N&R Weekly Bet

Week 12.

Nobby:
Everton v Man U AWAY - CORRECT
Man C v Wolves HOME - CORRECT
Sunderland v Aston V HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £6.80. Winnings £0

Ready:
Man C v Wolves HOME - CORRECT
Norwich v Swansea HOME - WRONG
Spurs v QPR HOME - CORRECT

£2 stake. Winning potential £6.34. Winnings £0

Running total:
Ready £35.00 (positive)
Nobby £4.24 (negative)

Both wrong again but Keith still with plenty of cash in the bank, not so for Nobby.

Light & Bitter Cup 1st Rd Replay

One game replayed in week 12. The result was:

Light & Bitter Rd 1 Replay
Harry Houdini 24-37 Brox Banditos

Yep, Brox won it at Houdini and qualify for Round 2. Draw to follow shortly.

Week 11 review

The Baggies had a fine win at Villa Park, Sunderland's Sessegnon and Bendtner heaped more gloom on Bolton, Grant Holt, from Rochdale to Anfield, grabbed Norwich's deserved equaliser for the Canaries at Liverpool and Frenchman Cabaye scored Newcastle's winner at home to Wigan to keep them unbeaten. Wolves came back from 0-2 to draw with Swansea, and Mick wasn't happy with his team's fans.

Sunday was Super Sunday though. First City beat United in the Theatre Of Waking Up In Cold Sweats 6 (SIX) -1. Man U fans in the south of England realised they were lucky for two reasons. One picking the most successful team in English football history to support and two not having to face any Man City fans at work the next morning!

Chelsea had two sent off and John Terry found a camera to explain why he shouldn't be a person you should let your kids look up to. Oh, they lost too, to the quiet neighbours at Loftus Road 1-0.

Everton won 3-1 at Fulham, which escaped the national media. Van der Vaart scored twice at Tottenham won at Blackburn and Stoke lost 3-1 to Robin van Persie.

Photograph of the week

This is only going to get bad for John Terry isn't it?

A Premier Viewpoint

The Lancastrian trio of Blackburn, Wigan and Bolton have had a stinker of a start to the season. Bolton is a surprise, but they can no longer blame their tough start as they have now lost to Norwich, Wigan, Sunderland and most recently Swansea this weekend.

Bolton have not registered a single point at The Reebok this season, whereas in the past it has been a bit of a fortress for them. Another factor to add to the Bolton argument is that they lost their last 6 games of last season.

Eventually - think Charlton, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Coventry, West Ham, Portsmouth and others - the time comes for teams to lose their elite status. Luck runs out, the quality of the squad deteriorates, financial problems strike due to an over indulgence or as worse a cloud of passiveness comes over the club and it's supporters.

I think Fulham and Sunderland may have long seasons also, maybe even Everton, a top tier side since 1954 but always in their favour is that only 3 teams can go down and I haven't even mentioned the promoted sides yet, whose time will come to have relegation breathing down their necks.

A long way to go, yes, but you do not want to be stuck in the bottom three approaching Christmas as it is a hell of a way out.

El-Hadji Diouf takes his spittoon to Doncaster

El-Hadji Diouf will take his spittal to the circus that is fast becoming Doncaster Rovers. The South Yorkshire team have performed miracles to stay in the English 2nd tier, especially under Sean O'Driscoll, who was sacked when he refused to buy into his chairman's new transfer vision.

Donny chairman John Ryan's transfer policy includes getting in bed with agent Willie McKay, who has promised a generation game type of conveyor belt stuffed with out of work footballers and probably the odd teasmade and cuddly toy.

Already Pascal Chimbonda, Herita Ilunga and Chris Kirkland have dusted off their A-Z of English football clubs and found Doncaster on the map as Dean Saunders (like a puppet with a hand up his bottom) keeps a straight face and is told what to say.

The deal that McKay has struck is said to involve very little in wage expenditure and also a sell-on fee if the player is moved on to a (bigger) club whilst on loan or on a short-term contract at the Keepmoat. Saunders used the example thus:

"Let’s say, for example, we take a player from Marseille who’s looking to get in the Premiership. He will play for us in the ‘shop window’ and (if sold) we will get a percentage of his transfer fee. While he is here, we are not paying much of his wages and if that player is sold for £3m, we might get 40 per cent of the transfer fee."

The FA have approved Doncaster's 2-year arrangement so it is all above board and McKay, who lives around the corner from the ground is said to be paid £100-a-week for his services. McKay also has his 14-year old twin son's in Rovers academy.

We, at Charlton, have had more than our fair share of football mercenaries in recent years, including a client of McKay's Amdy Faye, and it is finally a joy to see young committed players mostly on longer term deals play in the red shirt.

Maybe it will work for Doncaster and John Ryan will see improved gates and Donny will survive amongst the big boys in the Championship, where one look at the table will tell you that more than ever it has become a Premiership B league.

With Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra apparently next in line to join McKay and Ryan's circus, hopefully for their supporters it will end more Cirque du Soleil than Ringlings!

N&R Weekly Bet

Week 11.

