Co-Ord Round-up Part Three - 5th-8th

5th Aardvark Abacus (down three places on last season)
The first time outside the top three for Ady since we moved to a 16-team league ten years ago and it's also two years without a trophy now. A blip or evidence of a slide? The manager will point to just two defeats out of the last 13 matches as a sign that this team will still be a force next season but he may need to be braver in the transfer market. Asamoah Gyan and Marouane Chamakh did no more than ok,  but it's in midfield, where Luca Modric needs support, that the boss may look to strengthen.
Star Player: Vincent Kompany (15 cleans)

6th The Fabulous Artisans (down one)
One place lower and six points fewer for Ben but I don't think his season was as bad as it appears on the surface (check part five for some proof). Ben made Mario Balotelli his record signing at £27m and the Italian immediately knacked his knee and was in and out of the sick bay through the season. If Balotelli sticks around and stays fit I think the Artisans are a major threat. This is already surely one of the league's best squads and young with it. Perhaps not next year but Ben's time will come.
Star Player: Martin Skrtel (two goals, ten cleans)

7th The Cow-Faced Juniors (same)
While the likes of Claymore and the Phoenix had excellent second halves to the season the CFJs did the opposite. Four points behind the leaders after week 17, Chris's men won just three more games. Gareth Bale faded after electrifying the early part of the season and then £25m record signing Luis Suarez failed to strike up much of a partnership with Nicolas Anelka. The big issue this summer for the CFJs is replacing Edwin van der Sar, no easy task.
Star Player: Gareth Bale (seven goals, five cleans)


8th Claymore Athletic (up one)
This time last year I wrote about Clive's consistency. I'm going to repeat myself. In the six seasons following his second title win Claymore have finished no higher than 6th and no lower than 10th scoring between 39 and 47 points. Claymore at least hauled themselves back into the top half and were edged out in a Cup final. Wayne Rooney looked more his old self late in the campaign and the signing of David Luiz to join Branislav Ivanovic looks shrewd. Same again this time next year?
Star Player: Branislav Ivanovic (four goals, 16 cleans)

Co-Ord Round-up Part Two - 9th-12th

9th San Dimas High School (up four places on last season)
Ninth, tenth and eleven places were separated by just three goals with San Dimas top of that particular pile. My team started going the right way after two seasons in the bottom four and lifted the FA Cup to put the icing on the season. Peter Odemwingie and soon to leave Johan Elmander led the way, both racking up a double-figure goal tally. There were poor defensive signings again (Winston Reid, Pablo Ibanez) which can't happen next season if San Dimas are to break into the top half.
Star Player: Peter Odemwingie (13 goals)

10th The Dead Parrots (up four)
A bit of a bounce back for Dean after a poor fourteenth place last term. Indeed the Aussie side spent much of the season in the top half but a run of no wins in six from February through to April scuppered chances of staying in the top eight. Dean's success was built on the foundations of the excellent Joe Hart in goal. Kenwyne Jones and Kevin Davies chipped in with a few but apart from the suspended Kolo Toure not enough of this team contributed and that will be a worry down under.
Star Player: Joe Hart (16 cleans, one saved penalty)

11th Athletico Phoenix (down one)
After picking up 30 points out of the last 42 on offer Brian is scratching his head as to why he didn't finish higher. The answer lies in 13 games without a win from mid-September through to January. The renaissance was brought about by the return to fitness of flimsy goal-machine Robin van Persie. Pablo Zabaleta was useful in defence, Jermaine Beckford showed signs of settling in but Brad Friedel didn't produce the goods like last season. Brian may need to bolster his back line to keep progressing.
Star Player: Robin van Persie (17 goals)

12th York's Returning Glory (up four)
After finishing bottom last year Julian more than doubled his points tally and finished in the same place, and with the same points, as 2008/9. There was even a late Manager of the Month award after an unbeaten May. It's hard to see any stand out performers, just a team who managed to get the job done at various times through the season. For next season there have to be question marks over the York's attack none of whom scored more than three but we'll let Julian enjoy it for now.
Star Players: Samir Nasri and Maxi Rodriguez (eight goals)

