Life is so much harder managing an English non-league club in FM14, financially it could not be further from elite football yet the appeal of taking a club to league football and beyond will always be a draw to the FM aficionado.
Squad building is difficult work as you will be heavily relying on loans, freebies and cheap deals to bolster your ranks; there can be very few mistakes in the targeting and signing of players.
With twenty four teams competing for just one automatic promotion spot yet with four relegation places, the Skrill Premier is a tricky division full of fairly equal teams. Your tactical know-how is especially important in this league; you'll have fewer players with the ability to turn the game for you and team cohesion and squad mentality are crucial. Well drilled and organised set plays are vital.
Despite the limitations you'll have on your spending, there is some talent available to help you climb your way up the leagues; the challenge is enthralling and enjoyable. Here are five gems for the Conference Premier, all taken from the 14.3 update of the game.
Kevin Malaga - CB - Free Transfer
Strong French Centre Back Malaga is a must sign for a non-league club looking to progress. He has good heading and jumping stats and is also strong, providing a rock at the centre of your defence and a welcome threat from set-pieces. Recently released by Coventry at the start of the game he's one to sign quickly as he there will be League clubs looking to secure his services. Played as a Limited Defender (which most non league centre backs should be, bad pitches often mean to ball needs to be cleared first and passed second) he is an addition to build your club around.
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| A rock at the centre of any non-league defence. |
Should you decided to bring journey-man striker Ellington to your club it will be his 13th. 126 goals in 458 career appearances is commendable to say the least and Ellington offers a pricey yet assured option to lead your line and help develop your youth. At 32 he's still in his prime and if you can convince him to sign he has the experience and class for a quick promotion. He's no longer quick but used as a Target Man, Ellington will hold up the ball and look for younger legs to offload to as well as getting himself in the box. With Penalty Taking at '18' Ellington will not often miss those vital spot kicks. Perhaps a gamble but for a season he will make a solid addition.
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| Experience and a touch of class |
Mark Randall - MC / AMC - Free Transfer
Recently released by League Two Chesterfield and a product of Arsenal's youth set-up, centre midfielder Randall is a must sign for a Conference team with ambition to step up in to League Two. Randall's most attractive quality is his passing at '18' which would be head and shoulders above most other players outside the non league divisions. Look to play him as a Deep Lying Playmaker and try to get his threading through balls and spraying long passes out wide.
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| Few players will have the passing ability of Randall outside League Football |
Steve Howard - ST - Free Transfer
At 37 years year, superb Target Man Steve Howard is no spring chicken yet just take a look at those stats, super determination, bravery and heading all make former Leicester City, Derby and Luton Town player a look. Perfect for long ball, direct teams, Howard should be used as an attacking battering ram for headed flick ons, hold up play and as a focal point of any set piece. Few players will offer such devastating heading and raw power. Pair with a pacey young striker to feed off the balls in the air Howard is sure to win.
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| A human battering ram, Howard should be the focus of any direct team. |
Al Bangura - DMC - £80k - Forest Green
If you are lucky enough to be given some spending money at the start of your game I would strongly advise you to invest in Al Bangura, Forest Green's defensive midfielder. Valued at £80k I've seen him go for far less and would suggest you could pick him up for half that amount. Once highly rated for Watford and with a senior cap for Sierra Leon, Bangura is still only 25 years old; if you can capture some of that talent he can be an exceptionally useful Ball Winning Midfielder or Defensive Midfielder shielding a back four. With impressive determination, '18' and bravery '15' Bangura will do the running and seize on loose balls before they can threaten your defence. His passing isn't great however so consider having a Deep Lying Playmaker to pick the ball off him once the ball has been won.
If you are lucky enough to be given some spending money at the start of your game I would strongly advise you to invest in Al Bangura, Forest Green's defensive midfielder. Valued at £80k I've seen him go for far less and would suggest you could pick him up for half that amount. Once highly rated for Watford and with a senior cap for Sierra Leon, Bangura is still only 25 years old; if you can capture some of that talent he can be an exceptionally useful Ball Winning Midfielder or Defensive Midfielder shielding a back four. With impressive determination, '18' and bravery '15' Bangura will do the running and seize on loose balls before they can threaten your defence. His passing isn't great however so consider having a Deep Lying Playmaker to pick the ball off him once the ball has been won.
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| A solid shield to your defence. |
