Kingsmills

Which is why increasing the size of both the Premiership and Championship at least for one season was the fair and obvious solution that the selfish club chairmen who's own clubs would not benefit, but neither would they be Prejudiced, moronically refused to vote for.

I was sadly hundreds of miles away on a holiday pre booked long before for both the first and second legs and could not persuade, cajole or bribe Mrs Kingsmills to change our plans. Should the opportunity arises again before I am too old and feeble, I will be there come hell or high water.

I am not convinced that, good as consistent as Ridgers is, that goalkeeper is ever the best position for onfield captain. If Doran is up for it I would be inclined to hand him the armband.

Entirely agree. It would have been one thing if we offered him a new contract on reduced terms and he refused but I remain bemused that, by all accounts, we didn't even consider him worth making the offer.

For those not wishing Carl well, I ask them what they would do if they were sacked by their employer and were offered employment at an even higher level by the only other similar employer in the area that didn't necessitate moving yourself and your young family ? Good luck Carl and thanks for your efforts and loyalty over the years.

Absolutely it was the obvious and sensible solution which would have Prejudiced no one. None of the clubs have, thus far, given any plausible or convincing explanation of why they voted against it. If it had been voted through the wrangling would be over, no club would have been relegated, a number including our own, promoted on the merits of their achievements last season and we could all now be looking forward to the new season with a far greater degree of certainty.

I am on record here as saying that the court action was ill advised and would fail. I would not necessarily blame the lawyers as I am reasonably sure that they would have given similar advice and would have been acting on the specific instructions of the clubs. That does not alter my view that, with the need to bring the Scottish football community back together rather than drive it further apart, the jobsworth actions of the SFA is equally ill considered and even more badly timed.

I am saddened but, given their track record, not shocked that the SFA have brought disciplinary action against Hearts and Partick for bringing court action. The matter has been referred to independent arbitration which is much better facilitated with at least some element of goodwill on each side. This action and the timing of it is simply wrong headed, ill advised and vindictive. We are unfortunately used to idiotic actions on the part of our football authorities but the idiot or idiots responsible for this action at this time should simply resign. Not good enough. The clubs, the players and most importantly, the fans need and deserve better.

Some of us anticipated as much.

With the Championship not starting until October, I would expect that to be extended. However, with so many players out of contract and therefore able to sign at any time, the transfer window is almost irrelevant this season.

Absolutely but let us hope that discussions are going on right now with players and their agents with arrangements to bring some on board in late August for pre season training rather than scrambling about for recruits at the last minute when many other clubs will be doing the same.

Delighted for him if he has managed to secure a player coach position at Elgin. I still feel that, after so many years of loyal service, we should have at least offered him another season on reduced terms. If confirmed, I might just put a bob or two on Elgin winning the League 2 title. Once he has a bit of coaching experience under his belt, I would not be entirely surprised, or indeed entirely disappointed, if he came back as manager one day.

Very positive news indeed. Hopefully, anyone who has been swithering and can afford to will now join the joyful crew and perhaps treat themselves, family or friends to some merchandise even if that is not their usual habit. We need to add to our wafer thin squad before the season kicks off and every season ticket sold or shirt or scarf purchased adds to our ability in that regard.

To be fair to the Home Office, perhaps they thought there was no need to share the information with officials in Edinburgh as they probably assumed that Public Health England would deal with it since there is 'no such thing as a border between Scotland and England'.

Perhaps that might change now that the Home Office are finally cooperating with Scottish government officials and releasing the relevant information. It might also assist just a tad that the cautious and more considered approach of the Holyrood government has reduced the prevalence of the virus circulating in Scotland to approximately 18% of that South of the border yet Unionists continue to take every opportunity to politicise the pandemic. It seems that that hadn't gone unnoticed by the public if the opinion poll published in today's Sunday Times Is any guide. NS's personal approval ratings at +60, BJ's at -38. Support for independence at 54% and for the SNP at 55%.

I can no longer remember the last time we played it is now so shrouded in the mists of time. Remind me, did Wyness score the winner ? Did Jimmy Calder play well in goal? Do you think that Steve Patterson will resists the charms of Dundee United and Aberdeen and see out his career at ICT ?

It will be very interesting to see how they try to spin that one.

My two Aberdeen supporting sons, I know, hopeless parenting on my behalf, have both ordered Aberdeen branded face masks from their club shop. As far as I can see, we are not, as yet at least, doing anything similar. With coverings soon to be compulsory in shops and likely to remain so for several months, ICT branded masks might be an opportunity to generate a bit of extra income, be socially responsible and keep fans a bit safer at the same time. I would certainly pay a tenner each for a couple.

The presiding judge made it clear that the arbitration panel should not be made up of Scottish football worthiness. I would suggest one lawyer, one experienced football official from the continent and one business leader with no connection to football and thus no axe to grind.

As was wholly predictable, Hearts and Partick have lost their battle to have their relegation overturned by the courts and the matter will now go to arbitration independent of both the SFA and the SPFL. What should have happened in the first place and, with a fair wind and a bit of good will, ought to be concluded before the proposed start of the Premierhip season

We stupid old gits need to stick together.

One thing that, in the past has held the club back is that, over the years there have been two wealthy and commercially astute individuals who clearly have an interest in the club but have never been able to work constructively together. I appreciate that both will have serious concerns about other business issues at present but, with the club, like many others, possibly facing the most difficult nine months or so in its history, I wonder whether now they could possibly set aside whatever their differences are and work together even for that limited period.

Poorly. Very poorly.

I think that games with fans is looking much more optimistic now. The cautious approach we are adopting in Scotland seems to be more effective in suppressing the virus down to very low levels than might have been thought possible a few weeks ago. I honestly think that if the majority of us continue to be cautious and sensible and follow the regulations and guidance then the Championship season could very well start in October with fans in the stadium, more or less, as normal.

Great idea. Maybe even donate to a local charity who may be able to give the ticket to a family who are not otherwise able to afford to go to the football or do much else other than live from day to day.