Pilkington
Fantasy Football 2005/06
After months of transfers, injuries and office rivalry Pilkington’s Fantasy Football competition finally came to a nail-biting end. Congratulations go to both winners who finished off the debut season in style.
Norwich fan Gavin Lewin won the official sporting event prize worth up to £2,000 for his managerial expertise with We’re Not From London You. The Anglian Windows worker has been there and thereabouts all season, and thanks to his backbone of Chelsea’s Reyna, Terry and Gallas and Blackburn’s Pederson he kept up his high point scoring run right until it mattered in May.
The 27-year-old said: 'Pederson has been the most reliable and the inspired choices would have to be Alan Curbishly and Lampard at the start of the season, and I put in Saha just as he went on his scoring streak. I like to see what other people do but I have to say I have tended to be a trend-setter. I don’t make transfers until 4.55pm on a Friday, which a lot of people started to do, also when I put in new players, a lot of other teams seem to have them about a week later.'
Champions for the season were Premier All Stars, headed up by Paul Hardy, an engineer from the Pilkington, Cowley Hill factory in St Helens. Paul is a previous manager of the month winner but due to him being a Pilkington employee, he was ineligible for the grand prize. However the company are sorting out a consolation prize for him and Paul is delighted. 'This was the first time I’d tried any kind of fantasy football game, so to win it in my debut season is fantastic.' He said, 'I’ll definitely be playing it again next season.'
Matt Buckley, Marketing Director at Pilkington Building Products – UK, said: 'Our congratulations go to both of our winners and all the managers of the month throughout the season that have made this game such a success. It’s been fantastic to see people from across the industry join together for our first Fantasy Football League, and I hope to see you all, and others, sign up next year to be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes.'
Keep an eye out for details on next season’s fantasy football competition by logging onto www.pilkington.com
The Fantasy’s Over
WITH Spurs’ chances of getting into the Champions League skidding to a halt on Sunday - Arsenal picked up the fourth spot and also said farewell to Highbury.
Conspiracy theories are doing the rounds, has Arsene Wenger ever been on Ready Steady Cook? Did Spurs just bottle it? And why on earth were they staying in a hotel anyway?
Despite Teddy “I hate Arsenal with a passion” Sheringham’s best efforts to throw the game, his team mates weren’t in on the plan and Spurs haters West Ham went on to score a second, making Spurs really feel sick to the stomach.
So was this the most expensive lasagne in history? It certainly looks like it, with a possible £10million going down the pan.
The other talking point of the day of course was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s dramatic departure at the theatre of dreams.
Now Sir Alex is not a manager that you can pull a paddy with and Ruud looks certain to leave Manchester United throwing his toys out the pram as he leaves.
This leaves the Scotsman with a striker problem, with Rooney injured and striker –turned-midfielder Smith, out for a long time.
So top of the shopping list is bound to be a goal machine as he window shops in Germany.
Thierry Henry picked up the Premiership’s golden boot with his hatrick against Wigan, and also took Pilkington’s top striker award with 188 points compared to Ruud’s 170.
Tottenham’s two little men made the top 10, but with Mido being Jol’s first choice when fit this may see Defoe playing his football outside of N17 next season.
PFA Player of the Year, Stevie Gerrard was the second best midfielder in the league, with, unsurprisingly, Frank Lampard coming top.
Players from the top four finishing sides made the best defenders, with captain Chelsea John Terry coming up top, despite missing the last game (which may have something to do with them losing to Newcastle)
But who walks off with the sporting tickets worth £2,000 and the knowledge that they’re better than Sven?
Check out the Gl@zine next week for all the details
A Crippling Blow
DESPITE Chelsea being crowned champions and the final two relegation places being decided, the main talking point at the weekend was Wayne Rooney, his foot, and whether he will be taking part in the World Cup this summer.
According to Sven it’s touch-and-go on whether he’ll be fit enough to get on the plane, and if Rooney were a betting man I’m sure he’d be the first out of his oxygen tent to get down the bookies and place a bet with those odds.
