After 37 gameweeks and a season that has spanned eleven months, it all comes down to this. Big Steve vs King Ding, the best this year versus the best of all time. Only four points separate the two teams – who will emerge from the Final Day as the League of Gentlemen champion?
A momentous day awaits the combatants of the League of Gentlemen, as eleven months of heartbreak, joy, agony and ecstasy draw to a conclusion with a two-hour feast of football. With every team playing at the same time, we know that all the scores will be settled today. The big question is whether Big Steve can fend off King Ding for one more gameweek and emerge as the champion, in what would be his first triumph. Having led the table since Gameweek Four, the devastation would be immeasurable should he fall at the last. Beyond that, several other narratives need conclusions. Can Mad Mikey finish off the bottom? Will Jockin’ Jeeves pip Hitman Hodgson for the bronze medal? Can Lord Geord make up the thirteen-point gap to his brother, or will he be defeated by his new nemesis, All-Star Vogt? Is there a way for the Masterchef to recover, and to reclaim eighth spot from Big-Time Birkett – and with it, a place in the second seeds for the Gentlemen’s Classic next year? And who out of Slick Rick, Who Horner, The Ox and Ginger Ben will claim the final Gentlemen’s Classic qualifying position?
The most dramatic day of the season lies ahead – let’s get right to it.
3pm.
The teams are in, and the big news emerges from St. James’ Park, where both Alexander-Arnold and Salah are benched. With Salah a captaincy option for Big Steve, this could throw a massive spanner in the works before the games even kick off. Most of the other big names start, including David Silva, so popular in the transfer discussions this week. Alongside him, Sterling, de Bruyne, Foden and Jesus start, while Mahrez is on the bench. With Pep Roulette having the potential to be critical this week, and with Manchester City assets favoured for captaincy, this is good news for the majority.
3:01pm.
Disaster for King Ding! Having been tipped-off by Jez Messing to some early team news, he tried to make some last-ditch transfers on his Free Hit. However, the game locked-down before he had completed his adaptions, and as a result, he has no idea what his team is, who his substitutes are or who is his captain. There’s a strong possibility Heung-Min Son is his last substitute, which could be catastrophic. This is always the danger with waiting for early team news; for King Ding, his title challenge could be over before kick-off. The first whistle hasn’t blown and we already have an FPL Nightmare.
3:56pm.
The teams are revealed for our title challengers. David Silva and Pieters for Saint-Maximin and Wan-Bissaka are Big Steve’s transfers. King Ding has Martinez on his bench and Son third sub, but Martinez will play over Peacock-Farrell. Brandon Williams starting over Mason Greenwood is another huge issue – the King needs the FPL Gods to be shining now.
Full teams:
Big Steve: Pope; Alexander-Arnold, Aurier, Pieters; Bruno, de Bruyne, Salah, D.Silva ©; Aubameyang, Greenwood, Jimenez.
Subs: McCarthy; Foden, Basham, Saiss.
King Ding: Peacock-Farrell; Pieters, Digne, B.Williams, Aurier; Sterling, de Bruyne, Bruno, D.Silva; Ings, Aubameyang ©
Subs: Martinez; Greenwood, Johnson, Son.
In other news, Jockin’ Jeeves has taken an eight-point hit to bring in Kane, Son and van Dijk for Jimenez, Salah and Alexander-Arnold. He must also have received the information from Jez Messing, but he now has a nine-point gap to make up to claim the bronze medal. Deadly Daz, Who Horner, The Ox and Ginger Ben have all played their Bench Boosts, while King Ding, All-Star Vogt and Flash have all used their Free Hit.
4:01pm
Dwight Gayle! Newcastle 1-0 against the champions! All those Liverpool clean sheets are gone – unless Alexander-Arnold enters the fray before the 30th minute.
4.05pm.
Aubameyang scores a penalty! Big news for King Ding, who has him as captain. The dream lives. Massive news for All-Star Vogt, too, who also has him as captain.
As it stands, the King is top. All-Star Vogt is up to sixth, just four points off the Dazzlers, who have four more players. Willian, however, is on the Chelsea bench, making it more complicated for Deadly Daz.
4.08pm
Onel Hernandez scores for Norwich! Bad news for the several teams with Manchester City defenders, but it should kick-start their attackers, which is what most people are banking on.
4.09pm.
Goal overturned by VAR! The Manchester City clean sheet is back on!
4.11pm.
Jesus! 1-0 to Manchester City. Will the floodgates open?
4.13pm.
Disaster for the King! Bournemouth score through a King penalty, assisted by Wilson. The Digne clean sheet is gone; given his selection crisis, the King really needs him to produce in attack now. And what’s this? Harry Kane has scored, assisted by lo Celso! Good news for the Lords, though All-Star Vogt also has him. Luckily for Deadly Daz, so does he. Promising for Jockin’ Jeeves, too; Kane has repaid his hit – everything else from him is now a bonus.
As it stands, the King and the Butcher are level. However, the King has Martinez to come off his bench, and he has also made far fewer transfers. If it stays like this, he will be the champion.
4.20pm
All those who doubled and trebled-up on Burnley defenders: look away now. Brighton have scored, Yves Bissouma wiping out so many clean sheets with one goal. Still no goals at the King Power stadium – for one of the most hated teams in football, there’s an awful lot of people who will cheer a Manchester United goal right now.
4.24pm.
Tierney puts Arsenal 2-0 up, with what could be a pivotal assist from Aubameyang. King Ding pulls slightly away from the Butcher, while All-Star Vogt is closing in on fifth place.
4.26pm.
Luuuuuuundstram! The unexpected hero of FPL this season, the £4m defender who has been playing attacking midfield, has done it again. Disaster for Slick Rick, who has him on his bench, as Who Horner has started him and is rejoicing in the goal that takes him into the crucial twelfth position.
