Post by floydp on Jan 27, 2008 16:22:53 GMT
SEASON ONE
International
World Cup Winners: Brazil (JAK - David Jackson)
World cup Runners up: Italy (Unmanaged)
Cups
Champions league Winners: Juventus (Matt Stubbs)
Champions League Runners up: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
English FA cup Winners: West Brom (Unmanaged)
English FA cup Runners up: Burnley (Unmanaged)
European FA Cup Winners: Barcelona (Clayton Courtney)
European FA Cup Runners up: Bayrn.Munich (bread - Mark Aucote)
Supercup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Supercup Runners up: Barcelona (Unmanaged)
FBC Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
FBC Runners up: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Leagues
Premiership Champs: Manchester United (A_K - Ashley Keyte)
Premiership Runners up: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Division one Champs: Bolton (Liam Appleby)
Division one Runners up: Sunderland (Unmanged)
Serie A Champs: Juventus (Matt Stubbs)
Serie A Runners up: Valencia (Danj - Dan James)
Serie B Champs: Santos (steve86 - Steven Cox)
Serie B Runners up: Stuttgart (Unmanaged)
SEASON TWO
International
World Cup Winners: Brazil (Unmanaged)
World cup Runners up: Portugal (Unmanaged)
Cups
Champions league Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke deveney)
Champions League Runners up: Liverpool (The Special One - Phillip Dean)
English FA cup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke deveney)
English FA cup Runners up: Tamworth (JAK - David Jackson)
European FA Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European FA Cup Runners up: Santos - (steve86 - Steven Cox)
English League Cup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
English League Cup Runners up: Middlesbro' (Markie - George)
European League Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European League Cup Runners up: Valencia (danj - Dan James)
Supercup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Supercup Runners up: Barcelona (Brockway - Antony Brockway)
FBC Winners:
FBC Runners up:
Leagues
Premiership Champs: Newcastle (Luke - Luke deveney)
Premiership Runners up: Liverpool (The Special One - Phillip Dean)
Division one Champs: Middlesbro' (Titch - George)
Division one Runners up: Derby County (Unmanaged
Serie A Champs: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
Serie A Runners up: Santos (steve86 - Steven Cox)
Serie B Champs: Boca Juniors (Scott Rose)
Serie B Runners up: Sturm Graz (Unmanaged)
Mr Necom's Evaluation
Newcastle Win All
Five!
Game 100, Season End July 2006
Luke Deveney’s Newcastle showed total
dominance as game 100 completed its second
season, winning five out of five trophies. The
Magpies came close last season to the
Premiership, but this time around they made no
mistake, finishing the season on 56 points – 12
clear of Phil Dean’s Liverpol side. Everton finished
third with 37pts and Ashley Keyte’s defending
champions Manchester United could only manage
fourth place with a disappointing 35 points. The
first trophy of the season arrived at St.James’ Park
in week 12 when Ashley Keyte’s Barcelona were
beaten 1-0 in the Super Cup final thanks to a
second half goal from Simpson. That was followed
up by the League Cup in week 18, the Magpies
beating George Clay’s Middlesboro 2-1 in the final.
The FA Cup was won in the final week of the
season as a Patrick Vieira goal saw off David
Jackson’s Tamworth 1-0 before the grand slam
was completed with the Champions League –
Newcastle beating Phil Dean’s Liverpool 1-0 in the
final thanks to a goal from Takahara. Serie A was
dominated in similar style by David Jackson’s AC
Milan who completed the league and FA cup
double – Milan seeing off Steven Cox’s Santos
who were runners up in both. A late Andrii
Shevchenko goal saw Milan win the FA Cup final
1-0, whilst they finished 11 points clear in the
league, amassing 59 pts to Santos’ 48. Dan
James’ Valencia were third with 42 whilst Ryan
Brandys’ Juventus were fourth on 37pts. Milan
made it a treble with the League Cup – beating
Valencia 3-1 in the final, but were denied at the
quarter final stages of the Champions League
where they lost 1-0 to Liverpool.
