Week 15

While the Chairman counts his winnings from placing a 7-1 15-quid bet on the inevitable England debâcle self-destructing last weekend, our most wondrous leader considers the impossible odds that local bookies might have placed on Alfletico Madrid storming up the league a staggering eleven places this week.

Indeed, Alfred Bradley is Manager of the Week this week by steering his team to a massive score of 27 points. Remarkable stuff for one so young.

Meanwhile, new father Steve 'McClaren' Tierney climbs up to third in an attempt to set an example to his son. Thank goodness there are plenty of years ahead for the paternal disappointment to set in.

And here comes the cup...

NEXT WEEK...

Your team will be entered into a qualifying group from which you will want to escape in order to get into the knockout stage of the OFFL Cup. Get ready...

And as build ups go, that wasn't one of them.

Week 13 & 14

Steve Tierney is Manager of the Week with a score of 23 points.

Week 12

Happy Birthday to Top of the Norm manager Mark Norman. Now in his 41st year, he seems to, at last, have a team in the top half of the league table. Mr Norman nets an impressive week tally of 14 but still doesn't come close to a remarkable Manager of the Week certificate winning 20 point haul from Guy Harewood's Bangkok Burn FC. Congratulations Guy.

Here's an interesting fact, did you know that Bangkok doesn't actually exist. The capital of Thailand is in fact Krung Thep. It hasn't been called Bangkok by the locals for nearly 230 years. Not even Wikipedia seems to know that one. And while we're ambling around the public park of uselessly useless information, did you know that there is an online Star Wars Encyclopaedia called Wookieepedia.

It just gets better and better doesn't it?

No.

Now, while the Chairman goes a-wandering round the Philippines for local [footballing] talent he leaves the league resting, shakily, on the precipice of the OFFL Cup competition.

It's really quite exciting.

Week 11: HAIL THE NEW LEADER

Neil McConaghy finally hops to the top of the pile as Smasher fails to continue to press the pace. Ant Reeves, current champions, is sneaking up on the top two tusslers by jostling himself into third and within striking distance of his throne. Tom Vamos on the other hand also displays his season-upon-season consistency.

Managers of the Week are Mark and Maddy Weavers and Rob Ivison of David Brentford FC and Wife #3 respectively. 22 points apiece. Not bad, not bad.

Everybody stare at Mike Smears of Irishpool. 1 point. Down six places. It's like kicking an old man when he's down, isn’t it?

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And a Happy Birthday to Craig McHugh McScrimgeour. May his attempt to attend a Loopy performance on Wednesday the 7th November end pleasantly. I.e. by him changing his mind at the last minute cos he's noticed there's something more interesting on TV.

Week 10: Come On England!... Oh.

A European Championship Tournament with an England team present is like asking for a poll-positioned Lewis Hamilton racing car with a sticky neutral gear.

Which has just been unknowingly topped-up with diesel.

With the brakes unseeingly jammed on.

All very exciting to begin with, with commentators bleating that it's not over till the cheerful-personalited lady sings but ultimately it'll all end in tears. Like the Rugby. Perhaps.

So, let us rejoice in the fact that it's all unlikely to happen.

Now we, at Studmarks, come to think of it, remember the last time the Chairman enjoyed a healthy summer without any heart murmurs was 1994. The World Cup In Which England Didn't Qualify. Ah yes, the good old days.

Hey, at least the Chairman isn't Welsh.

[Gasps of indignant shock from a quarter of the League]

And while the nostalgia kicks in, we see that this week's highest climbers are Mark and Maddy's David Brentford FC and 'Hunt and Peck' keyboard-Specialist Paddy Mirams's Muffins Revenge. Both teams clamber upwards six places.

Managers of the Week... oh that makes sense; managers Mark, Maddy and Paddy. Another folk group awaiting formation.

Everyone stare at birthday boy Craig McHugh... minus 2. Shame.