The 21st edition of the Kestrel Super Strength League got under way with wins for Paul, Stu and Cobman as the latest title race began in earnest.

If the new season is anything like Kestrel XX, with Steve coming out on top in what was the closest battle in KSSL history, we’ll be in for another treat.

As always, the auction threw up a few surprises – a record £71m spent on last year’s defensive winners Chelski by four-time champion Dave, £56m (yes, £56m!) on Sturridge by Paul, £37m on the injury-prone Steve lookalike Van Persie – by Steve – and an inspired £0.5m on bargain-of-the-auction Ulloa (apparently pronounced u-joa) by Taff’s awesome last-minute stand-in and this year’s eventual champion, Cobman.

According to opinion polls taken in a drunken stupor at defending champion Steve’s wedding, two-time champion Stu appears to be the pre-season favourite with a strikeforce led by £34m Kestrel debutant Diego Costa of Chelski and £24m rated Wilfried Bony with an arse defence at the back – I mean Arsenal – although we’re still waiting for official confirmation from Honest Hallos as to the bookie’s preferred choice. Although after last year’s predictions (Cobman 6/4 Fav – finished second bottom, Steve 20/1 – finished champion) Honest Hallos was last seen on the run to Barcelona…