In 1983, Qualsoft introduced their first soccer management game which moved away from the artificial "mental arithmetic" approach of other games. We used professional simulation techniques to give a much more natural and realistic imitation of the actual world of the football manager. We called this game LEAGUE DIVISION ONE and it was released for the BBC Micro, almost immediately becoming something of a cult game. In september of 1984, now onto our third version for the BBC, we produced the first version specifically for the Electron. We called this SOCCER SUPREMO and again the game became a cult, with even the BBC market demanding a version because of the more realistic graphics used for the football match itself. Then, in September 1985, we introduced, not unnaturally for the year of the World Cup, Mexico '86 which took certain elements of the player side of management much further. Players were no longer just Defenders, Midfield players or Attackers, but also had preferences as to which side of the field they were to operate, and were defined as Ball Winners, Play Makers, Goal Scorers and so on.

In the new SOCCER SUPREMO V2 we have brought together the best of the original game and added several of the features that were developed for Mexico '86. We've added the FA Cup and the three European Cups, and considerably improved the transfer market with over 70 players available over the six seasons of play. These players are not just "highly desirable properties" but include, as well, veterans who bring experience over those first difficult seasons, and promising players from lower divisions who can be bought cheaply but may eventually be worth £500,000 or more.

A particular weakness of the original games was the repetitiveness of the seasons. We have solved this with a data file for each season, which allows an ever-changing 1st Division. Couple this with the FA Cup, and European Cups and the interest is sustained throughout all seasons.

SOCCER SUPREMO has three recordings; on tape 1 there are duplicates of the main program DIV.ONE and on one side of tape 2 are 6 DATA files corresponding to the six seasons. On the other are the European Cup programs.

Start a New Game: Place the DIV.ONE tape into your recorder and CHAIN"". When the tape has loaded, you will be given the option to (C)ontinue or (S)tart new game. Choose S, remove tape 1 and place in the DATA FILE tape and run. The program will pick up the Season 1 file and you can begin.

Save a Game: after each football match you are given the option to (C)ontinue or (S)ave a game. Choose S and the familiar RECORD then RETURN message will appear. Put a blank tape into your recorder and set the cassette player on RECORD. Allow it to run for five or six seconds, press RETURN and the information built up so far in the game will be recorded.

Continue a Game: CHAIN"" and run the DIV.ONE tape. When prompted with (C)ontinue or (S)tart a new game, choose C. The Searching message will appear. Remove the DIV.ONE tape, place your own SAVE GAME tape in the cassette unit and run. When this has loaded you will be prompted to put your DATA FILE tape into the cassette unit and run. Again the program will pick up the correct file and you can then continue your game.

European Cups: First you must qualify for one of the cups, by winning the Championship, winning the FA Cup or by coming in the top six in the League. A third of the way through the following season you will be informed that you are to play the preliminary rounds of the appropriate Euro Cup competition. You will then Save the game as above but this time load in the EURO.CUPS program tape. Just CHAIN"" and run the EURO.CUPS program until prompted to load in your SAVED GAME tape. Load the tape and you will be into the European Cup competition for which you've qualified. Assuming you win each round you will play to the semi-final stage. You'll then be prompted to save the game. Follow the above instructions to CONTINUE A GAME. Should you qualify for the semi-finals then at the end of the season you will again be prompted to save the game and repeat the above.

New Season: If you continue from one season into the next then it will be necessary to load the DATA file for the new seaon. You'll be prompted to do this with a "NEW SEASON" screen. Just put the DATA FILES tape into your cassette unit and run, the program will pick up the correct file.

Although all this tape changing may sound complicated, as usual it is much more complicated to describe than to do. Bear in mind that a season will take about six housr and so loading these tapes will only be necessary every six hours, or whenever you want to finish or start a new session. We have deliberately arranged the European Cups to take place in just two parts; up to semi-finals, and then the semi-finals and finals as the climax to the season. This means again that, assuming you go all the way to the semis, you will only do this twice in a six hour playing period and probably only once or twice in a complete 36 hour game. Put very simply: whenever you wish to leave one of the main programs (DIV.ONE or EURO.CUPS) you need to save the game, and whenever you wish to run one of these programs you need to load in your SAVED GAME, and in the case of DIV.ONE the DATA FILE tape must be loaded immediately after the SAVED GAME tape.

