KEN BARNARD felt last summer there was somepin good around the corner – but even a man of his experience would be bowled over by just how great his season would turn out!
The 75-year-old is not only awesome on the skittles alley, he's not too shabby when it comes to knowing a thing or two about football either. This alley cat was certainly on the prowl.
Our Fantasy Non-League winner pocketed a whopping £4,000 thanks to Conference sponsors Vanarama doubling the pot, as his Barney's Royals took the title on bonus points.
Brilliance
The Worcester City supporter didn't predict he would win it after finishing bottom of the pile in two of the past three seasons.
It's about the only champion he didn't forecast. He went for the B team brilliance of Barnet, Bromley and Barrow in his selections, whilst also guessing right the Evo-Stik NPL winners FC United, Southern League victors Corby as well as Ryman Premier kings Maidstone United.
FA Trophy winners North Ferriby were also ticked off and the former Hampton and Molesey winger says it's capped a brilliant season.
“Who would have thought I would see my team beat Coventry City away in the FA Cup, watch Sean Geddes score the goal of the season and win the Fantasy Non-League?” said Barnard, a part of the successful Cradley Royal British Legion's skittles side.
“I would like to think I know my Non-League football but to pick out all the winners in Steps 1 to 3 is surprising. The money will come in handy, that's for sure.
“I may visit my son who works for Google over in Sydney. I'll put some back into the local football scene too. There are a lot of new clubs I can visit so I may start early and get some research in before I submit my forms for next season's competition!”
Research
It's often you have sympathy for the runner-up but there's no need to feel too sorry for second-placed Peter Flower. You see, he scooped almost as much, banking a £3,000 cheque as three of the teams he entered came second, third and fourth!
He's already spent most of his winnings. After hearing the vehicle lease hire company put their weight behind this year's competition, there was only one place he was heading.
“I needed a van, well, to be more accurate, my dogs did – so it was straight down to Vanarama!” he explained.
And revealing some big secrets, he added: “I entered ten teams. Half of them I put in before the cut-off point at the start of the season to pick up 200 bonus points, and the other five teams I waited until the last day in August and sacrificed the points so I could study the first three weeks.
“It seemed to work. Those I waited on all came in so patience pays off!”
