u/BritishDystopia

For me, 01/02 was the peak, although FM 2005-06 era when the 3D match engine came into play was a close second. Playing modern FM games is just too time consuming, so I decided to make my own retro football management game.

I grew up in the 8 bit era, and I wanted to capture that look and magic of fun footy manager games where you could rattle through a season in a few hours, but with all the depth and complexity of the early Champ Man games.

https://properfootballboss.com

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4856490/Proper_Football_Boss/

My retro football management game, Proper Football Boss, is coming out on Steam in November.

I grew up in the 8 bit era, and I wanted to capture that look and magic of fun football management games where you could rattle through a season in a few hours, but with all the depth and complexity of the early Champ Man games. I figured there might a few folk on here that also played those games and might enjoy this.

https://properfootballboss.com

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4856490/Proper_Football_Boss/

My retro football management game is coming out on Steam in November.

I grew up in the 8 bit era, and I wanted to capture that look and magic of fun football management games where you could rattle through a season in a few hours, but with all the depth and complexity of the early Champ Man games. Hopefully I have succeeded. It's been a total blast to make!

• 8 playable English & Scottish divisions, with 7 more top European leagues viewable
• Fully authentic cup competitions including the Full Member's Cup, Littlewoods Cup and Freight Rover Trophy
• Real 1986–87 squads with 20+ mental, physical and technical attributes
• Detailed teletext-style tables, results and stats
• International & domestic transfer system — contract negotiations, loans, free agents and 3,000+ real players
• Deep era realism: 2-player foreign limit, plastic pitches, cup sponsors, accurate stadiums, finances and more
• Emphasis firmly on football management — manage your squad's egos and drinking problems, not ticket prices and sponsors
• Realistic match engine with commentary, stats, team talks and more
• Tactical freedom with era-appropriate formations and levers
• Squad & individual training, reserves and youth intake
• Backroom staff and board interactions

I've also created a free to play Mexico 86 World Cup demoversion, and I have just released a free retro football quiz app as a companion to the game. You can find both on the website.

https://properfootballboss.com

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4856490/Proper_Football_Boss/

Do you remember Football Italia on Channel 4? In 1993 they showed AC Milan vs Brescia. The Rossoneri just needed a point for the title, whereas their opponents could avoid instant relegation with a draw.

For 80 ultra-dull minutes, the teams knocked it around, never threatening to attack until, out of nowhere, a seemingly bored Demetrio Albertini thundered home a long distance strike.

From the kick off, Milan stepped aside and allowed the visitors to score.

Hilariously, while the point saved Brescia from immediate relegation, they still went down after losing in the relegation play off.

Thanks to FIFA's stupidity, we can all enjoy a few more 'football matches' like this and the Disgrace of Gijón. Could be even worse if Algeria and Austria actively try to lose to avoid Spain in the knockouts.

Was this the greatest match in world cup history? 40 years ago today, but I remember it so vividly, even though I was just 7! The heat, the skill, the relentless attacking! Then that penalty bouncing off Carlos and into the net. Fabulous! I just want to go back...

(Screenshot is from a game called Proper Football Boss).

Danish Dynamite vs a peak cold war Soviet side. Who do you think would have won?

24 teams (like Mexico 86 - USA 94)

32 teams (like 98-2022)

48 temes (like 2026)

I see the appeal of 48 teams, but there are simply too many minnow vs minnow clashes. 24 teams is brutal and probably the most exciting with a few minnows and mostly really strong teams (Mexico 86 had France vs USSR, Italy vs Argentina AND Brazil vs Spain in the group stage). However, 32 teams is the natural perfect middle ground. Straight top 2 qualify, no mess.

Image is from a game called Proper Football Boss not reality!