Team Sheet: When you start a game it is necessary to fill in the team sheet from scratch. This can be very time-consuming so we have programmed the f0 function key so that, in the very first team selection, pressing the function key will load a team. This team represents that used by your managerial predecessor but does not include your pre-season transfer market purchases. You will probably want to make a couple of changes. On the BBC just press f0, and on the Electron hold down the FUNC key and hit 0.

Substitutions: During the match you can make two substitutions (we have allowed two substitutes from two as in the FA cup, believing that the LEAGUE will come into line with the FA). We have allowed 2 from 2 in normal matches but of course 2 from 5 in Europe. Just hit the S key.

Tactical Changes: Players can be moved forward or back for tactical purposes (more attacking or defensive). Just hit the T key and follow the prompts. The effect is to move the player by half a position, e.g. two forward movements will turn a midfield player into an attacker.

In the introduction, we mentioned that QualSoft's games do not use mental arithmetic methods of "football management", but use more professional techniques which give a more realistic simulation. Suppose I ask you to describe, let's say, the England player Kenny Sansom. I don't think you'll say "He's a defender with 4 skill points and 15 energy points, unless he plays this Saturday, in which case he'll only have 14 energy points next week." That's nonsense. You might say something like "He's a left fullbacak who's a tenacious tackler but lacks a bit of height" and you'll probably go on to give me your opinion of his overall ability. In SOCCER SUPREMO he would be described as a defender, who prefers the left side (left back) and who is better on the ground than in the air. Also, you'll never be told his skill rating, you'll have to form your own opinion of his skill from his performances on the field of play. He would also be defined as a player who is coming to the end of his career and will not be giving you anything like the same performances three or four seasons into this six season game. Isn't that more realistic?

In short, in playing SOCCER SUPREMO, forget all about the other "football management" games you've played and think football! Think about your team in the computer game just as you think about your favourite team in the real world, about players, their playing positions and characteristics and how you think different skills fit together to make a match-winning team. And success is not how many points your team adds up to but how they perform on the field. So I repeat, in this game, forget the numbers and think football!

In previous versions of our games the manual goes on to tell you something about how we succeed in making the team perform according to the overall skill and balance of the side. I won't repeat the description as it doesn't really matter, but if you haven't seen a LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, SOCCER SUPREMO (the original) or MEXICO 86 manual and would like to know then send a stamped address envelope, big enough to take an A5 booklet, and we'll send you a copy of the DIVISION ONE 85 manual. It might make interesting reading.

In SOCCER SUPREMO you take over the manager's job of a team newly promoted to the 1st Division. Your squad of eighteen players is typical of the sort of team that often achieves promotion only to suffer immediate relegation. The first steps you've taken since taking charge have been to prune away much of the deadwood and make three close seaon signings of competent players who you hope, will provide the backbone of a team capable of establishing itself in the 1st Division. You have, in addition to these signings, a combination of experienced players and a number of promising youngsters who you believe can make it as 1st Division regulars. Your problem is that your experienced players have time limits on their usefulness, and your youngsters need a great deal more experience before they can be trusted to turn out regularly for the first team. It's a dilemma.

The game is therefore initially about survival, and the transfer market in the first couple of seasons reflects that with a number of cheaper players who can give you good servie for two seasons or more without necessarily being part of your eventual plans to take the 1st Division title. There are also a number of lower division players who may have the potentional to become stars in their own right in years to come. In later seasons there will be a greater number of very sklillful players who wiull be necessary for eventual success, particularly in Europe. of course they're costly, but by selling players, and with the money earned from seasons of gate receipts these players will come into your price range. But bear in mind that you have to pay players and that the money that becomes available for transfer deals will be reduced if you have a big wages bill.

The essence of thegame is about keeping a balanced side, not only from defence through to attack, but from left to right (a team without a recognised right back is obviously going to have weaknesses) and also a balance of skills; a midfield without ball winning ability, or a central defence without aerial power, is going to bring weaknesses of a different kind. But this balance must be maintained even through injury problems, which means having back up players that will enable you to continue to put out well balanced teams. The dilemma here is keeping the wage bill down.

