Meet Cleon Hobson, Maybe the Best 'Football Manager' Player in the World

"Football isn't my first sport; boxing is," Cleon Hobson tells Bleacher Report.

Such a comment from Hobson, one of the world's most famous Football Manager players, may come as a surprise. However, the 34-year-old father—who is a fully qualified boxing trainer, licensed promoter and UEFA B pro license holder—approaches both aspects meticulously. His main goal is to help others.

"I come from a big boxing family. Ever since I can remember boxing was bigger than football," Hobson said. "In fact, no one was really into football until I came along."

Like many FM players, Hobson's interest in the simulation video game began during the pigskin days of Championship Manager. At age 11, his interest in football—let alone a text-based title surrounding the sport—had barely begun.

"I think it was 1992. I saw my dad with the game on his desk and I asked him what he was doing, because he doesn't like football. He told me he got it off one of his friends, so I asked him if I could have a go. The rest is history."

Cleon Hobson

Hobson is a thinker, someone who continually tests new methods and challenges himself to fully explore what the series has to offer. This is highlighted by his website, which is crammed with FM-related tips, experiments and nuggets of information that have seen him command great authority in the game's online community.

"I wouldn't class myself as being a special player," he said. "I just like to pay attention to details no matter how small they might be and try to understand what everything does on the game. It took a long time to get an understanding of how the match engine worked, but from asking questions and doing a lot of trial and error, it started to become clear what each little setting does."

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As anyone who plays the series will know, FM has an addictive quality. While gamers are free to become as involved as they like—developer Sports Interactive have upped the casual options in recent years—Hobson's name has been established by delving deeper than most.

"I take off-the-field parts of the game very seriously, especially training. In FM14 I took it so seriously that I tried and applied the Ajax 'TIPS' module to my game." This acronym stands for 'Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed,' a mantra that has propelled the Dutch club's academy to being one of the most respected in the world.

"Proper planning away from matches is very beneficial," Hobson said. "A good preseason can put your players on the right foot going into the season. You can boost morale, get everyone match fit and all of this can make a difference.

"Just because someone is a defender doesn't mean he has to be a defender when playing for me. I previously bought a left-back with the intention of using him as a striker because he fulfilled the attribute requirements I set.

"Some will see this approach as overkill but it's something I enjoy; I'm always reading and trying to improve my knowledge of all things football-related. And I have a real passion for tactics. I'm always recreating tactics of yesteryear on the game, as I get bored easily and need to keep the game feeling fresh. This year I'll be a one-club manager and plan on playing as Santos for the full duration of FM16."

Screenshot courtesy of Cleon Hobson.

Hobson previously used a "level 10 England file" to take Sheffield FC, the oldest club in association football, from the Evo-Stik League First Division South (the eighth tier of English football) to Champions League victors.

"That felt quite special," he said. "I think the most famous player I had was a 36-year-old Jack Butland, who had a terrible seven years with injuries before I snapped him up. Aside from that, all notable signings were newgens."

Interestingly, Hobson doesn't believe landing silverware and in-game accolades is the sole manner in which players gain a sense of accomplishment.

"I think people can find success in many different ways and it doesn't have to equal trophies to be defined as a success. I've known people play the game for over 30 seasons and they still haven't won a trophy, but I'd still say there is success in their own way because they'll have set goals for themselves."

Hobson's reputation means his activity on the game is always going to be judged differently. He has remained a moderator on SI's forums since 2003, making him part of the furniture when it comes to FM culture. As detailed here, the online message boards didn't only help Hobson establish his name, but they also played a key role in pulling him away from "the verge of suicide" after a difficult break-up with an ex-partner.

"My own exposure does drive me on," he said. "I like to give back to the community that once saved my life when I was in a very dark place, so I feel I owe them. I really owe my life to FM in some way."

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Football Manager certainly offers players an inviting blend of comfort and control. Many see the game's endless scroll of detailed screens as a pivotal escape from the world beyond their laptop or PC. It's a lure Hobson believes he will never give up.

"I did decide to quit once before and stopped writing but that barely lasted three months before I was back writing again. I think I'll always contribute in some way; I don't think I'll ever fully quit," he said.

Stepping away would signal a sudden end to many opportunities for the man who now resides in Newcastle with his family.

Screenshot courtesy of Cleon Hobson.

"FM has opened up so many doors it's unreal," Hobson said. "When I wrote the Ajax stuff I contacted the club asking them for some information about their training schedules and they sent me a special pack with lots of info about training. It contained a few DVDs which I wasn't allowed to share or distribute. They allowed me to spend three days with them at the start of the year and that was a real eye-opener for me, it was fantastic.

"Sheffield FC also got in touch with me and allowed me to interview the chairman with a FM twist to it. ... FM can certainly open doors to other things and a lot of them unexpected and surprising. While many see FM as just a game it can also unite people. It's surprising how far FM can really take you at times and how it can impact real life."

Hobson credits his passion for football to the series and is one day hoping to combine his skills—those learned in the boxing ring and on FM—to transition into the real sport.

"I will at some point be crossing over and looking for a job full time in football, but that's still a few years away," he said. "Ideally I'd like to get involved with the women's game more. I think that's where I'll eventually end up."

As such, it's easy to see how Hobson's evolution from a student of boxing to FM fame has been so successful. Both the "sweet science" and football, after all, boil down to split-second decisions that have the potential to secure victory. It's Hobson's goal to aid other players who strive for the knockout blow.

"Everything I've learnt over the last two decades I try to pass on to others," he said. "I want to help them understand how FM works and how they can translate their own ideas into the game. I can't see that side ever fading. I just like to help people."

Special thanks to Cleon for giving up his time. You can follow him on Twitter and visit his SI Sports Centre blog. FM16 is released on Friday for PC, Mac and Linux.