Numpty >> sunday december 3 - 12:01

We're off again. 

Can we look forward to another amazing performance from the very talented Bakerman or will normal service be resumed and we see another win from the dominant Stephen.

Is there a male equivalent of a dominatrix?

Last season's prediction competition was won by Charlie. We only had 4 entrants so please let me know if there's any interest in running it again this season. 

Numpty >> sunday december 3 - 12:15, Edited sunday december 3 - 12:15

On another note my FA3 build finishes in a few weeks and then I'll start on FA4. 

Is it worth building FA5 afterwards?

My long term plan was always to to do that but now I'm not so sure. I can easily afford to build it, but it's a very long term commitment and the running costs will take a large chunk out of the finances every season going forward. It may be better to have more funds to spend on player wages. Any opinions appreciated.

Either way we'll probably start climbing back up in the league once I've finished building FA4. So you'll likely see us in another 4 or 5 seasons.

BakerMan >> sunday december 3 - 21:24

I have a feeling this may be Newcastle year... 

Lee >> monday december 4 - 00:55, Edited monday december 4 - 00:57

Numpty - I will never have the money to do it, so it's easy for me to say, but I wouldn't build FA5. I think the money would be better spent on buying and paying the best players you can find.

Good luck to all for the season ahead - I've focused so much on youth players the past few seasons that I was in a position to loan out 5 of them. Based on how things went last season, I think I will escape the drop again; just need to be better than one team......I think it will be Birmingham Hunter.

Charlie Mopps >> monday december 4 - 09:24

Hi everyone, despite the risk involved, I'm still in the Premier League for this season. :)

Good luck everyone!

PS: for the prediction game, ok for me

BakerMan >> monday december 4 - 20:51

Well a nice start to the season - a Super Cup win aided by the fact Stephen didn't set a team!

BakerMan >> tuesday december 5 - 20:46, Edited tuesday december 5 - 21:05

Today's big game about to start - Newcastle away at Seaburn...

Title implications already?

Well that was exciting! A 0-0 with precisely 1 shot each!

Dragontao >> sunday december 17 - 11:13

Got a surprise draw in the first leg of my European League play off, considering I forgot to set my team up and it was an odd lineup.

Unfortunately the 2nd leg is going to be poor. League match scheduled a couple of hours before it, with a very limited squad, can't rest players, so players will be fatigued and there's the risk of injuries. So no group stage for me unless the match engine is feeling very benevolent.

Lee >> sunday december 24 - 07:29

Being drawn against Seaburn in the cup is bad enough but to really rub it in they are at home, so I don't even get the consolation of some dough.

Numpty >> sunday december 24 - 11:41

As the away team I think you'll get around £3.8 million @Lee. Not great but probably better then nothing ...

The way it seems to work is the home team gets 2/3 of the ticket sales and 100% of the catering/fanshop (without staff), which amounts to a total of £11.9 m with a full stadium. 

The away team only gets 1/3 of the ticket sales. 

Lee >> sunday december 24 - 15:04

Thanks Numpty - your soothing words have taken the pain away.

Numpty >> sunday december 24 - 19:07, Edited sunday december 24 - 19:20

When you visit the Old Tram Shelter you'll be pleased to know that the catering staff have been given the evening off. 

So you can look forward to cold mugs of tea and 2-day old leftovers from Christmas day after it has previously done the rounds of the Sunderland homeless.

Hopefully it will still pass the sniff test. Although I'd stronlgy advise refusing the offer of any bottles that once held bitter ale.  

Meanwhile in the bottom tier of the league, the Hornets will be hosting a team from another Island, Portsmouth, who would be more at home playing in Division 7 of the local district league.  Their visiting fans of 2 men and a parrot will experience the finest dining known to man or even Gordon Ramsay. 

BakerMan >> friday december 29 - 19:06

Well at the halfway mark it is looking like another title for Seaburn - someone is going to have to make an incredible run to close the gap...

BakerMan >> monday january 1 - 15:42

Happy New Year to All.

My team obviously enjoyed the parties too much and celebrated New Year by getting absolutely thumped at home in the European R16!