Co-Ord Round-up Part One - 13th-16th

13th Mega Buck Bandits (down two places on last season)
The good news for Dave was that he persuaded Cesc Fabregas to run the Mega Bucks midfield for another season. Not so good was the Spaniard's injury record and performance level which meant he made little impression on the season. Antonio Valencia was another midfield threat sidelined for much of the campaign. A punt on Charlie Adam paid off but there is work to do in the transfer market at both ends of the field if Dave isn't to bump around towards the bottom again next year.
Star Player: Charlie Adam (eight goals)

14th Bassett Allsorts (up one)
Overall a slight improvement for Ben but he must have concerns the way his team finished the season with just three league wins after Christmas. Any Allsorts success was built around Brede Hangeland at the back and there was improvement from Roman Pavlyuchenko too. Marouane Fellaini and Yossi Benayoun were sidelined for long periods which left the Allsorts midfield looking on the defensive side. There seems to be a bit of deadwood in this squad that needs clearing out in this close season.
Star Player: Brede Hangeland (four goals, 10 cleans)

15th Final Fantasy XI (down three)
After a much improved 2009/10 it was back to the lower reaches for Ceri's team. Record signing Andrei Arshavin looked lost at times and the big summer spend on Martin Jiranek never looked likely to bear fruit. Yaya Toure scored more goals than many pre-season judges expected and Demba Ba provided some late impetus up front after signing in February but an overhaul may be needed for Ceri to kick on. Ba is one of four Final Fantasy strikers to possibly leave the club over the summer.
Star Player: Chris Baird (two goals, seven cleans)

16th Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (down eight)
Paul's spectacular fall from grace is complete. After topping the table in week 19 last season Nil Satis have won eight of their last 41 matches and just one of their last 18. Paul's hands-off, settled team style didn't work at all in the second half of the season. With attacking threats Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill missing games through injury Heurelho Gomes and Seamus Coleman tried to stem the tide but to no avail. Paul says he'll be back in the groove next season - he'll need to be.
Star Player: Seamus Coleman (three goals, nine cleans)

WSFFL League Championship Roll of Honour

Winners

6 - Aardvark Abacus
5 - Claymore Athletic FC
5 - Fred West LG XI
3 - Trusted By Millions
3 - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (inc. one as Athletico Sheriff IV)
2 - The Cow-Faced Juniors
1 - Mega Buck Bandits
1 - Real Muppets

1 - The Wateringhole Society
1 - Willy Shakey (now San Dimas High School)

1 - Bassett Allsorts
1 - Kylie Bumcheeks

By year

2023/24 (30 Matches)
1. Aardvark Abacus 71 pts
2. The Fabulous Artisans 56 pts
3. The Cow-Faced Juniors 55 pts

2022/23 (30 Matches)

1. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 67 pts
2. The Cow-Faced Juniors 59 pts
3. The Fabulous Artisans 53 pts

2021/22 (30 Matches)
1. The Wateringhole Society 55 pts
2. The Fabulous Artisans 55 pts
3. Claymore Athletic FC 54 pts

2020/21 (30 Matches)
1. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 59 pts
2. The Fabulous Artisans 54 pts
3. Trusted By Millions 52 pts

2019/20 (30 Matches)
1. Trusted By Millions 57 pts
2. Stanley Athletic FC 55 pts
3. Claymore Athletic FC 52 pts

2018/19 (30 Matches)
1. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI  64 pts
2. Aardvark Abacus 60 pts
3. Athletico Phoenix 48 pts

2017/18 (30 Matches)
1. The Cow-Faced Juniors 61 pts
2. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 55 pts
3. Aardvark Abacus 54pts

2016/17 (30 Matches)
1. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI  66 pts
2. The Fabulous Artisans 53 pts
3. Real Muppets 52 pts

2015/16 (30 Matches)
1. Claymore Athletic FC  62 pts
2. Athletico Phoenix 52 pts
3. The Fabulous Artisans 51 pts

