Don Bewick writes as follows:

Old Stationers Fantasy Football

Our second year of entry in the Daily Telegraph competition, as per league table below, finished with "Ode To Thomas Dons" as winner of Old Stationers' Super League, with "Where's My 12th Man?" ably managed by Masayo, claiming the runner's up prize. Mike Mote (Nohopers) might have ran her a close second had he realised the importance of slotting in a few Portsmouth players at the death!

Our Cup competition was won yet again by David Hudson.

For those of you not conversant with this competion, I should explain that it is run in conjunction with points awarded by the Daily Telegraph on a week to week basis for those players appearing in Premiership matches. Extra points are awarded for goals scored/players deemed to have provided the final pass for goals and for each game also there is a "Man of the Match". Points are deducted for any yellow or red cards and against the goalkeeper/the back four in respect of goals conceded. Up to £50,000,000 is allowed to each manager to choose a team and up to 30 transfers can be made per season (maximum of 4 per week).

Access to the competition is via the Daily Telegraph website, which updates our Super League table on a day to day basis. Dealing with transfers is very straightforward and can also be dealt with by post or on the telephone. The Telegraph offers substantial prizes for their entry charge of £6. However as with most Super Leagues the main enjoyment comes from our own competition for which the entry fee is £10 (not compulsory I should add) which is all allocated to prize money - no overheads are charged for. Our split of this is 50% to the League Champion, 20% to the Runner Up, with the balance of 30% going to the winner of the Cup competion.

The above is just flavour of what is involved, in the hope of perhaps attracting more of you for next season. It is a rare opportunity for those based overseas to participate in an event. I should add that John Shanks, our winner last year, is based in New Zealand and perhaps his lower position this year is partly due to his preoccupation with just becoming a first time house buyer in Auckland. However he still found time to reach the final of the Cup competition, only to suffer defeat at the hands of "Gemma", ably managed by Dave Hudson.

The Daily Telegraph generally announces details of the competion toward the end of July. Starting a Super League requires someone to take the plunge, which I have done these past 2 years, by buying a team for £6 via the Telegraph website, and then stating I wish to form a Super League. I am then given the reference number and anyone wishing to join this Super League can do so by quoting this and the Super League name - it will again be Old Stationers next season.

It just so happens these past 2 years that the beginning of August has coincided with issue of the OS Magazine with which I have issued a fly sheet. However the magazine may go out earlier this time and in any case "free" photocopying is no longer available to me. If you wish to join, full details should be on our website - or you can contact me on 01707 263044 or via email - ad.bewick@ukonline.co.uk

Don Bewick