Artisans resist Downing overtures

The Fabulous Artisans have turned down a £20m bid from Liverpool for midfielder Stewart Downing. Artisans manager Ben had been locked in talks with the Anfield club but eventually decided to hold on to one of his prize assets.

It’s the second time the Artisans have turned down a big money offer this summer. Ashley Young was the subject of bids in excess of £15m from Manchester United and San Dimas High School but those offers were laughed off by the manager.

If Downing had moved he would have joined Jordan Henderson as the most expensive transfer of the summer. Henderson left Claymore Athletic for a club record £20m to join Liverpool and became only the eighth player to depart a WSFFL club for a fee of £20m or more.

2011/12 Opening Day fixtures announced

The WSFFL fixture computer has done its stuff and has dished up an opening day blockbuster.

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

Yes, last season's top two have been thrown together in week one. Fred took last season's title by three points and beat Boston Rock home and away. Sheriff has a chance to strike an early blow against his rival in 2011/12 title race.

The full season provisional fixture list will be added to the WSFFL Docs section in due course.

WSFFL - The story so far...

2024/25 Claymore take the 'most spent in an evening record' with £133m at the August auction.

2023/24 A rule change means WSFFL 'spectators' now pay £12.50 for a ticket rather than £10. Another rule change also brings in two more formations, 5-4-1 and 3-5-2. Josko Gvardiol is now the game's most expensive defender, San Dimas paying £60m. Trusted win the Charity Shield. The donation is made to Unicef. Wheel Madrid win their first trophy with a 2-0 win over Real Muppets in the PCMT Final. The Muppets do pick up a trophy when they beat the Aardvarks 4-2 in the FA Cup Final. Ady's team sweep to the title with a record number of points and goals. At the end of the season five-time champion Neil resigns as a manager to be replaced by Ollie and his team Garth Crooks' Team of the Week.

2022/23 Real Muppets make Erling Haaland the league's most expensive player at £70m. (Darwin Nunez soon becomes the second-most, joining Markian for £62m.) Haaland scores twice in the PCMT Final as the Muppets beat YTFIB 3-2. San Dimas High School win the Charity Shield. The league's donation is made to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. The Fabulous Artisans win the FA Cup for the first time with a 1-0 win over Trusted. Fred wins his third title by eight points after a season with only three defeats.

2021/22 At the September auction Wheel Madrid make Raphael Varane the game's most expensive defender at £37m. The Charity Shield goes to Mega Bucks for the first time after they beat the Aardvarks in the final. The Charity Shield donation goes to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Nil Satis get their name on the Paul Cartmell Memorial Trophy at last with a win over Trusted. Stanley Athletic win their first trophy with a 4-1 FA Cup final win over Claymore. On a dramatic last day of the season, with five teams still in contention for the title, The Wateringhole Society are champions for the first time. Kiran's win comes on goal difference ahead of The Fabulous Artisans.

2020/21 The Coronavirus-delayed opening auction sees records set by Stanley Athletic FC. Aaron makes Timo Werner the most expensive player ever (£60m) and also buys the most expensive midfielder in Kai Havertz at £48m. His total spend of £109.5m is also a record. The defender record fee is equalled again when Kiran pays £25m for Ruben Dias. Real Muppets win the PCMT for the third time, beating Mega Bucks 3-2. San Dimas complete the 'career slam' with a 4-1 win over The Wateringhole Society in the Charity Shield final. The charity donation went to the Healthcare Workers Foundation. Trusted lifted the FA Cup for the third time, beating San Dimas 1-0 in a replay. Fred makes it three league titles in five seasons.

2019/20 At the first auction of the season Fred spends £86m - a one night record spend. At the mop-up auction Nil Satis make Moise Kean the game's most expensive teenager at £45m. San Dimas equal the record paid for a defender, signing Joao Cancelo for £25m. The Fabulous Artisans win the Charity Shield for the first time beating Athletico Phoenix 3-2. Ben requests that the charity donation goes to Unicef. Claymore win the PCMT for the first time in more than 20 years with a 1-0 victory over Aardvark Abacus. It's Ady's eighth PCMT Final defeat. Brian resigns from the league. His place is taken by Aaron and his team Stanley Athletic FC. Fred makes Bruno Fernandes the league's joint most expensive midfielder (£29m) at the February auction. After the Covid-19 lockdown Claymore retain the FA Cup with victory over last year's runners-up The CFJs. Trusted clinch their third title on the last day of the season.

2018/19 To mark the start of the 25th season a one-off draft with each team getting two picks is voted in. The first pick, made by YTFIB boss Julian, is Naby Keita. The Charity Shield is won by Aardvark Abacus, 4-1 against YTFIB. Ady asks for the charity donation to be paid to CALM, Swindon's local children's cancer charity. San Dimas High School win their third PCMT in five years with a 4-2 win over Wheel Madrid. Claymore Athletic win the FA Cup for a fourth time, defeating the CFJs 2-0 in a replay. Fred eases to another title win, the four point margin not a full measure of his supremacy.

