Even if you’ve been a loyal player from the first game, there are probably some things about the series you did not know. Here are 7 FM facts and some of them may surprise you!
The very first game in the Football Manager series was released over a decade ago in 2004. Since then, the series has gone from strength-to-strength with new games coming out every year and continues to satisfy footie fans who are keen to flex their managerial muscles and prove they’re the ultimate football manager. Even if you’ve been a loyal player from the first game, there are probably some things about the series you did not know. Here are 7 FM facts and some of them may surprise you!
1. Celebrity Fans Galore
FM has quite an impressive celebrity following. There are lots of famous faces who enjoy putting themselves in the manager’s shoes every so often. Some of the biggest names who are known to be fans of the games include Jason Manford, Robbie Williams and James Corden. In fact, Corden described it in his autobiography as ‘the finest computer game that’s ever been invented’.
2. The Film That Never Was
Would you believe that there could have been a film based on FM? Peter Sleeman, a screenwriter, actually wrote a script for an FM-based movie. It would have been about a young boy who enjoys playing FM and puts his skills to the test when he eventually gets a proper managerial job. Even though there was some interest in the project, it never took off.
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3. From Player to Manager
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| In 2012 Vugar Huseynzade was the worlds youngest football manager at 21. |
The plot of the unmade film is actually similar to something that happened in real life. In November 2012, a student in Azerbaijan named Vugar Huseynzade was so skilled at the game that he caught the attention of some top football professionals in his country. He ended up becoming the manager of the FC Baku reserve team, all thanks to his performance in FM!
4. A Comedy Show You Can Relate To
FM has been the subject of a successful comedy show. Football Manager Ruined My Life by Tony Jameson was debuted in 2013 and enjoyed a triumphant stint at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The stand-up comedian took his show on tour and it ended up getting released on DVD, as well as on Steam. Give it a watch for a refreshingly funny look at how video games can become addictive.
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5. A Close Relationship With Real-Life Football
FM is so much more than a video game. In fact, it has a huge influence on real-life football. It’s been used by various football clubs as a means of scouting new players. A major club that’s used the game for this purpose is Everton FC. Back in 2008, the club signed a deal allowing them to use the game’s extensive database.
6. A Way To Beat The Bookies?
Punters do all sorts to make a profit from sports betting. Some use lucky charms, some look over detailed statistics, and some consult odds comparison sites such as Betcompare. This is a site that lists all the top sports betting offers and helps you make the best betting decisions. There are even some who use FM to beat the bookies. They run hundreds of simulations using the in-game editor to try and predict how real-life events will play out.
7. The Longest Ever Game
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| Michael Leniec holds Guinness World Record for longest ever game of Football Manager |
The Guinness World Record for the longest game of FM is currently held by Michael Leniec. The Polish player has held the record since November 2017. To claim it, he played a total of 221 years (in-game years, that is) with Lech Poznan playing the FM 2016 game. What’s particularly surprising about this is that Leniec had only been playing FM for two years when he broke the world record.
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