SEASON THREE
International
World Cup Winners: Holland (Unmanaged)
World cup Runners up: England (Unmanaged)
Cups
Champions league Winners: Barcelona (Alex - Alex Clayton)
Champions League Runners up: Tottenham (Kidrock - Jamie Maycroft)
English FA cup Winners: Tottenham (Kidrock - Jamie Maycroft)
English FA cup Runners up: Newcastle (Luke Deveney)
European FA Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European FA Cup Runners up: Juventus (Bhoon - Ryan Brandys)
English League Cup Winners: Tottenham (Kidrock - Jamie Maycroft)
English League Cup Runners up: Burnley (The Blessed One - Ashley Keyte)
European League Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European League Cup Runners up: Valencia (Brockway - Antony Brockway)
Supercup Winners: Cardiff City (Mikesta - Michael Paoloni)
Supercup Runners up: Arsenal (Ryan FC - Ryan Doyle)
FBC Winners:
FBC Runners up:
Leagues
Premiership Champs: Newcastle Utd (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Premiership Runners up: Arsenal (Ryan FC - Ryan Doyle)
Division one Champs: Birmingham City (Bazz - Bazz Wetton)
Division one Runners up: Aston Villa (Unmanaged)
Serie A Champs: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
Serie A Runners up: Real Madrid (Mikesta - Michael Paoloni)
Serie B Champs: Ajax (Max Whitefoot)
Serie B Runners up: Lyon (Nathan James)
Mr Necom's Evalutaion
Barsa Beat Spurs To
Champions League Crown
Game 100, Season End February 2006
A much better split of the trophies this season in game 100 to last (see box below – ‘Newcastle win all Five’) saw AC
Milan cashing in with three but then there was a better sharing out of the other titles. Milan were certainly the dominant
team in Serie A, David Jackson’s team going top in week 4 and staying there for the remainder of the season. They
won their first 7 games before being held 0-0 by Real Madrid in week 8 – a result which led many to believe that Michael
Paoloni’s Madrid could stop the Milan giants. Madrid stayed with the leaders through most of the season – trailing them
by just two points until a week 16 draw at Roma followed by defeat to Milan in the San Siro in week 17. That allowed
Alex Clayton’s Barcelona into second spot – but only for a week as they lost 1-0 in Madrid the following turn. Even
though they were surprisingly hammered 3-0 by Valencia in the penultimate week of the season, Milan took the title by
five points with a total of 53, Madrid were second with 48 pts and Barsa third on 47. Piddy Kahn’s Bayern Munich
finished fourth with 41 points. The FA Cup saw Milan up against Ryan Brandy’s Juventus side – and a 2-0 victory for
David Jackson’s team thanks to goals from Rooney and Van Nistelrooy. This cup Milan added to the League Cup
picked up a few weeks earlier with a 1-0 victory over Valencia.
The first trophy of the season, the Super Cup, went to
Michael Paoloni’s Cardiff City. In a competition where the
big names so often disappoint, this seemed to be no
exception. Barcelona failed to make it through the group
stage whilst Milan crashed out in the quarter finals – beaten
1-0 by the Welsh side. Arsenal put Newcastle out in the
semi final, but were beaten themselves in the final – Cardiff
winning 2-1 with two goals from Di Vaio. Cardiff were also in
the running for the Premiership at that point, sharing top spot
with defending champions Newcastle. Week 14 was
probably the key game in that title race – Cardiff losing 1-0 to
their rivals at St.James’ Park and never recovering. The
lead at the top stretched to 5 pts a couple of weeks later
when Cardiff were held to a draw by Fulham, and Newcastle
were virtually home and dry. In the end, Ryan Doyle’s
Arsenal sneaked in to take second spot, a point ahead of
Cardiff after Mike Paoloni’s side were beaten 3-1 in the final
day of the season by Spurs. Newcastle finished the season
on 53 points, with Arsenal second on 47 and Cardiff third
with 46. Ashley Keyte’s Man United came fourth with 40
points. Jamie Maycroft’s Tottenham won both domestic
cups – beating Burnley 2-0 in the League Cup final and then
recording a 2-1 win over the champions Newcastle in the FA
Cup. They were well in the running for a third cup too,
making it to the Champions League final where they faced
Barcelona. Both sides won their respective groups, as did
Newcastle and Liverpool. The Magpies found themselves
drawn in the traditional ‘Group of Death’ with Real Madrid,
AC Milan and Chelsea – and won the group with just nine
points (on goal difference from Madrid, Milan missing out by
finishing third and Chelsea drawing five of their six games to
finish bottom). Tottenham then beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the
quarter final, whilst Barsa beat Bayern Munich by the
same scoreline. The semis saw a late goal from Aguero
see Barsa beat Newcastle 1-0, whilst strikes from Totti
and Torres helped Spurs to a 2-0 victory over Liverpool.
