Their promising first year performance in 2009 was cut short by the eventual Champions The Times in the quarter final…so can they do better this year?

Over to our eerily insightful Scout Report to find some clues…

I say football, you say…

“…football as well. It’s a universal language.”

Apart from having a football team, what’s the best thing about working for your company?

“We get free tea and coffee! Oh and the people are a pretty decent bunch too.”

Which World Cup team are you most like, and why?

“England….No reliable keeper, anyone decent is injured, and we are deluding ourselves in to thinking we can win the thing. Quarter final exit on penalties beckons…”

Player to watch? (and reason for watching him..)

“Whoever ends up in goal, because it will be quite funny. Our regular keeper broke his hand, playing rugby…That’ll teach him.”

Do you have a mascot?

“Unfortunately not, but I am sure there will be a few supporters, as there is a bar.”

Where’s your regular home ground (meaning pub, obviously…)

“We’re not that loyal, we will drink anywhere.”

What’s your team’s favourite tipple?

“Whatever’s free.”

All porcupines float in water. Tell us a little-known fact about your team or one of your players:

“One of our players once managed to convince a young lady in to a liaison on a beach, by telling her that he was a professional footballer playing for Charlton. What sealed the deal was the fact that he had just that week made his England debut!”

New entrants for 2010, we spoke to Metro’s team captain to find out what makes them tick…

I say football, you say…

“OK”

Apart from having a football team, what’s the best thing about working for your company?

“That the pub across the road has a dart board!”

Which World Cup team are you most like, and why?

“East Germany – Tall, Strong and efficient!”

Player to watch? (and reason for watching him..?)

“Vinney…… he’s a cat in goal and as handsome as hell!!”

Do you have a mascot?

“Smoggy – our injured boy from ‘borough’….. ha’way!”

Where’s your regular home ground (meaning pub, obviously…)

“Prince William Henry Pub in Southwark – It’s got a dart board”

What’s your team’s favourite tipple?

“2 Strongbow, 2 Carling, 2 flat Fosters and a Guinness with two pots of Bombay mix!”

Duelling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors. Tell us a little-known fact about your team or one of your players:

“Bleeding Knees McGlover…. and that’s just on concrete!”

This is the third year of our annual 5-a-side football tournament for advertising sales teams, cited as the best annual sporting tournament in the media industry.

The date is set for Friday 21st May and this year promises to be even bigger and even better than the last.

We are proud to welcome on board our new sponsors – Media Week – and hope that they enjoy the event as much as we do, and everyone else does.

If you’ve not played before, click here for some background info…

We are also pleased to confirm that we are keeping our prices the same as last year: just £400 for a team of 7 players.  Our unique package includes all you need to turn up and play, plus food and drinks throughout the night… click here for the full package details.

To reserve your team or ask a question email us at lee@themediasalescup.co.uk or call Lee on 07984 133 008.

Entrants are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Looking forward to seeing you on the night!!

Congratulations to Times Online - winners in 2009

Cramp

The Smiles…

…the thinking faces…

…and the Frowns!

Better luck next year!

ids: “…experts in applying brand, consumer and commercial intelligence across a unique portfolio of platforms, channels and sites.”

But can they tackle? Can they dribble? And most importantly can they hit the back of the net?

Our scout sees promise in these young ambitious chaps (as the sales house for Setanta Sports, football is in their blood) but the final line-up shows stiff competition – what do the ids squad have to say for themselves?

1. What famous or professional team are you most reminiscent of?

Scotland 1978. We are small, talented but liable to be hammered by Peru. The crowd pleasers. Fast and jinky and that’s just getting to the bar. If we don’t win we will be the fan favourites.

2. What’s your team’s celebratory drink?

Pint of strong continental lager with an Irn Bru chaser

3. The score’s tied and there are 2 minutes left, what’s your plan?

Boot the ball over the fence and on to the railway track and force the penalty shoot out.

