URGENT: Possible Restructure of the DITB League

Dear All,

As you know, in the DITB Fantasy Football League, I have always tried to make things as realistic and as close to the real thing as possible.

That is why we have prizes for Champion's League and UEFA Cup qualifiers, forfeits for relegated teams, and even the FFA Cup to compete for during the season.

Now, I would like your thoughts, opinions, and ultimately your vote on an idea that would make our league even more realistic...

An idea that would magnify the joys, and especially the heartaches, of league football...

An idea that would intensify the pressure on managers, and allow them to experience what real managers do in the real world...

An idea that will give more managers something to play for in the latter stages of the season, whether at the top or at the bottom...

An idea that will mean more prizes to give away, but also more penalties, whether financial or otherwise...

An idea that will allow us to expand the fine institution that is the DITB League...

An idea that will pit the best against the best, and the rest against the rest...

Yes, my brothers, I HAVE A DREAM!!!!!

Yes, my friends, in case you haven't yet guessed it already, I'm talking about the creation of a two-tier league structure, i.e., creating two divisions within the DITB League.

Just think about it... REAL promotion and REAL relegation.

At the moment, no-one cares if they have to pay a fiver for finishing third from bottom at the end of the year. However, imagine how seriously they would take it if they were really relegated into the second division.

Imagine the joys of pipping your nearest rival to third place in the second division and securing promotion into the First Division, or Premier League, if we choose to call it that.

Just think, we would have a cup competition where teams from the bottom of a lower division could take on the big boys at the top of the first.

Everyone in the top half of the first division will be playing for European qualification.

Everyone in the bottom half of the first division will be struggling to avoid relegation.

Everyone in the top half of the second division will be battling for real promotion into the top flight.

Everyone in the bottom half of the second division will be fighting to avoid the forfeit (and should we raise the forfeit as it has remained the same for many years despite inflation?).

EVERYONE will also be playing for the FFA Cup.

Don't worry, there will still be prizes for the second division, maybe £100, £50 and £30, with forfeits of £20, £15 and £10 for the bottom three. Prizes in the top flight would remain the same.

Let's face it, some teams out there will probably already be looking at this and fancying themselves to win £100 in the second division, rather than trying to beat the best to the £200 ultimate prize!

We could maybe even boost the prize for the FFA Cup to £50 as well.

Of course, as well as the prize money, there will be other benefits to being in the top flight... most notably in the form of our weekly update which will be Division One focused, with maybe a small mention of the state of play in Division Two.

Of course, there's also the prestige that comes with being a top flight team, which only really exists when there is a division below you.

And just imagine the bragging rights at our annual ACP and AGP get togethers.

In terms of timings, I propose that the new structure will come into effect for the 2007/08 season which gives everyone a fair chance to be master of their own destiny this season, after which there would be a cull of the bottom 15 or more teams, depending on how many teams we have this year.

So there you have it folks. That's my proposal on the table.

I wanted to flag it up now so that all managers could voice their opinions before a ball is kicked this season. It would certainly make the coming season the most meaningful, pressurised, but also the most exciting season to date.

I believe this is the only way we can introduce new members to the fold and expand the DITB empire.

I believe that this move is for the best and will take the DITB League to another level.

I will take every manager's thoughts and opinions into consideration before making any decision, which will be announced before the season kicks off.

Therefore, I will need your feedback as soon as possible.

I look forward to hearing from you all soon.

Cheers,


Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

Diving in the Box Super League Entries

Dear All,

Many thanks to all those who have responded positively regarding next season's DITB FF league and welcom aboard for what should be another exciting season.

I have listed the confirmed entries below. All you have to do now, if you haven't done so already, is send me your £24 in return for which I will give you the super league pin number so you can register your team.

Confirmed entrants for this year are...

Michael Rafferty
Geoff Johnston
Brian Shields
Gareth Bradley
John McDermott
Mark Molloy
Brendan Devlin
Austin McGinley
David Nightingale (new boy!!!)
Barry Corr
Conor Nugent
Patrick O'Sullivan
Kurt Festraerts
Kevin McCauley
Conor Walls
Owen McNally
Paul Brogan
Andy McCabe
Eamonn ??? (new boy - Andy's mate!!!)
Colly ??? (new boy - Andy's mate!!!)
Stephen O'Sullivan
Conor McAvoy
Jarlath Taggart (return of the prodigal son!!!)
McD's mate???? (new boy!!!)
William Cherry
Gary McDonald
Andy Kirby
Brendan Henry
Matthew Henry
Gavin Sheehy

I'm still waiting to hear from...

