<li><strong><a href="#L0001">Kick Off Pro</a></strong><br>
<ul>
<li><a href="#L0002">Legal</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0003">History</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0004">General overview</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0005">Installation</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0006">Getting Started</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0007">Set Up screens</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0008">Pre Season</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0009">Club selection</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0010">The Season</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0011">Team Selection</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0012">The Squad</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0013">Options before a match is underway.</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0014">Options When a match is underway.</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0015">Match Day</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0016">News Items</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0017">Hints and Tips</a><br>
<li><a href="#L0018">Thanks to....</a><br>
</ul>
</ul>
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<h4>Legal</h4>
<p>In this instance the term AUTHOR refers to M.R.Davies and the term Program refers to the game Kick Off in its entirity. This program is subject to all existing copyright laws. This program is NOT Shareware</p>
<p>No part of the program may be copied or used in any other program unless WRITTEN permission is gained from the Author. The Author reserves the right to prosecute any person / company in breach of the above terms and conditions.</p>
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<h4>History</h4>
<p>Once upon a time ( late '82 ish I think), I bought a cassette based game for my trusty BEEB (Series 4 Board, £10 Upgrade from OS.1 and still going strong.) called " Champions ". After playing it I thought hey, maybe I could do better (as you do). So 1x40/80 track and 1x8271 chip later I had a go. Several frustrating months passed and the very first version was up and running in colourful MODE 7. Well Polytechnic came and went as did the versions and ideas. In about 1986 the final version for my BEEB was finished (Version 5.72). There it stayed dormant on disk.( All together now - Aahhhh) When I bought my shiny new A3010 in 1993 I thought "I wonder if I can convert it and make it better? " So I Did, and here it is (After playing it you'll more than likely say "Sod me, If this is 'better' I'd hate to see the original"). Then last year David Holden of APDL kindly thought it worthy enough to put in his PD library. Since then it has had quite a few minor tweaks and several large overhauls the latest being the multi player option.</p>
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<h4>General overview</h4>
<p>!Kick Off is a single tasking football management simulation, comprising of 88 clubs within four divisions i.e.22 clubs per division. The clubs in the divisions consist of both Scottish and English league teams.</p>
<p>Each club will play every other club within their respective division both Home and away in 44 weeks. Thus for 2 weeks of the season each club will not have any fixture, yet still be liable for wages / training / injuries etc. There can be a possible 4 managers playing at once where each manager is responsible for his/her teams moral, fitness, stadium etc. Each manager can have up to 20 players in his team using only 13 at any given time i.e. 11 players 2 subs. There are over 62,000 possible name permutations for players within the game. A single player season if played properly can take up to an hour to complete. The multi player version can take up to 4 hours to play. You as the manager will start your career in division 4. You will have at your disposal several millions of pounds with which to make your mark in this often turbulent world. There are a maximum amount of seasons you can play as any one manager - 50. You CANNOT be sacked as you own the club outright, However your spending history and performance are saved each year and you can view glories / calamities past.</p>
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<h4>Installation</h4>
<p><b><font size="+1">General</font></b> </p>
<p>The game runs OK on 4MB and 2MB Risc OS 3.1 machines I have been told that it works OK on Risc PC's OS 3.5+ (not sure about 1MB machines- Should be OK as long as you do not have too many other applications running ). It is not multitasking and runs in mode 15.: I also suggest that you set your fontcache to around 90+ K</p>
<p><b><font size="+1">Important</font></b> </p>
<p>The !Saved Game icon must be seen by !Kick_Off to enable the game to run. (Double click on it if you are uncertain as to its 'where abouts')</p>
<p>Loading: Just double click on the Kick Off icon.</p>
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<h4>Getting Started</h4>
<p>Once you have Double Clicked on the !Kick Off Icon, the game will begin loading. The main title screen will appear and a short initialisation sequence will occur. After a set time the screen will change to what I call the Number of players screen. Once you have made your selection the screen will change to the initial game screen. It consists of an area showing you the teams selected - left And to the right an area consisting of four named icons:</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Quit game</b> - Exits !Kick Off afer a prompt.<br>
