Season Preview
Season '95
The ninety-fifth season of football on the Isle is here! How will it pan out? This is what we think here at TAX Magazine, your favourite journal for tax matters, banking, insurance, tax, investment, tax, pensions, tax and football. And tax.
Title Contenders: Deltic FC, Taxhavn City, Orchideeën
IFCF Challengers: Septentriennes, HPV Waallen, FC Städeli, Standard Lily
Best Of The Rest: Tijhuis Archimedes, Raven Thöni, Benson Foxes
Midtablemanships: Old Shakerssen, Sturm Havn, De Tike FC
Look Out, Fellas: Axis Driessche, VF Romainring, Motor Waallen
Three Outta Four: Schwänenclub, 1860 Delénacht, St. Bernadine Academical, FZK-Amstell
The Contenders
The inclusion of Taxhavn City and Orchideeën amongst the favourites for the title might really be viewed as a cunning attempt to make the SteuerLig appear more competitive than it is. This season, Deltic FC will win the title. That is my opinion. It's a surer bet than RCU being chapions of the Eternal Empire - ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. But it seems an international World Cup champion (and IAC-winning team) are surely too good to play in a moderate domestic league as a club team. The question is more a case of can anyone get anything from them, can anyone get close. Or perhaps more pertinently, how long will it take others to catch up and which teams might do it? That's where new 'superclub' Taxhavn City and reigning SteuerLig champions Orchideeën come in - they are probably the best equipped in the division to at least make a show of it. Possibly throw in Septentriennes for good measure, now they have figured out how to get Georg Bardo on the ball in the box. But those three are surely only dressing up to be the bridesmaids this season, and not the bride.
Favourite for the title: Deltic FC
The Challengers
Perhaps Standard Lily would've got close too. Pound for pound they would be my best bet outside of Deltic FC and Taxhavn City, if they hadn't messed up their paperwork and found themselves too heavy on foreign players with the long-publicised Shop Local rules. Now a six point deduction will do for them as it did for Archimedes a couple of seasons ago when they would've won the title but for a famous tapping up incident. Speaking of Archimedes - and FC Städeli, and Raven Thöni - here are three giants of the league that are really going to struggle to make an impact this season. For Archimedes it is the loss of the Vilitans and a general failure to anticipate a necessary rebuild, and for Raven it is, by the look of it, a rebuild that has not worked - plus their own three point deduction. Hardest hit by Shop Local rules and having really overseen sweeping changes of the squad in the off-season, Bradley Kemerer-Lascelles' FC Städeli are going to be in an unaccustomed position of being a long way off the hotspots, most likely. They'll be back of course, if they can keep hold of BKL through this tough moment, but for now, pain and misery awaits. Finally we could expect another strong season from Johan Messerschmidt's HPV Waallen as they push to get themselves amongst the interregional qualification spaces - it may just be a question of whether someone with more resources can tempt the hottest property in coaching to do a job for a bigger club.
The Rest
Last season we predicted all three promoted sides might keep themselves up in the division and we were two-thirds right, with surprise package Fortuna Städeli failing to spring enough surprises to give themselves a second season at the top table. This time around, we are once again predicting that Motor Waallen, Axis Driessche and Schwänenclub could make it a triple survival season, likely at the expense of 1860 Delénacht, St. Bernadine Academical and - for sure - FZK-Amstell. The once great works team are all out of ideas and resources are thin, while both the Browns and the Scholars appear to be on paths of gradual decline which could prove too much this season to retain their places in the league.