2014/15 (30 Matches)
1. Claymore Athletic FC  61 pts
2. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 52 pts
3. Athletico Phoenix 49 pts

2013/14 (30 Matches)
1. Trusted By Millions 59 pts
2. Claymore Athletic FC 55 pts
3. The Cow-Faced Juniors 53 pts

2012/13 (30 Matches)
1. The Cow-Faced Juniors 64 pts
2. Claymore Athletic FC 63 pts
3. Athletico Phoenix 58 pts

2011/12 (30 Matches)
1. Claymore Athletic FC 56 pts
2. Trusted By Millions 56 pts
3. The Fabulous Artisans 53 pts

2010/11 (30 matches)
1. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 64 points
2. You Know Your Boston Rock FC 61 pts
3. Real Muppets 56 pts

2009/10 (30 matches)
1. You Know Your Boston Rock FC 63 points
2. Aardvark Abacus 60 pts
3. Trusted By Millions 57 pts

2008/9 (30 matches)
1. Aardvark Abacus 66 pts
2. You Know Your Boston Rock FC 61 pts
3. Trusted By Millions 56 pts

2007/8 (30 matches)
1. Aardvark Abacus 63 pts
2. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 62 pts
3. Eleven Imaginary Boys 57 pts

2006/7 (30 matches)
1. Real Muppets 55 pts
2. Aardvark Abacus 54 pts
3. Prettier Than You 53 pts

2005/6 (30 matches)
1. You Know Your Boston Rock FC 69 points
2. Trusted By Millions 58 pts
3. Aardvark Abacus 57 pts

2004/5 (30 matches)
1. Claymore Athletic FC 63 pts
2. Aardvark Abacus 61 pts
3. You Know Your Boston Rock FC 61 pts

2003/4 (30 matches)
1. Claymore Athletic FC 59 pts
2. Aardvark Abacus 54 pts
3. San Dimas High School 53pts

2002/3 (30 matches)
1. Kylie Bumcheeks 68 pts
2. Aardvark Abacus 64 pts
3. You Know Your Boston Rock FC 58 pts

2001/2 (30 matches)
1. Aardvark Abacus 67 pts
2. Real Muppets 57 pts
3. San Dimas High School 56pts

2000/01 (34 matches)
1. Trusted By Millions 68 pts
2. Real Muppets 65 pts
3. Willy Shakey 64 pts

1999/2000 (34 matches)
1. Mega Buck Bandits 74 pts
2. Trusted By Millions 70 pts
3. Woodchester Rovers 64 pts

1998/99 (34 matches)
1. Aardvark Abacus 67 pts
2. Real Muppets 63 pts
3. Trusted By Millions 59 pts

1997/98 (34 matches)
1. Willy Shakey 69 pts
2. Claymore Athletic FC 64 pts
3. You Know Your Boston Rock FC 61 pts

1996/97 (34 matches)
1. Aardvark Abacus 62 pts
2. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 62 pts
3. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 59 pts

1995/96 (34 matches)
1. Athletico Sheriff IV 63 pts
2. Rivermill Bassett 61 pts
3. Aardvark Abacus 60 pts

1994/95 (36 matches)
1. Bassett Allsorts 74 pts
2. Bags Boys 73 pts
3. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 67 pts

Week 30 Results

Aardvark Abacus 4 v 3 The Fabulous Artisans
Athletico Phoenix 3 v 2 Trusted By Millions
Claymore Athletic FC 1 v 3 Bassett Allsorts
Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 0 v 1 The Dead Parrots
Real Muppets 2 v 2 York’s Returning Glory
San Dimas High School 5 v 0 Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
The Cow-Faced Juniors 1 v 0 Final Fantasy XI
You Know Your Boston Rock FC 1 v 2 Mega Buck Bandits

I've said it before and I'll doubtless say it again but the only way to start this week is by congratulating Fred on his title win. After going the first half of the season unbeaten and looking like smashing all sorts of records he ended up staggering across the finishing line somewhat. Fred had lost four out of eight going into the last match and was looking as nervous as a man about to go swimming at Michael Barrymore's house. Knowing that avoiding a heavy defeat would be enough to win the title his game against the Parrots was a cagey affair and was settled in Dean's favour by a Joe Hart clean. The messages that Boston Rock weren't winning by 12 goals were coming through and the South African celebrations could begin. Waka Waka I believe they might say in these circumstances.

