With the event of the daily newspaper “fantasy leagues” there can be few football fans that have not seen simplistic games where they can “manage” a team of their choice, pitting their wits against fellow managers in the selection of their side. Some of you will have played computer versions of this concept, while others might have stepped into the world of play-by-mail, and experienced the greater depth these systems allow...

...KICKABOUT will take you to the greatest heights yet!

As Play-by-mail games go, there can be none more complex, more rewarding and more worthy of your time than KICKABOUT. Managers in our football PBM have a lot more to do than just select eleven players then sit back and wait for the results. Managers in KICKABOUT are in control of every aspect of the team and club. Negotiating the players wages and contracts; picking the side from the squad available; judging the tactical options best required to negate your opponents, or to exploit their weaknesses; buying and selling players to strengthen your team; scouting out your opponents to get as much as an edge as you can; bringing on your young players through matches where you dare risk a weakened side - the choices are many.

And what challenges will you face? Well, besides battling it out with the 47 other managers in your league for the Championship, there are Cup competitions aplenty. The Cup itself, a secondary competition for those clubs who find themselves out of the Cup at the first hurdle, the Trophy for the lower division clubs, the League Cup which rewards clubs who can go the distance over two-legged ties, the Super Cup which roughly approximates to the UEFA Cup, the Cup-Winners Cup and finally, the Champions Cup. These last three competitions can pit any teams in the whole of the KICKABOUT World against each other, with the Champions Cup being the greatest prize any club side can win, lifting the manager to the lofty heights of being acclaimed the best club (and manager) in the game. Of course, there is always the lure of International management too, with each league of KICKABOUT running its own independent World Cup and International trophy each season, managers are sought from their domestic successes.

And if all this isn’t enough for you there is more; each session (turn) you will receive a skilfully written newsletter, reporting in a “newsy” style much of what has happened across the league. Match reports, player auctions and transfers, suspensions, injuries and of course, the results themselves, are presented in a professionally produced A5 booklet ranging from eight to twenty pages in length. Through reading this you will be able to learn how your erstwhile opponents fare each week, and perhaps glean vital information to aid you in your coming matches.

So, besides all this, what makes KICKABOUT different from all the other PBM’s on the market? Well take a look at the features offered overleaf, and then try to find another game that can provide the same things:-
SQUAD DEVELOPMENT
Youngsters can be qualified through your normal sides, or encouraged with heavy financial spending into a youth side.
Thirteen different player types provide you with many different options, from wingers to midfield generals, attacking fullbacks to utility players, all of which you may find in your team.

Improving players through coaching and experience over the course of a season, the amount and depth of which is determined by your on-field success.
Buying and selling players, through auctions, cross-team deals and non-league loans, are all part of the process of altering your squad and improving it’s strength in depth.
Negotiating the wages and length of contracts for your players - a job increasingly involving the manager - is vital to ensuring the stability of your squad. Poor negotiation here can affect the performance on the pitch.
Build your side upon a strength and stamina approach or turn it towards a more skill based team, or even attempt a blend of both if you have the patience and resources required.

FINANCIAL MATTERS
Responsibility for all financial outgoings and income, including; Player wages and contracts. Cup competition prize monies. Purchase of new players and selling of rejects or misfits. Development of stadium with new stands, seating and pitch modifications. Loaning non-league players. Earnings through your international players being paid for appearances. Opportunities for International management. Financial investments when the bank allows, and worry over overdrafts too.

MATCH TACTICS
A wide choice of playing styles and formations to fit your plans for each match. Captain’s influence to consider. Man-to-man mark your opponents most dangerous players. Play a “zonal” marking system to close down any attacking threat. Offside options, attack through midfield runs or play “on the break” to create your own chances. Aggression and the correct motivation of your side all play a part in each match. Playing a physical of skill based game will either toughen up your defence or allow your midfielders to run the show. A varied formation allows your team to benefit from it’s natural shape and style.

GAME PLAY
Each game played through the whole ninety minutes using a complex set of algorithms, developed over a six year period. Every individuals skill and position is important as to the way the game flows - shots are not generated upon simple team totals A la United style-games. Specialist players contribute their unique abilities to the match; attacking fullbacks give their attacking team mates support when they have the room, Wingers tear opposing offside games ragged, strikers swoop to pick up loose balls and convert them to goals, while sweepers patrol the rear, filling the gaps where required. Adverse weather conditions, poor pitches or a fussy referee can all conspire against either your side or your opponents. From the ten-man-behind-the-ball approach right through to the “beautiful game” style of play, the way you set out your side determines how the game flows. Moments of brilliance from your star individuals or boobs from your keeper; the efforts of a single player can turn each match.

KICKABOUT AS A GAME
There is much more to tell, and hundreds of features we cannot explain in such limited space. Suffice to say that we rarely hear of any of our players suggesting that they have ever played a more complete, complex and challenging football simulation than KICKABOUT. Success is gained through wily tactics, a sound strategic knowledge of the game and your opponents, patience and a little bit of luck.

start-up fee of £7.50 will cover your team allocation and first two turns, a host of back newsletters and your rulebook.

From there each turn costs just £2.25

Before you join though ensure that you have the time to spare - KICKABOUT is just about to take over your life!