Favourites for relegation: FZK-Amstell
The Squad Summaries
Star player highlighted
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The Nurserymen
Always hark back to better times and their singular nine-in-a-row title achievement
Home Ground: Plantation Field, Maartenstadt (capacity 64,800), groundshare with Tulip Maartenstadt
Last five seasons: 5th | 4th | 5th | 9th| 1st
Head Coach: Madars Kielman, 59 (PIS)
First XI:
Reino Kononen, 33 (VIL)
Jurrijn op Sonnebeld, 22
V.W. Kamperman, 24
Aslak Hrafninnsson, 29 (PIS) [C]
Sal Grazioli, 22 (OSS)
Ko Horsman, 24
Tunde Spada, 22 (Zenega)
Ramun Kunz, 30
Caspar Kinderman, 22 (PIS)
Jeroen Blenkers, 27
Harrie Arendsen, 37
Major Signings: Jurrijn op Sonnebeld (free)
Major Departures: Antoine van der Speeten (free)
For the Nurserymen it was a quiet off-season, one in which they lost a single starting player and successfully replaced him with another who ought to prove more than adequate cover. Unaffected by Shop Local rules there was no urgent rush to change at Plantation Field, however some will suggest that treading water will not provide a reliable assurance of a good title defence, especially with the arrival of two clubs who look on paper far better equipped than Orchideeën for the season ahead. Another title challenge will be a big ask of Madars Kielman this time around. Gotta love the new 'Patchwear' kit though.
Betting: 153.6 / 3rd
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The Frigates
Emerging as a dominant team in the modern era, but now with added rivals
Home Ground: Städeli Arena, Städeli (capacity 52,775), groundshare with Stadler Works
Last five seasons: 3rd | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 2nd
Head Coach: Bradley Kemerer-Lascelles (BKL), 59 (QUE)
First XI:
Florijs van Aysma, 26
Ramon Solari, 25 (Dual QUE-FFD)
Simone Imbach, 30
Hibiskus Andersson, 27 (PUG)
Töbe Aerle, 23
Ado van Sambix, 22
Arrigo Napoleoni, 22
Saba Mehmedbašić, 24 (Jelah)
Jesse Akuchi, 22 (Zenega)
Zubi Zuberbühler, 28 [C]
Christiaan van der Riet, 28
Major Signings: Christiaan van der Riet (₸x12m), Florijs van Aysma (₸x9m), Ado van Sambix (₸x2m), Saba Mehmedbašić (Jelah) (₸x8m)
Major Departures: Burus Tasher (₸x30m), Ivan Klank (XAN)(₸x2m), Bogdan Merino (QUE-HUA) (₸x3m)
It has been a tough window for The Frigates, what with Shop Local regulations forcing them to offload their wonderkeeper - along with three other half-decent foreigners - and the incoming Deltic FC snapping up their best midfielder for an irresistible price. They've spent relentlessly to cover these losses but they have not been able to replace like for like, and coach BKL will see this coming season as a tough one: for the first time since he took control his team will likely find themselves in the chasing pack rather than a leadership position.
Betting: 143.1 / 6th
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The Bankers
A one-time giant of the game finally emerging from a long sleep
Home Ground: Sept-Nat Stadion, St. Bernadine (capacity 48,000)
Last five seasons: 4th | 7th | 13th | 15th | 3rd
Head Coach: José María Chavarría, 38 (TER)
First XI:
Barnaby Flexney, 22
Jonas Spori, 23
Facundo Grosso, 25 (TER)
Carsten Könneker, 29 (GOH)
Martin Ebersold, 25 [C]
Rafael Dorer, 33
Daniel Polton, 33
Luis Glücki, 26
Gillis Würsten, 32
Georg Bardo, 31 (PUG)
Stefaan Beldman, 32
Major Signings: Luis Glücki (₸x8m), Gillis Würsten (₸x4m)
Major Departures: Uto Uhlmann (free)
Young Discoan coach José María Chavarría transformed the Bankers last season from embarrassing strugglers to 'up where they belong' - finishing third and inspired all the way by the magnificent Georg Bardo. Never short of resources to draw on, the team have made a couple of canny signings again to improve on a strong team that seems to be coming into it's own. They will be frustrated by the arrival of the two new big hitters who will jump the queue ahead of them for pole position in this years championship starting grid, and may struggle to keep up. But they will be entertaining, and they might just spring a surprise or two.
