Some people take their Football Manager achievements too seriously.
That's the case of Andrew Ballantyne who, over the last 20 years, has applied for around 70 managerial jobs, sending CVs packed with achievements…in Football Manager and Fantasy Football.
Andrew, 41, who works as a finance coordinator and is also a part-time magician, says his applications are just a bit of fun to break his daily work routine.
So he proudly keeps every rejection letter he receives.
Living in Leeds and a self-confessed fan of the city's main club, Andrew considers the Champions League final in CM 2 94/95, as Bristol City manager, the high point of his (virtual) managerial career.
"It was in my 6th year, I played 4-3-3 with Wayne Allison, Leroy Rosenior and Jackie Dziekanowski, who scored a huge number of goals"
And that is exactly what he put in his application for the Bristol City job, in 2010! Letters in which he sets out possible signings and tactical models he intends to implement at the clubs.
It all started in 1999.
"I had won the last two fantasy leagues and thought about offering my services. For fun, I sent my application to be Tottenham manager, and surprisingly, the club replied!"
Besides the rejection from his boyhood club, Andrew considers his favourite letters to be the two rejected applications for England manager, and one for Celtic.
"The clubs don't have to reply, but they do! I keep them all in a special envelope.
Tottenham replied short and to the point: "Thank you for your application"
However, several other clubs manage to put humour or kindness in their letters.
"AFC Wimbledon replied telling me to keep watching Match of the Day, who knows, one day I might be national team manager
Sven-Göran Eriksson replied to me when he was director of football at Notts County.
Barnsley replied with "Don't give up, keep trying"
I always get so excited when I receive a letter.
My friends find it funny when I show them each one."
Only Huddersfield, Chelsea and Newcastle didn't reply to his applications.
Andrew Ballantyne promises to keep sending applications until he gets a reply from all 92 league clubs.
Have you seen the first FM 2020 news yet? No? Then check it out here!
