Camping out in Frisia - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

apthered · 10-05-08, 01:34 AM

First of all, let me begin by introducing myself. I am Canadian. I am also Indian. I was born there, I had gone by plane before I had a name, and lived in Nepal and Thailand before moving to Nigeria when I was 3. I cam back to India 4 years later with football having taken over my mind. Just a few short years later, I was on yet another plane, this time to Canada, where I have now lived for the last five years. Here, I became actively involved in the sport. I became a coach for a youth side, and a referee. And this is where it all began...

I was leading a pretty normal life. I loved football, or soccer as we call it here, and there wasn't one person in my school who cared that much about the game. Almost everyone was a Manchester United fan and their favourite player was Cristiano Ronaldo. There were a few Chelsea supporters, and a good friend of mine was a gunner. But I was the only red I knew. You see, people were amazed that I could support a team that didnt win. Also that I was a supporter of Toronto FC. I always got "Liverpool Sucks Aprameya" or "Why the hell do you care about FC anyway" (being accustomed to the ratehr idiotic American custom of nicknames for sports teams, that was their way of calling Toronto's team). But msot people were even more amazed that I was a coach. And a referee. And people heard about it. Soon, I became a fully qualified Canadian Coach (with a UEFA B License Equivalent), and suddenly, my life changed. I got a call, and then an email, from the Netherlands. Yes, Holland. SC Cambuur, a mid-table Eerste Divisie, wanted me, a 'kid' who wasnt even 15, to manage their team of professionals, some of whom were double my age. I agreed, and moved, along with my family, to Holland, where we were given a house and a car and jobs for them in their respective fields. I, who got 15$ for every game I refereed, was now gonna get 1300 POUNDS A WEEK!!! IBut who cares about the money? I WAS A PROFESSIONAL MANAGER FOR A REAL FOOTBALL CLUB. I was f***ing delighted.

And here I am, determined to prove that I CAN do this. that I can make us the BEST team in Holland (and third best in the world after Liverpool and Toronto

). This Dutch Delight is about to begin.

rimza · 10-05-08, 03:43 PM

u make me wanna cry of that story..from now i want admire u..i had a dream about to improve my country football like it was before when my country known as Asia tiger..i really dun care about money instead football is my interest..i hope u know what i mean..u'r story just make my spirit burst again..thank you..

**liveru** · 10-05-08, 03:53 PM

Brilliant start Ap.

I wish I was on that much money per week. Oh well.

Keep up the great work mate.

This one I'll definately keep reading.

**abeatty2209** · 10-05-08, 03:55 PM

great start m8 will be looking forward to the next installment!!!
KUTGW

apthered · 10-05-08, 08:39 PM

Well its been a topsy-turvy first week in Holland.I've been at the club for 4 days, and I've already caused more controversy than this club has ever seen. After my shock appointment, I've been settling in to the Dutch Lifestyle. I'm even going to Night School to learn Dutch and keep up with all my other studies. But now, back to the club. The first day I came, I saw that the coaching system is pretty crap. Im gonna be open about it, some of the players are crap too. So is my assistant. This is the AP ERA of Cambuur, and I was going to make changes.

First, I fired a lot of the coaching staff. Silly as it might sound, but when they're not helping, whats the point of keeping them. Out went Alfons Arts my Assistant Manager and along with him two coaches - Roelof Pol and Jelle van Zurk. Then I noticed we had 3 physios. WTF? Bye-Bye to the two crap ones. I got a new assistant, Harry van der Laan, from Dordrecht and a couple of coaches on frees - Michel Paauwe and Rick Butcher. Unfortunately, the Board wont let me get any more coaches - so we've got 3 of them, as well as a GK coach, and no fitness coach. Oh well, we'll survive...

And now on to the players. My first signing, though I already regret it, is Seyfo Soley on a free. Here's a bit from the press conference.

Seyfo Soley - SC Cambuur's new Defensive Midfielder

Reporter: What do you see in Seyfo that makes him a good player for Cambuur?
Ap: He's strong, his defending is amazing too, he'll make a great defensive midfielder and give us cover in central defence as well
R: And Seyfo, why did you join Cambuur?
SS: Its a club on the rise, I can see that, and I want to be part of it.
R: What do you think of the competition between yourself and Jelmer [Mullender]?
SS: Well you can never have a team without competition and I think its only going to make me a better player. Hopefully we can learn from each other and make Cambuur a better team
R: And Mr. Rao, what about the talk about you signing Nenogmashe? Another defensive midfielder is surely too much?
Ap: Of course not, he is a top player just like Seyfo and Jelmer and all three players can play in different positions. And as he jsut said, competition only brings out the best in people.
R: Thank you

