By Martin Graham
A 23-year-old Football Manager enthusiast played an unexpected role in helping non-league side Kings Park Rangers (KPR) secure a real-life win. Pardoe Kendrick had previously guided the Great Cornard-based club from the Eastern Counties League Division One North all the way to Premier League success in the simulation game Football Manager 26.
What began 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-game.
After sharing his progress online, Kendrick caught the attention of the real club. This connection ultimately led to an invitation to become involved with the team beyond the virtual world.
Tactical input proves decisive
Kendrick made a 500-mile trip from Hereford to attend KPR’s match 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.
Drawing from his in-game experience, 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 went on to secure a 3-2 victory.
The win lifted the team to joint top of the table, marking a memorable moment where virtual strategy appeared to influence real-life results. The club later praised Kendrick on social media, highlighting both his long journey and contribution to the victory.
Enjoying the moment while looking ahead
Kendrick described the experience as highly enjoyable, emphasizing how surreal it felt to be involved with a real team after managing them digitally. Despite his success both on-screen and pitchside, he does not currently see himself stepping into professional football management immediately.
However, he did not rule out the possibility in the future, suggesting it could be something to consider in the coming years. For now, he remains closely connected to the club and its story.
As for his Football Manager journey, Kendrick admitted he had already achieved everything possible with KPR in the game, winning all available trophies multiple times. Still, he feels attached to the club and hinted that walking away might not be easy, given his growing sense of belonging.