I followed a link from team talk to Anco's site. They have made an ON-LINE football manager game where you can select your team and play against others in a league.

You down load the game , which takes about 30 minutes, then after installing it, go to the on line test centre where the latest match is downloaded to your computer. you can then watch the game (in 3d) and afterwards explore all the stats for your players and other teams in the league , set up scouts to look for other players, switch your team around, buy and sell players. Then when you are done you can upload the changes to the site . It's 3 or 4 minutes download time. Matches are played against real teams on set days depending on what type of league you join.

The cost of all this is £10 per season. which is pretty fair if you ask me. better than buying a complete single player game in a box for £29.99.

As I mentioned you download the whole game, see if it works, see if you like it and then decide what kind of league you want to join. Each season will be about 40 games long and you can decide if you want to play 2 games a week, (which would last 20 weeks) or more games a week, meanin a shorter You can sign up for the next premier league and probably select NUFC if you wanted. This way you can play against strangers anywhere in the world. OR .... and I like this idea, you can start your own league. So we could start our own BBS league. If there aren't 20 wanting to take part then they let in outsiders.

Any one interested should download the free demo game (you start as Man U).

I am certainly going to play it and would like to play with a few friends if possable. .... Even LR could take part as the Man U team.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Answers

Looks like I'll be playing on my own then? Hey I don't mind being a pioneer of these new fangled ideas. One thing for sure, by the time you guys get into it I'll be an expert.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

ULR???

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

Rik, I posted a link ages ago about a FREE online soccer game. I liked it because it was FREE and didn't cost ANY money.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I've been a bit quiet on the greenspun BBs as I've been playing the new Playasmanager game I took over from YBR in league 17 (as SPEW BUCKET) with 2 games played. I was in 11th place. I beat the maKems 1 - 0 , then splashed out on 2 wingers (McManaman and Ambrosini) JUST BEAT VILLA 3 - 1 and now 3rd in the league. A Makem has just taken over from monkey heed and finds himself in 20th spot. I thought I'd help him by offering 1k for Hoolio Arca and Adrian Ille, but he hasn't accepted the offer yet.

I also atarted in the Scottish BETA (FREE) league as Stenhousemuir. I use them to try out new tactics, before I try them out on the toon. Now there's an idea for Mr Robson.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I tried some pressversion of the game but I didn't really like it. I think Champ Man has destroyed all other managergames for me.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Now that it's filled up a bit it pretty good. They say that they will iron out the bugs and improve the game as time goes on. The Italian BETA test league starts soon so you can try it for FREE. At the moment I'm Newcastle(SPEW BUCKET) in league 10017. I also have three BETA teams in the Scottish second division (9001) . I am stenhousemuir (6th). My elder son if Forfar (last) and the 8 year old is Arboath (top by a mile with a current record of winning the last 6 games. Not sure how he does it

Like I say I like it and so does T Dan Smith. Both waiting for the free Italian league top start.

Play as Manager

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

hey Rik did you do the voice overs for frank on the carpet adverts? You got the advertisement over superb ;)

Pity I wasn't paid royalties like!?!

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Franks factory floring blerk is a frigin Makem, I HATE HIM, he's so loud

Actually I think it's a good game, and I'm hoping that they'll give me some free teams for all the pluggin that I'm doing.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

T Dan, thanks for Amoruso(?spelling), I've tried to accept your Free bid for Rob Lee, but it's still there , I've accepted it again so hopefully he's yours tonight.

I also got a player from maKem, who is still bottom of the league. He accepted £3k for Kilblane, when he appeared in my team he's woth £1.8 million.Either maKem is too thick to realise that I was bidding three thousand not three million, or he is really skint. I've stuck a bid in for his Sorensson for £2k. If I get him i'm gonna stick him straight on the list with Kilblane at a million.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

I'm actually starting to feel a bit sorry for 'mackem,' at the end of the day its not his fault he is a pure wear estuary hill mackem.......

He's actually set his scout to spy on my club, I've been alerted by the computer that 'Sunderlands chief scout has been seen hanging around the training ground' LOL, sounds canny suspicious to me like. (Actually, I think he is just scouting my matches only though, because I think I play him soon like)

I then asked him by anco mail what he was up to?? He got around to asking me 'MID TABLE VILLA' for advice LOL. I think he has probably made the same mistake as a lot of people, buying by attributes instead of firstly performace ratings etc. But have you seen his wage bill??? With the aid also of having spent heavily, one of his players is on 18000 or sommit, heh, heh, heh, how are the free ticket brigade going to cough up for that like??

I'll tell you something now, if that mackem beats me in the up and comming match I'm feckin quitting.

P.S How the feck are you going to get rid of KILBANE??

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

I've tried to give Mackem some advise but all I get back is FTM.

I reckon I'll get more than £3k for Kilbane, so it's purely a money making scam.

As for his scout sniffing around your ground, it's anauto reply message that comes up if you select AUTO SCOUT. I get it all the time as I automatically scout the next team that I play. I beat the maKem in my first game, it was only 1 - 0 so I'm sure you can do better. As I said earlier, put on a 20 year old striker with shite stats, they always score on their debut.

