From the bottom up - manager by manager part 5

The top 8 then in Div 2 and those in the prize monies.

Kirsty Baillie went down last season, not for the first time, but bounced straight back in her wedding year. It was a good start for the Scottish lass but then she found it very difficult to adapt to the pace of Div 2. However she made some changes and by December Kirsty was back in the promotion hunt. There was a while when she threatened the top of the table but that got a way from her before she slipped outside the top 10 but a final flurry of points grabbed her 8th place over Andy in the final week. £25 prize.

In 7th place was our other little minx Sooooozie Syrett, Mum to be. Sooz spent all but 5 weeks in the top 12, was 2nd for a bit, but never really challenged the top of the pile. However Soozie's one aim was promotion back to the big time and that was achieved along with a £30 prize.

Another relegated manager to bounce straight back is Brett Davey. N&R FL Winner in 1999/2000. Brett was relegated last season but hit the ground running and lived mostly in the top 8. There was some good transfer dealings although perhaps with an over-reliance on Chelsea players remembering that Champions League points don't count. Div 1 and £35 for Brett.

Hilary Hils Flynn had a rough old season last time and this was a massive improvement. For months Hils led the table. For 17 weeks in fact. There was some slippage particularly around February, but she came back well and was again up to 4th before getting knocked back to 5th in the final week. Promotion gained though and a £40 prize.

Barry Plumms Pummer was another one of Div 2's ex N&R FL Champions. Brett, Doyley, Danny Rose and Soozie being the others. Plummer is a clever fantasy player and was another suprise dropper from last season's Div 1, but was one of 4 to bounce back first time.

Bazza spent everyone of the 40 weeks in the promotion places but in the final week was pipped for 3rd place, where he had spent most of the time. Still a good innings though and £45.

In 3rd place was Daniel Weeks. A slow starter but with some timely transfers Dan started to find his feet and climbed the table stealthily before making 7th in week 13 after one of his MoW awards. His run continued and Dan found himself top in week 18. He never got as high again but was always in whispering distance, 2nd, 3rd but then crashed to 6th in week 38. However a subtle late couple of transfers and he got into 3rd spot claiming the £50 prize.

Runner up in Div 2 was Graham Ward. Young Wardy was another manager in his first N&R season and he took to it like a fish to water, no doubt ably assisted by his big brother, who he met in the N&R Cup (and lost), well they will be rivals next season as Graham crashed into Div 1 at the first time of asking. A little slow out of the gates but by week 8 he had it sussed and came very close to the title after jostling with Rosie in the final few furlongs.

Top with a fortnight to go, he just couldn't hang on as he was out of subs and Rosie still had a couple in her closet. Great effort though and Graham helped make Div 2 very exciting. Prize money £60 plus two MoW's.

And the winner then of Div 2, the lovely Rosie Worbler Dalton, who Keith and I have fond memories of from our Prize Night last summer. She certainly upped the attractiveness of the Chartis lot, who only had previously the gorgeous Hils amongst their brethren, but now have both Worbler and Chillers!

Not only a pretty face but Rosie wiped the floor with her colleagues and the rest of Div 2 to take first place with 1,629 points, 20 more than Graham, who gave her a run to the bitter end.

Rosie started confidently 9th in week 1. She spent just week 3 outside of the top 12 before spending a week at the top in week 15. She was back on top in week's 19 (after a MoW performance) and 20, Wardy G took over for a week and then she wrestled back control for 11 weeks. Challengers Graham, Barry, Daniel, Hilary and Brett were all kept at bay as she made strategic changes to her line-up.

She fell to 2nd 3 times in the last 8 weeks but didn't get flustered and rode to the top spot with 2 weeks left and there she stayed. Well done Rosie and good luck against more formidable opponents next year. Prize £100.

From the bottom up - manager by manager part 4

Now to the promotion places in Div 2. Who made it up to the big time?

Paul Mutley Long and his son Christian. Paul's best ever season ended in promotion to Div 1 finishing 10 points above his nearest rival. Paul & his son started the season slowly but made some wholesale changes in October and this pushed them forward. By Christmas they were at the right end of the table and made 12th in January. It didn't last but they refused to budge and then had a concerted run after week 26 when Paul & son spent every week bar 3 in the promotion places.

Michael Stout is another Chicagoan (born in Burnley I believe) and he will be rather pleased with himself to be in Div 1 after an arduous season. Micahel spent every week in the top 12 peaking at 3rd in October. He spent the majority of the season in the prized places (top 8) but began to slip down the table and was then anxiously looking over his shoulder. But promotion was won, and this without making a single transfer!

Geoff McCormack was another newbie and the Aon Benfield man played the game well making all of his transfers during the season. 7th in week 16, he never got higher than that but he was always knocking on the door and spent the entire time from mid-January in the top 12. Geoff was in 8th up until the final couple of weeks but will I suspect be happy to be playing Div 1 N&R FL next season.

I met Millwall fan Andrew Shepherd in a pub by chance last summer and he has been a welcome addition to the N&R FL semi-representing N&R heroes past of Coxon and Walsh. Andy was up there all season and was as high as 4th at one stage. Unfortunately Andy was only 7 days away from collecting some cash but got knocked out of 8th place at the line. Oh well, you don't become a Millwall fan if you expect to win anything.

The Light & Lager and Light Bitter Cups

The first winners of the season were declared in April and to remind you it was Ken Cobbett and Daniel Weeks. They each won their Division's Cup competition sponsored by Light & Bitter and Light & Lager.

Light & Bitter (Div 1) Final

Loads of Roubles 40-41 The Magnificent Eleven

In an extremely close game Ken pipped John to the £40 by a single point.