4.33pm.
AuBOOMeyang! A second goal for the Arsenal assassin, and this is a sensational performance with huge ramifications. For all the King’s selection disaster, he has the armband on the biggest scorer of the Final Day so far. That one decision could give him all the glory. The assist came from the favour-returning Tierney.
As it stands, the King has a thirteen-point advantage. Can the Butcher respond?
4.38pm.
A great looping header from van Dijk ties the scores at St. James’ Park. Bit of a sickener for All-Star Vogt, who removed him from his team this week, though it’s great news for Jockin’ Jeeves. In incredible scenes, however, the performance of Aubameyang has seen All-Star Vogt leapfrog Hitman Hodgson and Jockin’ Jeeves into the bronze medal position!
4.43pm.
Deeney scores a penalty for Watford. It seems inconsequential in the moment, but the King has Martinez coming off his bench. That lack of a clean sheet could yet be crucial, and it gives the Butcher hope. Had Martinez saved it, they would be etching King Ding into the trophy as we speak. Moise Kean has equalised for Everton, from a Walcott assist, but that has no impact on anyone.
4.46pm.
Kevin de Bruyne makes it 2-0 for Manchester City, assisted by Walker. With most people holding de Bruyne, it is hard to see what impact that will have, though Deadly Daz has him as captain. Wood has scored for Burnley, assisted by Pieters. With both the Butcher and the King holding him, it has little effect on the title race.
4.53pm.
Carnage in the closing moments of the half, as Chelsea score twice! Mount and Giroud the scorers, with Mount also grabbing an assist. That could yet prove critical for the Masterchef, who has stuck by the Chelsea midfielder for a long time and is now reaping the rewards. With no further goals before the half-time whistles blew, we now have a brief respite before the final 45 minutes of the season.
As it stands:
The King tops the league.
Hitman Hodgson is back in the bronze medal position.
Masterchef is in the final second-seed position for the Gentlemen’s Classic.
Who Horner is in the final qualification position for the Gentlemen’s Classic.
5.05pm.
Mahrez replaces Foden at half-time. Foden may be a talented player, but as an FPL asset, he’s still a long way away. Eric Garcia has also been replaced, denying All-Star Vogt his clean sheet points. That could yet prove critical, as could Antonio being subbed off on zero points, a decision which has a big impact on Hitman Hodgson and Big-Time Birkett.
45 minutes remain of the season. Everything still to play for. From a narrative perspective, you couldn’t ask for more.
5.11pm.
Jeffrey Schlupp scores for Spurs! Rules out clean sheet points for Aurier owners King Ding, Big Steve and All-Star Vogt.
5.13pm.
Southampton equalise … but it’s not Danny Ings! Che Adams prevents the Sheffield United clean sheet – the only points Lundstram will finish with are attacking ones. Burnley have also conceded again, meaning managers who own their defensive assets – and most of the division do – lose a point per player.
5.19pm.
Absolute screamer for Origi, with the assist being more relevant to FPL owners … Robertson with the lay-off. In other news, Burnley have equalised, though the players involved have no owners in the League of Gentlemen.
As it stands, King Ding is 14 points clear. The first-ever retention of the League of Gentlemen championship is thirty minutes away, unless the Butcher can respond.
5.23pm.
Doherty removed on 59 minutes, a real sickener for Jockin’ Jeeves who misses out on a crucial point by a matter of seconds. The Liverpool big three – Mane, Salah and Firmino – have all entered the fray at St. James’. VAR have also ruled out Burnley’s equaliser.
5.26pm.
Salah hits the post with his first touch! The Egyptian is in the mood, which could prove pivotal in the title race. The King’s cushion looks a lot less secure now.
5.28pm.
Welbeck scores against his old club! That essentially condemns the King to just one goalkeeper point. The Butcher is still fighting for this title, and he will love it if he beats the King, love it.
Still goalless at the King Power. Manchester United need goals, and they need them fast. Big Andy Carroll has come on for Newcastle, against his old team. How he’d love to score his first of the season today.
5.32pm.
Salah misses a one-on-one! Disaster for the Butcher, but there’s still hope. Salah looks very much in the mood.
5.33pm.
Southampton score again through Che Adams. In massive news for their many owners, Martial has assisted Bruno for Manchester United! Finally, the Lords have some more points on the board. Can they get back into the battle against Vogt and Deadly Daz? In the race for the bronze medal, the Juggernauts now have the upper hand by just two points.
5.38pm.
STERLIIIIIIIING! A crucial goal for so many managers, not least Jockin’ Jeeves, Lord Geord and Big-Time Birkett, who captained him. Assist for Kevin de Bruyne, which punishes anyone daft enough not to own the midfield maestro. Stanislas also scores for Bournemouth, which will leave King Ding relieved Digne has already been subbed-off.
5.44pm.
Ings scores! Massive for King Ding, and crucial for Lord Geord and All-Star Vogt too. The title is surely in the bag for the King now. What a comeback. 119 points behind at one stage, to claim it on the final day. Incredible. Mahrez has scored for Manchester City.
5.48pm.
Absolute screamer from Sadio Mane. Not owned by any of the teams still fighting for anything, and neither is Firmino, the assister. Big Steve knows that Salah not being involved means the end of his title dream. It really is devastating to see such an incredible season end with ‘just’ a second place. It’s his greatest FPL performance ever, yet it will sicken him more than any of his previous seasons.
5.51pm.
Kevin de Bruyne adds a fifth for Manchester City. What a season that lad has had. Incredible that he was only £9.5m at the start of the season. The first full-time whistle has blown, with Spurs finishing their season with a 1-1 draw against Palace. All those who rushed for Kane after last week must be ruing the decision not to get Aubameyang, who is the highest-scoring striker in FPL since his debut in January 2018.
