Category: Retro

Retro Review: Premier Manager Ninety Nine

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I moved into my new home one year ago today… and what better way to celebrate my first anniversary at New Fuller FM HQ, than with another of my Retro Reviews?

As a computer nerd with a particular fondness for the 90s, I enjoy revisiting old football management games and seeing if they can still hold up today. The game I’ll be looking at today has been on my shortlist of a very long time, so I’m excited to finally tick it off.

I’ll tell you, honestly, I will LOVE IT if we play Premier Manager: Ninety Nine… LOVE IT. Continue reading “Retro Review: Premier Manager Ninety Nine” →

Retro Review: Simsoc 6

Published on by Chris Fuller1 Comment

It’s time for another retro review of a football management game from years gone by. This one’s a bit obscure… but if you know it, you KNOW it.

The late 1990s was a golden age for independent shareware or freeware games – titles often made by nerdy (and usually amateur) programmers in their homes rather than by big studios. They might not have had as much substance or polish as those expensive major releases, but they could still be enjoyed by early online gamers for little or no cost.

Today, I’m looking at a freeware Windows game that I would describe as “an entry-level Championship Manager”. If you want a less intense experience than CM or Football Manager, with a healthy dose of nostalgia, this might be just what you’re after.

So, without further ado, let’s check out Simsoc 6. Continue reading “Retro Review: Simsoc 6” →

Retro Review: Lords of Football

Published on by Chris FullerLeave a comment

We might have to wait until next season for a new Football Manager, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of football games on the Steam storefront.

A few weeks ago, I looked at a bare-bones Championship Manager clone that didn’t stray too far from the standard formula. The game I’ll be reviewing today is… well, let’s just say it’s VERY different.

For this Retro Review, I’m going back to the year 2013 (i.e. the last time Manchester United were any good) to find out what happened when some Italians decided to make their own FM… with blackjack, and hookers. Literally.

This is Lords of Football. Continue reading “Retro Review: Lords of Football” →

Retro Review: Sven-Göran Eriksson’s World Manager

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It’s time for another of my Fuller FM retro reviews… and today’s review is particularly poignant.

Sven-Göran Eriksson passed away in August last year at the age of 76, after an illustrious managerial career with the likes of Benfica, Sampdoria, Lazio and (ahem) Leicester City. He was also the first – and, to date, best – foreign-born manager of the England men’s national team, leading the Three Lions to three consecutive tournament Quarter Finals.

I’m publishing this post on what would have been the ice-cool Swede’s 77th birthday. To mark the occasion, I’ll be playing a somewhat obscure football management game from 2002 which bears his name.

This is Sven-Göran Eriksson’s World Manager. Continue reading “Retro Review: Sven-Göran Eriksson’s World Manager” →

CM3 Revisited: The Euro 2024 Coaches

Published on by Chris Fuller

As the 2024 men’s European Championship gets ready for kick-off, the final whistle is about to blow on my CM3 Revisited mini-series.

Over the last few months, I have been looking back at Championship Manager 3, which marked the start of a real golden era for the series. I’ve just finished an epic five-season series where I rebuilt Napoli from Serie B, but now it’s time to do something a bit more topical before I bring this nostalgia trip to a close.

I’ve opened up the CM3 database and looked for the managers and head coaches of EVERY team who will be competing at Euro 2024 this summer. If I can’t find any managers (e.g. because they’re too young for CM3), I’ll instead look for their assistants or other staff members. If I’m still out of luck, then I’ll try to find anyone else related to the current squad. Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: The Euro 2024 Coaches” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 15

Published on by Chris Fuller

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It’s funny how these things pan out, isn’t it? My first Fuller FM blog story ended with Napoli and Fiorentina battling it out for the Serie A scudetto – and now history is repeating itself. Only this time, I’m managing the Partenopei, rather than the Viola.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is the FINAL chapter of “Canzone Napoletana”. My retro Championship Manager 3 adventure with Napoli is almost over, and I’m determined to bow out in a blaze of glory. Can my team better the real-life class of 2023 – and successfully defend our league title?

We’re also into the latter stages of the Champions League. Sadly, the arrival of a certain red-nosed Scotsman in Turin last time out means that our dreams of winning the Coppa Italia – and a potential treble – are dead and buried.

So, as the fat Italian tenor warms up his vocal chords, it’s time to kick off the finale… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 15” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 14

Published on by Chris Fuller

This is the penultimate chapter of my Championship Manager 3 series with Napoli. I hope you have enjoyed the ride so far, because I sure have!

Last time out, we kicked off the 2002/2003 season – and our defence of the Serie A scudetto. Things are going fine so far, but how long will our watertight defence last?

And what about the Champions League? Can we win our group keep alive our hopes of bringing the European Cup to the San Paolo? Let’s find out… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 14” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 13

Published on by Chris Fuller

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After four seasons in Naples, I am about to begin the final lap of my Championship Manager 3 adventure.

The 2001/2002 season saw Napoli mount a serious title challenge, as they attempted to win their first scudetto since 1990. I won’t spoil the ending here – but if you haven’t read Part 12 yet, then you probably should.

Caught up yet? Good. Now let’s kick off the 2002/2003 season, which will be my last at the San Paolo… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 13” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 12

Published on by Chris Fuller

My fourth season with Napoli on Championship Manager 3 is reaching a climax… and it’s sure to be a thrilling conclusion.

It’s March 2002, and the Partenopei are on the verge of history. Just 12 matches stand between them and an unbeaten Serie A season – and though they have missed on one cup competition, they’re still in the running for another.

However, a disappointing end to the previous chapter has left Napoli fans feeling nervous about the run-in. Can we bounce back and finish the season with a major trophy, or is there going to be yet more heartache? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 12” →

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 11

Published on by Chris Fuller

Things are heating up in my Championship Manager 3 challenge with Napoli, where I have been attempting to transform the Partenopei from Serie B chumps to Serie A champs.

In the last chapter, Napoli enjoyed a strong start to the 2001/2002 season. That was thanks in no small part to Filippo Inzaghi, who has been in fine scoring form since his summer arrival from Juventus.

Now… can Napoli keep their scudetto challenge on track? And could another Italian superstar be on his way (back) to the San Paolo? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 11” →