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THE SUMMARY:

SEASON 57: Update Jul 2024... Last season was brilliant ending with us taking the second division title from Stennies grasp on the final game of the season. The squad doesn't look too bad going in to the top flight for this coming season but realistically we'll be hoping to finish in the top half and possibly target a better run in one of the Cup competitions after poor showings over the last few seasons. There's not much youth in the squad and this will a target to improve early in the season - after a few seasons with strong attacking options on the wings this won't be the case this season as both wingers are nearing the end of their careers and options may need to explored in this area.

SEASON 56: Update Feb 2024...We need to thank our caretaker manager for covering Season 55 (see coach update for info) - the reports show the team did very well to get into the promotion playoffs and were very unlucky to lose out in that match! We're hoping we can carry on with the push back towards the top flight this season - we have some very exciting attacking options and look fairly robust at the back - although we hope we can bolster the squad with an early decent signing to set us up for the upcoming campaign.

SEASON 55: Update Nov 2023... Oh dear, not really the update we'd be wanting to give but here we are in the 2nd Tier - both in SESL and in real life... not a good season on the face of it for Accies fans!   

6th place in S54 and promotion via play off gives some hope at least.

We probably deserved to go up, it was a very spirited fight at the end with some excellent results against fellow promoters - but we just did it before ran out of steam and in hindsight paid for some poor decisions early in the season and some very heavy defeats (which hit the bank account as well as team morale)

SEASON 54: Update June 2023...

Stats for the upcoming season show we can't really expect much BUT that hopefully doesn't tell the whole story as a number of youngsters made the step up last season and could go on to be real stars in the next season or two. Realistic expectation is possibly pushing for a play-off spot.. but obviously everyone will be hoping for something better after two lousy seasons / relegations!

SEASON 53: Update January 2023... Well, not wholly unsurprising but we start this season in Division 2 following our relegation on the last day of the season. The team battled hard and almost achieved it but just ran out of steam. As the manager I take full responsibility, we made errors - worst of all an NMR causing added difficulties at a crucial point of the season.

We're looking forward to the challenge. We thought we'd be one of the favourites for promotion BUT the stats were surprising... we could be looking at another relegation battle unless we hit the ground running!

Aim for the season? Not sure... we'll re-assess how we're doing after the first half a dozen matches or so BUT we do hope to have better run in the Cecil Cup this season after some awful results in previous seasons. 

SEASON 52: Update September 2022... Following Season 51's 'under-achievement' will the coming season 52 be any better? The stats would suggest NOT! With a T11 in the bottom four and T11 only one place better it would suggest this could be a real fight against relegation this season.

The playoffs were again only avoided on the last day of the season for the second time running, although the defensive tactics used throughout the season never really saw Accies in fear of a relegation spot.

However, the boss is a lot more upbeat for this coming season and urges the fans to look beyond the pundits stats. Season 51 was by his own admission a season of transformation, there was a huge focus on defence whilst introducing some talented youngsters into the squad. This frustrated the fans at times and the manager has promised much more attacking tactics for the Season ahead. 

We currently have some terrific young talent developed at the club in key positions and there a couple of experienced players who have real star quality that we'll be looking to get a little more from them in the season ahead. The aims for this season are actually slightly higher than the previous two seasons - with mid-table safety looking to be assured at an earlier stage than the last day of the season PLUS we aim to target a cup run (providing lady luck shines on us with the draw of course)

Financially we won't be adding any huge stars to the squad but we will be looking to finding adequate resource to bring in at least one more player to the squad and it is anticipated that several older players could be leaving in the first window. A smaller squad is something we're aiming for which will be in keeping with our resources BUT just to reiterate to our fans we will be seeing more attacking tactics this coming season and we're going to be working very hard to have a successful season despite what the stats say!

SEASON 51: Update April 2022... following an inconsistent season which saw plenty of exciting games, a decent Cup run and a close run-in with relegation only just avoided by two huge wins in the last weekend of the season - we thhink this coming season may prove to be even more difficult. Our transfer and auction dealings weren't brilliant and we'll be looking to improve our gameplay in this area for the coming season. We were chuffed to see former club Arbroath win the League and would love to think that we could be in their shoes one day... but our aim is simply to improve the squad this season and hopefully avoid relegation... but we'll be keeping a much tighter rein on our budget this season with a view to being ready and stronger for the season after!

SEASON 50: Update Nov 2021 - A new manager at the helm with Les Lithgo taking over the reigns. The squad looks in good shape with strong players in most positions. The new boss is hesitant in making any predictions but is hopeful that the club can at least challenge for honours but is aware of the strength of other teams in the league - so a solid start is important and a promise of exciting, attacking football for the fans is on the agenda.

Now time for some scouting and get the preparations for the new season in place.

