I always wanted to play a management game where I could control the entire club, something that would help me escape reality—or perhaps convince myself that I was controlling reality itself. Fantasy leagues never really appealed to me; I longed for something more authentic.
After years of playing Czech Soccer Manager (realistic but too simplified) and SoccerProject.com (great community but too fantasy-oriented), I finally discovered Football Manager 2007 at the age of almost 14. From that moment on, I was hooked, and I didn't tear myself away from the screen until the release of FM2013 (I started going to work...).
At one point, my sense of reality became completely blurred – I remember arguing passionately with friends about who won the Champions League. I was absolutely convinced it was Liverpool, solely because of my addiction to FM, when in fact it was Barcelona in the 2008/09 season.
Now, almost 12 years later, I've returned to the series and this time I've immersed myself in FM24. However, driven by pure nostalgia, I rebooted Windows XP and installed FM07. Unfortunately, I desperately miss the Czech language add-on, which I searched for everywhere in vain all week. I even bought an original copy on eBay for $12, but I honestly think that those of us who desperately cling to childhood memories deserve easier access—perhaps through platforms like GOG.com.