MEET THE MANAGERS 2010-11

JOFF WALKEY - Despite Joff having won the comp twice in the early days when entries were very low, recent times have been difficult for the former champion. Constant taunts about him not winning in the modern era of dream team are pushing Joff to win by all means possible and he has gone for a 5 teamed attack this season. To his credit, he usually has a team in the top 5 come the end and he is fresh from winning a mini World Cup dream team comp run by a much smaller organisation than this one here in Cornwall. So the signs are there, he could justify his favouritism.

NEIL "HOOPS" SLAUGHTER - The hippo as he is known by many, romped so far clear at the top last season he turned it into a procession. He had been knocking on "Champions door" a while before that and thoroughly deserved his win after plenty of stick was fired his way for having never won the title [ with his brother Lee outperforming him constantly ] Hoops is surely a big contender for back to back successes and defending champions have quite a good record of defending their crown.

RICKO BARKER - Has run the dream team for 9 years now but until 2 seasons ago, had never really threatened for the title despite some promising top 6 finishes. He won in 2008-9 with a 1-2 finish, had finished 2nd the season prior to that, and defended his title by finishing 2nd again for the 3rd season running last year under the title of  "The Stig". It never looks good to win your own competition, but all is fare in love and war here, there is no cheating and Ricko stands as good a chance as any of the main principles of winning again.

DENNIS MARK - It's incredible to think that Lancaster based Dennis was a total novice just 3 or 4 seasons ago, but he has developed into one of the most feared dream teamers around. He flopped in this comp during his first 2 seasons but finally got the hang of things with a top 3 finish last season. This was no fluke. He has been smashing other managers to bits in other competitions around the country amassing winnings of over a grand in the past couple of years. He is one of the big contenders without question.

MATTHEW MAY - Came into the contest last season with many cocky words towards other managers claiming to be the best and that he would destroy all before him, and it wasn't long before he was top of the table. Hoops covered his every move and they were neck and neck all season. It seemed Matt might have the edge when he won the New years leading manager prize...but 2010 was not to be so good for him. His title challenge fizzled out and he just limped home in 4th scrambling for the line ahead of a pack of teams. He did well and should be right there again.

LEE SLAUGHTER -  You could write a book on Par Butterfly and Moth collector Lee Slaughter. He grasped the title in his 2nd season back in 2004/5 and defended it brilliantly the following season. The one hit wonder Ben Harris stopped him grabbing a 3rd title in a row but without Ben in the field for 2007/8, Lee took an incredible 3rd title against a lot of strong opposition. He was instantly crowned king of dream teams, but has wilted slightly in the past 2 seasons as it seems he focuses too much on his kids and their teams rather than his own. Always a man to fear though.

SIMON HIGGINS - Roche man Simon made his debut in 2008/9 and won the New year prize and lots of cash for finishing in the top 3 by the end of that season. He looked at one point to have the title sewn up after leading by 60+ points with less than 10 weeks to go...but he ran out of gas. Things went bad for him last year before a late run saw him finish best of the rest outside the money. He loves Tottenham...and he'd love to win the dream team.

ROGER MAY - Dad of Matthew May came close to the money last season, only missing out when the final games of the season all went against him. It was an impressive debut and he is back to go slightly better this season...he hopes. Will be out to beat his other family members to.

DALEY TURNER - Famous for being the radio 1 St Austell Shaggy, he was involved in a real scrap with his missus at the end of last season as they battled each other for the highest position. Daley, who slipped down the table mid season, battled back to beat Georgi and finish in the top 8 in his debut season. That was good form, and with 2 teams this season, he looks to be going all out for the title. And we know what he'll get if he wins.......;)

HELEN SLAUGHTER - Married to last seasons winner Hoops. She normally makes a good impact and finishes high up in the table without winning anything. Whether she actually knows she's in the contest we don't know. Strong rumours suggest Hoops picks all her teams and would take the prize money without telling her if she was to win something.

RAY BARLOW - Along the lines of Dennis Mark, Ray has struggled to find his feet in the mans competition that is this one. However, in the past 2 seasons he has really made his presence felt and finally last season he broke into the money. The Newquay man can surely go on to better things from here and has 3 teams entered into this years contest.

DEREK SLAUGHTER - Once finished 2nd and 3rd behind son Lee a few years back and has struggled to make an impact since. Got back into the money last season though and that could be the sign of his revival. His sons have both won the title now and he would like to join them on the roll of honour list.

JESS/JAMES SLAUGHTER - Bratz of Helen and Hoops, they had an awful attempt last season and plunged to the lowly depths never to recover. The season before they made the top 7 so they can do well. Whether they can follow in daddy's footsteps and take the title, it remains to be seen.