Betting: 148.9 / 4th
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The Owls
Desperate to remind everyone they are as big as anyone in Taxhavn
Home Ground: Oranjestadt Arena, Oranjestadt (capacity 71,000, largest in Taxhavn), groundshare with Achille Oranjestadt
Last five seasons: (Lig-2) 1st (promoted) | (Lig-1) 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 4th
Head Coach: Lyan Nussbaum, 48
First XI:
Morten Gallis, 25 (AUP)
Hans Cromwell, 23
Renni Boom, 30
Mart-jan Teunissen, 34 [C]
Lancelot van Beieren, 25
Adryaen Wijts, 24
Sami Samiii, 35 (VIL)
Reggy van Buiten, 27
Tai Cerotha, 28 (Delte)
Daryl Rivers, 27 (KRY)
Lambert Arsenault, 26
Major Signings: Head coach Lyan Nussbaum; Reggy van Buiten (free), Hendrik-Jan Haas (₸x8m)
Major Departures: HC Armando Voyer; Mikaela Äijälä & Riku Kasslin (VIL, released), Wim Menneken (free), Jvars Greber (₸x9.5m)
Are the Owls on the decline? The end of the Vilitan era, in which only pensioner Sami Samiii will feature this season from the catastrophically terminated former world champion nation, has been exacerbated by the loss of Krytenian forward Daryl Rivers up front with a season-curtailing injury. His strike partner and former World Cup winning Delt Tai Cerotha still seemingly has not attuned to the SteuerLig, disappointing in his previous post with St. Bernadine Athletic and failing to turn a corner on moving to the Oranjestadt Arena, where he has been highly underwhelming so far in yellow and grey. New unheralded head coach Lyan Nussbaum has also got some proving to do. It's going to be a long, long season up north.
Betting: 136.1 / 8th
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The Pollen Counters
The most successful club of the SteuerLig era
Home Ground: Havnstadion, Havn (capacity 36,600)
Last five seasons: 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 1st | 5th
Head Coach: Nelis Fijnewever, 44
First XI:
Thijs Nijen Twilhaar, 25
Antoine van der Speeten, 26
Vivian Livesey, 29
Purlie Stöckli, 23
Thies Strijdveen, 25
Laurent Lapix, 26 (RCN) [C]
Eindridi Bodensson, 20 (Bonesea)
Raul Kopp, 34
Michael Gaffigan, 35 (TKT)
Jvars Greber, 28
Vusur Rajovic, 32 (MYT)
Major Signings: Jvars Greber (₸x9.5m), Antoine van der Speeten (free), Eindridi Bodensson (Bonesea) (₸x11m)
Major Departures: Zhang Zhenxin (YZH) (free), Bastian Kracht (STL) (free)
Some big signings at the Havnstadion have put Standard right up there in terms of quality and in a good position potentially to compete with the best. In any other season you'd have to consider them favourites for the title. However, this is the season of Deltic FC and Taxhavn City's much-anticipated arrival in the league, and even worse, a six-point deduction for failing to meet 'Shop Local' rules has but the team in an invidious starting position. You cannot see them making up that much ground against the opposition they face, but another Challenger's Cup qualification will be well within their range if they live up to potential.
Betting: 138.9 / 7th
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The Triple-A
The superclub project - three teams merged into one, should be unstoppable
Home Ground: The Athletic Ground, St. Bernadine (capacity 62,000)
Last five seasons: -
Head Coach: Adam Ackeret, 46
First XI:
Wulsi Huchenson, 27
Florens Klein Stroek, 27
Hugh Radley, 29
Ruven Von Mühlenen, 31
Isaac de Wale, 21
Enor Perro, 26 (Delte) [C]
Aryaen Gallier, 23
Hatake Michio, 25 (Huaite)
Rik Dam, 29
Szilárd Forde, 20 (EFL)
Flotilla Gaudin, 20 (EFL)
Major Signings: Enor Perro (undisclosed), Hatake Michio (Huaite) (₸x19m), Wulsi Huchenson (₸x3.8m), Isaac de Wale (₸x7m)
Major Departures: Merewin Barker, Jurrijn op Sonnebeld, Reggy van Buiten, Danny Mastorqa (all free)
Having their pick of three teams' best players might sound unfair on everyone else, but then again, those three teams were hardly world beaters. Head coach Adam Ackeret might be one day though, and not satisfied with the players he was able to pick from Athletic, Amateur and cup-winners Accountants, he did some impressively major business in the transfer market. Enor Perro FFS. How did he keep the world class midfielder out of Deltic FC's clutches? The big problem will be getting all these players to gel quickly, but with a captain like Perro running the show, you've got as good a chance as any.
