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Against the Odds: Pen and Paper Strategy Propels 67-Year-Old to Fantasy Premier League Summit
In a realm often dominated by intricate algorithms and vast data analysis, a surprising contender has emerged at the top of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL). This online game, where participants take on the role of Premier League managers, typically attracts those immersed in sports statistics and computer-driven approaches. However, the current frontrunner is neither a data scientist, nor a football expert, nor a tech guru. Instead, it’s a 67-year-old woman who relies on a decidedly low-tech method: pen and paper to meticulously select her squad each week.
Susan Clarke, The “Ruby Reds,” Achieves FPL Fame
Susan Clarke, known in the Fantasy Premier League community as “Ruby Reds,” has attained remarkable recognition among dedicated players. Surpassing millions of competitors, she has ascended to the coveted top position in this popular online Premier League game. Her ascent is all the more noteworthy given her self-confessed, traditional methodology for team selection.
A Game for All: From Hobbyists to Data Enthusiasts
The FPL platform engages over 11 million participants globally, tasking them with assembling virtual teams of actual Premier League footballers within a set budget. Points are earned based on these players’ real-time performances each week. The player base is diverse, ranging from casual participants who choose teams on intuition, much like picking a horse race winner, to dedicated enthusiasts who dedicate considerable time to in-depth player statistics analysis. Mitch Murphy, co-founder of the Lazy FPL newsletter, highlights the universal admiration for Clarke’s current standing.
“Astonishing” Success: Beating Millions with a Traditional Approach
“It’s not merely reaching the summit amongst 11.4 million individuals; it’s maintaining that leading position after 29 game weeks. It’s truly astonishing,” Murphy remarked. “It’s akin to winning a substantial lottery.”
Word Spreads of FPL Leader’s “Lo-Fi” Tactics
Lazy FPL acknowledged Clarke’s impressive performance, reaching out to her through a newsletter subscriber. In response to inquiries about leading the FPL in week 29, Clarke expressed her surprise and pleasure at the positive reactions from her family and friends, while declining requests from other media outlets.
The “Magic Formula”: Pen, Paper, and Keen Selection
Competing within a five-person mini-league named “Game of Bones,” the 67-year-old manager has built a significant lead, almost 200 points ahead of her nearest league rival, amassing an impressive 2,186 points. When questioned about her secret formula for team selection, she revealed to Lazy FPL, “At 67 years young (call me old-fashioned if you like!), my weekly lists created with pen and paper appear to be the key to my success!”
Challenging the Data-Driven Norm in Fantasy Football
Clarke’s triumph has resonated positively with many players, as it challenges the growing trend of automation and artificial intelligence in player selection strategies, according to Murphy. “The game is increasingly becoming driven by data, powered by AI, more automated, and more reliant on logic than instinct,” he observed. “And then there’s Susan, utilizing pen and paper, yet seemingly turning every selection into a success.”
FPL’s Exponential Growth Since Launch
The Fantasy Premier League has experienced substantial growth since its inception in August 2002 with approximately 70,000 participants. A decade later, this number had expanded to 2.6 million in the UK alone. Currently, the game boasts 11.4 million players globally, with the largest manager communities in England, Egypt, Nigeria, Malaysia, and the United States. Even prominent figures like Andy Murray have been known to voice frustrations on social media about website issues during peak transfer times on Saturday mornings. Rapper Stormzy reportedly consults an FPL podcast hosted by a sports psychologist for team selection insights, and chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has achieved high rankings in the game during his leisure time.
Unpredictability of Football Celebrated
Despite the competitive nature of the game, Murphy suggests it’s statistically improbable that Clarke will ultimately win the overall fantasy league this season. Nevertheless, he remains a strong supporter. “Typically, those who achieve high rankings in FPL dedicate considerable time to exhaustive data analysis,” he explained.
“However, what truly captivates us is when someone like Susan emerges and exemplifies the inherent unpredictability of football. No one desires to watch or participate in a game with predetermined outcomes. The excitement lies in witnessing someone like Susan leading the league as game week 30 approaches.”