The Mantis

I'm sure she had a song where she implored Jordan not to take her man (just because she can).

That's good, that is.

The "Iain Vigurs is one player we can't" Stand

Martin seems to make all the Tinkerville derbies, seen him a few times. Doesn't he live over there? My mate once showed me a school photo where he played in the same team as Zico. Maybe Tain Academy, can't remember.

I think we should follow the sporting example of the Cownty fans towards ICT legend Charlie Christie. I hear he never has to buy a drink anywhere within a 10 mile radius of Hector's monument. Some of them even use 10cc on their avatars to celebrate his service to the beautiful game!

One of life's great imponderables, along with whether fish can swim, and whether Dolly Parton sleeps on her back.

Think his initials were AFB.

I got a message from Mark Benstead of Sky. He's up in Sneck for next few days doing a bit about the merger for the build up to Sunday. He's keen to speak to people who have memories of the merger. All views welcome, pro or anti. I can't do it as I'm not in El Snecko. Any volunteers? PM me with your email or mobile and I'll pass it on.

Meanwhile all the seething can be done at the bitter end of the pitch!

The 'Lionel's shot cleared the' Stand.

Some people will know that if I can't get up to see ICT, my wee team is Whitehill Welfare in the EOSL. When we occasionally get a grade 1 ref like Willie Collum or Stevie O'Reilly, it's absolute luxury TBH. At these grounds you can hear their dialogue with the players and its obvious that they are far more competent than the usual grade 3 or (shudder) 4. The exception is David Somers who has handled a good few ICT games in the past. He's pretty aloof and and just wants to be the main man, never mind whether he spoils the game. A special mention for (recently demoted to grade 4) Paul Hanlon. A really decent bloke off the park but a total erse on it. Managers have to warn their players when he's in charge. Back in the autumn Whitehill under a new manager, had sorted out a few disciplinary issues and had gone 3 weeks without a single yellow. Enter Mr Hanlon, hey presto 6 bookings and a red, with the opposition reduced to 10 men as well. An even more special mention for Willie Young who was speaking at a dinner I attended last year. Willie had a couple of years in the Ayrshire Juniors and got a bad knee injury. In his own words "since my own career had been ruined, I decided the next best thing was to ruin it for every other **** as well!"

From CTO, Sat 6/5/95, for our younger viewers "County's promotion hopes ended with this defeat. In the seventh minute County's Andy MacLeod was sent off for a bad foul on Mark McRitchie. County had more of the play in the first half but turned round one goal down. In the 42nd minute Colin Mitchell sent Wilson Robertson clear down the left and when he cut the ball back into the middle Norman MacMillan scored. In 58 minutes Alan Hercher made it two when he headed home a Mark McAllister cross. In 78 minutes County's Billy Ferries was sent off for a second bookable offence. In the 82nd minute Charlie Christie made it three after a fine solo run."

I take it Uncle Roy won't be attending. What about Deek Seethe? Does he normally attend Sunday games?

They deserve each other.....

I voted for Juanjo.

Not disagreeing with everything you say, just cannot see what you're on about here. How is anybody getting 2 cracks? You lose a playoff, that's it. No second chance. But how can a playoff work anyway if its 2 clubs from each league? There would be no need for a final in that case. The current system means one div 1 club and three div 2 clubs all fighting for one spot in div 1. The div 1 club has to win both to stay up, no second cracks as you seem to be saying. the way i read it from the bbc scrape spl 10 v 11 11 wins and stays in spl. 10 moves on to play winners of 1st div playoff. 1st div winners win game so 10 relegated looks like 2 cracks to me for spl side i may be reading it wrong wouldnt be the first time. That makes more sense but the first time you said the winners would meet in the final. So in fact the SPL team has to lose to get to the final!

Thats a tough one eh, might have to have a chat over a Smiths in the Innes! Prob Willie Young, at least he gave as good as he got. Last of the great refs!

Usually when you post a link and a statement, the link is meant to back up your statement!

Not disagreeing with everything you say, just cannot see what you're on about here. How is anybody getting 2 cracks? You lose a playoff, that's it. No second chance. But how can a playoff work anyway if its 2 clubs from each league? There would be no need for a final in that case. The current system means one div 1 club and three div 2 clubs all fighting for one spot in div 1. The div 1 club has to win both to stay up, no second cracks as you seem to be saying.

Fixed it! Joking aside, did anybody else notice when we came back up in 2010, the standard was lower than 2004? It struck me right away.

Don't you actually have to turn up before you can say you've been in a cup final?

Not really relevant to Europe (at least I don't think so) but the SFA gives TCS a 'silver' designation and only about 3 SPL stadiums get a 'gold'. The Dingwall Sandpit Arena only has 'bronze' at present but I think is due to gain 'silver' next year. At present I think their pitch would fail them as the standard has to be 'good' rather than 'acceptable'.

I looked this up because I found it hard to believe It was 6-1, 14 March 98 and my diary says I was there.... can't remember a thing about it All I can remember is how hard it was to win there, we always made it hard for ourselves by having red cards, gift goals etc. There was a 4-3 as well as Johndo's 4-1. Lost about 3 goals in 5 mins while Hastings was injured or something. One or two 3-0 defeats too. A backs to the wall 1-1 draw after Martin Bavidge was sent off quite early on with us leading. One I remember that hardly anybody else will - we got a 1-1 draw thanks to a Martin Glancy equaliser, the year we went up with Livi, 98-99. This kept us 8 points ahead of Clyde. The team bus made it over Drumochter but the supporters bus didn't as the snow gates got closed. Only a handful of Central belters there.

Hands up if you ever thought you'd see 'Rory McAllister scores the winner at Ibrox' Better rewrite that Downfall Yngwie

Dont get him started, we might be there in July