Betting: 166.8 / 2nd
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The Exiles
NS World Cup '95 Champions, now reformed as a club team in exile in Taxhavn
Home Ground: de Romainring, Romainring (capacity 18,000), groundshare with VF Romainring
Last five seasons: -
Head Coach: Mo Unden, 50 (Delte)
First XI:
Steed Tombes, 33 (River Republic)
Asa Awestorm, 25 (Delte)
Raggar Rothdaring, 26 (Delte)
Untto Squaker, 39 (Delte) [C]
Cheddar Rothdaring, 28 (Delte)
Burus Tasher, 23 (Delte)
Ardrake Steng, 33 (Delte)
Kal Rayler, 23 (Delte)
Danny Mastorqa, 29 (Delte)
Irki Mynster, 22 (Delte)
Tai Tunnyo, 24 (Delte)
Major Signings: Burus Tasher (₸x30m), Danny Mastorqa (free)
Major Departures: -
Pulling in a couple of loose superstars from FC Städeli and St. Bernadine Athletic to complement an array of World Cup winning kinsmen has only strengthened 'the Exiles' grip on the 'favourites' tag they hold coming into their first season as a club team. Missing out on beloved national team captain Enor Perro was a surprise and something of a blow as he signed for new rivals Taxhavn City, but all things considered, they should be feared across the league as the steamroller that is going to teach the island new levels of football technique. Is that overstating it? Probably. But you get the point.
Betting: 180.8 / 1st
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The Diggers, The Heavies
Newly promoted after many seasons away, have been building their way back patiently
Home Ground: Waallen Arena (capacity 22,000; groundshare with Motor Waallen)
Last five seasons: (Lig-2) 4th | 6th | 4th | 5th (promoted) | (Lig-1) 6th
Head Coach: Johan Messerschmidt, 40
First XI:
Victor van der Drop, 26
Ilhicamina, 23 (Tequilo)
Kadek Dwi Diatmika, 30 (UMS)
Saùl de Gordón, 34 (Tequilo)
Gerardus Crocius, 28
Alessandro Kislig, 36 [C]
Gaspar Dablijn, 28
Putu Jaya Kesuma, 30 (UMS)
Rolf Brecknock, 29
Harper de Keij, 32
Michiel Gal, 27
Major Signings: -
Major Departures: -
In coaching terms, Johan Messerschmidt might just be the hottest property in the SteuerLig right now, and he's worked miracles at HPV to take them into the upper reaches of the SteuerLig. Unlucky to just miss out on interregional football last season as a newly promoted team, they go again with more or less the same team and a staunch belief in the remarkable tactical innovations Messerschmidt employs, including 'the strafe' - whatever that is. No-one has quite figured it out yet, even BKL at FC Städeli who failed to beat them in two games last season. Watch for more innovations from the Heavies and another strong season this year.
Betting: 145.0 / 5th
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The Hightails
Had been a strong team in the second tier for a long time, but now at the top table for a change.