Jules Eilledge (on honeymoon!!!)
Deborah Boardman
Paul Maynes
Damien Duffy (new boy!!!)
Alan ??? (new boy - Geoff's mate!!!)

I look forward to hearing from the above very soon.

Okay, that's enough exclamation marks for one day.

I will be in touch again shortly with a very important e-mail.

Regards,

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

AGP 2006 pictures.

Diving in the Box FF League 2006/07 Entry Details

Dear All,

Believe it or not, it's time to get your thinking caps on, your cheque books out, and pick your team for the start of the DITB 2006/07 season.

Firstly, can you send me a quick e-mail letting me know if you will be taking part this year, so I can at least have a handle on how many teams we're looking at and how many new members we can or need to bring in. In fact, why not do that now before you read the rest of this e-mail!!!!

Aha, thanks for that and welcome back!

Hopefully, most of you have received application forms and player lists in the post but if not you can still register your team online using last year's security code and pin, which will take you into your manager's office. If you don't have your old pins, you can simply start from fresh and register again.



To register online will cost you £6 but, as per last year, you will need to send me an additional £24 for entry into the DITB Super League, which I have already set up. As soon as I receive your entry fee, I will give you the Super League Pin Number which will enable you to join the rest of the brethren. Anyone who gives out the pin number to someone who hasn't paid without my permission will be booted out of the league - it's as simple as that.

Please send your £24 to:

Michael Rafferty


Registering online will be the quickest and safest option as you'll get your password and pin number immediately - therefore eliminating any risk of your manager's pack not arriving in time for the start of the season and such carry on.

As you can make an unlimited amount of transfers up until August 17, I recommend that you register your team immediately and make changes over the next few weeks depending on what happens in the transfer market. Once again, we will not be allowed to view each other's teams as I think this worked well last year.

Prize money this year is as follows...

First Place & Champions League Qualification £200 plus trophy
Second Place & Champions League Qualification £100
Third Place & Champions League Qualification £50

Fourth Place & UEFA Cup Qualification £30
Fifth Place & UEFA Cup Qualification £30

FFA Cup Winner £30 plus trophy

Dalkon Shield Winner (exactly mid-table) £30 plus trophy

RELEGATION FORFEITS

The bottom three managers as always will face relegation and a cash forfeit at the end of the season. The forfeits have increased by £5 this year, as a fiver forfeit doesn't really hurt anyone in this day and age.

Third from Bottom £10 forfeit
Second from bottom £15 forfeit
Last position £20 forfeit

Finally, I won't be chasing people around for entries this year as in previous years and if I don't hear from you, I'll give your place to someone who is keen to join up.

On a more positive note, let the fun and games commence. I look forward to hearing from you immediately on receipt of this e-mail and welcoming you on board for what promises to be another exciting season.

Good luck with those team choices and I'll be in touch soon with news of possible further developments in the DITB League.

Regards,

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

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AGP pictures will be like this.....

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Big Iain on his way to the Bot for the AGP :-)

Shieldsy's new burd calls in for a pint.

The Minnows play live at the AGP.

Not to be outdone, Wallsy tells his burd tae hurry up as he's late for the AGP.

An imposter is lead away after trying to tealeaf the coveted Dalkon Shield.

Kurt talks tactics with anyone who will listen.

DIVING IN THE BOX FF LEAGUE 2005/2006: WEEK 39 (Test)

Dear All,

With just one single match remaining, the tension in the DITB League is unbearable in what is officially the closest finish ever.

The league's big hitters continue to slog it out punch for punch and blow for blow at the top while other issues such as relegation, the Dalkon Shield and UEFA Cup qualification have still to be decided.

So, before we put in an order for extra toilet roll this weekend, let's have a look at what's been happening this week...


TOUGH AT THE TOP
Once again, the lead at the top has changed hands with The Grapes enjoying a lead of just ONE POINT over Maclacticos. Although it does look like a two horse race for the biggest prize in Fantasy Football, Mind The Gap is also finishing strongly and still can't be written off. The Grapes have performed remarkably well to be in contention for both league and cup with one match to go but it could easily all end in tears. Every booking, substitution, red card, assist, goal and penalty scored, missed or saved will be crucial.

