News

Mark Sutherns to return to Fantasy Football Scout for 2020/21 season

“Where’s Mark?”
“I miss Mark”
“Bring back Mark”

Hundreds upon hundreds of you have enquired about the whereabouts of the Fantasy Football Scout founding father since his decision to take a step back from frontline FPL duty two years ago.

He’s never been too far away from the site, though, and now, we’re delighted to report, he’ll once again be putting out Fantasy content when the new season gets underway in September.

Mark will be involved with Fantasy Football Scout in a Pro Pundit capacity, so expect articles and video appearances as he bids to bounce back from – what he deemed to be – a frustrating 2019/20 campaign.

Mark rejoins a team of contributors that includes top Fantasy managers such as Lateriser, Zophar and Tom Freeman, who have multiple top 1k finishes between them and who, we are delighted to say, will be writing for us once again in 2020/21.

Lateriser, who finished 30th in the world last season, will also be stepping up the frequency of his articles in the campaign to come.

As ever, subscribers to Fantasy Football Scout will get unrestricted access to all of their analysis and team reveals.

If you’re new to this website, Mark is its creator.

Starting Fantasy Football Scout out as a blog in 2007, he grew these pages steadily over the years and developed the site into the leading Fantasy Football resource.

He’s got an enviable FPL record to back that up, too, as his season history (pictured above) shows.

A remarkable nine of his finishes have been within the top 5,000, with four of those resulting in overall ranks inside the top 1k.

We’re absolutely thrilled to have Mark back on board for 2020/21 and look forward to his insight in the weeks and months to come.


1,232 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Your photo suggests you are happy to be back Mark! Lovely to see that heartwarming smile again... 🙂

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      😆

  2. heco87
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Great news. The site needs you

  3. Numb
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Nice to see you back in the saddle Mark 🙂

    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed, welcome back Mark

      1. AA33
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Lol who is Numb, MJ?

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Where's your meet the manager video gone, Hub Boy? 😛

  4. FourLokoLeipzig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Nice to have such a positive news story after yesterday’s depressing bombshell. Welcome back, Mark!

  5. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A LEGEND RETURNS

  6. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Impressive FPL history.

    1. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yep, knows his onions for sure.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        When I grow up...

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It's ridiculous.

      I recommend his Meet the Manager interview.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSKpRmqioO4

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for the link.

  7. RubberDucky
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Well a tip of the hat to you sir, welcome back.

    • TheFPLWan
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Glad to have you back

    • Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      who are the most nailed starting 11's? With all this talk about wolves only fielding 21 players all season (or something like that) I'm very keen to invest in them for security of starts, wondering which other teams can be really well relied on?

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        and also, great to have Mark back!

      2. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        For all the nailed-ness, it really wasn't viable to own anyone other than Jimenez or defenders from Wolves. Too many formation changes limited Traore's appeal, and too many 59' substitutions (as well as being, well, not that good most of the time!) limited Jota's appeal.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Wolves, Burnley, Sheff United. Leeds could join the ranks.

    • Offs!de
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Well come back, Mark!!!

    • Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hopefully replacing one of the rubbish Pro Pundits.

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Say what you really think Jarv 🙂

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Lol - at least I didn't name names 🙂

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I actually like most of them. They are all excellent players, maybe not the best writers, but excellent players and their insight is good to have.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I like some (wouldn't go as far as most) of them, but there are definitely a few duds.

          1. Az
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            *looks around shiftly*

          2. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            *hides*

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Nah, you're my fave x

              1. Lateriser 12
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                xx

          3. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            If you add Mark, there's three I'd would actively read. LR is obvious, I'll let you guess the 3rd.

            1. Bouncebackability
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              RCA?

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Hell no, You don't actively read his advice - it's administered sharply.....
                Only kidding Padawan.

                1. Bouncebackability
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  🙂

          4. Fantasy Gold
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            You talking about Holly Shand?

        2. Marmalade Forest
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Like having the ex-pros doing analysis and co-comms on games.

          Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen were excellent footballers, but their skills aren’t transferable to charisma and comments.

          Mark is more of a Gary Lineker in comparison.

          1. Bouncebackability
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Who is Kammy then?

      3. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        one?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Rome wasn't built in a day (that was Milton Keynes)

          1. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Steady on sunshine!

    • Yonkers
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Fantastic!!

    • Nashbee
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yay! Mark! Yay!

    • Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      So let's try this from another angle.

      How much would you NOT pay for players? I.e for me the most I would pay for Pope is 5.5 so 6.0 would be my answer. Some others..

      Salah 13, Kbd 11.5, Mane 11.5, Rash 9.5, Martial 10, Sterling 12, Werner 10.5, Doherty 7, Bruno 11, Jiminez 9 TAA 8 5, Vvd 7, Kane 11, Greenwood 7.5 etc

      For arguments sake the players are in the same positions as the 19/20 season. Also that Werner starts up top for Chelsea and has pens.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You wouldn't pay for KdB at 11.5m? Crazy talk. He'll be 12.5m and is worth it.

        1. Bun Rab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          If he keeps pens yes. But at that price I might be considering Sterling instead. I love him as a player and he was in my team all year.

      2. Marmalade Forest
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Reckon you might struggle a bit with premium forwards and mids.

    • alastair
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hope Mark's Saturday Morning Preamble returns.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Virgin’s fapping material.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          So is the wind changing direction.

    • adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I Have to say that I don't come on the site anywhere near as much as I used to and the main reason for that is the lack of Mark. This should help me to reengage but we need to see him on the scoutcast too and I'll start watching that again too.
      Great News

    • Fire Chief Moe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Is this the reason for the £5/7.50 membership price increase this season? I keep asking but no one is answering.

