Chris

I watched the clever little video the media team had put together, training session and the interview with him. He looked pretty useful, balanced, good on the ball, nice passing (nothing flashy) but most important he looked like he could shoot.

I was aiming for a laugh dad but a smile from you, well it's just as good. LOL Excellent James! I used to read stories posted on FM communities but it sort of catched on with these cheating types. It sort of ruined it, though I love hearing other peoples stories. Thanks for sharing buddy.

Some of those who are friends on my facebook account, will have noticed my new addiction to the Football Manager 2013 Handheld series. It would probably come to know surprise to say, I'm a big football gamer and I've played the original PC series for years. I actually manage Brighton on my laptop. Yet it's the handheld version which I find most compelling. The reason is, I'm not bogged down with some of the features they've bloated the actual game with and I am able to play much quicker. It's nice, when you're on limited time. I started off as Notts County and it's who I still manage. Yay!! I haven't been sacked. It's fairly easy, yet this doesn't stop the joy because you can still get beaten by a team like Portsmouth (Yes I really did). First thing I was greeted with was Alan Judge requesting to move on, none the less I offered him a contact and a few days later he rejected. I decided to play a couple of games and in came an offer, so I though what the hell, he's leaving and 2million is more than enough to win this league win. So I sold him Now, I don't often regret selling a player on a game. I do, take it seriously, as I feel I am playing with my time - why shouldn't I? After all if I just played and it meant nothing, I would be wasting time! I played upto 9 games, I had won 6, drawn 2 and lost 1. Sitting on joint top of the league with 20 points, Preston being the side I shared this with but Coventry had a game in hand, who had 19 points. At this point I didn't feel like I had lost a goal scorer, or a player who would have changed games, so lucky me! I received Manager of the Month, so things were defiantly becoming addictive. At 17 games in, I sat top still and shared the position this time with Doncaster Rovers, however Notts had a game in hand. I also won yet again the Manager of the Month award. Things looking quite promising huh? Well with that said things started to unwind and I realized that my squad had an issue with midfielders and I needed a new striker (when doesn't Notts need a striker???). 26 games into the first season, Notts had won 15, drawn 7 and lost 4. Coventry City, whom were top had a 4 point advantage and we had hit a spell draws, with the odd loss. Fulham then strangely approached me, as if it's not enough the game refuses to allow Alan Judge to remain with us. It knew that Jeff Hughes also wanted to part, so I sold him for a nice figure 650k. By this point I had strengthened the squad, so it wasn't really all that much of a loss. I had signed Leon Clarke, Matt Thornhill and another two players which my memory fails to recall. Our league performances was still leaving questions, I can honestly say it's this point I felt in real life that some fans would have been calling for my head! with this in mind, I came up with a cunning plan and that was to do the unthinkable. Yes, I planned to attempt to win the F.A Cup or at least throw these discontent fans off my tracks for a little bit. In the dugout, against Wolves (which the game tells me is a big team). I sit and watch the Notts players have fun, we score and if it wasn't for Matt Thornhill, all the talk would have been for hat-trick hero Danny Webber. Bishop, Zoko, Showunmi and Clarke also got on the score sheet. Can you see what happened here? Yes, 6 of the 8 goals was scored by a striker! More importantly, we had won in the 4th round of the F.A Cup (I told you take these things seriously, didn't I?). The Quarter Final - Notts were drawn against no other than Manchester United. I had hoped for a less appealing fixture, as I could tell my plan was unraveling, which by half time United was 2-0 up. Yet, a lovely strike from Alan Sheehan meant we had every chance to get back into the game. We controlled spells of play, yet the better chances fell to United obviously and in the 80th minuted Shrek scored against us. Pleasingly, in the 90th minute a certain Neal Bishop decided to popup and give us hope. It finished 2-3. Not bad! By this point, I was making a tactical push to get back up and for a short period I actually felt I could pinch back the first position. We remained 2nd for a fair amount of time, which I would have been happy with but we went on a losing streak and ended up finishing inside the play-off spots. 4th isn't that bad really, when you consider how I tried to do a Keith Curle (obviously that was joke). We storm through the play offs, we drawn Yeovil and any one from Nottingham would probably say luck would be on their side. Yet it wasn't, we beat them easily by 2 goals and in the second leg. We beat them by 5 goals, a Webber and Clarke finale. This meant we had to face a side we beat both times in the season, you can already guess how this going to turn out. A early goal, seen Notts decide to park the bus (despite me shouting from the touchline and dipping my head). They snatched two goals fairly late on and that sealed their promotion to the Championship. With the season over, I decided to sort out the areas where I felt we was weak and could do with improving. I won't go into too much detail, I hope to install you all with another addition but let me tell you it was no easy task. Firstly no left sided midfielder wanted to talk contracts and I had the annoying issue of getting players to resign deals. Yet, I did manage to make myself happy and so... Thank you for reading my blog about a mobile game, which I am rather addicted too. I hope this is of some interest, you never know! I also hope it made you laugh at times. well okay, spoil sport. Over and out, Joe

Excellent read Joe I never had the pleasure of speaking with John, though his professionalism shone. He was a big part of our championship winning team and a player who gave his all. It's sad to read what's happened and how he couldn't overcome the issues. Hope he goes into coaching.