That left the final – the last game of the season. Owen
Hargreaves fired Barcelona ahead in the first half, Del
Piero equalised, but Robbie Keane snatched the winner
for Barsa with 10 minutes left. Barcelona win the
Champions League!
SEASON FOUR
Cups
Champions League
Winners: Tottenham (Jamie Maycroft)
Runners Up: Real Madrid (Michael Paoloni)
FA Cup
Winners: West Ham (Gavin Duthie)
Runners Up: Tottenham (Jamie Maycroft)
English League Cup
Winners: Cardiff (Michael Paoloni)
Runners Up: Southend (Unmanaged)
Euro FA Cup
Winners: AC Milan (Andy Cooper)
Runners up: Juventus (Ryan Brandy)
Euro League Cup
Winners: Real Madrid (Michael Paoloni)
Runner Up: Juventus (Ryan Brandy)
Leagues
Premiership winners: Cardiff (Michael Paoloni)
Premiership runners up: Chelsea (Phil Dean)
Serie A
Winners: Real Madrid (Michael Paoloni)
Runners Up: Juventus (Ryan Brandy)
Double delight for Paoloni!
Michael Paoloni proved top boss in game 100 as his teams picked up both the British and
European titles. Jamie Maycroft’s Tottenham started the season strongly, building up a four point
lead by week 12, but they suddenly lost the ability to win – drawing four and losing one of the next
five games – as Cardiff took over. A crucial game in week 14 saw them beat Phil Dean’s Chelsea
2-1 and move three points clear of Spurs, four ahead of Chelsea, and then the Welsh side put their
foot down, recording five wins in a row to effectively seal the Premiership. Chelsea finished in
second place, on 45 points, five points behind the champions, with Tottenham a point further back.
Ashley Keyte’s Man United were fourth on 38 points. Cardiff also won the League Cup, beating
Southend 3-2 in the final, but Gavin Duthie’s West Ham won the FA Cup, beating Tottenham 1-0 in
the final of that competition. For Spurs though, the big one proved to be the Champions League.
Comfortable winners of a group in which Real Madrid scraped through and Chelsea were knocked
out, Tottenham beat Man United and Juventus in the ¼ and semi finals respectively, before a final
showdown with Real Madrid. It was the third meeting of the two in the competition this season,
Spurs with a 1-0 win at home, then a 3-3 draw at the Bernabau, so perhaps it wasn’t a huge
surprise when Jamie’s side won 2-0, Mascerano with two goals in the first half killing off Spanish
hopes. Still, for Michael Paoloni’s Real, there were still two trophies in the cabinet. They’d won
the league cup in week 18, beating Juventus 1-0 in the final, and then clinched an incredibly close
Serie A title on goal difference in the final week. It was a three horse race all season, Ryan
Brandy’s Juventus, Andy Cooper’s Milan and Michael’s Real Madrid all within a few points of each
other. Madrid lost 3-2 at Ross Sharp’s Roma in week 14 whilst the other two both won – leaving
them four points adrift; then a 2-1 reverse at Ajax in week 17 saw Milan drop back too. With five
games to go, Juventus led Madrid by four points and Milan by five. They travelled to Madrid in
what Real boss Michael Paoloni called a ‘must win game.’ His team didn’t win – the game finished
1-1 and Real seemed to see their title hopes slipping away. The following week though, everything
changed. Bayern Munich held Juventus to a 2-2 draw, whilst Real travelled to the San Siro and
recorded a stunning 2-1 victory over Andy Cooper’s outfit. Real were now only two points behind
the leaders and back in with a shout. Everything changed again in week 20 - Milan it was now with
a must win game – as they took on Juventus on their own ground – but yet again Juve got a great
away point, the game finishing 3-3. Madrid could have taken top spot, but were beaten at home,
2-0, by Nick Whitehead’s Ajax. With two games left, Juve were three points clear of Real – with a
superior goal difference – whilst Milan were still four points behind. The key game of the season
then was week 21’s clash between Juventus and Real Madrid. As the home side, and with their
superior goal difference, a point would probably have secured the title for Juve – a win definitely
would. Milan recorded a 3-2 win over Barcelona to keep their challenge going, but all eyes were
on Turin. Yet again the result defied expectations, as the away side, Madrid, won 3-1. Not only
did that put them level on points, the two goal margin also gave them a superior goal difference –
by just one goal. With one game left, Real and Juve were tied on 47 points, with Milan a point
behind. The top two both needed big wins, whilst Milan were hoping both would drop points and
they could step in. Milan won their game 3-2 at Boca Juniors; Juve also scraped a 3-2 win at Lyon
but all that was in vain – as Real Madrid won 4-3 at Valencia and were thus crowned champions.
