FootMan fan tries his luck

Wouldn't it be good if all that gaming experience could get you a proper job? You know, a proper one, not just writing about World of Warcraft patches and Chopin's Trusty Bell all day.

Well, that seems to be the thinking of a chap called John Boileau, who's spent hours playing Championship Manager and Football Manager - and reckons that qualifies him to be a real life football manager.

Boileau, whose fictional management experience includes stints at Liverpool, Real Madrid and Doncaster, wrote to Middlesborough FC to apply for the manager's job.

In his covering letter, Boileau notes that "The tactical side of football has always been very important to me, which is demonstrated through my success on the game Football Manager 2005." Apparently he took Nuneaton to new heights of success and won the Swedish League with Kalmar FF - but got sacked from Chievo Verona.

Boileau has a degree in geography and archaeology, and observes: "I hear Mark Viduka has a significant and considerable interest in 12th century pottery which would be an excellent starting point."

He also has plenty of practical experience of real football management, having guided the St Paul's Under-11s squad through Nuneaton's 1999 Summer Playscheme Cup. The team won, with each player receiving a £10 Whiteman's Sporting Goods voucher for their efforts.

But sadly, despite offering to work for a very reasonable starting salary of £80,000, Boileau's application was rejected by Middlesborough chairman Steve Gibson, who wrote back: "You were of course the outstanding candidate but after careful consideration we decided against your appointment.

"Quite frankly we were of the opinion that your tenure with us would have been short lived, as your undoubted talent would result in one of the big European Clubs seeking your services."

A great shame, indeed. You can read the full correspondence over on Boileau's website.