Its a wrap!!

Dear All,

Many apologies for the delay but I was out of the office for most of last week, cheering on the mighty Reds in Athens.

Can you imagine losing the Champions League Final and the DITB League in one day!!!! Well, just as I lost the league and the FFA Cup on the final day last season, fate has once again dealt the Grapes a cruel blow. According to Glenn Hoddle, I must have been a bad b&$£&d in a former life.

Anyway, congratulations to the new Diving in the Box FF League Champion The Dogs Ballacks who managed to hold off a late challenge from the Grapes to win the title by just two points. Goes to show that every booking or appearance counts in this game.

Brother Brogan lifts £250 and joins an illustrious list of past winners (which also includes some managers who will be plying their trade in the conference league next season). The Chairman receives £150 for his efforts this season.

The Ballacks and The Grapes finished a long way ahead of defending champion Maclacticos whose form in the second half of the season saw Brother McNally claim the remaining Champions League spot by finishing third and lifting £75, ahead of Minus Three FC and The Penalty Kings who will both be consoled with a UEFA Cup place and £30 each.

There will still be silverware in the McNally household this year as Maclacticos picked up this year's FFA Cup and another £70, again at the expense of Brother Johnston's Minus Three FC. Brother Johnston picks up another £30 as cup runner-up and will surely be happy though with his team's performance this season, competing at the highest level (well almost!) until the last day of the season.

Missing out on a European place is former champ KFC Academical whilst our top ten was completed by Minibabybellefc, Flexy's Fairies, Ashburton Groove N7 and The Prof's X! who finished the season in fine style and can now look forward to next year with renewed vigour.

Minibabybellefc was the highest finishing female member of the league who will also claim bragging rights down under as the highest placed Ozzie (bang goes my 'Wizard of Oz' pun as he was a bloke!). Congratulations to Claire on a superb debut season.

This year is the last of the Dalkon Shield which goes to the team that finishes bang in the middle of the league. The masters of mid-table mediocrity this season were Decies Ant Atac and Kirbs Crawlers who finished in joint 19th position and will receive the princely sum of £15 each.

Next season, the winner of the newly-formed Johnny Hanna Conference League will pick up the Dalkon Shield as their prize, as well as some cash and automatic promotion to the DITB Premier League.

Before we get to the dreaded cull, there's the small matter of relegation to sort out and this could be costly for Chuckle Brother Senior who will be paying for two this season!

Yes Cool Dude Zoo finished bottom and therefore must pay a £20 forfeit.

The Muppetaldinhos finished 38th and will pay a forfeit of £15.

And finally, third from bottom, the Mersey Miracles (or rather thier dad) will pay a forfeit of £10.

Now the moment that many have been waiting for... the announcement of next season's DITB Premier League and Johnny Hanna Conference League.

There were no dramatic turnarounds in the final week so the divisions will be as follows...

Diving in the Box Premier League

The Dogs Ballacks Paul Brogan

The Grapes of Raff Michael Rafferty

Maclacticos Owen McNally

Minus Three FC Geoff Johnston

The Penalty Kings Conor Walls

KFC Academical Kevin McCauley

Minibabybelle FC Claire Baber

Flexy's Fairies Brendan Kelly

The Prof's XI Kurt Festraerts

Ashburton Groove N7 Patrick O'Sullivan

Harpic Amsterdam Mark Molloy

The Blue Monkeys Brian Shields

Real Goldfish Conor McAvoy

Brendys Bruisers Brendan Devlin

Gulladuff Mafia John McDermott

Prince of Darkness Gavin Sheehy

Cherry United William Cherry

True Blue Strikers Jules Eilledge

Kirbs Crawlers Andy Kirby

Decies Ant Atac Declan Crudden

Johnny Hanna Conference League

Bazking in Glory Barry Corr

Yer Ma's Athletic Francis Jones

Gazza's Piping Hots Gary McDonald

Leteminletemout Brendan Henry

Jubilee Cordozo Austin McGinley

5-Star Alan Stewart

Black Socks Red Tops David Nightingale

Hoofers Gareth Bradley

Gulladuff FF Matthew Henry

Con Villa Connell McGinley

Gold Coast Heroes Colly McKenna

The Toffees Deborah Boardman

The Well Hungarians Conor Nugent

Joey's Monsters Andy McCabe

The Busted Sofas Conor Donnelly

Virgin Surfers Eamon Eastwood

Mersey Miracles Joseph O'Sullivan

The Muppetaldinhos Paul Maynes

Cool Dude Zoo Stephen O'Sullivan

So there you have it my friends. I think when you look at the calibre of the teams in each division, the quality really speaks for itself. On a brighter note, and one that should console all those managers who didn't make the cut, it can't be too difficult to win the Conference League next season! Yes it looks like we will have two fiercely competitve leagues next season and I for one am looking forward to it already.