ROBERT SLAUGHTER - Helped dad to win his 3rd title 3 years back but has plenty of growing up to do before he can start picking winning dream teams again. He has the right person to learn from, in 3 times champion dad Lee, but for now he will be happy with the £5 pocket money you would get for finishing in 15th place.

LISA SLAUGHTER - Quite whether she picks her own sides we don't know but husband Lee is always at her side to help just in case she ends up putting in some awful injury prone donkey. He's also there just in case she walks into any carpet shops and accidentally ends up on the floor rolling around after tripping over her baby. [ more will follow this season on that one ]

TONY ROBERTS - Outgunned his William Hill team mates last season but still didn't win a penny. It was a solid debut from the Tottenham Tosser and an improved effort would be expected this season. Problem is, the league has got even bigger so he will have to step up the pace to win.

GREG PLUMMER - Transfer master Greg has struggled in this comp for a couple of years now but for the first time, the King's Lynn newspaper reporter has gone for a double teamed attack to end his woes. He is the king of the transfer competitions, winning them with ease in and around his local area [ he has destroyed Ricko for the past 3 seasons ] but he hasn't got to grips with this BIG MONEY contest. A good season hopefully awaits Greg.

GEORGI GREEN - Lover of Daley Turner punched well above her weight in her debut season last year eventually finishing in 12th after seemingly looking good for a top 6 finish at the turn of the year. Her team faded badly as the days wound down but it was a good season for her and she beat many experts along the way. No reason why she cant be involved at the sharp end again.

MICHAEL SLAUGHTER - Dad Lee may not have passed on the winning dream team gene to his son Michael when he poked Lisa a few years back...especially when it comes to non transfer contests as big as this one. A dire finish of 41st last season cannot be looked at in any positive shape or form and where Michael goes from here is anybodies guess. Lee will have to guide him back to the fray very slowly.

SCOTT WALKEY - Son of former winner Joff Walkey has never made an impact in this comp...until an incredible performance last season saw him bolt up the table, beat his dad, and eventually nestle in the top 5. The odds predict he wont do that again this season but not many managers have finished in the top 5 in the modern dream team era of this huge comp.

JAMES TRIGGS - Has sensationally ditched fellow manager Scott Cook this season, to have a proper go himself, after an interesting comeback last year to finish in 13th. It's good form like that, that could spur him on to even better things but there are a lot more entries to contend with this season which is going to make it tough to repeat.

THE STIG - Ricko Barker was the Stig last season and famously beat all his own main teams and grabbed 2nd place overall. This season Ricko is NOT the Stig and we have a new manager who has requested to be the unknown one. That manager will not be identified until sometime during the second half of the season and wont have to be identified if they don't want to be, unless they win a prize. There could be hell up though when they do finally announce their identity.

LEIGH FARRAR - Bodmin Carpet fitter Leigh once came 7th of 30 during the 2008-9 dream team, but has had more bad seasons than good ones, including a wooden spoon performance last season. He needs to improve and has focused on picking 1 good team rather than his usual  2 hopeful sides this time around.

MICHELLE SHAW - William Hill worker Michelle's team couldn't make up it's mind where it wanted to be last season. It started off in terrible trouble, before a great mid season run saw her staring at a possible top 15 finish, before finally fading away miserably. She is back again when others would have given up [ remember Ben Harrison, Clive Harrison, Matty Barker, Chris Robins? ] and she will be looking at doing better this time around.

JAN HAWKEN - The manager of the St Austell William Hill shop for many years now, Jan has said she doesn't expect to win but she took an unexpected win last season for finishing in one of the random position prizes. She would love to beat her fellow William Hill counterparts and she's determined to do just that. Anything else will be a bonus for her.. she is also very well organised when it comes to paying her dream team entry money.

DEL FERGUSON - Liskeard man Del has had a torrid time of it over the years and gives it another shot at the big time. How much more pain he can take we just don't know. One of only 3 managers to take part in all 9 years of the contest [ along with Ricko and Joff Walkey ], Del has never even broken into the top 5. He came 6/6 in the opening year to win the wooden spoon and has come close again since. Del has lost out every season in his match bets against Joff Walkey and is finally hoping this will be the year he can show some guts and take some glory at 100/1 !

SCOTT COOK - The Hardy Carpets cutter has lost the services of last seasons joint manager James Triggs and managed to pick his side for this season in about 5 minutes flat. He's massive odds to win and is probably making up the numbers, but there's always the chance he can pick up some spot prizes along the way, or even pull off one of the monster shocks of the century.

