Daredevils New Signings

The Daredevils have been busy this pre season wage auctions. They managed to sign Commanding Midfielder Christian Romaric as well as Flamboyant Argentinian Sebastian Blanco, and Dazzling Brazilian winger Erick Flores. In general the Daredevils faithful are thrilled at the prospects of seeing such world class talent at the club. The big name signings seems to be in tune to the recent promotion to the Premiership.

StJohn has been busy of late with a new Football Association being created, the Elite Daytime FA. It is one created from the ashes of the now defunct Afternoon FA, and promises to be an AI free place. As of now there has been 6 teams who opted to leave their FA to join the EDFA. It promises to be a unique place and is believed to have innovative competitions in the pipeline.

NB: I just got word that this blog was featured in the legendary Get Sacked Podcast !! Thanks to the hosts Gareth Millward and Jordan Cooper for taking the time to review the blog. The entire podcast can be found here!

Youth Sweep

Season 4 has now ended in StJohn, and The Daredevils end the season with an incredible high. Winning no less than 5 FA Trophies. They include an almost complete youth sweep, including the U21 League, U19 League, Youth Cup, Youth Charity Shield, as well as a Non Premiership Cup Win. They also did very well in the UFFA U19 Cup and World Youth Cup, reaching the Semi Finals and Quarter Finals of both respectively. In addition to the silverware, they also got themselves a worthy promotion to the Premiership.

When asked of the challenges of next season, the manager replied that indeed, "There will be new faces in the club, some fresh blood will need to be thrown in the midst to cope with the challenges of the Premiership. We do not want to be relegated next season, we want to make a mark and prove that we are there to stay."

In the close end of the season, promising English striker Nathan Eccleston was sold off, and rummours in the backroom staff is that the likes of Alex Nimo, Dimitriu Copil, Alex Marrow as well as Paolo Sammarco are going to follow suit.

When asked about plans for fresh youth blood, the manager said that indeed the club will follow up to their plans for quality youth coming through the Academy. "Already Nikola Raicevic and Andrea Fabio are showing great promise, and they will be drafted into the first team soon enough."

Retirements of Season 3

Every season, we see new blood amongst the player databases with hundreds of high potential youth being regenerated everyday. Its a great thing to see a high potential youth player slowly evolve to world class quality. Already we have seen a few regens already on their way to greatness. But spare a thought for the greats who are retiring or has retired, so as to give these young ones the time and space to attain great feats.

In Season 3 in StJohn, we had a lot of such greats bidding adieu to their careers and hanging up their boots. Namely, the likes of Italian Target man Luca Toni, Dutch wizard Clarence Seedorf, Louis Saha, Italian Defensive Rock Alessandro Nesta, Frédéric Kanouté will never ply their trade in StJohn. Its a sad day when you have to bid goodbye to such class. I'm sure players of such caliber will be sorely missed especially by the teams who owned them, along with Mauro Camoranesi, Marcos Senna, Raúl Tamudo, Steve Finnan, Benni McCarthy, Francesco Toldo and flamboyant Brazilian wizard Denílson Araújo to name a few.

But with the departure of such talent, it also brings forward regen superstars, the ones who are ready to rule the world. The likes of Dominic Ollier, Nicolas Raicevic, Phillpo Serra, does seem to be up and able to take in the workload and fill the void left by these evergreen veterans. A final toast to all those Retirees of Season 3. May you all find peace in your retirement :)

End of yet another Season

Season 3 comes to an end. Its been a remarkable Season for the Daredevils. We finally showed true grit and determination and the Academy squad won the Youth Championship and the Seniors followed it up with their League win. It was an emotional win for the Academy squad since many of them wont be a part of the squad next season. Quite a few are already on their way out of the club, since they have been told, they wont be a part of the Seniors team next season.

With the pre season on its way the Daredevils have already made their first big name signing. The one and only Aliaksandr Hleb. The manager was greatly excited at having splashed the cash to bring in such a big name. Hleb already voiced his long term commitment to the club by signing a contract for 2 seasons. The club faithful are greatly impressed and excited to see a player of such stature ply his trade in The New Old Trafford. The club is also looking to rid itself of some of the youth players. They are currently deemed as surplus requirement at the club and will be looking at a new home soon enough.

At a recent press conference the manager of the Daredevils stated his focus and vision of the club. He stressed the importance of Seniors Football, especially since the Daredevils are now in the Championship, just one spot away from the top level football in the Premiership. He also stressed the fact that the club should continue investing in youth, since they are already reputed as one of the best Academies of StJohn. "We are continuously monitoring our youth program and upgrading wherever necessary. Our coaching is one of the best in the Gameworld, and we are looking to increase our scouting capabilities in the near future. We also aim to set up youth camps so that we can spot and nurture good talent."