A word of warning. Family ties don't seem to work in Fantasy Football so be careful before you invite brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, etc to join in the craic.

Brendan Henry and son Matthew - both relegated

Stephen O'Sullivan and son Joe - both relegated

Austin McGinley and brother Connell - both relegated

In fact, fair play to Chuckle Brother Junior Paddy O'Sullivan (brother and uncle of aforementioned duo) who has managed to buck the trend. But he always was a black sheep anyway. ;-)

So now, the time has come, and with a tear in my eye it's time to close the final curtain on this year's DITB season.

Congratulations to all those who won trophies, to all who won money and to those who made it to the promised land of the Premmier League.

Commiserations to the rest and thanks for taking part. Chin up, there's always next season.

Look forward to seeing you all at the AGP which has been confirmed for Saturday June 23.

But before I go, for the final time this season...

READ 'EM AND WEEP!!!!!!

Regards,

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman
Don't forget to check out http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/ for all your FF needs.

DIVING IN THE BOX FF LEAGUE 2006/2007: Final League Positions

1 (1) THE DOGS BALLACKS 1658 (25)

2 (2) THE GRAPES OF RAFF 1656 (29)

3 (4) MACLACTICOS 1579 (29)

4 (3) MINUS THREE FC 1568 (11)

5 (4) THE PENALTY KINGS 1567 (27)

6 (6) KFC ACADEMICAL 1554 (17)

7 (8) MINIBABYBELLEFC 1534 (14)

8 (9) FLEXY’S FAIRIES 1532 (20)

9 (10) THE PROF’S XI 1530 (25)

9 (7) ASHBURTON GROOVE N7 1530 (9)

11 (11) HARPIC AMSTERDAM 1519 (25)

12 (14) THE BLUE MONKEYS 1500 (31)

12 (12) REAL GOLDFISH 1500 (11)

14 (16) BRENDYS BRUISER’S 1499 (31)

15 (14) GULLADUFF MAFIA 1491 (22)

16 (13) PRINCE OF DARKNESS 1489 (18)

17 (20) CHERRY UNITED 1487 (26)

18 (17) TRUE BLUE STRIKERS 1483 (18)

19 (19) KIRBS CRAWLERS 1479 (16)

19 (18) DECIES ANT ATAC 1479 (15)

21 (21) BAZKINGINGLORY 1465 (24)

22 (22) YER MA’S ATHLETIC 1455 (16)

23 (23) GAZZA’S PIPING HOTS 1451 (18)

24 (24) LETEMINLETEMOUT 1420 (13)

25 (26) JUBILEE CORDOZO 1414 (15)

26 (25) 5-STAR 1413 (12)

27 (27) BLACK SOCKS RED TOPS 1393 (18)

28 (28) HOOFERS 1379 (19)

29 (31) GULLADUFF F.F 1364 (20)

29 (29) CON VILLA 1364 (9)

31 (30) GOLD COAST HEROS 1360 (8)

32 (33) THE TOFFEES 1342 (19)

33 (32) THE WELL HUNGARIANS 1341 (11)

34 (34) JOEY’S MONSTERS 1331 (15)

35 (35) THE BUSTED SOFAS 1300 (18)

36 (36) VIRGIN SURFERS 1277 (13)

37 (37) MERSEY MIRACLES 1232 (2)

38 (38) THE MUPPETALDINHOS 1203 (0)

39 (39) COOL DUDE ZOO 1042 (9)

SUPER LEAGUE POSITION IN LEAGUE OF SUPER LEAGUES: 887 (935) / 12296

The Dogs Ballacks are Champions!!

