Footballer of the Year

Footballer of the Year - the 1986 sports management and career simulation for
Commodore 64 from Gremlin Graphics.

Rise from rookie to superstar by managing your football career, earning cash,
buying chances, and performing well in simulated matches.

Core loop
- buy match chances to influence key plays
- score goals to boost form and reputation
- invest earnings and climb the league rankings

Systems and items
- chance cards - trigger special match events or shots on goal
- manager offers - transfer between clubs based on performance
- finance system - manage money to keep career momentum

Level design and feel
Menu-driven interface mixed with short arcade-style highlights. Fast, strategic
progression between league fixtures and career milestones.

Why it is notable
- one of the first hybrid career and management football sims on C64
- launched a short-lived series popular in Europe
- blended luck-based mechanics with performance tracking

Tips
- save funds early to buy more chances per match
- transfer to stronger clubs for higher bonuses
- form resets quickly—keep scoring to maintain reputation

At a glance
Year - 1986
Developer - Gremlin Graphics
Design and programming - Peter Harrap
Graphics - Peter Harrap
Music - Ben Daglish
Publisher - Gremlin Graphics
Genre - Sports management
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2 with keyboard input