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Ah, f**k it. How many comebacks have the Stones had? Thank you for all your kind thoughts. Things not looking great but I'm ready for a scrap. I've beaten it once so I'll give it a right good go again. The doc said a few months but I'm hoping to see the World Cup at the end of the year. I'm on a shitload of pills. They give you the weirdest fucking dreams. The other day I dreamt we'd hired Mark McGhee. Mental.

Baby Hughie born last night the 22.2.22 via emergency c section after 15 hours of labour. Everyone well and I’m in love. 7lbs 12.

There is a wider issue that worries me slightly in opportunism like this. Covid has set a precedent for what we can legislate against in the name of public health and emboldened people who want quick wins to improve health statistics by banning unhealthy stuff. True public health comes from a change in culture and attitude, go to most of mainland Europe and you can buy a beer just about anytime you like because it doesn’t tend to end in folk battling and spewing in the street.

I'm sure the Sex Workers of the Antipodes knickers must be wringing at the thought of a visitation from a 'steaming' Throbber. I’m usually in tears talking about how much I love my Mrs at the time money changes hands.

I’ve always hated fat Phil. His “real sweet Americana guy just like your mums apple pie” routine always seemed fake af. Over in Tenerife for a week with the wife, managed to get a game round Abama yesterday. Greens weren’t amazing, although not bad, but the layout and views are outstanding Was playing with a German guy and his Canadian wife (mine was driving our buggy [emoji23]). They were very nice, but also pretty shite, so it took like 5 hours. HOWEVER, the spawny git got a hole in one and I was the only one that saw it. Hit his tee shot 40 feet to the left, had a bank and started rolling back, he was obviously happy enough it was going on the green so walked off the tee. I was next up so kept watching as it rolled, rolled, and disappeared straight in the hole [emoji23] he still wouldn’t believe it when we got up and his wife went to look. She did a wee fake out and went off looking over the back, then started shouting and celebrating. Was quality, even though I was raging my 6 iron to 4 foot and subsequent birdie was overshadowed [emoji23] Treated us to a champagne lunch after to celebrate which was very nice of them. Was great to get a swing (first this year), and playing Adeje tomorrow so hopefully be just as enjoyable, if not slightly shorter duration (wife is surprisingly not coming for that one [emoji23]).

Visualise this with me. A statue of Tony Straker in every corner holding up the floodlights. Like Atlas holding up the world.

We should retrain the strippers as HGV drivers. The only downside of this is that as young attractive women working as lorry drivers they will be expected to murder themselves.

See that Happy Talk' single you did? It was a pile of fucking shite. Thank you.

BE(ans) AWARE

It's slightly ironic that a large number of the Track & Trace workers only started working there after losing their previous jobs due to various Covid measures. Sturgeon didn't seem to give to give a toss about these people previously when she was shutting down sectors of the economy and begging for money to close even more. It's rich of her try and use them now to highlight how reckless the Tories are apparently being.

I'm getting really fed up with these types of people. I'm sorry for anyone with any underlying health problems which might put them at greater risk should they catch Covid but why is there a proportion of these people who feel that those who are fit and healthy should continue to have their lives restricted to "protect" them? It's never been the way of things before and it shouldn't be now. People from all walks of life need to take responsibility for themselves. If you feel safe doing something, go for it. If you don't then give it a miss. It really is that simple - things are starting to move on whether some like it or not. Those who don't will just be left behind.

lol

I'm confused by this tbh. The article claims she has spent most of the pandemic shielding, yet, now restrictions are being lifted she wants them back so she can feel safe and get out and about to help the economy etc etc. But, given she clearly doesn't feel safe even with the restrictions in place (else she would have spent less time shielding), what difference would bringing them back be? It's unfortunate for her, but, just like people who have severe but less common allergies (for example) the onus falls on those individuals to make adjustments to their daily lives keep themselves safe, not everybody else.

I think I've cracked it...

As good as the likes of Easton, McCabe etc have been this season, I think there's probably an argument that Fordyce is our best signing since Murray became manager. He's only missed three league games since he joined, two of them due to COVID, and as @++Ammo - Airdrie++says I can barely remember him making any mistakes. We've had bigger, quicker or stronger defenders than him but he's very steady, a great all rounder and barely puts a foot wrong. Having that calmness and reliability makes a massive difference at this level makes a massive difference, especially this season as it allows our midfield and full-backs to get forward as much as possible knowing Fordyce will always do the right thing to cover them. It's been great seeing him score a couple of goals this season too, you could see how much his goal against Falkirk meant to him. Admittedly you might notice this more because he's one of the few players who's actually been here more than a season but you see his family at every game and it's clear how much Callum and his family enjoy being at the club. Sean Crighton was a very good captain for us, a good guy and a good ambassador for the club and Fordyce has filled that role seamlessly.