SOCCER SUPREMO allows the game player enormous scope for tactical play, both in team selection and during the match itself. If you don't think team selection can make much difference then bear in mind that the two teams who deliberately set out to nullify their opponents' strengths in the Mexico World Cup were West Germany and Argentina. Brazil, Denmark, the USSR, France and of course England "played their own game". It was West Germany and Argentina that fought out the final! Immediately before the team selection in SOCCER SUPREMO you will be given details of Saturday's opponents that will allow you to know something of their abilities; their league position gives you some idea of their overall standard, their goals for and against of where their real strengths and weaknesses lie, and the formation will give some idea how they intend to play the match. Providing your squad will allow, which is different whilst your team is still in the embryo stage or if you';re suffering a particularly bad injury spell, you should respond to that information as this will determine the degree of tactical change you can achieve during the match. Do you select a team to gain an initial advantage and then close the game down with your substitutes? Do you go for all out attack with two substitutes that will allow you to ring the attacking changes? And what will be your plan if away to Scunthorpe Utd, in the 3rd round of the FA Cup? Every game poses new tactical challenges.

Before you can operate freely in the tactical manner just described, it is necessary to build up a squad which contains the right players. In the new SOCCER SUPREMO the transfer market has been extended to over seventy players. There are three types of purcases to be made. Firstly, there';s the obvious one; a player that any team would be pleased to have, but he's going to cost a fortune. The second is the sort of player who will give you good service for a couple of seasons, an experienced 1st Division player or even ex-international. In the early seaons this is a much more sensible purchase to make to give your squad more depth. And thirdly there's the player who holds out the promise of becoming something special in the 1st Division, having proved himself in a lower division. You can make a profit on this type of player that will allow you to buy those superstars you'll eventually need. Strategy starts in the transfer market!

LOADING: There are three recordings in SOCCER SUPREMO. The DIV.ONE tape has two recordings of the main program, one on either side of the cassette. On the first side of the second cassette are six DATA files which contain the information and the players for the six seasons of play. On the second side are the European Cups program is recorded. To check out that your tapes are O.K., carry out the following exercise:

Type into your computer *CAT followed by RETURN. You will get the Searching message. Put DIV.ONE tape into the cassette unit and run the tape. Turn your volume control (playback level) down to zero and then slowly increase it until the block numbers count up without any error messages. Note the setting of your level control, then turn the level up until the error messages start appearing. Drop the level back a little so that the block count again becomes consistent. Note the level. Rewind the tape, set the level to midway between the maximum and minimum successful load points and then run the tape the whole way through. Files SS, GAME and PD should appear on the screen in sequence with block counts and no error messages. Turn the tape over and run that side. Again using *CAT and RETURN, run the DATA FILES recording and you should obtain Sn1, Sn2, Sn3, Sn4, Sn5 and Sn6, again with block numbers and no error messages. Flip the tape over and run the EURO.CUPS tapes and files EURO, GAME and TD with block counts and no error messages. If any of the tapes will not give an error-free run, return the tape to us, and we will replace it.

SAVING THE GAME: Rather than play for several hours and then find that the SAVED GAME does not load, try this: LOAD"SS" (RETURN) and put the DIV.ONE tape into the cassette unit and run. When the SS file has loaded, rewind the tape, remove and put in a blank tape. Then type into your computer SAVE"SS", set your recorder on RECORD and hit RETURN. Rewind the tape and now try to LOAD "SS" from that recording. Try it at different playback levels and again note the centre point for correct playback. Use this level in future when you come to load in SAVED GAMES. If you can't SAVE "SS" and reload it, then you need to have a dealer look at your recorder.

Tony Bull (TB): an experienced central defender that joined the club as an apprentice and has held a regular place for the last 6 years. Travelled with the Northen Ireland squad to the 1986 World Cup.

Ryan Curran (RC): one of your close season buys to bolster up the mid-field. A natural right sided player who will fight 'til he drops. Four seasons with Chelsea and seven England caps.

Andy Eastham (AE): a promising outside right with a startling turn of speed. Needs to improve his final ball into the box and pick out his colleagues more accurately. Has plenty of time to develop.