Home Ground: Bezirker Stadion, Thöni (capacity 33,000), groundshare with Raven Thöni
Last five seasons: (Lig-2) 5th | 3rd | 3rd (promoted) | 13th | 7th
Head Coach: Pirmin Wägeli, 50
First XI:
Brodier Baumer, 34
Barone Calderara, 25 (Tamarindia)
Lawrence Howard, 31
Valentine Stockton, 32
Mark Sherbourne, 26
Ozan Welch, 37 (TKT) [C]
Luijt Smit, 29
Jacob Gonson, 27
Norin Von Gunten, 32
Mikkel Bukt, 26 (PUG)
Aslan Broucker, 22
Major Signings: Head coach Pirmin Wägeli; Brodier Baumer (₸x2.8m), Luijt Smit (free)
Major Departures: Wulsi Huchenson (₸x3.8m)
The loss of Wulsi Hutchenson to Taxhavn City will hit the team hard this year and Brodier Baumer was a surprise and - to Hightails fans - disappointing replacement. On the positive side the recruitment of experienced head coach Pirmin Wägeli to replace Archimedes-bound Lyan Nussbaum is something of a coup and will adequately compensate. Mid-table beckons but like last season there could be a few decent surprises along the way. This is a well-run club consolidating comfortably in the top flight.
Betting: 120.7 / 10th
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The All-Blacks
One of the Big Three, coming through a complete rebuild with a young team
Home Ground: Bezirker Stadion, Thöni (capacity 33,000), groundshare with Benson Foxes
Last five seasons: 1st | 5th | 7th | 3rd | 8th
Head Coach: Jovin Strähl, 44
First XI:
Nino Hottiger, 21
Linard Greuter, 24
Jodie Niederhauser, 22
Dominic Eovaldi, 32 (TKT) [C]
Raphael Kaiser, 21
Dančo Saev, 21 (MYT)
Mart-jan Woker, 25
Matthew Warde, 23
Charles Wardeby, 25
Blaz Kovacec, 23 (MYT)
Valentin Fey, 26
Major Signings: Charles Wardeby (free)
Major Departures: Bruce Hoogewarf (BRO), Laurin Laurer (both free), Luis Glücki (₸x8m), Gillis Würsten (₸x4m)
This is a big season for coach Jovin Strähl, who's youth revolution at Raven Thöni is in danger of stalling. Fans are becoming restless with the constant deferring of success on the basis that this is a developing team. Four seasons since the last of three consecutive titles, and apparently little progress to show for it, time is running out for Strähl. There are some undoubted super talents in this team, but they are not coming together in the way fans would like and last season was a distinct decline. Starting with a three point deduction this time around is not going to help, and the coach is one of the leading contenders for the Sack Race.
Betting: 125.2 / 9th
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The Stoics
Mid-table mediocrity is something of an overachievement for the suburban dwellers
Home Ground: de Romainring, Romainring (capacity 18,000), groundshare with Deltic FC
Last five seasons: (Lig-2) 2nd | 2nd (promoted) | (Lig-1) 10th | 11th | 10th
Head Coach: Hubie Cramer, 53 (Delte)
First XI:
Abass Zerbo, 35 (Zenega)
Guillaume Seyrès, 27
Nard Wittendorp, 25
Alke Geseller, 24
Berend Giering, 29
Carter Turner, 31 (Bonesea)
Levian Sallenbach, 34 [C]
Otto Messner, 30
Herman Avelson, 33 (Delte)
Carloto Desmonceaux, 23 (GVN)
Hans Hengst, 18
Major Signings: Nard Wittendorp (free)
Major Departures: -
With the club suddenly changing hands during the off-season, the loss of Deltic striker Herman Avelson with a season-curtailing injury and little movement in the transfer window, things have been a little unsettled at de Romainring. They have new tenants moving in too, in the form of Deltic FC who will be hanging around for a few seasons and taking all the attention away in the very Deltish district where The Stoics draw their support from. All in all, it's been a difficult time for the club. They have surprised in the league since their promotion with a fighting spirit but this one could be a season of struggles.
