As you will see from the front page article on the site, Ian Broadfoot, the official club historian and match reporter for the last 13 years has decided to retire at the end of this season.

Statistically Speaking, Its the end of an era ....

This gives us a bit of a dilemma in that we obviously want to supply match reports for every game but it is not always possible for myself or CaleyD to write them. I can only do it based on radio commentary, when it is available - which is now only about 30% of the time - and tends to be pretty subjective in comparison to being there. In CaleyD's case he isnt at every game because of work commitments.

What we are hoping for is a few users to submit match reports on a regular basis and if possible others to supply them on an occasional basis.

I see it working something like this .... We get a fixture list when it is published and agree who will do the main 'site report' for each game in advance. The user would agree to submit it on the day of the game or the morning after and other users could also submit reports for the same game if they wished but not under the same time constraints. whether we get 1 report or 10 reports we will publish them all (subject to suitability). We will be making some layout changes to the site at the end of the season and one new feature is the ability to submit a story for publication so this seems to be the ideal time to promote it and get you thinking about it !!!

The match reports can be written in whatever style you wish but should be reasonably factual. Ian himself has suggested that any users interested in trying this might want to submit some reports for the remaining games of the season (where his reports will still be the main ones) and he will give advice if required.

As anyone who has ever written a report knows, there is a certain style about them that is not quite as easy as it appears. They must be as accurate as possible (thus concentrating hard on the match is essential), set the scene before the game, avoid a blame culture, be biased towards us (but not stupidly so), record the consequences of the match result and highlight anything else of interest about the match (e.g. supporters in fancy dress etc). You also have to remember that the referee or any of the players/managers/chairmen (home and away) could read it as well as SFA/SPL officials so 'defamation' is not a good idea !!

ok, so thats the job .... so whats the pay and benefits I hear you ask.

Well basically, as we dont make any money from this site other than using ads to help pay our hosting and running costs, there is no payment or benefits for doing this other than the plaudits of your peers and our thanks !!!!

However, if we do manage to secure a 'proper' site sponsor then we would look at giving a portion of any profit to those who assist in the running of the site. If you have a website or business we would also be happy to include a site banner for you within our 'site friends' rotation (thats the ads you see that change from Focus to Northsport to Supporters Trust etc)

Scotty

Report sharing! The mind boggles!

Rig and IHE are job sharing:-

Rig  'and the play flowed passed CC urging on his team from the touchline.'

IHE  ' and the play flowed passed TMTMBS(the man that must be sacked) trying to hide on the sideline.'

Rig  'Wilson backheeled to Rankin who crossed and Bayne, getting in front of his marker, nodded home. to completed a winning run that has again given CC the Manager of the Month award!

IHE  ' Wilson stumbles over the ball and as it squirms behind him,.. another bad signing by TMTMS, Rankin,  toe pokes it into the goalmouth where a poorly coached figure, in the shape of Bayne or the poor shape of Bayne, rescues TMTMBS again, by luckily glancing the ball into the net. This is the sixth lucky win on the trot for TMTMBS.

The football authorities must look again at this identity mix-up between TMTMBS and Gordon Strachan for the Manager of the Month award!'

Bring Ian out of retirement!!

:015: :015:

not sharing the reports, just the burden

- 1 main report for each game - to be submitted by someone who has agreed to do it in advance .....

- As many additional reports as individual users want to submit ......

could actually be quite good if users are prepared to do it .... we get a report from someone who was in the Innes pre-match and then the North Stand and another report from someone who was in the Caley Club and then the main stand .... different pre-match conversations and craic and a different viewing perspective of the game itself ........

I would be interested in writing match reports for the few games that I get along to - however I don't get to enough to warrant the 'full-time' position.

I can only do it based on radio commentary, when it is available - which is now only about 30% of the time - and tends to be pretty subjective

Subjective description of 30% of the onfield activity never harmed my enjoyment of match reporting! :002:

If only I could pick up the pen again Scotty... :009:

I would be interested in writing match reports for the few games that I get along to - however I don't get to enough to warrant the 'full-time' position.

a few games is ok - the idea is to get as many people involved as possible. when we get closer to the new season, the idea will be to put up a fixture list for reports - if you know your going to a particular game you just put your name down for the main match report ....... if someone else is already doing the main one, then you can also think of supplying an additional one

I'd certainly be happy to put together a report for today's game if you need it, from my vantage point just behind Charlie's dugout.

The more the merrier  :021:

Scotty is right, it's not easy but it's really quite enjoyable after you get into it and can identify the players. Large numbers on the shirts nowadays is very helpful so have  a team list in your right hand and , if you are getting old, a pair of binoculars in the left  :015:

Try finding a good vantage point like at least half-way between the two goal posts, preferably higher up in the stand, no surreptitious booze flasks which have  the effect of turning "0's" into "10's",  get a good sleep the night before so, as Scotty says, you are actually paying attention to the game and don't miss any small details like who the scorer was.

And if you meet people of moment  like Charles or Ian who are nice to you be sure to record their names somewhere in the report so that they will continue to be nice to you the next time you need their help---you know , it's the little things that mean a lot. :004:

Remember that the biggest thrill of all could be getting to put your unique, crazy, even self-opinionated, point of view on paper without having it modified beforehand by the negative, disillusioned, sarcastic , even unfriendly, jealous folks who plague your life trying  to force you into their mold of utterly boring conformity :015:

And Buckett I sincerely think you could do a fine job so go for it man....... :016:

..

nevermind!

Here's a report I knocked up if you need it...

RANKIN RESCUES A POINT

Inverness 1 Falkirk 1

John Rankin struck late on to earn Caley Thistle a draw in their last match before the split.

The former Ross County midfielder struck with just four minutes left on the clock to save the home side from defeat after Falkirk substitute Carl Finnegan seemed to have earned the visitors a smash-and-grab win.

Caley made two changes from the side that drew at Ibrox last week.  Darren Dods’ suspension meant that Grant Munro took the armband for Caley, with Stuart McCaffrey recalled to partner him.  Markus Paatelainen also dropped out, with Barry Wilson restored to the lineup.  Falkirk kept the same lineup that saw off St. Mirren last time out. 

Both teams came out of the dressing room looking for an early goal, and both should have got one.  First Craig Dargo was denied by the legs of Bairns keeper Kasper Schmeichel, with Barry Wilson screwing the follow-up wide.  Then appalling defending at the other hand gifted Dean Holden a chance, but the Falkirk full back inexplicably headed wide from all of two yards out. 

The rest of the first half settled into a pattern, with Falkirk having much of the possession, but Caley carving out chances.  Schmeichel’s acrobatics denied Richie Hart a goal with a dipping volley from the edge of the area, while a 30 yard missile from John Rankin curved just inches past the post with the goalie beaten.  Then good work from Wilson created an opportunity for Graham Bayne, but his tame shot was easily saved. 

Both sides seemed to have run out of ideas after the break, with goalmouth action at a premium.  However, with just 10 minutes left, Falkirk sub Finnegan raced behind the Caley defence onto Stephen O’Donnell’s long ball and cracked a superb low strike past Michael Fraser to break the deadlock at last.  The lead lasted only six minutes though, before Rankin popped up to flick a Grant Munro cross past Schmeichel to level things once more.  Dargo then had a golden opportunity to win it in injury time, but chose to round the goalkeeper and saw his shot cleared off the line.

A draw in the end, then, which leaves Caley ninth in the table with just the post-split matches to go.

Man Of the Match: Richie Hart (at least according to the tannoys)