Excellent piece Super Ram! I apologies about the delay in publishing this, although I am sure those who read and the community will say it's worthwhile. I'm really enjoying the historic values you bring to the site! Keep 'em coming!

I made it all the way through, I enjoy your entries. (I don't just say it) The Football League and the FA, do so much damage to our sport. They take aspects from the fans, expect us to give and it's the fans who pay. Really, without fans the sport wouldn't be marketable. People in the terraces, at home (watching on tv) or listening where ever on the radio. It takes the whole and the clubs to make a difference, which sadly due to sky we see the lower leagues overlooked. Awhile back I used to watch Sunday league football, I've also coached during my school years and I'd pay to watch this now. More needs to be done to make sure, we get money at the lowest levels to sustain a brighter future. It's hard, I can imagine and when times are hard sadly it's the lower league teams who tend to struggle and cease. Just like in the Football League, where we see sides attracted to over-spending to reach the 'dream'. Yet for me, It shouldn't be like this. I recall the fans from other clubs attending our game, it wasn't known if we would survive and in a remarkable sign of respect opposition fans traveled to help our club. You're right, football isn't really a family. Yet, we as a club are. It's taken myself many years to realize that I've held myself back and the loss of my grandfather wasn't something I had to keep within myself. I'm thankful to be supporter of a club like Notts County

Goodluck to him! Personally when he joined I was surprised, I would have guessed he had other offers then but who knows. He did us proud, all we can ask and I hope his time at our club will pave/play part in his future. I don't think he will forget us! Can't wait to see him back at the Lane, hopefully one day! (when we join him in the championship).

Our F.A Cup winning squad. COYP!!

Thanks for bringing history to life Super Ram. I liked reading sporting history book as I grew up (as you will know) and it always interested me how the F.A Cup formed, along with the World Cup. Interesting article which I hope people will enjoy and of course share with others. Keep 'em coming!

Kyle Dixon one of our youths signed a professional deal earlier, so this is quite interesting. The lad did put a lot into the match at Walsall, seems steady and moved into defense (from as it seemed). I think the balance needs to be right but it's not a negative thing, youngsters need players to help mould them. COYP

Brilliant stuff Joe! The game was very lively early on, sort of like pinball and despite no 'real' chances, the game were asking to become calm and it did. Very proud of the lads and support, another amazing day and such a shame it's the last game of the season. We've all been wanting it to come but now it's here, I am sure even those who are unhappy would prefer it to continue a little longer. Hope next season proves us how secure we are! Lets get behind the lads and give our support, push on. Onwards and Upwards! You Pies!

I'm not being biased, although I like these articles. I used to be fairly into history, yet when Mr Thomas became ill and were replaced with Mr Smith it became dull. Football evolution really is an amazing read, I really enjoyed this. Wished I had better time to promote it, although I will don't you worry about that. Thanks

I think my grandfather would struggle picking his favourite 5 notts players, all I can say is Tommy Lawton would be number one but he used to tell me stories about Tony Hateley, how he was strong and good at heading the ball. (used to compare him to Tommy) said he could strike the ball very cleanly, which when he did you'd expect him to hit the target. Thanks for the write up Joe P.s Tony, We're glad you enjoyed it!

Impressive day, one which my little one's will recall fondly I am sure. It was impressive to see fans of both teams getting along and although after the game, some of their fans we're a little mardy/offensive it wouldn't make a bad impression on the day. You accept this unlike their fan coming onto our facebook page (Notts's Official Page) moaning about it. Our supporters were a credit to the club, I didn't see any who were out of line. The lads showed ambition, passion and tried. I think this will be a defining moment when we look back, as I honestly feel it's a day we as a club moved closer to getting back on with 'business'. Well Done Notts, great goal! Excellent report Joe

Despite being present of course, this cements the day for me and so does this. I'm really chuffed that we had something to lift the spirit, they really deserved the win and it were a great day. Thanks for the Match Report buddy

I had a brilliant time, like I said I wished I had made the most but then again I might have bottled it. Can't wait until the next time No Worries IM, I look forward to your write up. Thanks everyone