It is now mid October, and things are now beginning to settle down a bit. I am not referring here to Rangerforever's post-Thanksgiving gastro-intestinal issues, but rather the often maligned, misinterpreted, but never replicated Sir M's Excellent Power Rankings. As rankings fans, should they develop the attention span to read on will see, several traditional rankings powerhouses (Delta United, Surrey United, South Surrey and Shaheen) are conspicuously absent frome the 2016-17 inaugaral edition of these rankings. In any event, and without any further delay, here we go with the first of hopefully several editions of the 2016-2017 Sir M's Excellent Power Rankings:
1. Port Coquitlam Metro Ford (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). The reigning BC and Western Canadian champions rebounded from a recent home loss to West Van to pound Columbus in East Van this weekend. Currently first place VMSL Masters Premier.
2. SFC Temple United A (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Temple spent the summer going through a slight name change, and sikhing a few new players and the associate relevance in these rankings. Thus far, it appears that it is mission accomplished over at the temple. Currently first place and so far undefeated in FVSL Masters Premier.
3. West Van FC M (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side has habit of knocking off the higher ranked teams, and dropping points to ethnic sides like PCOV, Romania and VUFC Rangers. A win and a tie over the last two weeks. Currently third place in VMSL Masters Premier.
4. Columbus FC M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Columbus had a chance to be in top spot of the debut edition of the 2016-17 rankings until getting hammered at home on Friday by five. They are, however, a much improved side this year and love to beat up on PCOV every chance they get. Currently second place in VMSL Masters Premier.
5. Portuguese Club of Vancouver M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). The reigning VMSL Masters Premier league champs have had a tepid start to the 2016-17 campaign. Let me quote from some comments from last year's Sir M's Excellent Power Rankings as things appear to ring true in 2016 as they did in 2015, "this is as talented a team front to back as there is in these rankings. Unfortunately they are from Portugal... a recent loss to historical rival Columbus has held this side back from moving into the top three of these rankings". Currently in fifth spot in VMSL Masters Premier.
6. North Delta SC Rangers (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). It seems like Rangers each season in the valley have a strong team, but there always seems to be a flavor of the day side each year who they can't seem to get by, one could argue continuing a tradition originally set by the old Surrey Firefighters sides of the early 2000s. This year, that team may be Temple. In any event, this team is always a strong contender in the Fraser Valley, and this year is no different. Currently second spot in FVSL Masters Premier.
7. Westside FC M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side is having its usual difficult beginning of the season week to week start. One should not forget, however, that they are just a year removed from holding both the BC and Western Canada Masters titles. They inevitably round into form and will give any team in these rankings a serious run for their money. Currently sixth place in VMSL Masters Premier and probably a lock for the BCs again.
8. Port Moody Rangers FC (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side was #1 in these rankings at this time last year, but it seems times have changed. While this side may be struggling with self identity issues, they should soon find peace and will be skipping up the Barnet shouting to the world, "I'm me, and I'm OK!" View attachment 16530
Third spot in FVSL Masters Premier.
9. Coastal FC Peace Arch (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side eases into the top ten after a decent start to the FVSL season. Currently in fourth spot in FVSL Masters Premier, and much like their more intimate habits, the have one or two games in hand.
10. Romanian FC M (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side consistently beats Falconettis and VUFC. It also looks like this side may once again avoid relegation this year. Currently seventh place in VMSL Masters Premier and on a modest win streak.
12. Bari FC (BMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Bari is currently one of two teams who have separated themselves from the rest of the 15 team BMSL Masters pack. Currently unbeaten and untied and atop the table in the BMSL Masters.
13. Burnaby Bulls FC (BMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). These Bulls are the other top of the table BMSL side, with a similarly unblemished record.
14. Westcoast Milan B (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This debutant side, despite having a stupid name, is making a decent start so far this year in FVSL Masters. Currently fifth spot in the table.
15. Croatia SC M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Still working on getting over the habit of urinating on the floor of host change rooms, Croatia has made a slow start to the season in VMSL Masters Premier. A recent tie at West Van, however, moves them into a respectable rankings position. The last year's BCs finalists currently are in eighth and last spot in VMSL Masters Premier and need to improve in order to qualify for one of the six VMSL BCs spots.
16. Croatia FC Stallions (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This Division 1 side has slightly better hygiene than their Premier division side, a keenly developed ability to whine to the official, and are becoming uncomfortably close to overtaking the A team. Third place with a couple games in hand in VMSL Division 1 Masters.
17. Vancouver United Rangers (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This newly promoted VMSL Masters Premier side is starting to learn that hoping to achieve results based on sheer newly promoted fervor and complaining to the official is not a sustainable recipe for success in their new division. VUFC will be scrapping to qualify for the BCs and perhaps also to avoid demotion back to the nether regions of Division 1, but will give it their best shot. Fourth spot in VMSL Masters Premier currently.
18. Falconettis Eastside FC (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This recently demoted team has found things much easier in Division 1, where they sit atop the table. A few recent hiccups have dropped them a few spots in these rankings.
19. West Van FC Flying Horses (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). A recent victory over #1 Falconettis moves the Flying Horses into second place in VMSL Masters Division 1...and into the promotion conversation. All this despite the loss of one of their 245 pound strikers.