5.55pm.
Full-time whistles are blowing all over the country now, and it’s looking like some sensational stories emerging in the final few minutes. We’ll wait until all the games are completed before reviewing properly though.
5.59pm.
And that’s it! The final whistle at the Emirates brings an end to the 2019/20 FPL League season. In incredible scenes, Jesse Lingard scored the final goal of the campaign, his only attacking return all season. Jack Grealish’s goal has kept Aston Villa up on the final day, condemning Watford and Bournemouth to relegation, despite Bournemouth’s 3-1 win at Goodison Park.
We are pretty sure King Ding is the League of Gentlemen Champion for the fourth time, becoming the first ever back-to-back champion in the process. For every other situation in the league, however, we are unsure, as the live table website has crashed! With bonus points being able to change up to an hour after the full-time whistle, and with the situation being so close between so many teams, we will have to wait until the middle of the night to find out the final league table.
Just when you think the drama has ended, it increases in intensity. Only FPL can do this, and the League of Gentlemen does it better than anyone.
Monday Morning.
The results are in. The bonus points are added. The League of Gentlemen table has been updated for the final time this season. We know The King has reclaimed his throne. We can tell you now that two men entered the Hundred Club and ten teams changed position, all in crucial areas of the competition. Let's find out what happened together as, for the final time this season, we see how fortunes changed and stories concluded for the Gentlemen on the Final Day.
The most dramatic day of the season lies ahead – let’s get right to it.
3pm.
The teams are in, and the big news emerges from St. James’ Park, where both Alexander-Arnold and Salah are benched. With Salah a captaincy option for Big Steve, this could throw a massive spanner in the works before the games even kick off. Most of the other big names start, including David Silva, so popular in the transfer discussions this week. Alongside him, Sterling, de Bruyne, Foden and Jesus start, while Mahrez is on the bench. With Pep Roulette having the potential to be critical this week, and with Manchester City assets favoured for captaincy, this is good news for the majority.
3:01pm.
Disaster for King Ding! Having been tipped-off by Jez Messing to some early team news, he tried to make some last-ditch transfers on his Free Hit. However, the game locked-down before he had completed his adaptions, and as a result, he has no idea what his team is, who his substitutes are or who is his captain. There’s a strong possibility Heung-Min Son is his last substitute, which could be catastrophic. This is always the danger with waiting for early team news; for King Ding, his title challenge could be over before kick-off. The first whistle hasn’t blown and we already have an FPL Nightmare.
3:56pm.
The teams are revealed for our title challengers. David Silva and Pieters for Saint-Maximin and Wan-Bissaka are Big Steve’s transfers. King Ding has Martinez on his bench and Son third sub, but Martinez will play over Peacock-Farrell. Brandon Williams starting over Mason Greenwood is another huge issue – the King needs the FPL Gods to be shining now.
Full teams:
Big Steve: Pope; Alexander-Arnold, Aurier, Pieters; Bruno, de Bruyne, Salah, D.Silva ©; Aubameyang, Greenwood, Jimenez.
Subs: McCarthy; Foden, Basham, Saiss.
King Ding: Peacock-Farrell; Pieters, Digne, B.Williams, Aurier; Sterling, de Bruyne, Bruno, D.Silva; Ings, Aubameyang ©
Subs: Martinez; Greenwood, Johnson, Son.
In other news, Jockin’ Jeeves has taken an eight-point hit to bring in Kane, Son and van Dijk for Jimenez, Salah and Alexander-Arnold. He must also have received the information from Jez Messing, but he now has a nine-point gap to make up to claim the bronze medal. Deadly Daz, Who Horner, The Ox and Ginger Ben have all played their Bench Boosts, while King Ding, All-Star Vogt and Flash have all used their Free Hit.
4:01pm
Dwight Gayle! Newcastle 1-0 against the champions! All those Liverpool clean sheets are gone – unless Alexander-Arnold enters the fray before the 30th minute.
4.05pm.
Aubameyang scores a penalty! Big news for King Ding, who has him as captain. The dream lives. Massive news for All-Star Vogt, too, who also has him as captain.
As it stands, the King is top. All-Star Vogt is up to sixth, just four points off the Dazzlers, who have four more players. Willian, however, is on the Chelsea bench, making it more complicated for Deadly Daz.
4.08pm
Onel Hernandez scores for Norwich! Bad news for the several teams with Manchester City defenders, but it should kick-start their attackers, which is what most people are banking on.
4.09pm.
Goal overturned by VAR! The Manchester City clean sheet is back on!
4.11pm.
Jesus! 1-0 to Manchester City. Will the floodgates open?
4.13pm.
Disaster for the King! Bournemouth score through a King penalty, assisted by Wilson. The Digne clean sheet is gone; given his selection crisis, the King really needs him to produce in attack now. And what’s this? Harry Kane has scored, assisted by lo Celso! Good news for the Lords, though All-Star Vogt also has him. Luckily for Deadly Daz, so does he. Promising for Jockin’ Jeeves, too; Kane has repaid his hit – everything else from him is now a bonus.
As it stands, the King and the Butcher are level. However, the King has Martinez to come off his bench, and he has also made far fewer transfers. If it stays like this, he will be the champion.
4.20pm
All those who doubled and trebled-up on Burnley defenders: look away now. Brighton have scored, Yves Bissouma wiping out so many clean sheets with one goal. Still no goals at the King Power stadium – for one of the most hated teams in football, there’s an awful lot of people who will cheer a Manchester United goal right now.
4.24pm.
Tierney puts Arsenal 2-0 up, with what could be a pivotal assist from Aubameyang. King Ding pulls slightly away from the Butcher, while All-Star Vogt is closing in on fifth place.
4.26pm.
