The Football League Challenge
The game takes 2-3 hours, depending on the extent of the opening discussion, the number of seasons over which it is run, and the detail of the debrief. It is possible to run it with a single instructor for any group size of 20 to 60 people, but it helps to have an assistant for groups of more than 35.
Running the game requires a PC running Excel 2007 or later, with macros enabled, linked to a data projector and reasonably fast printer [black-white is fine].
Setting up the game:
- Divide the class into 10-12 teams, each of 2-5 players, each being a well-known football club.
- Explain the performance report each team will receive after each season.
- Outline the 'architecture' of how each club works and performs, and distribute a print-out to each team.
How the game works:
- Teams run famous football clubs in a world league over a few seasons [team names can be changed]
- Before each season, they make just two decisions – how many players to buy and sell
- … which changes the squad’s size, age, and cohesion
- … which changes its performance
- A team may go up or down the league by the end of that season, depending on how this performance changes relative to other teams
- … changing the team’s morale, fans won and lost, and affects revenues, costs, the value of players, and cash reserves
- To win the challenge requires a sustained high position in the league and a high level of cash