Boston Rock didn't only not win by 12 goals, they didn't win. Sheriff's team were ahead on 16 minutes through a Steven Taylor header but Mega Bucks were level five minutes before the break thanks to a Charlie Adam free-kick. With the news from Fred's game giving no encouragement the game petered out and was ultimately won for the Bucks by an Antolin Alcaraz clean. The Muppets took the last place on the honours board (for third place) but were held to a draw by the improving York's team. Luke Young with the equalising clean after Julian had trailed to goals from Anderson and Lescott. Ryan took third after their rivals for that spot, Trusted, went down to Athletico Phoenix. Edin Dzeko got off the mark for Beef in this one to put his side 2-1 ahead but Brian roared back with cleans from Zabaleta and Friedel to turn things round.

There was also a battle for fifth place (the WSFFL equivalent of a 'tallest dwarf' competition?) when the Aardvarks lined up against the Artisans. Ben raced into a 3-0 lead but Craig Gardner pulled one back from distance with 11 minutes left. At the end it was classic Ady who banked three clean sheets and got the win 4-3. He was famous for that in his glory days, he didn't see enough of that this season from his team. The CFJs have struggled since the New Year but squeezed past Final Fantasy 1-0 thaks to an Al-Muhammadi (if that's how you spell it) clean. Ceri finishes 15th after Bassett Allsorts won at Claymore to swap places. Roman Pavlyuchenko struck twice for Ben against a Claymore team who had a 'job done' look about them since sealing eighth place last week. San Dimas finish ninth on goal difference after their best win of the season against bottom-placed Nil Satis. This game was going nowhere until Seamus Coleman's dismissal and Paul's weary team conceded three goals (including a first of the season for Michael Owen) and two cleans all in the last ten minutes.

Week 29 Results

Aardvark Abacus 3 v 5 You Know Your Boston Rock FC
Final Fantasy XI 3 v 2 Bassett Allsorts
Fred West Landscape Gardening XI 3 v 1 Athletico Phoenix
Mega Buck Bandits 2 v 3 Real Muppets
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 0 v 3 Claymore Athletic FC
The Dead Parrots 0 v 0 San Dimas High School
The Fabulous Artisans 0 v 1 York’s Returning Glory
Trusted By Millions 4 v 0 The Cow-Faced Juniors

Unless Fred loses, Boston Rock win, and there's a 12 goal turnaround in goal difference it looks like we have our champions. Fred's team had stuttered in recent weeks but had their nerves settled against the Phoenix when Rafael van der Vaart scored from 20 yards after nine minutes. The next goal was 80 minutes later and by Brian's team - Robin van Persie increasing his season tally from short range. The Gardeners regained their composure after this setback and cleans from Kolarov and Kaboul won the game and take their team to the verge of the title. The defending champions have thrown everything into trying to make up the deficit and raced into a five-goal half-time lead against the Aardvarks, DJ Campbell and Darren Bent with two each and a first of the season from Matt Taylor. Perhaps there was a strong wind from one end as the Aardvarks pulled three back after the break making a dent in Sheriff's push to reduce the goal difference difference.

Ryan and Beef will be duelling over the third place in their respective last games of the season. Ryan had been two up against the Mega Bucks but needed a Lescott clean to win the game after Dave's team had fought back. It was easier for Trusted who battered the CFJs 4-0. Two goals from Charles N'Zogbia who, Since the start of 09-10, has made more than twice as many dribbles as any other PL player (with thanks to twitter.com/OptaJoe for the stat).

