Raith Rovers' players had etched their names into the history books and the club's folklore by winning its first-ever Scottish Premiership title and becoming the first non-Old Firm champions for 42 years.
The people of small Scottish town Kirkcaldy had been buzzing for weeks. The town's pubs had done record sales of whiskey and Tennent's on a daily basis and the concept of a hangover had been forgotten, with people drinking through the mornings and the bars never closing.
Robí di Lathamé was enjoying a delicious, undoubtedly extremely expensive glass of Rioja deep in the bowels of the majestic Santiago Bernabeú. And he couldn't help but reflect on how quickly things had changed.
In 2035, Raith Rovers had reached a European final and qualified for Europe for the first time in 30 years. Could they build on that? You bet they could, as Robí di Lathamé's team of heroes won the club's first European trophy, won the League Cup and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in its history.
It was safe to say that Robí di Lathamé was enjoying life in Kirkcaldy, despite the relative lack of finances available to him. And it was in such a happy state of mind soaking in the rare rays on Kirkcaldy beach that he received a phone call from chairman Robbie McGinn.
The Raith Rovers project being built by recently turned 41-year-old English manager Robí di Lathamé had just seen another season of huge over-achievement. Not only did the club with the lowest budget in the Scottish Premiership qualify for Europe for a second season, they also reached the Final of the Europa Conference League!
At this point, I am so glad I'm not streaming Football Manager as... I went absolutely berserk celebrating. I composed myself, went on the defence and time-wasting and we held on for a 2-1 to reach the Europa Conference League Final!!
The regular sight of runners and dog walkers and the distinct smell of frying haggis were noticeably absent as the early morning sun lit up the picturesque Kirkcaldy Bay. It was safe to say that the good folk of Kirkcaldy were feeling somewhat worse for wear.
Plucky Raith Rovers had made an astounding start to their second season in the Ladbrokes Premiership. The side was showing that you can win things with kids as they sat third in the league, well behind leaders Celtic but just one point back from Rangers, and looking forward to a League Cup Final against the former.
Raith Rovers boss Robí di Lathamé came into the summer of 2023 on the back of a string of successful few seasons as a football manager. Having navigated Scottish League One at the first attempt, he'd then won the Championship after two seasons then led the side to a mid-table finish in the Premiership.
Football Manager Addict 