Futera FC 0-4 FC Hougton

Futera FC's final encounter of the 2011/12 Season ended in shock as FC Hougton demolished The Red Shields with a clear 4 goal lead.

After just 3 minutes Futera fell behind with a slick passing move by the opposition that sliced and diced the Futera defenders. With Lalji sent one way, and then another, the FC Hougton No.8 hammered a ball past Sergio Taylor who couldn’t get down quick enough. Before he'd made it back on his feet, FC Houghton were on the attack. The No.10 brought the ball down on the edge of the area before turning and slamming his shot against the crossbar.

With a few tactical changes from the Virtual Managers, Daley saw his shot cleared of the line during a second wave of Futera attacks.

As Futera threw caution to wind they left themselves exposed. The FC Hougton No.10 looked destined to score as he rounded Sergio Taylor before slotting the ball home.

As the second half kicked off, and with Futera FC & its Virtual Managers still holding faith of a come back, FC Hougton won a free-kick on the edge of the Futera box. Everyone held their breath. After some in-depth discussion between the Match Official and the Futera wall, the ball floated over and into the bottom corner to make it '3'.

The Match was all but over when Daley and Godman were both handed red cards after venting their frustrations. 

With The Red Shields down to 9 men the game was concluded with a fine solo effort from the FC Houghton No. 22.

A sad end to Futera FC's season that started with so much promise and saw some terrific results through the season. Other games are yet o be played, but Futera FC have only a slim chance of winning the Title and gaining promotion. It's now out of our hands, but could still happen.... we'll keep you posted!

Futera FC made sports history by creating the FIRST real Football Team to be managed LIVE by an ONLINE Community.

Futera FC 6-3 Leaside

The Red Shields came into this encounter knowing only a win was good enough. The Virtual Managers voted for a mixed passing style whilst adopting a committed tackling philosophy in order to try and win the ball back as often as possible. This was a fundamenta change of stance from the Virtual Managers who’d previously selected an easy style of tackling for the timid 2-0 defeat at the hands of St. Johns a week before.   

After just 5 minutes, Penman brought down his man inside of the box, requesting Taylor to make an early penalty save. The 23 year old did just that with a sublime save, tipping the ball onto the post.

After a nervous start and a vote by the Virtual Managers to change the Team's mentality with just 20 minutes on the clock, Daley found himself bearing down on goal, he slid the ball into the path of Douglas who opened his account for The Red Shields. 

It was Lalji’s turn next, a lofted cross from Ramos was poorly cleared and found its way into the path of the General Manager. He calmly rifled the ball into the top corner for smiles all around.  

After the break, Jack Magill intercepted a poor pass, he found Haider’s leap on the edge of the box, and the ball dipped over the Goalkeeper.

Daley then helped himself to 3 wonderful strikes in quick succession to give The Red Shields a clear win...

Red Shields suffer first defeat of the season

Futera FC, the first EVER team in History to be Managed by an Online Community slipped to forth place in Division 2 after a nauseating defeat at the hands of table rivals Green Man FC.

Futera FC started the encounter brightly as their counterparts spent most of the opening stages within their own half. On the five minute mark, a slick move by Waddams found Ramos who blasted over the bar.

The Red Shields continued their assault on the Green Man FC Defense when Haider found himself beaming down on goal, he slotted the ball neatly into the back of the net only to look up and see the Linesman had flagged for offside.

A debated decision left Haider with his head in his hands and the Virtual Managers sending messages of support to pitch side in order to help Haider regain his focus.


Seconds later a long ball pumped forward found the lively Green Man No.9 who slotted home to give his side the lead.


After the break Futera failed to find any form of inspiration and leaked two poorly defended goals within minutes.

The Virtual Managers replaced Ramos and Hazel with Northwood and Delay but the move didn't pay its dividends as Green Man snatched two more goals before rounding off their tally with a 5th in the 80th minute.

A resurgence was spearheaded by Jason Pennman who snatched back a late goal before Jack Magill converted from the spot.



The defeat leaves Futera FC in 4th place five points behind leafers St Johns FC

Futera FC through against battling Leaside...

Futera FC, the first EVER team in History to be Managed by an Online Community qualified for the second round of the Division 2 Cup after a thrilling 7-5 win over League rivals Leaside.

Jack Magill was handed the Captains Arm Band before the encounter by the Virtual Managers due to the absence of Renan Ramos.

Goals from Daley, Waddams, Penman and Butler handed Futera FC a passage into the next round.

The 7-5 emphatic victory enabled the Red Shields to register their first ever win in a cup competition.

Next up Futera make the trip to Marston Reds for another tough Cup encounter.

Futera FC 2010/2011 Season Review

The first season of the Futera FC project (2010/2011) was as exciting and interesting as expected. The Red Shields were steered to a comfortable 9th placed finish by the Virtual Managers in Division 2. Numbers on the Virtual Managers LIVE Platform soared throughout the season as people from across the world heard that they could manage their own REAL LIFE football team at the 'click of a button'.

The season started well for Futera who didn’t record their first defeat until they were beaten by three goals at the Regional Ground in late October. However, it took them three months & the Christmas Break to recover. A convincing 5-1 win over Markyate on January 23rd extinguishing the dark cloud that had been hanging over the Futera FC players & Virtual Managers alike.

Probably the strongest performance of the season from the Virtual Managers came during the Futera FC V Brache Green Man game on the 6th March. With Futera trailing 3-2 a wise decision from the Virtual Managers regarding the formation was made. The change saw Jack Magill get the support he needed within the Brache final third setting up a thrilling finale. Futera scored twice within stoppage time via Magill and Ramos and the Virtual Managers rejoiced!

Crawley Green Reserves 0 v 3 Futera FC

Futera FC added to their undefeated start to the season with a convincing win over Crawley Green.

Two goals from debutant Ashley Wadhams and another from Pat Daley handed Futera FC their 3^rd win of the season and kept the Red Shields’ 100% record intact. 

During a balanced first half both teams scrambled to get ahead in the final third with Futera causing problems across both flanks. Renan Ramos, who had started the game out of position at right back hurtled forward at every given chance in order to aid Futera FC’s attack.

Futera FC 4 St Johns 1

After the previous weeks epic 4-1 win against newly promoted USL Red Star, Futera FC hosted yet another of last season's successful League 3 Teams, St Johns.


'Successful' seems an understatement, with St Johns having won not only the League but also 2 Cup Competitions in the previous season. General Manager Alkesh had already earmarked them as the Red Shields' main competition and as they lined up on a cold, windy Sunday in England, both players and Virtual Managers (VMs) showed obvious signs of nerves as kick off approached.