<li> <b>Game Option</b> s - In this the initial game screen allows you to choose both default and in game pointers. Use the bump icons to show the name of the pointer - the pointer name showing equals the one selected. Clicking on "TRY" loads the selected in game pointer.<br>
<li> <b>Save Game</b> - This is permanently disabled at this stage.<br>
<li> <b>Play Game</b> - Starts the main program.(It's a whistle by the way)<br>
</ul>
<p>By Clicking over the name of your team allows you to enter the "SET UP" screens where you can cahnge the default name settings:</p>
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<h4>Set Up screens</h4>
<p>After you have selected this option you will see the current name you your club, the name of your ground and the name of the manager. Also along the lower central position of the screen there is another box ( Known in this game as a MENU BOX - M.B.) As in the pointer selection use the bump icons to change the option you wish to use and click on it.</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Existing Team</b> : When selected will allow you to search through all the current team names in !Kick Off by virtue of selecting the first letter of the team you require. You will then be shown all the teams begining with that letter and asked if your team is there. If it is, simply select the number and click over the number you have selected.<br>
NB if your team after frequent searching is not there select any team name to exit.(See below)<br>
<li> <b>New Team</b> : As previously stated if you cannot find the team you are looking for by selecting this option allows you to make your own name up(Letters only). After typing in the name the program will automatically change your name into Capital and lower case letters. i.e.<br>
<li> LADS UNTITED will be converted to Lads United<br>
<li> lasses city will be converted to Lasses City<br>
<li> xEnO aLBioN will be converted to Xeno Albion<br>
<li> <b>The Manager</b> : Use this selection to change the name of the manager.<br>
<li> <b>Name Ground</b> : Selecting this will allow the name of the ground to be changed.<br>
<li> <b>Finished </b> : Returns you to the main menu.<br>
</ul>
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<h4>Pre Season</h4>
<p>On clicking over the whistle icon in the initialisation screen, the screen will clear and show which managers are playing and in which divisions. Then you will be confronted with the team selection screen again but this telling you that you are in the pre season interval. The exit game icon is standard and does the what it says. The options icon is disabled.</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Save Game </b> : Assuming that the program has 'seen' the !Saved game filer. you will be allowed to either save or restore a position. A saved game will occupy approximately 37K of disk space. Saved game names can be as long as 9 characters in length. Should there be any duplication in saving you will be asked if you wish to overwrite an existing saved game file.<br>
<li> <b>Play Game</b> : clicking over this will allow you to begin the season.<br>
</ul>
<p>Where this screen differs from the last is when you select a club....</p>
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<h4>Club selection</h4>
<p>This screen will show which players are involved in your club and the currently selected player shown in a yellow box will have all his personal data displayed in the information box to the right. (by clicking on the "MORE" icon will even more data on the player) And to select a player just click over his name. The information shown in this box should enable you to work out where and if you want him in your squad.(I'm not going to explain how important these features are, as after all YOU KNOW BEST!) To the lower right of the screen you will see a menu box (M.B.): Use this as you have done with the others: Below are explanations as to what each selection does.</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Buy Player </b> : This allows you to view the transfer lists of all players within their respective divisions. Assuming you have enough money, enough room in your squad and enough pulling power, clicking on buy will begin the transfer procedure. This is where you will have to select the contract offered to the player, and if acceptable to the player he's yours.<br>
<li> <b>Sell Player </b> : Sells the currently selected player to the highest bidder. After, of course the obligatory prompt.<br>
<li> <b>Stadium </b> : This selection allows you to improve your grounds capacity. And also to view basic information about your stadium. i.e. Average capacity etc. There are three types of upgrades of stands available to you each having a greater capacity than the last and each costing more to buy. Clicking on the North,South,East or West buttons leads you to the upgrade selection for that part of the stadium.<br>
<li> <b>Finances </b> : Assuming that you wish to buy players and expand you will need to borrow money from the bank. By selecting this option you will be allowed to do just that. You can also pay extra money into the bank to reduce the amount that you have borrowed. Clicking on either of the boxes marked INCREASE LOAN or DECREASE LOAN allows you to either pay in money or take it out.<br>
On selecting INCREASE LOAN you will be asked how much you wish to borrow and once that is checked against your credit limit and cleared you will be asked as to how many years the total amount borrowed is to be paid back. Please note that UNREGISTERED users are not given the same terms and conditions as REGISTERED ones. Payments are made weekly via direct debit (-see accounts section later.)
