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Beta Broncos: Long distance dreamer

Written by fetts

An interview with fetts, manager of Beta Broncos who beat Giant Hobo's FC in round 6 of the English cup and now lines up against Ville Warriors in round 7.

Your team, Beta Broncos knocked out Premiership side Giant Hobo's FC 1-0 this week, and face Ville Warriors in R7. Last season your team made it to R4 for the first time, so it looks as though after 8 patient seasons, your lads are finally beginning to deliver on their promise, how does it feel?

Getting promoted really helped. I thought I'd fail miserably this year as I am training scoring which isn't ideal for playing long shots. I have pretty much just been going for midfield and hoping for the best! I was fairly lucky against the II side, RC Obajan, (511619023) in the round before last, which turned into an epic 4-4 game. I went for the two areas I could beat him in - midfield and specs and it paid off, eventually winning on penalties which my LS team will always have a chance in. Finding out that my PL opponent was selling up to leave no defence, no attack and a dodgy midfield really helped! Should have been more than 1-0. Ville will smash me on Tuesday so that's the end of the road for me.

If you have a favourite tune of 2014, please provide a link to vimeo/utube/soundcloud for us to listen, but an older classic tune would be just as good?

I don't really follow much music these days, but I really liked Coldplay's new album, Ghost Stories. My favourite track was probably "True Love":

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpl_6jotaHA)

As for an older classic, has to be a bit of Pink Floyd and "Comfortably Numb"

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7EpSirtf_E)[/b]

You took over your team on 28/02/12, joining hattrick at a time when the game seemed to be in decline in terms of user-base. How did you find out about the game, and what lessons have you learned that might be of help to other 'noob' managers that might be reading this?

I actually played originally in about 2008/9/10. Can't quite remember. A uni friend told me about it. My team was pants. I didn't understand anything and pottered along for about 3 or 4 seasons before going inactive. I was intrigued and remember enjoying the game so I signed up again. I read everything and realised how little I had done before and how good the game is. My advice would be to do the same. Patience is pretty much a pre-requisite which a lot of people don't seem to have these days. Try to be active on the forums, I have made a lot of "friends" by joining an active series and forum - GameZealot, Jackfreeman, Johnny_Thunder, Rogarth, Sean_G, Garygrr to name a few (sorry can't list them all as there's about 20 of us!). Its really helped me stay active in the game.

If a fan wanted to buy you a pint, which pub would it be easiest to find you in, and what's your poison?

I'm not a big drinker, although I do try on the odd occsaion! Mainly a lager man - Amstel (https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/10383620046_2cf2410492.jpg) is probably my favourite. Although I do like a bit of Leffe (blonde) (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLC1UmtBYPM/Ub_FtVQS66I/AAAAAAAAAgY/74j9j9pblYQ/s1600/Leffe+Blonde.JPG) too.

You are a platinum supporter with a second team here in England, with Rob Grimshaw (395140169) your 2nd team keeper having been called into England's U20 line up. This season, AGDHD was voted in to be the England U20 coach. After the first 3 matches England is 2nd in Group 6, 2pts behind an unbeaten Canadian side and 1 pt ahead of Greece. You must be delighted to be working with AGDHD to help England, how did you manage to achieve this?

Well being the Keeper scout helps :D Also I'm pretty good buddies (I think he feels the same way...) with Jackfreeman, the YA scout, who brought Rob to my attention. It didn't look like anyone English was going to snaffle him up so I did. First full official game on Friday against India which I am delighted by. Note about the dude with the stupid user name.... He's a great crack. I knew him a little before he got appointed as Manager via the Mundialito Cup and he's doing a great job. Pleasure to work for too.

It was benno who got me involved. Hats off to him for getting some new faces into the setup, I have really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone, and its pretty easy to get involved. If you like training English youngsters, mail the scouts. Now. (16717104.1)

6. Please provide a link to your favourite work of art?

I love a bit of Monet. And the "Haystacks" paintings are amazing. The computer screen doesn't do them justice. (http://uploads3.wikiart.org/images/claude-monet/haystacks-white-frost-sunrise.jpg)

Your manager page states that you are a Spurs fan. What do you make of Pochettino's appointment, Harry Kane and that 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year's day?

I was dubious of Pochettino, although loved watching Southampton and their style of play. Things seem to have been coming together since November which is really encouraging. Harry Kane has been around for a good few seasons now and remember Spurs were raving about him when in the youth but didn't seem to be able to break through. After his performance against Chelsea, people will start taking him seriously now.

Please tell us how/where you met your other half (or last conquest), and how he/she feels about your hattrick addiction?

When I lived in London in rented accommodation, she (now my wife) was moving over to London from Ireland. She apparently decided to move into our house because we left the porch light on for her when she was coming round to view the room. Bless. We clicked straightaway and really is an amazing woman. However, she, like many other halves I'm sure, absolutely detests hattrick with a passion!

According to our internet research, 'Beta' is commonly used to describe a computer software or game that is near completion, and Broncos may refer to the Brisbane or Denver Broncos or; to an untrained horse or one that habitually bucks or; to something Ford USA makes that looks a bit like a Range Rover. Is your untrained 'bucking' team finally nearing completion then?

I see what you did there... I am actually a Software Tester and my surname is "Bate" so it was fairly appropriate. Broncos... I can't remember why I chose that. I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time!

Ironically I actually took my inspiration from the Hobo's, the team I beat to achieve this interview. Also Alie Land United, a long shot legend. I felt that long shots was an interesting tactic and enjoyed the commentary so I decided to take my team in that direction! The people I talk to most on Hattrick think I'm mad. The team is nowhere near completion. My trainees are around 21 now and many seasons off hitting their peak. I will probably get worse before I get better as have to train a lot of PM on them, an area they are pretty weak in and one of the most important to be successful in the tactic.

What was your favourite movie of 2014?

I used to go to the cinema loads, but then my first child came along last year and its gone way downhill! Loved the Hobbit (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2310332/) , Guardians of the Galaxy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2015381/) , and the Hunger Games (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951265/) .

Apologies for babbling on for so long!