London Calling: Introduction

It's nearly that time lads and lasses as Football Manager 2023 is released to the masses and we all start to think of a save that will keep us busy for the next year. I'm no different and following on from the Alive And Kicking save that saw me manage Grimsby Town during the 1992-93 season thanks to MadScenitist's retro database, here's the lowdown on my save for FM23. 

LONDON CALLING

As the title might suggest, the save is going to be built around playing the game using clubs from England's capital city. It's a bit of a twist on the usual journeyman/rise through the leagues save, the only rule is a simple one, our rise through the divisions begins in the National League South and the ultimate goal is to win the Champions League with a London club. If I part company with my starting club, I must wait until a job in London becomes available, so on and so forth until reaching my final target. The likelihood is I'll be steering one of London's Premier League clubs to glory, but you never know what grows from tiny acorns. 

STARTING CLUB

I'll be starting the save with Dulwich Hamlet of the National League South. Based at their Champion Hill ground in South London, Hamlet had been one of the leading lights in the Isthmian League before securing promotion to the National League South in 2018. Their fervent support, affectionately known as The Rabble have helped to establish the club as a focal point in their local community and have thrown their weight behind initiatives in their local area as well as making Champion Hill a welcoming and safe space for all members of their community. 


WHEN WILL UPDATES BE POSTED?

Updates from the save will be uploaded a month at a time (in-game) with the posts coming weekly on a Tuesday, usually around teatime. The best way to keep up with developments is to follow me on Twitter @DanBarkerGray. 

IS THIS IT?

No, I'll be doubling down on content this season. As an homage to Football Italia and how captivated we all were by it in the 1990s, I'll be documenting a save as manager of the mighty Juventus in Championship Manager 97-98 as well with updates titled 'Campeonatio, di Calcio, Italiano' coming weekly on a Sunday afternoon. I may also do some streaming on Twitch playing the console variant of FM23, keep your eyes peeled on my Twitter feed for stream details. 


Without further ado, I'm off to immerse myself in the non-league football scene in the South of England, I'll see you tomorrow with the first weekly instalment of London Calling. 

Ciao For Now! 

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