Pos		Manager	Team	Week 40 Pts	Total Pts	League Pos
1		Mr P Brogan	THE DOGS BALLACKS	25	1658	3253
2	*	Mr M Rafferty	THE GRAPES OF RAFF	29	1656	3405
3		Mr O McNally	MACLACTICOS	29	1579	15313
4		Mr G Johnston	MINUS THREE FC	11	1568	18469
5		Mr C Walls	THE PENALTY KINGS	17	1567	18745
6		Mr K McCauley	KFC ACADEMICAL	17	1554	22974
7		Miss C Baber	MINIBABYBELLEFC	14	1534	30943
8		Mr B Kelly	FLEXY'S FAIRIES	20	1532	31819
9		Mr S O'Sullivan	ASHBURTON GROOVE N7	9	1530	32633
9		Mr K Festraerts	THE PROF'S XI	25	1530	32633
11		Mr M Molloy	HARPIC AMSTERDAM	25	1519	37629
12		Mr C McAvoy	REAL GOLDFISH	11	1500	47556
12		Mr B Shields	THE BLUE MONKEYS	31	1500	47556
14		Mr B Devlin	BRENDY'S BRUISERS	31	1499	48154
15		Mr J McDermott	GULLADUFF MAFIA	22	1491	52739
16		Mr G Sheehy	PRINCE OF DARKNESS	18	1489	53908
17		Mr W Cherry	CHERRY UNITED	26	1487	55063
18		Mr J Eilledge	TRUE BLUE STRIKERS	18	1483	57374
19		Mr D Crudden	DECIES ANT ATAC	15	1479	59793
19		Mr A Kirby	KIRBS CRAWLERS	16	1479	59793
21		Mr B Corr	BAZKINGINGLORY	24	1465	68480
22		Mr F Jones	YER MA'S ATHLETIC	16	1455	74818
23		Mr G McDonald	GAZZA'S PIPING HOTS	18	1451	77432
24		Mr B Henry	LETEMINLETEMOUT	13	1420	98194
25		Mr A McGinley	JUBILEE CORDOZO	15	1414	102150
26		Mr A Stewart	5-STAR	12	1413	102795
27		Mr D Nightingale	BLACK SOCKS RED TOPS	18	1393	115883
28		Mr G Bradley	HOOFERS	19	1379	124634
29		Mr C McGinley	CON VILLA	9	1364	133804
29		Mr B Henry	GULLADUFF F.F.	20	1364	133804
31		Mr C McKenna	GOLD COAST HEROS	8	1360	136081
32		Miss D Boardman	THE TOFFEES	19	1342	145930
33		Mr C Nugent	THE WELL HUNGARIANS	11	1341	146496
34		Mr A McCabe	JOEY'S MONSTERS	15	1331	151770
35		Mr C Donnelly	THE BUSTED SOFAS	18	1300	166568
36		Mr E Eastwood	VIRGIN SURFERS	13	1277	176431
37		Mr J O'Sullivan	MERSEY MIRACLES	2	1232	193267
38		Mr P Maynes	THE MUPPETALDINHOS	0	1203	202780
39		Mr S O'Sullivan	COOL DUDE ZOO	9	1042	243077

AGP details.

Hi folks,

This year's Diving in the Box AGP will take place on Saturday July 7. This date will not be changed so let me know if you can make it.

Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Regards,

Michael R.

Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

Update 16/05/07

Dear All,

It's hard to believe that we're now just one match away from the end of the DITB Season and there are still a few important places to be decided - mostly at the top of the table I have to say.

At the top of the table, The Grapes have managed to close the gap, but only slightly, on the Dogs Ballacks who now have a safety cushion of six points going into the FA Cup Final. Not a massive difference in any given week but a significant difference to make up in only one game. Brother Brogan is the bookies favourite to lift his first DITB league title but you can't write off the chairman just yet.

The top two are well clear of third where there's a right battle taking place for the remaining Champions League place. The Penalty Kings have been dethroned by Minus Three FC while a resurgent Maclacticos is putting in a strong finish to the season in search of a top five finish and of course the DITB FFA Cup. KFC Academical is the only team that might break its way into the top five but a gap of 13 points at this stage might be too hard to overcome.

As I mentioned not one minute ago, Saturday also sees the FFA Cup Final take place between Minus Three FC and Maclacticos. Should be a great match between two top five teams and we wish them all the best in their quest for cup glory.

With the bottom of the table concluded months ago, it's time to turn our attention to the dreaded black and red zones which will determine the fate of so many teams in this league.

