Don't know if anyone else is still playing, but I'm still addicted to CM99/00 and thought I'd give you an update on my progress as some fairly hilarious things have gone on. I'm just about to start the fourth season (2002/3). In the first, I finished third in the league and won the cup. Next I finished sixth (screwed by a punishing Champs League schedule) and in the third season finished fourth. Some strangely prescient things have happened in the game (like Pires joining Arsenal - spooky) whereas at Newcastle real and virtual life continue to diverge. The major difference is that in the game, Maric is really good, whereas Ferguson, though generally fit, is crap. I've sold him and Dabizas to Leeds for a combined #5.5m. I got #3.5 for Glass (Wolves), #2m for Karelse (Bradford) and have just offloaded Goma to Lyon (#3.3m), Marcelino to Spurs (#1.4m) and Rob Lee for #100k to Rushden and Diamonds! (Well, he is now 36 in the game). Not much point telling you about the players I've signed since you've probably not heard of any of them - though I have just splashed out #13m on Barry Ferguson. Oh, and Roy Makaay's been my right winger for about three years (#9m from Deportivo). If you think that's daft, Man U just spent #21m bringing Viera from Fiorentina.

Now it gets sillier. Ireland just beat Russia. In the World Cup. Final. Ha Ha.

And if you think that's funny, Parma have just offered me #15m for Maric. And I turned it down.

Excuse me, I must go and get a life.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

Answers

GJ,
Who is PM in this parallel universe - John Prescott Peter Mendelson, William Hague? It's not Michael Portillo is it?
Whatever else you do don't sell Des Hamilton to Real Madrid or they'll clean up in the CL.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

I'm still on CM too! I'm still manager in 2015, I've won the league at least six times & the holy grail became the European Champs league, which has been won twice with four appearences in the final & as many semi-final knock outs. If you haven't already got him get Kennedy Barlakou(sp). Dennilson on the left and Javier Savior(sp) up front. Keep hold of Maric too, who says the game is realistic. BTW St James Park now boasts an 80,000 capacity with a retractable roof. The coffers are looking good too with a balance of 300mil, once you're in the champs league every season the money just rolls in. It's just a pity I can't introduce a bond scheme!!

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2000

Kennedy Bakicioglu (sp) sadly went to the Smoggies and then on to Liverpool for a big fee. Didn't do Boro any harm - they've just won the 2001 Championship, largely thanks to Darren Wright, who looks like being the star striker in coming seasons. I didn't have the readies for Saviola, though he's supposed to be the best striker in the whole game. I did pick up the saddo newsgroups other favourite though - Andri Sigporsson - for #250k, he's worth about #7m now. Mokouko (sp) is another one who seems to do very well, central midfielder who's captaining Cov at the age of 17.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2000