Light & Lager (Div 2) Final

Dalton Worblers 48-52 Dynamo Chicken Kiev

Rosie and Daniel put on a fine contest but it was Dan that won through and wins his first ever N&R FL title.

Congratulations to our League Cup Winners.

Top of the Injury League

The results of new research into every significant injury suffered by every Premier League footballer in the 2011-12 season reveal that Manchester City came out as clear winners in the injury league – suffering fewer major problems than any other side.

The data has been compiled by analysts at http://www.physioroom.com/, whose link we carry on the left hand side and I would recommend when playing N&R FL.

The PhysioRoom team logged every injury to every player throughout the season, and for the purposes of the headline data, considered a ‘significant’ injury to be one where a player was unavailable for competitive matches for at least 14 days as a result of that specific injury.

The 2011-12 Premier League season findings pinpointed hamstring injuries as the most common (46.5% of all injuries).

Injury-prone QPR midfielder Kieron Dyer was the player out for the longest times. The former England international, 33, broke his foot several minutes into QPR’s opening-day defeat by Bolton and has yet to return. Despite missing 274 days, Dyer has received a one-year contract extension to remain at Loftus Road.

From the bottom up - manager by manager part 3

Sarah Sheron had another disappointing season after stimulating us all in her first 3 years ago. Sarah promised so much with a continuous occupancy of a top 12 place, reaching the dizzy limits of 7th in week 22. Even in March she was still in the battle for promotion but inexplicably it fell away. Failing to replace Darren Bent in the transfer market had a real negative effect and Sarah slipped back to the also-rans and ended up 18th.

Aaron Bardon was another mid-tabler who had a fine start. 5th in week 2, Aaron did make some transfers but not enough and that was the difference between 12th and 17th. So another season in Div 2 for the man who got relegated last season and once came 5th overall 4 years ago.

Neil Adder Addington made a 10 place improvement on his last year's finish so he can be pleased with that. The Tokio man was one of the few managers who didn't make the top 12 nor did he ever really have to look nervously over his shoulder. From a transfer point of view, Neil was busy dabbling often in the market and one look at his final team tells us that he should have done better. Another 10 places higher next season will do though.

Jason Syrett is one of a triumvirate of family N&R FL members and he came out worst. I'm getting a little bored of writing this, but Jase also started well. 7th in week 5 a best. But again he just didn't have enough in his tank despite some good transfer signings. Newcastle's Cisse being one, which did move him up a few places in the last month or so. Another relegated manager who will face his 2nd season in Div 2.

As a youth team player Ben Guarino promised so much and I would have had him down for a promotion challenge this season. Busy in the transfer market and these moves did improve his scoring and around about March Ben was closing in on the top 12. He statyed with the field well but he was unable to find that next gear. Just 20 points short of promotion, a one place worst off than last time out.

John Kiwi Hardiman had an excellent first season. A little birdie tells me that he knows little of the round ball game and has a backroom staff helping him in his selections. He and his team made some astute transfers but at the end of the day fell just 10 points short.

John was consistently up there though and actually spent 17 weeks in the top 12, 7th in week 10. His consistent form also paid good dividends in the N&R Cup and he made it to the final but lost in a very close game to Kate Chillman. A lot to be proud of for the Kiwi.

The Penultimate Place Prize - A Rose between two thorns

For some bizarre reason we have a prize for the manager who finishes 69th overall, i.e. the second worse score. Danny Rose occupied the Penultimate Place for 16 weeks, more than any other manager.

Kate Chillman was 69th for 8 weeks, and both Chris Waterman and Mark Wenman had their turn for 4 weeks.

Danny's prize was rarely in any doubt as he was always a good number of points above and behind the managers in 68th and 70th place. This is how it finished.

The 5 worse season scores:
1. Stocky's Starlets, 874
2. Arsene Still Knows, 960
3. Californication, 1,027
4. Red Ken re-lives the 80's, 1,041
5. Frank & Beans, 1,077

Therefore congratulations are in order to Danny Rose who collects the £25 and his entry money back.

Photograph of the week

Brendan Rodgers has agreed a deal to become the new manager of Liverpool Football Club. The 39-year-old will sign a three-year contract at Anfield and his appointment is likely to be officially confirmed within 24 hours. Let's hope they are not in the bottom half at Christmas.

From the bottom up - manager by manager part 2

Alex Boswell was another who was quick out of the blocks. 6th in week 3 it was all looking rosy for our veteran N&R FL man. In fact at week 15 he was still very much in the promotion picture but as the winter nights drew in, he lacked that final push and ended up 200 odd points short of the top 12.

A tale of two halves for Kate Chillers Chillman. The Chartis lady was convinced to join her colleagues for a throw of the N&R dice and it did not begin well at all. In the bottom two by week 7, she improved slightly but the pace and ability around her meant she was pushed back towards the bottom of the table. She then spent from Christmas to Valentine's Day in the Penultimate Place and this looked her only way of winning a prize.

But, in the meantime she was moving through the N&R Cup Rounds with ease and after some serious surgery on her team, Chillers found some fantastic form and ended up in a very credible 24th and the winner of the N&R Cup. Kate will be presented with the trophy at the Prize Night and in our minds becomes an early favourite for Div 2 honours next year.

Tony Muzza Murray, our alien in New York finished dead last 12 months ago so a vast improvement from him. There was even a flirtation with promotion but Muzza wa never in any danger of emulating his season horribilis. He also picked up a MoW on his way and hopefully we get another improvement next season from our Big Apple rep.

Andrew Wheelie Wheeler was in his virgin N&R season and flew pretty much under the radar for the whole campaign. Andy spent almost the entire time in the lower half of Div 2, saving his best spell for the last few weeks when by my maths Andy collected a quarter of his points in the final 7 weeks.

Peter Ginger Rabbit Doyle is a previous N&R Champ. If we were in America he would be forever known as Champion Ginger Rabbit, but we're not, so we won't. Doyley did show some Champion form in the first half of the season and with his past experience I had him down for a top 12 finish.

6th as we approached the Christmas period Pete was going well, but like the needles on the Christmas tree, he fell down to earth and slowly slid back down the table although only recently did we write him off for a promotion place. 6 transfers left in his bin tells its own story.

Daniel Duboux the provactively named Bluefin broker was also in his first year. Dan was also an early promotion candidate. 12th at week 15, he dabbled in the transfer market and gambled on Dzeko. But as the pace increased after Easter, Dan struggled to maintain to his charge but hopefully will give it another crack next year.

Stuart Kilpo Kilpatrick. My old mucker Kilpo doesn't know an awful lot about the beautiful game. He is Scottish after all, bless him. But Kilpo was yet another who had a very good first half with a high of 6th in week 12. Stu's trouble was a lack of dealings in the transfer market. None to be exact, this and a love of late nights and whiskey.

Announcements

A couple of job changes to tell you about that happened in the final weeks of the N&R FL season.

Richard Nathan has left Aviva to join Allied World as VP, Corporate Property Manager. Hopefully it won't be too long before he is in Bermuda buying me a dark 'n stormy.

Chris Waterman, a long time N&R FL man, has left Blighty to work for Chartis in Japan running Property for the Far East.

Chris becomes the 2nd N&R FL manager to be based in Japan with Giles Crowley working at Zurich.

I am a massive fan of Tokyo and if I can find another excuse to visit then I am hunting you both down to drink copious amounts of Kirin and sing karokee!

Finally Tim Harris is leaving Chartis and joining RSA to work as a Property Underwriter in the International team.

The very best of luck to Richard, Chris and Tim.

From the bottom up - manager by manager part 1

Starting at the very bottom of the N&R Div 2. Ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr Danny Stock. Dan had a dire season after a promising outing a year ago. Hindered by not entering the transfer market Dan was floundering as soon as the clocks went back. He did occupy the prized Penultimate Place for 3 weeks in November but by week 13 he had nicely settled into bottom place. Fail.

Danny Rose is one of our original N&R FL manangers but as the years have passed this former champion has got steadily worse. Reminds me of Le Invincibles that he supports! Danny began at the bottom and managed to climb to the lofty position of 33rd! By week 26 he found his groove in the Penultimate Place and saw off any challengers with ease to claim the £25 prize.

Chris Waterman, now big in Japan, will be buying the curries next time he is back amongst his Chartis London colleagues after a woeful season. There was a little Penultimate action but generally he hovered in the bottom third of Div 2. His best time was around March when he put together a few better weeks but in the final fortnight Chris fell to 3rd from bottom and that is where it ended.

Richard Razor Nathan has had 3 jobs during the season and also named his side after a now sacked manager. It didn't bode well and Richard finished in a very disappointing 32nd. This after ending last season bottom of Div 1. However it wasn't always bad as he was 12th in week 5. Mind you, no transfers and an over reliance on Liverpool players took it's toll.

Tim Feldbruegge and Dennis Malloy are two of the more knowledgeble American's you are likely to meet when it comes to soccer. Sadly they have rarely transferred this to the fantasy game and after a decent 2010/11 season, this one really didn't get going for them. They started alright hanging out around midtable until after Yuletide when it started to go downhill and keeping Jack Wilshire as the fulcrum of their midfield wasn't a great decision!

Tokio's Mark Sterry was in his first season and he started like a house on fire. 8th in week 7 he then fell away quickly and despite making plenty of substitutions Mark failed to make any real ground and ended up in the graveyard of lower middle of Div 2.

Brian Rutts Rutter again failed to live up to his challenge in 2009/10 and ended bottom of the Aon Benfield pile in 29th place. Rutts failure to make use of the transfer system (one would've thought that he would have worked it out by now) hurt him badly as he carried some players over the finish line.

Scott Morgan was some people's favourite to make an instant return after getting relegated from Div 1. A great start saw him spend most of the first 3 months in the top 12, in fact he was 2nd after week 2. Scott was still clinging onto the promotion places as we turned into the new year but then it he slowly drifted into the bottom half of the table and he had no means to stop the slide. Except, perhaps, those 10 unused subs?

Mark Wenners Wenman was another relegated from Div 1 and also showed how hard it is to bounce straight back Hammers style. In fact Wenners' season got better. A dreadful start, bottom after week 1. Then he bounced around the bottom places but made a couple of changes and his fortunes improved. I was hoping to see more changes as his weekly points grew but we didn't and Mark ended up in 27th.

Alan Muddy Waters will be a happy Hammer but will probably be ok with his N&R FL campaign. Never having made a transfer in his life and once many moons ago almost winning the title by using this tactic, Muddy coped well and was never in any danger of scraping the bottom nor to be fair scraping the top.

Team Challenge Trophy - RSA claim trophy

The RSA duo of Greg Foulger and Andy Cassell had led the N&R Team Challenge for a long time and deservedly claimed the title finishing 17 points ahead of Gravity who were runners up for the 2nd year running.

Last year's champs QBE were 3rd with the rabble of Chartis players in 4th, which is excellent bearing in mind the number of players they have to call on. 

2009/10 winners Bluefin were 5th, with Zurich in 6th and HDI Gerling 7th.

The cluster of Aon Benfield brokers led by Neil Reynolds with the rear being brought up by Rutts came in 8th. Tokio finished in 9th place followed by Aon's dream team in 10th.

Second-bottom was JRP's syndicate comprising of old fantasy timers Godders and Rose with the wooden spoon taken by Allianz.

The final Team Challenge Trophy will accompany the week 40 email.

Happy Hammers

I have a lot of West Ham mates and there is a lot of you on here. If you can pick a way to win promotion to the Premiership, then a Wembley Play-Off Final win is one of the best. Arguably the 'best side' in the Championship this season, the Hammers too often failed at home. But it all came good against Cardiff firstly, then Blackpool. Back to the Prem they goal. Up the Happy Hammers!

Manager of the Weeks

Sav's week 40 MoW gave him a hatrick of weekly wins. He was joined on 3 by Daniel Weeks and Greg Foulger, although both Dan and Greg shared one week.

The winner with 4 wins though was Brett Davey, although he was involved in a 4-way tie in week 31.

In total 26 managers won some cash via the MoW award, which showed how open it can be.

Here is a list of the season's MoW's. The £5 weekly prize is shared equally if it is tied.

Brett Davey 4 (one shared) total winnings £16.66
Ryan Saveall 3 £15
Dan Weeks 3 (one shared) £12.50
Greg Foulger 3 (one shared) £12.50
Neil Reynolds 2  £10
Graham Ward 2 £10
Hilary Flynn 2 £10
Rosie Dalton 2 £10
Steve Merchant 2 (one shared) £7.50
Neil Bixby 2 (one shared) £7.50
Peter Godfrey 2 (one shared) £7.50
Lee Horne (one shared) £7.50
Ben Guarino (one shared) £6.66
Kirsty Baillie 1 £5
Keith Read 1 £5
Tim Harris 1 £5
Ken Cobbett 1 £5
Peter Doyle 1 £5
Michael Stout 1 £5
Alastair Bigg 1 £5
Tony Murray 1 £5
Soozie Saveall 1 £5
Danny Rose 1 £5
Andy Cassell 1 (shared) £2.50
Barry Plummer 1 (shared) £2.50
Henry Williams 1 (shared) £1.66

Congratulations all.

Sav get's final week lift

Manager of the Week - week 40
The final MoW went to Sav, who needed a bit of a lift as did all Spurs fans after the final few weeks of the season. Was it enough for him to force his way into prize reckoning? Well, you will have to wait to see.

Sav scored 47 points, one more than Jason Syrett and Kirsty. Daniel Weeks scored 45 as did Chris Wright. Ready finished with a 44 and Steve Merchant 43.

Tim Harris and Neil Bixby shot a 42 with Barry Paull 41.

The final week lowest was owned by Dennis & Tim. The Chicago based boys scored 12.

The Road to Wembley - Liverpool come a full 360.

Chelsea beat our Liverpool boys in the FA Cup Final. Talisman DIDIER DROGBA was the match-winner once more as they overcame Liverpool to lift the trophy at Wembley.

Drogba's goal early in the second half - his fourth in this Wembley showpiece - proved decisive as the remarkable turnaround in Chelsea's fortunes under interim manager Roberto di Matteo was rewarded with silverware.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina was badly at fault as RAMIRES scored at the near post after 11 minutes and Chelsea looked in cruise control when Drogba continued his love affair with the FA Cup final and Wembley with an angled finish.

The introduction of substitute ANDY CARROLL sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages.

But it was Chelsea who lifted the trophy for caretake manager Robert Di Matteo and defeat meant Liverpool failed to claim the Cup double, which was enough for Kenny Daglish to eventually lose his job.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Bosingwa, Terry, Ramires (Meireles), Lampard, Mikel, Mata (Malouda), Drogba, Kalou.

Substitutes: Turnbull, Ferreira, Essien, Malouda, Meireles, Torres, Sturridge

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Spearing (Carroll), Suarez, Bellamy (Kuyt).

Substitutes: Doni, Carragher, Kelly, Maxi, Shelvey, Carroll, Kuyt.

Attendance: 89,102 .

There was something very magical with Liverpool FC being our final N&R Road to Wembley team to follow as 9 months previously we started with fan's team AFC Liverpool from the North West Counties Premier League. Everton was the team we carried for the longest period of time and a lot of us were disappointed not to see David Moyes go all the way.

Here were our 2011/12 Road to Wembley sides:

AFC Liverpool > Runcorn Linnett > Hebburn Town > Gateshead > Tamworth > Everton > Liverpool.

Look out for post in early August when we again pick the team we will follow from the very first qualifying round of the FA Cup for 2012/13.

N&R Cup Final - Hot stuff from Chillers

It was another close encounter, but Chillers Champions beat Kiwi Fantastic in the final of the N&R Cup and Kate will be the proud owner of a little shiny cup for her desk.

N&R Cup Final Result

Chillers Champions 33-30 Kiwi Fantastic

Kate came through 7 rounds and actually started off in the Preliminary Round, evidence of her poor first half of the season. Chillers beat Ted Striker in that round and then in the 1st Round proper beat colleague Financial Bale Out by one point.

In Round 2 beat fellow spice girl Glasgow Kiss and then moved onto the 3rd Round and won away at We are all Keith Lemon.

In teh Quarter Finals she was the underdog against Tanus Terriers but won convincingly. In the Semi-Finals Chillers beat reigning league champion To Elland Back before meeting John's Kiwi Fantastic in a dramatic last week final.

Well done to Chillers and also fair play to Kiwi on a fine N&R Cup run.

Premier League placings - how did we do?

In August Keith and I predicted the Premier League final placings. Who came out on top? This is what we saw in our crystal balls:

Nobby first:

1. Manchester United (2nd) -1
--------------------------
2. Chelsea (6th) -4
3. Manchester City (1st) -2
4. Liverpool -4
--------------------------
5. Arsenal (3rd) -2
--------------------------
6. Bolton (18th) -12
7. Tottenham (4th) -3
8. Stoke City (14th) -6
9. Sunderland (13th) - 4
10. Aston Villa (16th) -6
11. Fulham (9th) -2
12. West Brom (10th) -2
13. Wolves (20th) -7
14. Everton (7th) -7
15. Wigan Athletic (15th) 0
16. Norwich City (12th) -4
17. Newcastle United (5th) -12
---------------------------
18. Swansea (11th) -7
19. QPR (17th) -2
20. Blackburn (19th) -1

Total -88.

Shocking. Only one team in it's right place (Wigan). I did pick out Blackburn as relegation favourites and QPR just 'let me down'. I missed the champions and the Champion League places. Newcastle surprised me (and everyone else) as did Villa's terrible campaign. Also I had Bolton knocking on the door of Europe. Oh dear.

What about Ready:

1. Chelsea (6th) -5
-----------------------
2. Man Utd (2nd) 0
3. Man City (1st) -2
4. Tottenham (4th) 0
-----------------------
5. Liverpool (8th) -3
-----------------------
6. Arsenal (3rd) -3
7. Everton (7th) 0
8. Aston Villa (16th) -8
9. Fulham (9th) 0
10. Stoke (14th) -4
11. Sunderland (13th) -2
12. West Brom (10th) -2
13. Bolton (18th) -5
14. Newcastle (5th) -9
15. Wolves (20th) -5
16. Blackburn (19th) -3
17. Norwich (12th) -5
----------------------
18 Wigan (15th) -3
19 QPR (17th) -2
20 Swansea (11th) -9

Total -70.

A lot better. 4 teams in their right positions (Utd, Tottenham, Everton and Fulham). Keith was well out on Chelsea, although they are now European Champions. Villa threw him as did Newcastle not suprisingly. He also didn't pick any of the relegation sides and has them all to finish above Norwich.

Ready wins and I look forward to buying him a pint soon.

Worst weekly score - not Champ19n

Mark Simmons, the guru of our complicated scoring system normally takes a few quid of Keith and I and this season was no different.

Mark's form with an all Man U side was poor and his CHAMP19NS ended up being relegated. Unsuprisingly then that he picked up some low weekly scores.

In fact Mark had the worst and second worst of the season and for his efforts wins £30.

Danny Rose, a long time FL rival of Mark's, also had a rough season and he pulled in a big fat zero in week 32 and was joint 2nd alongside Daniel Weeks, who on the flip side had a terrific season.

The worst weekly scores of the season:

1. Mark Simmons, week 11, -2 points
2= Mark Simmons, week 28, 0 points
2= Danny Rose, week 32, 0 points
2= Daniel Weeks, week 32, 0 points
5. Daniel Duboux, week 28, 1 point
6= Peter Doyle, week 28, 2 points
6= Chris Wright, week 28, 2 points
6= Mark Sterry, week 28, 2 points
9. Alan Waters, week 28, 3 points
10= Paul Kelleher, week 28, 4 points
10= Neil Bixby, week 28, 4 points
Up to week 40

Best weekly score - honours shared

The £30 Best weekly score prize money will be shared between Godders and Graham Ward after they both smacked a sparkling 109 points, Pete in week 26 and Graham in week 36.

Graham had two scores in the top 10, as did Woody and Mark Gregory.

In 3rd was Ricky, with a very credible 108 points with Barry Paull, Soozie and Mark Gregory equal 3rd.

Here are the 2011/12 Best weekly score's:

1= Peter Godfrey, week 26, 109 points
1= Graham Ward, week 36, 109 points
3. Ricky Wood, week 26, 108 points
4= Barry Paull, week 26, 105 points
4= Soozie Saveall, week 26, 105 points
4= Mark Gregory, week 26, 105 points
7= Alastair Bigg, week 26, 104 points
7= Ricky Wood, week 36, 104 points
8. Barry Plummer, week 26, 101 points
9. Rob Munden, week 26, 100 points
10= Greg Foulger, week 26, 99 points
10= Graham Ward, week 26, 99 points
10= Alastair Bigg, week 36, 99 points
10= Mark Gregory, week 36, 99 points
Up to week 40

Week 40 overview

The final dramatic week then.

Man City came behind to beat QPR 3-2 but Rangers were safe after Bolton were drew away at Stoke 2-2. Man U won at Sunderland 1-0, but ot was to no avail.

Arsenal grabbed third place beating WBA 3-2 at The Hawthorns. Spurs beat Fulham 2-0 to finish 4th, but it will be the Europa League for them after Chelsea won the Champions League.

Chelsea beat relegated Blackburn 2-1, Everton finished strong and above their Mersey rivals after beating Newcastle 3-1.

Liverpool lost to Swansea 1-0 in what was King Kenny's final match. Likewise Villa under Alex McLeish who lost to Norwich 2-0.

Wigan beat Wolves 3-2 and in a game on the previous Tuesday Liverpool thrashed Chelsea 4-1. It was a week of goals and points for our FL managers.

League One Play-Off's

6 weeks after the mighty reds were promoted up at Carlisle, one of our season-long rivals will join us this afternoon.


We put a dent in both Huddersfield and United’s promotion push during the course of the past season but both would be deserving of a leg up to the next tier this afternoon after spending the whole season alongside Sheffield Wednesday chasing us around the promotion track.

I can see cases for both teams. Huddersfield, after I believe going the whole season unbeaten, are back in the final, a goal considered to be not good enough for Lee Clark, who was heartlessly dispensed with. The Terriers were there last year too but were embarrassed by Peterborough.

Town are in their 8th season in the 3rd tier and it was at the turn of the century when they last competed in the countries 2nd.

The Blades meanwhile are about to end their first 3rd tier season since the late 80′s and if under Danny Wilson they can bounce back at the first attempt it would have been a very credible job done.

Yet, since the imprisonment of Ched Evans goals have been very hard to come by and United choked in the final furlong allowing fierce city rivals Wednesday to pip them for the place of long-way runners up.

United had to learn quick to win ugly and defend well, but in a one-off game goals are obviously required and in Jordan Rhodes, Huddersfield have a real match winner and I think it will be they who will take the honours and the 3rd promotion spot at Wembley later.

Blue is the colour

Chelsea's thrilling penalty shoot-out win yesterday was a deserving epilogue to a nail biting end to the season.

As I often do in these situations I began watching as a neutral but couldn't help be drawn to the Blues as my patriotic juices took me over. I also thought of a good mate of mine, a massive long-time Chelsea fan, who has suffered a dreadful year with ill-health.

He pretty much emptied his bank account to get to Munich and he would have savoured every minute of yesterday's triumph.

The game reminded me of the City v United game recently as Bayern took the game to Chelsea probing around chasing shirts but 34 shots at goal and 20 corners did't account for Chelsea's defiance or the woeful Mario Gomez.

Then there was a story tale about a man called Didier Drogba, who when not acting like a big girl's blouse is a man for all the big occasions. Yes, he nearly threw it all away with that poor challenge on Ribéry inside the box, but when he strolled from the halfway line to the penalty spot for the last kick off the game, and probably his Chelsea career, the headlines already adorned the morning's papers.

Munich's Allianz Arena is a magnificent setting and before kick-off I was in awe of the Munich fans who created a volley of noise and an intricate pattern of red and white stripes behind their goal. The huge banner read "UNSER STADT, UNSER STADION, UNSER POKAL."

I looked up what it meant. "Our town, our stadium, our cup." Pretty graceless I thought and so it went as I enjoyed the Germans mucking up the penalty shoot-out against the Englisch in their own back garden.

Talking of graceless, John Terry managed to upset the rest of the countries football fans without even playing, as he barged his way into all of the photos in his Chelsea kit. He really is a prized wanker.

Earlier in the day West Ham saved a visit from an irate bank manager or two and won the Championship Play-Off Final. We know that feeling well and it is a glorious way to get promoted. I have a ton of Hammers mates so I was pleased for them and also for Big Sam. No, not that one but this one!

With QPRhaha staying up, that is two local derbies Charlton are going to miss out on in lieu for long trips to the north-west. A shame, but it undoubtedly makes a Play-Off challenge more viable.

What a final day!

When I lived in the States I would often have to defend the game of 'soccer', normally at a baseball game when fat drug-ridden blokes were running around catching a ball with a huge glove in front of me.

"It's boring" they would say and as I took a sip of my lite (sic) beer I would just laugh to myself.

Today's final afternoon of the Premier League season was one of the most dramatic there has ever been and the best final day since 1989. It was an incredible roller-coaster of emotions and tells everything about why football is the best game in the world. My heart was pounding in those last 10 minutes and my team had already been crowned Champions!

I am pleased for City, Mancini has grown on me and they are deserving Champions, but my emotions and my endorsements changed like the wind during the course of the 90 minutes.

I have little time for QPR, they are a nothing club with insouciant and superficial owners. However the more City fans weeped during the 2nd half in front of prying cameras, the more I laughed and willed Rangers and Man U, winning at Sunderland, on.

I also had a couple of quid on Bolton and Man U wins plus a QPR/City draw in a treble and that would've been a nice little earner.

I just couldn't see City scoring at 1-2, nothing was happening for them. Crosses were being flung over and Rangers with ten men lined up simply headed it out. Fans crying was not giving an awful lot of encouragement and the whole ground apart from a pocket of away fans was in despair but once they got one....

Meanwhile Joey Barton showed the world today what a scumbag he is. Football is the best team game in the world and Barton doesn't deserve to be a part of it. I hope he gets the book thrown at him. He had nothing to do with QPR's survival and if I was Mark Hughes I wouldn't want to see his revolting mug again.

So it is Bolton that join Charlton next year in the Championship and only thanks to a sloppy penalty they gave away after leading. Fine lines and narrow margins.

Bolton under Owen Coyle will I suspect recover pretty well in next season's Championship although I understand the club carries a lot of debt. I not sure I can say the same of Wolves and Blackburn are a basket case. What a day, what a season. The game of 'soccer' never lets you down.

In the media

A great little blog that is worth a lunchtime perusal is The Ball is Round, particularly if you have an interest in the non-league game.

In a recent article they asked what would have happened if a 3rd Manchester team had been admitted to the league in 1931.

"This town ain’t big enough for the three of us, they cried. Despite United playing in the west of the city at Old Trafford, and City at Maine Road, they were worried of the influence Central could have on their very livelihoods."

Read on here: Gone and forgotten – part 1 – Manchester Central FC

Squeaky bum time

N&R Division 1 - week 39
9 points, yes you heard me right brother, 9 points separate the top 3 teams at the pinnacle of the N&R Div 1 table.

1. Boys on tour, 1,619
2. Guinness & eggs, 1,613
3. Woody's Round Up, 1,610

Boys on tour have been top for all but one of the last 19 weeks. Guinness & eggs has been top just for just 7 days this season and Woody's Round Up has yet to be top at all. Will Greg keep his nerve?? That is indeed the question.

With just one week to go the Magnificent Eleven are too far away surely (60 points) to be a threat but they, Financial Bale Out and Tanus Terriers look to have secured some prize monies.

Paris Eagles and Gooner win league are looking nervously over their shoulders with Super Sav and Room with a view chasing them hard down the home straight.

Phew, I can hardly control myself.

At the bottom19 points is the gap between safety and relegation. Only I feel Brox Banditos and We are all Keith Lemon have a chance of survival. The others including the very handsome Nobby are down.

Worblers back on top

N&R Division 2 - week 39
I am wetting myself as we enter the final week of a very long season. No, I am.

In week 39 Dalton Worblers regained the lead at the top of Div 2 and the top 5 now looks like this.

1. Dalton Worblers, 1,605
2. Pimp my side, 1,577
3. 2Infinity & beyond, 1,529
4. Pure Irish, 1,526
5. Dynamo Chicken Kiev, 1,519

It really is Dalton's to lose.

In the promotion race Kiwi Fantastic is 12 points behind Brighton Blues. The No Hopers, subject to not having an absolute 'mare in week 40 look up.

At the bottom, Stocky's Starlets are 98 points adrift with the Penultimate Prize (2nd worse score overall) looking thus:

1. Stocky's Starlets, 848
2. Arsene Still Knows, 946
3. Californication, 1,005
4. Red Ken re-lives the 80's, 1,012
5. Frank & Beans, 1,065


Barring a big week from Danny, he looks odds-on for the 25 notes.

A Cup of Rosie

Manager of the Week - week 39

A Cup of Rosie indeed as Miss Dalton had a cracking week as she heads to her first ever silverware. 88 points gave her some breathing space at the top of Div 2.

Then at the top of Div 1 Steve Black had a humungous week 39 pushing himself within inches of Div 1 leader Greg Foulger. 83 for Steve and 75 for our French artist Barry Paull.

75 was also the score of choice for Woody, who chases more cash. Wardy (S) knocked over 73, Hils 72 and Dewbs 70.

Other scores of real interest as we get down to the final furlong were Dan Weeks 69, Ken 67, Ryan 65, Greg F 63, Plumms 58, Lee Horne 58, Soozie 46 and Wardy (G) 44.

The week 39's worst shout? 18 from Chris Waterman. ホープ!

Benfleet Bet - Final Table

Ricky was as expected the winner of the 2012 Ready's Benfleet Bet and will collect £30. Woody even got the Chelsea v Liverpool Final result spot on too. Congratulations mate.

Paul Long and Ian France shared 2nd but were a full 18 points behind. Mark Simmons was 4th.

Final Benfleet Bet Table
1. Ricky Wood 99
2= Paul Long 80
2= Ian France 80
4. Mark Simmons 77
5= Ready 76
5= Greg Foulger 76
7. Alex Boswell 74
8. Doyley 71
9= Neil Reynolds 69
9= Andrew Shepherd 69
9= Barry Paull 69
12. Steve Merchant 66
13= Dan Weeks 65
13= Mark Dewbs 65
13= Graham Ward 65
16= Godders 64
16= Nev White64
18= Sooz Sav 63
18= Ken Cobbett 63
18= Nobby 63
21= Mark Gregory 62
21= Ian Kennett 62
23= Steve Black 61
23= Neil Addington 61
25. Ben Guarino 60
26= Tim Harris 58
26= Brian Rutter 58
28= Neil Bixby 56
28= John McGowan 56
28= Rich Richards 56
31= Rob Munden 55
31= Al Waters 55
31= Oakers 55
34= Ryan Sav 47
35=Jason Syrett 47
36. Danny Rose 42
37. Kirsty Baillie 27

Photograph of the week

Prick.

N&R Weekly Bet - week 38

Final week and I ended the season in debt to Ladbrokes. I had to go big and I did and at one point I was counting my money, but it wasn't to be.

Meanwhile Ready ended a score up over the season. It was a bit of fun.

Week 38.

Nobby
WBA v Arsenal DRAW - WRONG
Man C v QPR AWAY - WRONG
Stoke v Bolton AWAY - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £444.40. Winnings £0

Ready:
Tottenham v Fulham HOME - RIGHTWigan v Wolves HOME - RIGHT
Norwich v Aston V DRAW - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £15.50. Winnings £0

Final totals:
Ready £21.94 (positive)
Nobby £8.12 (negative)

Week 39 overview

Plenty of games as we get down to the short strokes.

On the Wednesday Bolton blew it at home to Spurs in an emotional encounter losing 4-1 and Newcastle shocked Chelsea winning 2-0 with Cisse's two wonder goals.

On Saturday Norwich held Arsenal 3-3 at the Library and it the FA Cup Final Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1.

On Sunday Man City put one arm around the Premier League trophy winning at Newcastle 2-0 thanks to Yaya Toure.

Aston Villa and Spurs drew 1-1, Bolton threw away a two-goal lead at home to WBA and Fulham beat Sudnerland 2-1.
In the last minute QPR beat Stoke 1-0 to make sure the relegation battle goes to the last day. Wolves, already relegated drew with Fulham and United beat Swansea 2-0.

And on Monday Wigan relegated Blackburn after scoring through Alcaraz in the dying moments.

N&R Cup Semi-Final Results

In an exciting finish to the N&R Cup Semi-Finals which frankly put the last Premier League day in the shade, Kate Chillman and John Hardiman made it through to the final of the N&R Cup.

Chillers pipped Rob Munden by a solitary point preventing him from winning a second consecutive trophy and previous winner Neil Reynolds lost to outsider John.

N&R Cup Semi-Final Results

Chillers Champions 54-53 To Elland Back

Gooner win League 46-65 Kiwi Fantastic

The N&R Cup Final will take place on the final week of the season and will be as follows:

Chillers Champions v Kiwi Fantastic

The winner will win a gleaming trophy fit for any desk. Good luck to both of you.

Ready's Benfleet Bet update

The Semi-Final predictions have been calculated and with just the Final to be scored we look to have a clear winner. Step forward Mr Woody.