I reckon I'll pop into the RTG and see if the real PAM - Mackem will come out of the closet. I reackon it's that FTM (paul?) blerk.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

So you play in league 10017 as Spew managing NUFC, and the Scottish Beta league as some small club in division3.

Are you involved in any other leagues under a different monicker?? ;)

Have I unmasked Sniffer Elliot in League 10020??????????????????

Anyway, how did you get on in your weekend game in league 17??? I'm just asking this because I just happened to beat the 'mackem' 1-0. 1 fecking nil - a measly 1-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did Amoruso get a game???

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2001

Nice to see you beating te maKems T Dan, that's all I managed against them . I played Amaruso, he did OK but the midfield had an off day. McManamanamanamanamanam miseed a penalty, I should say the penalty was saved. They always seem to save them, some kind of bug I reckon. Ended up 0 - 0 away to Coventry. I'm one place below you in seventh.

Returned to the office to find a £5 million bid from Bradford for Shearer, I had reduced his price and listed him, I reckon he's finished so I'll be grabbing the £5 million and sitting on the dosh till some other manager gets told to sell his players off cheap. Then I'll be in like flint. Mind you in the meantime I'm going for a young 23 year old Argentinean, Sounds like the right thing for an NUFC manager to do, Sell Shearer cheap, buy an even cheaper Argie and keep the rest of the money in the bank.

My other teams are in the Beta 9001 scottish second div. I'm struggling with Stenhousemuir,Just found a bug this morning .... After spending all my money on the likes of Seaman for £600k the board sold him for £70k as they couldn't pay the wages. I then got a free keeper from Finland. Stuck him at £500k. The board needed some money sold they sold my new keeper for £240k back to his old club. I then go back and check him out and find he is again a free player so I'm getting him back for Free.

My sons both have a Beta team in the same league. My eight year old Marrick is storming away at the top of the league with Arbroath. He cried when I tried to examine his tactics so I'll have to wait till he's asleep tonight before I have another look at his team. My other son (12 year old)fiddles around a lot, with Forfar who are the team that stop me from being bottom of the league.

I saw on the PAM mailing list that paying customers like us will be notified first when the Beta Italian league starts later in the week.

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2001

I skinned the inbreds, some of my players missed a canny few sitters etc, it could and should of been 3. His expensively assembled team had only one chance, a mercenary foreign winger blerk passed it to my keeper, LOL (Cheers foreign blerk). I think he has now resorted to a 4-2-4 John Beck like fromation, playing the long ball style etc.

I didnt play Bobby Lee like. But he will be making his debut in the league cup midweek game against Portsmouth, were no doubts he will play shite, and wont follow on with his last performance for Newcastle against Coventry where he scored that 30yarder (top10 in the goals of the month???)

I'm starting to think already you have got the better of the deal, and I have an over the hill has-been eating my wage structucture on 7grand a week.

All the best in the League Cup...........

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2001

Tigana's Fulham frogies stood no chance against the toon under the watchful eye of Spew Bucket. But what happened to Villa Dan? beaten 2 - 0 by Pompeii? Shouldn't have used that Rob Lee blerk.

I managed to get rid of Shearer tonight and have replaced him with a 23 year old Argie called Biagini. I'm gonna unleash him on Chewsee in Thurdays league game.

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2001

Bannanna skins!!!!!!!!!

I feels as if 'Mackem' has just done me 5-0. I really fancied my chances in this 'TWO BOB BIT' Cup. These have got to be my bogie team, GOT TO - the feckin jammy bas^ards.

The usually reliable Alpay was at fault for both their goals, Southgate and R. Lee (NOW A TRANSFER LISTED 7GRAND A WEEK CHARLIE, do you want to swap for Amorouso, you have Lee for nowt, I'll give you 10.5m for Amorouso?;)) having a complete stinker. Still at least I have players coming back for their cup ties and a few new cheap players put in good performances despite the capitulation.

Suffo, young M. Lee, out Cup tied, I. Taylor rested etc., I just wasn't at my full strength. Still the players want to be ashamed and embarrassed to ever face those magnificent travelling hordes who made the journey south, for this limp effort.;)

Regards,

the gaffer Smith

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Rob Lee back, you're joking , I'm getting rid of all the old dross. Having sold Lee and Shearer, Gary Speed is gonna get reduced as soon as my new captain Kevin Kilbane (3k from maKem) settles in. I'm also gonna percivere with two young strikers. Not many of these expensive imports that others have been buying seems to be doing much. The game makers reckon that young players improve if you use them, so that's what I'm doing. After All i've only got Chelsea next , a nice easy game.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Rik, you seem to be putting a few good results together recently?? A nice little 1-0 against chewsea!!!!

---------------------------------

P.S. Do you also seem to do better away from home, or is it just the Villa and my tactics??

heh heh heh, Why did you try to flog me Mclen???

