“MARADONA AND PELE PLAYING TOGETHER?” – Championship Manager 1970’s Lets You Find Out

When anyone mentions the words ‘Championship Manager’ or ‘Football Manager’, the general majority of football fans worldwide bite their bottom lips and think back to when they could sign the likes of Fabio Paim, Maxim Tsgalko, Frederick Lisp, Jonas Lunden and To Maderia – taking Rushden and Diamonds to the dizzy heights of the Champions League. Ross Fisher has a go at the Peter Taylor role.

We have all been there in one way or another – playing the game is like a form of addiction. That “one last game” turns into a binge which ends up from ‘having a look at a few scouted players’ at 6pm to ‘Jesus wept, I’ve got to be up for work in 2 hours’. Plus, even when you are at work, you find yourself scribbling down possible formations to play with and what players to sign.

Days have been lost, Afternoons have evaporated and Girlfriends have been left on the shelf.

When you thought a football manager simulation game couldn’t get any better, the clever people at Square Enix have published an idea that has made the hairs on my camel skinned coat stand up on end.

Championship Manager Legends 1970`s has been released on the iPhone and iPad doing exactly what it says on the tin. No Rooney, no Torres, no Carroll, or Kaka here. Instead, its Cruyff, Best, Pele, Keegan, Brooking, Dalglish, Moore and Beckenbauer.

When you start the game, you are presented with a choice of manager name and age as per usual. Then you chose a country to play in. England, Scotland, Spain or Italy, then presented with a choice of three years to start a season from – 1970, 1973 or 1976. There is a little bit of background fact about the year (current best international side, European side and domestic champions from that year ) Then choose your league to play in. 

Not just the players, the rules have changed back to the 70s too, which means the likes of 2 points for a win and 1 substitute only in England – At last, you can finally put to bed on those pub arguements about the footballing greats “Would Pele and Maradona work together up front?”, “I think Beckenbauer was more of a defender than a holding midfeilder” before putting your wits against the likes of Brian Clough and Bill Shankly.

Championship Manager alone has always been a winner, but with this 70’s Legends being rolled out, it looks as though the footballing sim is taking an even better step forward – by looking to the history books. There is loads of depth including press conferences, board requests, training schedules, as well as all the other things you come to expect – the only thing you aren’t able to do is lay out the ash trays in the dressing room.

At £1.79 and talks already happening about a 1980’s version, it’s the best app I have bought in quite a while. So if you know your stuff, get on the end of it ASAP.

Now if you will excuse me, I think it’s time to try and tempt Kenny Dalglish away from Celtic.