Back to the Premiership, it was a bad weekend for the Midlands as they saw two of their sides join Sunderland in the Championship, and an injured John Terry lifted the league trophy at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs notched up yet another lucky win against UEFA cup hopefuls Bolton – to guarantee them at least fifth place. And if they get all three points away at West Ham they will cement the fourth position, and sign up to the Barcelona Supporters Club (Tottenham Branch).
Arsenal cruised to a three nil victory against sorry Sunderland on Monday, despite never getting out of third gear, and need to win against Manchester City this week to keep Tottenham sweating.
Any managers with transfers left, it’s likely that West Ham, Arsenal and Middlesboro will rest their top players for the final games, meanwhile Liverpool may still field a full strength side in the race for second place.
With Rooney out for the rest of the season all eyes fell onto Fantasy League top scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy on Monday. But with his penalty being saved against Middlesboro, Alex ‘Hairdryer’ Ferguson must be keeping his fingers crossed that he’ll bring his scoring boots on Sunday.
There are no surprises with the players you are ditching for the final run-in. Injuries to John Terry, Robbie Keane and Mido see them make way for Louis Saha, Sol Campbell and Pompey top 10 performer for the month Gary O’Neill.
Speculation over the next England manager is still rife, and maybe the FA should take a look at the brain behind the Fantasy League’s leaders, Premier Allstars, who are sitting pretty with 1742 points and currently head the table. However as the top overall prize is open to non-Pilkington people only, the managers of We’re Not From London You and Donson’s Devils are the two fighting it out.
But there is still pride to play for, so good luck to all of you in the final games, and for England fans keep your fingers crossed on a Rooney miracle
Double Trouble
It's hard to gauge how Chelsea fans feel at the moment: granted, they are set to put the seal on another Premiership title - something they could only dream of as the likes of Tony Cascarino and Robert Fleck led the line for them - but this weekend Liverpool once again put paid to their hopes of a major cup final appearance.
While Chelsea are forever blowing doubles, West Ham will be blowing bubbles after joining Liverpool in the Millennium Stadium showpiece. Marlon Harewood's thunderbolt decided their semi with Middlesbrough, and Alan Pardew's team have enjoyed a great first season back with the big boys, and their victory is a fitting tribute to John Lyall.
Back in the league, Tottenham and Arsenal ended all square in a fiery encounter at Highbury. Spurs looked to be heading for a crucial win until substitute Thierry Henry popped up to salvage a draw for the Gunners, and in the process keep the North London battle for the all-important fourth place just about alive.
It was a bleak weekend for the Midlands. Any goalkeeper facing West Brom doesn't need to bring his gloves these days, and again Bryan Robson's side drew a blank against a Shearer-less Newcastle, for whom Shola Ameobi scored twice in a 3-0 win. Birmingham managed a draw at Everton-nil, but with Portsmouth's late show at home to Sunderland, it wasn't really all that helpful.
The top three of Pilkington's Fantasy Football are familiar faces, with Premier All Stars just ahead of We're not from London, You Know and Donson's Devils. All three have been there or thereabouts for most of the season, so it will be a tense last few weeks to see who comes out on top.
In terms of Premiership stars winning their fantasy managers points, John Terry is the person leading the way over the last 30 days, and Sylvain Distin isn't. He's the player you least want on current form if you're looking to amass points. Jimmy Bullard's recent spectacular goals have alerted many, and he has been the most recruited player of the last few days, with Wigan team-mate Jason Roberts not far behind.
In the last few fixtures of the season, events in the Premiership will determine the fates of many clubs, players and our own Fantasy Football prizes. Good luck with any decisions you have left to make to try to close the gap on the person above you!
Place Your Bets, Please
A stirring performance from Wayne Rooney put paid to Arsenal at Old Trafford, but even he wouldn't bet on Manchester United catching Chelsea. Okay, so he might have just a little flutter.
United did all they could in the weekend's final fixture to maintain pressure on the champions, but essentially the seven-point gap remains with a game less in which to reduce it. Chelsea had been in a rare entertaining mood at Stamford Bridge earlier in the day. Jose Mourinho's men fell a goal behind but still comfortably saw off West Ham 4-1.
