BRIT TOWERS - A COMMUNITY BORN

 

From the initial test of enquiring who would be interested in a "British" keeper style league, to forming the first league and now heading into our second season with 6 leagues and 96 teams, it has been one heck of a journey.

Words which spring to mind when I look back over our first year are emotional, exciting, challenging, rewarding, tiring, fun, testing, joyous but ultimately 'successful'.

At the start of this community, I really just wanted to build a fun place for fantasy football fans to engage and be part of something a little different. That word 'community' was not coined until a few weeks into the 2020 season, but it is a word which embodies everything which is the British Fantasy Football League.

As a League Commissioner I try my upmost to promote this league in its best and most positive light as I can. At times it has meant shying away from some elements of the fantasy football world where small parts of negativity and toxic elements could easily ward off any person interested in throwing themselves into this world. I stay away from that aspect of the universe.

Instead, I decided to focus my energy on the teams, GM's and partners involved within this league and that is where all of our news, reports, interactions and media exposure is centred, not on any other leagues or fantasy communities. 

As a Commissioner, I look after my own.

The new season is quickly approaching and our six leagues have their drafts fast approaching. During the off-season (if there is one) you can usually catch the chatty GM's through their team Twitter accounts all the time, but there are some who decide to take a little bit of time out and regroup their energies for the new season.

Over the last few weeks I have noticed that energy and enthusiasm building through the team Twitter accounts and it boosted me into reflecting what a year this has been, the positive nature with which this league was built. 

Yes, I had the idea of the creation, but it is the GM's and those who assist so generously with their own time who make this league what is. There are 96 GM's, I am one of them, and so 95 of them are this league, in every sense of the word.

Over the last year we have had a special raffle event for all of our teams with a prize of a signed Patrick Mahomes helmet to assist a fellow GM in his time of need. We are passionate about support within the league and so there have been many instances of support within chats in general or between GM's privately for those who needed it. We have had quizzes, competitions and there are plans for league BBQ's and get-togethers once this torrid world reaches some sort of normality.

Whether it is through mental health awareness, Covid lockdown support, personal messages of help or simply just being there to listen, talk and at times bring humour to what can be a dark and distance world, this league has created its very own "Community Support Network."

Yes, we have had GM's leave for a variety of reasons, whether it was work or family commitments, the league not being something they enjoyed (it's not for everybody) or through health reasons. I try to stay in touch with as many of those people as I possibly can, because even though they left the league they were still part of its history and they are still part of this community.

The creative and technical side of our community never fails to impress me.

We have technical gurus, spreadsheet monarchs, those with a creative flair in graphic design, writing and video editing, podcasters and to top it all off we have some fantastic analysts and site writers who compete in our league. 

One thing I enjoy about the latter is that the "professionals analysts", as I like to refer to them, are not arrogant or condescending individuals who rock up into our chats with just their own opinion and thoughts at the front. No, they have offered to help new GM's with the rocky road which is fantasy and invite them to expand their fantasy education into other formats, leagues and competitions. I do not see that as pulling players away from this league, in fact as a Commish, I encourage this because what makes those people better and enhanced in the fantasy world can only make the BFFL a more stronger and positive place.

The world we have created here at Brit Towers is not for everybody, but it is a world where there is much fun, support and competition to be had.

I have been overwhelmed by the kind messages I receive from the GM's, the gifts I have been sent by them and the partnerships involved with the league. Plaques, mugs, shirts, books, prints and memorabillia are now precariously positioned throughout the Commish office.

I am so proud of what these GM's do on a daily basis in this league and I am genuinely blessed to have each and everyone of them as an integral part of this organisation.

From a personal point of view, I have also been educated by many people in this league. Whether that was in fantasy football itself, intricate details where I needed a second opinion, league structures and to an extent making me a better person in life. All of that was from the people in this league.

It's not something I talk about often, but in 2013 I lost the rock of my world which was my mum and it took me a long time to get over that experience and my writing suffered. I am a writer in my spare time (I do have some), novels, books and articles and over the last few years that has suffered. The energy and inspiration of this league has reinvigorated my love for writing and for that to all the GM's here, I am truly thankful.

I have been told by GM's that they regard me as a friend for life and I feel that I have made 95+ more friends in this world.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of them

We are a community first and fantasy football league second (though that order can be reversed from Thursday through to Monday in certain cases during the season) and it is my honour to serve as Commish for these GM's.

This world we live in can be cruel, unforgiving and a dark place at times, but just remember somewhere with some people, this world can also be full with fun, laughter and sunshine. I hope for some that one of those places is here.

I will leave you with a quote from a plaque which sits on my wall above my desk, sent to be me by the 2020 BFU South, aka The Banjo Brothers, which always makes me smile:

"To the Commish, thank you for everything that you've done to create this wonderful league. From your favourite banjo playing division; The BFU South."

We are the British Fantasy Football League and we are 'One Community'

The Commish

#OneCommunity