Nick Whitehead’s Ajax took fourth place with 41 points. It proved to be such a nearly season for
Juve – as they also finished runners up in both cup competitions. Real won the league cup,
beating them 1-0 in the final whilst Milan beat them in the FA Cup final, 3-2 the score there.
SEASON 5
Premier League
1.Chelsea 22 53 25 Phil Dean
2.Cardiff City 22 49 18 Michael Paoloni
3.Birmingham C 22 43 15 Bazz Wetton
4.Man. City 22 41 19 Jamie Messenger
Division 1
1.West Ham 22 57 35 Gavin Duthie
2.Rangers 22 47 12
3.Aston Villa 22 44 18 Pete Kenny
4.Ipswich Town 22 32 -4
Serie A
1.Real Madrid 22 50 22 Michael Paoloni
2.Barcelona 22 49 7 Anthony Brockway
3.AC Milan 22 45 12 Andy Cooper
4.Juventus 22 39 14 Stuart Robertson
Serie B
1.Benfica 22 55 17 David Jackson
2.Valencia 22 46 23 Matthew Tucker
3.Atl.Madrid 22 40 13 Ian Taplin
4.Seville 22 39 11 Sam Smyth
Super Cup
Real Madrid 2 (Robinho 6, 76)
Man Utd 1 (Ronaldo 34)
Winners: Michael Paoloni (Real Madrid)
Runners Up: Ashley Keyte (Man Utd)
League Cup British
Cardiff City
Tottenham 2 (Alonso 50, Torres 68)
Winner: Jamie Maycroft
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
League Cup European
Real Madrid 0
AC Milan 1 (Cannavaro 8)
Winner: Andy Cooper
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
FA Cup English
Arsenal 1 ( Fabregas 70,)
Man. City 2 ( D'Lareya 17, Trezeguet 77,)
Winner: Jamie Messenger
Runner Up: Kieran Hundal
FA Cup European
Real Madrid 2 ( Robinho 25,54,)
La Coruna 3 ( Angulo 27, Maicon 57, Radoi 66,)
Winner: Steven Cox
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
Champions League
Roma 2 (Kuffour 40, Rooney 76)
Cardiff City 1 (Perez 52)
Winner: Ross Sharp
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
World Cup Final
Scotland 1 ( McNamara 41,)
Portugal 2 ( Gomes 04, Deco 79,)
Winner: Jamie Messenger
Runner Up: (Unmanaged)
First blood went to Michael Paoloni's Real Madrid in the hunt for trophies this season. The Robinho versus Ronaldo show was a fantastic spectacle with the former coming out on top with a double to Ronaldo's single giving Real Madrid a 2-1 victory in the Super Cup.
However for Paoloni the rest of the season crowned him the nearly man with 5 runners up medals. Roma's (Ross Sharp) took the Champions League beating Paoloni's Cardiff with a 2-1 victory, Wayne Rooney grabbing the winner. Steven Cox's emerging La Coruna beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the European FA Cup. Andy Coopers Milan defeated Real Madrid in the European League Cup handing underachievers Milan their first trophy under Cooper. Paoloni was also runner up in the English League Cup as Jamie Maycrofts spanish duo of Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres handed Tottenham the trophy. Surprisingly in the English FA cup Cardiff didn't reach the final with Man City defeating Arsenal to cap of a fine debut season for Jamie Messenger.
Phil the special one deans Chelsea, surprisingly absent in the cups, were very dominant in the league winning the title from you guessed it Michael Paoloni's Cardiff by 4 points with Shevchenko having a fantastic season for the blues.
In the European league however Real Madrid shook off the runner up tag in a fantastic climactic finish to win the league over Brockway's Barcelona on the last game of the season.