It was a very good weekend for Tottenham. Their 2-1 winning margin over Manchester City suggested a closer game than was actually the case, but with Blackburn drawing 2-2 at Portsmouth, and Liverpool beating Bolton, Spurs' European ambitions are still in tact.
Pompey's draw was not enough to take them out of the bottom three, as Steve Bruce's Birmingham side picked up a point too, from their late kick-off at Wigan. West Brom's collection of strikers contrived to miss every chance that came their way in a 0-0 against Aston Villa.
In the Pilkington Fantasy Football, Premier All Stars are holding off the challenge from We're not from London, while Bill's Team and Foolish Utd continue to lead the charts for form over the last 30 days.
Unsurprisingly, Manchester Utd's winning streak ensures the top five players all hail from Old Trafford. Well, sort of. One's Dutch, one's French and another's Irish, but you get the idea. Craig Bellamy's brilliant form means he heads the chasing pack.
Managers in their droves are signing Bellamy and his colleague Morten-Gamst Pedersen, while Mido - a favourite only a few weeks ago - and Villa's young midfielder Steven Davis are being sacrificed by managers looking to grab as many points as they can in the concluding weeks of the season.
Make sure you use your finals transfers wisely, as the prizes on offer are well worth the sweat, blood and tears that managing a football team invariably bring. Good luck!.
Totally free, it’s an exclusive competition for those in the glass and glazing industry. Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball and pick a dream team and work out which players from the Premiership will fire you to glory. Take part in the overall event but have some mischief by beating the teams of your friends and colleagues in the mini leagues.
Playing
the game couldn't be easier. With a £100 million burning a hole in
your pocket, choose from the good and the bad of the Premiership. With the
stars of the Premiership to choose from, pick the right formation, get the
most points on the board and you will be heading off for a luxury break
as a manager of the month to a Marriott Hotel*.The manager who accumulates the most points over the course of the season will win a trip for two to any sporting event of their choice**, whether it's a massive football game, cricket series, golfing tournament, Wimbledon or crucial rugby match. The winner will be treated to a corporate hospitality package courtesy of Pilkington, enabling them to enjoy the occasion in style.
The road to Premiership will be fraught with triumphs and pitfalls. Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball and prove your managerial worth. Alternatively telephone the Pilkington fantasy football hotline on 01744 692000 for more details.
* Hotel vouchers are available for any Marriott Hotel in the UK or Ireland. Prize does not include cost of travel to reach hotel destination.
** The sporting event has to take place in the UK or Ireland in the calendar year 2006 and will be to a maximum value of £2,000 for two corporate hospitality packages. Tickets are on a best available basis. Includes travel and entry to the event and 1 night’s accommodation overnight for two if required.
Game On
Rumours that Jose Mourinho held a series of meetings with Kevin Keegan about how best to throw away a massive lead and let Manchester United win the title haven’t been confirmed. However, this weekend as Chelsea huffed and puffed their way to a draw against Birmingham, Alex Ferguson’s side summarily disposed of Bolton to make the unlikeliest of prospects – a title race - a distinct possibility.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have decided that they do actually want to finish in the top four and not rely on winning the Champions’ League to participate in next year’s competition. Thierry Henry was at his brilliant best to ensure that manager David O’Leary didn’t have a happy day out at Highbury.
At the foot of the table, Harry Redknapp’s Pompey won for the third game in a row, beating Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage, to make things really interesting as the season draws to a close.
In Pilkington Fantasy Football, Manchester United’s eight-game winning sequence ensures it’s no surprise that four of the top five in-form players ply their trade at Old Trafford. Louis Saha, Edwin Van Der Saar, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are accompanied by Henry as those scoring the most points in the past 30 days.
At the other end of the scale, it’s the same old faces. It was business as usual for Gary Breen, back in the Sunderland side at Everton. The Wearsiders didn’t lose, but it wouldn’t be right without them conceding goals, so they let in two. Not too many Fantasy Football managers will have picked West Brom’s Tomasz Kuszczak as the foundation for their defence, but they definitely won’t now, as he too joins the ranks of players with a minus sign in front of their double-figures points totals.