In other unrelated news Abe Roddney was made the newest moderator of StJohn :)

FML 1.2 Update !!!

Last week saw FML 1.2 being launched to Beta Testing, and by the first looks of it, it simply looks great !!! The full changelist is available here There have been a smashing loads of features including a new skin, and a whole new and shiny interface. The update focusses on the community aspect of the game as mentioned. The brand new Friends feature is a superb addition to the game, and it seems to the stepping stone to many other great features such as sharing skills and Feeder-Parent Clubs relationship.

The other major feature which is headlining the 1.2 update is the brand new Tactical Theorems & Frameworks It quite likely revolutionizes the tactics part of the game. Having tested 1.2 I can assure you that this should be largely welcomed by the FML faithful on a large scale. With due time SEGA and SI will reveal even more features, of the exciting 1.2 update. But so far these are the two major headlining news. There are many other nifty features which will make the game greatly enjoyable, and I hope SI releases further screenshots of them. :) Overall as a customers' POV I cant wait to play the new update, but I'm definitely not looking forward to explain all the features to the managers when it does go Live. Sadly though it seems that it will take quite a while to release that particular update. Watch this space for more news on further updates on 1.2 :)

WCA Season Round up

Hi again, this is your WCA Fed Organiser and Journo Abe Roddney. Another season gone by; and boy oh boy, what a season it was!! We've had some great games and some great players who left their mark. Congrats to all the winners and sympathies for the losers.

It's the end of a great season in Weekend League One C. Topping the table, one point ahead of FC Tornado with one draw more and one defeat less, are Matthew Harbord's Hedge End. A meagre defence was key to their success, finishing with a goal difference of 42, compared to FC Tornado's 28. Robinson Zapata was solid in goal, and with full-backs Cyril Raymond on the left and veteran Brazilian Dida on the right, in such fine form, the team ended the season with only two defeats. The fans at Havendale has plenty to cheer this season, but with Matthew Harbord deciding to move his team to the Extreeme Evening Football Association rather than compete in the Weekend Championship after promotion, we wish him all the best in his new FA.

Narrowly squeezed into runners-up, FC Tornado also had a exceptional season. With only three defeats, Phil Marsh has been proving his credentials as a manager. With key players such as Rodrigo Mora in midfield at 23, and hitman David N'Gog still only 21, the future looks rosy at the Gustnado Stadium.

Mark Andersen's FC Almind finished in third place. Though having a large, young squad at his disposal, FC Almind can boast no star footballers at the Almind Stadium, so a comfortable finish is commendable. Behind FC Almind, Andy Ellie's McGrath's Dodgy Knee Cap XI finish in fourth. With the AI in charge for every league match of the season, the side's charge up the table was unlikely. However, Dutch forward, Eddy Putter, and Spanish striker, Paco Esteban, formed a fantastic strike partnership at the front-end of a workmanlike 4-4-2: Putter was the league's top scorer with 21, Esteban in second with 20.

There were less big-money signings than in the other two League One divisions. Hedge End signed Rade Prica for £500,000 and the 30 year old Swedish target man contributed 17 goals in 18 appearances. Rubicon FC signed Marcelo Moreno for the same amount, and though he only returned 7 goals, he may well be a star to watch in future. FC Tornado did not spend big money on players, but with a stadium expansion underway, to a 20,000 capacity, Phil Marsh has an eye on the team's future.

The journalist's team of the season is: Robinson Zapata (GK, Hedge End); Cyril Raymond (DL, Hedge End), Gilberto Velazquez (DC, Stygia United), Dmitry Belorukov (DC, Clackyballs FC), Dida (DR, Hedge End); Mark Gonzalez (ML, FC Tornado), Chicao (Obi Clains Tropper), Rodrigo Mora (MC, FC Tornado), Anastasios Agritis (MR, Inter Sheep); Eddy Putter (S, McGrath's Dodgy Knee Cap XI), Paco Esteban (S, McGrath's Dodgy Knee Cap XI).

At the end of the season, I Taz I Ross won the league with Team Scotland. With Team Scotland ranked over eighty places above their nearest rivals in the division, it is no surprise that Team Scotland finished with only two defeats and with a goal difference of 50. Leading the line, Didier Drogba needs no introduction: as a late signing, he pulled in a respectable 20 goals, losing out on top scorer to Milliontown's unfancied Brazilian striker, Max, with 27 goals and, in second place, Plain Lazy's Spanish wonderkid, Bojan.

