Promotion War

by Paul Price, Chief Football Reporter, SPFA.

In the Neville Southall championship you have to think of spfa new boys FC Hotspur as favourites for the title. They will be looking for prolific striker Alvaro Vargas to fire them into the premiership at their first attempt. As well as Vargas, manager Shane Darby has also spent £135,000 on Sam Vokes to make a rather explosive strike force. Along with FC Hotspur - transferring from eefa to the spfa - comes another three sides. One of those is Watts Wanderers who will also be considered as title contenders. Last seasons playoff final losers Enugu Rangers will be hoping to go one better this campaign although as of yet they haven't made any new signings of any note. With plenty of transfer activity, Harold Hill fc were the busiest spending just short of £400,000 on seven players. The highest fee paid was the £500,000 Hasar Utd spent on striker Mohsen Mosalman.

Many think the Ivan Zamorano championship will be a no contest with Zahid's Samba FC being made 2/1 odds on favourites to take the crown. Some bookies are offering as little as 5/1 for them to go all season without losing a league game. Looking beyond Samba FC is Matt Coggins' Gooners fc. After relegation on the final day of last season, Matt will be hoping he can bounce straight back up and has signalled his intent by spending the bulk of his budget on midfield playmaker Adel Taarabt. England are the ones to watch in this season. Back from a long absence due to problems at home, Matt Payne has bought no fewer than nine reinforcements spending a cool £1.6m. His 'all English' policy has made him a favourite with the neutrals therefore regularly packing out his current 13,200 seater stadium. Work is currently undergoing at Wembley to increase the capacity to 17,680. Another active team in the transfer market was Hornstulls Eagles who made a total of eleven new signings. A total of £6.28m was spent on transfers in pre season by Zamorano championship clubs!

Last but definitely not least is the John McDermott championship. This is by far the hardest league to predict. Looking at the title you could back any from F.C Phoenix, Py United, Aye Ready FC, Enterprise and I could carry on through the whole list. It would take a fool to bet against even Yaktopian Yaks and Rangers88. One of three big signings during pre season includes Aye Ready FC. Unwilling to risk a possible wage auction Steven Scott decided to make an offer that couldn't be refused, signing creative striker Aaron for £1m. Chris Schofield went a little bit younger in signing Daniel Cornejo also for £1m from the youth academy that is Real B.O.C.A. In a bid to cure his sides rather leaky defence, Rangers88 manager David Cooper signed experienced French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for £1.2m.

It's going to be exciting at the top this season in the championships and I just want to wish all sides good luck in their bid for reaching the promised land!