This, absolutely this. He's probably been one of the most consistent players we've had for many a year, and I genuinely think you could count on the one hand the number of mistakes he's made since being here. The guys everything you want in a centre half at this level, and he's a cracking guy as well, even reached out and gave the wee man a pair of signed boots after his m*therwell video! I obviously would love us to go up, but I think I'd get equal amounts of joy seeing Callum lift the cup more than any other player.

Great guy and been a great player for us the last few years, can remember speaking to his Mum and Dad a couple of years ago at a game and they couldn't speak highly enough of the club and how much dycey was enjoying his football again. Would love to see him lift us the trophy come May!

Long post incoming. Felt worse after that than the QP 6-0. I hate using the word but I was ashamed at everything tonight. Watched on Falkirk TV, so first thing’s first, the commentary. Self pitying shite with a dose of unprofessionalism with comments about the referee too. As said previously, it is an attitude I do not like about the club that I hope others do not share. Rennie’s post match interview after Airdrie I think it was was of similar vein - it was all the ref’s fault. Well, the game itself. Is it an exaggeration to say the worst performance I’ve ever seen from us given we didn’t actually lose the game? Maybe. But a part time team have just came to TFS, presumably with 1 training session between the Airdrie game and tonight and a sizeable injury list, and completely outplayed and outfought everyone in our team. They were quicker, smarter, more skilled, and had far better shape than we did. Why is that? Trolls like random guy can come here and say it’s the fans fault, as we shouldn’t expect better than that. Laughable. As I said after Cove, we have a core of 12 or so who should comfortably battle it out with any team in the league. Mutch - been excellent since his injury. Saved us again tonight Williamson - literally played for the team that pissed on the league last year. Paul Watson - meh defender but decent enough for this level. Performances haven’t dropped that much since his first spell with us. Leon McCann - airdrie player of the year (last year?), I like him. Gets played once every 3 weeks. Mills - young tall kid, looked good tonight in only his second game. Was dropped for brad fucking McKay for 3/4 weeks. Dixon/ATS - jury out. I’d suggest adequate cover at this level. Nesbitt - ridiculously good for his first month with us. Hasn’t done it since. Jury out I guess Morrison - still contend he is a weapon at this level. Quick and his final product particularly shooting isn’t as bad as some make out Telfer - skillful player who’d do well behind the front 2. Played about 6 yards in front of the Centre half! Hetherington - been a let down, but when we got him from Alloa they guaranteed we’d be getting a player. After years of watching him for them, were they wrong? Or is it far more likely that, for some reason, he just hasn’t done it for us yet? Kabia - serious player. Pace is frightening with some touch too. Knows where the net is. Hope his injury isn’t serious Dowds - baller, another one who’ll be off to at least 1 league higher in the summer Griffiths - has looked pretty guff but had been starting games for Dundee first half of the season. If you don’t think, with any sort of service at all, he wouldn’t score barrels of goals in L1 you need your head checked. This is before we get to the fact that Rennie was given the funds to sign 6 players, including a bank breaking LG, and has had 2 months to sort any problems given the loan window doesn’t end til next week. I would love to be wrong, but I’ve seen enough. I struggle to see him as anything other than a youth coach. Much like Cones and M&M. His interviews are as deluded as the end of Cones’s reign - eg, Peterhead coming here and sitting in. What a disrespectful attitude. They came here and deserved to win, playing better football. Sacking him now would be ludicrous, obviously, but the board have played a blinder getting him on a 6 month contract (despite the appointment itself looking like a gamble that hasn’t worked). Final point - this may be controversial. Imo we haven’t looked like a football team since McKinnon. Sure, his reign wasn’t good, but I think he was the last guy we had who could be labeled an actual manager of a professional football team. Which leads me to say the Summer appointment needs to be an older head, who has actually managed at a level. The list of names will be grizzly (Jim McIntyre anyone), but we’ll have to grin and bear that, as we’ve tried the young football “coaches”, with no success.

