SO THIS IS IT, THIS IS THE END OF THE SESSION

I couldn’t let my last ever newsletter, and my last weekend as WSFFL Co-ordinator, pass without comment. It’s been a wild ride these past 6 ½ seasons I’ve done the job, and I’ve always striven to maintain the exalted standards set by my predecessor, and the originator of this fine game of ours, Mr. Clive Fenwick. Sometimes it’s been a pain in the ass, but mostly it’s been a whole shedload of fun, and the newsletter in particular has given me a creative outlet for my considerable verbosity.

I’d also like to hark back to my illness of a few years back. I remember Rachel and I working out the scores of the WSFFL games I’d missed, while I was still bedridden in the ICU, and, thinking back on that, WSFFL gave us something to focus on and keep my mind active, while my body began the slow process of recuperation. That’s something I’ll always be grateful to this game for.

So now it’s over to Peej and a new era. I ask of you all to give him as much support as possible while he settles into the considerable task of running the whole damn show. And to Peej, two big words of advice - do it your way, and don’t take no crap off of no-one!

IF YOU GET TIRED OF YOUR FOOTBALL FRIENDS, THERE’S ALWAYS OTHER BOYS, THERE’S ALWAYS OTHER BOYFRIENDS

One last thing, while Peej and I get the process of handover going. Could you all please let me know whether you wish to retain any of your relegated players (i.e. players from Charlton Athletic FC, Watford or Sheffield United) into your squads NEXT SEASON? This also goes for players who are released by their Premiership teams, plus any retained players you already have. So Beef, would you want to retain Jay McEveley if Derby County don’t win the playoffs, and Julian, would you want to retain Zoltan Gera if West Bromwich Albion don’t win the playoffs?

As usual, I’ll keep a list of the players who are relegated/ released and “not required” by managers. So if any of them are signed by Premiership clubs before the transfer deadline at the end of August 2007, the manager who previously owned them will get first refusal on buying them back for the compensation received. Therefore, there’s no need to hang onto all your relegated players in the hope that they’ll all sign for other Premiership teams. They won’t. They’re rubbish. Simple as that.

As ever, I’m not chasing managers up about this, and more to the point I’m asking for a shorter deadline given the handover between me and Peej. So if I don’t hear otherwise from you by close of play next Saturday, 19th May 2007 (Cup Final day), I will assume you DO NOT want to keep your relegated and retained players, and will instead compensate you the cash.

Of course, a couple of you will get players back into your active squads as they’ve already been promoted! Ceri, you get Sebastian Larsson back; Mr. Saleh, you get DJ Campbell back; and Clive, you get Anthony Stokes back!

ALL THESE THINGS I DID WERE JUST MOMENTUM FROM THE PARTY PIT

Congratulations to Real Muppets, the 2006/07 WSFFL League Champions! Yes you read it right, Ryan’s Real Muppets did a real smash and grab job this weekend, stealing the title from under the noses of the 2 main contenders, and completing a triumphant League and FA Cup Double in the process. Goals from Viduka and Tevez gave Ryan a 3-0 win over Trusted By Millions, which proved decisive.

So Real Muppets are another new name to inscribe on the League trophy. Whilst his rivals faltered, Ryan used the momentum from his FA Cup final triumph to put together a timely winning run, winning his last five games and snatching the title, having previously never been higher than 2nd all season! I’ve said for some years now that it’s been a mystery why Ryan had plodded along in mid-table, with the excellent squad at his disposal. And finally they lived up to their potential, Christiano Ronaldo in particular delivering big all season, and the controversial Carlos Tevez proving the clutch hitter when it mattered.

Aardvark Abacus thus finish second, having been held 2-2 by Boston Rock FC on the last day, losing the title by one point. Six points clear with only 3 games to play, Ady seemed home and hosed, but threw it away, collecting only 1 point from his last 3 games. However, another title-less season for this traditional WSFFL superpower will no doubt spur Ady on to new heights next season. Beware!

A last day 2-1 defeat by Fred West LGXI denied Prettier Than You the title. Rachel thus retires from the league having built up the former rubbish Bags Boys into a team capable of a superb 3rd place finish. Arguably Manager of the Season (although Ryan could legitimately claim that title too), Rach has performed miracles with a ragtag bunch of mainly unsung heroes. With a clutch of promising youngsters also in the squad, new manager Tim looks to be taking on a team in pretty rude health.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum won their last game, 3-0 over Final Fantasy XI, and finished 4th, only 3 points off top spot. Contenders throughout the season, Paul reaped the benefits of more frequent team changes and a lot of Everton clean sheets! A more potent forward line would see Paul repeat and maybe even better his league success of this season.

