CHRIS Smalling did his best to rain on the parade but in the end Young Boys of Vauxhall cruised to their second Kenna League title.
A red card for the defender was a rare blot on an otherwise excellent season for the Welshman’s side, which saw him join Young Boys Riyad Mahrez, Romelu Lukaku and Nacho Monreal in breaking individual scores of 150 points.
Lukaku broke 200 points some weeks ago before taking an early summer, which left the door ajar for Walthamstow Reds.
A Midlands Miracle was unforthcoming, and the Wulfrunian manager contrived to lose out on the title while beating a strong spring showing from the Bala Rinas side of the treasurer – MOTM in March and April.
Or should we say the Bala Rinas of the treasurer’s auction second? With no transfers made at either window, the decisions made on that warm August afternoon on the balcony of the Hoop & Grapes, including the insubordinate signature of David De Gea, made the difference.
At the helm of his own club, the treasurer’s second promises to be a formidable foe next season.
Another one to watch carefully is the defending Euros champion and manager of Dynamo Charlton, who ploughed their usual furrow of consistency to claim fourth. The manager’s preference for keeping a low profile and a longer-term strategy bore fruit.
Seven of his August signatures broke 100 points, and his dependable and unglamorous recruitment policy saw only £15m spent on six of those, leaving enough in the bank to cherry pick Anthony Martial at the October window.
Pikey Scum won their second cup, but lost out on fifth place on goals scored in the last week to the mercurial rise of Just Put Carles.
Sitting 15th in January, Harry Kane’s 234 points, more than 150 each from Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas, and tons from Alberto Moreno and Patrick van Aanholt saw the red and yellow Senyera flying higher in the Kenna than it was in the Vicente Calderon.
On the subject of flags, the Jolly Roger of the league’s Somali representative is planted above the relegation zone for the first time in three seasons.
An all-too-common diary mix up in August saw the Islington Sports Islam & Leisure manager make seven changes to his automatically-generated side at the October window.
A rare administrative error at Kenna HQ saw ISIL field the wrong goalkeeper until January, when Heurelho Gomes was rightfully restored. The backlog of points saw ISIL jump seven places in the league. A further six transfers in February had the club in a familiar tailspin for the rest of the campaign.
Hairy Fadjeetas, Headless Chickens and Uncertain failed to capitalise on such incompetence. Their absolute lack of transfer activity in February hints at situations too dismal to contemplate.
In particular Headless Chickens, whose manager saw fit to field Sergio Ramos for the duration of the season.
An honourable mentions goes to the Wandsworth Network Solutions manager, who scooped three MOTMs in a row over winter with Ayoze Perez up front.
Prize money
Young Boys – Champions (£150), October MOTM (£12.50) = £162.50
Pikey Scum – Narcozep Cup winners (£75) = £75
Bala Rinas – third place (£25), September, March and April MOTMs (£37.50) = £62.50
Walthamstow Reds – runners up (£50) = £50
Wandsworth Network Solutions – December, January and February MOTMs (£37.50)
Dynamo Charlton – Wenger Trophy (£12.50), August MOTM (£12.50) = £25
Just Put Carles – May MOTM (£12.50) = £12.50
Judean Peoples’ Front – November MOTM (£12.50) = £12.50
Final Kenna table and form guide – 2015/16
Full scores available from The Rub.
Weekly scores
