Paul's in the top spot, Manager of the month is also leading the field

Paul Hardy has gone on a winning streak with his team, Premier Allstars, and steam-rollered his way to the December Manager of the Month award. Paul, who is an engineer for Pilkington, is a Leeds United fan so he's been able to see the Premiership unfold with a certain amount of objectivity, bearing mind his own team's Championship status. Perhaps next season he'll be able to cheer them on in the elite.

The key to Paul's success has been an unyielding faith in defence and his is meaner than most. He comments: ‘Rather than sinking my funds into a costly strike force, I've concentrated on creating a miserly defence with quality players from good teams at a fraction of the cost of the ‘glamour' players like Henry or Van Nistelrooy.'

The legend of Don Revie lives on in Paul and he also maintains that a team needs stability. He continues: ‘I did mix and match players at the start of the season in order to form a decent side. Once I was happy, I only started swapping players because of injury or loss of form. However, Mido at Spurs has been an absolute bargain and has rattled in the goals.'

Like all good managers, Paul has a wise and trusty assistant to bounce around ideas and to discuss the important things in life, such as team formations and team tactics, only Paul's is younger than most. He comments:

‘It wouldn't be fair of me not to mention my 10 year old son Mark, who is football mad and has helped me immensely. However, his bias towards using Manchester United players was a step too far, especially with my Leeds allegiance and I often had to overrule him, causing lively debates around the dinner table. You try to bring them up the best you can, but what can you do?'

Paul is leading the competition as well and has been in the top three all season

Paul is looking forward to treating his wife to a weekend away. ‘She's had to put with the constant chatter of football in the house, so I think she deserves a break.'

Overall, Paul must be extremely pleased with his performance as he is leading the competition as well and has been in the top three all season.

It's not too late to join the game and Pilkington has just introduced a new prize. The manager who scores the most points between now and the end of the season will win a special prize - a weekend away to a Marriott Hotel*. There will still be the chance to win the Manager of the Month award, which again is rewarded with the prize of a weekend break away* and of course the overall winner's prize, which is only open to non-Pilkington players: The manager who accumulates the most points over the course of the season will win a trip for two to any sporting event of their choice**.

The road to Premiership will be fraught with triumphs and pitfalls. Go to www.pilkington.com/ fantasyfootball and prove your managerial worth. Alternatively telephone the Pilkington fantasy football hotline on 01744 692000 for more details.