Chris Fleming (CF): your regular goalkeeper that joined the club three seasons ago after six years as a 1st team player with Arsenal.

Gary Graham (CG): nicknamed the "galloping ghost" for his nose for chances in and around the six yard box. Needs to develop his skills of holding on the ball while colleagues join him. There's no substitute for experience.

Richard Holmes (RH): another close season signing to bolster last season's suspect defence which may prove embarrasing in the 1st Division. Has played at right back for Leicester and Villa for the past five seasons.

Dean Isaacs (DI): may be your midfield general for the coming season at least. Likes to roam free and sprays the ball around to some effect. However don't expect too much back tackling from him.

Chris Kelly (CK): a nice snatch from the Irish youth team, who has already played at under-21 level at left back for Eire. Still shows his inexperience but has a very promising career.

Mark Leech (ML): last year's captain, directing the team from the central defence. A tall gangling player, very dominating in the aid and leads with the authority bred of experience.

Kevin Meggon (KM): last season's regular reserve keeper who kept 15 clean sheets in 38 matches. Might be a little overawed in the 1st Division yet.

Colin Niven (CN): reserve team captain (your predecessor had a thing about central defenders as captain). Another player who dominates the box in the air, but his judgement is still a little suspect. Will improve.

Barry Peters (BP): a right winger who laid on many a goal last season but is beginning to slow down which may be shown up in the 1st Division. Still has the best ball control in the club however.

Jimmy Ross (JR): a very promising youngster in the mnould of Butch Wilkins in his youth. Prefers his right foot and has a sweet tooth which can split any defence on his day. His day will come more often as he matures.

Martin Talbot (MT): has spent 8 years with the club now and is still the most dependable left fullback on your books. Remarkably quick for a player who is only 5'8" and still recovers as fast as an 18 year old.

Mick Vincent (MV): a tenacious little player who operates from the left side of midfield. Liable to get himself in trouble with the officials and has given many a freekick away outside the box. Needs to calm down a bit.

Kenny West (KW): signed to give you a bit more punch up front. Scored 23 goals for Peterborough last season in his first (and only) season with them after three seasons with Newcastle. Typical "English Centre Forward".

Colin Williams (CW): a hard tackling left-sided midfield player that played 18 games on the troy last season after signing from Sheffield Wednesday. Has 14 caps for Wales but it may be too late to add many more.

Tommy Yates (TY): has scored 215 goals in his 11 season career. Likes to run on to the ball from the left and is clinical in his finishing. Could be an important player for you if he stays clear of injury.

Colin Alcock (CA): a regular right sided midfield player for Everton and England. A tenacious player that will close down opposing attackers before they have time to settle.

Brian Anderson (BA): Used by Bobby Robson to give England width in attack when his Beardsley/Lineker combination isn't working out. A clever left wing that has taken many an international defence apart.

Stuart Angel (SA): left back in the Division's best defence last season. He's as fast as any attacker playing in the English league and will add tremendous strength to any team. On the verge of Scottish selection.

Miles Arnold (MA): released by Liverpool following their signing of the new Danish sensation Jan Olsen. A classy midfield general with still a few seasons left in him.

Shane Baron (SB): not happy playing for a second Division side following his team's relegation two seasons ago. The team's top scorer for the last four seasons operating from the left side of the attack.

Noel Bates (NB): Swindon's keeper in their promotion success last season. Now looking to advance his career in 1st Division football.

Robert Brock (RB): left out of the West Ham first team for the last 8 matches of last season following injury, and looking for a regular first team place. A complete centre back who dominates the box in the air.

Winston Brown (WB): 12 goals in 23 matches for Liverpool last season but finds the competition too hot. Many a team could use this bustling central attacker at any level.

Allan Callaghan (AC): another Scot looking to come south to advance his career. With four successive seasons with Aberdeen, and 72 goals under his belt, this central attacker wants to take on the English Defenders.

Peter Carter (PC): releaesed by West Brom after a disastrous financial season last year. Looking for 1st Division football again. A competent fight back that has a good five seasons left in him.

Timothy Clayton (TC): a 6'1" left back with remarkable speed for such a tall man. That height doesn't leave much chance for those near post corners from the right. Probably an expensive buy, but worth it.

