Difference between revisions of "Apex League"

Revision as of 08:55, 31 May 2005

Introduction

The First Division of Bettia (or the Apex League as it is now known) is currently made up of 18 teams with each team playing each other twice, home and away. Three points are awarded fo a win, one for a draw and none for a defeat. The bottom two teams are automatically relegated to the 2nd Division, with the 16th-placed team playing the 3rd-placed team from the 2nd Division in a play-off played at a neutral venue to decide the final spot in the Apex League.

Apex League matches are broadcast in Bettia by the newly-formed Sonastra Sports Network, with international coverage provided by the Shmoo Network of Latao.

Current Teams (Season 1)

Akani Sands (formerly Endunn Town)

Nickname: Destroyers
First Kit: Silver shirts with navy trim, navy shorts, silver socks
Change Kit: Dark blue shirts with silver trim, silver shorts, navy socks
Stadium: Shubunkin Park, Akani Sands (capacity: 71000)
Previous Season: 3rd

Settling into their new stadium and sporting a new name after the city council decided to rename the coastal resort in honour of the President's dead goldfish, Akani Sands have been going from strength to strength after their promotion three years ago. They will be looking to improve on their impressive thrid-place finish, and with a crop of young talent working their way through the ranks, this could be their year.

Butetown Dragons

Nickname: Dragons
First Kit: Green shirts, red shorts, red socks
Change Kit: Red shirts, green shorts, green socks
Stadium: Alice Street, Butetown, Gabalfa (capacity: 41000)
Previous Season: 7th

This experienced team from the Arab quarter of Gabalfa have been stalwarts of the First Division for many years now, and there is no reason to believe that this should change. The only question mark would be the age of some of their key players, although the pacy international winger Jason Abdullah can cause no end of problems for defences.

Ceffinton Town

Nickname: Wolves
First Kit: White shirts, blue shorts, blue socks
Change Kit: Yellow shirts, yellow shorts, yellow socks
Stadium: Parc Banastra, Ceffinton (capacity: 35000 - 20000 seated)
Previous Season: 8th

Ceffinton suprised everyone by finishing a highly creditable 8th in their first season in the First Division, thanks in part to the solid defensive pairing of Wasim Morgan and John McKinnon. Could they match those efforts this time round?

Downton

Nickname: Bulldozers
First Kit: Yellow shirts with black trim, yellow shorts, yellow socks
Change Kit: Blue shirts with amber trim, blue shorts, amber socks
Stadium: Andover Park, Downton (capacity: 33750)
Previous Season: 13th

Downton finished in a respectible mid-table position due to Bobby Rosenstiehl running the forward line almost single-handedly. However, the Bulldozers have been active on the transfer market and will be looking to make a stronger challenge this year.

Emcorn (formerly Aust Rangers)

Nickname: Mattocks
First Kit: Yellow and brown striped shirts, brown shorts, yellow socks
Change Kit: Green and white striped shirts, green shorts, white socks
Stadium: Gordonsbank Road, Emcorn (capacity: 36000)
Previous Season: 14th

Another team sporting a new name, this time after unpopular owner Michael Aust stepped down following on-pitch protests and subsequent investigations into financial irregularities. They will be looking to improve on their mid-table mediocrity, although with all the pre-season turmoil this may be too much to ask.

Gabalfa City

Nickname: Titans
First Kit: Dark red and white striped shirts, dark red shorts, white socks
Change Kit: Blue and grey striped shirts, grey shorts, grey socks
Stadium: Stadiwm Bettia, Gabalfa (capacity: 82000)
Previous Season: League Runners-Up

One of the league's big two, City are hoping to bring the league title back to the national stadium after losing it to their bitter rivals. With a squad as strong as theirs, they are definately front-runners.

Gabalfa Rovers

Nickname: Flames
First Kit: Red shirts with single yellow hoop, red shorts, red socks
Change Kit: Blue shirts with a single white hoop, white shorts, blue socks
Stadium: The Gasworks, Gabalfa (capacity: 85700)
Previous Season: League Champions

Rovers were virtually unbeatable last season as their international strike partnership of Stuart Abdul-Rahim and Gethin Ward tore through defences almost at will. This coupled with Amir Bettison in goal, Musa Williams and Amir Bin Da'ud in defence and Evan Brooks calling the shots in midfield means Rovers will not let go of their title easily.

Grappenhall United

Nickname: Warriors
First Kit: Red shirts, red shorts, red socks
Change Kit: Light green shirts, light green shorts, light green socks
Stadium: The Campus Ground, Grappenhall (capacity: 65000)
Previous Season: 4th

This big team from the famed university city have spectularly underacheived in recent years, although they went some way to putting that right last year by finishing fourth. Much will depend on defensive kingpin Gareth Coates and rising star Ieuan Swain if they are to bolster their standing.

Kirkwood Town

Nickname: Diamonds
First Kit: Sky blue shirts with a blue sash, blue shorts, sky blue socks
Change Kit: Black shirts with a sky blue sash, black shorts, black socks
Stadium: Hulley Street, Kirkwood (capacity: 28000 - 15000 seated)
Previous Season: Promoted from 2nd Division as champions

The plucky Diamonds astounded everyone by pipping Lorshill City at the post to gain back-to-back promotions, and win the 2nd Division championship to boot. However, they lack the resources that Lorshill City command. This may be one step to far and many expect them to struggle.

Lorshill City

Nickname: Ravens
First Kit: Black shirts with yellow trim, black shorts, black socks
Change Kit: Yellow shirts with a black trim, yellow shorts, yellow socks
Stadium: Ravenhill Park, Lorshill (capacity: 52000)
Previous Season: Promoted from 2nd Division as runners-up

City's board have pumped large amounts of money into catching up with their city rivals United. They were hugely disappointed to lose the 2nd Division title after leading for so long, and they will need to get over that if they are to make any impact in the top flight.