Nobby:
Wolves v Swansea HOME - WRONG
Liverpool v Norwich HOME - WRONG
Newcastle v Wigan HOME - CORRECT

£2 stake. Winning potential £8.20. Winnings £0

Ready:
Liverpool v Norwich HOME - WRONG
Newcastle v Wigan HOME - CORRECT
Blackburn v Tottenham AWAY - CORRECT

£2 stake. Winning potential £7.62. Winnings £0

Running total:
Ready £37.00 (positive)
Nobby £2.24 (negative)

Both wrong then but I did put a few quid on Mario Balotelli for first goalscorer at 6/1.

Announcement - Ready

As you may or may not know Ready left Bluefin on Friday, 14th October 2011. He is currently planning his next career move from home but will be in Thailand over Christmas.

He intends to make regular visits into the City and is looking for new opportunities within the London Market.

I know I am biased but in all my years, working in three countries, I have rarely come across a broker as capable, sagacious and venerated by his peer group on both sides of the fence as Keith. Frankly any team without 'a Ready' in it is missing a vital ingredient and believe me there is only one Keith Read.

I know he wanted me to thank those that he has yet to reach out to and will catch up with you soon.

If you hear of any possibilities or career opportunities please pass his contact details on to any potential interested parties, which are:

Email - keithyread@hotmail.com
Mob - 07854 453508

Thanks,
Nobby

10 things you never knew about Hebburn Town

Ok, eyes down.

1) Hebburn Town are the lowest ranked English football team left in this season's FA Cup. If they beat neighbours Gateshead (who are 120 places higher than them in the football pyramid), then they will go into the 1st Round Proper draw.
2) Famous athlete Brendan Foster is Hebburn's biggest fan and will be at the game on Saturday.
3) Their nickname is The Hornets
4) The club was founded as Reyrolles in 1912. In 1988 Reyrolle changed their name to Hebburn.
5) Hebburn's average home crowd is 80, yes eighty!
6) Jamie McClen, Hebburn's vastly experienced midfielder played in the Premier League with Newcastle United and turned out professionally for Motherwell, Carlisle, Shrewsbury and Hamilton Academicals. McClen scored a goal for Newcastle United against Peterborough United in the FA Cup in 2002.
7) Manager Paul Bennett used to manage West Allotment Celtic. This has no significance except I am loving that name!
8) Hebburn play at the Hebburn Sports & Social Ground (photo)
9) The historic town of Hebburn can be traced to a settlement of fishermen's huts in the 8th century, which were burned by the Vikings. Hebburn is also home to the Parachute Regiment 4th Para Reserves. Hebburn is situated on the south bank of the River Tyne.
10) Ex-Arsenal George Armstrong was born in Hebburn and still lives in the town.

Photograph of the week

United 1 City 6 (SIX). It may have only been 3 points but did we witness something a lot more than that on Sunday lunchtime?

Road to Wembley - Hebburn it up

Our latest N&R Road to Wembley side Hebburn Town went to Radcliffe Borough and pulled off a stunning 4-2 victory.

Two goals in three minutes during the first half set them on their way. Paul Gardner split the home defence to release LIAM MCBRYDE who slotted home. PAUL GARDNER then skillfully controlled a pass from Jeff Forsyth before crashing the ball home in the 36th minute but two minutes later Radcliffe’s Shaun Connor reduced the deficit.

Hebburn restored their two-goal advantage four minutes into the second half with a sublime strike. McBryde headed onto DEAN NICHOLSON whose tremendous volley flashed into the net off the inside of a post.

Hebburn were now rampant and in the 76th minute, GARDNER slid the ball into the net after Tony Stephenson had beaten two defenders.

Although Radcliffe claimed a second goal with a Dave Sherlock penalty, it was Hebburn who celebrated all the way back to South Tyneside last night.

Hebburn Town: Regan, Forsyth, Wright, King, Hutchinson, Jewels, Gardiner (Forster), McClen, McBryde (Stephenson), S Nicholson (Tait), D
Attendance: 215

FA Cup fever is now gripping Hebburn!

Hebburn Town are one of the lowest-ranked sides left in the famous competition, but carry the hopes of hundreds of fans into Saturday’s clash with neighbours Gateshead.

The Northern League Division Two part-time minnows have defied the odds to reach the FA Cup’s fourth and final qualifying round – the furthest they have ever progressed.

They will make the short trip to Gateshead's International (Athletics) Stadium hoping to carry out a giant-killing at the expense of their Blue Square Premier rivals, who play five stages higher in football’s league pyramid.

More than 120 league places separate the clubs, but Hebburn are riding high after travelling to Greater Manchester and defeating Radcliffe Borough 4-2 in the last round.

That win earned the club, whose average home gate this season is just over 80, a welcome £7,500 in prize money – and a further £12,500 is at stake this weekend.

And while Saturday’s clash with full-time professional opponents will be a big ask for Hebburn, much of the town is getting behind the squad.

Club chairman Billy Laffey said: “This is without doubt the biggest game in the club’s history."

More on Hebburn Town soon.

