And the winner is....

So you're all dying to know right?  Well, before we get to that - I can honestly say that I'm relieved it's all  over.  I don't think I could have taken another day like last Sunday.  Despite some big talk that I was going to avoid all the results, of course I sat down and watched the Man U v Blackpool game.  I felt sick, nervous and it wasn't enjoyable in the slightest - particularly when they kept flashing the goals from the other games up on the screen.  Anyone who finds Survival Sunday exciting must be mad.

So, after the games had concluded and following a long debate with my Football Mentor (FM) we plucked up the courage to look at the scores. (When I say we, it's because I was too chicken to look so had to get FM to go into the website and look for me).  We came to the conclusion that (and with bonus points pending) A bit of skirt had probably done just enough to win.  I immediately trotted down do the Co-op and returned to the house with a bottle of bubbly.  I was breaking my drinking ban but figured after nine long months I could probably justify it. And my nerves were shot.  I needed something to calm me down.   The league tables took AGES to update and it wasn't confirmed until Monday morning, but there I was, against all the odds, in number 1 spot.  I still can't believe it.   I romped home (not really) 11 points ahead, and overall I placed 5,002nd in the world.  Not bad for my first season.

So in honour of the last blog in the Adventures of A bit of skirt series and in true reality fantasy football blog style, I thought I'd share with you some of the Best Bits.

In no particular order:

1) The first gameweek, when I had my laptop on and my team on screen as I was watching the game on TV.  I was so excited when I got a point and it magically updated the players' scores - from that moment on I was hooked.

2) "I did fine, and thank you for asking"  I'm still reminded of this text that I sent to my football mentor the weekend he ditched me to play football on a Saturday morning.  It was a big week - I was playing my second wildcard, and I was more than a little upset that he wasn't taking his commitment seriously.  Late on Sunday evening I received a text from him to ask how I went, and that was my response.  If he wasn't aware I was angry before, he was after that and he thinks it is hilarious to remind me on a regular basis of how outrageous I was (actually I think it's a perfectly fine and polite text in the circumstances but there you go - men for you).

3) While we're talking about men - I finally understand the attraction to footballers.  Amazing legs and bodies. There is not nearly enough shirt off action at the end of games and I think this should be made mandatory for every player going forward.  Except for Wayne Rooney.  And maybe just add in Jamie R, in the studio, for fun.

4)  Speaking of Jame R - I learnt my lesson in a big way when I searched the internet for images of his naked torso a few months back.  Let's just say not everyone is a fan of J and a site I inadvertently visited left an interestingly named URL on our web history.  I didn't realise that it was me who had done this, and wrongly accused poor husband of looking at dodgy sites.  Not my finest moment.  Husband obviously had the last laugh when he clicked on the webpage and saw who it was.

5) The 139 point gameweek.   One of my objectives achieved and possibly the greatest gameweek I'll ever have.  Immensely satisfying and enjoyable.

6) Speaking to my Football Mentor every week. Having recently moved to the Midlands (why?) we had really only spoken on special occasions.  Now he had the pleasure of speaking to me every week!  LOL..  In all seriousness our friendship has been firmly reestablished and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed educating me along the way - why I have retained such useless football trivia such as the 1997 game between Coventry and Tottenham I'll never really know..

7) The insight into football and what it means to fans - quite unbelievable and unique - not just a sport but an industry, way of life, culture defining.  It's been quite honestly a real eye opener and I'm very glad to have experienced some of it.

8) Discovering the Fantasy Football Scout website and realising that it wasn't just me who was completely addicted to this ridiculous game.

9) Seeing that people from all around the world have visited this blog.  It could be by complete accident (in fact highly likely) but regardless, hello Germany, United States, Israel, Croatia, Singapore and Ireland!  Any tips for next season?  And of course thanks to my two followers and five regular readers in the UK who have encouraged me (or ribbed me for ABBA references) along the way.

So, the big question?  Will A bit of skirt be back?  I'm definitely going to play again, but different leagues this time.  I'm wondering if I can better my score next season - so I have to give it a go.  I'm going to go solo too - and give my FM his Saturdays back.  

So what to do in the meantime?   I woke up this morning feeling like something was missing.  Thankfully, the Champions League final is on tonight and I've put a few bets on - just for fun, to tie me over until the season begins again.  

Eye of the tiger; and Eric Cantona

It is with breathless excitement that I bring you news of great progress in the quest for top spot in the office Fantasy Football league. Just three weeks ago I was swinging like a pendulum between 2nd and 3rd and was an alarming 70 points behind the leader. I thought the race for the title was pretty much over (a bit like Chelsea), but with fighting spirit, a few strong results and a bit of lady luck on my side (also like Chelsea) I'm back in the hunt and have clawed it back to just one point behind the leader. Anything can happen now.

There are three game weeks to go and the thought of the final deciding week is already giving me heart palpitations. My Football Mentor (FM), recently sacked for lack of commitment and later re-hired in a rare moment of compassion, thinks I'm in an ideal position. "There's less time for people to catch you" he says. I'm not so sure. I don't think it's enough time to build a decent lead and hence my point above, it's going to come down to the final week. Thump thump goes my heart. I'm going to have to close my eyes.

So what's the strategy? Attack and take risks like I've been doing or defend the position? The former of course, although I don't like it one bit. I'm fairly risk adverse, but you never get anywhere by playing it safe. "Part of me wants you to come second" goaded my FM, "Just so you'll enter again next season." A cruel thing to say but he knows me too well. I don't like losing. Especially when I'm this close to winning.

So what's all this got to do with Eric Cantona? Nothing really, except that we (i.e. my husband) spotted him while on walkabout in Seville. We had to go past twice, as I didn't see him the first time, and even when I saw him the second time I didn't recognise him. He is well before my footballing time but I appreciated the famousness (as did my husband who told me that he used to play for Liverpool) and he looked nice enough in a blue shirt.

He was obviously in no hurry to watch the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Barca which surprised me. I watched the second half, purely for the cards / dives / Mourinho facial expressions and arm movement pleasure. I was not disappointed, and to add to all the controversy there was a highlight: the Spanish commentators' goal celebration "Goooooooooooooooaaaaal". And that is the short version. I didn't think that it actually happened. They must practice earnestly as it lasts a really, really long time. I'd like to hear one of our English commentators do one, just for a laugh.

I digress. The ridiculous game (was-it-over-the-line?) and ridiculous season hurtles on. A little look ahead at the fixtures tells me that all the games in the final weekend get played on Sunday 22 May at 4pm. This must be normal (is it?) but seems exceptionally harsh on the fans (and fantasy managers alike). As if the rest of the season hasn't been nail biting enough, let's throw in all ten games at once for a bit of added excitement. This season in particular, it could be that the 90 minutes on that Sunday afternoon will decide whether your team stays in the Premier League. Prepare yourself for images of desolate shirtless men; sobbing small children; players sprawled across the pitch with heads in hands; and further abuse of water bottles.

If A bit of skirt was a horse, I wouldn't be favourite to win (it's my first race after all), but I'll make the distance and am definitely in with a chance. If I had to place a bet I'd go each way and keep my fingers firmly crossed. Wish me luck!