Lorshill United

Nickname: Rhinos
First Kit: Blue shirts with yellow hoops, yellow shorts, blue socks
Change Kit: White shirts with amber hoops, amber shorts, amber socks
Stadium: The Stamping Ground, Lorshill (capacity: 75000)
Previous Season: 5th

The Rhinos will be hoping their new Stamping Ground is aptly named. Famed for their mean defence marshalled by the giant keeper Robert Sole, United will sorely miss their star striker who was forced to retire after picking up a severe knee injury. They will need to find a replacement if they are to mount a challenge for the title this season.

Maindy

Nickname: Bombers
First Kit: Black shirts with a red sash, red shorts, black socks
Change Kit: White shirts with a red sash, red shorts, white socks
Stadium: Crown Stadium, Maindy, Gabalfa (capacity: 34950 - 20000 seated)
Previous Season: 9th

Perennial mid-table occupants Maindy have signalled their ambitions by signing promising young striker Laurie LeClerc from Gabalfa Rovers amoungst others. Could be this season's dark horses.

Old Maxwellians

Nickname: Toffs
First Kit: Navy blue shirts with white trim, white shorts, navy blue socks
Change Kit: Yellow shirts with a navy blue trim, yellow shorts, yellow socks
Stadium: Laytonia Avenue, Grappenhall (capacity: 30000 - 10000 seated)
Previous Season: 3rd in 2nd Division, promoted as play-off winners

After spending five years outside the Apex League, the Toffs finally regained their top-flight status and are looking to get one over their city rivals Grappenhall United.

AFC Rendrew

Nickname: Axes
First Kit: Green shirts with white chevron, white shorts, green socks
Change Kit: Silver shirts with green chevron, silver shorts, silver socks
Stadium: North Street, Rendrew, Gabalfa (capacity: 40000)
Previous Season: 12th

AFC Rendrew have been gradually providing a stronger and challenge over the years, currently boasting a number of players who have gone on to represent their country. However, they will sorely miss the presence of Geraint Carew who has recently signed for Cockbill Street champions Vimesbairn Athletic, and this could prove telling.

Roath Albion

Nickname: Thunderbolts
First Kit: Sky blue shirts with yellow sash, sky blue shorts, sky blue socks
Change kit: Green shirts with a black sash, green shorts, black socks
Stadium: Penylan Park, Riviston (capacity: 40000 - 25000 seated)
Previous Season: 10th

The 'Bolts did well to consolidate their position so well after promotion in the previous year, and have shown their willingness to further their progress by investing in the team and their stadium, which now sports an impressive new grandstand. Whether they actually improve on last season as another matter.

Sukatra Tigers

Nickname: Tigers
First Kit: Amber shirts with black pinstripes, black shorts, amber socks
Change Kit: Red shirts with white pinstripes, white shorts, red socks
Stadium: Al-Fath Stadium, Sukatra (capacity: 63000 - 30000 seated)
Previous Season: 6th

Sukatra has proven to be a difficult place for teams to come to, as the Al-Fath stadium can become a veritable cauldron of noise when filled. Whilst having no current internationals, the Tigers boast a strong team with experts tipping them for the league title.

AFC Tamrida

Nickname: Stars
First Kit: Blue shirts with yellow sleeves, yellow shorts, blue socks
Change Kit: Yellow shirts with red sleeves, yellow shorts, red socks
Stadium: Thamitra Gate Stadium, Tamrida (capacity: 55000)
Previous Season: 15th

Tamrida were fortunate not to go down last year, having been involved in a relegation dogfight right up until the last week. The management have taken no chances using the opportunity to strengthen their team, and they should have no worries this season.

Whitchurch United

Nickname: Lions
First Kit: Red and black striped shirts, black shorts, red socks
Change Kit: Blue and white striped shirts, white shorts, blue socks
Stadium: Harewood Park, Whitchurch (capacity: 35000 - 30000 seated)
Previous Season: 11th

With the raw talent of Aaron Brown and Chris Hutton, Whitchurch were a force to be reckoned with and only finished in mid-table due to a spectacular collapse towards the end of last season. They must improve their consistancy and fitness if there are to go any better this year.

Latest Results & Table

Matchday 21

                      Pts  W   D   L  GF:GA   GD
1.  Akani Sands       48  15   3   3  30:15   15
2.  Gabalfa Rovers    41  12   5   4  36:20   16
3.  Ceffinton Town    31   7  10   4  24:21    3
4.  Sukatra Tigers    30   8   6   5  27:14   13
5.  Lorshill United   30   8   6   6  21:19    2
6.  Gabalfa City      29   7   8   5  25:20    5
7.  Kirkwood Town     28   7   4  10  25:26   -1
8.  Emcorn            28   8   4   8  17:19   -2
9.  Downton           26   7   5   8  22:23   -1
10. Maindy            26   7   5   7  15:17   -2
11. Grappenhall       26   7   5   9  18:22   -4
12. Roath Albion      24   6   6   8  24:26   -2
13. AFC Rendrew       23   6   5   9  19:26   -7
14. AFC Tamrida       23   6   5   9  11:21  -10
15. Old Maxwellians   22   5   7   8  20:21   -1
16. Butetown Dragons  21   5   6   8  21:27   -6
17. Lorshill City     20   4   8   7  17:21   -4
18. Whitchurch        18   4   6  10  15:27  -12

Season Results

Click here for Apex League Season 1 results.

Archives

Coming next season.