By Martin Graham
A 23-year-old Football Manager enthusiast played an unexpected role in helping Kings Park Rangers (KPR) to a real victory. Pardoe Kendrick had previously guided the Great Cornard club from the Eastern Counties League Division One North to Premier League success in the Football Manager 26 simulation game.
What started as a light-hearted challenge from a friend quickly turned into an ambitious project. Kendrick initially set out to make KPR more successful than Championship side Queens Park Rangers, a club he used as a benchmark. Despite not even knowing KPR existed at the start, he surpassed that goal and went even further by winning the Premier League in the game.
After sharing his progress online, Kendrick caught the attention of the real club. That connection eventually led to an invitation to get involved with the team beyond the virtual world.
The tactical contribution is decisive
Kendrick made the 500-mile journey from Hereford to attend KPR’s game against Framlingham Town on Wednesday night. During the game, he was included in discussions with the coaching staff and even contributed to the team talk.
Based on his experience in the game, he recommended switching to a 4-4-2 formation, a system he uses successfully in Football Manager, inspired by Sean Dyche. The suggestion was implemented and KPR secured a 3-2 win.
The win lifted the team to the top of the table, marking a memorable moment where virtual strategy seemed to influence real-life results. The club later praised Kendrick on social media, highlighting both his long journey and his contribution to the win.
Enjoying the moment looking ahead
Kendrick described the experience as very enjoyable, noting how surreal it felt to be involved with a real team after managing them digitally. Despite his success both on and off the screen, he currently does not see himself entering professional football management immediately.
However, he did not rule out the possibility in the future, suggesting that it could be something to consider in the coming years. For now, he remains closely connected to the club and its history.
As for his Football Manager journey, Kendrick admitted that he had already achieved everything possible with KPR in the game, winning every trophy available multiple times. Still, he feels attached to the club and hinted that leaving might not be easy given his growing sense of belonging.