Betting: 108.8 / 15th
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The Browns
The biggest club never to win anything, threatening to change all that
Home Ground: 1860-Ovaal, Delénacht (capacity 33,500)
Last five seasons: (Lig-2) 3rd (promoted) | (Lig-1) 15th | 15th | 6th | 13th
Head Coach: Roger Soldermann, 48
First XI:
Bartollt Meÿer, 28
Bertin Rouanet, 33
Laich Von Burgghusen, 30
Ton Masseus, 30
Yves Guariento, 21 (OSS)
Jurian van Enk, 31
Souaïbou Mukongo, 25 (Zenega)
Gene Häsler, 37 [C]
Valentijn van der Scheer, 27
Eduardo Mendoza, 33 (Tamarindia)
Filip–Alekso Stojkov, 21 (MYT)
Major Signings: Souaïbou Mukongo(Zenega), Jurian van Enk, Eduardo Mendoza (Tamarindia) (all free)
Major Departures: Valeriano Loustaunau (TSA) & Tonnies Hollen (both free)
A most unusual thing in Taxhavn - the coffers seem to be empty at the Browns, where coach Roger Soldermann has had to conduct business in the free transfer market to strengthen his team. After an impressive 6th placed finish a couple of seasons ago, 1860 spent lavishly to consolidate their rising position, but in fact have subsequently assumed there usual place in lower midtable. With the money all spent up there is a feeling the wheels are coming off slightly at the 1860-Ovaal, and an unwelcome trip to Lig-2 might be on the cards.
Betting: 98.8 / 18th
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The Scholars
The fourth A of the 'Triple-A' - just grateful to get a mention
Home Ground: University Lane, St. Bernadine (capacity 12,700)
Last five seasons: (Southern League) 1st (promoted) | (Lig-2) 4th (promoted) | (Lig-1) 12th | 10th | 14th
Head Coach: Anaïs Aescher, 50
First XI:
Berg Jon Reynaldsson, 26 (Bonesea)
Thomas Leverer, 31
Beath Von Mühlenen, 25
Gracien Lagarde, 21
Xylon Schranz, 34 [C]
Seb Ponsen, 33
Damiano Chronatos, 33 (Tamarindia)
Onun Tasher, 22 (Delte)
Rogelio Carreón, 20 (IPG)
Isak Eberhard, 29
AE Box, 18 (Bonesea)
Major Signings: Gracien Lagarde (free)
Major Departures: Jordan Launceleyn (free)
Here is a team that has punched well above its weight for several seasons now, thanks in large part to the efforts of wonderkid Onun Tasher in midfield. This could well be his last season with the Scholars as he looks to fulfil his potential at the top end of the table, where he really ought to be winning shiny medals to add to his World Cup winner gong from back in '95. Although there are some other exciting talents to be blooded this year - notably Bonesman AE Box and Panay hot prospect Regelio Carreón - Academical look less like butterflies floating or bees stinging right now, and more like a stone and whatever that does.
Betting: 93.8 / 19th
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The Cyclones
Recently promoted and quietly ambitious.
Home Ground: Jacquemeux (capacity 22,900)
Last five seasons: (Southern League) 3rd | 1st (promoted) | (Lig-2) 9th | 2nd (promoted) | (Lig-1) 15th
Head Coach: Allen Jarman, 51
First XI:
Ricky Tinningburst, 31 (Delte)
Odbert Young, 33
Leofing Rykeworth, 25
Bendicht Wehrli, 26
Avery Sprottle, 24
Sanno Müller, 27 [C]
Gregory Bushe, 27
Wim Menneken, 32
Lodin Gnashersson, 25 (Bonesea)
Issa Baya, 23 (Zenega)
Gawain Stevyn, 24
Major Signings: Wim Menneken & Bendicht Wehrli (both free)
Major Departures: Gerard Huchenson (undisclosed)
While promotion rivals HPV have made all the headlines about their return to the top flight last season and their elevated finish, one cannot help but admire quietly confident coach Allen Jarman and his charges at Jacquemeux. They went about their business with modest efficiency last term, easily securing a second season in the top flight and promising more of the same this time around. They have not gone crazy in the transfer market but have brought in a couple of very smart free agents, and they will look to press on from last season with the same lack of fanfare, just the way they like it.