In terms of players you have been recruiting, Rio Ferdinand is popular, along with team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. The most-released player is still William Gallas, but Steven Gerrard’s fantastic March sees him rewarded with the chop fairly frequently, too. His assist for Henry and his brief Merseyside derby summed up his month.
The fantasy football team that most benefited from the goal action is Top Bunk Bottom Bunk. They amassed the most points, 240 in total, and their manager scoops the coveted title of March’s manager of the month.
However, the overall title race is headed by Premier All Stars. There will be changes of fortune over the next few weeks, so there is certainly a lot still to play for..
Harry Houdini To Do It Again?
With the battle for fourth place continuing to excite, the relegation dogfight at the foot of the Premiership is just as entertaining (unless you support a team caught up in it of course!). While some have suggested that West Ham's warm welcome to the returning Harry Redknapp extended as far as Alan Pardew's team selection, Pompey deserve credit for another quality performance, notably from Pedro Mendes who has taken it upon himself to score the goal of the week every time he unleashes a shot.
West Brom and Birmingham hardly have cause to grumble about teamsheets in East London, as neither side did enough to warrant a result against Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.
In the clash between two of London's trendier clubs, Fulham eased their own relegation worries with a surprise victory over Chelsea. As befits a game involving Jose Mourinho's side these days, there was plenty of controversy to accompany the game, which was determined by Luis Boa Morte's fortuitous strike. A disallowed goal, a sending off and a post-match brawl provided the additional entertainment for the Craven Cottage faithful.
In terms of the Pilkington Fantasy Football, there have been some fine individual performances in March, especially from strikers. 'Lovable' Craig Bellamy's goals-per-start ratio at Blackburn is fantastic, and another great effort from the Welshman helped the Ewood Park club to maintain their push for a European place. In his last four games, he's amassed 29 points, which means that even Thierry Henry is a point behind him in the form charts. James Beattie is another forward who is in a rich vein of form, and he'll have one eye on making a late push for the England World Cup squad.
As for the players who nobody really wants in their side, Tony Warner took it upon himself to give the Sunderland squad a bit of a breather, with a stunning -20 points from his four games. Gary Breen, though, ensured that the natural order is sort of maintained, with -16 from just three appearances. Thankfully for him, he's been relieved of the captaincy and also dropped, so in theory, he can't get any worse.
In terms of trends, the players most recruited by our managers have been William Gallas, who was one of the most dumped not too long ago, but who will now be suspended, and the Manchester United duo of Rio Ferdinand and the effervescent Wayne Rooney.
Touchline Spats Don't Prevent Premiership Play
Heady European nights may be at the forefront of some our teams' minds but as John Terry said, it's the Premiership that counts.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea got their Champions League preparations off to a great start this weekend picking up full points away from home. Arsenal's 4-0 win away at Fulham gets them set for round two with Madrid, whilst Jose Mourinho seems to be taking centre stage on the back pages and not for his team's 2-1 win away at West Brom either. Was it that Jose is suffering a touch of the Barcelona blues as he had a touchline 'spat' with Brian Robson?
Liverpool's goal drought continued at the weekend with a 0-0 home draw against Charlton. Since putting three past a woeful Everton side on 28th December Benitez's boys have been on starvation rations when it comes to finding the net, therefore banging in a bucket load against Benfica looks about as likely right now as Brookside reappearing on our screens!
The race for fourth is getting increasingly frenetic, after Spurs and Blackburn battled it out in a five goal thriller at Whiteheart Lane, with Spurs taking all three points to maintain the momentum for a top four finish and a Champions League spot. However, Bolton and West Ham dropped points on the leading pack after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle and playing out a 2-2 draw at Everton respectively. Man City kept the pressure up after a 2-1 win over Sunderland, resulting in the sacking of Mick McCarthy.