<li> <b>OK </b> : Returns you to the main screen.<br>
</ul>
<p>You may notice that the name of your team has changed colour from yellow to green. this is an indication that you have viewed your club during this period.</p>
<p>Clicking on the PLAY GAME icon ( yes the whistle.) will begin the season proper.</p>
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<h4>The Season</h4>
<p>The first screen to be shown will show which player is control of which team. Just like that on the pre season interval. And after a pause will show a virtually identical main screen with the exception that you will be shown how many weeks and seasons have elapsed. The icons to the right serve the same purpose as before except the OPTIONS icon this once selected allows you to view either the whole of the leagues Results,Tables and Statistics after each match has been complete or just those that affect the division(s) your teams are in.(</p>
<p>The highlighted option is the one that is set. By default, to just your division). The whistle icon plays that weeks fixtures.</p>
<p>When you click on your teams name in this screen then you will enter the real world of this arena.</p>
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<h4>Team Selection</h4>
<p>OK now to the real nitty gritty of team management. Again this explains what to each part does and how to use it but not what to do to win.</p>
<p>The screen will change to one showing your currently selected team divided into The keeper / Defenders / Midfielders / Attackers and Two substitutes. below that is an information box giving you snippets of your clubs' current situation. And below that is the main Menu Box. Outlines of the functions there in are as follows...</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>OK </b> : Returns you to the main screen.<br>
<li> <b>The Squad </b> : Exceptionally diverse and some waht complicated to explain. - Therefore has its own chapter.<br>
<li> <b>Fixtures </b> : This, once selected will show the weeks fixtures in your current division. Clicking over any one of the icons numbered 1 to 4 will show the fixtures in that division. To examine a team in more detail simply click over any one of the fixtures and relevant details of the two teams involved in that fixture will be shown. With this feature it is possible to see the most viable team formation / selection of your squad.<br>
<li> <b>League Tables</b> : Use this function to view not just your own but any of the four divisional league tables.<br>
<li> <b>The Club </b> : This function will give you details of how you are doing in the league, how well you are managing to fill your stadium and shows your past / current spending & performance history. Select a season via the bump icons and click over it and that seasons' performance will be shown.<br>
<li> <b>Transfer List</b> : Just as in the pre season interval you can buy players But unfortunately players do have a tendancy to cost more and want a higher wage. And if you're an unregistered manager then ...... Ouch!<br>
<li> <b>Finances </b> : Yes indeed you can still borrow money. Operation of this feature is just the same as the Pre Season Interval.<br>
</ul>
<p>Some of these feature not available when playing a match</p>
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<h4>The Squad</h4>
<p>As mentioned earlier, the Menu Box feature called SQUAD is rather complex to explain. Here goes nothing....</p>
<p>When selected you will be confronted by a screen not too different from the main Pre Season Interval screen with one exception - The squad members are shown together with their respective team positions. The highlighted player will have his information etc. shown in the info box and the MORE icon does exactly the same (Clicking menu will also do the equivalent) An important thing to note here is that if a player is in a red box he is INJURED and trying to play him is not only detrimental to the team but also to the player himself.</p>
<p>To coin a phrase "football is a match of two halves", and so in order to simplify things.</p>
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<h4>Options before a match is underway.</h4>
<ul>
<li> <b>Tactics </b> : The screen is replaced by the conventional 'squad' screen and like the squad screen you can view the players vital stats etc.(P.S. pressing the Menu on the mouse over a team member eliminates you from having to click on the MORE icon.) To change the formation press select over the formation icon click on the required formation which will then be highlighted and then over the OK icon situated to the bottom right of the information box.<br>
When you press ADJUST over a highlighted player instead of the usual menu bar you will see appear four boxes , all are named as to their purpose. By clicking over the Bump bars either up / down will raise / lower the effort of the player in that position. So for example it is possible to have a defender playing as an attacker- though weakening the defence. Pressing ADJUST & SELECT together over a bump icon will either "empty" the Spare effort box and fill the appropriate box or vice versa. When a player is playing as a Goalkeeper, he will always give 100% in that position regardless of the settings you set. Pressing MENU will leave this part of the program.<br>
By clicking ADJUST over any of the squad members a Meny Box will appear below the information box.
