Charles' column in the Highland News!

[Heilandee]

I normally read your views with interest and enjoy your enthusiasm and support for highland sides,but this weeks editorial comments on Dundee maintaining progress though "loopholes" and "free scoring trialists" is journalistic spin from the deepest depths of the west coast press. A striker who was released from the giants that are Hayes and Yeading,an ex ICT player recovering from injury that no other side would touch, a retired TV presenter and and a life long supporter playing week in week out for local juniors Lochee United given the chance to play for his boyhood team can hardly be classed as high profile expensive mercenaries the article suggests,indeed, initial announcements were met with howls of derision from supporters of most clubs and indignation only set in when this mixed bag had the temerity to actually perform well and score goals! 2 have now secured contracts at Dunfermline as a direct result of being given the opportunity to showcase skills as trialists. From my understanding and beliefs no payments are allowed for trialists and while some may give "aye, rights" to this,the fact is each and every club can do exactly the same thing if they wish and desperation forced Dundee's hand,fortunately Barry Smith seems to have the managerial nouse to get the best out of players. Dundee are still not out of the play off woods by a long way but the legitimate introduction of trialists has given us a fighting chance few thought possible a few months back.

[DALNEIGHCALEY]

Lazy journalism at its worst in an absolute rag of a paper . I expect no less .

[PullMyFinger]

Never let facts get in the way of a good story.

[+CaleyD]

A trialist is someone you bring in to check them out with a view to signing if they prove good enough. Since Dundee could not sign anyone then their exploitation of the facility is without a doubt making use of a loophole. Whether you agree with it or not, you can't argue that fact.

It's this kind of thing that is ripping the arse out of the game all over the world. Players, Clubs etc getting away with things on "a technicality" or using a loophole. I was brought up playing lawn bowls, a game in which the handbook has more pages on etiquette than it does on rules and where breaking etiquette is seen as a bigger offence than breaking a rule. Etiquette exists ( or should exist) in all sports, but with football business has encroached so far into the game that it's killing the sportsmanship...."In the spirit of the game" is a phrase that no longer exists in football and it's far worse off as a result.

Dundee are not the only ones and they are certainly not the worst culprits.....in fact I would be surprised if any club (ours included) could claim they've not exploited a loophole or used a poorly written rule to their advantage at some point in time.

And that's the worst part.......when everyone is doing it, who's the one who is going to stop it or reverse the trend?

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

I confess to having sympathy on this one. Having been sucked in by Melville's millions, Dundee are now trying to survive by living within a very tight financial regime and after a 25 point penalty have so far survived brilliantly. How would we feel if we were in the same situation, stopped from signing temporary triallists and having to play Tommy in goal because there was no one else eligible? I think Charlie Bannerman might cut it as a 15 minute triallist goal hanger. I bet Maurice Malpas could last 30 minutes if the club needed him in the SFL. Needs must.