Sneckboy

What were the circumstances that saw Benni McCarthy turning-out for a cameo with Whitehill Welfare? I hadn't heard about this! Great photo capture, if that was you, Mantis! Although it was a pre-season game, it's still quite a coup - he was internationally, very well respected, in his prime. Just checked, he's still 'only' 36. It's likely one of those bizarre scenarios that sees players of repute turn-out for an unlikely club. Didn't Latapy have a game or two for one of Whitehill's rivals, Edinburgh City? Then there's Brazilian legend, Socrates, playing for an obscure English non-league team. Peter Bonetti, who has a World Cup winning medal, turned out once, allegedly, for Caley - mentioned on another thread. There are a few instances of this type of thing (Caniggio and Ravanelli at Dundee, for example) and George Best at Hibs. Fair play to Whitehill for getting Benni McCarthy to play - even if it was a commercially driven, publicity stunt.

Overall, I thought it was a good tournament. I'm as guilty as anyone for 'fawning' over Messi when he's putting in his weekly superhuman efforts for Barcelona in La Liga and the Champions League - but i really don't think he should have won the Golden Ball for the best player in the competition! The Germans will likely be a force for some time given the ages of the current crop. It's back to the bread-and-butter for them now with the Euro '16 qualifying campaign and a visit from Scotland! We often draw the current World Cup winners in our group. We had 2010 winners Spain last time, with 2006 champions, Italy, the time before that!

I apologise. I simply didn't realise that his 'contract' would be honoured after termination. Football really works in different spheres! Blimey, I'd love to screw-up at my 'permanent contract' job next week and be told I'm sacked. Then, sit back and enjoy my salary every year until I'm 68! It is an odd situation. Terry (or any other manager in this situation) is no worse off by sunning himself in his East Anglian back-garden as he is to taking the pelters from the Leith faithful? I just don't understand it. Surely, under 'football contracts', the incentive to succeed is immediately negated - you receive you payment rtegardless of results?! Yes, I'm being naive or not up to employment law - but that seems astonishing! Effectively Hibernian are paying for two sets of managers! Astonishingly bad, top-level managerialship/directorship - Petrie should consider his position as he's presided over a shambles.

It would not surprise me, if in the future, FIFA relinquished the memberships of the '4 home unions' to create one national team - after all, we are officially the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That's our political status and we're very fortunate to have 4 'national' teams' playing out of one country. The independence 'debate' aside, we're luckyto have a Scotland team. Many member nations of UEFA are agitating for the UK to have just one team - which technically would be correct. We would play under a UK banner - or, as it would likely be termed, Team GB or Great Britain. - just like at the London Olympics!!! How passionate would you be following your new team? Anybody who dared suggest that it's not quite the same as before should be strongly told that it still includes Scotland...and we're all from the UK - so we should naturally, fervently, support them as before!? It's just an analogy, but worthwhile, as I'm annoyed at how easily some dismiss the merger as an historical event. Yes, it was 20 years ago, but only that. What about the 210+ years that went before?!

A win's a win!

Midway through the 2nd half, it's still 1-1.

Half time 1-1

GOAL! (for them) 4 minutes - Craig Gunn puts Elgin ahead.

Terry and Mo still drawing a wage from Hibernian! http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-hibs-boss-terry-butcher-says-3841851

Don Cowie has signed a 2 year deal at Wigan Athletic. I'm very pleased he didn't go to The Rangers!

He's doing really well, so far, in Aberdeen. What a pity he didn't come to the Castle Stuart tournaments. But, yeah, he's no 2 Scot in the rankings - behind Stephen Gallacher. Gallacher, of course is unfortunate in that he's better known, not for his golf, but as the relation of that one off the TV with the big boobs! Bernard Gallacher.

Cheers for the updates RossP. Sounds like it was a good run-out for the team with most of the first-team lads getting a game. Hopefully the injuries aren't serious and just early season over-stretching! Good to hear that young Calum Ferguson has started the season with a few goals - maybe pushing for a squad place this season. Just one negative - why was Billy taking the penalty?! He's missed 4 of his last 5 for us...and although this 'doesn't count', that's 5 missed from his last 6!! But anyway, roll-on Saturday and Elgin!