Fresh with this new signing, I went into a match against Selaing, a Belgian lower division team. Touted as comfortable favourites, we played terribly. Even though we passed the ball well we defended badly and all we could muster was a 2-2 draw. Soley was okay, but he could get better. Jurrick Juliana (goalscorer) and Dijkhuizen played well enough, and Henk van Steeg got a goal, but the defending was crap. After the game I talked to the boys in the changing room, asserting all the authority a 14-year-old could do to a bunch of pros, and told them that they have to pick it up. I made sure my new assistant told them the same thing. Dunno if it worked though... But I knew some things had to get fixed, and we had to do it now.

And things were changed. We made a double signing yesterday. The defending was mended, atleast partially, by Alo Barengrub, a Norwegian Centre-Back from Bodo/Glimt who I signed for 28k. I also signed another defensive midfielder, one who could pass the ball and keep it, not to mention make sure nobody takes it from him. This was Nengomashe, a Zimbabwean DM who played for the Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. We spent 75k for him, but he seemed a good guy to buy.

Nengomashe and Alo Barengrub

But now I have to go, its the unveiling of our two new stars. And just as a hint, the buying isnt done yet...

apthered · 12-05-08, 04:04 AM

First of all, let me introduce to you our new attacking midfielder, Celso Borges.

Celso Borges

Celso was signed for 30k from Costa Rican powerhouses Deportivo Saprissa. He is very creative and can conjure attacks out of nothing, which is what we hope that he will do in the coming years.

By the way, my settling in to Holland hasnt been going all that well, especially since I lost again, this time 2-0, with a terrible performance against a bunch of Belgian amateurs. I think we forgot who was who. But now, I had to get something fixed up.

Me and my coaches had a meeting after the game and went over tactics and the training schedule that the players were following. We made some adjustments, especially as our next opponent was Roma, and we were expecting a sell-out crowd.

We drew more than 8000 fans, but we also lost 6-1! Defending was bad, but really, a lot of the players were struggling. Dijkhuizen got us a late consolation, but that wasn't such a great feeling. It just sucks.

Well I realized that we needed a new keeper and left back, and maybe a striker. I talked to Harry about it and he gave me the list of targets that we could still get.

Senol Kok - AGOVV Left Back - 18k
Jacco Ros - Free Agent - Keeper
Alex Fernandez - Coslada Striker - Free

Now I had heard about Alex Fernandez having a bright future in the game, and offered him an 850/week contract. He waited a while, then accepted. But his arrival was rather sour. In the press conference he said that he saw us as a stepping stone on the road to greater things. Understandably, I was pissed. And so were the fans. I talked to him and he apologised for his comments, but the damage was done. My new wonderkid was already hated by my fans.

Senol Kok was an amazing left-back. Harry said that we should get him even if we spend our whole budget on him. Even though we paid only 14k for him, his qualities are sure to impress the fans just as they have impressed myself and the technical staff. One bargain done, it was off to another, and we signed Jacco Ros as our backup keeper on a free. He was almost as good as Peter (Van der Vlag), our number 1. But this done, some players had to leave, and three did just that. Ale-Geert de Vries, our former backup, and Davy Veltman, a midfielder, left for AGOVV Apeldoorn for a total of 85k. Much needed cash into our coffers. It went straight into the wage budget, and no longer were we on the brink. Stephan van Hoving, a reserve player, also left. Veendam bought him for 60k.

Jacco Ros

Unfortunately, Senol and Alex were unavailable for the photo shoot, and I regret that there are no pictures of them that I can find right now.

All said and done, we are still working on getting a fitness coach into our ranks, providing the damn board let us. And there might still be room for a couple of loanees, especially a striker who's just about to take off...

apthered · 13-05-08, 12:51 AM

Oh and we couldn't sign that 'striker whos about to take off'. That was Tommy Hoiland, and he said he had no intention of joining us. Jumping on the bandwagon just like all the other failed signings.

Now 2 weeks ago, I won my first ever game for Leeuwarden. It was a crap team yes, but I STILL WON

.

Here's what happened. First, they scored. It happened really quick. And I became sad. And then from a corner, my new signing Alo Barengrub SCORED! A few minutes later, he did the same thing!!!!!! I couldnt believe it. Two goals from two corners from two pe...sorry the same person!