Betting: 115.7 / 12th
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The Barrel-Rollers
Failing to live up to their reputation as the best works team of the modern era
Home Ground: FZK Stadion, Amsterlo (capacity 28,000)
Last five seasons: 8th | 8th | 11th | 16th | 16th
Head Coach: Magnus Rüfenacht, 45
First XI:
Lorin Hummel, 22
Raul Inäbnit, 26
Christian Perreten, 34 [C]
Jordan Launceleyn, 32
Tori Montagu, 24
B.A Luzmore, 32 (Wight)
Balthen van Santfoort, 25
Nicolaas Gileijnssen, 20
Alaert van den Broecke, 24
Alaert de Vleeschouwer, 24
Richard van Neste, 27
Major Signings: Lorin Hummel (₸x2.4m), Jordan Launceleyn, Tori Montagu & B.A Luzmore (Wight) (all free)
Major Departures: Tsujii, Amblix, & Hicarna (all MSD, released), Janneken Symonsen (₸x4.7m)
FZK's investment in Sea Domers is at an end with their three very decent players finally taking their leave after the coach who brought them in, Coordinator Satripy, having long since been dispatched. It's an end of an era and the once mighty works team look considerably out of their depth now despite bringing in crisis manager Magnus Rüfenacht and a pretty decent young keeper in Lorin Hummel. It will take quite a few surprises to keep this team in the division, they just aren't good enough. At least on paper, anyway.
Betting: 92.7 / 20th
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The Shakers, The Removers (and, The Removers & Shakers)
Everyone loves a quirky club, and Old Shakerssens are the very embodiment of eccentric
Home Ground: The Goods Yard, Havn (capacity 20,000), groundshare with Schwänenclub
Last five seasons: 12th | 9th | 16th | 12th | 17th
Head Coach: Nino Hämmerli, 46
First XI:
Dinko Kumicic, 22 (MYT)
Frederick Binder, 30
Machiel Foekers, 36
Junior Cavatta, 22 (OSS)
Larrecin Duval, 25
Lorin Müngers, 28
Ingvar McGill, 24 (Wight)
Sid Plundell, 34 (KOR) [C]
Christiaan Scholte Meijerink, 26
Tonnies Hollen, 22
Robert-Jan Vagevuur, 24
Major Signings: Tonnies Hollen (free)
Major Departures: -
Gradually recovering from the loss of some top players including superstar Zubi Zuberbühler to FC Städeli a couple of seasons ago, and under the steady hand of highly-rated coach Nino Hämmerli, the Shakers are enjoying a modest revival of fortunes and could well push for a top-half finish. In the background there is positive noise that exciting investment is on the way, and that this is no longer a 'selling team' - which will delight Shaker fans enjoying some impressive breakthrough talent like Dinko Kumicic, Junior Cavatta and Tonnies Hollen.
Betting: 116.6 / 11th
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The Clockwork Orange & Blues
One of the big Oranjestadt clubs, but up and down like, well, a yoyo, I suppose. There's no other word for it.
Home Ground: Tikestadion, Orping-Tike (capacity 41,000), groundshare with OSA-Fahrräder
Last five seasons: 11th | 16th (relegated) | (Lig-2) 2nd (promoted) | (Lig-1) 14th | 18th
Head Coach: Archie Ruggles-Pompey, 47 (Wight)
First XI:
Francisco Flores, 28 (TFS)
Reinout ten Cate, 23
Klaas-Jan Rechterschot, 28
Paschalis Klopp, 30
Reto Guggisberg, 31
Moses Vecchio, 24 (OSS) [C]
Janneken Symonsen, 25
Éric Tsukulu, 40 (ZGA)
Oliver Lontz, 22 (PIS)
Pouwels Davison, 23
Stijn Wolthuis, 22
Major Signings: Janneken Symonsen (₸x4.7m), Reinout ten Cate (₸x4.5m)
Major Departures: Luijt Smit (free)
Getting away with a relegation last season thanks to the merger of the three St. Bernadine clubs, the Clockwork Orange and Blues will not want to risk their luck again with another 18th-placed finish. To that end they have invested some cash in new personnel and are this season's big spenders in the bottom half of the table. Symonsen and ten Cate are good signings who ought to make a difference at the Tikestadion, so fans will be expecting a little bit of progress from Archie Ruggles-Pompey and his team.