Great work!!!

Ryan Baptie's addition is a one-year deal, according to the P&J. Although, I'm sure I read it was a 2-year deal elsewhere! Signed up until the end of season 2016-17: • Gary Warren • Richie Foran Signed up until the end of next season (2015-16): • John Hughes - Manager • Russell Latapy - Assistant Manager • Dean Brill • Aaron Doran • Danny Williams • Ryan Esson • Ryan Christie • Carl Tremarco • Ross Draper • James Vincent Signed up until the end of this season (2014-15): • Greg Tansey • Daniel Devine • Graeme Shinnie • Nick Ross • Marley Watkins • David Raven • Josh Meekings • Billy McKay • Liam Polworth • Jaime Wilson (U20's) • Kane Hull (U20's) • Jason Brown (U20's) • Struan McArthur (U20's) • Blair MacLennan (U20's) • Calum Howarth (U20's) • Chris Brown (U20's) • Ali Sutherland (U20's) • Stephen Rennie (U20's) • Cammy Mackay (goalkeeper) (U20's) • Chris Blackett (U20's) • Daniel Hoban (goalkeeper) (U20's) • Calum Ferguson (U20's) • Ryan Baptie (U20's)

Cheers Renegade for 'clearing that up'! Your suggestion struck a chord with me as it was a novel, yet viable option - but, If I remember, got 'mocked'. Apologies for getting the wrong year, but it shows that your idea was ahead of its time!

Yeah, I think his loan deal at Montrose will have done him no harm. I can see him on the subs bench this season.

Damn. Just realised the link I posted is for last season - coincidentaly, also 4-0! However, I'll leave it and won't delete as the website in question is likely the best place to look. Got to say, it's terrific that most Highland League games have 'visual' coverage nowadays! Just as well they didn't exist when I was younger - my exaggerations of Dave Milroy headers from 25 yards would have been shown to be just that! When I was younger and didn't go straight to the Corrie or Heathmount after games, I used to go straight home and look forward to hearing (if I could get good reception!!!) Bill McAllister's round-up of the Highland League's happenings. He would enthusiastically eulogise about Milroy 'leaping like a salmon' or Les Fridge 'keeping his cool'!! Quality...and great days. Now there are video highlights of almost every game ! - how times have changed!

http://www.shfltv.tv/2013/07/clachnacuddin-v-inverness-caledonian-thistle/

Another terrific effort from Costa Rica last night! I doubt anybody had them down to be only penalty-kicks away from the semi-finals. The Tim Krul substitution in the 120th minute was bizarre - but worked. I seem to remember in the build-up our League Cup final, with penalties against Aberdeen being a realistic possibility, some speculation on the wisdom of taking-off Brill and sending on Esson. I think it was Renegade's suggestion (?) but it was 'shot down'! I wonder if van Gaal has started a new trend! It's a bit like bringing on 'special teams' in American Football, I suppose. The Costa Rican 'keeper had an astonishing World Cup, beaten only once from open-play in the whole tournament, despite playing games against Italy, England, Greece, Uruguay and the Netherlands, including 2 periods of extra-time. I did read about him in a 'players to watch' feature before the tournament. He'd been named top goalkeeper for the season in arguably the world's best league (Spain's La Liga) so it should come as no surprise - but I 'poo-pooed' the article thinking he'd be picking the ball out of his net at least 10 times! Anyway, I'm delighted with Costa Rica's exploits as it should finally put-to-bed any remaining stigma (misplaced, in my book - even at the time) surrounding Scotland's 1-0 defeat to them in the Italia 90 World Cup!

Tim Krul !!!

I wonder if he is related to Crawford Baptie No relation! He says (from his Twitter) he gets asked that all the time!

- That is the actual score!

From Fort William's Facebook: Final Score Fort William 2-6 Inverness Caley Thistle

And Adam Evans has also gone 'home' - signing for Bohemians of Dublin, though I'm sure he'll eventually play at a higher level than that.

That's a little gem!