In terms of the Pilkington Fantasy Football, there have been some fine individual performances in February but it's Mourinho's boys that are topping the February tables. Despite picking up a recent injury, which saw him miss this weekend's game, Frank Lampard has become the highest point-scoring player. He scored 154 points, followed by teammates, John Terry and Petr Cech, both rattling up 136 points. And despite being dropped from the Carling Cup final last weekend, Ruud van Nistelrooy came in with 127 points. Not surprisingly the cool Portuguese, Jose Mourinho, was this month's hottest manager.
Sunderland players continue their dubious record of being the worst players in the Premiership. This month, Stephen Caldwell vies for the top spot with minus 26, a spot he shares with his now ex manager, Mick McCarthy. Middlesbrough's Bradley Jones could only scrape minus 16, with teammate, Malcolm Christie, levelling at 0. And Sebastian Larsson brings up fourth with minus 2.
In terms of trends, it's quite interesting to see which players are being hired and fired from fantasy football teams across the land. Liverpool goalkeeper, Jose Reina, back from a kung fu hi-jinks ban, is back in favour. Spur's Ahmed Hossam Mido is also a popular choice along with Kevin Nolan, whose recent run of good form has resulted in some great goals for Bolton.
Those in the 'dumped' camp include Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen and two of Chelsea's finest, William Gallas and top scoring Frank Lampard.
With games coming thick and fast in March it means there's a new manager of the month to play for. Premier Allstars is still top dog overall but can still be caught and there's the prize for the manager who accumulates the most points until the end of the season. Also don't forget the Manager of the Season prize is open to non-Pilkington employees only!
Setting Sights On Europe
It may be Valentines but Chelsea won’t be reflecting on their visit to Middlesbrough with much cheer in their hearts. Will their thrashing from the previously inept Teesiders create a wobble, or will they simply regroup and continue to dominate all before them?
It’s still very much to play for as the manager of Crispy Deamons, Chris Jones, will testify. Unlike Sol Campbell, Chris stood firm in the face of fierce opposition and pipped the competition to take January’s Manager of the Month accolade.
With Chelsea’s lead stripped to a mere 12 points, the real battle lies for the European qualifying places. The race for fourth spot promises to be an intriguing one with Spurs and Arsenal currently vying for the final elusive Champions League place, not to mention West Ham sneaking up on the side. The race for the UEFA cup positions promises to be just as frenetic with a possible eight teams in contention to qualify. The season’s finale promises to be an exciting one.
How does that relate to the serious business of the Pilkington fantasy football? Alan Pardew has done a magnificent job with West Ham and four of their players are in the top ten of current form players. Nigel Reo-Corker, Anton Ferdinand, Paul Konchesky and Matthew Etherington are all stacking up the points. But the current top two performers are Manchester United’s show pony, Cristiano Ronaldo and Everton stalwart, David Weir. Both have racked up 28 points each in February, although it has to be said, with completely contrasting styles. Ruud van Nistelrooy and teenage Aston Villa hotshot, Luke Moore, have both scored 25 points follow closely behind.
The Premiership bad boy list is headed by Andy Griffin of Portsmouth, he has accumulated -15 points. Liverpool shot-stopper Jose Manuel Reina follows with -11, clearly paying with a red card and minus points for his fiercesome right hook that felled Arjen Robben so theatrically. The top three wouldn’t be complete without a Sunderland player and this time the dubious honour is bestowed upon Stephen Wright who is on -9.
Don’t forget the transfer window has now shut with some interesting ‘coming and goings’. ‘God’ is back at Liverpool in the form of Robbie Fowler, Man United have bought two new defenders to shore up a leaky defence. Exciting Brazilian striker, D’Alessandro arrives at Portsmouth to add some much needed firepower, Danny Murphy went to Spurs, 18 months after turning them down and Wayne Bridge made the switch across the Kings Road to Fulham.
Weekend Winners (And Losers)
The weekend threw up some surprises. Would you believe Chelsea dropped points to leave the gap between them and second, just a mere 14 points. Perhaps even more shocking was that Sunderland won a game.