The Light & Bitter and Light Lager Cup 1st Round Results

Here are the results of the 1st Rd of League Cup matches:

Light & Bitter (Div 1) 1st Round
Tanus Terriers 23-24 Loads of Roubles
Bobby Z is world class 28-33 Woody's Round Up
Hannoi Utd 23-19 Sainsbury's Maggotts LMFC
Still good on paper 24-21 CHAMP19NS
A Whitened Smut 32-25 Bingo FC
Nobby Junior 29-20 Socceroos
Super, Super Sav, Super Savlyuncheko 26-20 Financial Bale Out
Paris Eagles 24-53 Gooner win the league
FFC 4 Ever 38-19 Ted Striker XI
ThE DrEaM FacTorY 22-20 Room with a view
Two points, two flats, and a packet of gravel 21-18 We are all Keith Lemon
Boys on tour 24-25 The Magnificent Eleven
Brox banditos 25-25* Harry Houdini
To Elland Back 34-24 Still not a chance
Asahi Kirin Sapporo Saki Eight 23-27 Travelodge Kettles
Bagpuss 11 35-19 Non Calculated Risk

15 teams through then in the Light & Bitter with Brox & Houdini to replay in week 11. The biggest shock of the round was probably Paris Eagles being comprehensively beaten by Gooner win League in their own back yard. In the tightest match The Magnificent Eleven beat Boys on tour with the odd point in 49. Loads of Roubles, Still good on paper, Hannoi Utd and the ThE DrEaM FacTorY all came through very close matches.

Light & Lager (Div 2) 1st Round
Kings of Leon Osman 36-20 Standard Ginger
Buy, Buy, Buy Arsene Wenger 18-34 Dynamo Chicken Kiev
Barceloner 28-31 Pimp my side
The No Hopers 27-14 Dan's Dribblers
Arsene still knows 23-33 Muddy's Mavericks
Megan & Hannah's Teddy Bears 11-14 Californication
2Infinity & beyond 21-41 Glasgow kiss
Full Metal Jacket 18-26 Red Ken relives the 80's
Morgan's Machines 30-28 Goonersmoan
Hammer Nation 16-19 Conan's Destroyers
Pure Irish 14-17 Luis & Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland
SAF 19-21 Brighton Blues
Dalton's Worblers 34-21 Chillers Champions
Gooner Go Up 27-36 Kiwi Fantastic
Stocky's Starlets 17-34 Alchees Lubes
Lazarus Utd 19-15 Sons of Pitches

A lot more surprises in the Light & Lager. Luis & Carroll went to league leader Pure Irish and won, plus 2nd placed 2Infinity & beyond also fell at the first hurdle to Glasgow kiss. In all the Chartis-totty face-off Dalton overcame Chillers by 13 points.

Also the two worst teams of the week fought it out with old pro's Californication beating fellow N&R stalwarts Megan & Hannah's bears by 14-11.

Turning back the years

Manager of the Week - week 10
Neil Reynolds stormed to the MoW prize in week 10 with a 53. He was a healthy 12 points ahead of his nearest rival Kirsty Baillie, who had a better 7 days and 15 ahead of Steve Merchant.

John Hardiman and Sarah Sheron had impressive weeks hitting 36 each. Andy Cassell conjured up a 35 and Daniel Weeks, the white hot Rosie Dalton, the red hot Rob Munden and luke warm Brett Davey all amassed a 34.

Muddy had another good week with 33, the same as Ricky Wood and Neil Bixby, Graham Ward and Scott Morgan all found a score in the 30's.

Other scores of note were the windy city combo of Feldbruegge & Malloy (26), Ken Cobbett (25), Neville White (24), Danny Rose (23), Mark Sterry (19), Andrew Wheeler (17), Hilary Ryan (17, and her lowest score of the season) and last but not least Alex Boswell (11).

Lemon tart

N&R Division 1 - week 10 update
Two points, two flats and a packet of gravel, Woody's Round Up, Paris Eagles and Tanus Terriers remain in situ at the top.

Bagpuss and Room with a View both improve their positions with Harry Houdini and Bingo making up the top 7.

Following close behind are Boys on Tour, Super Super Sav, Super Savlyuchenko, To Elland Back, Loads of Roubles and the ThE DrEaM FacTorY.

Gooner win league move out of the relegation zone and are replaced by Financial Bale Out.

We are all Keith Lemon go bottom.

The Dalton's

N&R Division 2 - week 10 update
The gap between the top 2 closed a little in week 10 with 2Infinity & beyond now 28 points behind Pure Irish.

Up to 3rd is Dalton Worblers, who are having a fantastic rookie season. 4th drops the No Hopers with Alchees Lubes and Gooner go up 5th & 6th.

Kiwi fantastic jump to 7th and then Planet Kilpo, Full Metal Jacket, Pimp my side and Morgan's Machines all sit in the promotion places as well as new entry King Of Leon Osman.

Dan's dribblers slip down to 15th and Luis & Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland was another faller. Conversely Dynamo 'Chicken' Kiev and Glasgow Kiss moved the other way.

Stocky's Starlets are now in the prized penultimate place and Lazarus United remain bottom.

