It’s time. The 2025/26 season, or season 29 if you are more a fan of simple digits, is about to come shuddering to a stop. In this update, we’ll find out if Darlington can get their hands on the Cup Winners Cup, if anybody can stop the mighty Leeds winning a 3rd consecutive Premier League and, more importantly, if 65 year old Peter Beardsley can carry England to World Cup glory (again). As ever though, it’s Pointless Cup time first.

League Cup

The 2nd minute was quite the time. And the last two minutes.

A rare treat.

FA Cup

Chelsea ended our FA Cup defence in the quarter final replay, comfortably defeating us at Stamford Bridge. They go on to batter all conquering Leeds, and before you know it, Le Tissier is on for a 2nd trophy.

It’s another ridiculous final. with Villa sending their fans potty in the last 5 minutes before losing to 10 men in extra time. Such is life.

It’s no wonder we didn’t defend our FA Cup, given how our fixtures are panning out

Playing Chelsea and Twente on consecutive nights is just a smidge harsh. Three games in 4 days is borderline cruelty. We lose 3-0 in Holland, but a raucous crowd at Feethams witness one of the great European comebacks. We’ve done it!

Sporting Lisbon go toe to toe with ourselves but in extra time, the former Zidane comes up with the goal that brings European silverware to Feethams once more. Have it!

Champions League

There’s only France and Italy represented in the Champions League last 4 and it soon becomes an all Italian affair

Fiorentina vs Udinese then, in Sevilla. As you’d expect from an all Italian match, it’s not exactly wide open

So good for Fiorentina. Sampdoria win Serie A with a dramatic playoff win

Hercules win a 4th consecutive La Liga.

Let’s nip back home

Premier League

Leeds had the Premier League wrapped up by Easter, I’ve no idea why they are so far ahead.

Our fixture pile up didn’t really help but my priority was the Cup Winners Cup and I’m happy to take 6th. Defence let us down a great deal but we were still the divisions top scorers, somehow. This is nice…

At the bottom, Stoke made a good go of being the worst Premier League team ever, whilst Beardsley limps to 15th.

Speaking of Beardsley, with the World Cup on the horizon, he’s recalled himself again. In a sort of playmaker role. He’s 65 man!

World Cup

So, here’s the squad I’m taking to Mexico for World Cup 2026

The group isn’t too bad but we start with a dull 0-0 with Sweden. No shots on target!

We come alive in the second game though, including old man Pedro

Round it all off with a win over Armenia, and we’re through without conceding a goal

With that, top spot is secured

There’s some shockers elswhere, as Spain and Brazil crash out. Hosts Mexico did themselves proud.

It does mean we face Portugal in the last 16, which isn’t a great draw

Argentina a potential prize if we beat Portugal…not a nice draw.

Three is a magic number…

A crazy opening then and a professional performance against 9 men. An added bonus too…

The quarter final draw looks a little bit nicer.

Bosnia give us a scare and Collier gets himself sent off…but penalties are our friend.

Semi finals then and we’ve got a chance to avenge our Euro 2024 final defeat

REVENGE!

So whilst the press write a load of Caesar’s palace jokes, I reflect on the fact that a semi final took place in front of 9,965 people. Mexico presumably put all their stadium eggs in one basket, allowing 107,965 people to witness Denmark beat Belgium.

England vs Denmark in the final then, but first the old bronze medal match

Tino Nuyts is a great name. So is Axel Vos. Anyway, it’s time for the World Cup final, but is it to be that last match ever on this save? Sadly, CM9798 doesn’t write scripts.

Only joking! It’s the best possible script to sum up this save, Beardsley heading in a far post cross with 5 minutes to spare, and the World Cup final is settled by a 65 year old.

Cap 100 for Roy Mendes

But Beardsley ends 10 caps better off and 31 years older. Lad.

Some awards to finish

But…what happens when I press continue? Well that needs a whole new post that can be found here

Yes, this is indeed the last update of this particular save. Now what!?

Looking for a Christmas present? A book about CM9798 will make a great stocking filler!