The game featured four playable English divisions (First through to Fourth; the newly formed FA Premier League did not appear until Championship Manager 93/94).

Both the Norwegian and Italian versions featured real named players though, adding to the popularity of the game.

Paul, the older of the Collyer brothers, created a precursor to the game on a BBC Micro computer from their childhood home in rural Shropshire in 1983.

I would listen to the radio to get the results, then type them in to the computer and it would update the league tables on the screen.

"[3] Electronic Arts reportedly turned down the chance to publish Championship Manager in 1992, as it did not feature enough "live action", with match commentary provided via a text interface.

Rival game The Manager included a small screen showing TV-style clips of match action.