Tired of waiting for a son in FM24? I did it—here’s my step-by-step story, tips, and the emotional chaos of virtual parenting.
My Personal Journey to Virtual Fatherhood (and How You Can Do It Too)
Let me paint you a picture. It’s 3 AM. I’ve just finished my 14th season managing Wrexham, my laptop’s overheating, and I’m staring at a youth intake preview. Again. For years, I’d heard legends of managers getting virtual sons in FM—this mythical, heartwarming event where your surname pops up in the academy. But after 800+ in-game hours? Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Then, last week, it happened. Jamie Carter—16 years old, left-footed winger, my surname—appeared in my youth intake. Cue me yelling “YES!” loud enough to wake the dog. If you’re like me, chasing that same rush, let me walk you through how I did it (and the mistakes I made along the way).
“Wait, You Can Have a Son in FM?!” – My First Reaction
Right? I thought it was a myth too—like finding a unicorn regen or convincing Harry Kane to retire at Spurs. But trust me, it’s real. Your son isn’t just a fun gimmick. He’s a story. A tiny pixelated version of you, waiting to be moulded into a legend.
But here’s the catch: it’s rare. Like, ”winning the lottery while being struck by lightning” rare, or to put in the odds, 1 in a 10000 rare. The game doesn’t spell out the rules, so I spent weeks digging through forums, testing theories, and borderline obsessing. Let’s save you the hassle.
Step 1: Play the Long Game (Like, Really Long)
First things first—FM24 won’t hand you a son in Season 1. You’ve got to earn this. Here’s what I learned:
- Age matters: Your manager needs to be at least 34. I started my save at 30, so I had to grind four seasons before even qualifying.
- Stick with one club: Sons only appear during your youth intake. I wasted years job-hopping before settling at Wrexham. Don’t be me.
- Nationality is key: Manage in a country that matches your manager’s nationality. I’m English, so I stuck to UK clubs.
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- Pro tip:
- If you’re managing in a smaller nation (e.g., Scotland or Wales), your odds might be better—fewer surnames in the pool.
Step 2: Save Scum Like Your Sanity Depends on It (Because It Does)
Look, I’m not proud of this, but let’s be real: the RNG gods are cruel. Here’s how I “persuaded” them:
- Note your youth intake date: It’s usually the same every season. For me, March 14th became a sacred day.
- Save the game the night before: Quicksave like your life depends on it.
- Reload until you see your surname: I did this 47 times. Forty. Seven. Times.
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- Warning:
- This will test your patience. I nearly quit after reload 32, but then… Jamie Carter. Worth every grey hair.
Step 3: When Your Son Arrives… Don’t Expect a Wonderkid
Let’s get real. My Jamie? He had 2-star potential. TWO. STAR. My assistant recommended releasing him. Rude.
- Force him into the squad: I made Jamie my cup-game starter, even when he kept booting crosses into Row Z.
- Pair him with mentors: Stick him in a mentoring group with your captain. My Jamie’s Determination jumped from 8 to 14!
- Loan him out… carefully: Sent him to the Vanarama National League. He came back less… terrible.
What If It’s Just Not Happening?
If reloading feels cheesy, try these legit(ish) workarounds:
- Use the In-Game Editor: Create a son yourself. It’s £5.99, but hey, desperate times.
- Retire a second manager: Create a new manager with your surname, retire them, and add them as a coach. Not the same, but close.
Why Bother? Because It’s Your Story
I’ll never forget Jamie’s first senior goal—a scrappy 89th-minute tap-in against Chester. The fans booed. I cheered. For all its spreadsheets and stats, FM24 is about moments like this: absurd, personal, and weirdly emotional.
Ready to Start Your Own FM Family?
Grab a cuppa, settle in, and prep for the grind. It might take seasons. You might rage-quit. But when that youth intake email finally pops up with your surname? Pure magic.
Now go on—build that legacy. And when your son inevitably scores an own goal? Remember: he’s family. You’re stuck with him.