N&R Weekly Bet

Week 10 and Nobby goes for it but fails miserably.

Nobby:
Liverpool v Man U AWAY - WRONG
Norwich v Swansea AWAY - WRONG
QPR v Blackburn HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £32.86. Winnings £0

Ready:
Man C v Aston Villa HOME - CORRECT
Chlesea v Everton HOME - CORRECT
Arsenal v Sunderland HOME- CORRECT

£2 stake. Winning potential £5.26. Winnings £5.26
Running total:
Ready £39.00 (positive)
Nobby £0.24 (negative)

Week 10 review

Bolton finally won at Wigan after an inspiring performance from Chris Eagles, two late goals for Stoke saw them beat Fulham 2-0, QPR and Blackburn drew 1-1 and Norwich had an important win over Swansea.

Man City went top with another big win, this time over Aston Villa 4-1, Man U held Liverpool at Anfield after a late Hernandez equaliser and Chelsea beat Everton 3-1.

On Sunday WBA beat Wolves in the black country derby, Newcastle and Tottenham played out an entertaining 2-2 draw which keeps the Geordies 4th and two Van Persie goals gave Arsenal an unconvincing win at home to Sunderland.

The Light & Bitter and Light & Lager Cups 1st Rd draw

The draw has been made for the 1st Round of the N&R League Cup's brought to you by Light & Bitter and Light & Lager.

The ties will take place over week 10. Here are the draws:

Light & Bitter (Div 1) 1st Round
Tanus Terriers v Loads of Roubles
Bobby Z is world class v Woody's Round Up
Hannoi Utd v Sainsbury's Maggotts LMFC
Still good on paper v CHAMP19NS
A Whitened Smut v Bingo FC
Nobby Junior v Socceroos
Super, Super Sav, Super Savlyuncheko v Financial Bale Out
Paris Eagles v Gooner win the league
FFC 4 Ever v Ted Striker XI
ThE DrEaM FacTorY v Room with a view
Two points, two flats, and a packet of gravel v We are all Keith Lemon
Boys on tour v The Magnificent Eleven
Brox banditos v Harry Houdini
To Elland Back v Still not a chance
Asahi Kirin Sapporo Saki Eight v Travelodge Kettles
Bagpuss 11 v Non Calculated Risk

Light & Lager (Div 2) 1st Round
Kings of Leon Osman v Standard Ginger
Buy, Buy, Buy Arsene Wenger v Dynamo Chicken Kiev
Barceloner v Pimp my side
The No Hopers v Dan's Dribblers
Arsene still knows v Muddy's Mavericks
Megan & Hannah's Teddy Bears v Californication
2Infinity & beyond v Glasgow kiss
Full Metal Jacket v Red Ken relives the 80's
Morgan's Machines v Goonersmoan
Hammer Nation v Conan's Destroyers
Pure Irish v Luis & Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland
SAF v Brighton Blues
Dalton's Worblers v Chillers Champions
Gooner Go Up v Kiwi Fantastic
Stocky's Starlets v Alchees Lubes
Lazarus Utd v Sons of Pitches

Week 9

Week 9 coincided with the last round of the 2012 European Championship qualifiers, so there were no games and therefore no N&R FL scores.

Greg & Andy share the honours

Manager of the Week - week 8
Another shared MoW in week 8. This time between newly married Greg Foulger and Andy Cassell, who is storming up the Div 1 table.

Both lads scored 60 points, five more than Rosie Dalton, who is doing her very own storming impression. Ryan Saveall awoke in week 8 and hit 52, the same as Scott Morgan and Godders.

Andrew Wheeler managed a half century, with Kilpo weighing in with a tidy 49 along with Hills.

Other scores worth noting, not necessary for good reasons, were Katie Chapman (42), Graham Ward (43), Davor (35), John Hardiman (32), Neil Wallis (26), Razor Nathan (23), Danny Stock (170 and the weeks worst manager - two in fact - Danny Rose and Sweaty. Both scored 16 points.

Bagpuss, oh hear what I sing

N&R Division 1 - week 8 update
6 weeks surprise package Ian Kennett and his Two points, two flats and a packet of gravel have led the N&R Div 1 table and they are still showing no signs of weakness. Woody's Round Up stay 2nd with Paris Eagles up to 3rd. Tanus Terriers slip to 4th by a single point and in 5th fall Room with a view. Harry Houdini is up to 6th and Bagpuss arrive with a bang in 7th, up from 14th.

In 8th are Bingo, who has spent every week in the to p8 but hard behind him are a host of teams on the up. Boys on tour, Super Savlyuchenko, Loads of Roubles and ThE DrEaM FacTorY are all running at a canter.

Surprisingly To Elland back were a faller in week 8 but How's about Bollocks jumped from 22nd to 16th and were replaced by auld enemy CHAMP19NS - 20 in May.

In the relegation places, Nobby Junior is still bottom with We are all Keith Lemon above him. Brox Banditos improved their position, A whitened smut worsened theirs.