"YOU EFFA!" COLONEL SLAMS GURU WALLS
While the Prince of Darkness looks to have secured fourth place, the final UEFA Cup position is still up for grabs. The main contenders are Reds in Istanbul '05 and KFC Academical, the former leapfrogging the latter this week with just a two point cushion going into the cup final. Your guess is as good as mine. Guru Walls is aiming for his first ever European finish while The Colonel, a former league champion, would see UEFA qualification as a sign that his team is back on track for future glory. Outsiders for that elusive fifth place include Brendy's Bruisers, Hoofers and Cheery United if they can make up a gap of some 20 points.

GOING DOWN, GOING DOWN, GOING DOWN...
With the Perennial Strugglers and Istanbul Muppets pretty much relegated at this stage, the question on everyone's lips is 'who will join them?'. Cool Dude Zoo are in pole position at the moment although Gazza's Piping Hots and maybe even Toffeetottie will be looking over their shoulders. Again, the Cup Final will act as the crucial decider.

COME AND HAVE A DALKON IF YOU THINK YOU'RE AVERAGE ENOUGH!!
I'm sounding like a broken record at this stage, but even the Dalkon Shield is going to the wire this season. I Luv Madrid is the surprise occupier of the coveted 15th position at the moment following a jump of four places - much to the horror of other Dalkon contenders Taylor R5 and Minus Three FC. However, a poor performance from Joey's Big Monsters might see McCabe become the Master of Mid-table Mediocrity and even Harpic Amsterdam and Redcurrant Revellers are in with an outside chance.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Top scorer this week was Cherry United with 84 points, followed by The Grapes of Raff on 70 and MInd the Gap with 69. Not such a good week for Lunatic Fringe whose European ambitions took a serious blow with a score of just 17 points while Gulladuff FF (20) and Joey's Big Monsters (23) will also be disappointed - unless of course their poor performances are strategic!!!

I Luv Madrid was the biggest mover, jumping four places from 19th to 15th, while Cherry United leapt from 12th to 9th. Going in the opposite direction were Lunatic Fringe falling from 6th to 10th position, and Bazking in Glory who fell from 18th to 22nd.

DITB AGP RSVP ASAP
As the headline states, if you haven't done already, could you please confirm your attendance / non-attendance at this year's AGP which will take place on Saturday June 24 in The Botanic Inn.

AND FINALLY...

To our regular feature... Premiership players who enjoy a game of cards:

Bridge (Fulham)

So my friends, good luck to all those with something to play for and, of course, our two cup finalists Sam's Chucker Valve and The Grapes of Raff.

I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing Liverpool luck in the FA Cup Final as well. Come on you Reds!

Remember that our next score update will be the Official Results.

Should be fun. Until then... READ 'EM AND WEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

PS: This week's transfer password is PYRAMID and the telephone number is 0901 477 0712.


DIVING IN THE BOX FF LEAGUE 2005/2006: WEEK 39

1 (2) THE GRAPES OF RAFF 1730 (70)
2 (1) MACLACTICOS 1729 (67)
3 (3) MIND THE GAP 1699 (69)
4 (4) PRINCE OF DARKNESS 1616 (33)
5 (6) REDS IN ISTANBUL ‘05 1582 (63)
6 (5) KFC ACADEMICAL 1580 (58)
7 (8) BRENDYS BRUISERS 1562 (60)
8 (10) HOOFERS UTD 1561 (65)
9 (12) CHERRY UNITED 1558 (84)
10 (6) LUNATIC FRINGE 1536 (17)
11 (11) SAMS CHUCKER VALVE 1518 (30)
12 (9) GULLADUFF F.F 1517 (20)
13 (14) KIRBS CRAWLERS 1505 (54)
14 (13) JOEYS BIG MONSTERS 1495 (23)
15 (19) I LUV MADRID 1486 (67)
16 (14) TAYLOR R5 1485 (34)
17 (17) MINUS THREE FC 1482 (57)
18 (16) HARPIC AMSTERDAM 1472 (25)
19 (20) REDCURRANT REVELLERS 1470 (57)
20 (21) HIGHBURY 1913-2006 1450 (58)
21 (21) THE BLUE MONKEYS 1449 (57)
22 (18) BAZKINGINGLORY 1445 (25)
23 (25) THE WELL HUNGARIANS 1401 (63)
24 (24) TRUE BLUE STRIKERS 1394 (52)
25 (23) TOFFEETOTTIE 1372 (29)
26 (26) GAZZA’S PIPING HOTS 1360 (31)
27 (27) COOL DUDE ZOO 1352 (30)
28 (28) ISTANBUL MUPPETS FC 1320 (24)
29 (29) PERENNIAL STRUGGLERS 1317 (28)

Test

XXX