More revelations on Merseyside with Everton continuing their revival with a fine victory over Arsenal and beleaguered Birmingham enjoyed a 5-goal romp over equally desperate Pompey. Middlesbrough’s decline continues and Gary Neville seemed quite pleased with Man United’s last-ditch winner to halt Liverpool’s recent resurgence.
Despite Arsenal’s defeat at the weekend, Thierry Henry has amassed the most points over the last 30 days, scoring 33 points in just five games, while his goalkeeping team mate, Jens Lehmann, is just behind with 32. Chelsea hot shot, Hernan Crespo and Brad Friedel of Blackburn have both recorded an impressive haul of 28 points. These are the current in form players.
On the flip side, Bradley Jones managed to score -16 points in just two appearances for Middlesbrough, which could be some sort of record. Ben Thatcher of Man City has done marginally “better” with -10 and bringing up the rear in the rogues gallery is Japanese superstar, Nakata of Bolton, Andy Griffin of Portsmouth and Stephen Caldwell of Sunderland. All three have succeeded in recording -7 points each.
While the Premiership takes a breather this coming weekend for some more FA Cup fun, four matches are due to be played on the 31st January so it’s not quite done and dusted for January’s manager of the month. Leading the chase however, are 11 Pot Luck Losers and FireFireFireFireFireFire.
Don’t forget to check on all the wheeling and dealing in the January transfer window and the African Nations Cup is currently taking place, so players may be missing. Also monthly prizes are still up for grabs and there is the special prize for the manager who accumulates the most points from now until the end of the season. Anybody can be winner!
Flying Start to New Year!
The FA Cup may have thrown up a few upsets, and the fans of Fulham, Man United and Spurs have had weekends they would rather forget, but the Premiership resumes this coming weekend after a frenetic period of games in the holiday season.
With the New Year and half of the season to go, Pilkington is offering a special prize for the manager who accumulates the most points between January 14th and the end of the season on May 7th. This is open to all current players and new ones. The top dog with the most points will be a rewarded with a relaxing trip for two to a super smart Marriott Hotel.
Taking advantage of such a great prize, is the manager of December's winning team, Mr Paul Hardy, an engineer from Pilkington's Cowley Hill factory in St Helens. His team, Premier Allstars, had a cracking December, aided and abetted by Liverpool's fine form and Chelsea's all-conquering stars.
Paul has built a team around a solid defence and regularly checks the 'in-form' player facility on the Pilkington fantasy football website. He's kept a steady team after an initial flurry of transfer activity and remained loyal to players who just keep on scoring him points. He's also strongly positioned overall as well...he's first. John Terry and Frank Lampard of Chelsea are by far the best point accumulators having scored 121 and 127 points respectively. Ruud van Nistelrooy is the deadliest striker with 97 points and Peter Cech currently has the safest hands in soccer. He has 114 points and has kept an impressive 14 clean sheets.
Players to avoid? Well it's those who ply their trade for Sunderland of course. Kelvin Davis, Nyron Nosworthy and Martin Woods are all in the minus, whereas if you've got their manager, Mick McCarthy, at the helm of your team, the chances are you won't be celebrating success at the end of the season.
This coming weekend brings some intriguing ties, the Manchester derby, the Lancashire derby of Bolton/Blackburn, Liverpool entertain Tottenham and how many will Chelsea smash past Sunderland? It's all to play for especially with the introduction of a new prize.
Season’s Greetings!
As Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho reignite their spat, the battle to take December’s manager of the month crown is just as intense.
As we approach a frantic festive fixture period, just eight points separate the leading five teams with Donson’s Devils leading the way with 216. However with most Premiership teams facing three games in five days it could all change by the time the nation collectively nurses a giant hangover on New Years Day.
The weekend’s results didn’t throw up too many surprises as Chelsea continue to steam roll the Premiership and Manchester United just about hanging onto their coat tails. Liverpool will be back from their intercontinental travels and hope to continue their impressive form, but is all over for Arsenal before Christmas? At the other end of the table Sunderland and Birmingham look in perilous form but can Harry Redknapp bring a golden touch and save Pompey from relegation?
