Storm

Or lack of it........... Second home game of the season and we're at gridlock again. You'd think with all the experience that tayside Police and our stewards have, that they'd be able to clear a car park - God only knows what's going to happen when the OF come calling - just bring a tent? Yesterday the barrier at the astroturf end was closed at 5.15 when most people were still queueing to get out - why? "because the bypass is in gridlock - that's the polis for you" was the reply I got. Why, after so many years at a "purpose built stadium on the outskirts of town with direct access to the main highway" can it take so long to get out of a fecking car park? I did observe plenty of Tayside's finest strolling about doing nothing whilst traffic is at a standstill. Surely it's not that difficult? Thoughts: Kill the traffic lights outside the ground and put an officer on point duty to keep the traffic moving both before and after the game. At Broxden roundabout - again - point duty - it's not rocket science is it? I've been coming to McDiarmid every second week since it opened, and the lack of traffic management both inside and outside the car park is abysmal.

Thank you for that. I'm fed up with the blanket smearing of all bank staff for making "huge" bonuses when, in reality, it's only the guys at the top that rake in the "big money" and your "ordinary" staff are left with a few hundred pounds bonus.

George Tulloch has a son, Stephen, who played against us for Raith Rovers two or three years ago, think he's with Brechin/Montrose/Forfar or some similar type club.

Ok, I don't often post, but having spent more than 20 years working with the two major Scottish Banks, here goes: Please bear in mind that your "front line" staff are handed targets by their management, who, in turn, are handed targets by their management and so on and so on. Ultimately, a failure to hit your targets means that you're out of a job. Hitting targets for front line staff means that you get a bonus - not huge, but enough to make your salary up to something that is "market competitive". The whole ethos of banking for far too long has been "sell as much as you can to the unsuspecting customer" - by making "sales", the banks make profits, thereby making the banks more profitable and rewarding the shareholders. Let's face it, it is the shareholders who make policy - if they are unhappy with the boardroom, they simply vote them out for more people who will comply with their wishes - i.e. more return on their shares. This may seem contradictory, the fact that the shareholders have now lost out, but I'll bet my mortgage on it that a lot of the shareholders and banking executives won't be too badly off for the rest of their lives. Front line banking staff have been hammered with targets for "sales" whilst most of them genuinely want to do the right thing for the customer, they are caught in a dilemma - make sales and get a bit of bonus, or don't make sales and look for another job. I feel that it is the "executives" who will receive "golden handshakes" and walk right into another job with a highly paid salary, who are to blame in this fiasco, not your "ordinary working person" who is just trying to earn a crust and make enough "bonus" to cover their annual holiday/Christmas presents/or just pay their council tax. In contrast, one of the "executives" (who left before the fiasco occurred and walked into another high paid job) actually had A BUTLER (yes A BUTLER) employed to serve him whilst he was with one of the Banks. This disaster has been coming for a long time, and, I for one, have highlighted it on every possible occasion within my place of work, only to be told that "targets come from above". The banks have sacrificed customer service for sales (profits for the shareholders) for far too long, it is just a pity that it is your working Joe/Mary/Tam that is going to suffer over this and not the people who are actually responsible. I could go on and give examples of people who have left/been sacked/been taken ill due to the pressure "from above" in order to ensure that the execs have their nice car/house/holidays abroad/private school for the kids etc etc but I'm sure that most of the people on here will already appreciate the position of their fellow workers. Please bear this in mind when you visit your bank - don't fling it at the staff - it is not they who are responsible for this mess. Please feel free to comment, I don't think you will find many "front line staff" within the banks who will disagree with what I've written. Ta.

"The Bricklayers Song" by The Corries.

Irrespective of her alleigances, she's been a good servant to the club. I remember at the fundraiser in the 208 for Drew Rutherford, every ex player that turned up went straight to her when they saw her - I think that tells its' own story.

Paul Cherry - no doubt - 110% effort, and kept the team spirit up no matter what (and was more mental than MMM !!!) - and think he played almost every position except GK - Mr Versatility!!! Failing that, I'd have Drew back - Bear and Kev will back me up on that one. Both "Winners" - both hated losing, and both were extremely underrated. ( SS - sorry, I know that's two!)

Thanks TS

PANTS - don't know if anyone here can help, but I've got to be in Dunblane for 9.45 on Friday morning (from Dunfermlineish) - was going to go via the motorway - any alternative suggestions? Thanks

Sorry Kev, I "retired" from playing almost 15 years ago! (sold the concert kit for peanuts) Like their stuff though - would be interested in hearing more - may pop along to a gig when I'm in the area.

