The FM challenges you have done were worth, at most, a screenshot on social media. The AFC Crewe one is worth a seat on the board of a real football club.
The challenge
In January 2024, AFC Crewe, a club run by its own members, made this offer: the first person to win the Premier League with AFC Crewe in Football Manager gets an official share in the club and joins the board.
It sounds easy until you look at the starting point. AFC Crewe play in Division One of the Staffordshire County Senior League, the 12th tier of English football. Just to have them in the game you need a database that reaches those levels, because the standard version does not go that deep.
In other words: eleven promotions to the top, and then you still have to win the Premier League. With an amateur club, no money and players who probably work day jobs.
A club that is already half FM
The challenge makes sense. AFC Crewe runs on a community ownership model: anyone can become a member for £3.99 a month and take part in the club’s day-to-day decisions online. Basically, it is already a club run by armchair managers. FM was the missing piece.
To this day, we have found no news of anyone claiming the prize. If you are looking for a save for the next FM, there is an idea.
Sources: SPORTbible (01/21/2024) · The Manc