First win ever, we went in high on confidence to our next friendly at home to NEC Nijmegen. Marinus Dijkhuizen got us 2 up with two SPECTACULAR goals within 10 minutes and we went in to the second half leading by 2 for the first time

.
Only it wasnt to be. They scored, then equalized, and then won it in the 92 minute

. But it was a great performance, especially from this man, Marinus Dijkhuizen.

BUt now I can hear the dinner calls. I will be back right after and let you know about the amazing adventures of the Lone Canadian in Leeuwarden

walkinshaw · 13-05-08, 12:57 AM

Nice stuff mate, maybe for keeper try laurent pichon, a french keeper on a free

**abeatty2209** · 13-05-08, 01:09 AM

great story so far mate!! I hope your dutch gets better :P

apthered · 13-05-08, 01:37 AM

well dinners done so here I am
the first thing I noticed when I got back was an email from an old friend. He told me to try a French keeper called Laurent Pichon. Unfortunately, neither Harry or either of the scouts had heard of him, and we didn't follow up on him.

Especially since we have Jacco Ros, who played brilliantly in our final friendly, at home to Ajax. A sell-out crowd awaited us and after some good saves by Jacco, Marc Mboua gave us the lead with a great finish from a narrow angle after being sent through on the right flank. Unfortunately, even though we got to the half in front that was as good as it got, as Huntelaar scored twice and we were firmly on the back foot. Two more goals, one an own goal by Barengrub, and the other a tap-in by Sarpong, we finish the game on the bad side of a 4-1 scoreline.

I decided to vent my frustrations on the board as they refused to let me sign a fitness coach. I dont know how they can see we're fit enough. Half the squad isnt even up to 70% of their standard, and the other half is either injured or is too crap to play. Thankfully, they let me adjust my budgets so that I wasnt losing money in the salary department. They also let me have a scout, Fred van Barneveld. He immediately set out on a scouting trip for all of Central Europe.

There were more failures on the transfer front. THREE young players refused to join our ranks. First, Birkir Bjarnason of Viking was priced too high at 140k. Then, Nikita Andrejev, a young Russian striker who we couldve signed for nothing decided that Dutch Football is a step down. Well I'm trying to make it a step up arent I? Two French Keepers from Montpellier, Geoffrey Jourden and Anthony Scribe also felt the same way, even though my scouts thought they were already just as good as Peter and Jacco and had the potential to easily outclass both of them, they didnt want to come here. Just like everyone else.

Well, todays the big day. In a few hours I will be managing the first competitive game in my life. We will be playing recently relegated Den Bosch. A tough proposition, but I know we can do it. We have a good squad with some great players. Just to let you know (dont tell Den Bosch

), heres my starting lineup.

GK: Jacco Ros
RB: Rudy Jansen
LB: Senol Kok
CB: Alo Barengrub
CB: Rick Hooyboer (in for the injured Koen Brack)(Captain)
DMC: Nengomashe
RM: Marc Mboua
LM: Adnan Barakat
AMC: Celso Borges
ST: Marinus Dijkuizen
ST: Alex Fernandez

Damn I'm Nervous.

walkinshaw · 13-05-08, 01:42 AM

good luck mate

**Hartynips** · 13-05-08, 05:01 AM

LMAO "Dont tell Den Bosch"

This is brilliant stuff so far ap loving reading this.

**abeatty2209** · 13-05-08, 06:43 AM

this is great stuff so far mate!
KUTGW

**Fedorico Roma Fan** · 13-05-08, 07:35 AM

wow, i just read through this and what a story! keep it up mate!

apthered · 18-05-08, 02:59 AM

Ah, the first day of the new season. Theres 3471 supporters waiting for me to start a new era for this club in Frisia. Hopefully the new faces will signal a year where we wouldnt be subject to ANOTHER year of mid-table obscurity. I was nervous, and I knew some of the players were too, but none showed it. We were facing Den Bosch, a team known for its affairs with Eredivisie Relegation and Jupiler League Promotion, a team gunning for the title. And so it began - the match I had to make my mark in...

After just 2 minutes, I was surely dreaming. Are we that bad that I'm dozing off??? NO is the answer. For a corner that led to a scramble saw Marc Mboua head it to ALO BARENGRUB to volley the ball into the back of the net first time from 12 yards. I just wish it stayed a dream game.

10 minutes later, the inevitable happened. A stunning freekick from Paul Beekmans made leather find twine after deflecting off our wall. Conceding is one thing, but watching your opponents score great goals. It puts you on the verge of hysteria. Not the good kind either...

