Part One: Phoenix Rising: An FM24 Experiment
Sometimes, you just have to shake things up in football. The beautiful game is full of tradition, but every now and then, there’s space for something new—something a little crazy. And that’s exactly what this save is all about: taking that big idea and seeing where it takes me.
But to make something new, something needs to make space, and that is where Brighton & Hove Albion come in.
Why Brighton?
Brighton’s a great club, really well-run and solid, and improving year on year. But on this save, their chapter in the Premier League is put on hold as their spot is taken over by something completely different—something that will stand out and make an impression right from the start.
Why Brighton? Because it made sense. It wasn’t taking out a team at the very top or someone battling relegation, but a club that had laid great foundations with potential to build upon.
A Club with a Purpose
The big question behind this save is: What do you get when you put together some of the best talent out there—some proven stars and others just waiting for their breakout moment—into the Premier League?
This isn’t any long-term dynasty build or slow climb up the table. It’s about creating a team for now—a squad that can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact. It’s a club built to challenge, to entertain, and maybe even upset the natural order.
It’s a lot more than a new team; it is a whole new way of thinking, and that is where the nickname comes into play.
Vanguard FC: The Phoenixes
The name of the club is Vanguard FC, and their nickname is The Phoenixes. The phoenix is all about rebirth, rising from the ashes, and getting stronger. That is precisely what this team is all about: not being held back by the past but about ushering in a new beginning, setting fire to expectations, and coming out the other side blazing.
It’s not just a name, but a mentality. A club formed to rise, to take on challenges head-on, and to make their mark on the game.
Kits That Matter
Kits are a part of telling the story of a club, just like the players themselves.
Black with orange accents forms the basis of the home kit. Black highlights strength, rigidity, and a solid foundation. Orange represents the fire, the passion, the energy, and the intensity this team is bringing on the pitch.
The away kit flips that around. It’s clean—a white-based kit with the details in orange—symbolising renewal and fresh starts, continuing to keep that fire alive via the usage of orange. Sharp, striking, and impossible to miss.
Both kits are a statement; they not only look good but represent what this club is about.
Why Sheffield?
Every club needs its home, and when it comes to Vanguard FC, there is not much sense in looking any further than Sheffield. One of the most historic cities in football, the roots of Sheffield run deep, and the passion for football has been interwoven into its fabric.
Yet it is a city that is never afraid to welcome something new in. For this save, Sheffield offers the perfect backdrop: a city that knows football, understands the traditions, yet is ready to see something different.
The Squad: A Tease
Of course, no club is complete without the players, and let me tell you, this squad is something else.
It’s a mix of star names that have already proven their quality on the world stage, plus rising stars ready to make their mark. There is experience, there is youth, and so much potential packed into this team.
Everybody in this team has been selected for a purpose. Some bring leadership and the desire to win; others bring flair, creativity, and unpredictability. Together, they form the perfect blend of talent, motivation, and an insatiable need to succeed.
I won’t spoil too much just yet, but trust me, once you meet this squad, you’ll see exactly why they are so exciting.
What’s Next?
That is all but the beginning of the story. Next, I’ll cover what’s really the heartbeat of any club: the players.
But who are they? How will they come together to create a team capable of holding their own in one of the world’s toughest leagues?
Find out in my next blog as I break down the team and introduce you to the established stars and rising talents that make up Vanguard FC.
Next, we’ll look at the staff—the masterminds behind the dream of making this experiment a success.
Finally, we’ll follow the team through the season. Will they succeed in the Premier League? Will they rise like a phoenix, as their name suggests, or will the fire burn out too fast?
This is Vanguard FC, and their story has only just begun.
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