Kingsmills

A quick internet search discloses that for their last complete financial year Tranmere's turnover was about a million pounds lower than ours and that they have a seven figure debt. Suggests that affordability was not the issue.

Surely, having played under Yogi before we would at least have tried. It is a concern that two experienced forwards who have experience of working under John Hughes have been available lately and we landed neither of them with each opting to work at a lower level.

Back in the day I believe the practice was to proffer the prospective 'mo'ur minder' half of a ten bob note promising the other half on return to an undamaged vehicle....

I am in no position to comment on our business structure and investment, as long as it is from the right source, is generally welcome but if you mean by a '7 figure sum' a million pounds that is just about 13 weeks turnover for the club these days and would not make a huge impression going forward. The budget relies much more on revenue than capital, such things as TV money, ticket sales, sponsorship, commercial revenue including advertising and occasional windfalls such as cup runs and transfer fees. In my view, the current regime to a very reasonable job in trying to maximise these sources of income but if, as well as an initial pot of cash, any potential new investor came along with plausible fresh ideas on how to generate greater income, in particular upping the fan base, I doubt very much they would be shown the door.

Of course there is scope for criticism of signing policy. When we first entered the SPL we had by a margin the lowest playing budget in the league largely because other clubs were spending hugely above their means and racking up huge debts in the process. Teams like Livingston and Dumfermline are still bearing the scars so that there was no level playing field even at the bottom and our feat in staying up, far less competitive was nothing short of remarkable. As far as I know Graeme Spiers, who is now writing off our prospects of going any further in the defence of our trophy, still hasn't condumed the promised headgear as a consequence of us not being relegated. These days we are one of half a dozen clubs with very similar wage budgets to ours. We have long had only one recognised forward even in the days of Billy McKay leaving us at the risk of injury, loss of form or suspension. All the other clubs in our position have at least two and sometimes more. To be fair though, they are probably not able to field an entire outfield of midfielders in the same way as we are.

Absolutely, we badly need forward cover but not at any price.

That would be appropriate. The honours system and the cup draw are both farce.

Actually, while we have been critical of the SFA maybe we should be commending them for ingenious use of new technology. Pre programming that ball to spring open in the event of either of the ugly sisters being drawn away against a Premiership side was a stroke of genius.

The SFA will no doubt take account of the distance our fans have to travel........and then, in conjunction with SKY, schedule it for a date and a time when there is no convenient public transport, horrendous road conditions and a ridiculously early start.

Agreed

Just been announced that all future draws will be held in London.............at the Whitehall Theatre......

The SFA have confirmed that the venue for all four ties will be New Douglas Park.......unless the pitch as been pre booked by under 12s teams....

Maybe the hot ones were overdone....

Can we play the podcast of this evening's Sportsound to the players in the dressing room prior to the quarter final ? Both Keith Jackson and Graham Spiers writing off our chances of progressing against either of the Edinburgh clubs.

It was balls.....

and instead of a tricky away tie Celtic have been handed a home tie against the weakest team left in the competition........

Away to the winner of the Edinburgh derby.

A new low for the SFA. Piss up and brewery come to mind......

Mike Smith has long gone 2007 is a long time ago and life's too short for grudges. Why not just put it behind them and get back to Fortress Longman ?

Very well said indeed and a young representative on the board would be a fine thing but is there a youngster keen to stand and willing to make the commitment ?

For goodness sake don't encourage them in their paranoia

Half time Hearts 0 ICT 0

Actually do quite fancy County. Given that we have lost to them this season once in a quarter finals I'd quite like the opportunity to even things up....

Copyright Welsh rugby fans 1991.....

You forgot to factor in the SFA's hot ball system.......