NEW MANAGERS

GARY MAY - Brother of Roger May and that tells us he must know a little thing or two regarding that game where they kick a ball between 2 lots of goalposts. Favourite of the outsiders and expected to hold his own this season.

PETE HALEY and MIKE HALEY - Pete has put in 2 teams to show he is really up for it this season. Mike has gone for just the one and both have good football knowledge. It wouldn't be a surprise to see one of them in the money.

JAMES TURNER - Brother of Daley Turner and a man who knows how to organise things. He stands a good chance, and although he sells Ice Creams for a living, he'll be hoping to cream off some of the prize money into his wallet by June 2011.

MIKE TAYLOR - Quietly fancied to go well in his first season here and is fresh and raring to go now that he is back from fighting in Afghanistan. He was the first manager to pay up his £38 dream team entry fee...and that was even before he had selected his team. Just what you want really.

PHIL SYMONDS - A fellow Penwithickan like Ricko and supports Liverpool. He looks to have gone all in on Liverpool with his team selection this season which could be good or a complete disaster. Only time will tell for the debutant.

WAYNE EASTWOOD - Introduced into the league this season by Del Ferguson and he will be hoping to see off Del in his first year of competition. It will be a tough season though and a top half finish will be a good confidence booster for the future.

FRED GOLLEY and DARREN DAVIES - Fred is back after 4 years without an entry. He was last seen narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon in 2006 but doesn't care as long as Liverpool win the Premiership this season. His friend Darren has also put in a side and comes up with the classic name of Shaggers Sizzlers. Please note that Darren is listed in the dream team managers section as John but that is actually his dad's name. I've been informed it is Darren's team.

ASHLEY BURKE - The surname says it all, and former champion Joff Walkey has already told him to give up. But the St Austell Hardy Carpets receptionist may not be quite out of it as much as some people think. He may not have the best knowledge of the Premiership, but he looks to have picked a side worthy of having a good go, although there's probably more chance of man visiting the moon [ because it's never been done you know ] than Ashley taking the title.

ANDY PEARCE - These are dark times for Andy, a former wooden spoon winner. He last entered over 3 seasons ago but is back because he is desperate for cash. With rumours of bailiffs closing in on his possessions, he may have to turn to the bottle again if he cant make a profit this season.

PHIL COOMBES - If the bumble bee nobber can beat 58 other sides he will become an overnight sensation. But despite his many hours picking his team to the best of his ability, he is surely only competing to beat the likes of fellow employees and a few other ragz. If he wins the dream team, it would be a bigger shock than being hit by a bolt of lightning......across the back of the head.

CARPET REPS

CHRIS CHAMPION - Carpet underlay flogger and Tiverton based Chris will be hoping to outrun his fellow carpet managers and others to win his first title. Chris was so confident this season, he only initially picked 10 players until he decided an 11th man might be best. He plodded home in mid table last season after nearly grasping the coattails of the prize positions. With a name like his, he has to win it one day..surely?

NEIL EVANS - Somerset man Neil really fancies his chances of not only gunning down the other carpet reps, but also of taking big honours in the main competition. He feels 33/1 is a bit big and if he was to win, he would be the biggest priced winner ever.

DAVID WALDRON  - The Dawlish man will be flying the flag for Westex and is hoping Everton players can grab him plenty of points in his debut season.

RICHARD WEST - Plymouth man Richard will be looking to improve on a couple of poor showings. His team did pick up after a poor start last season but it was all too much too late, but he did win £15 for having the worst overall player in his side which was a bonus to him.

LEE THOMAS - The Welsh Dragon would love to take the title back to Wales with him but his recent form has been nothing short of poor. He knows it and he will try his level best to reach those top 15 prize slots this season. Lee won £120 in his debut season 3 years ago and so he definitely has the firepower to do well. His own comp in Wales is also going stronger than ever, with well over 40 teams this season.

NEIL SHEARMAN- Mr Tornado will be rolling all over his new shiny coloured rugs if he can take glory this season. A West Ham fan as well, he will be trying to outscore his fellow reps right from the start.

DARREN JACKSON - Lead vocalist in Devon band Silverback, Darren has cleverly brought in his football mad son Connor to work along side him as his assistant for the season in a move that could pay off for him. Based in Launceston, Darren seems like an interesting contender in his first season and will be singing like mad if he wins.

 IF I ACCIDENTALLY MISSED ANYONE THEN PLEASE CONTACT ME STRAIGHTAWAY AND I WILL MAKE SURE I ADD YOU TO THE LIST

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