The Artisans season is fizzling out and Ben's team lost again, this time to a Carlos Salcido clean giving York's a tenth win of the season. Julian doesn't want the season to end! After weeks of struggle Clive has been confirmed as finishing in the top half. With the Phoenix losing and the Parrots and San Dimas doing each other no favours with a goalless draw Clive's 3-0 win over Evertonian rivals Nil Satis sees Claymore break away from the chasing pack. Paul's team are confirmed as this year's wooden-spooners, down from eighth last year, and prop up the league for the first time since 2003/4. That's partly down to Final Fantasy beating Bassett Allsorts enabling Ceri to leapfrog her opponents. After Demba Ba struck twice early on, Brede Hangeland got Ben's team back level but the game was settled by Yaya Toure lashing home on 74 minutes.

Week 28 Results

Bassett Allsorts 0 v 1 Aardvark Abacus
Claymore Athletic FC 3 v 1 Fred West Landscape Gardening XI
Final Fantasy XI 1 v 3 Trusted By Millions
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 2 v 3 Mega Buck Bandits
Real Muppets 1 v 2 Athletico Phoenix
San Dimas High School 3 v 1 The Fabulous Artisans
The Cow-Faced Juniors 4 v 3 You Know Your Boston Rock FC
York’s Returning Glory 4 v 2 The Dead Parrots

One of those incredible weeks where the top three (and four of the top five lose). Made all the more remarkable when Fred loses yet is closer to the title.

Despite me saying how much there was to play for there was an end-of-season feel about some of this week's matches with only eight managers submitting new teams. Two that did were Clive and Fred and it was the leaders who went ahead when Nemanja Vidic struck for close range on 23 minutes. Claymore might have folded after the disappointment of last week but they've been made of sterner stuff this year and struck back in the second half through Leon Osman and Moussa Dembele before Manuel Da Costa (on as a second half substitute for a woeful David Luiz) finished matters with a clean. Boston Rock could have been level on points after this week's games but ran into an inspired CFJs. Jermaine Pennant scored his first WSFFL goal since 2007/8 and Jason Roberts got his first for two seasons in the first half and Chris's team were 3-1 up just after the break when Gareth Bale limped off with a clean sheet but Frank Lampard pulled one back almost immediately. Luis Suarez started repaying his transfer fee on 75 minutes and although Jermain Defoe rifled home from distance, time ran out for Sheriff. If he can't catch Fred he'll look at the CFJs games in particular, there's not many teams that do a league double over Boston Rock.

Third of the top three to lose were the Muppets. Ryan went down to the Phoenix who would be top of the table if we started at week 16 (I think). Brian's team struck twice in a minute through Van Persie and Walters but were made to sweat through a last minute own goal from Zat Knight. Trusted have joined the Muppets on 52 points . Beef got off to a lightning start against Final Fantasy through Javier Hernandez in the first minute and Charles N'Zogbia in the tenth. Yaya Toure pulled one back for Ceri but Robert Huth took a second-half clean to help Beef breathe easy.

Aardvark Abacus are up to fifth after edging out Bassett Allsorts. Ady's team have been more their old selves since Christmas and Dirk Kuyt led the way again with the only goal. Ben's season is unravelling a bit after showing signs of promise late last year. The Aardvarks have climbed above the Artisans on goal difference after Ben's team slipped up at San Dimas. Ashley Young had the Artisans ahead but second half goals from Sylvan Distin and subs Peter Odemwingie and Thomas Hitzlsperger keep the San Dimas feelgood factor going for a while longer.

York's have reached 30 points for only the third time in ten seasons. Julian's main man was Maxi Rodriguez who has scored hat-tricks in successive league matches. That can't have been done often. The result damages Dean's chances of a top-half finish. Mega Bucks kept Nil Satis at the foot of the table with a 3-2 win over those opponents. On paper it's Steven Fletcher who is the headline-maker with his two goals but the extraordinary passage of play when Heurelho Gomes saved a Charlie Adam penalty then conceded one from the same player within two minutes will live long in the memory of those who saw it.

The title run-in - who will prevail?

It's turning into a far more exciting title run-in than we might have expected. Will there be more twists?