Betting: 115.1 / 13th
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The Busmen
Bouncing back from adversity, maybe
Home Ground: Waallen Arena, Waallen (capacity 22,000), groundshare with HPV Waallen
Last five seasons: 7th | 13th | 18th (relegated) | (Lig-2) 6th | 1st (promoted)
Head Coach: Noah Wingeier, 46
First XI:
Hermannus Roe, 25
Ludolf Kilchherr, 32
Rayan Schiefer, 33
Frederico van Düringen, 32
Heinrick Claesen, 23
Edgar Myhre, 24 (Bonesea)
Manuel Corbelli, 26 (OSS)
Thurstan Jordan, 24
Bonaventure Richard, 37 (Mustardy) [C]
Martijn Hagedooren, 24
Evan Schürmann, 27
Major Signings: Frederico van Düringen & Thurstan Jordan (both free), Evan Schürmann (₸x2m)
Major Departures: Meus Bertanghen (free)
There's not a lot of top flight experience in this promoted team with plenty of change in the two years they've been away since relegation, but one constant is coach Noah Wingeier and he has built a reliable team that has all it's strings pulled by their ace in the pack, the Ossidiacquan Manuel Corbelli. The midfielder really came into his own last season and there aren't many pundits who have doubts that he can do it all again in Lig-1. In fact he's expected to potentially put in a star turn, and keep the Busmen up.
Betting: 103.9 / 16th
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The Shocktroopers, die Totalitaritsen
An unwelcome addition to the top flight, as the isle's premier hooligan club
Home Ground: Axis Arena (26,500) groundshare with BSSC Driessche
Last five seasons: (Lig-2) 7th | 10th | 10th | 7th | 2nd (promoted)
Head Coach: Nelo Holzer, 53
First XI:
Henric Ruiz, 25
Arpinho, 32 (Ipanema)
Claude de Clerck, 29
Vincent Aury, 34 (Mustardy)
Ageir Morrisburton, 22 (Delte)
Janneken Wolfswinckel, 30 [C]
Henry van Bloys, 25
Vitus Sutter, 31
Joist Gantar, 33
Aelius van de Wielen, 31
Henry Richardot, 24
Major Signings: Arpinho (Ipanema) & Vincent Aury (Mustardy) (both free), Henry van Bloys (₸x6m)
Major Departures: -
Some very good transfer dealings have secured Axis a strong spine for their first venture in the top flight for a generation, and in coach Nelo Holzer, they have a former SteuerLig-winning coach with a point to prove. Don't expect fireworks - at least, not on the pitch - but at least a competent showing from a decent team who should not experience too much anxiety about a straight return. Off the pitch however, in the stands, expect fireworks and whole lot more from the ultras of ill repute. They are not going to look very on-brand, most likely.
Betting: 115.0 / 14th
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The Swans
An aristocrat of the historical game - rich, out of date and ineffective
Home Ground: The Goods Yard Stadium (20,000) groundshare with Old Shakerssens
Last five seasons: (Lig-2) 10th | 7th | 12th | 10th | 6th (promoted)
Head Coach: Samuel Hodel, 37
First XI:
Stephanus Rodier, 33
Romain Heymans, 29
Mattias De Meulemeester, 28
Dorian Beyls, 26
Max De Saeger, 30 [C]
Leander Dhondt, 26
Maas Kwappert, 23
Nicaise Pinchon, 32
Merewin Barker, 25
Loris Eylenbosch, 28
Romain De Coster, 31
Major Signings: Merewin Barker (free)
Major Departures: -
It's nice to see this famous old club back in the top flight and it will make all the old-timers feel that warm glow of nostalgia - quite the opposite of what everyone thinks about Axis Driessche being in the league. Rising star coach Samuel Hodel has done himself proud getting this outfit into Lig-1 and he'll have to go some to keep them there. But if he has given himself half a chance (and he has) it's by signing top striker Merewin Barker, who, if he gets half the service he needs, will score goals for this team. They might just pull it off, you know.
Betting: 100.3 / 17th
