Verleigh, we had been touted in the media as comfortable odds to win at 3-1. However it would be a game of two halves. And two Stams.

In the opening 20 minutes or so we dominated, in all honesty should have scored twice. Kennedy smashed a free kick off the crossbar from 25 yards, then from an Aaritalo corner, Huntelaar put a header wide when it looked easier to score. I started to despair after three more shots wide, when Jaap Stam headed home a superb cross from Luque, after another corner was parried back out wide by Edwin Zoetebier. Almost immediately the goal was disallowed, Stam adjudging to have raised his arms when challenging Penders. We couldnt believe it! After a barracking at the Ref, Stam resumed his position at the back, obviously extremely unhappy.

With three minutes left we made the breakthrough at last, Luque scoring a delightful curling effort from just outside the area. Nothing wrong with that one! We went in at half-time, and the lads seemed happy enough. I kept the talk to a minimum, telling them to keep it going. Taking Stam aside, I told him not to worry about the goal being disallowed, and to concentrate on his game.

To say the second 45 minutes went wrong was an understatement. It was a disaster. After a couple of minutes Vertonghen went down after a dreadfull challenge, just inside the box from NAC newboy Diallo. The Ref waved play on, leaving Jan thumping the pitch in frustration. I couldn't believe it. Worse still, ten minutes later Jaap Stam had a second goal disallowed for a push on Zwaanswijk. He lost it completely, getting in the Ref's face and receiving a yellow card. Having been pulled away by Heitinga, within seconds he was given his marching orders after clattering Ajax old boy Victor Sikora into, and over the advertising hoardings. Stam didn't wait to see the card, he was already headed towards the tunnel. In a blind rage I booted the cage containing the Lucozade bottles into the dugout. What an idiot! I'd already warned him at halftime.

Of course now NAC went all-out on the attack, testing Stekelenberg constantly for the rest of the game. I took off Huntelaar and Luque, bringing on defenders Jurgen Colin and Vito Wormgoor, but ultimately it was no use, and on 83 minutes, NAC won a corner. Kolkka curled it into the six yard box,upon beating Heitinga to it Sikora got a flick-on and it fell to Ronnie Stam at the far post, who calmly slotted home from 6 yards out. 1-1. I sank my head into my hands, the lads had done well, but now with 10 men, and no strikers on the pitch, this would be hopeless.

We held on for the point though and the lads trudged off. In the tunnel I was stopped by a TV reporter, from some station I couldn't pronounce. I answered his questions, and was fine until he asked me about the penalty.

"I just don't get it, was the ref blind? How could he not see it? Vertongen was taken out, it had to be a pen! Everyone else saw it. I don't normally comment about referees, but he was poor today, very poor and cost us the game."

I walked away, and headed for the dressing room. If things didn't improve within the first team squad I was gonna give the youngsters the field.

Dheano · 15-05-08, 10:40 AM

Good and bad start then eh?

Unlucky Stam, keep your cool son!

Brilliant update - loving it!