Kingsmills

I've just drawn England in the office sweepstake. I still will not be supporting them.

So not much change in the last 60 years then.

A very talented player despite his difficult character.

Very positive indeed.

So far, our pre season schedule looks less than adaquate as a build up for a season of SPL football.

Not much evidence of two thirds support so far then.

Of course I'm not supporting England !

I wish this saga was over one way or another.

Those were the days !

Ian Black is ithout doubt a very good player but we didn't seem to miss him that much when he was out towards the end of last season.

Somehow, I don't think this is the end f this saga.

According to today's P & J Italy have announced that they are not entering teams in this season's Intertoto Cup due to the ongoing corruption scandal. They have two places and as ICT areeffectively first reserve there now seems to be a distinct possibility that we will after all be invited to enter the competition.

Are you a naruralised Aussie Jock ?

I have to say that I have a vague childhood memory of 1966, mainly the foull mood my father was in after the final.

However, most people do like it.

Let's hope that their participation is short lived so that we can actully enjoy the final stages of the competition.

The new top has actually grown on me since yesterday. I wouldn't say I love it but I do like it very much.

Don't talk to me about Mars Bars, I've now got severe withdrawl symptoms.

Largely agree, although I can see U.S.A. prgressing from group E and Croaia from group F.

I will buy home strips for my kids for the first time in a number of years now that they are leass likely to be confused with Rangers tops.

ps. What sort of question is " What do you think of the new strip ?, yes or no" ?

Better than last season's but still not very inspired. Personally though, I'm glad to see the stripes return.

Apparently sales of Mars Bars in Scotland are down almost 40% on this time last year.

There seems to be an accepted wisdom which ICT have bought into along with everyone else that a club needs a first team squad of 22-24 players to compete in the SPL. I wonder if that is in fact the case ? I know that there has to adaquate cover for injury, suspension and loss of form but surely a competent squad of 2 goalkeepers, 6 defenders, 6 midfielders and 4or 5 forwards would be enough to a side through most seasons. The advantage would be that there would be a tighter, happier squad with ferwer potentially discontented first team aspirants cooling their heels in the reserves and if the odd youngster had to be blooded from time to time in an emergency would that necessarily be a bad thing ? The other major advantage of operating with a squad 20% smaller would be that the remaining players could be paid 20% more without increasing the budget thereby increasng the quality of player who we could attract in the future.

Many of you will remember our former strike Scott MacLean who first gamaged his cruciate ligament in a freak accident while playing against Ross County at the then very new Caledonian Stadium. I well remember the look of agony on his face as he was carried off. Unfortunately Sott has had further problems recently with a similar injury and has now optedfor very radical surgery in a last ditch attempt to salvage his career. Scott wasa very whole hearted player and a genuinely nice guy and I'm sure many ICT fans would wish to join me in wishing him well.