The FM Library

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Creator name & what made you choose it?

The Gib Show, well, it’s something I’ve been using for a long time. I started a football blog way back in the early 2000s with the same name. There’s the obvious Big Show/Gib Show connection from the WWE days. It’s just something I’ve stuck with ever since.

Real name?

Andrew Gibney

Favourite football team?

Lille OSC in France – that’s a long story (this might help )

Talk me through your FM journey – where does it start?

I can still remember playing CM 01/02 on my mate’s PC, trying to sign a striker from PSG called Rudy Haddad cause he had 18 finishing. But it wasn’t until I moved to Leeds for University in 2004 I finally had a computer of my own which could handle it. 

Even back then, I was more of a Pro Evo guy, and it will be no shock to anyone who knows me to find I was big on the forums back then. Involved with a group of people who used to edit attributes of players and release updates.

FM 2005 was my reintroduction to the game. I remember managing Palermo and losing the Serie A title to Roma in a tie-break match as we finished level. The save I always remember was taking Partick Thistle from bankruptcy to the UEFA Cup, with former Man United youngster Fabien Brandy as my star man.

After Uni I didn’t really play again much. Trying to forge a career in football journalism, I was watching 9/10 games a weekend, which took up most of my time.

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

It was the pandemic which brought me back to FM. I was working night shifts at home and decided to leap back in. My friend Tom had always shared his saves with me, and the temptation had always been there. 

Then I began observing content. I knew Matt Richards from the British Wrestling scene, so wanted to listen to him and Tony on Football Manager Therapy – which led to watching Tony’s videos and streams.

Naturally, I began sharing some threads of saves on Twitter, which led to a return to writing. Blogging my Bastia Borgo save. Inspired by Tony and others, I decided to try my hand at YouTube videos in January 2021 (they were awful) and now I’ve been making some sort of content for nearly three years.

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 like to think I’m quite hands on. I’ll set up my own training. I always have scouts assigned around the world, but one thing I’ve been quite against in the last two games is attribute searching. I think it’s more realistic to only sign players your scouts and staff bring to you. 

I believe there is a database out there for managers to find free agents, but there’s no way you can find every defender with 15 positioning around the world. You also wouldn’t be able to instantly see the ability of every teenager playing in Colombia. But you could definitely send scouts there to watch them. 

Most of the saves I do will last 20+ seasons. I usually either start without coaching badges, or down in the lower leagues. By the time I’m in Champions League contention, the latest wonderkids are in their 30s.

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

In FM22, I started a Twitch save with Cumbernauld United – my hometown in the seventh tier of Scotland using Mozza’s database. I had to take it offline due to work commitments, but we had a lot of fun. 

However, after winning the Premiership with a team of Scottish nationals, we went through a Tycoon takeover. A lovely Hong Kong businessman handed us £60 million and announced the construction of a new stadium.

As the only Legend at the club, I was hoping I might get my first ever stadium named after me. NOPE. He only went and decided to name it after himself. What a P****, but also, fair play.

Which bloggers do you always make sure that you read? 

I love Steve/Lutterworth Fox. His long term saves, with his checklists are brilliant. I guess everyone says MaddFM, but he’s great and a lovely guy.

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? 

I get very jealous by RDF’s success in the game, the guy just launches a new save, wins Serie A with Bari and just never seems to struggle. 

Also, GYRFM, the man is a tactical genius. He sees the game differently from anyone I’ve ever spoken to. People think his tactics are ‘boring’ cause they are just so good, but that’s credit to the man. He needs to be let loose on an actual football team.

What puts you off reading other creators blogs – what makes you click that “X” button in the top right of the page?

Things like spelling and grammar I can forgive, if the effort and story is there. What puts me off is just a dry FM blog. We all play the game, we all know how it works. Either teach me something new, a different way to do something, or tell me a story. 

Pull me in with a backstory, a reason for the save and some drama and you’ll have my interest. Just listing results and going through the motions will turn me away. 

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 like to think over the years I have become a decent writer and can tell a story, or pick out the parts of a save which people can relate to or get drawn in by. 

In my new Scandi Domination save, I decided to go back to blogging to document it. I have no idea what direction it’s going to go, or where success will come, but I hope I can bring the readers on the journey with me. The ups, the downs and quite possibly the frustrations. 

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Thanks to Andrew for taking the time out his busy schedule to complete our 11 Questions. As always, please give him a follow on Twitter, @TheGibShow_ and check out his blog, found here. You can also find him over on Twitch and Youtube for equal measure!

If you want to see your favourite blogger feature on an upcoming post then let us know who they are and we will look to get them involved. If you yourself are a blogger and want to share your experiences with others then please just send us a DM on Twitter, @TheFMLibrary, or join us on Discord.