The FM Library

The next in the list of the creators that we admire, is one from the deep south (Cornwall…) and someone that loves a good story. Normally i would link to his blog at this point, but as you will read in the below, he is more than capable of doing that for himself..

Creator Name & what made you choose it:

My FM Story. Originally My FM Story 17 which was the year I started. I wanted to share my Football Manager story and, with as little imagination as possible, I came up with that name.

Real Name:

Iain

Football Team:

I support Torquay United

 Talk me through your FM journey – where does it start? When was the moment that you first clicked on that little icon – and when did you realise that you couldn’t stop!

I think I remember purchasing an old Championship Manager from a charity shop bin for £1. Since then I’ve been trying all the management games. I really enjoyed LMA manager on PS1 which really got me in to football management games. I later went back to Championship Manager and have been religiously paying for the newest game for over a decade now! Miles could wack the prices up and only reset the teams each year and I’d probably buy it! It’s also odd that I know so much about the man who invented Football Manager! Like a strong dose of Calpol, I’m hooked on it for life!

Ok, you’ve been playing the game, what made you jump from “player” to “creator” and how have you found the journey?

About 6 years ago I remember following someone on Facebook who wrote about their journey on Football Manager. I enjoyed hearing about how he climbed the leagues and won everything with a small Conference team. His star play, regen Osvaldo was a God and I always wanted to find one in game. I never did. But a few years ago I wanted to do just the same as the chap on Facebook. (I wish I could remember what he was called). I set up twitter and never looked back. I’ve not been as prolific as others and having a small baby limited what I can achieve, but it’s added another aspect to the game and the enjoyment I get from it.

What’s your style of play? Within the library we have a couple of guys who plough through seasons letting the Assistant Manager’s do the vast majority of stuff, mainly getting into the late 2060’s trying to complete bizarre and random challenges, but we also have guys who are very much into the finite detail and will manage every aspect and would consider a save done after 5 or 6 seasons. Where do you fit within the scale? There is of course, no incorrect answer..

I would fit between the two. I usually set up a Torquay save and often then set challenges around playing with Torquay. My saves tend to last between 10-20 years. I like to manage most things but leave training to the assistant. I usually get Torquay to the Championship or Premiership before moving on to something else. Last year I did the pentagon challenge and last year tried a really low league save playing as home town Brixham AFC . This year though I’m going all the way with Torquay!

Favourite version/save? Any particular bittersweet/comic/down right depressing memories?

There are a few saves I remember well. First one I managed to take Bath City from the National League South to winning the Premiership beating Manchester City on goal difference on the final day of the season. Another was taking Torquay United to the Premiership and eventualy winning the Europa League. I find it harder these days as the gap between a newly promoted sde to the Premier League and the teams that win it seems to be so much greater. Most recently, I completed the Pentagon Challange starting in Senegal which I blogged about. I really enjoyed doing this one.

Which bloggers do you always make sure that you read?

Time is tight and I don’t get a chance to read lots of blogs. I try, though, to share them on Twitter nonetheless. Two bloggers that I enjoy following and I’ve learnt a lot from are Vivalavidafm and Ultimate FM.  I also have to shout out FM Creators and the people behind that one. 

Who within the community, seriously impresses you – produces the type of content that you just think “Wow, I couldn’t even contemplate producing stuff to at that level – for me it’s Laura/Chilled Moose and the face packs that she produces – some serious design talent there. This can be across any format of creation.

Another one who really got me into the community and who is a nice guy is Loki Doki. I’ve tried videos like his and can’t even come close! He was the first YouTuber/Creator that I watched shortly before joining the FM community. I’m sure I don’t need to provide a link to his channel! Another is The FM Editor who creates lower leagues that I’ve used before to play as teams like Brixham and Lizard Argyle.

What puts you off reading other creators blogs – what makes you click that “X” button in the top right of the page. For me it’s using the correct grammar for team names – I saw a blog about 18 months ago where the blogger named his opponent as oxford united and not Oxford United – I’m still angry about this…

Correct grammar has to be one for me. I’m not going to claim I’m perfect and I hardly proof-read my work. (See what I did there?? Editor – he made a deliberate spelling mistake, but being the pedantic kill joy I am, I corrected it.. – But I do like proper grammar used in a blog. It’s important for bloggers to make sure they’re using correct spellings and grammar in their blogs. (“That was actually harder to write than I thought”)

 Ok, final question.. I have 5 minutes and I have a list of blogs in front of me – In 100 words, why should I click on your blog…

I spent ages trying to thinks of something funny and witty to say but honestly, I’m grateful for everyone who has ever clicked on one of my blogs. I try to make them funny and interesting and as if you’re sat next to me.

We thank FM Story for their time – the man is fantastic at self promotion – never seen so many hyperlinks in a blog post before..