Good luck to everyone for next season
International
World Cup Winners: Brazil (JAK - David Jackson)
World cup Runners up: Italy (Unmanaged)
Cups
Champions league Winners: Juventus (Matt Stubbs)
Champions League Runners up: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
English FA cup Winners: West Brom (Unmanaged)
English FA cup Runners up: Burnley (Unmanaged)
European FA Cup Winners: Barcelona (Clayton Courtney)
European FA Cup Runners up: Bayrn.Munich (bread - Mark Aucote)
Supercup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Supercup Runners up: Barcelona (Unmanaged)
FBC Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
FBC Runners up: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Leagues
Premiership Champs: Manchester United (A_K - Ashley Keyte)
Premiership Runners up: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Division one Champs: Bolton (Liam Appleby)
Division one Runners up: Sunderland (Unmanged)
Serie A Champs: Juventus (Matt Stubbs)
Serie A Runners up: Valencia (Danj - Dan James)
Serie B Champs: Santos (steve86 - Steven Cox)
Serie B Runners up: Stuttgart (Unmanaged)
SEASON TWO
International
World Cup Winners: Brazil (Unmanaged)
World cup Runners up: Portugal (Unmanaged)
Cups
Champions league Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke deveney)
Champions League Runners up: Liverpool (The Special One - Phillip Dean)
English FA cup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke deveney)
English FA cup Runners up: Tamworth (JAK - David Jackson)
European FA Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European FA Cup Runners up: Santos - (steve86 - Steven Cox)
English League Cup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
English League Cup Runners up: Middlesbro' (Markie - George)
European League Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European League Cup Runners up: Valencia (danj - Dan James)
Supercup Winners: Newcastle (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Supercup Runners up: Barcelona (Brockway - Antony Brockway)
FBC Winners:
FBC Runners up:
Leagues
Premiership Champs: Newcastle (Luke - Luke deveney)
Premiership Runners up: Liverpool (The Special One - Phillip Dean)
Division one Champs: Middlesbro' (Titch - George)
Division one Runners up: Derby County (Unmanaged
Serie A Champs: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
Serie A Runners up: Santos (steve86 - Steven Cox)
Serie B Champs: Boca Juniors (Scott Rose)
Serie B Runners up: Sturm Graz (Unmanaged)
Mr Necom's Evaluation
Newcastle Win All
Five!
Game 100, Season End July 2006
Luke Deveney’s Newcastle showed total
dominance as game 100 completed its second
season, winning five out of five trophies. The
Magpies came close last season to the
Premiership, but this time around they made no
mistake, finishing the season on 56 points – 12
clear of Phil Dean’s Liverpol side. Everton finished
third with 37pts and Ashley Keyte’s defending
champions Manchester United could only manage
fourth place with a disappointing 35 points. The
first trophy of the season arrived at St.James’ Park
in week 12 when Ashley Keyte’s Barcelona were
beaten 1-0 in the Super Cup final thanks to a
second half goal from Simpson. That was followed
up by the League Cup in week 18, the Magpies
beating George Clay’s Middlesboro 2-1 in the final.
The FA Cup was won in the final week of the
season as a Patrick Vieira goal saw off David
Jackson’s Tamworth 1-0 before the grand slam
was completed with the Champions League –
Newcastle beating Phil Dean’s Liverpool 1-0 in the
final thanks to a goal from Takahara. Serie A was
dominated in similar style by David Jackson’s AC
Milan who completed the league and FA cup
double – Milan seeing off Steven Cox’s Santos
who were runners up in both. A late Andrii
Shevchenko goal saw Milan win the FA Cup final
1-0, whilst they finished 11 points clear in the
league, amassing 59 pts to Santos’ 48. Dan
James’ Valencia were third with 42 whilst Ryan
Brandys’ Juventus were fourth on 37pts. Milan
made it a treble with the League Cup – beating
Valencia 3-1 in the final, but were denied at the
quarter final stages of the Champions League
where they lost 1-0 to Liverpool.