<li> <b>Drop </b> : (Only available if player is in the team.) - Will drop player from team.<br>
<li> <b>Select </b> (Only available if player is NOT in the team and 13 players NOT selected) Allows you to put player in to the team by clicking on the positions shown.( Formation dependant :eg 4:4:2 cannot have 5 defenders and 3 forwards ).<br>
<li> <b>Training </b> : Enters the highlighted player's training schedule. Careful manipulation of this will allow fitness / moral to improve and the players attributes to better - indicated by green in info box. However the better the player ie divisional standard the harder it is to better his attributes and if you are an unregistered manager harder still)<br>
<li> <b>Drop All</b> : Deselects the whole team.- More useful than at first glance. As after several matches and formations have been used it is easier to start again from scratch.<br>
<li> <b>Sell </b> : Will sell highlighted player as per PSI.<br>
</ul>
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<h4>Options When a match is underway.</h4>
<p>During a match it is only possible to change players around within the team. Clicking ADJUST on any of the players will show a box with instructions. By then Clicking SELECT on any of the other players and following the instructions you will swap the players around.</p>
<p>The TACTICAL icon is still however fully functioning.- just in case you've made a tactical blunder.</p>
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<h4>Match Day</h4>
<p>To start the match click over the "whistle" icon. The program then checks each team for any irregularities. Such as :</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Team not viewed by manager</b> - This does not stop the match it is just a warning that you may not have picked the best squad for the day.<br>
<li> <b>Financial report</b> - The rules of the game concerning cash is that you mustn't be in the red when match day arrives.(Even if you are not playing that week )<br>
<li> <b>Not a full squad</b> - You must field 13 players, fit or otherwise.<br>
</ul>
<p>If any of the last two errors occur, you will be returned to the main screen to sort out the problem so to speak. The offending team(s) will have their name in red for ease of identification.</p>
<p>Assuming no errors have been found you will be shown either all of the divisional half time scores or just those divisions that you are involved.(See options in section 8)</p>
<p>After those results the main screen will be shown where it is possible to chop and change your team if needed. It should be noted here that certain screens cannot be accessed during the half time interval. Clicking on the "whistle" icon will then give you the final scores.</p>
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<h4>News Items</h4>
<p>After each full game you will be shown the league table(s) and statistics and the highest scores etc.- depending on which Option you have selected. and several different news items...</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Financial report</b> - Shows how much you have spent that week. Net of Tax. Home matches have gate reciepts - away matches don't.<br>
<li> <b>Wage increases</b> - This happens once a season to each manager just select what you believe your players wage should go up by (if at all) via the bump bars , click on the amount when ready and hope you have got it right...<br>
<li> <b>Birthdays </b> - Yes players do get older and on their 'Special day' they may become wiser and happier players.<br>
<li> <b>Injuries and Bookings</b> - During the course of any match those players who are somewhat injury prone (Hint:Think old, lazy and depressed) will inevetably sustain some form of injury, be it mild or severe. Like wise as for injuries so to bookings usually through bad temper during defeat or more commonly just bad "technique".- when a player has enough penalty points he will be suspended.<br>
<li> <b>Club news</b> - During regular intervals through out the season you will be notified of the fate of the best and worst managers of the other clubs around you.<br>
<li> <b>Transfer requests</b> - During the later stages of the season players may become disenchanted with your style of management and ask to leave. The choice and possible remedy is yours.<br>
<li> <b>Contract warnings </b> - Not so noticable in your first season in charge but during the years you will come to notice them for what they are.<br>
<li> <b>Players leaving the club</b> - Well you were warned - so its your own fault.<br>
<li><b> Interest rates </b> - Every year or so the interest rate may be changed by the government this can go up as well as down. This affects the cost of borrowing past and present.<br>
</ul>
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<h4>Hints and Tips</h4>
<ol>
<li> Morale and Fitness will be affected by different training schedules. As will the players attributes.<br>
<li> Injured players don't take too kindly to too much exercise.<br>
<li> Players given too much spare time quickly lose fitness and sometimes can even get "depressed" and bored.<br>
<li> A player who doesn't get into the team as often as he likes will soon become disenchanted with your leadership qualities.<br>
<li> All formations can be beaten - assuming you're good enough.<br>
<li> Promotion is gained by finishing in the top 3 (Not 1st div) Relegation in the bottom 3 (Not 4th - yet)<br>
<li> Do not spend more than you can afford. - You will regret it later on.<br>
<li> Younger players do get better at playing as they learn far quicker than older ones.<br>
<li> Skill isn't everything Neither is Morale.<br>
<li> Injured players do not play or sell well.<br>
<li> Keep an eye on your players and dont play a player who is not putting any effort.<br>
<li> Remember Contracts DO expire, Players DO retire.<br>
<li> Keep a large squad - you'll need them. and play each member regularly.<br>
<li> It is possible to buy 1st & 2nd division players when in the 3 & 4th divisions but there is a LONG TERM catch.<br>
<li> Don't try to rush up the divisions - It WILL end in tears.<br>
<li> Sometimes it is better to drop the whole squad and start positioning from scratch.<br>
</ol>
<a name="L0018"></a>
<h4>Thanks to....</h4>
<p>David.Holden for the help and advice given during the evolution of the game.<br>
Paul Corke : Converter of !figlet<br>
Dominic Symes for Writing !Zap<br>
The Writers of !Colour Cube<br>
Acorn for a stable platform - shame about the company<br>
My long suffering mother - for copious amounts of Tea.<br>