The best of the Premiership is still dominated by Chelsea. John Terry combines mean defensive displays with a head for scoring and has already accrued a massive 100 points for the season. Terry’s midfield team mate, Frank Lampard has hauled a fantastic 109 points and the self-proclaimed ‘special one’ himself, Jose Mourinho, is the Premiership’s premier manager with 75 points. Jose Manuel Reina of Liverpool is the Premiership’s most miserly goal custodian, whereas the boy wonder himself, Wayne Rooney is the deadliest striker with 80 points.
On the flip side if you want to win anything, stay away from Sunderland’s Kelvin Delvis, Nyron Nosworthy and manager Mick McCarthy. All of whom, currently have minus points.
With some more exciting prizes up for grabs in the New Year it is worth submitting a team at any stage of the season because anybody can be a winner. It offers a chance to win a prize on a monthly basis, so it doesn’t really matter when you join in. Totally free, it’s an exclusive competition for those in the glass and glazing industry. Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball and pick a dream team and work out which players from the Premiership will fire you to glory. Take part in the overall event but have some mischief by beating the teams of your friends and colleagues in the mini leagues.
New Player Wins November's Manager of the Month!
Would you believe it? The manager of the month award for November goes to someone who has only been playing for a month.
Being new to the competition clearly has its advantages. As the season takes shape and players find a rhythm, the manager of the month has built a new team and has second-guessed which players will score him points in certain games.
Alan CS Red and White Army maybe new to the game but has managed to rack 176 points in his first month. Taking full advantage of Liverpool's return to form, the manager has packed a team stacked with players from the red half of Merseyside.
The Reds haven't conceded a goal in November so it is hardly surprising that a team consisting of Jose Manual Reina, John Arne Riise, Jamie Carragher and Sami Hypia should set the month alight. Bolstered by Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Boudwjn Zenden in he middle and the Tottenham twosome, Mido and Defoe up front, the more defence-minded 5-3-2 formation has certainly paid dividends for Alan CS Red and White Army.
Overall, We're Not From London You are taking control and are sitting on a mighty haul of 654 points. Barca 99 is second with 627 points followed by Premier Allstars on 626.
The pattern for this month shows that it is worth submitting a team at any stage of the season because anybody can be a winner. It offers a chance to win a prize on a monthly basis, so it doesn't really matter when you join in. Totally free, it's an exclusive competition for those in the glass and glazing industry. Go to http://www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball and pick a dream team and work out which players from the Premiership will fire you to glory. Take part in the overall event but have some mischief by beating the teams of your friends and colleagues in the mini leagues.
October's Manager of The Month Revealed
October was a very close contest but emerging victorious was Darenth Reds, managed by Pilkington employee, Aidan Cox. Darenth Reds scored a mightily impressive 185 points in October, narrowly pipping 11 Pot Luck Losers and The Wednesday to the top spot.
The secret behind Aidan's winning formula was simple really. Pack the team with Chelsea players. With John Terry and Asier Del Horno rocks at the back and Frank Lampard continuing his phenomenal scoring record from midfield, Aidan's cause has been helped by solid performances from Steve Finnan of Liverpool, Damien Francis of Wigan and Charles N'Zogbia of Newcastle. Not something that was expected at the start of the season. Cisse of Liverpool and Ayegbeni of Middlesbrough have capped a fine month for Aidan with the goals up front.
November promises to throw up more surprises now that Chelsea have lost their air of invincibility, Wigan astounding everyone with their assault on the Premiership title and Arsenal and Newcastle seemingly back to winning ways. Can Manchester United and Liverpool capitalise on excellent wins? Can Everton sustain their mini-revival? Is Charlton in free fall? Will Steve Bruce be the first for the sack and will Sunderland ever escape bottom spot?
Points to ponder as you ponder those points.
One of the key things about this game is that it offers the chance to win a prize on a monthly basis, so it doesn't really matter when you join in. Totally free, it's an exclusive competition for those in the glass and glazing industry. Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball and pick a dream team and work out which players from the Premiership will fire you to glory. Take part in the overall event but have some mischief by beating the teams of your friends and colleagues in the mini leagues.
