IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER

I've heard this is due to IHE's wisdom of the transfer market and general help to the club over the years But it's like so common knowledge isn't it? Thanks RIG and Hairy. Some acknowledgement at last. :001:

FECK OFF :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015:

PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY: CALEY JAGS HAPPY TO ACCEPT THE FINER POINTS OF RANKIN JOHN RANKIN yesterday joined Caley Thistle from Ross County - for an Inverness record fee of £65,000. Rankin is thrilled to achieve his ambition of playing Premier League football after protracted negotiations. The clubs settled on a fee more than a week ago - but complications arose around the finer details of the three-year deal brokered by agent Tom Callaghan. The allure of returning to a top-flight side after cutting his teeth alongside Darren Fletcher in Sir Alex Ferguson's youth set-up at Manchester United was the major factor for Rankin. But the Scottish Football League player of the year also cited the presence of mentor Donald Park at Caley Thistle as a major attraction. Originally brought north four years ago by former County manager Alex Smith, Rankin has won Scotland under-21 selection and a Future cap. Rankin, 23, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be here. "I've stressed all along I wanted to play in the Premier League and I'm grateful for the opportunity. "It's all about proving myself at this level after proving myself in the First Division. "This is a new challenge and I need to grasp the opportunity I've been given with both hands and prove I can do it. "I'm delighted there will be much stiffer competition here as that's what I've needed for a while - a bit of pressure on myself. "I know I have to perform instead of knowing pretty much I'll be playing the following week. That's not healthy." Rankin, who went south to Old Trafford at the age of 16, believes the time is right for a step up - despite having to break strong bonds at Ross County. And he feels Caley Thistle can give him the platform to keep improving as a player. Rankin said: "It's a progressive club. They've done very well to stay in the top league and I don't think anyone sees them as a First Division side any more. "I've come here to do what I can to help them maintain their status in the Premier League. "I had a great time at Ross County and I was sorry to leave. I made a lot of friends there, a lot of people I like and with whom I will stay in touch. But there comes a point for everyone when you have to take the next step in your life and career. I am also indebted to the Immortal Howden Ender who has championed my cause since I first contacted him in January. "I'm thankful Charlie Christie has given me the chance. I've also worked with Donald Park before at Ross County and that was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. "I know the man and his coaching, and he is first class. Together with the manager, he'll make me a better player." Manager Christie described Rankin as his type of footballer and predicted he would add quality to the squad. Christie said: "We'll find out exactly what John can bring us over the next three years. "I won't add faces unless I'm sure I'm bringing some extra quality to the changing room. It says a lot for the strides we've taken as a club that we're signing the First Division player of the year. We need a wee bit of extra goal threat from midfield and John is capable." Christie feels there should be no added pressure on Rankin in being a club record signing. He stressed: "To put it in perspective, we paid ?40,000 for a Highland League player in Iain Stewart while we were in the Third Division "I think we've negotiated a good and fair deal for both clubs." Director of football Graeme Bennett said: "I'd stress the dealings between the clubs were professional and amicable from the outset. For other reasons, the deal became a bit of a saga, but it was always clear John was very keen to come to us and we would also wish to thank the Immortal Howden Ender for his unerring patience and general support. "This club is not in the habit of paying transfer fees, but the board was more than willing to invest in someone of this calibre." Rankin will not play in Sunday's friendly against Clach, but will take his first bow in Ross Tokely's testimonial against Sheffield United a week today. :010: :010: :010:

Well feckin spotted Meanwhile, Brewster has made winger Barry Robson the club's stand in captain and hopes the added responsibility will help him conquer his disciplinary demons. He was banned three times last season due to needless yellowcards and Brewster said: "I'll make a decision about who gets the armband for good at the start of the season. "I chose Barry because I think the responsibility will do him good. When you're captain you have to think about others, not just your own actions."

Got an e-mail from my mate who is a lecturer at Sheffield University. He informs me that it appears 99% certain that at least one Blade will be coming to Sneck on loan fer the season. The two names "most likely" are the aforementioned. Apparently Ross is very well thought off but a wage deal may be a blocker although the Blades may even make up the difference if there are first team squad gaurantees. Apparently Marrison is more green and again the need fer first team involvement is to be discussed. Marrison is a 6ft 1in centre forward whilst Ross is more of a feisty holding midfielder. Dont ya just love pre season :015: :015: :015: :015:

Brewster was always going to up the stakes when he returned from Denmark. As with the Rankin affair there are a multitude of rumours going around. I beseech you all to just pay heed only to my words. Come next Monday the Arabs will be proferring their last bid.

