The Quest For Season 10 Promotion

by Paul Price

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As ever in the SPFA Championships, there is a lot of quality and competition for promotion is always high. The Neville Southall Championship sees Greenwich FC as the side many believe will gain promotion this season. After narrowly missing out in last seasons playoff final, they will be looking to go one better this term and get themselves into the big time for the first time. Although not making any changes whatsoever during the off season, keeping prolific striker Darren Bent is a good deal in itself. Despite wanting to leave for the Premiership, manager Chris Bishop has convinced him to stay, insisting that they have a great chance of getting there themselves this year.Next up is Huyton FC. Another side who lost in last seasons playoffs hoping for that little bit extra this season. Manager 'Old Griswold' has improved his attacking options by signing winger come forward Issia Dia from fellow SPFA team Mutt Ring Racers. The fee being £1.1mAnother side expected to do well is F.C. United of Elliot. This being their first season in the SPFA - transferring from the now collapsed NFA - they have decided to spend big in their quest for glory. After signing free agent goalkeeper Mariusz Piotrowski for £184,000, they then broke the bank to sign centre back Bastian Da Costa for a fee thought to be in the region of £3.5m.It would however, take a fool to bet against recently relegated sides Flexford FC and Turnbullham Hotspurs after both sides dipped into the transfer market over the last week. The most notable signing being versatile Tomas Costa, joining Flexford for £220,000.

The Ivan Zamorano Championship is a little less difficult to predict, with Gooners FC the clear runaway favourites. Despite already having an excellent side capable of a promotion charge, they have recently signed strong striker Marcos Silva for a rather cheap £250,000. Mixing pace with strength, their partnership of Silva and James Vaughan is likely to be a deadly one.Not too far behind Gooners is Anfield Rovers. After getting relegated last season manager Jac Wileman will be hoping his side can bounce straight back up, although worries of money troubles have lead them to bringing in only one player, winger Matthieu Camara. Wileman will also be disappointed with losing young striker Papi Sibeko in the wage auctions, although fans believe they can mount a title challenge despite having a possible weak link in 40 year old goalkeeper Federico Villar.Other contenders in this Championship are Hornstulls Eagles, XTRA_TIME and the side that always seem to be there or thereabouts China Red F.C.

Finally the ever difficult John McDermott Championship, proving to be harder to predict by the season. You could back any team from around ten challengers, including the ever improving Yaktopian Yaks or the solid WGC Athletic.Among the strong favourites though, you have to look at another of SPFA newcomers Lilywhite Army FC. After a fairly successful season in the NFA, Lilywhite Army have decided against making any real changes, concentrating more on youth than signing senior players. After losing their last eight games and being confirmed as relegated on the final day of last season, FC Ballaghkeen will be wanting to put all that behind them as they bid for a quick return. Manger Michael O'Connor has showed his intent with the £2m signing of excellent striker Ranchid El Akchaoui, coupled with two wingers in Kim Heung-Keun and Antonello Rizzo who joined for just over £300,000 combined.Thought to be up around the top once again come the end of the season is Adam Pycroft's Py United. After spending just over £1m on seven new signings they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Championship. The two most notable signings were wingers Christian Ruiz Diaz and Reimond Manco who join United for around £250,000 each.Other contenders here are Wessex Wyverns, Surreal Rangers and Psycho All-Stars.