Barceloner find the time

N&R Division 2 - week 8 update
Pure Irish have now led for 8 weeks and remain 35 points ahead of her nearest rival 2Infinity & beyond. There is a little gap between Barry and 3rd place No Hopers and Dalton's Worblers are closing in on 4th.

Alchees Lubes slip to 5th just ahead of Gooner Go Up and Full Metal Jacket.

To show the quality of the N&R Div 2 we have 3 previous League Champions occupying 3 of the top 6 places.

Up to 7th is Geoff's Barceloner. There has been a marked improvement in Geoff's team since he left Miles Smith for Aon Benfield, which proves he is less busy.

Incredibly Planet Kilpo are up to 9th with Dan's Dribblers 10th, Kiwi Fantastic joint 11th with Pimp my side, also appearing in colour for the first time this season, and Morgan's Machines up to 12th.

SAF was a big faller this week from 8th to 16th. Conan, Megan & Hannah's bears and Standard Ginger all bounced out of the promotion spots although just 7 points are between 12th and 19th.

Muddy's Mavericks were a good climber in week 8 as were Buy, Buy, Buy, Arsene Wenger.

Lower down the food chain, Chillers picked up this week climbing two places to 32nd, but Lazarus United remain fixed to the bottom.

N&R Team Challenge - RSA take early lead

The N&R Team Challenge is back for another season. We have 12 teams competing, with managers working as far and wide as Mexico City and Tokyo but as managers move jobs, that could change of course.

For those new to the N&R FL, this is a list of previous winners:

2010/11 QBE - Wright, Richards
2009/10 Bluefin - Ready, Saveall
2008/09 Willis - Baillie, Sheron, Kennett
2007/08 BMS - Wenman, Reddy
2006/07 Layton Blackham - Read, Saveall, Thomas
2005/06 AIG - Waterman, France, Dewberry, Barwick, Higgs, Ryan.
2004/05 Marsh - Simmons, Doyle
2003/04 Marsh - Simmons, Doyle
2002/03 Allianz - Jenkins, Day
2001/02 Avon - Godfrey, Rose
2000/01 HSBC - Waters, Murrell, Ready

There needs to be a minimum of 2 team members, with no max. Chartis team has 11 and Aon Benfield's 9 for example.

The early season leaders after 8 weeks of scores are RSA. They lead with 287 average points, just a couple ahead of Gravity. In 3rd is the Chartis team and HDI Gerling lie 4th.

Zurich are 5th, and then it is pretty tight with only a few points separating Bluefin in 6th, Aon Benfield in 7th, current champs QBE 8th, Tokio 9th and Aon's international mix (managers in Chicago, Bermuda, New York and Australia) 10th.

Second bottom is Allianz with JRP's Lloyds Syndicate at the bottom of the pile. Early days yet. The N&R Team Challenge Trophy will be issued with the week 8 scores email.

Photograph of the week

You can't buy brains. Like father like son.

Week 8 review

Newcastle to many's surprise march on winning 2-1 at Wolves, WBA score two early goals but couldn't see off a determined Sunderland at the SoL.

Norwich played superbly at OT but fell to two late goals from Anderson and Wellbeck. 10-man Everton lost to the Merseyside derby to those Scally's from across the park. Villa remain unbeaten after winning 2-0 against Wigan at Villa Park. Bent getting one and Man City thrashed dismal Blackburn.

On Sunday Fulham thrashed QPRhahah 6-0, with Johnson getting a hat trick. The finished Frank Lamapard also hit 3 for Chelsea at rock bottom Bolton, Swansea had a big win over Stoke and Spurs further made their claim to be North London's #1 by beating Arsenal at WHL 2-1. Kyle Naughton getting a fine winner.

Horne & Merchant to share fiver

Manager of the Week - week 7
Another drawn MoW week. Lee Horne and Steve Merchant will share the fiver, the 2nd time this has happened this season.

Both scored 53 points, four more than Danny Rose, who easily collected a season best. 47 points was the score of choice for Greg Foulger and Davor, 45 was hammered home by Andy Cassell.

Rob Munden scored 44 for the 2nd week in a row, and our man in Japan Giles Crowley hit an excellent 43.

Bigg was next up as he makes his claim for Div 1 top spot. He scored 42, as did Mark Sterry and Daniel Duboux.

Other notables were Ryan Saveall 39, Tony Murray 34, Sarah Sheron 32, Aaron Bardon 30, Neil Addington 26 and Pk 23.

The week's worst score was 9 and belonged to Brett Davey, by far his poorest of the season.

Room at the top?

N&R Division 1 - week 7 update
Two points, two flats and a packet of gravel remain on top with a 21 point lead over new in 2nd Room with a view as Alastair moves closer to the leader.

Tanus Terriers are on a good run and are now 3rd with Bingo 4th. Woody's Round Up fall to 5th equal with Paris Eagles but just 6 points separate 6th to 2nd.

Harry Houdini are still 7th and new and current champ To Elland Back move upto 8th. Travelodge Kettles had a good week 7 and climb to 10th, Guinness & eggs drop out of the prized places and Loads of Roubles need to adjust their slide down the table.

