Week 33 Update

Dear All,

With just seven league games and two potential FA Cup games left this season, things are certainly hotting up.

The top five places in the Premiership have all now passed the 1400 point mark with a 30+ gap to sixth position.

This top five includes three managers who have title-winning experience and two that don't.

One of those that doesn't is sitting on top at the moment. Can Kirbs Crawlers hold on for the remainder of the season? We saw how a lack of experience quickly put paid to The Prince's chances and pundits are wondering if the same might happen to Brother Kirby.

Former league and cup champion and consistent challenger The Grapes are once again hanging in there and have eased into second place this week at the expense of Brendy's Bruisers, another team whose manager will be suffering a nose bleed at this stage of the season. Brother Devlin however is still well in the race for the title but needs to use those transfers that we know he's sitting on to good effect!

Then in fourth and fifth positions we have two managers seeking to create a new record as Brother Festraerts aims to become the first manager to win the league three times, while Brother Brogan seeks to become the first manager ever to successfully defend the league title.

The Crawlers and Bruisers could be forgiven for wilting in the presence of such FF heavyweights but so far they're holding their own and they'll definitely be the popular winners for all innocent bystanders... if they can do it.

Outside of the top five, one can only see Au Revoir Thierry14 and The prince with any real outside chance of European football next season.

At the bottom, Sheer Kidology has been dragged into the myre a bit with his recent form. He should have a big enough cushion but it's by no means comfortable. Which means that it's even less comfortable for Cherry United and even less again for True Blue Strikers. What the poor bottom three must be feeling is anybody's guess but I'd make a stab that they're feeling pretty damn horrible. However, all three still have a chance of survival in what will be a tough, horrible, slog from now to the end of the season. But the rewards (and relief) would be HUGE if survival was achieved on the last day of the season. Expect a bloody battle from here on through.

This week's highest scorer comes surprisingly from the Conference, even more surprisingly in the form of Bazking in Glory with a lip smacking 89 points! Then comes The Grapes on 77 and The Dogs Ballacks on 76.

Worst scores of the week come from the Chuckle Brothers, with Cool Dude Zoo unsurprisingly on 19 points, and Sheer Kidology on 22. The Muppets are down there too on 22 points but we'll go easy on Brother Maynes as he's getting married on Saturday!!! Needless to say, I'm sure everyone in DITB will wish him all the best with his forthcoming marriage, surely the ultimate relegation!!!

Gazza'a Piping Hots still lead the Conference ahead of Yer Ma's Athletic, while You'llNeverWalkAlone is now the closest contender to Gulladuff FF for that coveted third place, ahead of Steprightin, Boys of Summer and Hoofers Utd, all of whom stand an outside chance of promotion... and I mean outside chance.

So that's life in the DITB world at present. Transfers are few and far between in most cases but could be the deciding factor in so many title and relegation battles.

For those lucky enough to have transfer decisions to make, this week's passord is FLOWERS. Good luck, you'll need it.

Until next week, my FF buddies...

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

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman
http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/

League Name : DITB PREMIER LEAGUE
League PIN : 8006160

League
Position Overall
Position Manager
Name Team
Name Week 33
Points Total
Points
1 2781 Mr A Kirby KIRBS CRAWLERS 66 1468
2 3740 Mr M Rafferty THE GRAPES OF RAFF 77 1456
3 4921 Mr B Devlin BRENDYS BRUISERS 61 1445
4 5151 Mr K Festraerts CHELSEA DAGGERS 65 1443
5 7067 Mr P Brogan THE DOGS BALLACKS 76 1429
6 13705 Mr C Walls AU REVOIR THIERRY14 68 1397
7 15592 Mr G Sheehy PRINCE OF DARKNESS 75 1390
8 25731 Mr M Molloy HARPIC AMSTERDAM 54 1360
9 28911 Mr B Shields THE HAPPY MONKEYS 40 1352
10 36557 Mr K McCauley KFC ACADEMICAL 58 1335
11 48616 Mr O McNally MACLACTICOS 59 1312
12 53178 Mr G Johnston MINUS THREE FC 71 1304
13 56685 Mr J McDermott RAFAS' GOATEE 60 1298
14 77267 Mr D Crudden YLNEVERBEATHEFRANKIE 54 1266
15 107632 Mr S O'Sullivan SHEER KIDOLOGY FAF!! 22 1221
16 113147 Mr W Cherry CHERRY UNITED 66 1213
17 126249 Mr J Eilledge TRUE BLUE STRIKERS 45 1193
18 141799 Mr C McAvoy REAL GOLDFISH 50 1168
19 148322 Mr B Kelly FLEXYS FAIRIES 32 1157
20 149435 Miss C Baber MINYBABYBELLEFC 42 1155