And there's bad news I'm afraid - for one half of the table.

This week saw no teams move from black to red or vice versa, suggesting that we're maybe looking at our two divisions below? Nay nay and thrice nay I hear you scream.

Well, if we look at the safety of 20th position, you'll see Cherry United sitting squeamishly on 1461 points.

The unfortunate manager in 21st position is bazking in Glory whose rapid decline in recent weeks looks to have put paid to his hopes of Premier League football next season. A gap of 20 points now separates both managers and it will take an amazing turnaround if any of the teams in this week's red zone will survive.

Seasoned pros like The Prof and Gulladuff Mafia were able to step up a gear when they looked to be in grave danger of not making the cut but they're safe now and it looks like former champions such as The Well Hungarians and Leteminletemout will be playing their football in the lower leagues next year. Yes we let 'em in, and now we're letting 'em out!!!! ;-)

But my friends, as I always say. Anything can happen and it usually does. Will we see at least one manager make a miraculous escape next week? Maybe that manager could be you? Time will tell.

For the last time this season, the transfer password is MOUSE and the phone number is 0901 601 4015.

Before I go, I have a final announcements to make. On saturday, Brother Molloy is embarking on a fate worse than conference league football next season. Yes he's getting married!!!! Imagine getting married on FA Cup Final day!!! Just as well he's not in a crucial league position or he might find it difficult to concentrate on his vows. I'm sure everyone will drink a few pints of Harpic at the weekend in sympathy for our dear friend. ;-) All the best lad. Have a great day.

Next week, I will be in Athens to cheer on the Mighty Reds which means I'll not be able to provide a score update until Friday when I return. I'm sure you'll all be well aware of your individual fates by that time so good luck to you all and may the best teams win.

Until then....

READ 'EM AND WEEP!!!!!!

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman
Don't forget to check out http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/ for all your FF needs.

DIVING IN THE BOX FF LEAGUE 2006/2007: Week 39 Update

1 (1) THE DOGS BALLACKS 1633 (32)

2 (2) THE GRAPES OF RAFF 1627 (35)

3 (4) MINUS THREE FC 1557 (33)

4 (7) MACLACTICOS 1550 (52)

4 (3) THE PENALTY KINGS 1550 (24)

6 (6) KFC ACADEMICAL 1537 (38)

7 (5) ASHBURTON GROOVE N7 1521 (16)

8 (8) MINIBABYBELLEFC 1520 (41)

9 (8) FLEXY’S FAIRIES 1512 (33)

10 (11) THE PROF’S XI 1505 (51)

11 (10) HARPIC AMSTERDAM 1494 (26)

12 (11) REAL GOLDFISH 1489 (35)

13 (14) PRINCE OF DARKNESS 1471 (36)

14 (19) GULLADUFF MAFIA 1469 (51)

14 (14) THE BLUE MONKEYS 1469 (34)

16 (17) BRENDYS BRUISER’S 1468 (40)

17 (13) TRUE BLUE STRIKERS 1465 (16)

18 (16) DECIES ANT ATAC 1464 (34)

19 (19) KIRBS CRAWLERS 1463 (45)

20 (18) CHERRY UNITED 1461 (34)

21 (21) BAZKINGINGLORY 1441 (24)

22 (22) YER MA’S ATHLETIC 1439 (26)

23 (23) GAZZA’S PIPING HOTS 1433 (42)

24 (24) LETEMINLETEMOUT 1407 (37)

25 (25) 5-STAR 1401 (34)

26 (27) JUBILEE CORDOZO 1399 (56)

27 (26) BLACK SOCKS RED TOPS 1375 (29)

28 (28) HOOFERS 1360 (18)

29 (29) CON VILLA 1355 (18)

30 (30) GOLD COAST HEROS 1352 (24)

31 (31) GULLADUFF F.F 1344 (38)

32 (32) THE WELL HUNGARIANS 1330 (27)

33 (34) THE TOFFEES 1323 (27)

34 (33) JOEY’S MONSTERS 1316 (19)

35 (35) THE BUSTED SOFAS 1282 (17)

36 (36) VIRGIN SURFERS 1264 (10)

37 (37) MERSEY MIRACLES 1230 (21)

38 (38) THE MUPPETALDINHOS 1203 (14)

39 (39) COOL DUDE ZOO 1033 (18)

SUPER LEAGUE POSITION IN LEAGUE OF SUPER LEAGUES: 935 (871) / 12296

League Update 09/05/07

Dear All,

A terrible week for The Grapes has left his title ambitions in tatters and paved the way for The Dogs Ballacks to lift his first DITB title.