Meanwhile Boys on tour move up a fair few places and Financial Bale Out still their necks above the relegation water line for the first time this season.

Non Calculated Risk move away from the bottom which has Nobby Junior looking up at everyone else!

Birds flying high

N&R Division 2 - week 7 update
Pure Irish are still out in front much to surprise of probably Hilary. Up into second are 2Infinity & beyond with Michael's the No Hopers in 3rd. Soozie's Gooner Go Up are nicely tucked in (I'd rather have used the out in front analogy but I can't) and behind her are Alchees Lubes, who slip 3 places.

Full Metal Jacket remain in 6th, Rosie makes it 3 ladies in our top 7, and Doyley makes it 8 as Dalton's Worblers and Standard Ginger move ahead of SAF, Conan's Destroyers, Kiwi Fantastic (back in the promotion places), Dan's Dribblers, who climb 4 spots and Megan & Hannah's bears.

A slider in week 7 was Barceloner, Luis & Carroll and a major slide was had from Sons of Pitches.

Red Ken keeps going backwards but it's looking much better for Dynamo Chicken Kiev and Brighton Blues.

Arsene Still Knows climb another place to 33rd and Chillers Champions take the Penultimate Place with Lazarus United still stuck to the bottom.

Best weekly score

Let us look at the best and worst weekly scores thus far. In the best camp Ready leads the way with 76 followed by Brett Davey with 70. Ian Kennett has 3 of the top 10 best.

Top 10 best weekly score
1. Keith Read, week 3, 76 points
2. Brett Davey, week 3, 70 points
3= Ian Kennett, week 3, 69 points
3= Alex Boswell, week 3, 69 points
5. Huw Thomas, week 3, 68 points
6. Andrew Shepherd, week 3, 65 points
7= Ian Kennett, week 5, 63 points
7= Steve Black, week 3, 63 points
9. John McGowan, week 3, 62 points
9= Michael Stout, week 3, 62 points
9= Mark Gregory, week 3, 62 points

Worst weekly score

A bit early to sort the wheat from the chaff, but these are the 10 lowest weekly scores after 7 weeks and remember rather sadly we give out a prize for the winner of this.

In saying that Danny has 2 of the 3 worse scores and Wenners features 3 times in the Top 10 - the couple of chaffers!

Top 10 worst weekly score
1. Danny Rose, week 2, 6 points
2. Mark Wenman, week 6, 8 points
3= Danny Rose, week 3, 9 points
3= Simon Newport, week 6, 9 points
3= Brett Davey, week 7, 9 points
6. Chris Waterman, week 7, 12 points
7= Alan Oakley, week 3, 13 points
7= Neil Addington, week 6, 13 points
7= Mark Wenman, week 1, 13 points
9= Danny Stock, week 6, 14 points
9= Neville White, week 6, 14 points
9= Mark Wenman, week 3, 14 points

Road to Wembley - Runcorn no more

Runcorn Linnet’s run in the 2011 FA Cup with Budweiser came to an end today, as they went down 1-0 away at Hebburn Town in South Tyneside. The long journey, shared by hoards of Linnets fans, ultimately ended in defeat to a 22nd minute strike from Hebburn’s leading marksman Liam McBryde.

After 22 minutes. Linnet's Richie Mottram tipped over well from Liam McBryde, but was left helpless from the resulting corner. A downward header was helped goalwards, but came back off the bar and fell perfectly for McBryde to drive home from close range.

It wsn't to be for Runcorn and the FA Cup run came to an end at about 5 past 5. A real mixture of emotions for Linnets fans after the final whistle. Having realised that this was a very winnable tie, frustration and disappointment probably come closest. Key decisions didn’t go their way, but they did create and miss some great chances.

Runcorn: Mottram, Murphy, Fitzsimmons, Bodie, Lawton, Ellison, Towey (Black, 74), Dykes (Hill, 66 (Hardwick, 78)) , Atherton, Whyte (C), Pearson. Subs not used: O’Reilly, Prescott, Holland, Webb.
Attendance: 190

We've enjoyed the company of the mighty Runcorn Linnetts but now our attention turns to Northern League Division 2 side Hebburn Town from Tyne & Wear, land of the Gedster. Aye-aye lad. Hebburn play away at Radcliffe Borough in the next round on October 15th.

The Light & Bitter and Light & Lager Cups

Hopefully you remember that Keith & I managed to pull in a couple of big name sponsors for the new N&R League Cups.

Because of odd numbers we had to have a Preliminary Round and these were played in week 7. These are the results:

Light & Bitter (Div 1) Preliminary Round
How about Bollocks 29-38 Two points, two flats, and a packet of gravel
Keep the faith 36-47 Boys on tour
To Elland Back 44-26 Guinness & eggs

In the big game between last year's Div 1 winner and runner up Rob Munden's To Elland Back comfortably beat Steve Black's Guinness & eggs. Greg's Boys on tour won away at Keep the faith and league leader Two points beat Godders' How about Bollocks.