Week 28 - Fred v Claymore, Boston Rock v the CFJs

A repeat of the week six matches. Two goals from Rafael van der Vaart helped Fred beat Claymore 3-1 while Boston Rock were losing their first game of the season to the CFJs 2-1.

Claymore are now in their best league form of the season and Clive will want to bounce back after defeat in the Cup Final so Fred will have his hands full. The CFJs have picked up one point out of 24 so won't fancy running into a title challenger. Could the contenders be level on points after this week?

Week 29 - Fred v Athletico Phoenix, Boston Rock v Aardvark Abacus

Back in week 11 Fred demolished Brian's team 6-1 with two from Danny Wellbeck and a goal and a clean from Patrice Evra. Boston Rock matched that scoreline against old rivals the Aardvarks, four clean sheets doing the main damage for Sheriff.

The Phoenix were in dreadful form when the teams met in November but have lost just once this year. Much will depend on Athletico's Robin van Persie who's making a late charge for the WSFFL Golden Boot. Aardvark v Boston Rock has often been a title decider, could Ady's improved team get one over on their old rivals?

Week 30 - Fred v Dead Parrots, Boston Rock v Mega Buck Bandits

Week 14 saw a comfortable 3-0 win for Fred over the Parrots, Didier Drogba with a goal and cleans from the reliable Evra and Vidic combination doing the business. Boston Rock were two goals up through Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll but were pegged back by two Mega Bucks cleans.

The Parrots may have a shot at finishing in the top half so it won't be straightforward for the long-time leaders. Mega Bucks knocked Sheriff's team out of the FA Cup this season, could Dave deny him the title too?

I think the title may be decided in Fred's favour on goal difference but I'd be interested in your opinions. There's a 'Post a comment' link just below this article. Click it and tell me how you think the title race will end.

FA Cup Final result

Claymore Athletic FC 1
Mulumbu 84

v
(0)

San Dimas High School 2
Odemwingie 60
Flanagan [C]

At Wembley Stadium         Att: 90,000

Six years on from their previous Cup Final meeting it was a case of history (kind of) repeating as San Dimas High School won the WSFFL FA Cup for the third time.

The first half brought little of note as the game was overcome by a tension you might expect from two teams who have become unfamiliar with such a major occasion. The tempo increased at the start of the second period with Wayne Rooney stinging Simon Mignolet's hands with a free-kick. The breakthrough came on the hour. San Dimas striker Peter Odemwingie, one of the bargains of the season, took his tally for the campaign to 12 as he fired home from close range following confusion in the Claymore penalty area.

The San Dimas' joy was short-lived though when Paul Scharner saw red for a second bookable offence just two minutes later. (Curiously enough I'd had a player, Franck Quedrue, sent off the first time I won the Cup - must be a lucky omen!) My side looked like they might see the game out but an inspired substitution from Clive made for an exciting finale. Youssouf Mulumbu scored within 10 minutes of coming on as a substitute, the Congolese player out-muscling the San Dimas defence to level the scores with six minutes to go.

The game was to be settled by a clean sheet and it went San Dimas' way. John Flanagan, in only his second WSFFL appearance, got the deciding clean after replacing Rafael who was selected after the manager mixed the twins up and picked the wrong one (or perhaps the right one depending on your point of view). Sylvin Distin, the last remaining member of my two previous Cup winning teams, lifted the trophy and started the San Dimas celebrations.

Commiserations to Clive who played a solid, honest game but was let down by big players David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic and a frustrated Rooney when it mattered most.

Claymore Athletic: Howard; Ivanovic, Luiz, Johnson, Bardsley; McCarthy, Henderson, Osman, Cleverley; Dembele, Rooney    Subs: Mucha; Olsson; Mulumbu; Gueye

San Dimas High School: Mignolet; Distin, Scharner, Rafael, Walker; Rodwell, Walcott, Hitzlsperger, Tiote; Elmander, Odemwingie    Subs: Al-Habsi; Flanagan; Milijas; Kornilenko