James Gorton

James Gorton was one of Giant Zucchini's most respected football managers, famous for taking Giant Zucchini into the World Cup finals in only his second season of rebuilding.

Managerial Career

Anglo FC

Gorton made his debut as a manager in Anglo FC, and started the inaugural season of the Giant Zucchini Premier League on a high, winning 2 of their first 3 matches in the league, leaving them second only to FC Spartak Vostochno. He was then shortlisted along with Spartak coach Dovid Yekhanurov to lead the post-discovery generation of Giant Zucchini football into World Cup 25 qualifying. Yekhanurov declined the offer, choosing instead to build on Spartak's early success, leaving Gorton the honour of being the first manager of Giant Zucchini's national team in its modern history.

Giant Zucchini National Team

Gorton had a difficult first season in international football, the Zucchinis only managing to just avoid last place in their group. However, that was not unexpected, as the Zucchinis were unranked going into qualifying. More importantly, Gorton was gaining experience and starting to build a squad of a more competitive standard for the next qualifying campaign.

Gorton made massive overhauls to the team in preparation for World Cup 26. With both he and the team having gained international experience from the last World Cup, as well as utilising a renewed formation and team selection, the team started to perform much better than their low ranking belied, doing exceptionally well to finish 3rd in the group, just shy of the top 2 qualifying spots. However, due to the collapse of Cockbill Street, the Zucchinis were granted a spot in the World Cup finals. The Zucchinis, then ranked 88th, only lost 1 of their 3 group matches, drawing the other 2. Even though they did not make it past the group stages, their performances in that World Cup cemented Gorton as the 'father of modern Zucchini football'.

The Zucchinis started their World Cup 27 campaign ranked 33rd in NationStates. However, by this time, Gorton was already 69, and decided early on that he was to retire at the end of this campaign, but that he was determined to end it with a bang. However, age had taken its toll on Gorton, and the Zucchinis failed to spark throughout qualifying. However, they redeemed themselves in the Cup of Harmony, impressing through the group stages all the way through to the knockout stages, until they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Cuation, which was to be Gorton's final match in charge of the Zucchinis. The match closed to a standing ovation, fans from both sides acknowledging Gorton's contribution to Giant Zucchini football as well as the international scene.

Retirement

Gorton retired after World Cup 27, handing over the reins of the national team on to his ex-captain Domingo Ferrero. He now spends most of his time with his family, as well as doing some work for the media. He can also be spotted in the stands watching Giant Zucchini internationals as well as Premier League matches, especially those featuring his beloved Anglo FC.