ACAB

There's a bloke in my work that's the spitting image of a player we had in the 70's - I think his forename was Ally but can't quite remember the surname.

Oi! For we made a promise.......

Increasingly desperate Journo: If you didn't have European games and the subsequent revenue, would there be a possibility of another period of administration at Motherwell? Motherwell representative: Possibly. Hello Editor, I've got a story. It's pretty thin but it falls into the remit we've been given to do all we can to scaremonger those that may put sporting integrity above all else.

Beautifully vague.

Correct, you do know about currents after all.

Another one from the seventies. What was the name of the BBC news programme that featured Thistle?

Bobby Houston

John McNaught was a player in the Roy Aitken mould. I will always remember him going tonto in the back of the net after scoring a very late equalizer against Forfar in the Scottish Cup in 1988.

It's 74.36 yards by 114.83 yards.

I want to commend the original poster on the balance he has shown with his sympathy towards to events of 15/04/89 and his views that a line should be drawn under the tragedy. 23 years ago come Sunday is the only time I've left a game at Firhill early - 10 minutes into the second half. Some chap in the main stand had a radio and was relaying the news from Sheffield. I was there with my Dad and Grandfather and it is the only time I'd ever seen them visably upset at anything in my life. It was only much later that I found out that my old man was on that stairwell at Ibrox where so many people lost there lives and, I guess, it brought a lot of bad memories for them. I was too young to know what was going on at that time and didn't know he was there. For additinal information he was there with a Falkirk supporting friend of his for something to do. The fire at Valley Parade was a tragic accident caused by a discarded cigarette. Heysel was caused by crowd voilence where scared innocent fans attempted to escape a thuggish rampage by hooligans. Please bear in mind that this was not uncommon in the eighties and even a game at Firhill was stopped because of this behaviour. Ibrox was a consequence of a late goal where the flow out of the ground was halted leading to the crush. Hillsborough was caused by human error and, has been previously posted, a massive cover up and smear campaign ensued from that moment. I, for one, would want justice in those cicumstances. For the record, I think there is nothing wrong with Liverpool requesting that they play on the Saturday to avoid playing on the anniversary and the FA of England granting that reasonable request.

I know catholics that are in the Masons, although not in the West of Scotland. It's looked upon differently in other areas. I know plenty of Jags fans - past and present - that are members. Ever seen Mr. Lambie's tattoo?

I am aware what reflex means (hence the alternative given) and plead guilty to the 'BITE' jibe by your friend. Apologies to you for the smartarse comment. Only trying to back you up big fella.

I think you should have used reactions instead of reflexes. It's another example of the smartarsery that can be occasionally found on this site. I think everyone knew what you meant.

I think we need a black one-legged lesbian saxsophonist to join the group.

At the moment cost trumps atmosphere. It's where we are which is sad on many levels.

I think you got my point about people being allowed to stand, in the shed only, without splitting hairs about the incorrect term I used. You would have appeared to have understood what I meant so highlighting my error does not add to the debate and is a bit churlish. I think the official movement of the shed discussion has been done to death previously so no need for it to be reprised now. The reasons would also apply for a one off movement of the shed. I wouldn't have a problem if the two dozen or so Ferranti fans sat in the JHS but the County fans should have been in the North Stand as there was enough of them to justify costs.

The 'Shed' is a standing area and is best accomodated where it is. The family area is not situated at the back of the stand and would not be ideal - standing would not be encouraged - with the extra hassle to the stewards if this was pointed out and not taken with good grace. A police presence would be required, there would be more complaints if the shed was moved for one game, there would be unnecessary hassle informing fans of where they should sit and the subsequent movement of them through the concourse and it probably wasn't known one or two kids would screech and annoy some sensitive ears. The thought of switching the sections probably didn't occour to the Club but why should it, It wouldn't be common sense.

There are indeed matches at Hampden but only for the ladies. So if Lord Coe claims that "All venues are sold out, except one"you'll know which one it is.

Berlington Bertie

Hospital statement scheduled for half nine. 5 Live are insistent that the lads condition is unknown

The glass isn't even a quarter full to some folk. Congrats to Tom and the team.

The 26K cap includes Housing Benefit. I believe the vast majority of payouts that exceed the 26K mark at the moment are in the south east of England where even a one bedroom flat can cost in excess of £400 per week to rent. It is the responsibility of the local authorities to pay Housing Benefit, The press would have you believe that scroungers are receiving hundreds of pounds in cash every week. In actual fact a huge chunk of benefits are eventually paid to property developers and (smart) people who invested in property for the rental market. The previous govt. started to impliment measures to end single parents automatic entitlement to benefit when their youngest child reached a certain age. Now when the youngest chid is 5 they have to seek work if they do not have an illness or disability that prevents them from doing so. It doesn't stop them from popping another one out though when young Brittany is nearing 5 years old but there is nothing that a government can do to prevent this from happening. All political parties are commited to end chilren living in poverty and would not allow the chance of any child to go hungry. Good luck to any of them that have to try to change the mindset of people who would rather have free money handed to them than have to work for, and let's face it, only a small amount morre. More should be done to collect the taxes that are due but not collected. The recent story (first broken by Private Eye about a year ago) concerning the head of the HMRC enjoying cosy lunches and dinners with CEO's of some blue chip companies and the subsequent reduction in the size of the tax bill that was immediately payable was/is a national scandal that has seemingly been allowed to become the chip wrappings of today. Where is the demand for a proper investigation and prosecution if guilt can be established? How many sole traders and other businesses that deal in cash declare the correct amount of earnings to the tax man? Ever gone to a corner shop and paid for your goods without the amount being run through the till? No record - no audit trail. Taxi drivers would go spare if they had to install a chip & pin device in their cabs. Ever been offered a little off the top by a tradesman for cash? There is of course examples of benefit scroungers that milk the system dry which the press makes great copy of but there are fewer than you may imagine, From huge companies to the bloke in the street to the easy target of benefit claimants there are millions out there who just want that little bit more.

A bit of a Jeremy Clarksonstyle statement - apart from the not kidding bit. Or are you genuinely not kidding? I'm sure inciting genocide is against forum rules. Bring me back 400 Marlboro next time you're visiting.

My Union stated in their literature that the cost of striking for one day is the equivilant of one months extra contribution (on average) to the proposed pension scheme, which, for me, is approx. £50. However, when I've popped my details into the calculator I have access to it turns out that I'm actually better off by £3 a month, after tax relief, under the new scheme. My supervisor is £18 a month worse off and I'm not sure at what level the extra monthly contribution exceeds the cost of striking for one day. I'm sure the union literature is accurate but I feel it is very misleading I am beginning to question the morals of the union leaders if they expect the poorly paid to fight for the very much better waged.

Gerry McCoy won a penalty after only 9 seconds at Somerset. I had a very good view of it and it was never a penalty but I'll stop short of saying it was a dive. The papers said the following day that it was the earliest ever penalty awarded in a match.