END OF SEASON: GMAN WINS!!!

And so, the end is near… Actually, that’s the opening sentence of the last three posts I didn’t write! Sorry fantasy fans!

So without further ado, congratulations to the 2017/18 Fray Bentos Champion… GARY CHAPMAN! Gary Chapman, Manager of GFC(C), is currently residing in Macau for tax purposes and to escape the clutches of a shadowy Colombian Drug Cartel, but he was able to send us this picture…

Well played Cuz, well played. With 5 weeks to go Gary was embroiled in an epic battle with Trevor Garrett’s Penfold Patriots, but in the end Gary pulled himself off and was able to whizz over the line. Nice.

Third place went to Mr Donkin’s Wellesley Wanderers, cementing a very fine year indeed. Sterling work.

Rounding out the top 5 were John Chapman’s AC Persiceto – who were the form team in the final weeks and, according to an anonymous source in Italy, would DEFINITELY have finished third if the season was two weeks longer – and Thomas Ashman’s Bench Warmers FC. A mixed season for the Bench Warmers, leading the way for a long time, then plummeting like a stone only for a late rally at the end. Off the pitch, it was impressive to see how the birth of his firstborn had no impact on the time Tom was able to devote to Fantasy Football. Parenting goals.

And at the other end of the table, an incredible story. Having been bottom of the table since approximately… *checks records* the dawn of time, Raymond Smith’s Alasdairs Army scored 75 points to RISE to 37th, outscoring Ricko Lambertmontino’s Un Paquet A 40 Avec by 18 points for the week and 9 points overall. Huge congrats to Raymond, but commiserations to Ricko.

With that out of the way, who fancies some stats? Yes yes Hopey, we know you do. I mean who else? All of you? Good.

END OF SEASON AWARDS (in collaboration with Matt O’Reilly)

• • GOLDEN BOOT: Gary Chapman and ADAM GENT (120 goals scored over season)
  • LEAST TEENAGE:  Andy Dawkins (71 clean sheets)
  • LOADSAMONEY: Gary Chapman (final squad value of 105.3m)
  • FLOOSY: John Chapman (95 unique players used)
  • TIGHTWAD(S): Andy Dawkins, Steve Morgan, Mac McNicoll and Scott Grierson spent ZERO points on transfers
  • TOP CAP: Ian Waller (608 points scored by his choice of Captains)
  • PYRRHIC VICTORY: Paul Hope (332 points left on the bench in total)
  • KEEPER SWEEPER: Paul Hope (197 points scored by Keepers)
  • DEFENSIVE ROCK: Kerstin Muller (556 points scored by Defenders)
  • MIDFIELD MAESTRO: Mr Donkin (943 points scored by Midfielders)
  • FORWARD THINKER: Gary Baker (554 points scored by Forwards)
  • WORKSHY FOP: Raymond Smith (31,038 minutes worth of Players being on the pitch, the least in the league)
  • GOALSHY FLOP: Ricko Lambermontino (57 goals scored)
  • PASS ARTIST: Mr Donkin and Gary Chapman
  • YELLOW PERIL: Donovan Lambert (64 Yellow cards)
  • SHRINKING VIOLET: Mac McNicoll (28 Yellow cards)
  • DIRTY BASTARD: Trevor Garrett (4 Red cards)
  • BRUCIE BONUS: John Chapman (210 bonus points earned)

Matt O’Reilly of Draxler Utd has also done some digging and came up with this interesting take on second place Trevor Garrett:

Basically, there’s no way Penfolds Patriots should have finished second. They had:

• A lower number of GW transfers than all but one other person in the top 10 and were 13 under the average number of transfers for the top 10.
• They had the lowest value team of any in the top 10
• They were 20^th in goals scored
• Topped the red cards received (4)

BUT

• Second for clean sheets
• Second for most captain points

Thanks for that Stato!

And so that’s it for another season. It’s been fun. I don’t know if I’ll repeat the blog attempt next year, it got a real slog towards the end. But thanks to those who helped out, much appreciated. Maybe I can share the load a little more next season, never been a great delegater.

There are plans afoot to watch a World Cup game in a central London location with a couple of other managers, will post a quick invite on here once the dates are confirmed, all Fray Bentosians in the vacinity are welcome.

I’m also wondering whether 37 in the league is a bit unwieldy, and whether we need a Fray Bentos League 1 and League 2? But probably a ball ache to arrange. Thoughts (in the comments) welcome,

Oh, and where did the amazing amount of stats come from? Another find from Matt O’Reilly, check em out for yourself: https://fplmystats.com/league/92175/

And that really is it. Really.