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)