I've just got FM05 from Santa...
...obviously a complete novice but want to join in this challenge.
Is it just the German league we select at set-up, is there any other criteria to ensure we are all starting from a level playing field?

I didn't get FM at xmas (i got total club manager 2005 instead ) but I have got a bit of money so I may go out and buy it. If I do then i'll be happy to try this challenge with everyone!

On the total club manager forums, some of the members are actually creating a similar challenge to the one you guys you are trying to do with FM. But there are 2 major exceptions. First of all, it's with different teams, and secondly, and probably most importantly, they actually play the game online. Does anyone here know that could be done? It would be good to see a similar thing happen with people here, although it's easy to understand that it would be hard to do, with limited people and with little free time between us. Just an idea though

Just the German league. yes (I play top division active only to speed up gameplay). With no background leagues it kinda limits transfers which is fine for comparison. Small database size way to go, unless your PC is very high spec.

My VfB Stuttgart update - signed GK Stefan Klos but he is doing no more than average.
I have a SC lined up from Monaco in January.
From youth team, Chris Barker looks the best prospect.
Into UEFA Cup group stage (called Euro Vase I think in FM)
I need the money as WAY over wage budget.

Nilis - network online play would need plenty free time and broadband connection. I have neither. You could try CEL_guy though maybe.

I'm just off to go and buy this now.

Hopefully get it set up today and i'll keep you posted of my progress!

VfB Stuttgart - Not a bad team actually! Only running German first division on small database.

Knocked out in semi-final of that first cup you are in by Werder Bremen.

Freddy Adu is on his way in January.

Trying to sign Alessio Cerci from Roma.

Kuranyi is a fine player!

Centurion is a pretty decent left winger too.

More to come....................

30 games into league season - currently 6th
Got knocked out of Europe by Sparta Prague in 1st knockout stage.
Through to cup final against Werder Bremen.
Star players - Kuranyi 30+ goals already and Christian Tiffert (top 3 league performer nearly every week)
Signed - NOBODY (well one free signing of no real interest!) -- although there are a couple coming at the end of the season.
Did sell a few - far too many GK! and to generate bigger transfer kitty for end of season sales.
(PS - Shearer turned me down )
Great value game at only 17.99 from play.com and only took 2 days to arrive!

I'm off to get it today, I'ev heard a lot of positive things about this game, all over the web-world, so I really can't wait!

Mark - I have Broadband myself. I thought only the host needed Broadband to create the game, and anyone else can join? I understand that some poeple don't have the time, but it would be good if even half hour or an hour could be spared, for a few of us to get together and do it?

My dad don't want me buying stuff of the net so I have to go into Virgin and pay an extra tenner! Oh well, that's what the £10 gift voucher is for!

To all interested in a network game:

I've set one up with a small database and english league two and up. I've picked Southend so hopefully we can get a few people together in the same division?

E-mail me and i'll give you all the details.

Kev for online play, do all people have to be online at same time?

My VFB, very, very annoying.
Sitting 11th after 30 league games, bought plenty players, and sold plenty.

Drawn around half of my league matches, every little team seem to score from their only shot on target against me?!?!

Fans now beginning to grumble.

Lost in German Cup to Bayern in quarters, and lost to Valencia in knockout stage of UEFA after Christmas....

1st season complete...
...fell away a little bit to finish 9th
Runners up in German Cup -- qualifying for Euro Cup as Bremen had already qualified for Europe.
Signed a lot of new players for 2nd season in charge.
Board happy, fans happy and to be honest ... I'm happy - it's quite addictive!

To all interested in online play.

I am assuming that as i am the host, i need to be connected in order for everyone else to connect?

I think the best thing to do is for everyone that is interested joining to get on MSN messenger as soon as they log on to the net.

That way, when i get online i can see that you too are online, then i can speak to you and give you details on how to join. There are passwords involved so i don't want to post them here.

I am at work tomorrow til about 3 but i will try to connect as soon as i get home.

For those that don't know, my msn is airdrieboss@hotmail.com. Please post your own address here so as we can add each other.

Hope to see you all tomorrow.

nillis_lukins@hotmail.com I've only got Kev's addy, so i'd be greatful if everyone else could give me theirs via this forum somehow.

I just got the game today, and I started with Blackburn in the prem. Won all friendlies, but drew 0-0 with Spurs, 1-1 with Chelsea, and lost 3-1 to Man City in the league. I've bought Danny Webber, as the fans watned me to bring in a new face and my assistant thought my strikeforce needed improving. I'll start the VFB challenge once I've gained a little experience with it

Sounds like a good idea this one!

9th finish pretty good Les. I think top 10 you are doing well in season 1 with Stuttgart.

Les - any tips on new players for 2nd season in charge?

I am tracking 4 cheapies, but need Bayern to hurry up and buy Hakin Yakin from me to free up cash for spending. I am trying to get £5m + 2.4m over 24 months (I try add 100k a month to ALL deals actually!)

Traianos Dellas DC, Sven Vermant DM, Neil Janczyk DMC and Mike Hanke SC all hoping to arrive in January (Hanke likely to go elsewhere).

Bobo Balde looking for a move from Celtic at end of S1 so a possible Bosman to shore up the leaky Stuttgart defence.

Freddy Adu bought thanks to Airdrie's tip, but he is INE (ineligable) to play for me? Anyone else have this or know how I can actually play the boy Adu in my team?

PS, ELG and CEL seem awfully quiet on this topic all of a sudden. Guess it aint going too well for them with FM05.
No change there then.

My S1 signings include:-

Zander Diamond - as recommned on the Huddleboard!
Lebohang Mokoena
Ilhan Mansiz

In the Jan transfer window I signed Vladmir Smicer and Szabolts Huszti two wingers. Have 4 or 5 players leaving in the summer for decent cash - tip I noticed if you have players going out of contract the next season, you can offer them to clubs, but enable transfer to go through at end of season, effectively selling them even though you could have lost them on a Bosman!

For S2, already lined up on freebies:-

Edwin van der Sar
Bernd Schneider
Carsten Ramelow
Kristzen Lisztes
Mark van Bommel - top signing - recommened!