Holmesdaleship

Like the Premier League season itself, this year’s Holmesdaleship campaign developed into a two-horse race that went right to the wire.

By GW18, it was Carthage Eagles, Too Eze, Eze on the eye and White Van Man who had made much of the running, with just six points separating them all near the top of the table. All had reached double-figures in wins, a fine achievement just short of the midway point of the season.

Marginally ahead of them though, Pride of South London and Bearders Wonders occupied the top two spots which proved to be the way it would remain until the very end.

The two leaders fought for top spot, occasionally swapping places as there were so few points between them. Bearders Wonders topped the table in GW36 with an 87 - 64 win over Hakuna Mateta, only to relinquish the lead a week later after Pride of South London put their noses in front with a 139 - 90 victory over Ow Ah George Ndah. With only two points separating the top two, it all came down to the final day.

Pride of South London then went down to a heavy 111 – 57 loss to Delboy’s Eagles, but Bearders Wonders were unable to capitalise as they went down to an 82 – 68 defeat by Too Eze. With the top two having 26 wins apiece, it was Pride of South London’s draws with Lucky Yellow and Problem XV in GW21 and GW22 that turned out to be the difference in the end.

An excellent performance this season from Pride of South London, who first topped the table as early as GW4, and by Bearders Wonders who pushed them all the way. Also a fantastic effort from the 2021/22 champions Monkeys too, who were down in 10th place at GW34 but whose four wins on the bounce saw them climb all the way up to 3rd spot. A final surge of Glasnerian proportions!

There were 24 scores of 100 points or more this season, which is very good indeed. The second-highest was the 142 scored by Lucky Yellow in GW36, but unfortunately for them they were up against Willard’s Palace who scored a season-high 150. Brilliant team selections by both managers.

Also, there were 18 teams who reached the 2000-point mark this year, with Pride of South London recording the highest total of 2434. While the top three had the three highest totals, it was Lucky Yellow in 14th place who had the next highest of 2368, an excellent score worthy of a higher league position. Head-to-head play can be so cruel!

Love all the great team names, with Eze Jet, Eze on the eye, Too Eze (bit of a theme going on this year!), Antingham Stanley, Good Will Hughes, Ow Ah George Ndah and the excellent Hakuna Mateta being among the best. My personal favourite this time though was Glad Its Really Over – and now, it is!

Thank you to everyone who joined either league for your support this year. I know playing FPL has added an extra layer of interest to modern-day football for me, and maybe it has for you too. Hope to see you again next time.

Finally, congratulations to this season’s winners, Pride of South London! Solid performers every season and worthy champions this time. Very well done!

Edited by Dan Theolmesdaleroad (26 May 2024 5.57pm)

No worries James, and you're always welcome to join! I finished rock bottom of the second league this year myself, but I suppose somebody had to. [Link]

You were just a couple of points off joining the 2000 club this year, so not a bad effort at all! As long as you enjoyed it though, that's the main thing.

Thanks for your support!