Clotaire

Clotaire is a city in Candelaria And Marquez situated on the north coast of the largest island. The original town was one of a large number established by predominately English settlers in the mid-to-late 1800s; though the date of Clotaire’s exact founding is unclear. The name has been traditionally believed to have originated in the later 1800s as a contraction of “Clement’s Town”, though records establishing the existence of a French Huguenot settler named Mark Clotaire at the pertinent time would perhaps suggest an alternative derivation.

Like so many of the islands’ most important settlements; Clotaire soon established itself as an influential port, with the city’s docks employing a large portion of the workforce for much of its history. By the mid-twentieth century however the expanding city had diversified somewhat; finding its calling as part of the ‘gang of four’ in north-east Candelaria with Alvery, Caires and Khatib. These four cities grew to become among the islands’ largest through a policy of adapting to change more rapidly and willingly than others, and adopting new industries as they came in. In the latter part of the twentieth century, for example, Clotaire was second only to Caires in embracing the ‘gambling revolution’ encouraged by the Modern Liberal government, and was also able to attract important foreign and domestic publishers and info-tech companies.

The city’s biggest single employer had become the home-grown ClotaireAutos by the 1990s; a company that for a time produced its own vehicles as well as managing assembly plants for others corporations. In modern times they have come to specialise in public rather than private transport, and construct about 70% of the islands’ rail networks and trains. Somewhat inevitably, and in the manner of a hairdresser’s hair or architect’s house, the city’s own public transport facilities are widely considered to be woeful.

For all this; Clotaire’s well-regarded status as arguably the most liberal in the Candelarias has played a part in creating the industry for which the modern city is now best known. The districts of Parry Head and Hopstack in particular are filled to bursting with trendy - and often extremely expensive - pubs, bars, clubs and the like; with a wide mixture of upscale win bars and seedy, downmarket dives. Clotaire’s entertainment districts attracted fun-seekers from across Rushmore, and occasionally beyond, and the city is home to more two-bit celebrities per capita than anywhere in C&M.

Clotaire’s unflinching support for political liberalism from the very earliest days is well-documented, and the contemporary incarnation of the Liberal Party could always count on gaining an early lead in national elections owing to the tradition of three of Clotaire’s seats being among the first to provide their results. The victory of Unionist Party candidate to both Clotaire’s regional seats in 2004 served notice of their impending national victory, though the city itself is today leaning increasingly towards the Social Democratic & Green Party. During the Civil War, Clotaire was a major outpost of Liberal-Conservative opposition to the Socialist government, and later a base for the armed fight-back.

Football

Clotaire has long been associated with having some of the most passionate football fans in the country, though their fervour was seldom matched in on-field success. The exceptions were the Clotaire Dragons (later ClotaireAutos FC), who were a major force in the post-Civil War domestic league until their bankruptcy and the league’s ultimate collapse. The city’s two most popular clubs however were among the first to be invited to the newly reformed CMSC in the early 1980s.

Port of Clotaire

Widely believed to be the first club of note to be established in the city, in 1919, the PoC’s founders were mostly dockworkers who soon earned a reputation for their strong-arm play. Despite their long status as an amateur side, their burly and often negative play earned them the devout support of many working-class people in the city disconnected with the ‘prissy liberalism’ of many of their neighbours. In 1957, they moved into a ground on Harper Street, from which they have strayed only briefly, including for several months recently when it was badly damaged by an arson attack.

As the ‘Harpies’, they finally achieved real success in the 94/95 CMSC season when they won the league on the last day finishing two points ahead of TurksKT. Soon after however they began to slip out of contention again, suffering relegation in 99/00 though bouncing straight back up. They were CMS Cup finalists in 02/03 and winners in 04/05, beating TurksKT 3-2 in a memorable final. They were however relegated yet again in that same season.

After winning the Division Two title in 05/06 under present coach Niko Mason; the Harpies finished ahead of Radyukevich for the first time in years. In the season XXV just gone, they firmly established themselves as the league’s most dully effective teams, being based around a solid goalkeeper in Christopher Harvey and the defensive pair of Nicky O’Connor and Tom Redway. Attacking midfielder Stuart Kim, plucked from the third division, showed some impressive touches and scored some vital goals, but their striking duo of Ryan Gnom and Dan Davis were less exciting despite their periods in C&M national team colours.

The Harpies are believed to be one of the few clubs in the CMSC actively seeking foreign investment, as well as a contingent of foreign players as now permitted by the league. Zwangzug defender Natalie Instonenext is their most recent addition.

Radyukevich

Clotaire’s second club but one of the most popular across the country, the Jukos were formed in the late 1920s by the cosseted sons of small businessmen (the proprietors of small businesses, that is. Not little fellas). Named for their mentor Alexandr Radyukevich, they soon became known for their Corinthian spirit and lilac shirts. From their earliest days they cultivated a large number of self-indulgently whimsical traditions, including a pre-match dance reminiscent of the ulek of Ariddia and a habit of releasing piglets onto the pitch at comically inopportune moments. They moved into their current, hilltop stadium; the Hilltop Stadium, in 1997.

Similarly down on their luck in the money-soaked early days of C&M professional football, they became an important part of the new CMSC without ever looking genuine title challengers, perhaps as a result of their commitment to expansive play. A second-place finish in the 92/93 season has long been savoured as their finest hour, though they have been a notable Cup team in recent times making three straight CMS Cup finals; though winning only one, in 06/07.

Season XXV was one development and surprises for the Jukos, with new coach Finlay Endee having to learn the ropes very quickly. With only two drawn games all season, their dedication to offensive play was very much in evidence, with the team eventually finishing fourth in the league after a long period in mid-table. A strike force containing Rusty Katic and Rául Vélez was rightly feared, while right-winger Angelo Baraclough and midfielder dynamo Giles Harpas impressed greatly despite their increasing age. The back five was less imposing, and given their ages replacements had to be found. Kura-Pellandi defender Steve Hurston has arrived from Delta Force Cardim, though Vélez has gone the other way. With C&M Under-21 right-back Hugo Krstev set to take that role for his club, the left-hand side will be filled by expensive Sorthern acquisition Min Cho-Hi. The club will also be eager to help combat their unwanted but well-warranted reputation for hard play, with defender and captain Damien Waterman the most booked player in the league for two seasons running.