Super League average 1448.20
Position in League of Super Leagues 282/12457



League Name : DITB CONFERENCE LEAGUE League PIN : 8006681

League
Position Overall
Position Manager
Name Team
Name Week 33
Points Total
Points
1 6901 Mr G McDonald GAZZA'S PIPING HOTS 66 1430
2 9553 Mr F Jones YER MA'S ATHLETIC 63 1415
3 46931 Mr B Henry GULLADUFF FF 47 1315
4 78535 Mr M Stevenson YOU'LLNEVERWALKALONE 59 1264
5 86521 Mr B Henry STEPRIGHTIN 39 1252
6 91329 Mr A McGinley BOYS OF SUMMER 57 1245
7 100181 Mr G Bradley HOOFERS UTD 61 1232
8 122420 Mr A McCabe JOEYS MONSTERS 35 1199
8 122420 Mr B Corr BAZKINGATTHETOP 89 1199
10 151669 Mr D Nightingale BLACK SOCKS RED TOPS 43 1151
11 158253 Mr P Maynes FERNANDO MUPPETORRES 22 1139
12 177907 Mr C Nugent THE WELL HUNGARIANS 40 1100
13 181051 Mr S O'Sullivan MERSEY MIRACLES 37 1093
14 181504 Mr E Eastwood VIRGIN SURFERS 73 1092
15 189024 Mr C Donnelly THE BUSTED CLAMPETS 40 1075
16 212717 Mr C McGinley CON VILLA 63 1011
17 222921 Mr A Stewart MUCKAMORE UTD 39 977
18 263547 Mr S O'Sullivan COOL DUDE ZOO 19 738

Super League average 1335.20
Position in League of Super Leagues 4882/12457

Week 32 Update

Dear All,

Some would call this the business end of the season and with the finishing line in sight, a few managers are certainly showing that they mean business.

The Grapes of Raff certainly mean business and despite what Manager Rafa would deem an inconsistent and injury-ridden season (don't worry I can hear your groans from here!!), the Grapes have shown that they're not prepared to throw in the towel just yet with what Hale and Pace might describe as a stonking 94 points this week.

This moves the Grapes into third position, just five points behind Brendy's Bruisers and 23 points behind league leaders Kirbs Crawlers, both of whom have been scoring consistently well themselves.

Defending champion The Dogs Ballacks also means business, easing into fifth position with what Jack Black might describe as a gut-busting 83 points.

Brother Brogan, in his quest to become the first manager to ever successfully defend the title, is now just 25 points behind the ever-dangerous Chelsea Daggers who, under the masterful eye of The Professor and his magic calculator, are themselves eyeing up a record-breaking third league title.

Could there be any more drama? No I think not!

Another team that means business, and it's not often said, is The Happy Monkeys with what Sir Paul McCartney might describe as a long and winding 83 points, moving Brother Shields up to eighth position, ahead of fellow board member Harpic Amsterdam, and just three points behind the Prince.

Surely not, I hear you cry!!! There's no way that The Monkeys could be just three points behind The Prince??? Well my friends, as Annie Lennox would say, would I lie to you? No, I wouldn't!

