Happily, our more learned and industrious friends have already taken on the onerous task of providing one and all with fact-filled and cogent analyses for both The Arsenal and our very own ‘Holics Predictathon in 2024/25. This has left me with the far easier role of making up some stuff about the alternative reality of fantasy football management. Life is good sometimes.
The season started as it does in August with a full XI of Holics ready to once again endure the gruelling PL season with their customary fortitude or possibly some sort of alcoholic beverage. The questions on everyone’s lips back then were, if memory serves, can anyone break the trans-Pacific stranglehold on the glittering prizes? Or had three seasons of US/Japanese dominance left the venerable home guard at spud-traffordian levels of dysfunction? Could the UK really become worse than the French at the Tour De France? Or would new heroes emerge rheumy-eyed and lizard-tailed to wow the watching millions?
Well, in fact, the early leader was Bath who at the end of August became the first of our manager of the month award winners (cheque’s in the post, mate). In hot pursuit were GSD, TTG, Uply and Lonestar. Oddly enough it was to be the same Top 5 come the end of the season too. September arrived and it was the turn of GSD to sur le rampage into the lead before the Autumnal stretch closed in October with Lonestar as our 3rd different monthly leader. As Winter clenched its cold and ugly claw in November our own contest hotted up as the triumvirate of TTG, Uply and Lonestar rose to the fore. Our three bold gladiators (Ed. That is an image that will frighten the children, please delete. Eds – oh, please 😊) then duelled back and forth through the long Winter months as the rest fell away. However, as the great Sean Connery once kindly explained there can be only one – the flowers must bloom in the Spring and this time they bloomed in the garden of Kent for the one and only TTG, well done sir!! Though only an outright winner in one month of the season it was to be TTG who maintained the level of consistency required to take a league title. A sterling performance (no, not that Sterling) and the title with an excellent score of 2397 points over the season. Lonestar stayed on for 2nd, a mere 10 points ahead of the staunch Uplympian. Bath and GSD rounded out the CL places and everyone else was of course rewarded with a place in the Ropey League next season. Well done to you all.
But what of the Cup? Well, an honourable mention firstly here to The Mighty Pangloss, who loyally emulated The Arsenal by going out in the first round on penalties! Further applause too for the brave Monks of Castle Ned who nail-bitingly went down in extra time in the semi-finals, and the bold ovines of Osaka’s Top Sheep, who managed to put paid to the double dreams of TTG in the other sem-final. Both had to surrender the prize however to our new cup king, a walk up the Wembley steps for GSD!!
Well, so much for the season gone. What, then, of the season to come? There were in fact a couple less entrants this year and so for those of you thinking about giving it a try but worried about the high level of competition let me offer these words of encouragement – Worry not! If a man well into his second century and a dinosaur can win then you can too!!
TTG has kindly allowed me to write as much as I liked this season and, having now thoroughly abused the privilege, I would like to close by thanking everyone who took part this season. I hope to see you all and many more next season – like The Arsenal we very much want everyone to challenge for the title next season 😊
Thanks for your report Matt and the kind words – er what – ‘ well into his second century ‘ I deny being over 100. I’m not a day over 98 . I enter two leagues and both were similarly competitive. It’s good to exile Spud players and I would encourage you to take part . I spend about 15 minutes a week top whack on my team , sometimes less than that , but I ban all sex 48 hours before a match and expect them to give up alcohol for at least three houts before the match. Firm but fair that’s me . Come and join us next season
Well. I plead poetic license on the age TTG 😄
@41 in the last drinks. Yeah, a very expensive bullet indeed Ned. I have to wonder about the scouting team to be honest. On the other hand, Boehly’s madness is very funny now
Congrats to TTG and GSD on your fine and triumphant seasons, and for defending the honour of Blighty against the transPacific hordes. Many thanks to OM for top drawer If somewhat Ropey stewardship of this esteemed contest 😃
Many thanks to OM for an entertaining and informative review of a season already forgotten and of course for his conscientious stewardship of the competitions.
Congratulations to TTG (I don’t believe your achievements are based on 15 minutes per week!) and to GSD for lifting the silverware and to both for restoring dear old Blighty’s honour.
Ripping read, OM. Congrats to the winners, TTG and GSD, and, to echo Bath, thanks for your top-drawer Ropey stewardship.
TTG@1: I am reminded of a Brian Clough quote about how it was not having sex before games that tired out his players, it was them being up half the night looking for it.
Question – we raise a serious sum through the Predictathon for Willow. Shoukd we ask for a similar donation for the Ropey League ? If so what should it be ?
The Partey is over apparently. Can’t say I’m sorry in all honesty. Obviously we offered him less money than he thinks he’s worth.
SP @7. Best news I’ve heard all week.
Those of the Scottish persuasion in the bar might enjoy this:
A very entertaining start to the morning. Thank you, Ned @9.
>>>>>>>