So you've heard about Queens Park, the highest competing amateur side in the United Kingdom, you've probably heard of the lower Swiss leagues, and the lower Belgian leagues, amateur teams, the lot of them, and if not there is your local Sunday League side, who are most likely amateur.

They almost all have one thing in common, financial problems. Its not hard to lay your finger on why. Small crowds bring in little money for upkeep, and there are no player sales or purchases.

Then you think of it in the context of Football Manager, and when you have managed an amateur team for a year, you suddenly sympathise massively. I read the paper at home regularly, and the back page story is "Stamford's new signing..." They can't keep hold of anyone.

So I wondered if this was the case on FM. Cue taking charge of a Swiss side in the 2.Liga Interregio Group 2, and upon promptly viewing their squad I released the lot. They were all Swiss players and this is what presents the problem. You then view the player search and everyone at the top is not Swiss. They are African, or South American, even the odd rubbish Englishman.

Upon quick viewing you realise that the Swiss players on the list, for the most part, are absolutely horrendous. So you settle yourself for signing up foreigners, and you don't just look at stats. Its impossible to differentiate so you look at history too. You find a Cameroon centre back who has played in the Swiss Challenge League previously, and think "I'll sign him". But you forget to check his personal page, where to get Swiss nationality it says "Need to reside in Switzerland." So he joins. You think, yes I've got a great player for a season, and maybe more. You don't consider what could happen till a week later "Player X has become a Swiss citizen." To which you still think "good." Then a few weeks later and some good performances, he's courted by a whole host of foreign clubs. Why? Because you've effectively given him the nationality he requires to get past a work permit or foreigner rule. Do you get any recompense? No. Do you have to sign a replacement? Yes.

Then there are the players who are renowned trouble makers in the past. Nikola Savic for example. So I will happily take him on an amateur contract, oh yes he will join me, good, transfer confirmed. 4 months later, no trouble, and they all come knocking. French National clubs willing to offer £70 a week as a wage, well its better than the nothing I'm paying him I suppose. I can offer him a new contract, on what? £0 a week?! Pointless, why would he turn down money?!

Thats just the start of the problems. You get through the ordinary transfer window for all European clubs. Except the Swiss transfer window lasts longer than that, a whole month longer. Your success has led to envious glances from other 2.Liga teams. They start bidding for your players. They have better training facilities. They have a larger support. They have a more experienced manager. They sign up your best striker. On £0 a week. Why did he go there, they are 8th in another Group. I don't know, but I can't do anything about it, so I have to sign someone else.

You find the perfect replacement. A 22 year old. Whats that? I need to pay £5k compensation? Well thats out the window then. You sign a 32 year old in the hope he does well for the remaining 4 months of the season. Then the transfer window slams shut. But the Russian clubs won't leave your players alone. Theirs is still open. They won't stop and eventually they persuade your Cape Verde international winger to go. Can you do anything? No. Can you even sign someone else? No. Your squad gets smaller. You beg the board to turn semi-pro. They say no. You beg them to turn professional. They say yes. The relief is palpable. But it won't happen till next season. In the meantime Tom Tomsk have stolen my left back.

You beg for the end of the season, for that inbox message saying you have achieved professional status. Then its all about signing the players up full time. But the wage budget is tiny because you haven't been generating money. You can't sign all of the 60 man squad you assembled to get past other teams poaching. You have to release some. But they are all the same standard. Who do you release? I'd rather stay amateur than have to do this!


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