How the mighty have fallen and one has to feel sorry for the poor dethroned Prince who is at this moment sitting reading this email from seventh position.

He tasted life at the top for such a long time before the big 'P' started to bite (that's 'Pressure' in case you hadn't worked it out!).

Yes, it's hard to reach the top and it's even harder to stay there, as many will testify.

Not since Brother Bradley dropped Michael Owen with a couple of weeks remaining to throw away the title all those years ago have we seen such a fall from grace.

Brother Sheehy has now got to motivate his team to lift themselves up and battle again for a European position which is still well within reach.

Otherwise the heads might drop and in a few years he could end up in the Conference... that's what happened Brother Bradley!!!

Anyway, enough reminiscing and back to the wonderful goings on in today's league.

But before we move on to the relegation zone, we must point out thet Guru Walls has also dropped out of the top five, having squatted there for a long time. Has he outstayed his welcome? Can he reorganise his troops for one last assault? We'll soon find out.

Quickly moving on past the mid-table mediocrity brigade, let's focus on the dreaded relegation zone.

The good news is that NO-ONE is definitely down at this stage, although it's been a bad week for Real Goldfish and a good one for True Blue Strikers.

At the moment, the Strikers and Cherry United look favourites to avoid the drop but the others are still within touching distance. Who knows, it might go down to the FA Cup Final - if Portsmouth make it that is!

Onwards and downwards then to the hell hole that is the Conference League (no offence lads!).

And there's some big news in that division too as Gazza's Piping Hots knock Yer Ma's Athletic off the top for the first time this season.

Brothers McDonald and Jones will be glad to get out of the cess pit (or should I say Cess Fabregas pit!!) but I'm sure they'll look back fondly at the days when they were at the top of the table. There's a lot to be said about being big fishes in a small pond. :-)

Gazza, I'm sure you know that if you're crowned Conference League Champion you'll have to attend the AGP for a change!!!

While the top two may be home and dry and looking forward to Premiership football next season, the third promotion place is not quite cemented yet - although Gulladuff enjoys a 55 point lead over Steprightin.

You'l'neverwalkalone and Boys of Summer could still surprise with a late run though. If either of these managers have a lot of transfers left, then there could be a few shocks yet to come in this sewer of a division.

And with every sewer comes the inevitable sewer rats - namely Cool Dude Zoo, Muckamore Utd and Con Villa. I wish there was a third division because these three deserve to be in it after their performances this season (although Brother Stewart may yet redeem himslef by winning the FFA Cup!). In fact Cool Dude Zoo don't even deserve to be in a third division.

I bet you've never been told this before Stevie, but you're an insult to the hypothetical third division!!!

Who knows, if there are more teams wanting to join the DITB merry-go-round, we might have a third division yet - although what we would call it, I've no idea!!!

So that's it boys and girls. Anyone wanting to make transfers this week can do so with the password MARSH.

The way things have been going lately, I have no idea what to expect next week. Maybe The Prince will climb back to the top??

Nah that's just being ridiculous (sorry Cheeko!).

Until next week my footie friends....

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


Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman
http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/


