The Football Manager Community

I’ve been playing Football Management simulations since the genre began back in the early 1980′s, but in the past decade a phenomenon has grown up alongside the game… that is the Football Manager Community.

Whether it’s downloading in game content (such as graphics, databases, etc), chatting and sharing ideas on the forums or reading what other FM players are up to via their blogs the community can be a fun place to hang out for anyone passionate about FM.

Here is a list of my essential sites and blogs to follow (links are contained within the pictures):

SPORTS INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY is home to the largest Football Manager community and is supported by the game’s developers.

SUPPORTS INTERACTIVE promises to be one of the most exciting new ventures on the scene boasting a level of interactivity with your fellow FM enthusiasts that cannot be found on any other FM site. They are currently accepting applications for those interested in BETA testing before release.

Established in 1999 THE DUGOUT is one of the longest running Football Manager forum sites on the scene.

My own first experiences of posting on the scene came at FM-BASE, a lively site that does a good line in chat as well as downloadable content.

Affectionately known as Susie, SORTITOUTSI is a well established long running FM forum site.

THE AWAY STAND is yet another example of a well established site, the team produce some interesting articles and guides that are well worth a read.

FOOTBALL MANAGER FANBOYS holds a special place in my heart as it’s the first forum site I worked on and regularly produced content for. Having previously merged with the now defunct Los Wonderkids it will soon be replaced by an exciting new site – watch this space.

FM VIEW has been around the scene for a few years now and produce some good chat and useful content. They have recently produced an unofficial guide to the game (which can be downloaded for free) and the team regularly put together a podcast.

One of the youngest forum sites on the scene, the wittingly titled UNBELIEVABLE JEFF is one of the smallest but friendliest communities around. Another site at which I spent some time as a staff member, you may still find some of my content floating about!

Vitaliy Mokosiy is the Godfather of Football Manager bloggers and his fantastic site TRUE FOOTBALL MANAGER (established in 2007) remains one of the most popular of it’s genre.

Thomas Levin has been a contributor to the FM community for over ten years and his excellent blog FM PUNDIT is an essential follow. You can also find him regularly tweeting about the game @fmpundit

Back from a short hiatus EL ENGANCHE is one of my personal favourite FM blogs in which you’ll find interesting tips and opinions interspersed between posts following Thomas Paine’s own FM story with german club St Pauli.