Season 49: update July 2021:  promoted in 3rd place in Div 3, and 18 leagues for only the 2nd time in last 18 seasons.
Finally some progress in sesl cup with a last 4 placing, while Cecil cup in season 48 was the usual shambles and out in prelim stage.  Again.

Aims for this year. Steady improvement would be nice, but it's certainly not expected with some strong teams coming down and up to Div 2  (Motherwell, Dumbarton and Celtic will probably be favourites to get to Div 1) and with a league packed full of decent teams. Better management of away games would be a bonus as I never seem to get to grips with them.

GK area very decent, DF and FW maybe add a player each, while in middle of park there are plenty options.  Lowering the average the plan this season a we build for Div 1 in a few seasons time. 
Much of the early CP/TP going on front players WG & FW. 
Philosophy is goals wins matches, so not keen on 5 at the back or 2 big skill level GK's.
4-4-2 to start with, and 4-3-3 if strugglin for a goal.
Sponsor for team is seeked or sought, or however you say it.
Game on.

Season 48: What a horrible end to season 47. Relegation even though Accies spent more money on resources and even filled in a striking gap with an older FW. The squad was looking reasoably strong but the one weakness proved to be a major flaw running through the second half of the season. That weakness is well documented now - a hole in the defence big enough to sail an aircarft carrier through - the finance department couldn't magic up any extra dosh to fill the hole. It was hard to put out a team knowing we could score goals but that they would, more often than not, be less than the number the GK picked out of the net.It was galling. The dreaded overspend was just avoided by 85k so at least this season has not been hobbled before it has even begun. The first signing has been a DF, Brian Easton, 1/16 so that will do some good from the outset. It kind of mucks up the symmetry I had been aiming for in training but that will be for next year if I haven't been sacked. The plan for this year - to win more than we lose would be a good start.

Season 47: The rebuilding continues. The process is a monument (if an abstract idea can be a monument) to bad fiscal management and a salutary lesson for this manager not to overspend before the end of a season. This is the third attempt to rectify getting sucked into to desperte measures to remain in Div1. The fact that Accies finished 5th in season 46 is seen as a good result by the Chairman who fully expected a slide into obscurity.
Winning two player awards, one for scoring and the other for preventing the other team scoring, is a welcome acheivement. There are not many of those at New Douglas Park so it was great news for all concerned. The close season has seen some planning about how to spend all the accumulated dosh and it will be spent on training up more youth players than last year to plug some gaping holes in the squad.

      Can the cup of hope see us through
and if not fill it full of Rum!! 

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SEASON 57 Update: Jul 2024

Not a lot happened in real life since last update... still taking life at a slightly slower pace and trying to build back up to optimum health and fitness levels. But getting back to a 'normal' life routine helps and I don't feel like a hermit anymore! Still love being a grandad, she turned four this weekend and starts 'real' school in September - I think this is the best age now, so full of life, mischief and innocence and watching them grow up is so heartwarming... even if it is happening too fast! Be interesting to see what my RL team Newcastle can do this season without Europe as a distraction... I really would love to see a trophy being won and I think the owners will be seeking some success as a return on their investment - qualifying for the Champions League must be a target this season and it'll be interesting to see which new players are brought in before the start of the season.

SEASON 56 Update: Feb 2024

A little bit of a heath scare wiped out much direct involvement in Season 55 - and I've got nothing but praise for the NHS (and support from family) in aiding a full recovery. Still working on physio side of things to build up on 'losses' due to being laid up but I'm taking this at a nice comfortable, leisurely pace and really appreciating the things that really matter in life. My daughter got engaged on a Carribean Cruise over the festive period and any thoughts of early retirement are therefore on the back-burner to concentrate on saving up for her happy day! Although I'm hoping that the wedding doesn't need to be as extravagent as the proposal...

SEASON 55 Update: Nov 2023

Not much to add since the last update really... six months older, greyer and grumpier! STILL working (and still splitting time between office and home for now) and absolutely loving being a Grandad... 

Life as a Newcastle fan is certainly still providing a real high. An incredible season with a Wembley Cup Final and a top four spot meaning Champions League Football returns to St James' Park after a 20 year absence next season! But more than that, there's a real 'feelgood' factor and togetherness that has been missing from the club for a long time. Transfer window will be interesting and looking forward to next season already. Might be a bit harder but if we can put up some good displays in Europe, hopefully top 7/8 finish to get into Europe again the following season... and of course the icing on the cake would be perhaps a domestic trophy for the cabinet!

 

SEASON 53 Update: Jan 2023

Well still easing my way back into office life following a long period of working from home. IT systems these days certainly have advanced over my working life! Still loving the improvements at Newcastle United... I'd love to see us win a domestic trophy in my lifetime!!

Loved our trip to Gretna Green since the last update... smashing few days and nice to have happy family occassions!

