Dear All,

It's hard to believe but this weekend kicks off a brand new DITB season.

Yes, it's 'squeaky bum' time as managers, players and fans prepare themselves pre-season for another long, hard battle.

Have you picked your starting line-up? Are you happy with it?

Now it's almost time to sit back, relax (if that's possible) and watch your team helplessly from the sidelines.

Once again the creme de la creme of the Fantasy Football world have all converged in the DITB Premier League as The Grapes of Raff aim to become the first team to ever successfully defend the league title.

However, it's easier said than done when you look at the calibre of the teams involved in the top flight.

One thing is for sure, competition will be more fierce than ever - whether you're fighting for the league title or to avoid relegation.

And as always, the dross will be fighting it out for promotion in the DITB Conference League.

DITB PREMIER LEAGUE

I am pleased to report that we will have a full quota of 20 teams competing in the Premier League.

The line-up is as follows... I had meant to include team names but alas there are none on the FF websites. Hopefully that will be sorted soon.

Michael Rafferty

Kurt Festraerts

Mark Molloy

Paul Brogan

Conor Walls

Brendan Kelly

Brian Shields

John McDermott

Conor Donnelly

Mark Stevenson

Francis Jones

Owen McNally

Geoff Johnston

Jules Eilledge

Declan Crudden

Kevin McCauley

Gary McDonald

Philip Risley

Gavin Sheehy

Matthew Henry

DITB CONFERENCE LEAGUE

There are also 20 teams competing in the Conference League – although some have yet to register their teams in the actual league. Can you please do so immediately or there won’t be a winner’s medal this year for the Conference League.

Brendan Henry

Simon Jenkins

Austin McGinley

Barry Jones

Andrew Jenkins

Gareth Bradley

Conor Nugent

Claire McCabe

Alan McCabe

Andy McCabe

Conor McAvoy

Patrick O'Sullivan

Barry Corr

Christopher Cherry

Arnie Thom

Gavin Curran

Stephen O’Sullivan

Joseph O’Sullivan

Andy Kirby

William Cherry

PRIZE MONEY

Prize money this year will be as follows...

DITB PREMIER LEAGUE

First Place & Champions League Qualification £200 plus trophy
Second Place & Champions League Qualification £150
Third Place & Champions League Qualification £75
Fourth Place & UEFA Cup Qualification £25
Fifth Place & UEFA Cup Qualification £25

The bottom three teams in the Premier League will be relegated into The Conference League for the following season and also pay a forfeit.

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

DITB CONFERENCE LEAGUE

First place and promotion to Premier League £125

Second place and promotion to Premier League £100

Third place and promotion to Premier League £50

The bottom three managers in the Conference League will pay a cash forfeit at the end of the season.

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

BE AWARE THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY THAT A THIRD DIVISION WILL BE CREATED NEXT SEASON WHICH MAY INVOLVE ACTUAL RELEGATION FROM THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE. DETAILS WILL BE CONFIRMED IN DUE COURSE.

FFA CUP WINNER £50 plus trophy (open to all teams in both divisions)

As far as I'm aware, scores will be updated online on a daily basis but I will try to continue my weekly updates when I can.

So who will be sitting proud as punch at the top of each division after the weekend?

Who will suffer the ultimate humiliation of being bottom of the table after week one?

I'm sure I speak for all managers when I say that all we want at this stage is a decent start to the season... is that too much to ask?

At the end of the day, someone has to be top and someone has to be bottom... only time will tell.

Good luck at the weekend and keep your eye on the ball.

Michael R.

Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/