Fred West Landscape Gardening XI denied Prettier Than You the title, beating Rachel on the last day, the cad. Despite having the outright best front two in the league in Drogba and Berbatov, Fred again flattered to deceive, and only finished 5^th due to a strong finish. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again... Fred, midfield!!!!

Trusted By Millions topped the table briefly in the second half of the season, but a poor first half gave them too much ground to recover overall. A 6th place finish will be disappointing for Beef, although another Cup triumph in the PCMT will be some reward for this traditional title contender.

The 22 Legged Groove Machine had a very consistent and strong season, often challenging near the top before settling to a 7th place finish. An in-form Kanu did the business for the Big Man early doors, and Kalou chipped in with some key goals to keep Rich in contention. However, Rich might miss Kanu if he leaves Pompey in the Summer. Expect some wheeling and dealing from the Big Man at the AGM!

Our new co-ordinator Peej saw his side San Dimas High School rise to 8th on the last day with a 1-0 win over Claymore. San Dimas were another team who hovered but never really threatened this year, Dean Ashton proving a big loss for them. However Ashton and Walcott look a fearsome frontline for the future – perhaps that’s why Peej took the job on?!

Mega Buck Bandits, my tip to finish bottom at the start of the season, defied gravity and expectations with a remarkable 9th place finish. Benni McCarthy was a very shrewd buy, and gave Dave the goalscorer he’s lacked for so long. Repeating his form in his sophomore Premiership season will be vital to Dave’s chances next year.

Claymore Athletic FC suffered with untimely injuries to their potent frontline, and thus Clive struggled to make an impact all year. However, with a fit Owen, Rooney and Henry to choose from, backed up by a useful midfield, Clive could easily be back in the title picture next season.

You Know Your Boston Rock FC at least had a say in the title outcome, denying the Abacus a 4^th title with the last-day 2-2 draw. After heading the table early doors, last year’s double-winners hit a serious mid-season slump and finished a bowling-shoe ugly 11th. However, with a revised management structure in place for next season, you bet that the “Sky Heroes” will be a force to be reckoned with next year.

Likewise Final Fantasy XI, who didn't get the best from their powerhouse midfield this season, and finished a disappointing 12th. Ceri considered quitting the league, but I’m glad to announce that we’ll still have one female manager next season. I think there’s some unfinished business for Mrs. Bevan here...

Eleven Imaginary Boys went bold, spending big on a “proven” Premiership scorer Nicolas Anelka, who then took ages to get off the mark for him. D’oh! That, plus infrequent team changes (e.g. leaving George McCartney out, when West Ham were keeping clean sheets for fun) kept Prov in the lower reaches, finally finishing 13^th.

Pete announced his intention to quit the league mid-season, and subsequently Thommo’s Titans coasted along near the bottom all year. There’s a lot of work for new manager Kev to do, but also a whole host of promising youngsters to form the basis of a potentially exciting side.

The Dead Parrots trounced Mega Buck Bandits 6-1 this weekend, thus winning the final POTW £500K of the season. Well done Dean! A mid-season slump saw them sink to the bottom, but this final day result jumped them to 15th place. Scant reward from arguably our most dedicated manager, who regularly reports teams in at 5 to 3 our time – that’s midnight in Aussie-land! Long may it continue, Deano.

A last day defeat by Thommo’s Titans saw York’s Returning Glory replicate their last-place finish of last year. Finally, however, some success came Julian’s way this year, with an FA Cup final appearance and a runners-up plaque to collect at the AGM. Last year, a similar result provided the impetus for Prettier Than You to challenge for the title this year. Could York’s do the same?

Overall, it’s been a brilliant season in my view, certainly a lot more exciting and unpredictable than the Premiership which it’s based on. Teams who “traditionally” don’t challenge strongly have done so this season, with much gloating in particular in the Rose household, as Rachel topped the table for 6 consecutive weeks mid-season. I think the WSFFL is now in pretty good shape, with everyone in with a chance of doing well. That can’t be bad for the future. So, it’s over to you now Peej!