With just two weekends to go, Brother Brogan has opened up a crucial nine point gap which, although catchable, is a significant cushion at this late stage of the season.

A good week for FFA Cup Finalist Minus Three FC (56 points) also means that we have a battle for the third remaining Champions League place, while KFC Academical and Maclacticos are pushing Ashburton Groove N7 hard for that last UEFA Cup place.

Turning our attention to the dreaded 'cut' which will decide who plays in the Premier League and Conference League next season, Real Goldfish receive big props this week, jumping from a dangerous 19th position to the safety of 11th place with the week's highest score of 66 points. Under sever pressure, Gulladuff Mafia's score of 55 also sees Brother McDermott jump into the black zone... but only just. A couple of sweaty weekends ahead for the Mafia, not to mention Bazking in Glory who dropped into the red zone this week. Just five points separate Gulladuff Mafia, Kirbs Crawlers, Bazking in Glory and Yer Ma's Athletic but the premier League only has room for two of these four - although others could still be drawn into the dogfight.

The week's lowest scores go unsurprisingly to our bottom three who don't deserve any more mention than that.

So my friends, the end is drawng near. For many, they can't wait for the season to end so they can start afresh next season, but for many others, there is still plenty at stake.

This week's transfer password is SPEAKER and the telephone number is 0901 601 4001. Use those transfers wisely!

Until next week then...

READ 'EM AND WEEP!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael R.

Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

DIVING IN THE BOX FF LEAGUE 2006/2007: Week 38 Update

1 (2) THE DOGS BALLACKS 1601 (38)

2 (1) THE GRAPES OF RAFF 1592 (21)

3 (3) THE PENALTY KINGS 1526 (27)

4 (6) MINUS THREE FC 1524 (56)

5 (4) ASHBURTON GROOVE N7 1505 (28)

6 (5) KFC ACADEMICAL 1499 (24)

7 (7) MACLACTICOS 1498 (33)

8 (10) FLEXY’S FAIRIES 1479 (36)

8 (8) MINIBABYBELLEFC 1479 (32)

10 (9) HARPIC AMSTERDAM 1468 (23)

11 (19) REAL GOLDFISH 1454 (66)

11 (11) THE PROF’S XI 1454 (39)

13 (13) TRUE BLUE STRIKERS 1449 (42)

14 (14) THE BLUE MONKEYS 1435 (30)

14 (12) PRINCE OF DARKNESS 1435 (26)

16 (18) DECIES ANT ATAC 1430 (40)

17 (15) BRENDYS BRUISER’S 1428 (28)

18 (16) CHERRY UNITED 1427 (29)

19 (22) GULLADUFF MAFIA 1418 (55) (red to black)

19 (20) KIRBS CRAWLERS 1418 (34)

21 (17) BAZKINGINGLORY 1417 (26) (black to red)

22 (21) YER MA’S ATHLETIC 1413 (35)

23 (23) GAZZA’S PIPING HOTS 1391 (36)

24 (26) LETEMINLETEMOUT 1370 (48)

25 (24) 5-STAR 1367 (27)

26 (29) BLACK SOCKS RED TOPS 1346 (43)

27 (30) JUBILEE CORDOZO 1343 (49)

28 (25) HOOFERS 1342 (18)

29 (28) CON VILLA 1337 (32)

30 (27) GOLD COAST HEROS 1328 (18)

31 (33) GULLADUFF F.F 1306 (39)

32 (32) THE WELL HUNGARIANS 1303 (32)

33 (31) JOEY’S MONSTERS 1297 (19)

34 (34) THE TOFFEES 1296 (41)

35 (36) THE BUSTED SOFAS 1265 (48)

36 (35) VIRGIN SURFERS 1254 (30)

37 (37) MERSEY MIRACLES 1209 (13)

38 (38) THE MUPPETALDINHOS 1189 (11)

39 (39) COOL DUDE ZOO 1015 (6)

SUPER LEAGUE POSITION IN LEAGUE OF SUPER LEAGUES: 871 (812) / 12296