The minter of being ignored. No problem

I'll elaborate on some of the points made about the AGM made on FPC and by Swello/Pettigrew. McMahon outlined the broad figures and invited questions on the accounts, he was asked a few questions on specifics and seemed to doff the cap to Flao with respect to the business interruption insurance (I think we were one of 4 SPFL clubs with it in place). When you consider the last time football was interrupted in any meaningful way it was 1939 and Hitler was being a bit of a dick. If it was something in place before Jan 2020 .... wow! If we took out the policy between Jan 2020 and the league suspending then it was sound foresight and astute. All of our expenses were covered by the policy. The Scottish government loan of £3m repaid over 20 years with no interest was discussed and it was outlined that it was too good a deal to turn down, it was calculated it would cost £1.5m to service the loan over that time using current interest rates. There was a wee bit of detail about how it was put through the books for accounting purposes. Our default, assume finishing 10th, no player sales and no cup runs. The board are investigating three strategic focus points for the club going forward centered round new revenue streams and reducing our current costs to make us more efficient. It was definitely a spend big now save in the long term strategy: 1./ Infrastructure (A) While we think the pitch being ripped up every year is a wholesale fix it was described as a "patchwork" solution. The issue outlined was we're missing out on pre-season friendlies, chances to host Scotland U21, U19, women's games (which we've had in the past) and if the pitch was more robust we could host more of our own various squads games at FP. The pitch always battles with poor percolation of surface water due to the makeup of the soil so this summer they plan on going down deep and spending a very large amount in the hope it leads to increased opportunities for revenues and less costs in future pre-seasons. Flao mentioned the weave pitch which I think is what a lot of EPL teams have. He has stated in the past he is against anything synthetic. (B) A move to Ravenscraig is being investigated, costed and viability assessed, seems to be led by Dickie due to his background. (C) They hope to sign something in the next two weeks with the Dalziel Memorial Trust with respect to Dalziel Park where we would have more of a say in the use and maintenance of the site rather than just tennants (possibly a dedicated building and players reporting there rather than FP first and being bussed - imagine Murray Park or Lennoxtown without the bigotry and arseholes). 2./ McMahon outlined plans to reevaluate our youth setup and academy. Muted an idea where investors can contribute and if the player flourishes and subsequently earns a move, a cut is earned. Flao outlined due to Brexit and players from 27 countries no longer having right to live and work in the UK, all the EFL teams have shifted the focus of their scouting. In Scotland which was already tough for us competing against the OF, is now much much tougher. Mentions of Chelsea having upwards of 60 players on loan cited and how the authorities are trying to combat this. 3./ We have a very good story that many wealthy individuals or companies may like to align with. Supporter owned, community engagement, suicide prevention, etc. all noble and may encourage commercial interests and individuals at home and abroad to get involved. Like the academy investment, how or what it will look like, the threshold to entry, reward, etc. things are at a very early stage so no numbers or ideas how it will be fleshed out When asked Douglas Dickie advised the Well Society’s has not been asked for funds for 2 years from the club. When you consider the past two years have been the ultimate "rainy day" and those funds haven't once been tapped, you can infer what you like about those running the club. Graham Alexander then started the juicy bit. He said it was nice to have everyone pulling in the same direction and welcomed the universal support he had in implementing his ideas. He was quizzed about Dean Cornelius and cited Barry McGuire as someone he's asked Dean to try and mimic and emulate. Ross Tierney was mentioned at the very end where Grezza conveyed he's gone from two evening training sessions a week and a game to 5. There's a gradual buildup of stamina required and robustness to compete in a major step up for him. There's genuine affection for Bevis (pronounced Beh-vis), Grezza said he was unsure which position he will develop into (RB/CH) but he has all the tools and he's a lovely guy and responds well to coaching. He also cited our stats with Bevis playing RB. I won't repeat what @Swello said about Watt and Lamie, it's pretty much on the button. It was added that the reason Lamie didn't go before the window closed was "we didn't need another bag of balls". Flao added we're working with Hearts on a SFA/SPFL? panel to limit PCA's and bring them into alignment with England. PCA's are limited to teams in the same league to one month before the end of the contract (outwith the same league it stays at 6 months). This is to avoid conflicts of interest and split loyalties. All makes perfect sense. He was also asked about Tony's comment regarding training being 10x better at United. He seemed genuinely surprised which tells me he doesn't concern himself with the redtops. Flao rolled his eyes and smiled which seems a continuation of his obvious frustration of how things transpired and his touchline confrontation. Callum Slattery's fringe involvement since Xmas was discussed, Alexander conveyed while coming from the EPL youth setup, he was used to U23 games and bitty loans here and there. He essentially conveyed he was happy with his forward play in supporting the attack but his defensive contribution needed work. Therefore he was being managed to build his stamina. Both Flao and McMahon conveyed that we should be happy where we are and the direction we are going. Many other teams in this league are not acting as prudently or responsibly and while not said, reading between the lines, it will come back to bite a number of them in the future. All stuff that gets folk up worked up on here is quickly subdued with rational answers from those behind the scenes.