SEASON THREE
International
World Cup Winners: Holland (Unmanaged)
World cup Runners up: England (Unmanaged)
Cups
Champions league Winners: Barcelona (Alex - Alex Clayton)
Champions League Runners up: Tottenham (Kidrock - Jamie Maycroft)
English FA cup Winners: Tottenham (Kidrock - Jamie Maycroft)
English FA cup Runners up: Newcastle (Luke Deveney)
European FA Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European FA Cup Runners up: Juventus (Bhoon - Ryan Brandys)
English League Cup Winners: Tottenham (Kidrock - Jamie Maycroft)
English League Cup Runners up: Burnley (The Blessed One - Ashley Keyte)
European League Cup Winners: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
European League Cup Runners up: Valencia (Brockway - Antony Brockway)
Supercup Winners: Cardiff City (Mikesta - Michael Paoloni)
Supercup Runners up: Arsenal (Ryan FC - Ryan Doyle)
FBC Winners:
FBC Runners up:
Leagues
Premiership Champs: Newcastle Utd (Luke - Luke Deveney)
Premiership Runners up: Arsenal (Ryan FC - Ryan Doyle)
Division one Champs: Birmingham City (Bazz - Bazz Wetton)
Division one Runners up: Aston Villa (Unmanaged)
Serie A Champs: AC Milan (JAK - David Jackson)
Serie A Runners up: Real Madrid (Mikesta - Michael Paoloni)
Serie B Champs: Ajax (Max Whitefoot)
Serie B Runners up: Lyon (Nathan James)
Mr Necom's Evalutaion
Barsa Beat Spurs To
Champions League Crown
Game 100, Season End February 2006
A much better split of the trophies this season in game 100 to last (see box below – ‘Newcastle win all Five’) saw AC
Milan cashing in with three but then there was a better sharing out of the other titles. Milan were certainly the dominant
team in Serie A, David Jackson’s team going top in week 4 and staying there for the remainder of the season. They
won their first 7 games before being held 0-0 by Real Madrid in week 8 – a result which led many to believe that Michael
Paoloni’s Madrid could stop the Milan giants. Madrid stayed with the leaders through most of the season – trailing them
by just two points until a week 16 draw at Roma followed by defeat to Milan in the San Siro in week 17. That allowed
Alex Clayton’s Barcelona into second spot – but only for a week as they lost 1-0 in Madrid the following turn. Even
though they were surprisingly hammered 3-0 by Valencia in the penultimate week of the season, Milan took the title by
five points with a total of 53, Madrid were second with 48 pts and Barsa third on 47. Piddy Kahn’s Bayern Munich
finished fourth with 41 points. The FA Cup saw Milan up against Ryan Brandy’s Juventus side – and a 2-0 victory for
David Jackson’s team thanks to goals from Rooney and Van Nistelrooy. This cup Milan added to the League Cup
picked up a few weeks earlier with a 1-0 victory over Valencia.
The first trophy of the season, the Super Cup, went to
Michael Paoloni’s Cardiff City. In a competition where the
big names so often disappoint, this seemed to be no
exception. Barcelona failed to make it through the group
stage whilst Milan crashed out in the quarter finals – beaten
1-0 by the Welsh side. Arsenal put Newcastle out in the
semi final, but were beaten themselves in the final – Cardiff
winning 2-1 with two goals from Di Vaio. Cardiff were also in
the running for the Premiership at that point, sharing top spot
with defending champions Newcastle. Week 14 was
probably the key game in that title race – Cardiff losing 1-0 to
their rivals at St.James’ Park and never recovering. The
lead at the top stretched to 5 pts a couple of weeks later
when Cardiff were held to a draw by Fulham, and Newcastle
were virtually home and dry. In the end, Ryan Doyle’s
Arsenal sneaked in to take second spot, a point ahead of
Cardiff after Mike Paoloni’s side were beaten 3-1 in the final
day of the season by Spurs. Newcastle finished the season
on 53 points, with Arsenal second on 47 and Cardiff third
with 46. Ashley Keyte’s Man United came fourth with 40
points. Jamie Maycroft’s Tottenham won both domestic
cups – beating Burnley 2-0 in the League Cup final and then
recording a 2-1 win over the champions Newcastle in the FA
Cup. They were well in the running for a third cup too,
making it to the Champions League final where they faced
Barcelona. Both sides won their respective groups, as did
Newcastle and Liverpool. The Magpies found themselves
drawn in the traditional ‘Group of Death’ with Real Madrid,
AC Milan and Chelsea – and won the group with just nine
points (on goal difference from Madrid, Milan missing out by
finishing third and Chelsea drawing five of their six games to
finish bottom). Tottenham then beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the
quarter final, whilst Barsa beat Bayern Munich by the
same scoreline. The semis saw a late goal from Aguero
see Barsa beat Newcastle 1-0, whilst strikes from Totti
and Torres helped Spurs to a 2-0 victory over Liverpool.
