Allen wins fantasy contest
Oswestry football fan Allen Edwards is celebrating today after scooping the big-money jackpot in the Shropshire Star's Premiership fantasy football competition
The 44-year-old, from Maesbury Marsh, topped the table in our season-long competition to win a top of the range flat screen high-definition TV, plus £500 cash.
His team, Chavtastic, fought off a challenge from second-placed Murray's Walkers, managed by Rob Woodcock, of Sultan Road in Shrewsbury, who wins £500.
The winner of the under 18s league was Jodie Smith, from Heron Drive in Shrewsbury, who receives PC World vouchers worth £200, with a further £100 in vouchers going to second placed Chris Davies, of Much Wenlock, who finished 10 points behind with Wenlock Warriors, and £50 vouchers to third placed Nadine Cossie, of Sutton Park, Shrewsbury.
Both Allen and Jodie are no strangers to success in the local fantasy football world - Allen finished third in our World Cup 2006 competition last summer, while Jodie was runner-up in the juniors section.
Allen, who works at the orthopaedic hospital in Gobowen, said: "It's been a great competition to take part in. I built my winning team around good defenders who were playing regularly, kept seven or eight transfers back for the last couple of weeks, and managed to have nine players on the pitch for the weekend's FA Cup Final."
The competition has been run in conjunction with Telford-based accountancy firm Phillips Limited. Director Neil Phillips said: "It seems to have been a great success. As well as competing for the big prizes, a lot of people set up their own mini-leagues."
Liverpool's goalkeeper Pepe Reina was the top performing shot-stopper in our competition, while Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo was top midfielder, and Chelsea's Didier Drogba was the highest scoring striker.
But it was Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, who was the league's most valuable player overall, netting 200 points despite missing the final few games through injury.
More than 2,300 Shropshire Star readers registered teams for the contest. We gave them an imaginary £50 million to spend on building their dream team, with the option of making up to 30 transfers over the course of the season.
The top 11 teams in the over 18s league all receive prizes - numbers three to 11 receive £100 each. That means cash for Gavin Cook, of Priorslee, Cliff Ball, of Ketley, Andrew Jennings, of Bicton Heath, Shaun Francis, of Trench, Louise McGowan, of Monkmoor, Jonathan McCrossan, of Highley, Jordan Hinchcliffe, of Welshpool, Alun Edwards, of Hadley, and Philip Cooper, from Ludlow.
THE FINAL STANDINGS IN TEAM MANAGEMENT CONTEST:
Over 18s League
Chavtastic
Murray's Walkers
Jule Loves Jewell
Broadway Cavaliers
Andy's Angels
Frantastic Score
Louise's Superstars
Bull 13 Taylor 0
Jordinho
Hadley Gunners
Under 18s League
Jodie's Bulldogz
Wenlock Warriors
The Bratz
Meole Brace
Matts Reds
Rhayader Rejects
N/A
Llanfair Town
TV's Superstars FC
Ben United
By Carl Jones
