After 38 gameweeks of wild predictions, brave captaincy punts, triple captain heartbreaks, and Pep Guardiola-induced meltdowns, Sam Cross has been crowned Fantasy Premier League Champion of the Hoddesdon Town FC 2024/25 competition, finishing a sensational season with an impressive 2,520 points.

In a nerve-jangling climax to what’s been a fiercely competitive campaign, Cross’ side Los Porro Hermanos edged out nearest rival Jon Dean’s “Vicario Speedwagon” by just 31 points, securing the coveted crown and the £55 first-place prize from the club’s £110 prize fund.

Cross, who had been in and around the top five for much of the campaign, surged ahead in the closing weeks, thanks to savvy differential picks, bold captaincies, and a well-timed Bench Boost that propelled him to glory. Holding his bottle both metaphorically and literally, he celebrated in style.

Speaking after clinching the title, Sam said:

“It’s been a rollercoaster of a season, but I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve been glued to injury updates, yellow flag news, and random press conferences more than I care to admit. It’s been great fun – and to win it? That’s the icing on the cake!”

Runner-Up Dean Does the Double!
While Sam takes home the league title, the man pushing him all the way, Jon Dean, deserves immense credit for a remarkable campaign of his own.

Dean’s team, Vicario Speedwagon, racked up a superb 2,489 points to finish in second place, earning a £22 runner-up prize — but that’s not all. Jon also claimed £22 glory in the FPL Cup competition, navigating knockout rounds with surgical precision and delivering consistent Gameweek scores when it mattered most.

“The Fantasy League has been a brilliant addition to our season,” Dean told the club’s media team. “It’s created loads of banter and engagement between people involved with the club. I had a blast and I am going to put the winnings back in to the club I love.”

Final Standings – Tight at the Top
With 40 managers involved, this season’s competition was the biggest and best yet. The final standings reveal just how closely contested it was among the frontrunners.

1st – Sam Cross (Los Porro Hermanos) – 2,520 points
2nd – Jon Dean (Vicario Speedwagon) – 2,489 points
3rd – Jack Riddle (Riddles11) – 2,423 points
4th – Lee Kelsey (Bob Hope) – 2,395 points
5th – Callum Bennison (sons of angerachy) – 2,383 points
6th – Daniel Varney (Living Saliba Loca) – 2,364 points
7th – Oli Hemingway (Shadmock Rovers) – 2,346 points
8th – Kameron Brown (Top XI) – 2,306 points

Interestingly, Scott McKenna’s “Snoop Udogie Dogg” scored the highest single Gameweek total of the final week with a blistering 75 points, but it was too little, too late to climb higher than 9th place.

Tactical Masterclass
Sam Cross’ path to glory wasn’t without its moments of drama. He played a textbook Fantasy season, using his chips to perfection and avoiding popular traps that tripped up many other managers. It’s this level of obsessive dedication that separates champions from the also-rans.

Cup Competition Recap
The Cup competition ran parallel to the league and culminated in a thrilling final between Jon Dean’s Vicario Speedwagon and Bring Me Sunshine, managed by Victoria Capone.

Dean edged the final thanks to a standout performance from his backline delivering clean sheets and bonus points to seal the victory. In the end, they were all square on points but Dean took the trophy on number of goals conceded. Capone, despite finishing 22nd overall in the league, had a sensational Cup run — knocking out higher-ranked teams round after round.

Club spokesperson Stuart Varney said:

“This season’s FPL league has been a brilliant way to bring supporters, players, and club members together. We had weekly updates, banter in the bar, and some real competition throughout the season. Congratulations to Sam, commiserations to Jon, and huge thanks to everyone who took part.”

Bigger and Better Next Season?
With the success of this season’s competition, plans are already in motion to make 2025/26 even more engaging.

As the curtain comes down on another Premier League season, all eyes may be on Liverpool's latest title or the summer transfer window. But in Hoddesdon, the real glory belongs to Sam Cross, the undisputed king of Fantasy Football. So here’s to the mind games, the transfers at 2am, the heartbreak of benched hauls, and the joy of green arrows. Fantasy Football isn’t just a game – it’s a way of life.

Congratulations again to our champion Sam Cross and long live Los Porro Hermanos!