Damn Council Tax going up again Council tax re-evaluers want to charge us more if we live in a nice area. That ought to mean discounts for those of us who live in rough areas. We have a huge council house in our street. The extended family is run by a grumpy old woman with a pack of fierce dogs. Her car isn't taxed or insured, and doesn't even have a number plate, but the police still do nothing. Her bad tempered old man is famous for upsetting foreigners with racist comments. A local shopkeeper blames him for ordering the murder of his son and his son’s girlfriend, but nothing has been proved yet. All their kids have broken marriages except the youngest, who everyone thought was gay. Two grandsons are meant to be in the Army but are always seen out in nightclubs. The family's odd antics are always in the papers. They are out of control. .......... Honestly - who'd live near WindsorCastle?

I'll take this on then - In no particular order......... Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True Steve Earle - Exit 0 John Cougar (Mellencamp) - American Fool Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear Calum Kennedy - The Calum Kennedy Show (Live at Perth Theatre) Genesis - A Trick Of The Tail Todd Snider - Near Truths And Hotel Rooms The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - NEXT Grand Prix - Samurai The Carpenters - Lovelines Lots left out, but that's probably the top 10.

Personally, I would have given Mensing the Player of the Year if it were not for Hardie's performances later on in the season. I will repeat what I said earlier in this thread - I saw/see Simon as a player very much in the Cher mould - a guy who would run through a brick wall for you, never the most talented or gifted but someone who would give 110% for the team and did a job which was not always seen or appreciated. I, for one, will miss him, and I think he will be very hard to replace - you'll only notice it when he's not there. That's it, two posts in a year - I'm going back to lurking again.................. G

I don't post very often, but, for what it's worth, here's my opinion: I think that Mensing was a vital (nay, essential) part of the team during last season. Granted, he had a slow start, but as a ball winner in midfield, he was unsurpassed in the division, and showed his worth in the cup games against SPL opposition. He reminds me a lot of Paul Cherry - never really got the credit he was due, but gave 110% every game, no matter what position he was played in. For those of you that are old enough, take a look at the Airdrie (3-1) game, and look at the job Cher did, and then look at the job Simon did for us this season. I'm not for one minute saying that one player is bigger than the club, or is worth breaking the "wage structure" for, but I, for one, would much rather have him playing for us than against us. I'll go back to lurking again now.............................. G

Malcolm Murray.

Not to be pedantic, but I am still awaiting a reply to my original email as to why there was not a minute's silence at the RC game for Drew Rutherford, so I don't expect to hear from the club about any potential signings or views on smoking/non smoking issues. An email was sent to PS and to the club directly, and I'm still waiting, copies are available on request, and, I believe, were posted on this very site. Very nice to see that the club communicate and take the fans feelings into consideration when it suits them. That's all for now. G

Gattuso? (SP) Trialist???

Alfie Conn springs to mind (Prolly before your time though!!) G

Lordy!!! What have I started? Just wanted the PA because it is a very strange event to have two Fifers in the same PA, never mind two members of the same family (My brother is a Fireman in Perth -PA- P11 - right hand photo, far right fireman - for you ladies - he's married!!!!!!! - What is it about Uniforms???) G

I do have the privelidge???? of knowing Saintkev, and I thank you for the offer - gratefully accepted (Please give to the infamous saintkev, as he has got to see me tomorrow). I do, however, wonder why you two sit so far apart, and wonder who makes the most noise............I'm going no further at this point Many thanks TS - your help is much appreciated. Graeme

Far be it from me to start a new topic here, but am looking for a favour.......... Anyone who has Tuesday's PA (with the picture of Drew's family receiving the cheques on the back) that doesn't want to keep it, could they please drop it off with me on Saturday (family reasons). I'll be the fat bloke with the goatee in the photograph with Drew's family on the back (East Stand K61ish - Next to the "G " exit!!!). It's the whole paper I need - If you don't mind. Thanks in advance. Graeme

Thanks TS, I always try to be polite where appropriate. I still await a reply from the club on this subject, I shall wait patiently (should I hold my breath? - I don't think so). I shall refrain from posting further on this subject until after Monday - watch this space, and the media. G

"Hi, I am just looking for an explanation as to why there was not a minute's silence before this match in memory of Drew Rutherford. Was this just an error on the part of the Club/Referee or was it a policy decision made by the club? Many thanks for your attention on this matter. Graeme J Stewart" That polite enough for you TS? G

STILL awaiting a reply..............................................................

Already done - I await a reply! G