Luuuuuuundstram! The unexpected hero of FPL this season, the £4m defender who has been playing attacking midfield, has done it again. Disaster for Slick Rick, who has him on his bench, as Who Horner has started him and is rejoicing in the goal that takes him into the crucial twelfth position.
4.33pm.
AuBOOMeyang! A second goal for the Arsenal assassin, and this is a sensational performance with huge ramifications. For all the King’s selection disaster, he has the armband on the biggest scorer of the Final Day so far. That one decision could give him all the glory. The assist came from the favour-returning Tierney.
As it stands, the King has a thirteen-point advantage. Can the Butcher respond?
4.38pm.
A great looping header from van Dijk ties the scores at St. James’ Park. Bit of a sickener for All-Star Vogt, who removed him from his team this week, though it’s great news for Jockin’ Jeeves. In incredible scenes, however, the performance of Aubameyang has seen All-Star Vogt leapfrog Hitman Hodgson and Jockin’ Jeeves into the bronze medal position!
4.43pm.
Deeney scores a penalty for Watford. It seems inconsequential in the moment, but the King has Martinez coming off his bench. That lack of a clean sheet could yet be crucial, and it gives the Butcher hope. Had Martinez saved it, they would be etching King Ding into the trophy as we speak. Moise Kean has equalised for Everton, from a Walcott assist, but that has no impact on anyone.
4.46pm.
Kevin de Bruyne makes it 2-0 for Manchester City, assisted by Walker. With most people holding de Bruyne, it is hard to see what impact that will have, though Deadly Daz has him as captain. Wood has scored for Burnley, assisted by Pieters. With both the Butcher and the King holding him, it has little effect on the title race.
4.53pm.
Carnage in the closing moments of the half, as Chelsea score twice! Mount and Giroud the scorers, with Mount also grabbing an assist. That could yet prove critical for the Masterchef, who has stuck by the Chelsea midfielder for a long time and is now reaping the rewards. With no further goals before the half-time whistles blew, we now have a brief respite before the final 45 minutes of the season.
As it stands:
The King tops the league.
Hitman Hodgson is back in the bronze medal position.
Masterchef is in the final second-seed position for the Gentlemen’s Classic.
Who Horner is in the final qualification position for the Gentlemen’s Classic.
5.05pm.
Mahrez replaces Foden at half-time. Foden may be a talented player, but as an FPL asset, he’s still a long way away. Eric Garcia has also been replaced, denying All-Star Vogt his clean sheet points. That could yet prove critical, as could Antonio being subbed off on zero points, a decision which has a big impact on Hitman Hodgson and Big-Time Birkett.
45 minutes remain of the season. Everything still to play for. From a narrative perspective, you couldn’t ask for more.
5.11pm.
Jeffrey Schlupp scores for Spurs! Rules out clean sheet points for Aurier owners King Ding, Big Steve and All-Star Vogt.
5.13pm.
Southampton equalise … but it’s not Danny Ings! Che Adams prevents the Sheffield United clean sheet – the only points Lundstram will finish with are attacking ones. Burnley have also conceded again, meaning managers who own their defensive assets – and most of the division do – lose a point per player.
5.19pm.
Absolute screamer for Origi, with the assist being more relevant to FPL owners … Robertson with the lay-off. In other news, Burnley have equalised, though the players involved have no owners in the League of Gentlemen.
As it stands, King Ding is 14 points clear. The first-ever retention of the League of Gentlemen championship is thirty minutes away, unless the Butcher can respond.
5.23pm.
Doherty removed on 59 minutes, a real sickener for Jockin’ Jeeves who misses out on a crucial point by a matter of seconds. The Liverpool big three – Mane, Salah and Firmino – have all entered the fray at St. James’. VAR have also ruled out Burnley’s equaliser.
5.26pm.
Salah hits the post with his first touch! The Egyptian is in the mood, which could prove pivotal in the title race. The King’s cushion looks a lot less secure now.
5.28pm.
Welbeck scores against his old club! That essentially condemns the King to just one goalkeeper point. The Butcher is still fighting for this title, and he will love it if he beats the King, love it.
Still goalless at the King Power. Manchester United need goals, and they need them fast. Big Andy Carroll has come on for Newcastle, against his old team. How he’d love to score his first of the season today.
5.32pm.
Salah misses a one-on-one! Disaster for the Butcher, but there’s still hope. Salah looks very much in the mood.
5.33pm.
Southampton score again through Che Adams. In massive news for their many owners, Martial has assisted Bruno for Manchester United! Finally, the Lords have some more points on the board. Can they get back into the battle against Vogt and Deadly Daz? In the race for the bronze medal, the Juggernauts now have the upper hand by just two points.
5.38pm.
STERLIIIIIIIING! A crucial goal for so many managers, not least Jockin’ Jeeves, Lord Geord and Big-Time Birkett, who captained him. Assist for Kevin de Bruyne, which punishes anyone daft enough not to own the midfield maestro. Stanislas also scores for Bournemouth, which will leave King Ding relieved Digne has already been subbed-off.
5.44pm.
Ings scores! Massive for King Ding, and crucial for Lord Geord and All-Star Vogt too. The title is surely in the bag for the King now. What a comeback. 119 points behind at one stage, to claim it on the final day. Incredible. Mahrez has scored for Manchester City.
5.48pm.
Absolute screamer from Sadio Mane. Not owned by any of the teams still fighting for anything, and neither is Firmino, the assister. Big Steve knows that Salah not being involved means the end of his title dream. It really is devastating to see such an incredible season end with ‘just’ a second place. It’s his greatest FPL performance ever, yet it will sicken him more than any of his previous seasons.
5.51pm.