Light & Lager (Div 2) Preliminary Round
Planet Kilpo 31-47 Non- Calculated Risk
Frank & Beans 32-34 Hammer Nation
We are all Keith Lemon 31-35 Brighton Blues

Much closer games in the Light & Lager Cup. Brighton Blues just pipped We are all Keith Lemon, and Hammer Nation continued their much better season with a victory over Tim & Dennis' Frank & Beans. Meanwhile Davor's Non-Calculated Risk beat Stu's Planet Kilpo.

Look out for the draw for the 1st Round shortly.

Big night for Bermuda's World Cup hopes

Bermuda pick up their World Cup Qualifying for 2014 tonight when they host Trinidad & Tobago at the National Sports Centre.

A win is the minimum Bermuda require who lost away to T&T 1-0 a month or so ago but this time around the Trinbagonians will be without many of their best players including the injured Kenwyne Jones, Ipswich winger Carlos Edwards and LA Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall, and the Bermudian FA are encouraging fans to support the team and fill the 4,000 capacity stadium knowing there will be plenty of noisy T&T ex-pats who live and work here on the island.

34-year old Stern John will play for Trinidad & Tobago although ex-Addick Tony Warner missed out on the squad. As for Bermuda the influential Nakhi Wells will be key, but since Phil Parkinson took over his club Bradford City, he has hardly played and will be rusty.

It's a tough ask for Bermuda who are ranked 70 places behind Trinidad & Tobago in FIFA's rankings and have a population of just 5% southern Caribbean island.

Then next Tuesday Guyana come to the island and have included Charlton's Leon Cort in their squad. Both T&T and Guyana have won their two games in the group whilst Barbados and Bermuda

Appointments

Quite a lot of job changes in the new season and I'm not actually talking football.

Richard Richards left QBE to join Zurich's Global Corporate Property team. Last year he partnered Chris Wright to N&R FL Team Challenge glory. Now he will join my old mucker Giles Crowley, who is made the big step to move to Zurich in Tokyo during the summer, in this year's competition.

To replace Richard in their QBE fantasy team, Ken Cobbett has left Chartis for that sole purpose and joins QBE's London Property Market team.

And meanwhile Mark Dewberry is still at Chartis and waiting for his Gerling offer.

The very best of luck to you all.

Week 7 review

Tottenham won again, this time at Wigan, who look like they are in for another season of relegation battling. WBA and Fulham drew 0-0, Stoke and United drew 1-1 and Ba scored a hat trick as Newcastle moved into 4th place with a 3-1 win over Blackburn.

Balotelli and Milner left it late as Citeh beat Everton, Liverpool were back to winning ways but not convincingly. The reds beat Wolves 2-1 at Anfield. Arsenal beat Bolton, but who hasn't, and Chelsea beat Swansea 4-1. Ramires with two.

On Sunday QPR got a late equaliser thanks to a Dunne o.g. and on Monday night Norwich beat Sunderland 2-1 to move into 9th.

In the media

"McClaren had dropped enough hints about his disaffection lately and I understand he was going to resign after the Birmingham match at the weekend whatever the result."

One view on Steve McClaren's disastrous reign at the City Ground.

Click here to read

Announcement

Geoff McCormick has seen the light and left Miles Smith to work for Aon Benfield's facultative team in London. Geoff will work with Rutts, Pk, Wenners, John and all the other lads and will help with their N&R FL Team Challenge effort.

Photograph of the week

Steve McClaren resigned from the manager's job at Nottingham Forest on Sunday after just 112 days and 10 league games. Can the wally with the brolly ever re-build his reputation again in England?

Lots of Savvy

Manager of the Week - week 6
Mrs Soozie Sav won the MoW for week 7 with a quite low 46 points, just one more than Tim Harris.

Soozie is plying her trade in the 2nd tier of the N&R FL and is desperate to get return to the top flight at the first time of asking and has started the season well.

Likewise Tim is nicely moving up the N&R Div 1 table and has already shown good consistency. The 3rd best week 7 score was 44 and shared by current champion Rob Munden and Lee Horne.

Woody hit a 42, Dewbs 40, and Graham Ward 39, who after a sluggish start is showing some better form.

Other notables were Rosie Dalton 37, Huw Thomas 33, Tim & Dennis 29, Paul & Christian 27, Henry Williams 21 and the week's lowest score was 8 and owned by Wenners, just one more than Nobby's nightmare of a week.

Terriers bound into 6th

N&R Division 1 - week 6 update
If you could imagine Wigan Athletic being top of the Premiership in early October, then you can picture our good friend Ian Kennett and his Two points, two flats and a packet of gravel fantasy side leading the top division of the N&R FL.

To be fair Ian normally starts like Usian Bolt but finishes like Brian from Magic Roundabout so no one is getting out the bunting just yet. Ian leads with 251 points (identical to Hilary Ryan) and is 24 ahead of Woody's Round Up, where Ricky is continuing his fine form from last season. Bingo and Room with a view are 3rd a point behind Ricky and Paris Eagles is 3 more behind, so nice and tight light a gnats chuff up at the top.

In 6th is Tanus Terriers who made a big leap up the table in week 7, as did Harry Houdini. Guinness & eggs slip to 8th with ThE DrEaM FacTorY, Hannoi Utd, Good on Paper and To Elland Back each nicely positioned behind.