Steven Critchley (SC): another player from Swindon Town's very sound promotion winning defence that is looking to advance his career. A skilled right fullback with lots of pace and, at 24, many seasons in front of him.

Barry Dale (BD): a very tricky right winger that has practised his trade in the 1st Division for 12 seasons now. Can still run the legs off fullbacks 10 years his junior and his experience can be very telling.

Paul Davis (PD): has become the first choice as England's goalkeeper since Stewart Phillips faded. Some say he's better than Stewart ever was.

Trevor Dean (TD): after giviing 8 years of service to QPR, including their promotion year, Trevor finds himself on the transfer list. If you're looking for a competent central defender with lots of aereal power, he's here.

Stefan Diego (SD): South America comes to England? If you can afford the fee for this prolific goal scorer from Argentina then you will have a central striker everyone will envy. But whether he will like England...

Graham Dolan (GD): there seems to be a gult of good central defenders in the 1st Division at the present, but if you're on the look out for a competent defender with superb control in the air, then here's your man.

Steward Edwards (SE): the most educated left foot in English football is on the end of Stewart's right leg. But seriously, a delicate player of the ball that will continue to open up defences for a couple more seasons yet.

Chris Endean (CE): Chris has emerged as the player to replace Bryan Robson in England's midfield. A feocious fighter for the ball, and a player that will demand the same from the rest of his team.

Vince Evans (VE): are sweepers going to catch on in British football? If so then Vince has a happy future. A quick central defender that reads the game well and covers for the mistakes of the two tall men in front of him.

Peter Farmer (PF): only last season a non-league player, Peter has had trials with Everton but wants to move nearer home. Has shown considerable promise in his trial and you would not be the only one after him.

Dave Fellows (DF): perhaps his time as an England player is over but that doesn't mean he won't grace the central defence of some 1st Division club for a few more seasons. You're buying experience and stability there.

Trevor Feather (TF): the first choice Norther Ireland goalkeeper, and he's filled big Pat's boots more than adequately. A classy keeper.

Simon Fuller (SF): English football is not blessed with too many good left backs, so Simon will be in demand. He's a little raw as yet but has the tenacity and potential to fill Kenny Sansom's boots.

Eddie Gates (EG): with Bryan Robson's injury troubles Eddie has been able to collect a number of England caps in the centre of England's midfield. Contract trouble means he's available... at a price.

Colin Goodenough (CG): for a time it looked as though he wouldn't live up to his name, but Brian Clough turned him into one of the best left wings in the country. As usual Forest can't afford to hold onto him.

Franz Gruber (FG): Austria's midfield play maker, who joined Man Utd last season, is looking for another club. After a very disappointing season for Utd, there's a big shake up at the club and someone is going to gain there.

Peter Harding (PH): another 1st Division player that doesn't like the idea of 2nd Division football. A competent, no nonsense left back and because of trouble with his club it could be a reasonable buy.

Ted Harper (TH): having shared the goalies' jersey for 3 seasons with Terry Baker at Chelsea, Ted is looking for a regular 1st team spot.

Mickey Hayes (MH): there are not too many players who can pierce a defence with such incisive passes as Mickey can play. Don't expect too much defensive work though from a slightly lazy right sided midfielder.

Ken Hughes (KH): despite being a little long in the tooth, Ken can still battle it out with the best of them. Prefers the right side of the pitch and very much a defensive midfield player.

Perry Irwin (PI): a class player that doesn't appear on the open market too often. A midfielder that can really make the team hum with his delicate and unpredictable defence splitting passes from the right.

Darren Jackson (DJ): a trickly little left winger that can ring the tactical changes in your team setup. Due to contractual troubles he should come at a good price.

Jeremy Jacobs (JJ): a right back who surprised a few players in last year's successful FA Cup run by Telford Utd. A number of league clubs have shown an interest but as yet he's still available, and going for a song.

Barry Jones (BJ): Barry has risen to prominence over the last season as one of the most accomplished right backs in British football. It'll be some time before another player wears the red number 2 shirt for Wales.

Freedy Jordon (FJ): for three seasons Leicester City's mainstay central defender. Strong in the air, but with some doubts about his vulnerability to strikers with real pace, Freddy should be a reasonable price.

