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72. Start of Season 7

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  Despite the upheaval of the takeover which which rumbling on in the backgound, it was important that me and my backroom staff took a "business as usual" approach to the start of the brand new Cambodian season. It is fair to say that the fixture computer had been less than kind to us during this period too. Some nice easy fixtures and a few early wins would help my cause of staying in the job, should any new owner be thinking about making a change. The first game, a visit to the vastly improved National Police (at least in a footballing sense) was followed by Boeung Ket at home and then a trip to the casino in our third match, which could potentially be my first match under the new regime. This was a tough start to the season. While Nen Borey and I were making tactical plans for the following day's training session there was a knock at my door. It was my effervescent, but sometimes highly strung head of youth development, Chan Vannak.  "Boss, How could you?" ...

71. Transfers and Takeovers

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  It was two days after the party and the first day back at training. In this time I'd had time to reflect on the events and Hem Vutha's shock announcement. I had very much mixed feelings about the situation. On the one hand a new chairman and one with a bit more money and ambition than Hem Vutha might be what is needed to drive us forward towards the league title and become the fifth professional Cambodian club. Then, would any new chairman want to bring in their own manager to lead the team and get rid of me? I won't lie I have had thoughts of moving away from EDC, hence my dalliance with Melaka in Malaysia, but then Charlotte happened at the same time and I wouldn't have got the job anyway.. Whichever way this panned out I would have to try and carry on as normal. Luckily all this was happening in the early pre-season so would not affect the players much as they would be on their holidays and doing extra shifts at he Electricity Company as they often did between Nove...

70. The Transfer Honey Trap

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This was a risky game, but one she was sure she could win. Charlotte's tactics tonight had been a gamble, a little bit like playing a diamond formation in midfield, sometimes it works and wins you the game, or sometimes it leaves you exposed and found wanting, especially by a 3-man midfield. There was more than just a 3-man midfield on the dancefloor taking their turn to dance with the belle of the ball. From Charlotte's perspective as a fan, here was a team which was going nowhere but another mid-table position, lagging behind the professional teams who would dominate forever more. Maybe just maybe if some of the better ex-players who had left the club would come back to EDC then they could challenge for honours once again. Secondly there was also a tinge of guilt because it was her actions which had led to some of them leaving. Charlotte had chosen her targets carefully. She knew Maol Daravon was off limits, especially with his scowling wife in tow. Secondly any of her exes s...

69. The Big Reunion

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 It was the beginning of November 2025 and the end of another Cambodian season. There were big plans though for EDC during the break and not just mine and my recruitment team's in the Christmas transfer window. The year 2025 marked the ten year anniversary of the formation of Electricitie du Cambodge FC and to celebrate a big end of season bash had been organised which was to be attended by 'anybody associated with the club over the past decade.' This included former players (who had made at least ten appearances), any backroom staff past and present (which would be enough to fill most party venues alone) and any season ticket holders who have held them for 5 years consecutively or more. The party was to be held in a large hall on the premises of the Electricity Company which the football team is part of.  I had mixed feelings about this end of season knees up. On the one hand I enjoyed a good party and get together and it would be nice to catch up with a few old faces. On ...

68. It's All Gone A Bit Pete Tong...

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                                Pete Tong Picture Credit: Andril Khliankin wikipedia creative commons The Title Race Hots Up! Despite our indifferent form we still (kind of) find ourselves still in a title race, although it is pretty tenuous to say the least!  Top Of The Table After 21 Games 1st Angkor Tiger 46 pts 2nd Phnom Penh Crown 42 3rd EDC 39 4th Nagaworld 37 5th National Police 37 There are just five matches to go in the 2025 C-League Season and while it is unlikely we will win our inaugural C-League, we still have a chance if we win all our games and hope the Tiger and Crown drop points. Our run in is as follows: 30 th August Nagaworld (H) 13 th September Boeung Ket (A) 4 th October Mekong Kampeuchea Uni (H) 18 th October CMAC (H) 31 st October Khemera (A) All to play for, starting with the casino! International Call Ups The September International break is nearly upon us. The big news is ...