The simplicity of the game is also its downfall, though. While you can do most of the things you'd like to at your club (and it's surprising how quickly you can become a control freak in a management sim), you do gradually become increasingly aware of a number of options which are unavailable to you (like the number of sugars in your half time cup of tea, for instance). In fact, the more you play FLM, the more you realise what it really is: a cut down version of a PC game. Certainly, LMA Manager, a sim developed specifically for the PlayStation, is a lot more comprehensive.

The poor, sub-FIFA match footage doesn't really add to the game either. Ropy and jerky, and unenlivened by either Martin Tyler or Andy Gray, it's merely a tedious diversion from your job and certainly not a patch on the Actua footage which can be seen in Premier Manager 99.

For all its simplicity, FLM 2000 does work as a sim, though. Come match day, your team meddling has a corresponding effect on the game, and it's satisfying to see your team-building, coaching and tactics eventually rewarded with results on the pitch - provided you're 'given the time'...

There's no point comparing FLM 2000 to Championship Manager 3, as PC management sims are still in a different league to those on the PlayStation. But at the end of the day, although it's a decent stab, and despite its team badges and FA licence, FLM 2000 doesn't come near LMA Manager in terms of its comprehensiveness. A typical cut down game - if you do buy it you'll be neither over the moon nor gutted, and that's not good enough really, is it?