Kevin de Bruyne adds a fifth for Manchester City. What a season that lad has had. Incredible that he was only £9.5m at the start of the season. The first full-time whistle has blown, with Spurs finishing their season with a 1-1 draw against Palace. All those who rushed for Kane after last week must be ruing the decision not to get Aubameyang, who is the highest-scoring striker in FPL since his debut in January 2018.
5.55pm.
Full-time whistles are blowing all over the country now, and it’s looking like some sensational stories emerging in the final few minutes. We’ll wait until all the games are completed before reviewing properly though.
5.59pm.
And that’s it! The final whistle at the Emirates brings an end to the 2019/20 FPL League season. In incredible scenes, Jesse Lingard scored the final goal of the campaign, his only attacking return all season. Jack Grealish’s goal has kept Aston Villa up on the final day, condemning Watford and Bournemouth to relegation, despite Bournemouth’s 3-1 win at Goodison Park.
We are pretty sure King Ding is the League of Gentlemen Champion for the fourth time, becoming the first ever back-to-back champion in the process. For every other situation in the league, however, we are unsure, as the live table website has crashed! With bonus points being able to change up to an hour after the full-time whistle, and with the situation being so close between so many teams, we will have to wait until the middle of the night to find out the final league table.
Just when you think the drama has ended, it increases in intensity. Only FPL can do this, and the League of Gentlemen does it better than anyone.
Monday Morning.
The results are in. The bonus points are added. The League of Gentlemen table has been updated for the final time this season. We know The King has reclaimed his throne. We can tell you now that two men entered the Hundred Club and ten teams changed position, all in crucial areas of the competition. Let's find out what happened together as, for the final time this season, we see how fortunes changed and stories concluded for the Gentlemen on the Final Day.
The League of Gentlemen:
Weekly Round-Up
The Also-Rans
Weekly Round-Up
The Also-Rans
After reaching the heights of second in the league in Gameweek Four, it has been a season of constant decline for Mad Mikey, as he plummeted to the foot of the table as a result of his insane multiple transfers each week policy. After curbing his market manoeuvers in recent weeks, Gameweek 37 saw Suicide Squad climb off the bottom. The question on the Final Day was whether they could stay off the bottom and condemn Metal Marc to the wooden spoon. With the fourth-highest score of the gameweek, Mad Mikey blew Metal Marc away, completing his mission to avoid finishing dead-last in sensational fashion. The only disappointment for Mad Mikey was in not captaining Aubameyang or de Bruyne; though Bruno performed admirably, had either of the other two had the armband, the Suicide Squad would have overtaken Tits-Up Thompson as well! What a final few weeks from Mad Mikey, who deserves a lot of credit for sticking with the game, changing his strategy and fighting to the last.
Ahead of them, Wooden Spoon Helling will need a new nickname next season after finishing fourth-bottom, with the final place in the Also-Rans being taken by Jie who, despite an excellent 82-point gameweek, was unable to overhaul the team in sixteenth.
Ahead of them, Wooden Spoon Helling will need a new nickname next season after finishing fourth-bottom, with the final place in the Also-Rans being taken by Jie who, despite an excellent 82-point gameweek, was unable to overhaul the team in sixteenth.
Lower Mid-Table
With a 31-point gap to make up to Ginger Ben, the sixteenth spot looked destined to be Iceman Newton's at the start of play, but he wasn't going down without a fight. Delivering his strongest gameweek since Gameweek 26, the Iceman secured ten returns for a total score of 76 points, 38 of which came from captain de Bruyne. His hopes improved when six of Ginger Ben's team scored one point or less. Sadly for the Iceman, Cuthben87 also secured ten returns, with bonus points taking their final score to 76 points, equalling Madelaine Milan and condemning the Iceman to sixteenth. Despite the Tiptoppers bringing in just six returns, the 55 points Slick Rick scored ensured Ginger Ben ended the season in fifteenth. That was all Slick Rick had to write home about, however, as his score was the second-lowest in the bottom half and dropped him out of contention in the race for twelfth spot, the lowest position to guarantee qualification to the Gentlemen's Classic.
Instead, it was Who Horner and The Ox who did battle to secure the final qualification slot in the inaugural Gentlemen's Classic. The Ox lay down the marker with a massive 83-pointer, secured through nine returns and his Bench Boost. The pressure was on for Who Horner, who also had a Bench Boost to play. The White Warriors needed a score of 77 points to take twelfth spot on the Final Day, a total they achieved in some style. Fourteen returns were secured as Who Horner obliterated his competition, ending the campaign with a score of 101 points and entry into the much-vaunted Hundred Club. Incredibly, his huge total was only the second-highest score of the gameweek, but it proved more than enough for Who Horner to achieve his goal. It saw him end the campaign 38 points behind the team in eleventh, which had long been a straight shoot-out between Private Parvesh and Flash. It was Flash that lost out, with his Free Hit gamble on a triple-Burnley defence being destroyed by his non-playing substitute, Connolly, and his captaincy of the one-point Salah over nineteen-point de Bruyne. Had he received the early team news from Jez Messing he could have pipped Private Parvesh, but the season ends in disappointment for Cows Arse Shovel despite seven returns and 62 points.
Instead, it was Who Horner and The Ox who did battle to secure the final qualification slot in the inaugural Gentlemen's Classic. The Ox lay down the marker with a massive 83-pointer, secured through nine returns and his Bench Boost. The pressure was on for Who Horner, who also had a Bench Boost to play. The White Warriors needed a score of 77 points to take twelfth spot on the Final Day, a total they achieved in some style. Fourteen returns were secured as Who Horner obliterated his competition, ending the campaign with a score of 101 points and entry into the much-vaunted Hundred Club. Incredibly, his huge total was only the second-highest score of the gameweek, but it proved more than enough for Who Horner to achieve his goal. It saw him end the campaign 38 points behind the team in eleventh, which had long been a straight shoot-out between Private Parvesh and Flash. It was Flash that lost out, with his Free Hit gamble on a triple-Burnley defence being destroyed by his non-playing substitute, Connolly, and his captaincy of the one-point Salah over nineteen-point de Bruyne. Had he received the early team news from Jez Messing he could have pipped Private Parvesh, but the season ends in disappointment for Cows Arse Shovel despite seven returns and 62 points.