League Name : DITB PREMIER LEAGUE League PIN : 8006160

League
Position Overall
Position Manager
Name Team
Name Week 32
Points Total
Points
1 3236 Mr A Kirby KIRBS CRAWLERS 57 1402
2 5056 Mr B Devlin BRENDYS BRUISERS 54 1384
3 5688 Mr M Rafferty THE GRAPES OF RAFF 94 1379
4 5806 Mr K Festraerts CHELSEA DAGGERS 64 1378
5 10204 Mr P Brogan THE DOGS BALLACKS 83 1353
6 16432 Mr C Walls AU REVOIR THIERRY14 39 1329
7 20938 Mr G Sheehy PRINCE OF DARKNESS 38 1315
8 22039 Mr B Shields THE HAPPY MONKEYS 83 1312
9 24377 Mr M Molloy HARPIC AMSTERDAM 69 1306
10 37000 Mr K McCauley KFC ACADEMICAL 37 1277
11 50020 Mr O McNally MACLACTICOS 58 1253
12 59057 Mr J McDermott RAFAS' GOATEE 55 1238
13 62274 Mr G Johnston MINUS THREE FC 61 1233
14 76465 Mr D Crudden YLNEVERBEATHEFRANKIE 46 1212
15 85388 Mr S O'Sullivan SHEER KIDOLOGY FAF!! 33 1199
16 121296 Mr J Eilledge TRUE BLUE STRIKERS 63 1148
17 122019 Mr W Cherry CHERRY UNITED 42 1147
18 136734 Mr B Kelly FLEXYS FAIRIES 44 1125
19 141225 Mr C McAvoy REAL GOLDFISH 33 1118
20 144383 Miss C Baber MINYBABYBELLEFC 45 1113

Super League average 1379.20
Position in League of Super Leagues 407/12457

League Name : DITB CONFERENCE LEAGUE League PIN : 8006681

League
Position Overall
Position Manager
Name Team
Name Week 32
Points Total
Points
1 8004 Mr G McDonald GAZZA'S PIPING HOTS 58 1364
2 10444 Mr F Jones YER MA'S ATHLETIC 44 1352
3 41640 Mr B Henry GULLADUFF FF 48 1268
4 75782 Mr B Henry STEPRIGHTIN 36 1213
5 81294 Mr M Stevenson YOU'LLNEVERWALKALONE 46 1205
6 93086 Mr A McGinley BOYS OF SUMMER 62 1188
7 105230 Mr G Bradley HOOFERS UTD 54 1171
8 110149 Mr A McCabe JOEYS MONSTERS 27 1164
9 141850 Mr P Maynes FERNANDO MUPPETORRES 39 1117
10 146222 Mr B Corr BAZKINGATTHETOP 58 1110
11 147379 Mr D Nightingale BLACK SOCKS RED TOPS 23 1108
12 174105 Mr C Nugent THE WELL HUNGARIANS 35 1060
13 176077 Mr S O'Sullivan MERSEY MIRACLES 39 1056
14 185943 Mr C Donnelly THE BUSTED CLAMPETS 27 1035
15 193086 Mr E Eastwood VIRGIN SURFERS 43 1019
16 218493 Mr C McGinley CON VILLA 47 948
17 221477 Mr A Stewart MUCKAMORE UTD 45 938
18 261978 Mr S O'Sullivan COOL DUDE ZOO 53 719

Super League average 1280.40
Position in League of Super Leagues 4732/12457

Week 30 league Update.

Dear All,

I was going to write a detailed update this week... but that was before the Liverpool match and now there's no point as the scores below have changed significantly.

Check them out online... if you dare. It really is squeaky bum time in the Premier League and we are now facing potentially the most important weekend of the season.

For those all-important changes, this week's transfer password is JONES.

Good luck... you'll need it.

Now READ 'EM AND WEEP!!!!!!!!!!...........

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman
http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/

League Name : DITB PREMIER LEAGUE League PIN : 8006160

League
Position Overall
Position Manager
Name Team
Name Week 30
Points Total
Points
1 6050 Mr G Sheehy PRINCE OF DARKNESS 29 1263
2 6508 Mr A Kirby KIRBS CRAWLERS 34 1260
3 8084 Mr B Devlin BRENDYS BRUISERS 29 1252
4 9814 Mr K Festraerts CHELSEA DAGGERS 28 1244
5 12635 Mr C Walls AU REVOIR THIERRY14 32 1233
6 14540 Mr M Rafferty THE GRAPES OF RAFF 31 1227
7 23836 Mr M Molloy HARPIC AMSTERDAM 33 1202
8 25555 Mr P Brogan THE DOGS BALLACKS 25 1198
9 26913 Mr B Shields THE HAPPY MONKEYS 33 1195
10 31790 Mr K McCauley KFC ACADEMICAL 26 1185
11 52711 Mr J McDermott RAFAS' GOATEE 19 1149
12 53337 Mr O McNally MACLACTICOS 24 1148
13 64331 Mr G Johnston MINUS THREE FC 34 1132
14 89042 Mr D Crudden YLNEVERBEATHEFRANKIE 34 1098
15 95129 Mr W Cherry CHERRY UNITED 29 1090
16 102729 Mr S O'Sullivan SHEER KIDOLOGY FAF!! 22 1080
17 128693 Mr J Eilledge TRUE BLUE STRIKERS 33 1044
18 142362 Mr C McAvoy REAL GOLDFISH 22 1024
19 147520 Miss C Baber MINYBABYBELLEFC 23 1016
19 147520 Mr B Kelly FLEXYS FAIRIES 33 1016

