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LEAGUE BADGES - As I passed the Sports Shops in Motherwell I noticed that they had on sale the badges from the SFL for the sleeves of our replica tops. I thought it would be nice for the kids to have these to make their strips the same as the players. BUT what a shock I got when I was asked to pay #5.99 for a pair, after having spent #35 on a strip this was all I needed !! Therefore it is now #41 to get your replica top to be identical to those worn by the players, this is surely the rip off to top off the ultimate rip off anyway. This is the type of thing that Mr McNees Fat Cats at the top of Scottish Football continually get wrong. Surely if the league had any sense they could have scored a PR coup here by charging a nominal charge of #1 per pair.
TYNECASTLE - Pleasantly surprised at only being charged #8.00 to sit in their plush open air visitors terrace, well seen Wallet Mercenary has left them, or has he ???
RELEGATION - At the start of the season the dreaded "R" word did not enter my thoughts for our beloved 'Well but performances over recent weeks remind me of some of our seasons of struggle. When the thought entered my mind it took me back to out trip to Tannadice at the start of the season and the effects of relegation could be seen there. As well a reduction in gate reciepts, TV money, there were a large number of empty advertising hoardings at Tannadice, this must mean a loss of a large amount of revenue. Although it does not seem to have stopped them investing in their team on a regular basis!!
RAITH ROVERS - Did you not find it galling to read in the Daily Ranger on 7/10/95 that Raith will use the #1.5 million from their games against Bayern into strengthening their team. When we had the same opportunity only a season ago our Euro money went into developing a stadium to comply with the Taylor report. I do not understand why clubs like Raith, Falkirk, and to a lesser extent Thistle can charge the same as the rest of the Premier League when their grounds are in the state they are in. In particular I feel Raith should be forced to bring their ground up to speed rather than spend this money on players. Clubs like Kilmarnock, 'Well, United, Hibs and Hearts have all had to do it. Maybe the Super League and its pre-requisities was not such a bad idea after all.
On the same subject Falkirk have a cheek charging #9.00 to stand behind the goals in comparison to Hearts open stand at #8.00 and our own East Stand at #9.00. Once again the clubs are being allowed to take the p**s out of the fans, surely the authorities should be able to enforce some sort of guideline of what the entry price should be. Look at the costs we have already been asked to pay :
Tynecastle - #8.00 Parkhead - #12.00Brockville - #9.00 Ibrox - #11.00Easter Rd - #11.00 Firhill - #10.00I must finish this on one positive note, well done to Thistle for only charging #1.00 for under 12s at Firhill.
EASTER RD - Hallelluia, after going here for over 20 years to see the 'Well we have finally been given decent facilities. A proper seat after last seasons backless affairs, and under cover - oh what luxury. Good to see they have installed TVs in the concourse under the stands but surely they could show something more exciting than Teletext before the game, at half time and at the end. Although watching this was far more exciting than listening to their appalling match announcer, who will one day cause a riot. Speaking of which, after years of keeping visiting and home fans apart, particularly as we approach the bridge over the railway, I was surprised that we exited the new stand on the same stairway as the Hibs fans. While I hope this is the dawn of a new enlightened era in relations between fans, I really believe it is Hibs money grabbing by using as much of the ground as possible, without thinking these things through. I hope my first thought is correct and that we have all grown up and need not fear any repeat of the incident at the cup tie last season.
CAPTAIN PARANOIA - I do not know how many of you are still listening to the phone in on Not so Super Scoreboard, but you may know they have once again hired the voice of a football to boost their ratings. As usual the calls are from Rangers and Celtic fans who are all dismissed by Mr McNee as paranoid and they should be looking for the greater interest of Scottish Football in general - some hope Gerry. He then finishes each question with an attack on the Fat Cats in authority who know nothing, do nothing, say nothing, etc etc. I think instead of attacking the paranoias of others Gerry should take some advice on his own Fat Cat paranoia before he bursts.
PROGRAMME - Did anyone else notice that for the Aberdeen game in October that there were actually two covers used for the programme. One with the hideous footballers modelling our three strips with the gaudy YELLOW background, and the other the one with the view of the ground with a big black triangle in the corner. At least the background on this is actually AMBER. This must have been the leftover covers from the changeover from one cover to the other, and rather than scrap them off the cost conscious board have decided to use them up on the first available opportunity. Really paints a picture of true professionalism.
MASCOT SELECTION - I believe that selection for match mascot is carried out at random from the Claret and Amber Club, which seems a bit unfair as it does not take into consideration "length of service". It means that someone could join on a Monday and be mascot on the Saturday, and someone could be in the C & A Club for 12 years without ever being picked - surely a fairer system than this could be worked out.
SKY COVERAGE - I watched the Gers game at home rather than give them #11.00, and while I did not enjoy it too much it was better than the game from the previous night, Southampton v West Ham, which was 90 minutes without a goal, in fact 90 minutes without a shot at goal. This is a game which blew the myth that the English Premiership has strength in depth.
G Barnstaple