Allan King (AK): a veteran left back with perhaps three seasons left in him at 1st Division level. Still very quick on the turn and all but the very quickest will get no change out of Allan. A good short term buy.

John Kratchmer (JK): European Player of the Year two seasons ago, John wants to test his talents in the English league. A very ferocious tackler who takes no prisoners from that left side of midfield - that's his.

Carl Lamb (CL): a goalkeeper of great talent who deputises for Shilton in the England team. Unhappy at Coventry, who will take some persuading ££££.

Jan Logan (JL): a player who showed his worth in the Mexico World Cup. A player who can direct things from midfield with an educated left foot that can bisect the space between defenders with mathematical precision.

Allan Lyons (AL): a Luton Town player who's looking to see some European action before too many seasons go by. A good aerial defender that has been playing without the cover he needs.

Chris Mark (CM): the best centre back we've seen in an England shirt for a long time. Obviously that white No. 5 shirt is his for many a season to come. Superb in the air and no slouch on the ground.

Jason Martin (JM): one of the most promising young midfielders we've seen in a long time. Tenacious in the tackle, he will control the centre of the pitch releasing others to snipe at the opposition defence.

Larry Miller (LM): and we thought wingers were out! The best thing on the right wing since Stanley Matthews. His ball control is superb, his crosses made with pinpoint accuracy. He'll be expensive.

Paul Murray (PM): an exciting newcomer to the soccer scene who's been taking left fullbacks apart since midway through last season. Has the deceptively lazy style of the Brazilians as he delivers that killer cross.

Sean Neary (SN): some say the best player to come out of Ireland since George Best. A stylish centre back, unmatched in the air in either box. It's unusual for a defender to get this sort of attention. He deserves it!

Gary North (GN): always a promising player but this season Gary has come to prominence in the No. 8 shirt for Forest. In his left-sided midfield role, his slick tackling is denying the opposition any room for manoeuvre.

Barry O'Hara (BO): another import from the Republic of Ireland that's brough class to an English club's defence. A 6'2" central defender that dominates his box for every one of the 90 minutes.

Pete Owen (PO): Pete has been around now for a while for Chelsea, Ipswich and Newcastle. A left-sided midfield player with the skill to hit those accurate 40 yard passes that transform defence into attack.

Carlos Pabrini (CP): what can one say? The South American Platini without the age. Favours his right and can you believe it he wants to try out his skill in our 100mph game.

Andrew Palmer (AP): a tigerish little midfield player from 3rd Division Doncaster who has caught the eye of a number of 1st Division clubs. Some say that he favours his left foot too much, but then so does Maradona.

Stewart Phillps (SP): currently wears the goalkeeper's shirt for Wales. Some argue Bobby Robson should have grabbed him first as Shlton's deputy.

Gary Power (GP): this gangling young man is showing a lot of potential in the centre of 4th Division Rochdale's defence. Has a number of rough edges but at only 20, there's plenty of time to mature.

Alex Raybould (AR): a useful right wing that currently plays for a team experimenting with a sweeper formation. Wants to play in a team with more ambitious attacking plans. Could prove a good buy.

Paul Richard (PR): a prolific goal scorer for QPR that likes to bore in from the right. Has been likened to Trevor Francis at his best, with the same pace and nose for goal.

Colin Richie (CR): has been hitting the back of the net regularly for 3rd Division Bournemouth for the last season. This traditional English centre forward is generating a lot of interest amongst 1st Division clubs.

Hugo Romero (HR): another South American looking for fame and fortune in Europe. Poved a world class player in Argentina's Championship side as a skillful, unselfish right wing. Could cost you.

Rene Schuster (RS): Hamburg's top scorer for the last three seasons. A central striker who is lethal with both feet but also lifts the performance of the whole side.

Wayne Stringer (WS): one of the more competent right backs in British football at present. Quick in the tackle and just loves to get forward and initiate attacks.

Eddie Sturrock (ES): we've seen a number of Scottish strikers come south and show the English boys what finishing's all about. No-one has any doubt that Eddie will be another class central striker.

Jack Sourworth (JS): an experienced midfield general from Leeds Utd. What he lacks in pace he makes up for in guile and cunning.