AND I’M NOT GOING TO BE TAKING ANY MORE QUESTIONS

The answer to the final Newsletter Question is as follows;

70’s Scottish football legend Kenny Dalglish was namechecked in punk (also) legends The Skids’ song “Albert Tatlock”, along with the late, sadly-missed John Peel, and most of the then-cast of “Coronation Street”. The track appeared on the B-Side of their breakthrough hit “Into The Valley”, which itself turned up as the theme tune for Sky Sports’ Football League live games a couple of seasons ago.

And I honestly don’t think that was too obscure a question to finish on. I could have asked you which former Huddersfield Town manager has been name-checked in a They Might Be Giants song. Well? Anyone? Peej?

I only got 2 correct guesses, surprisingly enough, namely Clive and Rich. So instead of skanking one of them out of four hundred grand, I’m going to award both of them half a mill! The last vestiges of power have obviously gone to my head…

Surprisingly, I got a wrong guess from Peej, who went for Archie Gemmill. No cash for you, Mr. New Co-ord man!

TRANSFER NEWS

Rach gambled before the last fixture…

Player From To Fee

Dennis Rommedahl (M) Prettier Than You Pool £4.25m

John Filan (G) Prettier Than You Pool £4.25m

(neither eligible under pool cooling down rule – Rommedahl relegated and Filan leaving on free transfer at end of season)

Mark Noble (M) Pool Prettier Than You £500K

Daniele Padelli (G) Pool Prettier Than You £500K

SHORTS

· The May 2007 Manager of the Month is, unsurprisingly, Ryan Moore of Real Muppets! Three managers in total scored 100% records this season, but Ryan kept his April momentum going and swept to the top of the table on the last day. Well done Ryan!

· The Merit Award for most POTWs in the season, and the £2 million that goes with it, goes to York’s Returning Glory. Julian amassed 6 POTW awards during the season, one more than Prov’s Eleven Imaginary Boys. Interestingly, the only 2 managers not to get POTW awards this season were Aardvark Abacus and You Know Your Boston Rock FC!

WSFFL RESULTS;

Week 30, W/E 12 May 2007

Aardvark Abacus 2-2 You Know Your Boston Rock FC

Alonso (1) Darren Bent

Keane Bentley 41,746

Claymore Athletic FC 0-1 San Dimas High School

(1) Scharner 32,604

The Dead Parrots 6-1 Mega Buck Bandits

James 2 McCarthy

Tuore

Neill

De Zeeuw

Stead 26,255

Final Fantasy XI 0-3 Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

Primus

Dyer

Green 29,556

Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 2-1 Prettier Than You

Drogba Vaughan

Berbatov 43,134

Real Muppets 3-0 Trusted By Millions

Viduka 2

Tevez 75,927

22 Legged Groove Machine 1-0 Eleven Imaginary Boys

Pamarot 35,426

York’s Returning Glory 1-3 Thommo’s Titans

Speed Hoyte

Collins

Djourou 22,671

Performance of the Week: The Dead Parrots


	THE FINAL WSFFL LEAGUE TABLE
	SEASON 2006/07

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Diff	Pts

1	Real Muppets	30	16	7	7	70	46	24	55
2	Aardvark Abacus	30	16	6	8	70	44	26	54
3	Prettier Than You	30	15	8	7	46	39	7	53
4	Nil Satis Nisi Optimum	30	15	7	8	72	50	22	52
5	Fred West Landscape Gardening XI	30	14	8	8	58	52	6	50
6	Trusted By Millions	30	14	7	9	58	42	16	49
7	22 Legged Groove Machine	30	14	7	9	44	39	5	49
8	San Dimas High School	30	12	5	13	38	51	-13	41
9	Mega Buck Bandits	30	11	7	12	47	48	-1	40
10	Claymore Athletic FC	30	11	6	13	55	57	-2	39
11	You Know Your Boston Rock FC	30	10	8	12	59	58	1	38
12	Final Fantasy XI	30	10	7	13	46	53	-7	37
13	Eleven Imaginary Boys	30	8	7	15	36	55	-19	31
14	Thommo's Titans	30	7	9	14	43	53	-10	30
15	The Dead Parrots	30	6	7	17	39	67	-28	25
16	York's Returning Glory	30	7	2	21	39	66	-27	23


	TOTAL	480	186	108	186	820	820	0	666

WSFFL 2000-2007

Friday 14 February 2020

Why this blog is here

2006/2007 - Newsletter 31 (12 May 2007)