20. Europa FC (BMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Europa currently sits in third place in BMSL Masters. The are hoping to secure a first time appearance in the BCs this year. If not, they always have the Europa League to fall back on.
That’s it for this week. Good luck to all teams and here is to seeing some new side in the next edition of Sir M's Excellent Power Rankings 2016-2017.
1. Port Coquitlam Metro Ford (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). The reigning BC and Western Canadian champions rebounded from a recent home loss to West Van to pound Columbus in East Van this weekend. Currently first place VMSL Masters Premier.
2. SFC Temple United A (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Temple spent the summer going through a slight name change, and sikhing a few new players and the associate relevance in these rankings. Thus far, it appears that it is mission accomplished over at the temple. Currently first place and so far undefeated in FVSL Masters Premier.
3. West Van FC M (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side has habit of knocking off the higher ranked teams, and dropping points to ethnic sides like PCOV, Romania and VUFC Rangers. A win and a tie over the last two weeks. Currently third place in VMSL Masters Premier.
4. Columbus FC M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Columbus had a chance to be in top spot of the debut edition of the 2016-17 rankings until getting hammered at home on Friday by five. They are, however, a much improved side this year and love to beat up on PCOV every chance they get. Currently second place in VMSL Masters Premier.
5. Portuguese Club of Vancouver M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). The reigning VMSL Masters Premier league champs have had a tepid start to the 2016-17 campaign. Let me quote from some comments from last year's Sir M's Excellent Power Rankings as things appear to ring true in 2016 as they did in 2015, "this is as talented a team front to back as there is in these rankings. Unfortunately they are from Portugal... a recent loss to historical rival Columbus has held this side back from moving into the top three of these rankings". Currently in fifth spot in VMSL Masters Premier.
6. North Delta SC Rangers (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). It seems like Rangers each season in the valley have a strong team, but there always seems to be a flavor of the day side each year who they can't seem to get by, one could argue continuing a tradition originally set by the old Surrey Firefighters sides of the early 2000s. This year, that team may be Temple. In any event, this team is always a strong contender in the Fraser Valley, and this year is no different. Currently second spot in FVSL Masters Premier.
7. Westside FC M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side is having its usual difficult beginning of the season week to week start. One should not forget, however, that they are just a year removed from holding both the BC and Western Canada Masters titles. They inevitably round into form and will give any team in these rankings a serious run for their money. Currently sixth place in VMSL Masters Premier and probably a lock for the BCs again.
8. Port Moody Rangers FC (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side was #1 in these rankings at this time last year, but it seems times have changed. While this side may be struggling with self identity issues, they should soon find peace and will be skipping up the Barnet shouting to the world, "I'm me, and I'm OK!" View attachment 16530
Third spot in FVSL Masters Premier.
9. Coastal FC Peace Arch (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side eases into the top ten after a decent start to the FVSL season. Currently in fourth spot in FVSL Masters Premier, and much like their more intimate habits, the have one or two games in hand.
10. Romanian FC M (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This side consistently beats Falconettis and VUFC. It also looks like this side may once again avoid relegation this year. Currently seventh place in VMSL Masters Premier and on a modest win streak.
12. Bari FC (BMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Bari is currently one of two teams who have separated themselves from the rest of the 15 team BMSL Masters pack. Currently unbeaten and untied and atop the table in the BMSL Masters.
13. Burnaby Bulls FC (BMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). These Bulls are the other top of the table BMSL side, with a similarly unblemished record.
14. Westcoast Milan B (FVSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This debutant side, despite having a stupid name, is making a decent start so far this year in FVSL Masters. Currently fifth spot in the table.
15. Croatia SC M A (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Still working on getting over the habit of urinating on the floor of host change rooms, Croatia has made a slow start to the season in VMSL Masters Premier. A recent tie at West Van, however, moves them into a respectable rankings position. The last year's BCs finalists currently are in eighth and last spot in VMSL Masters Premier and need to improve in order to qualify for one of the six VMSL BCs spots.
16. Croatia FC Stallions (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This Division 1 side has slightly better hygiene than their Premier division side, a keenly developed ability to whine to the official, and are becoming uncomfortably close to overtaking the A team. Third place with a couple games in hand in VMSL Division 1 Masters.
17. Vancouver United Rangers (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This newly promoted VMSL Masters Premier side is starting to learn that hoping to achieve results based on sheer newly promoted fervor and complaining to the official is not a sustainable recipe for success in their new division. VUFC will be scrapping to qualify for the BCs and perhaps also to avoid demotion back to the nether regions of Division 1, but will give it their best shot. Fourth spot in VMSL Masters Premier currently.
18. Falconettis Eastside FC (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). This recently demoted team has found things much easier in Division 1, where they sit atop the table. A few recent hiccups have dropped them a few spots in these rankings.
19. West Van FC Flying Horses (VMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). A recent victory over #1 Falconettis moves the Flying Horses into second place in VMSL Masters Division 1...and into the promotion conversation. All this despite the loss of one of their 245 pound strikers.
20. Europa FC (BMSL) (last week's ranking: not ranked). Europa currently sits in third place in BMSL Masters. The are hoping to secure a first time appearance in the BCs this year. If not, they always have the Europa League to fall back on.
That’s it for this week. Good luck to all teams and here is to seeing some new side in the next edition of Sir M's Excellent Power Rankings 2016-2017.