Be a shame if it's off, this has been such a good thread.

https://www.airdriefc.com/2122-news/220223/captain's-comments Big fan of this. Really hope we get a decent turn out on Saturday. The squad and staff are well worthy of it and we definitely owe clyde one after that draw last month. Players will be keen to put that right and keep the pressure on Cove, who might find themselves facing a new manager bounce at Alloa.

Imagine spending years at university, learning. Imagine then getting a prized place as a PhD student. Then imagine that your job is to collect and count hamster sperm.

Christian Ramirez imo

Going to a strip club is about the most tragic way I can imagine spending time and money. Fucking grim. That said if women want to make money off these weirdos then good for them.

Actually I've come around to this thread. It's annoying Ric so I'm all for it

Well at least the St Mirren fan that shat it out a charity bet after giving it big licks will be happy.

They got away with dying despite suffering the same death of liquidation as Third Lanark, Airdrieonians and Gretna FC, because every club in Scotland let them pretend they'd survived, rather than face the potential financial ramifications of their permanent disappearance. They got away with industrial scale cheating for more than a decade because every club in Scotland admonished them, entirely unpunished, in return for the continuation of the magical properties of the blue pound and assorted commercial contracts. Apart from Peter Lawwell humorously likening the new club to impressionist Rory Bremner, there have been no breaches of the confidentiality clause built in to the ultra-secretive five way agreement; an unprecedented legal document which committed all parties to treat a brand new club as if it was the original 1872 club that had become defunct. All of our clubs continue to go along with the scam because they've been brain-washed into believing there's no viable alternative. There is however a price paid by the Rangers* fans. They know that we know.

Just to say like @kingjoey that's the wife got the Rona. Unlike youz she has to go to hospital for 7 days isolations (didn't even know she had it). I'll be on the hookers and ching be in full control of the 3 kids (as always). SO, be good, play good. don't need any shite this week. Thanks

Like, I think there's a level of realism within the fanbase (broadly, probably not on twitter) that understand there is a limit of what we could expect from a new stadium, but at the same time, small details that make it just a little unique, would go a huge way to getting people onside, IMO. I also like this, but I'm unsure of the landscaping costs required to get us the ferry in the background tbqhwy, we're massive, but that may be pushing it.

Ah I remember well the day the rangers went into admin. Old boy had invited me to the local for a pint but wasn't really in the humour. Turned on SSN to see the famous yellow banner at the bottom and Jim Whyte's wee face. Got the jacket on, went to the boozer and got suitably pished. What a day. 10 years on, it's still absolutely fucking hilarious.

How do they get... in fact nevermind

My heart bleeds.

Christ ! Not another thread to endure.

Didn't see the interview so can't comment on what the interviewees said, but your points are spot on. I'm on the shielding list, and have adjusted what I do slightly, mainly doing my shopping early in the morning. I do the occasional LFT test in case I'm asymptomatic. I know that, if I catch covid, I have a contact number to ensure I get the anti virals as quickly as possible to give me the greatest chance of not getting seriously ill. In short, there's plenty of stuff there to give you the best protection you can get. The disabled are discriminated against in many ways, but the lifting of restrictions is not one of them, and protesting against them does their cause no good.

If we win the Scottish cup I’ll shag my own arse.

https://www.qosfc.com/news-5690 Paul McKay signs a 2 year deal. Pretty pleased with that tbh. He's probably been our best player the back this season. Nditi looked good there but hasn't played as much. McKay has looked fine most games. The only concern is how he recovers from his injury and that it doesn't come back but overall I'm happy with the news.

^^^The Prof.

I assumed this involved flooding Hamilton

An update on probably the best Covid response in the world (according to the Scottish Government's poster adviser):

How fucking hard is it, if you don't feel safe, don't ever leave your house ever again.

Liz Truss has said they will be taking measures to degrade Russia's economy. So they'll be putting George Osborne in charge of it then?

Never had you pegged as an alcoholic rogue ex copper, fired because he didn't play by the rules to get the job done.

Trump ripped up the Iran nuclear deal and took sides in the Sunni v Shia proxy war in the Middle East. He started economic warfare against China and Iran. He attempted coups in Venezuela. He pissed on the Palestinians by moving the Embassy to Jerusalem and putting his son-in-law in charge of "peace negotiations". He kept troops in Syria after he was told the territory they were guarding had some oil. He stopped any other Afghans being involved in withdrawal negotiations with the Taliban. etc...etc...

Agreed. But they're not playing until Saturday and I think they've got a chance against Thorniewood.

Strip clubs are shite IMO Still though, wouldn’t want to see people getting made unemployment because some councillors can’t stand people enjoying seeing a pair of tits