With a wage bill of almost £160,000, Team Scotland were able to spend twice as much on wages as their nearest rival, Gresa United. While almost a third of that total is claimed by Drogba, Team Scotland will need prudent financial planning to mount a challenge in the Weekend Championship. Shrewd transfer investment will also be helpful, with Drogba and star full-back John Arne Riise both in their thirties. However, their league form and their victory in the Non-Premiership Cup are enviable, particularly considering the side finished 18th in the WCA Qual 2 last season. And for plaing some fantastic football, congratulations and best luck for Team Scotland's promotion!

In second place, Gresa United, whose veteran Spanish hitman, Xisco, helped to propel them into title contention. Shrewd loan business, with four players brought in from Kanyl FC, helped them to towards a tilt at the title. Milliontown finished third, with a fine season, also knocking out McManus FC in the last 16 of the Game World Cup (why I would want to mention that, I don't know). Ogilvy Reds finished in fourth place and Athlectico Caskey in fifth.

Elsewhere in the league, Real Reefers threw down £550,000 for thirty-three year old Portuguese playmaker, Deco, who was not able to prevent the side from finishing in 18th place.

The journalist's team of the season: Mickael Landreau (GK, Team Scotland); John Arne Riise (DL, Team Scotland), Mario Pardo (DC, Jop's), Phillipe Mexes (DC, Team Scotland), Fernando Varela (DR, Team Scotland); Renato Augusto (ML, Team Scotland), Gary O'Neill (MC, Gresa United - loan), Atiba Hutchinson (MC, Milliontown), Mikko Manninen (MR, Tricky Dirty Group); Max (S, Milliontown), Bojan (S, Plain Lazy).

In the first season of the Weekend Non-Premiership Cup, I Tz I Ross lead Team Scotland to a victory over Andy Ellie's McGrath's Dodgy Knee Cap XI. Over two legs, Team Scotland won 5-2, adding the cup trophy to their championship title in League One A.

In the first leg at The Local, Birmingham, Team Scotland scored three goals before Brazilian forward Adriano (the other one) pulled one back from the penalty spot, his only goal of a disappointing season. Team Scotland had the lion's share of the game, McGrath's flat 4-4-2 unable to cope with the 4-3-3/4-5-1 deployed by Team Scotland, a popular tactic currently.

In the second leg at the I Taz I Ross stadium, the match was closer, though both teams fielded the same formation. Unsurprisingly, Didier Drogba opened the scoring for Team Scotland after a goalless first half. Talented Dutch hitman, Eddy Putter, fired in the equaliser before Norwegian full-back John Arne Riise put the game beyond doubt with a further goal for Team Scotland:.

Though the match was not as close as expected by pundits, McGrath's having been tipped as a dark horse for league and cup success, both sides deserved to reach the final. Team Scotland had edged through a difficult semi-final against Maulers FC, an eighty-fourth minute goal sealing the tie from fifteen year old Gerald Mnguni, possibly a talent for the future. McGrath's Dodgy Knee Cap XI had dumped Championship runners-up La Ganda from the tournament in the quarters, before a thrilling penalty sudden-death victory against FC Tornado.

It's the end of the season for the C division and this is how the table ended up.

Topping the table after thirty-eight matches is Jin Y's Sage Utd, picking up the champion's £850,000 prize money. Although competition was tough amongst the title contenders, Sage Utd managed a twenty-four game winning streak, formidable in any division. With the exception of veteran targetman Miroslav Klose, Sage Utd have a young side and with star players like Marek Hamsik and Miguel Veloso, should be well placed to compete in the division above, as the side's run to the semis of the Game World Cup clearly showed. Our reporter caught up with Jin Y at the Forest Stadium where he declared himself pleased with his team's success and eager for the challenge of the Premiership next season.

Although Per Barkestam's La Ganda lost the Championship by a point to Sage Utd, easy consolation will be found in promotion, in their WCA Casual Cup triumph and a in decent run in the Non-Premiership Cup. Constant Djakpa was their form player through the season, with nineteen assists overall. Credit is also due for completing every game of the season without Ai assistance.

Nicolas Vestlund's Lokomotiv Falukorv finished in 3rd place. Fellow South Americans, Sergio Almiron in midfield and Nestor Ayala up front, were both in great goalscoring form, though the manager will want to motivate the talented but underperforming Dutch striker, Collins John. Jeff Atkins' Ganbare Osaka finished in fourth place, with Maulers FC and Kill4U chasing.

Elsewhere in the league, Branquignoles were the season's underperformers, finishing 16th, a surprise for a team fielding Niko Kranjcar and Nicolas Anelka. The recent purchase of Christian Chivu for £855,000 should help to shore up the back line and help towards a better finish next season.