The Chasing Pack
Despite beating Flash to tenth, that was as high as Private Parvesh could climb, with his underperformance in recent weeks leaving him too far away to catch the teams above him. Nine returns and a score of 74 was a decent total, but the Maestro from Mauritius will be looking for a much-improved performance next season. Above him, it was a straight fight for the final place in the Gentlemen’s Classic second seeds, with whichever of Big-Time Birkett and the Masterchef finished in eighth being rewarded with the easier draw next season. Big-Time Birkett started the Final Day with a seventeen-point advantage, but suffered from a true FPL Nightmare when he saw four players score one point or less. With his front three all failing to add a return and David Silva blanking, it fell to Walker, Bruno and captain Sterling to score as many points as possible. A return of 37 points between them gave Big-Time the second-lowest score in the entire division, a total of just 49 points. He needed the Masterchef to score 65 points or less to achieve the crucial eighth-place finish, and his hopes increased when he saw the Masterchef had taken a four-point hit in the transfer market, meaning he needed to score 70 points to become one of the second seeds. With new signing Sidibe scoring just one point and fellow new signing Saka not even playing, it looked like a walk in the park for Big-Time. Hugh G. Rection XI had other ideas, however. The third new signing, Jesus, set the tone, smashing home eight points. Saka’s automatic substitute, Lundstram, produced another seven – in a bizarre way, justifying the signing of Saka. Mahrez found another nine points, but disaster struck for Hugh G. Rection, with Tarkowski, Alexander-Arnold and Pope all scoring a solitary point. It left the Masterchef needing 42 points from four players – Bruno, Mount, Aubameyang and captain de Bruyne. First Bruno scored eleven points, then Mount banged in fourteen, repaying the Masterchef’s enduring faith in him. When Aubameyang scored 16 points, it left Hugh G. Rection needing just two points from de Bruyne to secure eighth position. King Kev, however, wasn’t settling for that, securing his manager a further 38 points and giving his team a net total of 103 points for the week, making the Masterchef only the second manager – after Ginger Ben – to achieve the Hundred Club this season without the use of a chip. An outstanding Final Day performance which ensures the Masterchef shall be one of the second seeds in next season’s Gentlemen’s Classic.
Above the Masterchef, a grudge match had developed over recent weeks, which lots of barbed comments and passive-aggressive messages being exchanged between All-Star Vogt and Lord Geord. All-Star declared before the Final Day that his only goal this season was to finish above Lord Geord, and he would take it by any means necessary. Starting the gameweek a point behind, All-Star needed his team to produce, and they went into a massive early lead with two goals and an assist from captain Aubameyang, a lead which briefly took them to third in the table. As the afternoon went on, however, the returns started to dry up. Kane secured a goal, as did Ings and Sterling, but Lord Geord had all three of those players and he had the armband on Raheem the Dream, meaning those returns for Boom Xhakalaka had a net effect of drawing the Lords closer to making up the early deficit. With five players failing to secure returns for Vogt, he ended the gameweek with a score of 73 points, enough to put him ahead of the Lord. However, with Sterling’s goal, one from Bruno, an assist from Martial and a goal and assist from de Bruyne, the Lord was closing in, but time was running out. As the full-time whistles started blowing, the Lord was still behind, by two points on the gameweek and by one point overall. He needed something special. He needed a miracle. He needed the FPL Gods to intervene, to help him end the season with a victory in the heated rivalry, to remind Arsene Whinger that, though he’s a good manager, the Lord is better. With just seconds remaining, his prayers were answered. Kevin de Bruyne, the FPL star of the season, stepped up and caressed the ball home, ensuring Last Gasp Lawes struck again, winning the personal duel and finishing the season four points ahead of All-Star Vogt. Heartbroken, Vogt swore he would not return next season, that he couldn’t take the stress of competition, he couldn’t swallow the bitter pill of defeat. Time will tell if he retires from the competition as a failure in his own eyes, or whether he comes back next year to take another crack at the championship. We all hope it’s the latter.
Above the Masterchef, a grudge match had developed over recent weeks, which lots of barbed comments and passive-aggressive messages being exchanged between All-Star Vogt and Lord Geord. All-Star declared before the Final Day that his only goal this season was to finish above Lord Geord, and he would take it by any means necessary. Starting the gameweek a point behind, All-Star needed his team to produce, and they went into a massive early lead with two goals and an assist from captain Aubameyang, a lead which briefly took them to third in the table. As the afternoon went on, however, the returns started to dry up. Kane secured a goal, as did Ings and Sterling, but Lord Geord had all three of those players and he had the armband on Raheem the Dream, meaning those returns for Boom Xhakalaka had a net effect of drawing the Lords closer to making up the early deficit. With five players failing to secure returns for Vogt, he ended the gameweek with a score of 73 points, enough to put him ahead of the Lord. However, with Sterling’s goal, one from Bruno, an assist from Martial and a goal and assist from de Bruyne, the Lord was closing in, but time was running out. As the full-time whistles started blowing, the Lord was still behind, by two points on the gameweek and by one point overall. He needed something special. He needed a miracle. He needed the FPL Gods to intervene, to help him end the season with a victory in the heated rivalry, to remind Arsene Whinger that, though he’s a good manager, the Lord is better. With just seconds remaining, his prayers were answered. Kevin de Bruyne, the FPL star of the season, stepped up and caressed the ball home, ensuring Last Gasp Lawes struck again, winning the personal duel and finishing the season four points ahead of All-Star Vogt. Heartbroken, Vogt swore he would not return next season, that he couldn’t take the stress of competition, he couldn’t swallow the bitter pill of defeat. Time will tell if he retires from the competition as a failure in his own eyes, or whether he comes back next year to take another crack at the championship. We all hope it’s the latter.
