Goodbye F.C.

Money pressures are a problem for any business and football is no exception. It may be a lease agreement for the ground, or not being able to afford the required improvements as leagues at all levels start to establish standards for facilities.

Some clubs cannot continue and every season sees a few clubs disappearing from their league table.

This season Salisbury City have gone from the Conference South, Ilfracombe have gone from the Western League Premier, and staying at level 10 of the pyramid, my original team Elmore Eagles have gone from the South West Peninsula League Premier Division. I did not win the lottery in time to start my dream of taking them all the way to the Premier League. They are no more, although the club was of sufficient size that I may have to head over that way and find out if they have any future plans. I presume that the second and third teams continue to participate in local leagues.

My pyramid base WAS (and I have not decided what to do about the loss of a team yet):

10: Elmore Eagles (resigned) - South West Peninsula League Premier Division
11: Exwick Villa - South West Peninsula League Division One East
12: Elmore Eagles 2nds - Devon & Exeter League Premier Division (Are they now the first team?)
13: Exwick Villa 2nds - Devon & Exeter League Division One
14: Dawlish United - Devon & Exeter League Division Two
15: Tedbury St Mary - Devon & Exeter League Division Three
16: Lord's XI - Devon & Exeter League Division Four
17: Starcross Generals - Devon & Exeter league Division Five
18: Exwick Village - Devon & Exeter League Division Six
19: Elmore Eagles 3rds - Devon & Exeter League Division Seven
20: Tedbury St Mary 2nds - Devon & Exeter League Division Eight

As I had two teams at level 10 because of the setup down here in the South West it might make things easier for this season but splitting my pyramid into two halves makes more sense.

Sidebar Right

Enthusiasm renewed for at least a day I have now updated the sidebar right.

All the links at the top go to the relevant sites and the pyramid is up to date for 25th October. It does not include any results from Sunday 26th. It is, of course, or rather should be, an ever changing list.

I will try and use my knowledge of HTML to get my selections in BOLD but I remember trying last year without any success. My technical ability (like my footballing ability) seems to diminish with age.

So from the top, how are my teams doing:

Arsenal: An average rather than poor start, and improvements need to be made.

Brentford: Mid table so perfectly acceptable for the first season at a higher level.

Yeovil: Flirting with relegation for the second season running. Money seems to be an issue.

Exeter: Have improved recently after starting the season very badly indeed.

Torquay: Started well but now sit outside the playoff places. Must hide any support for them.

Weston-super-Mare: Firmly in a relegation spot so I may drop them next season.

Bideford: In the bottom half of the table after threatening positive things last year.

Tiverton Town: Mid table position and this seems to be their level given the size of the town.

Buckland Athletic: One friend has now left this club but the other still plays. Nicely fourth placed.

Barnstaple Town: TOP OF THE LEAGUE - This must be my first visit to live football this season.


There you have it. My first assessment of the new season.

Summer Break

I forgot all about this blog during the summer. It must have been a good one.

Now that the clocks have gone back it is time to hide on the internet rather than getting out into the nice warm world of summer.

I have selected my teams for this season so now it is time to see how they are faring and bring this site up to date with my personal pyramid.

There are few changes as Brentford and Yeovil swapped places meaning I can keep them.

Tamworth unfortunately dropped out of the Football Conference into the Conference North which is not part of my pyramid so they have had to be replaced.

So here are my top ten:

1. Arsenal: Will always be my first choice
2. Brentford: Promoted last season
3. Yeovil: Relegated last season
4. Exeter: My new home town so maybe one day I will actually go and watch them *
5. Torquay: Relegated from the League last season and only an hour away **
6. Weston-super-Mare: No change
7. Bideford: No change
8. Tiverton Town: No change
9. Buckland Athletic: No change
10. Barnstaple: No change

* Many of my friends around here have advised me not to bother.
** May be less than an hour once the new road is built

Now to update the Pyramid List for 2014/15 ......