I gave Worcester City approximately £500 Million and maximised their training and youth facilities on the editor. I added several coaches (I'm the manager, my friends are the coaches) and boosted their stats to maximum. In my head, I justified it that a Brazilian ex-player now-businessman Marcelo Tarantula had bought out the club and built a huge training academy that develops players and coaches.
I went straight up in 1st position in both Blue Square South, Blue Square Premier and League 2. None were really by a landslide as the team's average age was probably about 20 and the yearly overhaul of players disrupted the team for the first 3/4 months of the season. Progressively I bought better quality players that were at least 1 division better than the one they were playing in.
League 1 and the Championship was less smooth sailing as I only finished second both times but this was enough to take me up.
I only had to make 4 first team signings on promotion to the Premiership as most of the squad were developing into top players. Also, I wanted to finally have a semblance of a settled squad.
I'm now in November 2013 and 6th in the Premiership. I beat Manchester United 4-1 at home (which is currently The Grove in Halesowen as my own stadium is closed for rebuilding). I'm in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup.
My squad is -
GK: Francisco Gonzalez (Mexican international, new this season)
Vasily Kiselev (Russian international, also just signed)
RB: Cristian Gomez (Argentinian Under 20 international, last year's player of the year)
Nassim Bonni (Belgian international)
LB: Ma Min (probably my best player, Chinese international)
Stanislav Salov (my captain, chose French Under 21s over his home nation Russia)
CD: Mauro (newly capped member of the Selecao)
Ramon (Brazilian who chose to play for Portugal ala. Pepe and Deco)
Aaron Coulson (Ghanaian international)
Martin Laursen (not THE Martin Laursen, a regen. Capped by Denmark)
DM: Carlo Bizzarri (Italian U-21 wonderkid)
Kepa Saenz (Spanish new signing. Was called up into the national team recently but still not capped at senior level)
CM: Michele Acerbis (won Azzurri caps this season, wonderkid, equally good up front where I may play him in future, vice captain)
Ernesto Diaz (Venezuelan international)
RM: Vit Karasek (Czech international)
John Fry (I bought him when I was in League 2 and he's made it all the way into the England national team after a stunning Under 20 World Cup where he was named best player for England's winning side. He is not my best player technically but probably most consistent)
LM: Pavel Snajdr (newly capped Czech winger)
Omar Sakim (Moroccon international)
ST: Tommy Knox (bought him for free from Perth Glory in Australia, thinking 'where in the bloody hell did he come from?' He's incredible. What a find. Has 9 goals in 10 games for me and has already had a senior call up from England - his other nationality. Not yet capped but will surely be picked in the next international game. Poor Australia and Perth Glory for letting this guy go!)
Julio Cesar Arizala (Colombian international, a beast)
Alvaro Jimenez (Chilean international who I have persisted with despite 2 disappointing full seasons and half a season in the Prem. He has all the ability but I fear his lack of pace will mean I get rid of him in the Summer. The biggest player in jeapordy but has several months to turn it around)
and finally...
Jeremy Patel (striker who has come through the ranks and scored goals in every league from Blue Square South to the Premiership. Home grown and on the verge of the full England squad. He was always slightly goal shy but is still only 22 and picking things up now. It was my dream to bring someone through every league and Patel has done it totally on merit. He is top class)
I have a few good prospects out on loan and have a 16 year old defender in the reserves who apparently 'has the potential to be the best player of his generation'. I'm gonna blood him in carefully. He isn't far off the first team.
I have also identified 2 16 year olds, Brazilian and Slovenian, who are incredible superkids. I'll sign them in a year or two.
How sad
EDIT - Oh yeah, I play the Sexy Football tactics downloaded from the SIGames forum and normally play 2 different 11s.
One of my promising reserve players has an interesting name - Adriano Scholes!