The World Cup has come and gone... and just about forgotten already. Must say I'm not a huge fan of it being in Winter. Busy looking to book a holiday abroad for later this year and am totally confused about where to go after missing out the last couple of years. Rapidly approaching pension age, time to start slowing down and enjoying life at a more leisurely pace methinks!!

SEASON 52 Update: Sep 2022

Exciting times being a Newcastle United supporter at the minute... having owners (with a lot of financial clout) who actually seem to care about getting every part of the club right is a huge change from the previous regime. The effect this has had on the support is immense - it's great having genuine optimism for the future and the current management team and batch of players (including some excellent new signings) playing with passion and determination is brilliant... now if we could top that all and actually win a trophy in my lifetime that would be the icing on the cake!

Would love it if some of that could Geordie enthusiasm rub off onto Hamilton SESL for the coming season!

We can also look forward to the first 'Winter World Cup' this coming November, huge shame that Scotland didn't make it at the final hurdle and to be honest, in that heat in Qatar I don't think we can expect much from the other home nations at the tournament... 

Still working hard and gently easing myself back into the office following two years of working from home. One thing that the pandemic has shown is that commuting the almost 100 mile round trip is not always necessary - online meetings and skype calls can save the best part of two hours travel time etc which can be spent on getting more work done OR spending a bit more time with family... finding that right balance might even prolong looking for early retirement!

We'll be travelling up to Gretna Green for my son's wedding next month. Their previous plans were another casualty of the pandemic so we're really looking forward to having some happy family get-together time following what seems to have been an awful past few years of family bereavements etc... and of course it's always good to get over the border for a couple of days!

SEASON 51 Update: April 2022

A mixed first seson back in the game... a lack of a clear game plan and changing priorities as well as some less than impressive transfer dealings have given plenty to ponder for this coming season. Hoping to have learned from Season 50 but we're not optimistic for Season 51.

Enjoying Newcastle United for the first time in a long time... recent years have not been good, but there's certainly a feelgood factor at the minute and it would be great to see my local team achieve some success soon.

Workwise is still ongoing, thoughts of retirement are now forever on the horizon and priorities change as you become a grandparent... but it's definitely time to start enjoying life more and hopefully as we move on from covid times we can get back to seeing some more of the world!

Season 50 Update: November 2021

A return to SESL for Les Lithgo. Much older, wiser and greyer since last managing Saint Mirren about five years ago... having also being at the healm at Arbroath - will have to check the records but think we first started in SESL back in S5.

Never really been hugely successful in the past but we've inherited a decent squad with Hamilton so are hopeful of having a good chance of challenging and hoping to do quite well on our return. 

Now a grandad thoughts of early retirement are being fought off - still supporting Newcastle and with the recent change of owners and the funds that are likely to be made available the thought of seeing a successful club might still be possible in my lifetime.

 

Season 49 Update: July 2021

, good luck to all as we survive Covid times.
The editing of the history book is going ok since I was allowed to move the deadline. It was not quite dog-ate-my-homework but it was because the plumber we had contracted to fit a bathroom and downstairs loo walked off the job and never came back. The local trades saw an opportunity to make hay so after a few weeks i ended up learning how to plumb the whole thing in myself. It was done by Xmas and it all still works! The book should be completed in the next few weeks then I have to get plastering a wall (seriously). Never buy an old house.

Season 47 Update: October 2020

The novel is finished redrafting for now and out for reading but not with any publishers (that is pretty much a lost cause at the moment - in lockdown everyone seems to have remodelled their house, bought a puppy and written a book!) I have to redraft a much more sensible manuscript on Roman history for a publisher (by Xmas) so I had better not get too sidetracked by the Accies! I have spent the last month digging out the drive, laying a new base and gravel and building brick walls. It has been a marathon one-man operation and I don't ever plan to do that again!! It has been vitually impossible sourcing stuff and I was a novice. Not anymore.

 

Season 42 Update:  Oct 2018:  
Simon Compton out.  Jim Clarkson in.

Jim Clarkson moves from Div 2 Champions MON to a new challenge managing HAM.
4 seasons at SM and it was time to move on with DEV & DUM breathing down my neck!

2 seasons at MON and it was time for a challenge at HAM who finished 14th in Div 3.
So the only way is up!

Need:  a GK.  a DF.  a FW.  The basis of a good team is there though thanks to Simon..
Also need:  some luck of a cup run to earn extra gate receipts.
 

Jim Clarkson a graphic designer from south of England

S42: Div 3: HAM  ?
S41: Div 2: MON 1st
S40: Div 3: MON 1st
S39: Div 1: SM 1st
S38: Div 1: SM 5th
S37: Div 1: SM 8th
S36: Div 2: SM 4th

Jim Clarkson a graphic designer from south of England

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