But it wasnt Den Bosch's day. I hoped. And Celso Borges paid back some of his 30k transfer fee after slotting the ball into the far corner after Marinus Dijkhuizen slipped him through. Unfortunately it was offside. Thank god the referee was being stupid.

We went in to the half 2-1 up. And at 61 minutes a cross by Mboua found a defenders head. It went back to Dijkhuizen who headed it back into the 6-yard box where none other than Alex Fernandez was on hand to volley the ball home. Though it was a weak shot. And he would surely have missed had it not been from 1 yard out.

We were winning. The fans were singing. I started singing too. And suddenly it went silent. And then everyoen was laughing (hopefully for some stupid reason, not because of me), and then they started singing again, and so did I.

Alex Fernandez couldve been singing too. Since he went up to the penalty spot looking to get his second goal (we got a spot kick in the 89th) but he kinda forgot to stop concentrating on the singing and start thinking about scoring. His shot was parried by the keeper. But the keeper, who is like the ref (stupid) gave it right back to him, and even Alex Fernandez couldnt miss from there. GOAL TIME. FUN TIME. HAPPY TIME. YAY TIME.

Referee blows whistle. We become happy. And one look at that scoreboard (which I should get around to upgrading sometime) tells you why.

SC Cambuur 4

Alo Barengrub 2'
Celso Borges 18'
Alex Fernandez (61', 89')

FC Den Bosch 1
Paul Beekman (12')

**Hartynips** · 18-05-08, 04:58 AM

Great game for you there, Ap!

Liking the story so far mate keep it going!

adamjigey · 18-05-08, 06:54 AM

wow thats a fantastic story, good luck in Holland mate

apthered · 18-05-08, 10:26 PM

ANOTHER up and down week
its like a messed up rollercoaster. one thats in slow motion...
So with that win we had a fairly lax week. Alo was going with the Estonian squad to face Andorra in the qualifiers. I think he'll come home happy.

Anyways, the shock of the week wasnt losing Rudy Jansen for a month. Though that was a bit sad. We've got Wegh for cover and he should be fine. Dunno whose better out of them two so ill just play the one that isnt injured

Yeah, so the big shock. You know how I said that I was the only Canadian in Leeuwarden. Well I'm not. And guess what. Hes in my effin team!
And I would never have known if he hadn't cared. You see, he wanted me to notice him so he went and did some stunt so he injured himself! My physio sent me the note with the cover-up that he collided and suffered a bruised head. Yeah Right. Still, hes the guy who sucks. Hes in the youth team and hes worth a hell of a lot of money. And his names Brandon Bonifacio. Bonnie Face Yo. Haha.

Oh yeah, Alo came back pretty happy. Him and his Estonian friends beat Andorra 5-0.

My right -back problem took a new twist - Wegh is my only good fit right back. Ive got 2 injured and 1 crappered so I went and gave this 33 year old a trial. Ab Persijn is his name, and hes pretty good I think. If the injury situation gets worse then I'll sign him for the rest of the season. But not long-term. Nah, hes not THAT good.

It was the weekend and our match wasn't till Wednesday so I gave the boys the weekend off. Told them not to become druggies though. Or else theyre out. Sunday was the Cup Draw for the 2nd Round. We got ROHDA away. Theyre a semi-pro team, and it should be easy. But seeing our record against semi-pro teams in pre-season Im gonna be careful.

Midweek came around and we set off to face Zwolle. Erik Wegh started in place of Rudy Jansen and that was the only change for the game. I ws hoping for another dream start and we got one. Thanks to a guy who likes Zwolle. Hes a defender, and hes a bit disoriented. His names Eric. Thats right, an own goal

. And in the 9th minute. It got even better 25 minutes later as Alex Fernandez got his head onto a cross and put it int he far corner of the net. 2-0 to us, and thats how we went into the half.

They came back stronger and on the hour mark they got a penalty. Apparently Nengomashe's foul...I mean tackle was a trip. And it was only a yard inside the box. Oh well, Toze stepped up for them and put the ball into the top right corner. And then the nailbiting begins. Scary times. They controlled everything, but thank god they didnt score. 2-1 it finished, and I STILL WASNT 1st. This time I was 2nd to RKC, not on points (we both had 6), not on goals scored (again, we both had 6), not even on goals conceded (2 each), but because some stupid idiot decided to put an SC in front of our name. I just hope this wont be my argument at the end of the season. Even if its for more mid-table obscurity.

I was kinda pissed so I forgot to take a picture of the scoreboard like last time. I get pissed for stupid reasons sometimes

. Anyways, Ill check with the team photographer later and try to get you that pic. Until then, goodbye