The Title Contenders
There was a three-way fight for the bronze medal on the Final Day, with Hitman Hodgson on the podium at the start of play and with a Triple Captain to deploy. Deadly Daz started in fifth, but had the benefit of a Bench Boost, while Jockin’ Jeeves had to go into the three-way dance without any enhancements. What Jeeves did have, however, was the early team news from Jez Messing, and he took a massive gamble as a result; with four minutes to go before the deadline, out went Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Jimenez; in came Kane, Son and van Dijk for an eight-point hit. Son proved as hit-and-miss as ever, producing no returns. However, the eighteen points secured from van Dijk and Kane meant the transfers had a net result of plus-eight points for the Juggernauts. Every few points gained could make the difference in the battle for bronze, and when captain de Bruyne brought in 38 points for Deadly Daz, those eight points proved vital. The Hitman ended a strong debut campaign on a whimper, the Triple Captaincy of David Silva producing just nine points, while the in-form Antonio, the man whose four goals against Norwich put the Hitman in the driving seat, produced no points at all. With only four goals and an assist from his entire team, the Hitman was unable to mount a successful challenge, fading away meekly to a final position of fifth; an excellent debut season in the League of Gentlemen, but one that leaves a bitter taste due to the final day. That left Deadly Daz and Jockin’ Jeeves in a straight fight for the bronze, and it was the nine points of new signing van Dijk that proved decisive, the hand of Jez Messing’s early team news lifting the Juggernauts to the podium. Deadly Daz, with no such advantages, ended the campaign in fourth, meaning he is one of the top seeds in the Gentlemen’s Classic next season. A truly exceptional first full season for Deadly Daz, who came a whisker away from both the Gentlemen’s Trophy final and a podium finish. It is the strongest debut season by any manager in League of Gentlemen history, and one he should feel very proud of. With the experienced gained from this season, the Dazzlers promise to be a real threat next time out. Most importantly of all, he finished ahead of older brother Lord Geord, ensuring he has all the bragging rights. In FPL, the bragging rights are the most important trophy of all.
As we already know, the silver medal went to the Butcher, Big Steve. A devastating end to the most memorable title charge that FPL has ever seen, one where he led from Gameweek Four and showed no signs of being caught, to having his title charge halted by a global pandemic and seeing his momentum ebb away each week upon the restart, the Final Day proved just one gameweek too much for the Butcher. His signings of David Silva and Pieters failed to pay off; despite a Pieters assist and the captaincy on David Silva, they produced just nine points combined, the same total achieved by van Dijk alone. Had the Butcher signed van Dijk and Mount, and given the armband to de Bruyne, he would have emerged triumphant, but it’s easy to say these things with hindsight. On another day, his double-Burnley defence pays off, and he receives the early news from Jez Messing and can transfer out the benched Salah and Alexander-Arnold instead of Wan-Bissaka and Saint-Maximin. What must not be lost in the agony of defeat is what a phenomenal season the Butcher has had. A final Overall Ranking of 16,446, the second-highest in League of Gentlemen history, is something to be so proud of. In any other year, he would have won the title at a canter, and he almost did this time out, too. While he has been pipped at the last by the greatest manager in League of Gentlemen history, Big Steve will forever be known as the League of Gentlemen’s Kevin Keegan, the man who came from nowhere to lead his team to the most exciting season in the competition’s history, becoming the man everyone wanted to see succeed and doing it with class and aplomb. It’s far easier to win a competition than it is to capture the hearts and imagination of your rivals. Big Steve may have lost in the title chase, but he has achieved something truly special, and we are all grateful to have been a part of it. Bravo, Big Steve. You may be the runner-up, but you are the People’s Champ.
As we already know, the silver medal went to the Butcher, Big Steve. A devastating end to the most memorable title charge that FPL has ever seen, one where he led from Gameweek Four and showed no signs of being caught, to having his title charge halted by a global pandemic and seeing his momentum ebb away each week upon the restart, the Final Day proved just one gameweek too much for the Butcher. His signings of David Silva and Pieters failed to pay off; despite a Pieters assist and the captaincy on David Silva, they produced just nine points combined, the same total achieved by van Dijk alone. Had the Butcher signed van Dijk and Mount, and given the armband to de Bruyne, he would have emerged triumphant, but it’s easy to say these things with hindsight. On another day, his double-Burnley defence pays off, and he receives the early news from Jez Messing and can transfer out the benched Salah and Alexander-Arnold instead of Wan-Bissaka and Saint-Maximin. What must not be lost in the agony of defeat is what a phenomenal season the Butcher has had. A final Overall Ranking of 16,446, the second-highest in League of Gentlemen history, is something to be so proud of. In any other year, he would have won the title at a canter, and he almost did this time out, too. While he has been pipped at the last by the greatest manager in League of Gentlemen history, Big Steve will forever be known as the League of Gentlemen’s Kevin Keegan, the man who came from nowhere to lead his team to the most exciting season in the competition’s history, becoming the man everyone wanted to see succeed and doing it with class and aplomb. It’s far easier to win a competition than it is to capture the hearts and imagination of your rivals. Big Steve may have lost in the title chase, but he has achieved something truly special, and we are all grateful to have been a part of it. Bravo, Big Steve. You may be the runner-up, but you are the People’s Champ.
