Jimmy Wallace

BH, you talk sense 95% of the time and I usually agree with much of what you say. You tend to make a good case for your points, backing them up with solid evidence. Occasionally though, as in this case, you come out with uncharacteristic shite.

Is it just me, or is anyone else sick of the whole Gretna thing? I wouldn't mind if they had done things the hard way and come up through the ranks without having just bought success. I also think their success emphasises how crap the rest of Scottish football is. Can you compare the Gretna story to for example Blackburn in the 90s? I don't think so. Blackburn had previously been a big club and could expect to get big crowds. Gretna have come from nowhere and are based in a town with a population of 2,500 (about the size of Aberfeldy?). Does any of this matter? Am I just jealous? Anyway, the whole thing makes me want to heave. What do you think?

yup, it's been a heavy week. Cups of herbal tea all round

ta

Can anyone tell me what the deal is with the play-offs? Who is involved, where and when games will be played etc? I seem to have missed the detail somewhere.

mike - I didn't really want to start up this kind of debate. I am a Scottish nationalist, which to me means I am pro Scotland, not anti-English. That doesn't mean that there aren't aspects of the English media, establishment etc that don't irritate me, but there's a hell of a lot wrong with Scotland that irritates me more. I want Scotland to be a better place with a tolerant population, more social equality and above all a confidence that allows us to rise above the petty anti-Englishness that pervades and to an extent dominates our society. If you take the time to talk with most nationalists I think you'll find they feel much the same, so please don't fall into the trap of the unionists who it suits to blame political nationalists for the sort of sentiments portrayed by Saint Rory. Most of us just ain't like that.

I too feel this post was uncalled for. I'm no fan of the England national side, which is a different although connected debate, but to come out with a sweeping statement like that is inappropriate and no doubt quite offensive to the many Saints fans who are English.

Decent bloke and good player for us who talks intelligently about the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a coaching role somewhere.

a banned supporter, one for each year of his life!

Donal O'Daniel from Father Ted

Am I going mad or did I recently read somewhere that Saints have a youth player called Daniel O'Donnel?

Yes, congratulations to the club on this one.

really? tell us more..

I think this is one of the major problems with firms like Rocksteady. They do employ some very good people, but many of their staff are real knuckledraggers who think because they have a dayglo yellow jacket they are suddenly supercop. They are usually part-time (fair enough due to the nature of the work), have little training and are paid a pittence. Some of them are so unbelievably thick that no level of training would make any difference anyway. Frankly about all they can do well is their synchronised walking up the steps routine. God that is just so ****ing impressive. USELESS BASTARDS> AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!! :|

I don't think those that are banned should demonstrate, but those of us who are angered by this should do so. Not going to games in protest will only harm the team, but a PEACEFUL demo at full time outside the main entrance would let Mr Duff know how we feel. Another point, I don't think calling S Duff names on here will help anyone. I have been extremely critical of him in the past and had an online argument with him when the official forum was up and running. But referring to him as various delicate parts of the male and female anatomies is a waste of time. Let's not descend to his level.

I know what you mean, you wouldn't mind if you'd actually given someone a damned good hiding! Joking apart, hopefully it won't come to legal ac tion, but clearly there is a miscommunication somewhere here, either from the club, or as the letter puportedly states "from the police authorities". I'm sure your solicitor will be able to sort this out for you. Here's hoping you obtain a speedy and successful resolution to an episode which will leave a bad taste in the mouth.

Sam, I would recommend you wait until your dad has seen his solicitor before contacting the club, just so you don't say something you might regret and which might make things worse. I presume the best outcome for your dad and his "co-accused" would be for the club to change their mind and issue an apology. It is possible that if you go in all guns blazing then the stubborn git that is our Managing Director might just dig his heels in even more. As Theodore Roosevelt once said "Speak softly and carry a big stick", the big stick in this case being a sound legal opinion.

I'm not sticking up for the club in any way on this one, from what you say I think they are completely out of order in this case, but they do have the right to refuse anyone they like admission to McD, just as a nightclub has a right not to let you in if you look at the bouncers in a funny way. Lots of entertainment venues (which is what McD is, ha ha) have disclaimers on tickets etc saying "the management retain the right to refuse admission" or suchlike. I never said I agree that this is right, it's just the way it is. Maybe one of our legal experts could explain this in more detail. Where is Broggy Man when you need him?

I agree that this does seem very harsh. The club obviously want to be seen to be sending out a warning that such behaviour will not be tolerated, but it is unfair if those being targeted are in fact innocent. I think individual representations to the club from those concerned, with legal backup, would be the most effective way of getting the club to change its mind, whilst still having warned others of the potential consequences of their actions.

If indeed the letter states that he has been banned for having been charged in Inverness then he should take legal advice. Different matter if it says it was because he was arrested. At the end of the day the club can ban anyone they want, but for saying he was charged when this was not the case could be deemed to be defamation.

we are getting off topic, but I certainly won't miss the Challenge Cup, mickey moose trophy that it is/was. back to Jim, I'm just not sure about him as a boss, but the best of luck to him if he gets the job. I see amongst the others in the running, Davie Hannah and Gary Bollan. Can you imagine Bollan in particular as a manager? Now I thought he was a teriffic player for us, but I met him once and jeez was he thick! By the way I thought Hannah had gone to Bury, what happened there?

I'm not a smoker, but I'll miss the smell of cigarettes and cigars at the footy. It was part of the experience. Never mind.

know how you feel. I was never again able to listen to New Order after their atrocious Engurland world cup attempt.

I'm afraid I still call it the Trustee Savings Bank!

pretty shocking story, but Mogodon, since when has Belhaven been a Dundee Brewery? They were based in Dunbar the last time I looked and have marketing offices in Stirling. I know we like to blame Dundee for everything, but fair's fair.