      1. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Bro, I will give you free advice if you want 😀

      2. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Geoff talked a bit on it earlier in the season - https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/21839321

        1. Fire Chief Moe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Thank you.

      3. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Mark doesn’t come cheap 😉

      4. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Just go on twitter and follow official FPL. They will tweet all the advice you want for free.

        1. Fire Chief Moe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Talk about missing the point.

    • goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Great to see Mark back!

      Hopefully that means the return of his famous preamble too. And I'm hoping we see a Mark + LateRiser duo appearance on the scoutcast too.

    • shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      The return of the King! Can we have Granville and the Preamble too please? I miss those mifts.

      1. alastair
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Granville was a guesser.

    • Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd love if the scout could get a Q& A session with Magnus re his fpl strategy.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He did an interview about it a month or so ago. It’s on YouTube. Interestingly he revealed that he likely had a chess competition during GW38 games, that may explain him not knowing Salah was benched.
        He also confirmed that winning FPL would be one of his biggest achievements. Can’t remember what exactly he said but becoming a grand master beats it, but that’s the only thing he would value higher in regards to winning competitions.
        His favourite player from FPL is Payet

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTsiCQmuqnw

          Bloke loves stats.

          1. Je suis le chat
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks Giggs, he doesn't like Aub, shame on him!

        2. Je suis le chat
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks, he loves his football. Read an article in the guardian where it mentioned the chess players burn thousands of calories in chess matches, power of the brains. Would like to see his written thoughts re strategy.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah, they burn around 6000 calories on a match day.

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              That just sounds like something someone made up to get more people into chess 😀

              1. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                It was from Robert Sapolsky, a Stanford professor of neurology and neurosurgery.

              2. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                He says "up to".

                Does sound crazy high though, I agree. But I'm not in a position to criticise his findings or to assume hidden intent. No idea if it's true...

                1. Ginkapo FPL
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Matches can last four weeks

                  1. Je suis le chat
                    • 10 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Match between Karpov and Kasparov called a draw due to physical exhaustion. No fat grandmasters.

                    1. Piggs Boson
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Ben Finegold disproves that last sentence.

                      (Huge fan of his btw. Hilarious man)

                  2. Piggs Boson
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Apparently it's per day.

                    "Based on breathing rates (which triple during competition), blood pressure (which elevates) and muscle contractions before, during and after major tournaments. Grandmasters sustain elevated blood pressure for hours in the range found in competitive marathon runners"

                      1. Gnu
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        3 years, 7 months ago

                        This is even better for the old calorie useage.

                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWgg20IqibM

                    1. Ginkapo FPL
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Sounds like going to work

                2. have you seen cyan
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  Probably is, the stress/concerntration.
                  Even playing video games I reckon burns considerable calories at times. You can for instance sweat during games for sure so I guess that’s doing something to you. Altho gamers are hardly the fittest of individuals lol

    • Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Great news

    • Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Welcome back Mark.

      I was quite late to this whole 'scene', but first came across him when the FPL show launched and then inadvertently found my way to this sight by chance.

      Look forward to him re-appearing on the Scoutcast too. This season was a lot more enjoyable then that season prior, but I do miss hearing his thoughts and going against the grain.

    • Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      New ish member here, how come mark is such a legend here?

      1. The Rumour Mill
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He's the reason the site exists 🙂 A founding father

      2. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He founded this website and would be a massive reason for why so many people are so addicted to the game (Cheers Mark... I think?)

        He's also pretty good at it as well, if you hadn't noticed 😉

      3. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Founder, but also Marks rank history is probably the best in the world. He also regularly appeared officially for FPL in their videos

      4. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Get out.

    • JD @JDCochran2
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      What does the FPL site kickoff for 2020-21 so I can start building my new teams for GW 1?

      1. Nimby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        August 24.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ok, You want to link this?

          1. Nimby
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Do your own research! 😉

            1. Gnu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              In other words I'm calling BS.

              1. Nimby
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                I bet it is though. They will want to launch it a few weeks before the season starts at least, I'm sure.

      2. JD @JDCochran2
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you!

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          No one knows, especially not Nimby.

          1. Nimby
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I might be right, though.

            1. Gnu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Not very helpful when someone asks a question and you clearly do not know the answer.

              1. Nimby
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Well it's pointless asking when nobody can know for certain isn't it. And if anyone does know they are probably sworn to some NDA.

                1. Gnu
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  It is pointless but clearly didn't know, more pointless is you alluding that you did know...

                  1. Nimby
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    Just offering some hope. We could all use some in this messed up world we live in.

                    1. Gnu
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Hahaha, ok I'll give you that. 🙂

      3. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Nobody knows, the only news the official site has given is "Soon".

        Nimby's date is just their guess - https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/22240949

      4. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        25th aug last i heard

        1. Nimby
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Source or it's a lie!!1!1!

          1. Nightcrawler
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I dont save links to things i hear

      5. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        4am tomorrow

      6. GertJan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Fixtures need to be released first and that's rumoured to be around August 21, so maybe some price reveals around that time? I'd expect the launch of FPL somewhere between August 24-28. That way they'd have 3 weeks to put the new season in the market and attract as many players as possible.

    • Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Great news!!! I am probably a bigger Mark fan than virg, no one comes close to Mark's FPL vision and content!

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        C'mon dude. We both know that's not possible. 😐

    • Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Would love to see a return of the Preamble.

    • Bruin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Great news, welcome back Mark. Badly missed

    • Don Corleone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Pre-match preamble is by far, the best content I've been missing past few seasons...

      So glad Mark is back!

    • Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Great to have Mark back, hopefully bring some wisdom, humour & stability to the rest

    • Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Welcome back Mark, you are the best!
      Missed your voice in Scoutcast, hopefully we will hear you soon.. 🙂