4. Apart from entering The Media Sales Cup, why does your company rock?

We have good health insurance that will cover Friday’s heart attacks, astro turf burns and pulled hammys.

5. Describe your fans and how they’ll show their support:

Due to our lack of fitness our fans are of the traditional electric hand variety. They will support us by blowing cold air into our faces when we are inevitably exhausted.

6. Player to watch and why?

Dan “Longdog” Long. Up there with Lionel Messi for trickery, Alan Shearer for strength and Ronaldo for explosive finishing.

Runners up in the Associated Cup last year, Loot are a 5-a-side team with a proven track record.

They did admit however that this achievement taught them that 7 games in an evening is one too many for people with their fitness levels…

There are 3 new players on the squad this year, will that change everything for the better or for the worse?  Here’s what they have to say:

1. What’s your team’s celebratory drink?

Generally anything we can get our hands on.

2. The score’s tied and there are 2 minutes left, what’s your plan?

Our gaffer’s famous 0-0-4 formation should mean a fantastic spectacle of end to end footy.

3. Apart from entering The Media Sales Cup, why does your company rock?

We’ve been the leading classified paper for over 24 years – we know our stuff.

We’re currently recruiting talent so if you believe your sales skills are equal to or surpass those on the field please feel free to get in touch.

4. Describe your fans and how they’ll show their support:

A strange bunch, who, with it being a Friday will support us by downing lashings of Stella and White Lightning, whilst shouting inane ramblings at the players.

5. Player to watch and why?

Last year’s player of the year Mike has retired, so it could be anyone.  With 3 new players we could be unearthing the next Ronaldo, or alternatively the next Ronald McDonald.

www.milkroundonline.com

An early Internet player Milkround Online have lost none of their passion since becoming part of News International as our scout discovered.

Small and agile but with big back up so don’t mess with them unless you can bring it…

Biggest goal threat (tactical or player)?

Chad “The Cat” Falla

Team most reminiscent of?

Gretna

Favourite goal celebration?

We probably won’t score cause Clarkey’s up front…

Achilles heel?

Our debilitating wasting disease

Gauntlet to other teams?

Give a damn!!

www.bbcmagazinesadvertising.com

BBC Magazines – a publishing powerhouse, but on the pitch…? We found out:

General team strategy?

Shock & Awe, Hearts & Minds

Biggest goal threat (tactical or player)?

Dickson Dean

Team most reminiscent of?

The A

Favourite goal celebration?

The Charlie George

Achilles heel?

Booze & Women………..Booze

www.timesonline.co.uk

Next to face our scout’s inquisition was the team from the Times Online. The scout reported a general youthful vigour combined with tons of self-belief, but will they live up to their own hype…?

General team strategy?

To punish those who dare to oppose our aim of world dominance in the glorified world of power league

Biggest goal threat (tactical or player)?

Sandro del Grosso – The Italian Stallion (and former Juventus youth team player)

Team most reminiscent of?

Russia – well organised and deadly

Favourite goal celebration?

Never scored so will let you know when it happens

Achilles heel?

Too skillful for our own good

Gauntlet to other teams?

May god have mercy, because we won’t…

www.primesight.co.uk

We thought we’d better send out a scout to compile a quick team report to assess each entrants strengths and weaknesses ahead of the tournament.

First up is Primesight, one of the UK’s leading Outdoor Media Owners…

What’s your team strategy?

Pass it to Mustard

What’s your biggest goal threat (tactical or player)?

The ‘Mustard’

Which team are you most reminiscent of…?

Middlesborough – not great on paper but on our day…can beat anybody

What goal celebrations can we expect to see?

General juvenile shouting

And your Achilles heel?

Twisted Fallopian

Finally, what do you say to other teams with their beady eyes on the Cup?

We’re gonna score one more than you….Primesight!

So we have a contender for Player of the tournament already, the mysterious “Mustard”. He’s hot stuff apparently…