In fact only 10 points separate 8th from Loads of Roubles in 15th.

In the relegation space Financial Bale Out move up the table as did Pk's Sainsbury's Maggotts LMFC but bottom now rather embarrassingly is Nobby Junior. Time for transfers me thinks.

Feel like Chicken Tonight

N&R Division 2 - week 6 update
Hill's Pure Irish still have the luck with them as they remain top of the twee with 251 points, 33 ahead of Alchees Lubes, who have had a very good start to the season.

3rd remain 2Infinity & beyond and 4th in nose-bleed territory are the No Hopers. Gooner Go Up are up a place to 5th with Full Metal Jacket doing better than Kenny Jacket in 6th.

Moving through the grid like Jenson Button is Standard Ginger now up to 7th with Conan's Destroyers in 8th.

Dalton Warblers are doing Rosie proud in joint 9th with new Aon Benfield employee Geoff's Barceloner. Megan & Hannah's Bears, SAF and Luis & Carroll make up the other promotion candidates at this early stage.

Red Ken was a big faller in week 7 and Dynamo Chicken Kiev was a big climber. The big news at the bottom is that Arsene Still Knows if off the bottom and replaced by Wenners' Lazarus United.

Hitler and his N&R FL team

Click on this You Tube clip to see how, just like you and me, Adolf Hitler gets all pissed off ith his fantasy football team and in particular one Carlos Tevez

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b-s4xQfZ_M

Week 6 review

Barton, Faurlin and Campbell all scored in a fine QPR win at Wolves, likewise fellow promyed side Swansea put three past WBA at the Liberty. Everton lifted some gloom beating Wigan 3-1, and Norwich were the latest team to beat Bolton. 2-1 away.

Villa and Newcastle shared the spoils, but the result of the day was the chicken men from Blackburn beating a fragile Arsenal 4-3.

On Sunday Adebayor got two more and even Modric scored at Spurs stuffed Liverpool 4-0. Sunderland ebat Stoke by the same score, Fulham pegged Man City back to 2-2 after being 2-down and in the game of the weekend United comfortably saw off Chelsea 3-1 at the OT

Kennett & Bigg it up

Manager of the Week - week 5
Joint winners of the MoW fiver in week 5. Div 1 leader Ian Kennett will share the prize with Alastair Bigg are both managers attained a score of 63. Wardy hit a worthy 53 and has carried on this season where he left the last.

Richard Richards had a good week and scored 53 the same as Div 2 leader Hilary Flynn. The depressed Francey scored 52, which was identical to Johnny McGowan and Mark Simmons.

Other notables were Tim Harris 51, Brett Davey 48, Daniel Duboux 45, Mark Sterry 45, Geoff McCormick 41, Giles Crowley 35, Alan Oakley 35, Davor Duvancic 32, Tony Murray 29 and last but not least Kate Chillman with the week's lowest score managed 18.

Kennett still top

N&R Division 1 - week 5 update
It's often the way that the team with the longest name has the best season, and therefore it is the one I have to annoyingly type the most often. Two points, two flats and a packet of gravel remain top of the tree 23 points ahead of Bingo FC, who won promotion last year. Perennial challengers Paris Eagles are third with Room with a view climbing to 4th.

Woody's Round Up drop to 5th and Guinness & eggs sit 6th with ThE DrEaM FacTorY 7th and Loads of Roubles jumping up into 8th place.

Hannoi Utd, Travelodge Kettles and Bagpuss are big fallers and Harry Houdini accelerates in the other direction.

Nothing new in the relegation packwith Ted Strikers XI and Bobby Z joint bottom.

Age of Conan

N&R Division 2 - week 5 update
Pure Irish remain out front 32 points clear of nearst rival Alchees Lubes. 2Infinity & beyond are 3rd with Full Metal Jacket in 4th tied with Chicago based No Hopers.

Sooz's Gooner Go Up slip to 6th, whilst her brother Jason and Conan's Destroyers are just 4 points behind her in 7th.

Luis & Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland are now 8th, Standard Ginger appear in the promotion race for the first time, as do Red Ken Re-Lives the 80's.

The other promotion places are occupied by Megan & Hannah's teddy bears, Sons of Pitches and Dalton Worblers.

Kiwi Fantastic drop out but are only a point away as are Barceloner. Other fallers were Kings of Leon Osman, Hammer Nation and Morgan's Machines.

Big climbers were Dan's Dribblers and SAF. Bottom remains Arsene Still Knows.

Weekly Bet

Week 8 and Ready marches on.

Nobby:
Blackburn v Man City AWAY - CORRECT
Man United v Norwich HOME - CORRECT
Sunderland v WBA HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £10.50. Winnings £0

Ready:
Bolton v Chelsea AWAY - CORRECT
Blackburn v Man City AWAY - CORRECT
Man United v Norwich HOME - CORRECT

£2 stake. Winning potential £12.50. Winnings £12.50

Running total:
Ready £46.24 (positive)
Nobby £0.76 (negative)