Just remember to read between the lines. EMPATHY WON'T HOLD MCCAFFREY BACK ANDREW DICKSON 08:50 - 14 July 2006 Stuart McCAFFREY knows exactly how Ross Tokely feels as he tries to recover from a groin injury - but that will not stop McCaffrey trying to replace Tokely in the Caley Thistle side. Former Hibs defender McCaffrey suffered from osteitis pubis, the problem which has sidelined Tokely, during his time at Aberdeen. It kept him out for more than a year, while current Inverness team-mate Liam Keogh was kept out by the same injury for more than half of last season. Tokely is adamant he will at least play some part in his own testimonial against Sheffield United next Friday but his place at right back is up for grabs. And McCaffrey, who filled Tokely's position in Wednesday's 2-0 win at Elgin, wants to make it his. He said: "The injury is horrendous. I had the problem at Aberdeen and I didn't play for about 13 months. "I know putting a timescale on when you will be fit again is not easy. It affects different people in different ways and I know Ross is hoping to be able to play in his testimonial next week. "It would be a boost for everyone if he could and I obviously hope he gets better soon. But his position is vacant for the moment and it would be good to get a run in the side. "We saw last season when Stuart Golabek got injured that Richard Hastings came in and was able to keep his place when Stuart was fit again. Hopefully I can do the same thing because I want to play and I don't care what position that is in." Caley Jags have been in training since June 21 and, with two weeks to go until the SPL starts, are shaping up well for the new season. McCaffrey believes their early start will give them an edge on their rivals. He said: "It was good to go back so soon as it meant we had done most of our heavy work by July 1." And: Osteitis Pubis is the inflammation of the front of the pubic bone, where several important muscle groups attach and move when you exercise. It has a tendency to recur and can be very stubborn to treat because the area has a very poor blood supply. It normally requires a relatively long period of rest. There is no specific treatment for osteitis pubis, and it frequently causes long-term problems, in some cases ending a player's career. Management strategies involve modification of activity, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and stretching and strengthening of the stabilising muscles. Surgical intervention, such as wedge resection of the pubis symphysis, is sometimes attempted in severe cases, but its success rate is not high, and surgery may lead to later pelvic problems. :007: :007: :007:

Its called Pre Season Tension, an inner frustration, the not knowing what the feck is going on, the absolute craving fer proper football. How do I cope. I start a rumour or wind up the Tinks or the Midden. Feckin cathartic relief or wot. :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015:

Feck me. We played the same team at Elgin and Huntly :015: :015: :015: :015:

I can understand why you are oh so rankled and sarcastic cos I got it spot feckin on :016: :016: :016: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: I have seen Rankin play twice but have had a lot of feedback about him. Playing Rankin wide left would ammount to a waste of money. I hope Blackie doesnt go but my impeccable sources suggest that the Brew hunt is well and truly back on.

This is serious. A wee man is missing?

HERE ARE TWO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS « on: May 02, 2006, BY IHE :011: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am reliably informed that Brewster has made an official approach to ICT and has laid now the ammount of money he is currently been backed with by the Grocer. At the present time and I cannot see it changing, Black and Proctor will be at Tannadice next season. Brew cannot afford Dargo or Machine and we have already put in another bid fer Rankin. Rankin fer Black makes good business sense to me. « on: June 30, 2006, BY IHE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Behind doors it is finally done and dusted. Took a feckin long time but we have finally got our man. Just look at the feckin dates :010: :010: :010: I will refrain from saying I told you so. :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: Now fer the Aquifer.

I am sorry fer being a party pooper but buying Rankin was dependent on the Arab bid. Black is stalling on a contract and we could end up getting nowt. Could rankin and Black play in the same team?

It was never really in doubt. Now lets see what money Brewster comes up with. :003:

4 0r 5 0r 6 ??

Put it in Rumour Mill .. thats where I enlighten everyone. :015: :015: :015:

What was the team?

There never was a feckin if. :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015:

:017: :017: I am quite happy with ma internal communications. :011: :011:

We need to lose a goal quickly. That is: Played 8 Won 8 For 25 Against 0 So when is the first goal against us going to come from? I am going fer a Dods own goal. :001:

Almost but you are not paying attention. The sales of Proctor and Black are dependent on the Rankin deal.

Ah..but he is being groomed as a striker.

13 July 2006 BEER BELLIES BILL MEN spend an average of £22 a week cultivating their beer bellies, according to a survey yesterday. The bill for beer and junk food is about £1144 a year - or five per cent of their average take-home pay. Dr Chris Dark, of insurers PruHealth, who surveyed 2500 men, said: "A significant number of men are investing time and money on cultivating their guts." Its a feckin passion man. Who are these 2500 feckin teetotallers. Who else is a Sneck above averager?

Or Friday. :001: