5 years in Bermuda

It is five years today that I left Chicago for Bermuda. In the blog post I wrote the day after I arrived I said work was like the first day at school, and I have just been thinking about that, and remembered how long 5 years was when I was actually at school.

Can you remember how long being

at school appeared? I stayed on in sixth form for a year, but 5 years is a whole lifetime at secondary school, and it is seems implausible that I have now been in Bermuda that long!

I have written before that the weather and the restrictive nature of activities there are to do that a 21-square mile island brings makes living here a little like Groundhog Day, accelerating time to the point when often I never know even what day it is.

Age brings less haste and more speed into the process and since we arrived on the island we also had our beautiful daughter join us, but bloody hell is she growing up quick.

I miss Chicago and rarely does a day pass without me reminiscing about the five years I lived there, but fortunately I still have a lot to connect myself to the windy city. London, the world's greatest city, is of course where my heart is, especially that little pocket in SE7, but our lives are in Bermuda and we expect to stay here for a little while yet.

On the 0-10 scale of love, my needle has probably moved from like, to like a lot particularly since the birth of our daughter, because Bermuda is a fantastic place for young children and with busy lives, I challenge anyone to rival the work-life balance alongside the natural beauty that Bermuda gives.

The weather ain't bad either....

Blow by Blow - Division 1 - The Almost Nearly's

Barry Paull our Parisien aristocat had a suprising collapse in the second part of the season. At week 25 Barry was in 7th, previous to that he was top for 4 whole weeks in October and was in the top 8 every week bar 4 from day 1. So what happened? Barry is still cavorting around the Eiffel Tower in his full kit wanker Palace number, so probably doesn't really care but it was an interesting fall from grace when I think Keith and I had him down for an almost cert money winner. C+

The experienced fantasy manager has regularly featured in top 8's although never won the ultimate prize. 4th in 2004 and 2007 were his best finishes. His end of season collapse nearly ended in tears with a unheard off relegation threat but he finished 31 points ahead of the bottom 12. B-

Ready will be disappointed with his campaign. No prizes unusually for the twice champion and a middling kind of season. Yes, he had a spell in the top 8 but only for 4 weeks back in the Autumn. Never threatened with the drop, but he exited both cups early and will want to improve on his 18th place next season, one mind you when he will be fully focused on the N&R as he is now back in the market. B-

Bix started slowly but got going and was as high as 7th in week 21, but also settle into a midtable stride. An improvement on last season and never any concerns over the drop. B

Previous champ Rob Munden spent almost the entire first half of the season in the prized places but failed to maximise his transfer opportunities and slipped into a midtable mojo. B-

Godders, also of course an ex N&R champion, albeit Gary Lineker was in Leicester City's youth team at the time! Early relegation wobbles were soon overcome but alongside Munden, Ready, Paull, Plummer, Wood and Cobbett all potential winners, they each had to settle for a midtable finish. Godders did finish a place higher than last season though and was a N&R Cup semi-finalist. B

Barry Plummer, another full kit Palace wanker waving his ultra's flag around Croydon, actually was a little relegation threatened around the turn of the year, but comfortably pulled clear to finish in 14th. The ex-champ addressed a slump last year by winning promotion last year back to Div 1 where the boy Baz, does deserve to be. 1 MoW. B+

Graham Ward on the back of last season's promotion had a very good campaign after a shaky start amongst the big knobs. Graham was a beaten Div 1 League Cup finalist and two MoW wins. A good foundation to begin perhaps a challenge on the top 8 next season. Oh, and he comfortably beat his brother as well. B+

Ken Cobbett didn't live up to last season's 4th place and the season before's Runner Up. So a disappointing 12th. There was a MoW and a flirtation with both relegation and prize winning. 6th in week 13 was his highest place. B-

Blow by Blow - Division 1 Relegation

After winning promotion last season Micahel Stout dropped staright back down finishing rock bottom and also having the honour of scoring the least points out of all 69 N&R managers. Some people say that German football is the best in the world, but clearly it hasn't had an affect on Michael yet, who spent the season in the Munich. D-

Francey has gone into hiding after poogate and Poyetgate and he has also gone into Div 2 as well after a poor season where he never left the bottom 12. Like his beloved Seagulls, he will be hoping for a bit of bouncebackability in 2013/14. D

Another promoted manager Kirsty Baillie also came a cropper at the higher level. She started ok, but fell into the relegation scrap the first time in September, although she managed to yank herself out but it was only temporary as he dropped back in again in early January and that as they say was that. C

Daniel Weeks was a third promoted manager to go straight back down. After week 6 Dan was in trouble and despite manfully being very active in the transfer market, bad luck and not being able to find any consistency all contrived against him. Clever team name though. C

Dewbs was a real disappointment. After a 5th place finish last season, 6th the season before that and promtion by winning Div 2 the year before that, relegation will come as a big blow to the N&R stalwart. Dewbs also never left the bottom 12, was actually bottom in week 6 and simply had a disastrous season, his worst ever. D-

2nd in week 1, it went wrong from there for Steve Merchant, who came off the back of a couple of very decent seasons. Active in the transfer market. Tick. Some decent scoring weeks. Tick. Interesting team name. Tick. Relegated. Tick. D

Rosie Dalton, last season's Div 2 winner, relegated after just 40 weeks with the elite. All that hard work undone. Plenty of transfers made, but her timing was no where near as good as last year, nor her consistency. There was a real flurry of good scoring in the last month though including a MoW, and this will give her hope for next season. Don't worry love, you can keep the trophy but please be available for drinks on July 11th.... the rest of yous we're not worried about.... C

Andrew Shepherd was our 4th promoted maanger

to get relegated after just one season, proving how hard it is in the top division with the very best. Andrew did put up more of a fight though, played the transfer card numerous times but unlike his beloved Lions couldn't save himself from the drop. C

Lee Horne will be kicking himself after a poor season. 6th last time out, he was in the bottom 12 the entire season apart from a 4-week sojourn over Christmas. He also finished the season well making him one fo the early favourites for an early return to Div 1 next season. C-

Bingo, again was put in the shade by his bro. Wardy had a most remarkable collapse of form. Top 8 in weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 19. What the f*** happened? D+

Another. Mark Gregory who slipped back into the quick sand in the final week after looking safe and clear for the 2 months precluding it. It appeared all the hard work was done after clambering out of the relegation pot not once, twice, but three times but a terrible final week sent him spinning down to Div 2 after a 2 year stay in Div 1 and I believe Mark has a number of bets to meet as well! C

The final relegated place was once again tied. The first maanger will come as a bit of a shock. Greg Foulger was never in the bottom 12 until week 39. Transfers were thrown in early as is Greg's custom but for many weeks it was about winning prizes for our ex-Mexico City fella. 6th, 8th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 4th and even top in week 17!

What a sorry state of affairs for last season's Runner Up. His worst ever campaign. C-

The next manager on 1,549pts was Paul & Christian Long, Paul and his son Christian battled with relegation the whole season. Always though they showed some promise, such as scoring the joint best weekly score of the season in week 21. C+

But one of them has to go.....

The tie-break question was who was in the bottom 12 the most time? They will be the 12th team to get relegated.

Paul & Christian Long 30 weeks

Greg Foulger 2 weeks

Greg survives, just, but Paul & Christian drop! Hard luck guys.

Now for the two managers who escaped the drop. Hilary Flynn like Greg suddenly found herself in the relagation places in week 39 after 38 pretty mundane weeks previously, but she hauled herself out and ended up in 21st place and survived her first season in Div 1 by 11 points. B-

6 points above Hils was Richard Richards, who was the ultimate Houdini, missing out on relegation after 38 consecutive weeks in the bottom 12. Some clever transfers put him in the position to save himself and as improved he even hit 108 in week 36 to win the MoW. B-

Blow by Blow - Division 2 - The Promotion Race

Aaron Barden pipped friend and colleague Ben Guarino by just 11 points to collect the Div 2 1st place prize of £100 plus a nice little trophy to put on his desk. It was a close-run thing with the managers locked at the top in week 35 and with Luke Sloan knocking on the door and actually being top himself in the last week we had a very exciting 3-way to end what was a highly competitive Div 2 this year.

The top 8 teams in Div 2 all scored greater than last season's winner Rosie Dalton which proved how strong this 2nd string league is.

Aaron and Ben were both top 16 times during the season and Luke twice, but it was he that finished like a steam train and caused the two AIG boys to be on their game right to the very end. Luke used his transfers very well, yet Aaron still had some in the bank and all three should be very proud of their season and will compete at the top table next season.

Luke was in his very first season and starts next season also with a new job with Gallaghers. A

Ben we think finally came a man this season, a number of disappointments followed an impressive first N&R year as Francey's caretaker manager but superb season this time out. A

As for the winner Aaron was relegated two seasons ago but deservedly takes his team into 'the ultimate fantasy football league challenge for insurance professionals and assorted hangers-on'. Congrats mate A+

Richard Nathan ran a superb race. He struggled intially to keep up with pace of it all, but found his feet in week 7 and never looked back. Top 4 for almost the entire 2013, his transfers were timely and he also collected a MoW. A superb season after disasters of the last two - 60th overall two seasons ago and 64th last season. Razor was 6th overall this season. A+

Mitesh Patel was one of three managers in Div 2 who spent the entire 40 weeks in a promotion place so obviousy deserves his place amonsgt next season's elite. A fantastic first appearance for the AIG young man plus a MoW in week 31. He did get to 3rd in week 36 and was in spitting distance of top spot, but we'd imagine is more than happy with his promotion and 5th place finish. A

In 6th was Neil Addington. Neil hit the promotion party in week 8 and never left. 2nd on a number of occasions, he did fall away from the race for first around April, but he made a big improvement on 16th last season and the Tokio lad will take his place in the 1st Division next season. Two MoW's as well. B+

Ian Kennett for once in his fantasy career did not disappear when the going got tough. As per normal Ian started well, then had a few familiar hiccups but kept coming back and then by January was a regular in the top 12. It was then we thought he may fall over himself, but transfers were made and it was an easy 7th place and promotion after the disappointment of relegation last time out. B+

In the final prized position in the promotion race from Div 2 was Paul Hodges. Introduced to the N&R FL by Simon Ward, Paul had a terrific season as one of the 4 managers out of the 69 never to leave the coloured places in the table. Paul was as high as 3rd and ended well ahead of the 9th placed side. He also picked up an early MoW prize as well. A-

In 9th was another manager that was relegated the year previous. Sweaty managed his team masterfully in the 2nd half of the season and hit the top 12 in week 27 and never looked back for another deserved crack at top flight N&R FL. B

Another newbie, although hardly new to fantasy football, was Andi Turner. There was also a tied MoW to add to his successes as well as Runner Up in the Div 2 League Cup.

Andi turned it on after Christmas and although he sailed a bit close to the wind as the season drew to a close, he had already banked enough points to see off any challenges and at the first time of asking will be playing at the highest N&R level. B

The final two promotion places were the only two that the chasing pack in the final few weeks could get near to attack and under attack they were. Mark Simmons to be fair was a top 12 resident for 20 of the last 21 weeks and deserved his promotion despite it being under threat from those below him.

Mark was also the Div 2 League Cup winner beating Andi Turner in the final 55-51. B

The final promotion place saw Nobby on the final day of the season nip ahead of Jason Syrett to beat him to 12th by 4 points! Yes, yes recount, whatever! Desperate news for Jase though who had been in the top 12 since week 2!