2017/18 The WSFFL transfer record is smashed when the CFJs pay £36m for Alvaro Morata. The Aardvarks pay £35m for Alexandre Lacazette minutes later. Kevin resigns from the league and FCK2 are replaced by Markian United managed by... Mark and Ian. Their first act is to break the record fee for a midfielder by spending £29m on Gylfi Sigurdsson. Ryan wins his first trophy for more than ten years when the Muppets claim the PCMT, 4-1 over the Aardvarks. The Charity Shield is settled in a second replay with the CFJs beating Nil Satis 1-0. The donation goes to the Prospect Hospice. Phillippe Coutinho moves from Mega Bucks to Barcelona for a WSFFL record of £108m. Dave spends £58m of that making Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the League's most-expensive player. Aardvark Abacus win their first FA Cup for 15 years with a 4-0 win over the Artisans. The CFJs claim their second title by a six-point margin from Fred.

2016/17 At the AGM a rule is passed to allow a 4-5-1 system for teams in addition to 4-4-2. Athletico Phoenix, in Week 1, become the first team to use it. Nil Satis win their first WSFFL trophy with a 2-1 win over the Muppets in the Charity Shield Final. The charity donation is made to the Brain Tumour Charity. Fred wins his second PCMT with a 5-1 win over the Aardvarks. Fred goes on to win the FA Cup for a third consecutive season (in a reply against the CFJs) and complete the treble with a league win that finishes with a record-equalling 22 wins and record-breaking 13 point margin.

2015/16 A new award of Player of the Month (echoing the Premier League award) is created and the first winner is Andre Ayew of The Wateringhole Society. There are a spate of managerial appointments at the start of the season. Jon joins Kevin as joint-boss of FCK2, Chris's sons Luc and Noah will assist him at The CFJs and Paul's son Daniel is appointed as joint-manager of Nil Satis. Ryan breaks his transfer record to make Kevin De Bruyne the game's most expensive midfielder at £26m. Nil Satis also break their record by paying £18m for Pedro. Brian makes Anthony Martial the game's most expensive teenager at £21m. The CFJs win the Charity Shield for the first time beating the Artisans 1-0 and asking for the donation to be made to The Prospect Hospice. San Dimas retain the PCMT with victory over Athletico Phoenix. Fred retains the FA Cup with a 5-3 win over Claymore. Final Fantasy XI resign from the league to be replaced by Paul W's Wheel Madrid. Kevin and Paul S both resume sole charge of their teams.

2014/15 David Luiz leaves Claymore Athletic FC for Barcelona for £50m. It's a WSFFL record for a defender. That's followed by a record for a striker. Luis Suarez leaves The CFJs for Barcelona in a £75m deal. The CFJs then break the 'most money spent in a single auction' record by spending £75.5m. Athletico Phoenix become the first team to win the Charity Shield twice, beating previous winners' The Dead Parrots 4-3. Cancer Research UK are the recipients of the league's donation. San Dimas win the PCMT for the first time, beating the Artisans in the final. Fred wins the FA Cup for the first time, fielding an ineligible player en route to beating Claymore 3-1. Claymore go on to take the title by nine points, the biggest margin since 2005/6. At the conclusion of the season, The Dead Parrots resign from the league to be replaced by The Wateringhole Society managed by Kiran.

2013/14 Payments for the top three in the league at the end of the season are introduced (£1m, 500k and 250k). Fred breaks the 'most money spent in a single auction' record splashing out £71m. Trusted By Millions win the Charity Shield (the donation again going to Cancer Research UK), The CFJs retain the PCMT while the FA Cup goes to Final Fantasy XI. It's Ceri's first winner's trophy and Final Fantasy become only the seventh team to win the Cup in 18 years. Trusted take the title with a last day victory. It's Beef's second championship win, the first coming 13 years ago.

2012/13 The Dead Parrots win their first ever trophy when claiming the Charity Shield with a 2-1 win over holders Athletico Phoenix. The league's donation is made to Cancer Research UK. The Cow-Faced Juniors win their first Trophy a day later when claiming a PCMT win over San Dimas. Claymore Athletic successfully defend the FA Cup when beating the CFJs in a replay. Chris gets his revenge as the title goes to the last day again and his team win the title by a single point. Boston Rock manager Sheriff resigns from the league.

2011/12 The 'Consolation Cup' for teams knocked out in the first round of the PCMT is introduced. This is later renamed The Charity Shield with the winning team being able to ask the league to make a donation to their chosen charity. David De Gea more than doubles the previous record fee for a goalkeeper when joining Trusted for £25.5m. Juan Mata joins the Cheese Makers for £23.5m, a record for a midfielder. Aardvark Abacus make Sebastian Coates the league's most expensive defender at £21.5m. San Dimas High School pay £18.5m for Romelu Lukaku which is a record for a teenager. The first Charity Shield winners are Athletico Phoenix who beat Mega Buck Bandits 4-0. The league's donation is made to Cancer Research UK. The Fabulous Artisans clinch their first trophy when they win the PCMT with a 4-0 victory over Real Muppets. Claymore Athletic win their first trophy in seven seasons, beating Boston Rock 5-3 in the FA Cup Final. Clive's team complete the double when an injury-time Sergio Aguero goal gives him the title on goal difference from Trusted.