The journalist's team of the season is: Tim Krul (GK, Lokomotiv Falukorv); Constant Djakpa (DL, La Ganda), Flavio Cordoba (DC, Sage Utd), Gregory Bourillon (DC, Ganbare Osaka), Steven Whittaker (DR, TJ Sokol Hvozdany); Tomas Rosicky (ML, TJ Sokol Hvozdany), Marek Hamsik (MC, Sage Utd), Steven Ireland (MC, Ganbare Osaka), Erdal Kilicasian (MR, Selhurst Strikers); Eduardo (S, Ganbare Osaka), Elvis Abbruscato (S, Aston Miller - formerly La Ganda).

The WCA Youth League was a hard fought battle, and I can safely say that it was probably the toughest one amongst all other FA youth leagues. Apart from last season toppers Anarchy In The Klub and Daredevils F.C there was also top youth teams like Plain Lazy and AC Muppets.

Right from the word go, the defending champions Anarchy In The Klubb and last season's runners up Daredevils F.C were under severe pressure from Plain Lazy who were riding the Bojan wave and AC Muppets with a bunch of high potential youngsters. As predicted it turned out to be a race amongst the top 4 teams for glory in the Youth league. But very soon Plain Lazy and AC Muppets went ahead of the pack and were involved in a cut throat battle between themselves. In the end of a long season it was Principled Manager Simon Thurlby's AC Muppets who held their nerves to lead to glory.

The WCA Youth League Dream Team as in accordance to the Yours Truly is :-

Renan (GK), Sekou Bamba (WBR), Carlinhos (WBL), Rajko Brezancic (DC), Wellington (DC), John Fleck (AML), Alex Marrow (AMC), Oscar (AMC), Damián Ismodes (AMR), Bojan (ST), Marquinhos (ST)

Sub :-

Federico Serraiocco (GK), Phil Livermore (DC/DM), Lucas Galdino (DC), Carlos Valencia (WBRL), Marco Zampieri (MC), Adrien (MC), Ahmet Ari (AMC), Aaron Moses-Garvey (AMC), Jair Baylón (ST)

As always only performances with over 20 games were taken under consideration when selecting the team.

Note: This issue is dedicated to a whole lot of players who are going to retire this season. Heres wishing them well in their post FML life.

Fernando Morientes , Alessandro Del Piero, Paul Scholes , Ryan Giggs , Juan Sebastián Verón , Claude Makélélé , Gary Neville , Juan Pablo Sorin , Massimo Oddo , Pedro Munitis , Ludovic Giuly , Rubén Baraja , Kily González , Dietmar Hamann , Sami Hyypiä , Olivier Dacourt.

Many thanks to Mark Mcmanus and James Cresswell for their work as WCA Journalists. Without their help, we might not have had such marvelous articles. Kudos you people, and kudos to you folks in the WCA - the haven to play good football, you guys play well, and inspire us to write better!!

Update...

Its been a while since I updated the blog a bit. There has been a lot going on in the FML community as well as in StJohn. For starters there has been an affiliate scheme now in FML to reward people who are promoting the game :) This will be a welcome to all people who are actively writing blogs and promoting the game via any electronic media. Next up cam the decision on the part of SEGA/SI, to stop the launch of new GWs and fill up the existing GWs. Whilst this has been a matter of great debate, personally I find this as a great move. The best of FML experience comes from a world which has a few experienced users. And it is always a challenge to compete with the existing users and then beat them at their game. That has been proved from FML BETA itself :)

And if that wasnt all, the payment scheme of FML has been revamped. There is a further new payment plan for a new 2 year subscription, and Im really tempted to extend my account right itself. Also I believe to encourage people who have difficulties paying the entire amount in one go, there is a new easy monthly payment scheme, which I believe will bring in even more people.

In StJohn things have been as busy as it can get. We've got a new bunch of 400+ users and we almost always have around 50+ managers online. With the peak of 200+ around in the weekend evenings. There have been appointments of new FA Organisers for many of the existing FAs. To my delight, I was made the Fed Organiser of my own FA, the WCA. Add to that fact, new journalists have been appointed across many of the FAs. I, myself have appointed two more journalists to assist me, and encourage more participation across the FA.

StJohn is currently flourishing, and although as predicted, there is more money now than in the previous season, and we've already seen some outrageous transfers (a 17 y/o went for 1.4mill) and some crazy wages for 15/16 y/o regens, I suppose it is to be expected since inflation does slowl come into a GW. Ive got currently 2 million in the bank, but that isnt worth as much as it was in season 1, sadly. But hopefully, the crazy wage bids would subside soon, and I hope it wont be a precedent set to follow.