So as shared by somebody on the Amiga Addict Discord, today is the day that – if you play Championship Manager 97/98 for 30 seasons, on the 15th July 2026, you get an endgame screen, and encouragement to sign up as a play tester and a researcher for future games.1
I played Champ Man 97/98 loads growing up, and really got into the 97/98 version. I would have been 14 when it came out, the cusp of France 98, and me starting to follow Colwyn Bay Football Club, I was at probably my peak fandom. I used to scour the leagues and guides for hidden gem signings (waves at Rob Taylor from Brentford), dress up for cup finals in a shirt and tie, and believed it was bad luck to watch the final.
Although Bobby Robson (in the background) is no longer with us, it’s good to see that Compulink is still going as a South London based ISP. That’s nice. Was worried I’d get a virus. The website was captured by web archive as well.
Anyway, with the universe death of the greatest football game of all time, it’s safe to assume that no football from this day forward counts. It’s true, not just me being a bitter Welshman. Sorry England.
- Incidentally, I did this role myself when I was the social media manager for Colwyn Bay about 10 years later. Mainly it was confirming the club colours, crest and various elements were true. Very much a highlight of the season, though sadly I never got into the credits for it! ↩︎
It’s always weird when you see a game ‘end’ after all this time – I’m always fascinated by the reactions when MMORPGS shut down…
I know of people via Football Manager subreddits still playing old FM games in their 100th+ season, which is both impressive and understandable given FM26…
And it’s a rare time I can mention one of my weird claims to fame, which is I’m a named player in Sega Worldwide Soccer on the Saturn (I think it was ’97).
I think I’m part of the Wales national squad – because it was unlicensed and they needed surnames…
I LOVE THAT FACT
(though there’s never been a Wynne that I know of who has played for Wales in similar circumstances 🙁 )
Yeah, it’s pretty cool – one of my best friends was interviewing the developers so they asked if he wanted his name in there, along with any friends. So all 5 of us appear…
I think he ended up as a starting striker for England or similar, and I was a sub for Wales
When I told my son, he started Googling it, but I think somehow it may not have ended up on the net.
Fortunately I do still have a copy of the game and multiple Sega Saturns so will dig one out at some point…
I do have it too!
If I have time this afternoon I will set this up and see 😊
I loved the CM2 series games. Sadly(?) never reached the “death screen” but it’s cool to think we’ve now passed it in real life.
Me do 🙂 really enjoyed the games. The right level of addictiveness!