TM Ireland - Trophymanager Ireland

So the end of Season 24 also brings the end to two club legends' careers.

First up is Izz Aldin Al Jamaan.

Izz Aldin Al Jamaan

Al Jamaan was bought in the NT sales following Season 14. We had just won 3.6 for the first time and were heading for unchartered territory in 2.2. I figured I needed a bit of quality at the back as a foundation if we were to have any hope of survival.

He was 24 at the time and, as you can see from his skills distribution even now, he was class! 168 million was a steal. We performed admirably in our first season in 2.2. We only conceded 38 goals all season, largely thanks to Al Jamaan's stellar performances, as evidenced by the 6.16 average rating he received.

He's been an absolute rock at the back and I'm sad to see him go but he leaves us in a much better position than when he joined. Hopefully he can be replaced! Rumour has it he's going back to Syria to become a drug lord. I wish him the very best in his business venture.

The second retiree is the last remaining player from when I started TM over three years ago, James Doherty.

James Doherty

I was lucky that one of the three decent players my club was born with was a 'keeper (the others were an FC and an OMC. I know you were curious). He was a big reason behind our early success, with successive promotions from divisions 5 and 4, then our first 3rd division title two seasons later.

He was probably slightly out of his depth in division 2 but never performed poorly and, as I was following the YD route, I hadn't a penny to spend to replace him. Once season 18 came, I knew I'd eventually have Mannion to take over so kind of stuck it out and he did alright in fairness to him.

We've now been in 2.2 for 4 straight seasons and Doherty finally handed over the goalkeeping mantle to the routine-poor youngster. We've somehow had our best ever finish, despite conceding the most goals we ever have to he too retires happy with how the club is going.

As a mark of his long service and dedication to the club, our stadium has been renamed to Doherty Stadium. A fitting tribute to a true club legend.