Exciting times were afoot in Cornwall as the county's first-ever National League side Truro City ensured survival a few months after attracting a tycoon takeover from Indian investor Richard Mukherjee. Manager Perran Trevelyan now faced a huge task to rebuild and strengthen a pretty weak squad.
Alphabet Challenge | Part 23, Club 11 | Moving The Old Boys Out Of The Old Lady
Mahtal applied for vacancies at big clubs across Europe and teams that would tick off challenging letters. The biggest offer ticked off both, which took Mahtal to his third Italian club.
Alphabet Challenge | Part 22, Club 10 | Two Dreadful Cup Finals
A few months back in England with West Ham United had seen Trebor Mahtal lift the club's first silverware in 19 years and take them back into European football. But the Zambian manager had significant challenges ahead if he was to help the Hammers compete with England's best.
Cornish Crusade | Part 2 | Truro City Tycoon Takeover!
The streets of Truro were filled with Cornish folk celebrating the unlikely achievement of Perran Trevelyan reaching the English fifth tier for the first time in club history. However, given the club's inability to sign non-Cornish players, surviving in the National League was going to be a massive challenge.
Alphabet Challenge | Part 21, Club 10 | Return To England Yields Immediate Rewards
Interest came from Europe as Braga and West Ham United offered Trebor Mahtal interviews, and the wages on offer left him with an easy decision to move back to England.
Alphabet Challenge | Part 20, Club 9 | Swapping Riches For Racing
Mahtal resigned from his Old Trafford role one day after becoming Champion of Europe and went in search of his next challenge. Two clubs quickly came in with interview offers, and one was clearly more keen - which meant Mahtal was off to Argentina to take a £116,500 wage cut!
Cornish Crusade | Part 1 | Homegrown Challenge At Truro City
With oodles of time to fill before Football Manager 2026 sees the light of day, I was eager to take on another long-term FM24 save that wasn't quite as intense as our ongoing Alphabet Challenge. I realised we've never started a series in the English non-league and fancied taking on a new long-term save.
Alphabet Challenge | Part 19, Club 8 | Inheriting The Best Footballer In The World
Mahtal was now just over one-quarter of the way through his Alphabet Challenge, having added A to the previous success at clubs beginning with E, L, P, S and U. He was also approached by Inter Milan and, intriguingly, Neuchatel Xamax but chose to head to England.
Alphabet Challenge | Part 18, Club 7 | Inheriting A Superstar Striker
Atalanta BC shook up Serie A as they beat Italy's big three en route to wrapping up qualification for the Europa League in the first season back in the top tier. Manager Trebor Mahtal would face a significant challenge to hold onto his exciting youngsters with Europe's elite circling in the summer of 2039 but, before he got a chance, one came calling for him.
Alphabet Challenge | Part 17, Club 6 | Upsetting Italy’s Big Boys
Atalanta BC earned a nail-biting return to Serie A at the first time of asking with a 2-1 aggregate victory in the 2038 Serie B playoff final. Trebor Mahtal now had a big task to strengthen a side now that a worrying financial situation was potentially behind them.



