Guys,
The last game was played.
Celtic 7 Groovers 4
which means the final table standings are as above.. which means the winners are
SPORTING LISBARNES
... equalling their league standing from last season ! But a much closer affair this time around.
CONGRATS THE LISBARNES !!! 2008 - 2009 WINNERS OF THE BARNESALONA LEAGUE !!!
Well done to Celtic for making them sweat in the last couple weeks, only 2 points behind.. if Celtic had beaten them on 26th April, rather than lose 1-0.....
And behind in 3rd, a whole 12 points behind (12 points !) are WKK, with Groovers settling in in 4th place, with Loko right behind them (with 1 point margin - I hear that some Loko players helped the Groovers in their win 2 weeks ago... I won't say anymore except what great sportsmanship...) The Bloods in 6th place with 25 points, followed by Madras & Barnes, both with 20 points (but with Madras edging ahead on goal difference), Uncle Bob in 9th place, and our friends Hendrix in last place with no wins.... but with one draw.
STATISTICS
GOALS
We scored a total of 506 goals in League and Cup group stage, playing 220 games, with 44% of games won, and 12% drawn, and an average of 2.3 goals/game.
BEST ATTACKING
Celtic scored the most goals = 70 in the league + 11 in the cup stages = 81
Lisbarnes scored 60 in the league and 17 in the cup = 77
WKK came third with 47 goals in the league (same as for the Groovers) and 16 in the cup = 73
WORST ATTACKING
Hendrix with 15 + 3 = 18 (though they folded in April)
Uncle Bob with 19 + 5 = 20 (they nearly folded - thanks Terry for taking management on !)
Lokomotiv with 29 + 4 = 33
BEST DEFENCES
Lisbarnes conceded the least = 23+8 = 31
WKK conceded 26 + 10 = 36
Celtic conceded 27 + 14 = 41
WORST DEFENCES
Hendrix conceded the most = 68 +12 = 80
Groovers conceded 56 + 8 = 64
Uncle Bob conceded 42 + 21 = 63 (21 goals in 4 cup games ain't bad..!)
Well done to the Groovers for winning the James Rettie Cup, and for Lisbarnes as finalists.
Congrats to WKK for winning the Barnesalona Cup, with Celtic as runners-up (nice to see that rivalry still at play in big games!)
Well done should also go to Barnes and Madras for coming in 1st and second of their cup groups, and hence getting through to the semi's of the James Rettie Cup ( I believe some memories need to be erased for Barnes at the semi's... thats all I will say on the matter).
We have lost Hendrix who have been with Barnesalona since its conception, so that was very sad news for all concerned. I do hope some of the players will look to join other teams - always nice to see familiar friendly faces.
We will lose the Groovers, as Said has finally decided to hang up his management boots, and hopes to have an easier job playing next season for an existing team.
We have however gained a new team, who gave up playing in affiliated leagues, due to the unfriendliness they encountered from opponents in those leagues - they have waited one year and will now join us. I have no doubt they will fully appreciate the friendly (but competitive) league we have.
There are many other anecdotes/stories that I can think of, but for fear of missing others, it would be would be great if anyone would like to post comments on stories they feel should be aired for posterity on this last season. I can't recall all of them !
I'd like to say that I thoroughly appreciate all the hard work put in by ALL the managers and assistant-managers, and fund managers, and all those who help organise the teams on Sundays. Seriously great job and often thankless I imagine, but I hope you get something out of it !
I'd also like to mention my greatest pleasure.... that of seeing managers and teams's willingness to dismiss / discipline / educate their players/teams on the importance of playing with sportsmanship. You all know who you are, and you are all GIANTS in making those calls. Its been my biggest challenge since I've taken on this league, and I've seen this spirit increase in size and shape ! Perhaps maturity on all our parts has beared its fruit ! I don't know ! And it doesn't matter ! Its just great to see it taking shape.. I could harper on, but this league is not about me, its about you guys, so I will stop there.
By the way, I will be looking to join a team next season. I've found some boots that fit (taken me bloody ages since the last pair I bought 10 years ago!). If you need to figure out whether I'm any good, please could I ask for Dorian from WKK, or Saf from London Bloods to let people know how bad I was ! Did I ever mention Enfield Town were after me 10 years ago..?
Awards night to follow.