Super League average 1250.40
Position in League of Super Leagues 724/12457

League Name : DITB CONFERENCE LEAGUE League PIN : 8006681

League
Position Overall
Position Manager
Name Team
Name Week 30
Points Total
Points
1 4861 Mr F Jones YER MA'S ATHLETIC 26 1271
2 7287 Mr G McDonald GAZZA'S PIPING HOTS 21 1256
3 37151 Mr B Henry GULLADUFF FF 36 1175
4 62878 Mr B Henry STEPRIGHTIN 22 1134
5 87525 Mr A McCabe JOEYS MONSTERS 24 1100
6 97415 Mr M Stevenson YOU'LLNEVERWALKALONE 23 1087
7 109339 Mr G Bradley HOOFERS UTD 21 1071
8 121637 Mr A McGinley BOYS OF SUMMER 23 1054
9 128693 Mr D Nightingale BLACK SOCKS RED TOPS 35 1044
10 141087 Mr B Corr BAZKINGATTHETOP 28 1026
11 154983 Mr P Maynes FERNANDO MUPPETORRES 31 1004
12 166656 Mr C Nugent THE WELL HUNGARIANS 19 984
13 179741 Mr E Eastwood VIRGIN SURFERS 24 959
14 189765 Mr C Donnelly THE BUSTED CLAMPETS 28 938
15 195091 Mr S O'Sullivan MERSEY MIRACLES 12 926
16 217598 Mr C McGinley CON VILLA 4 866
17 225331 Mr A Stewart MUCKAMORE UTD 19 842
18 262645 Mr S O'Sullivan COOL DUDE ZOO 18 646

Super League average 1187.20
Position in League of Super Leagues 4101/12457

FFA Cup Draw.

Dear All,

This week sees the quarter finals of the DITB FFA Cup which means that anyone with Torres has a distinct advantage already after last night's performance.

The draw is as follows...



Rafa's Goatee (P) vs Steprightin (C)

Another Gulladuff derby. Is it just me or have these affairs become more commonplace? Local rivalry should spice things up but Rafa's cup pedigree should see him home.



The Dogs Ballacks (P) vs Yer Ma's Athletic (C)

The tie of the round between the defending league champion and runaway Conference leader. Brother Brogan is on form at the moment and home advantage could swing it, on top of the fact that he has Torres in his team!!!



Muckamore Utd (C) vs The Well Hungarians (C)

Brother Nugent's name has been on the cup since day one and he'll be delighted with this draw, although Muckamore Utd are probably equally happy with it! An unlikely quarter-final but we all know the winner at this stage. At least there will be one guaranteed Conference team in the semi-finals!



Virgin Surfers (C) vs Harpic Amsterdam (P)

Having cried his way through earlier rounds, Harpic now faces the lowly Surfers to make the semis. Should be a handy win on paper fro Brother Molloy but have I mentioned the Surfers cup pedigree yet? Potential banananana skin!!!


So there you have it my friends. A lot of premiership matches on this weekend as well so scores will be very interesting.

Good luck to all involved.

Cheers,

Michael R.
Diving in the Box FF League Chairman
http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/