That left the final – the last game of the season. Owen
Hargreaves fired Barcelona ahead in the first half, Del
Piero equalised, but Robbie Keane snatched the winner
for Barsa with 10 minutes left. Barcelona win the
Champions League!
SEASON FOUR
Cups
Champions League
Winners: Tottenham (Jamie Maycroft)
Runners Up: Real Madrid (Michael Paoloni)
FA Cup
Winners: West Ham (Gavin Duthie)
Runners Up: Tottenham (Jamie Maycroft)
English League Cup
Winners: Cardiff (Michael Paoloni)
Runners Up: Southend (Unmanaged)
Euro FA Cup
Winners: AC Milan (Andy Cooper)
Runners up: Juventus (Ryan Brandy)
Euro League Cup
Winners: Real Madrid (Michael Paoloni)
Runner Up: Juventus (Ryan Brandy)
Leagues
Premiership winners: Cardiff (Michael Paoloni)
Premiership runners up: Chelsea (Phil Dean)
Serie A
Winners: Real Madrid (Michael Paoloni)
Runners Up: Juventus (Ryan Brandy)
Double delight for Paoloni!
Michael Paoloni proved top boss in game 100 as his teams picked up both the British and
European titles. Jamie Maycroft’s Tottenham started the season strongly, building up a four point
lead by week 12, but they suddenly lost the ability to win – drawing four and losing one of the next
five games – as Cardiff took over. A crucial game in week 14 saw them beat Phil Dean’s Chelsea
2-1 and move three points clear of Spurs, four ahead of Chelsea, and then the Welsh side put their
foot down, recording five wins in a row to effectively seal the Premiership. Chelsea finished in
second place, on 45 points, five points behind the champions, with Tottenham a point further back.
Ashley Keyte’s Man United were fourth on 38 points. Cardiff also won the League Cup, beating
Southend 3-2 in the final, but Gavin Duthie’s West Ham won the FA Cup, beating Tottenham 1-0 in
the final of that competition. For Spurs though, the big one proved to be the Champions League.
Comfortable winners of a group in which Real Madrid scraped through and Chelsea were knocked
out, Tottenham beat Man United and Juventus in the ¼ and semi finals respectively, before a final
showdown with Real Madrid. It was the third meeting of the two in the competition this season,
Spurs with a 1-0 win at home, then a 3-3 draw at the Bernabau, so perhaps it wasn’t a huge
surprise when Jamie’s side won 2-0, Mascerano with two goals in the first half killing off Spanish
hopes. Still, for Michael Paoloni’s Real, there were still two trophies in the cabinet. They’d won
the league cup in week 18, beating Juventus 1-0 in the final, and then clinched an incredibly close
Serie A title on goal difference in the final week. It was a three horse race all season, Ryan
Brandy’s Juventus, Andy Cooper’s Milan and Michael’s Real Madrid all within a few points of each
other. Madrid lost 3-2 at Ross Sharp’s Roma in week 14 whilst the other two both won – leaving
them four points adrift; then a 2-1 reverse at Ajax in week 17 saw Milan drop back too. With five
games to go, Juventus led Madrid by four points and Milan by five. They travelled to Madrid in
what Real boss Michael Paoloni called a ‘must win game.’ His team didn’t win – the game finished
1-1 and Real seemed to see their title hopes slipping away. The following week though, everything
changed. Bayern Munich held Juventus to a 2-2 draw, whilst Real travelled to the San Siro and
recorded a stunning 2-1 victory over Andy Cooper’s outfit. Real were now only two points behind
the leaders and back in with a shout. Everything changed again in week 20 - Milan it was now with
a must win game – as they took on Juventus on their own ground – but yet again Juve got a great
away point, the game finishing 3-3. Madrid could have taken top spot, but were beaten at home,
2-0, by Nick Whitehead’s Ajax. With two games left, Juve were three points clear of Real – with a
superior goal difference – whilst Milan were still four points behind. The key game of the season
then was week 21’s clash between Juventus and Real Madrid. As the home side, and with their
superior goal difference, a point would probably have secured the title for Juve – a win definitely
would. Milan recorded a 3-2 win over Barcelona to keep their challenge going, but all eyes were
on Turin. Yet again the result defied expectations, as the away side, Madrid, won 3-1. Not only
did that put them level on points, the two goal margin also gave them a superior goal difference –
by just one goal. With one game left, Real and Juve were tied on 47 points, with Milan a point
behind. The top two both needed big wins, whilst Milan were hoping both would drop points and
they could step in. Milan won their game 3-2 at Boca Juniors; Juve also scraped a 3-2 win at Lyon
but all that was in vain – as Real Madrid won 4-3 at Valencia and were thus crowned champions.