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

Chelsea were only a place above the maKem in the relegation zone, so I would have been a bit pissed off if I was beaten, even if it was away. Haven't noticed much differance between home and away games, I've got a tough one next against Leicester, (3rd?). I reckon I need to strenghen my defence, I've tried most of them and no one stands out as being a top notch defender, Marcelino is the best of the bunch. I've put a bid in for that Italian that maKem bought, he's valued at £7.8m, so I started the bidding at £2.5m. How much did you offer for him? He's maKems best player, his second best was Kilbane who I bought. made him my captain and he got something like an 80/100 in his first game. That led to McClen getting annoyed. According to my news McClenn was involved in a bust up with Dyer and critisised the way the club was run. He then asked for a transfer, I reduced his price down from the pre-set £5 million and stuck him in the stiffs.Shame as he was a pretty good YOUNG player. Talking of which, you seem to have gone a bit overboard with the youngsters. 8 or nine of your team are under 21s by the looks of things. I know that young strikers are good but wouldn't a bid of expierence be better with defenders?

Not critisising , just asking like, you're doing the same as me chasing a Uefa spot.Been looking at other teams defenders and not many have a performance over 74/100. Can't really see any pattern in the stats of the better ones, although the best ones have good stats for tackling, heading, pace, stamina and resiliance. Any thoughts on defenders? this seems to be the area that I need to improve.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

forgot to mention Biagini my new 23 year old argenItalian. He scored on his debut which is more than the useless peice of shite Shearer did in 6 games.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

Oops, I didnt check the league position of Chelsea, so I generally thought they were at least midtable. They couldnt be struggling like 'makem,' could they?

Strange you say you havent noticed a pattern about the away games, coz I genuinely feel that this could be a bug, in both my leagues, 10020 and 10017 I seem to draw or lose my home games, and win my away. Perhaps it's just my tactic or something, or perhaps I need to be a little more positive at home etc..

Strange you should mention my defence, I seem to have neglected this area of my squad, and if I were to get a few injuries in this area I would be completely fecked like. At this moment in time I'm trying hard to clinch the signing of Jason Crowe off my bugey team Pompey, but I think pompeys manager senses desperation and is trying to get me to up the price the greedy bastard;) He is a class player in my 10020 game, he and Green(signed from Wolves) have simply done the business, I'm up there challenging Man Utd 'as Ipswich.'

That 'MaKem's' Italian defender is good, but have you seen his wages? Your right I did bid for him earlier, but lets call it a cheeky 1grand piss take bid(didnt come up on the news board as a 1grander), I would of shit bricks if he had of accepted, there is no way I would pay out 18grand a week in wages, I couldn't afford it, and my money would eventually evaporate.

What Kilbane!! (I didnt really check his average performance rating) Werent you not winding up the mackem with ridiculously low bids??? And he accepted because he wanted his wage bill reduced, and because he had no spaces left for new players in his squad?

Talking of Mclem, I have the same attitude problem with an Italian player called Libissi on my Ipswich game, he is class, young, but he has fallen out with on of my new signings, and has requested a transfer. Has Mclens moral went down too? When this happens dont play him ever, he will play shite. 'There is no way I will buy him either!!';)

Me buying youngsters, is not a policy or owt, its just I dont want to pay high wages, so what I tend to do is check average ratings and marry them with certain attributes, this generally tends to discriminate against the over 24's. But if I found a player who was 30 who fits in with this criteria I would buy him, no probs. It's a habit I got through Championship manager, I eventually got sick of buying just the big names for big money etc.

On any player not just defenders their average performance rating has to be at least 75/100, and every player has to have from now on a high resiliance, I would also prefer any players with a high composure not nessasary though(again I think I've noticed a pattern with the attribute composure on all players). But like you I'm still finding out about the defenders in this game, because in haste I've neglected this part of my team in the search for a new Shearer etc..

biagini (sp?) looks a good player like!

P.S. You have just bidded for a player on MY SHORTLIST, 'Jason Roberts' now playing for Stockport ring a bell?? ;)

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

Rik, I've just uploaded my next moves on the game etc.

I've just bid for a squad player called L.Archer(he is on the games all star youngsters team list) from Yeovil, for £1300, he wants £75 a week(a definate bug). Hehe, if I find he is shite, it'll only cost me about 4grand to free the wage slave. Imagine if he finds out Rob Lee is on 7grand.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

My £2M for Roberts was rejected, but that's OK as LuLua and Be a Gini are looking Ok and I've got Noel Wllims and Ameobi still to try. My Midfield is superb with a dificult choice of who to play alongside Ambrosini,and McManamanam (he my best player). I'm rotating Gavilan, Dyer, Speed, Solano and Kilbane and haven't tried Acuna, Bassedas or Cordone yet. Defence is my problem, but there's no hurry and I'm not panick buying. I don't mind big transfer fees or high wages if the player is good enough.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

how do you upload ??

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

Its in the drop down menu on the left.

Are you trying a Free test team? If so who? No matter who you are, here's a BIG HINT, for your strikers select young players (under 21s) with resonable stats in the middle column of stats. There shooting ability isn't that important. I play 3 at the back with 4 midfielders just behind the half way line. An attacking midfielder ahead of the half way line and two pacey young strikers. RESILAINCE and STAMINA are stats that are important in most players.

Hope this helps,,,,, fellow internet on line gamer pioneeer.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001