The Man Who Is The King
All of which brings us to the actual champion. The first man to ever defend the League of Gentlemen. He may not be the People’s Champ, but he is the Champ Champ. He is Martin Bell, the man known to everyone as King Ding. This season, he has proven to everyone that not only is he worthy of that title, he deserves it. One hundred and nineteen points behind at one stage, the King knuckled down and got to work. He has his system, maligned by some, but one proven to bring success. To get back into the game, he went deeper into his system than ever, taking no hits at all throughout the season. When everyone around him panics at a bad gameweek and scrambles for a solution, the King backs his men to come good. Consistency is his differential, composure is his secret weapon. An unbelievable triumph was achieved with four Manager of the Month titles in the last six months, including winning the award for both months since the restart. He achieved the highest gameweek score of the season, an incredible 138 points in the first week back after the pandemic break, and it was that gameweek which set the tone for his triumph. He achieved it in sensational fashion, besting the Butcher with a 95-point gameweek secured through one clean sheet, four assists and seven goals, making his final margin of victory 27 points. That 146-point comeback will live long in the memory, and it will inspire every team in the division next season to keep on fighting, to be brave with their decisions and to have faith in their men. Only by doing so can you have any chance of catching the King. The winner of the Gentlemen’s Trophy, the winner of the League of Gentlemen for the second-successive year and the fourth time in total, and a final Overall Ranking of an obscenely good 7,046 (Seven Thousand and Forty-Six); the Man Who Is The King is Mr. Martin ‘King Ding’ Bell. It’s going to take something truly special to stop him winning it again next year.
That round-up concludes this year’s League of Gentlemen, with a stunning gameweek that saw two teams enter the Hundred Club, which saw scores settled and narratives concluded, which saw all of the top nine and two other teams achieve their personal best Overall Ranking, and which saw the conclusion of a truly special title race. Enjoy your summer, Gentlemen, for it shan’t be long until the festivities resume, until the rivalries reignite and the triumphs of this season give way to the torment of next season. The benchmark has been set. We all look forward to seeing if it can be surpassed. When it comes to picking your 2020-21 squad in a few short weeks, may all your signings be successes, may all your players get returns, and may the FPL Gods be in your favour as much as they have been for King Ding this year.
That round-up concludes this year’s League of Gentlemen, with a stunning gameweek that saw two teams enter the Hundred Club, which saw scores settled and narratives concluded, which saw all of the top nine and two other teams achieve their personal best Overall Ranking, and which saw the conclusion of a truly special title race. Enjoy your summer, Gentlemen, for it shan’t be long until the festivities resume, until the rivalries reignite and the triumphs of this season give way to the torment of next season. The benchmark has been set. We all look forward to seeing if it can be surpassed. When it comes to picking your 2020-21 squad in a few short weeks, may all your signings be successes, may all your players get returns, and may the FPL Gods be in your favour as much as they have been for King Ding this year.
The League of Gentlemen:
2019-20 Final League Table
2019-20 Final League Table
1st – Martin ‘King Ding’ Bell; 2370 points.
2nd – Big Steve ‘The Butcher' Allison; 2343 points.
3rd – Jamie ‘Jockin’ Jeeves’ Ayers; 2243 points.
4th – Darren ‘Deadly Daz’ Lawes; 2234 points.
5th – Ben ‘Hitman’ Hodgson; 2225 points.
6th – Andrew ‘Lord Geord’ Lawes; 2211 points.
7th – Simon ‘All-Star’ Vogt; 2207 points.
8th – Gavin ‘Masterchef’ Bridges; 2182 points.
9th – Adam ‘Big-Time’ Birkett; 2145 points.
10th – ‘Private’ Parvesh Geerish; 2109 points.
11th – Craig ‘Flash’ Whear; 2091 points.
12th – Laurence ‘Who’ Horner; 2053 points.
13th – Daniel ‘The Ox’ Oxley, 2029 points.
14th – ‘Slick’ Rick McLean; 2013 points.
15th – ‘Ginger’ Ben Cuthbertson; 2005 points.
16th – Dale ‘Iceman’ Newton; 1974 points.
17th – Jonathan ‘Jie’ Johnstone; 1929 points.
18th – Andrew ‘Wooden Spoon’ Helling; 1841 points.
19th – Aidan ‘Tits Up’ Thompson; 1697 points.
20th – ‘Mad’ Mikey Paterson; 1695 points.
21st – ‘Metal’ Marc Farquhar, 1654 points.
2nd – Big Steve ‘The Butcher' Allison; 2343 points.
3rd – Jamie ‘Jockin’ Jeeves’ Ayers; 2243 points.
4th – Darren ‘Deadly Daz’ Lawes; 2234 points.
5th – Ben ‘Hitman’ Hodgson; 2225 points.
6th – Andrew ‘Lord Geord’ Lawes; 2211 points.
7th – Simon ‘All-Star’ Vogt; 2207 points.
8th – Gavin ‘Masterchef’ Bridges; 2182 points.
9th – Adam ‘Big-Time’ Birkett; 2145 points.
10th – ‘Private’ Parvesh Geerish; 2109 points.
11th – Craig ‘Flash’ Whear; 2091 points.
12th – Laurence ‘Who’ Horner; 2053 points.
13th – Daniel ‘The Ox’ Oxley, 2029 points.
14th – ‘Slick’ Rick McLean; 2013 points.
15th – ‘Ginger’ Ben Cuthbertson; 2005 points.
16th – Dale ‘Iceman’ Newton; 1974 points.
17th – Jonathan ‘Jie’ Johnstone; 1929 points.
18th – Andrew ‘Wooden Spoon’ Helling; 1841 points.
19th – Aidan ‘Tits Up’ Thompson; 1697 points.
20th – ‘Mad’ Mikey Paterson; 1695 points.
21st – ‘Metal’ Marc Farquhar, 1654 points.