Jason was top for 7 weeks in October and November and manfully used his transfers, yet it was not meant to be despite picking up the MoW in the penultimate week!

Even going into the last week he was 16 ahead of Nobby, but after just missing out last season, he missed out again to a return to the top table. Commiserations Jason. B

Nobby meanwhile was banging on the door for weeks but held his last transfers back to use them with maximum impact for the last week with a couple of teams playing twice. Nobby was 7th just before Christmas but couldn't seem to find a way into the top 12, that was until the final day! B+

Back to the elite after relegation last season means that Nobby joined Sweaty, Kennett and Mark Simmons in an immediate return to Div 1.

In 14th was Kate Chillman who we had high hopes for but she had such a sluggish start that she was always up against it. However a much better back 9 brought her close but she had too much to do. Kate won the week 20 MoW. B-

15th and the final manager in this segment was Neil Wallis. Neil started really well, and laughed handsomely at Mark Hughes, but he slipped out of the top 12 in week 14 and didn't find a way back, hindered not suprisingly by forgetting how to make transfers!! C+

In the media

If Kinnear's intention was to make his appointment more palatable to those who question it - and most on Tyneside appear to question it - then he failed miserably.


He may also be receiving a phone call from former Magpies manager Graeme Souness for claiming credit for the signing of Newcastle's excellent goalkeeper Tim Krul.

"I brought Krul there," said Kinnear. Not strictly true, this. He was brought to Newcastle by Souness as a promising 17-year-old from Den Haag in July 2005. Kinnear arrived at the club in September 2008.

Phil McNulty on the face of it crazy decision by Mike Ashley to appoint Joe Kinnear as Director of Football at Newcastle.

Read the whole article here.

Blow by Blow - Division 2 - Middle for diddle

James Down is one of two N&R managers based in Atlanta. Your could draw comparisons but I won't. The Archdukes of Hazard was one of my favourite team names but we didn't utter it much at the NR FL Press Office this past season after week 6.

Before week 6 James had made 5 appearances in the top 12 on the back of selecting well, out of the box. He was back in the promotion race in mid-October but somehow between then and November his season fell apart. He dallied with the bottom feeders but rallied to end 24th Div 2, but we were hoping for better. C

Muddy will be pretty pleased with his lot we think. The Happy Hammers stayed up comfortably and Alan was never in any threat of fighting near the bottom. He spent almost the entire season in the environs of mid table and bugger us but he also made some transfers. Whatever next? B

John Hardiman is our man in New Zealand. The ex-QBE man is in his 2nd season and didn't quite have as much success as last time out. John missed out on promotion by just 10 points last season but this time it was more than a couple of hundred points. He made an early change but travelling half way around the world after he left London probably affected his N&R FL performance understandably. C+

Wenners is another long time player and his side was in need of some transfers but he happily knocked around midtable. He did improve on last season by 6 places and did have an early flirtation with promotion. B -

Danny Rose's end of season slide was disappointing. It was a fine start from the fantasy stalwart and he was knocking on the door for some time but around week 30 started to go backwards mostly because of a lack of action in the transfer mark

et. His stock fell and he ended up in 20th, which was a lot better than last year.

The frustrating thing for Dan was that he won three MoW's showing the rest what he is capable of. B-

James Stiff had a slowish start, improved steadily but was never higher than 16th and eventually settled into midtable mojo and finished 19th. A decent first season

but restricted by the lack of transfer activity. C+

Tony Murray again improved his league position. Bottom 3 years ago, 23rd last year and 18th this, there was a little dalliance in the transfer market, but not enough although Tony did collect the week 35 MoW award. B-

After relegation last season more was expected of Huw Thomas especially after such as solid start. Nonetheless it was a pretty non-descript season from our Welshman in Australia. That top 10 finish in 2007/8 does seem like a long time ago. C+

The sanctuary of midtable was Dan Duboux's mantra as well after a pretty dull campaign from the Bluefin broker. He did do better than last year though so he can take some positivity from that. C+