2010/11 The half value for dumping to the pool rule is replaced by a flat £500k payment. The payment to a manager when a transfer fee is 'undisclosed' changes to half of the player's value in the game. You Know Your Boston Rock FC win an incredible sixth PCMT in eight seasons. San Dimas pick up their first trophy for six years when beating Claymore in the FA Cup Final. Fred breaks his own transfer record when he pays £31m for Fernando Torres and despite that goes on to win his first league title.

2009/10 You Know Your Boston Rock FC become the first team to win the WSFFL treble including a record breaking fifth FA Cup. Sheriff's team are also first to win one of the competitions three times in a row when they pick up their fifth PCMT trophy.

2008/09 You Know Your Boston Rock FC become the first team to win both Cup competitions in the same season. Aardvark Abacus win the league for a record 5th time. Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Real Muppets to join Real Madrid for £80m.

2007/08 Peej becomes the league'’s third co-ordinator. Arjen Robben leaves Fred's team to join Real Madrid for £24m. To reflect the wide spread of managers across England and indeed the globe the WSFFL acronym is adjusted to World and Swindon Fantasy Football League. The Wage Bill rule is introduced. Performance payments mirroring the Premier League are abandoned in favour of a £100,000 per point earned system.

2005/06 The 'Ryan rule' (when a player is transferred from one Premiership club to another the player's fantasy manager can retain the player or accept the real world transfer fee) is introduced.  You Know Your Boston Rock FC win the league with a record 2.3 points per game (69pts in 30 games).  This beats Mega Bucks' 2.18 points per game from 1999/2000.

2004/05 Fred West Landscape Gardening XI spend £28m on Didier Drogba. Petr Cech becomes the league's most expensive goalkeeper when Aardvark Abacus pay £12m for him. The 'Goals for Goalies' rule is introduced rewarding keepers for saving penalties. San Dimas win the FA Cup, when they trounce Claymore Athletic FC 6-1, an FA Cup final record. There's consolation for Claymore as they become the first team to retain the league title.

2003/04 Hernan Crespo becomes the league's first £20m+ player when he joins Claymore Athletic FC for £21.6m. You Know Your Boston Rock FC start their love affair with the PCMT, when they beat Final Fantasy XI in a record breaking 5-2 triumph.

2002/03 Kylie Bumcheeks become the first team to win the PCMT in successive years.

2001/02 The league contracts to 16 teams following the departure of Pacer's Pacesetters and Donkey Derby County.  Fred breaks the transfer record paying £20m for Ruud van Nistelrooy. Rich S's Kylie Bumcheeks win the PCMT 4-0, the biggest winning margin in a Final in the competition's history, after a 2-2 draw in the first game with San Dimas High School. Aardvark Abacus become the first team to win the league three times.

2000/01 In an auction night of records Short Straw Rovers make Fabien Barthez the league's joint most expensive player and first £10m goalkeeper. Mark Viduka then costs Real Muppets £11.5m. Nil Satis manager Paul S tops that fee on his way to spending £56m in an evening when he buys Sergei Rebrov for £13m. That record doesn't last long as Aardvark Abacus pay £14.5m for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. With the sad passing of Woodchester Rovers manager Paul Cartmell the League Cup is renamed in his honour. The first winner of the Paul Cartmell Memorial Trophy is Fred with a 1-0 win over Steve P's Viola Pier. Sheriff takes over the co-ordinating reins. First recorded use of the ‘Bevan Dodge’. You Know Your Boston Rock FC become the first team to successfully defend the FA Cup.

1999/2000 Mega Buck Bandits, managed by Dave B, win their first piece of silverware, when they claim the league title, with a record-equalling points haul of 74. (This time the feat was achieved over a 34 game season).

1998/99 Aardvark Abacus become the first team to do the League and FA Cup double.

1995/96 With the departure of Oxford Reunited the league shrinks to 18 teams. The scoring system changes to the now familiar one with only goals and clean sheets counting. The League Cup is introduced with Rich T's 22 Legged Groove Machine being the first winners. They beat the re-named Supersonic Rovers 4-1 meaning Neil T was the 'Bridesmaid' in the inaugural final of both cup competitions.

1994/95 The WSFFL (West Swindon Fantasy Football League) is created. Clive is the first co-ordinator. The scoring system is based on the Daily Telegraph's but the points for players' performances is compared between teams to produce a match result. At the opening auction night (held at 47 Bosworth Road, Grange Park, Swindon) the 19 managers have a £25 million pot to build their squad. Top signing of the night is Andy Cole at £5m. Bassett Allsorts managed by Ben F go on to become the first WSFFL Champions with 74 points (still a WSFFL record, however, this was over a 36-game season). Mike D's Zachstar Incorporated lift the first FA Cup when they defeated Snowy's Supersonic Rovers, managed by Neil T, by the extraordinary score of 2 v -1.