Lee Smith (LS): a useful central character in the Kevin Keegan mould. Likes to run on to the ball and given the right service will provide the finish you could be looking for.

Peter Swan (PS): Peter has proved to be the natural successor to Kenny Sansom as England's left back. Another Everton find, as a result of a dispute with the club this great fullback has come onto the market.

Tony Taylor (TT): Tony has been around for a few seasons now as one of the more reliable central defenders in the league. As a result of the new youth policy of Man Utd, he's available for any club without defence problems.

Kevin Thompson (KT): a useful left wing with a knack for scoring those all-important goals. Often accused of not releasing the ball quickly enough and trying to walk the ball into the net, until he does, of course.

Colin Trinder (CT): for those interested in sweeper formations, here's probably the best talent on the English scene today. Very quick, reads the game very well and more than makes up for central defence weakness.

John Twain (JT): a veteran centre back with 1st Division experience with Coventry, Wimbledon and Sheffield Wed. With a couple of good seasons in him yet he will provide good cover for your present central defenders.

Gorgon Vaughan (GV): the emergence of Pete Foulkes at Spurs has put Gordon into the reserve squad and he's not happy. Needs a good home.

John Walker (JW): a skilled centre back with a wealth of 1st Division experience, Joh should prove a good buy for any club with defence problems to whom he will bring stability and calm, particularly in the air.

Gorgon Wright (GW): has been likened to Stevie Coppell. Unfortunately he's almost a contemporary of Steve. But if you're looking for width and a player who can pick up those vital goals, then spare him a thought.

Alec Young (AY): another Scot who came south to seek fame and fortune. Has not done too badly either. Towards the end of his career now, but his laid-back style of play making from the left makes little demands on stamina.

If someone had told me three years ago, when I wrote this page for the first time, that I would be sitting at the word processor for the sixth time commenting on the latest football management game, I would never have believed it. But if they had told me the specification of this current game, which is so far in advance of our first, I think I would have laughed out loud at any suggestion that we could meet that specification. In fact the first game is almost an embarrassment now.

Whenever we advance a game, we always have two objectives in mind. The first is to make the game a greater challenge by including more of the problems the real manager has to face. We do this, not only to advance the game, but also to give current owners of the game something new to tackle. We've always been encouraged by the number of people who upgrade their games. In the case of the current game, the expansion of the player description to include a more detailed definition as in Mexico '86, makes it necessary to think of the players in very much the same manner as one thinks of one's favourite team. Player A is a central defender who's strong in air, player B a right inger who makes the scoring chances for player C, a large bustling central striker. And so on. That's why we emphasise the term think football! The transfer market has now become a strategy in itself, not just a colection of players who could be bought knowing they would lead to a successful team. The drift in form of some players, and the short team variations, means that the manager must keep a sharper eye on the players' performances if he is to succeed.

The second objective is to add further interest to the game by adding more of the football world. In this upgrade this is the most obvious change; the addition of the FA Cup to add more interest to the earlier seasons when the side is being built, and the European Cups to remove the anti-climax that previous occured once the Championship has been won. Even when the ultimate single trophy, the European Cup, has been won, you can then turn your thoughts to "Doubles" and even "Trebles".

Well, Commodore users are screaming for SOCCER SUPREMO now, so I must fly. Good luck!

SOCCER SUPREMO is made up of three parts: the DIV.ONE program, the EURO.CUPS program and the DATA FILES. The DIV.ONE program is on either side of tape 1. Previously, tape 2 had the EURO.CUPS program on one side and the DATA FILES on the other. But this meant that you had only one copy of each of these two parts. We have not put the DATA FILES and the EURO.CUPS program on one side of tape 2 and duplicated these on side 2, giving you two copies. This should help reduce tape loading problems.

To load the EURO.CUPS program, type in CHAIN"EURO" and RETUN. Fast wind your tape 2 a little less than halfway before pressing the PLAY key on your recorder. If you have a counter on your recorder then note when the "EURO" file starts and in future you will know exactly where to fast forward to.

Peter Carter: right fullback
Peter Farmer: midfield ballwinner, prefers the right
Gordon Vaughan: goalkeeper

We suggest you describe their positions in the manual.