Nick Whitehead’s Ajax took fourth place with 41 points. It proved to be such a nearly season for
Juve – as they also finished runners up in both cup competitions. Real won the league cup,
beating them 1-0 in the final whilst Milan beat them in the FA Cup final, 3-2 the score there.
SEASON 5
Premier League
1.Chelsea 22 53 25 Phil Dean
2.Cardiff City 22 49 18 Michael Paoloni
3.Birmingham C 22 43 15 Bazz Wetton
4.Man. City 22 41 19 Jamie Messenger
Division 1
1.West Ham 22 57 35 Gavin Duthie
2.Rangers 22 47 12
3.Aston Villa 22 44 18 Pete Kenny
4.Ipswich Town 22 32 -4
Serie A
1.Real Madrid 22 50 22 Michael Paoloni
2.Barcelona 22 49 7 Anthony Brockway
3.AC Milan 22 45 12 Andy Cooper
4.Juventus 22 39 14 Stuart Robertson
Serie B
1.Benfica 22 55 17 David Jackson
2.Valencia 22 46 23 Matthew Tucker
3.Atl.Madrid 22 40 13 Ian Taplin
4.Seville 22 39 11 Sam Smyth
Super Cup
Real Madrid 2 (Robinho 6, 76)
Man Utd 1 (Ronaldo 34)
Winners: Michael Paoloni (Real Madrid)
Runners Up: Ashley Keyte (Man Utd)
League Cup British
Cardiff City
Tottenham 2 (Alonso 50, Torres 68)
Winner: Jamie Maycroft
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
League Cup European
Real Madrid 0
AC Milan 1 (Cannavaro 8)
Winner: Andy Cooper
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
FA Cup English
Arsenal 1 ( Fabregas 70,)
Man. City 2 ( D'Lareya 17, Trezeguet 77,)
Winner: Jamie Messenger
Runner Up: Kieran Hundal
FA Cup European
Real Madrid 2 ( Robinho 25,54,)
La Coruna 3 ( Angulo 27, Maicon 57, Radoi 66,)
Winner: Steven Cox
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
Champions League
Roma 2 (Kuffour 40, Rooney 76)
Cardiff City 1 (Perez 52)
Winner: Ross Sharp
Runner Up: Michael Paoloni
World Cup Final
Scotland 1 ( McNamara 41,)
Portugal 2 ( Gomes 04, Deco 79,)
Winner: Jamie Messenger
Runner Up: (Unmanaged)
First blood went to Michael Paoloni's Real Madrid in the hunt for trophies this season. The Robinho versus Ronaldo show was a fantastic spectacle with the former coming out on top with a double to Ronaldo's single giving Real Madrid a 2-1 victory in the Super Cup.
However for Paoloni the rest of the season crowned him the nearly man with 5 runners up medals. Roma's (Ross Sharp) took the Champions League beating Paoloni's Cardiff with a 2-1 victory, Wayne Rooney grabbing the winner. Steven Cox's emerging La Coruna beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the European FA Cup. Andy Coopers Milan defeated Real Madrid in the European League Cup handing underachievers Milan their first trophy under Cooper. Paoloni was also runner up in the English League Cup as Jamie Maycrofts spanish duo of Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres handed Tottenham the trophy. Surprisingly in the English FA cup Cardiff didn't reach the final with Man City defeating Arsenal to cap of a fine debut season for Jamie Messenger.
Phil the special one deans Chelsea, surprisingly absent in the cups, were very dominant in the league winning the title from you guessed it Michael Paoloni's Cardiff by 4 points with Shevchenko having a fantastic season for the blues.
In the European league however Real Madrid shook off the runner up tag in a fantastic climactic finish to win the league over Brockway's Barcelona on the last game of the season.
Good luck to everyone for next season