September’s
Manager Of The Month Revealed!
With temperatures dropping but the football season warming up nicely,
we can reveal the first manager of the month for the Pilkington Fantasy
Football competition.
Remarkably, it’s a tie and we have two winners! Paul Bourke from
Pallot Windows in Jersey and Nita Hogg who works for Pilkington. Both
performed impressively and have won a weekend at a Marriott Hotel for
displaying such tactical tenacity.
The battle to be the Pilkington Fantasy Football Manager of the Month
for September has been fierce. The accolades go to Mr Paul Bourke with
the self-depreciating, Pallot’s Plonkers, and Mrs Nita Hogg, with
the Hogsters. Both used their managerial and football acumen to accrue
a mighty 163 points. Hearty congratulations to Paul and Nita and enjoy
the break away.
So what’s the secret of their success? How did they manage such an
impressive haul of points? Some shrewd dealings in the transfer market
and a healthy smattering of Chelsea players were crucial. So was Charlton’s
excellent early season form as both have Alan Curbishley at the helm of
their teams.
It’s still all to play for and it’s never too late to enter
a team. October’s manager of the month is now up for grabs. Simply
score more points than your rivals in October and the glory is yours.
Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball
to register a team and play.
Still
Time To Enter The Pilkington Fantasy Football
The
football season is now in full swing and already it is shaping up quite
nicely. Who would have thought Charlton and Manchester City would be vying
with Chelsea for that top spot?
More importantly the real action starts now. The first manager of the
month will be awarded for September so there is still time to enter a
team to put yourself in the frame to win a great prize.
Currently riding high is team ‘Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire, Fire’,
which has amassed a colossal 224 points and is just edging out ‘Farcam
Hall’, which has 220. And it’ll come as no surprise to find
that Chelsea’s millionaires are topping the points charts. But can
you afford them?
However, you could still pip them to the post for September’s manager
of the month by entering a team of your own.
Totally
free to play, the game is an exclusive and fun competition for those who
work in the glass and glazing industry. Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball
to enter and play.
There are two elements to the game to maximise the enjoyment. You can
compete for individual glory in the main competition. There are monthly
prizes to play for and a fantastic overall Manager of the Season prize.
Then there’s the serious part. Set up your own mini league and challenge
your colleagues, customers and suppliers to a game. Invite them into your
league and ask them to submit a team. It should stir things up at work.
Simply pick a dream Premiership XI and manager from a budget of £100million,
based on the cash values given. It sounds a lot but it will soon go. The
scoring system is based on actual Premiership games and is straightforward,
rewarding the things you would expect – like goals, clean sheets
and good performances. Beware though because it punishes leaky defences,
bookings and red cards.
The triumphant manager who has accumulated the most points over the course
of the season will win a trip for two to any sporting event of their choice*,
whether it’s a massive football game, cricket series, golfing tournament,
Wimbledon or crucial rugby match. The winner will be treated to a corporate
hospitality package courtesy of Pilkington, enabling them to enjoy the
occasion in style.
There are also monthly prizes on offer so there is something to aim for
throughout the course of the season. The successful contestant who has
been canny enough to amass the most points during a month will win Marriott
Hotel vouchers to the value of £300**. Relax in luxury with a trip
to the country, head to the city for an action-packed weekend, or maybe
treat your partner to a London theatre break.
Every week we will be keeping you updated with the winners and losers
from the weekend’s action. It is a great opportunity to pit your
tactical wits against colleagues in the industry. Go to www.pilkington.com/fantasyfootball
for full details. Register to play, make your team selection then look
forward to claiming bragging rights.
* The sporting event has to take place in the UK or Ireland in the calendar
year 2006 and will be to a maximum value of £2,000 for two corporate
hospitality packages. Tickets are on a best available basis. Includes
travel and entry to the event and 1 night’s accommodation overnight
for two if required.
** Hotel vouchers are available for any Marriott Hotel in the UK or Ireland.
Prize does not include cost of travel to reach hotel destination.