2026-02-10, 11:22 AM - Word count:
I (Jonny Jones) joined the SSL only a few hours ago, and the 'totally new, what is this about' experience was so quickly fun, I thought I'd write my first-ever article about it.
I recently joined up with the SHL hockey sim league, and from there, found my way to the SSL as an affiliate. Though I set out to look for ways to perhaps improve my player in the SHL beyond what I was doing now, it didn't take long to realize this might also be something I'd enjoy quite a bit. Though hockey is my first sporting love, soccer is a fairly close second, with soccer management sims being a feature of my life since the early 90s.
The moment I joined the discord, four people welcomed me within a minute in the introduction channel. As a long-time discord user, I'm used to those channels being dead zones other than the automated 'send so and so a wave' from the bots. A very different experience met me here. I chatted briefly, and when I had a question, I was directed to the help channel with promises of quick responses. They were not lying.
Everyone active in the channel when I got there, at least a half-dozen people, had answers, info, and everything else I needed. I even ran into someone from my own hometown, something I wouldn't have wagered on if asked. From advice on player creation and position to answers on the process and where to look next, everything I asked met with a prompt answer with joust what I wanted to know.
From these first few hours, I'm very much looking forward to diving in on an academy team and seeing how the sim works. Thanks to everyone who said hello and helped out!
I recently joined up with the SHL hockey sim league, and from there, found my way to the SSL as an affiliate. Though I set out to look for ways to perhaps improve my player in the SHL beyond what I was doing now, it didn't take long to realize this might also be something I'd enjoy quite a bit. Though hockey is my first sporting love, soccer is a fairly close second, with soccer management sims being a feature of my life since the early 90s.
The moment I joined the discord, four people welcomed me within a minute in the introduction channel. As a long-time discord user, I'm used to those channels being dead zones other than the automated 'send so and so a wave' from the bots. A very different experience met me here. I chatted briefly, and when I had a question, I was directed to the help channel with promises of quick responses. They were not lying.
Everyone active in the channel when I got there, at least a half-dozen people, had answers, info, and everything else I needed. I even ran into someone from my own hometown, something I wouldn't have wagered on if asked. From advice on player creation and position to answers on the process and where to look next, everything I asked met with a prompt answer with joust what I wanted to know.
From these first few hours, I'm very much looking forward to diving in on an academy team and seeing how the sim works. Thanks to everyone who said hello and helped out!
![[Image: 69dSUfP.png]](https://imgur.com/69dSUfP.png)