Table after Semi Finals:

1. Ricky Wood 94
2. Paul Long 78
3. Ian France 75
4= Ready 74
4= Greg Foulger 74
6= Mark Simmons 72
6= Alex Boswell 72
8. Doyley 69
9. Graham Ward 65
10= Neil Reynolds 64
10= Neville White 64
10= Andrew Shepherd 64
13. Barry Paull 64
14= Ken Cobbett 63
14= Dan Weeks 63
16= Mark Gregory 62
16= Ian Kennett 62
18= Steve Black 61
18= Steve Merchant 61
18= Nobby 61
18= Soozie Sav 61
22. Mark Dewbs 60
23= Godders 59
23= Neil Addington 59
25= Tim Harris 58
25= Ben Guarino 58
25= Brian Rutter 58
28= Rob Munden 55
28= Al Waters 55
30= John McGowan 54
30= Rich Richards 54
32. Oakers 53
33. Neil Bixby 51
34= Ryan Sav 47
34= Jason Syrett 47
36. Danny Rose 42
37. Kirsty Baillie 27

Photograph of the week

Clucking hell. Blackburn's fans get their wish and watch their team relegated on Monday night. A chicken invades the pitch and shows the most passion in a blue and white shirt.

N&R Weekly Bet

We are running out of time and I am still in debt!

Week 37.

Nobby
Arsenal v Norwich HOME - WRONG
Aston V v Spurs AWAY - WRONG
Wolves v Everton - HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £12.00. Winnings £0

Ready:
Arsenal v Norwich HOME - WRONG
QPR v Stoke HOME - RIGHT
Wolves v Everton AWAY - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £7.00. Winnings £0

Running totals:
Ready £23.94 (positive)
Nobby £6.12 (negative)

Tour guide the way

N&R Division 1 - week 38
Boys on tour lead by 21 points over Woody's Round Up who are 5 ahead of Guinness & eggs.

1. Boys on tour 1,556
-------------------------
2. Woody's Round Up, 1,535
3. Guinness & eggs, 1,530

It is between these three I think for the title of N&R FL 2011/12 Champion.

Below these Magnificent Eleven have had another fantastic season. Financial Bale Out and Tanus Terriers are pretty ingrained in the prize money but Gooner win league, Room with a view, Paris Eagles, Super Sav, Hannoi Utd, To Elland Back and Harry Houdini each have it all to play for.

At the bottom I would say the bottom 8 (including Nobby Jnr) are down. The others have it all to play for. with Socceroos and Whitened Smut the most at risk.

Ride on

N&R Division 2 - week 38

The lead switched again in week 38 with Pimp my side back on top. Graham is 16 points ahead of Dalton Worblers and the Div 2 title is between these two.

1. Pimp my side, 1,533

2. Dalton Worblers, 1517

---------------------------

3. 2Infinity & Beyond, 1,469

Barry's 2Infinity & beyond are in 3rd and then only 4 points separates Pure Irish, Alchees Lubes and Dynamo Chicken Kiev.

These teams are all up of course and so by the looks of it are Gooner go up, Glasgow kiss, Barceloner and Full Metal Jacket.

The fianl two places are between I would say 4 teams: No Hopers, Brighton Blues, Kiwi Fantastic and Luis & Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland.

Saveloy

Manager of the Week - week 38
Ryan Saveall picked up his 2nd Mow in week 38 as he makes a late surge for some Div 1 prize money. 75 points for Sav and 11 less for 2nd place Brett Davey, he appears certain to gain promotion back to the big time.

Greg Foulger remains top of the Div 1 table after 59 points the same as Bingo, who is distancing himself from the relegation dogfight.

Barry Paull, who is also battling for him annual prize money hit 55 as did Neil Reynolds as all the challengers rose to the top in week 38.

Sweaty and Tony Murray have both had vastly better 2nd half of the seasons and they both scored 53, Scott Morgan 52 and Dewbs and Steve Black smacked a half century.

Other notables were Woody 48, Plummer 47, Graham Ward 47, Ken Cobbett 45, Dan Weeks 41, Hils 37, Rosie 36, Lee Horne 28 and 47 for Tim & Dennis, their best weekly score for 18 weeks and 2nd best of the season. What happened guys?

The week's worst was owned by Mark Sterry, who scored 9.

Goal of the season

In the media

For all of those bemoaning the non-appointment of Harry Redknapp, take a read of this interesting viewpoint from West Ham fan Terry Land from the website KUMB.

“Oi Redknapp! Stick yer tongue out – you’ll look like a zip”, they chortled, “How about starching that number seven on yer shirt – give yer some backbone”, they laughed. For me, versed only in primary school banter it was inexplicable how fans might not treat players as heroes. But even at nine-years-old the truth was as obvious to me as it was them. Harry was chicken."

Read the article here: http://www.kumb.com/article.php?id=3038

Photograph of the week

In a frantic game on Monday night it was Vincent Kompany's header in first-half stoppage time gave City the win that puts them top of the Premier League on goal difference, just three weeks after they trailed United by eight points. Both teams have two games left.

N&R Cup Quarter Final Results

Four teams now remain in the N&R Cup competition after last weeks Quarter Finals. The results are as follows:

N&R Cup Quarter Final Results:

Brighton Blues 22-46 Kiwi Fantastic

Gooner win league 55-45 Magnificent Eleven

Gooner go up 43-47 To Elland Back

Chillers Champions 46-28 Tanus Terriers

Kiwi John beat Chicago Paul, previous winner Neil just pipped Ken, current league champ Rob remains set for another piece of silverware as they put pay to Soozie's challenge and Chillers remains the sole female representative in the last four after being Lee.

Semi-Final draw below.