Den Spark

Possibly Sam Fisher, but he hasn't even figured on the bench.

Premier League clubs didn't have a vote and United, along with Rangers Celtic Aberdeen Kilmarnock Motherwell Inverness St Johnstone Hibs Hearts St Mirren and Hamilton were all in the Premier at that time.

Alan Ripley, the Arbroath treasurer, was on the committee that voted to give Dundee the 25pt penalty, that was later ratified by the clubs. However, Arbroath chairman, John Christison, denied that Arbroath voted against Dundee at that point. Hence, why Gayfield still gets my dosh and not the boycott. Dunfermline abstained and Montrose, Stirling and Livi voted in our favour. The rest are b*****ds!

Was surprised when the management chose to keep Ferrie over Gourlay.

Quarterback for the Houston Oilers.

No idea. The only club that actually needs it is North End.

Spoke to a ref on Saturday and asked him whether the problem was finance or lack of officials and he assured me there were plenty of officials sitting at home twiddling their thumbs. It seems that only Lochee, Broughty and Carnoustie regularly pay for the full set. Perhaps Tayport as well.

I know it probably comes down to expense but I think it should be mandatory to have a full set of officials on duty at matches. Seen too many games over the years where linesmen are provided by the two clubs. Referees tend to ignore them because their decisions are not always bias-free and they are no help whatsoever regarding offsides. Feel a bit sorry for refs with the stick they get over offsides but don't know what else they can do under the circumstances. Clubs seem to have plenty of sponsors to assist with player sponsorship and training gear etc, can they not attract sponsorship to pay for match officials? To me, that's just as important and, in case anybody's wondering, I have put my money where my mouth is in the past.

Forfar United 0 Lochee United 3 In the battle of the Uniteds it was Lochee who claimed the three points at Guthrie Park. The home side put up a spirited display but found the Thomson Park side just too strong. After 18 the Dundee side took the lead. Kenneth started the move by winning an aerial battle with former Bluebell Connor Birse. The ball came to Kevin Buchan and the striker released Grant LAWSON who gave Kyle Millar in the home goal no chance. Five minutes before the break Lochee went two up. Forfar defender Cammy Howie challenged Buchan for a high ball but, unfortunately for the home man, he appeared to raise his hand and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped LAWSON who sent Millar the wrong way from the spot. The second half saw the Guthrie Park goalposts play a significant part in the eventual scoreline. On 57 minutes Cavanagh rattled the post with the Forfar keeper well beaten. The homesters celebrated this let-off by going up the other end and winning a penalty when Danny Millar brought down Kyle Clark. However, Gorton brought off a superb save from Crighton to maintain the two-goal lead. Forfar came close again 20 minutes from time when Kenneth’s back header eluded Gorton and substitute Louis Starkey saw his effort come back off the post. The need for that third clinching goal was apparent as Forfar upped their game and, from a corner kick, Dean Fletcher headed against the Lochee post. Just as with Cavanagh’s first half effort, the opposition celebrated that let-off by racing upfield and scoring their third. Ross Gallacher found substitute Kevin MILNE who gave Millar no chance with a searing 20-yard drive into the top corner.

Lochee Harp 0 Lochee United 3 Grant Lawson had a couple of early opportunities for Lochee United, firstly chipping over the head of keeper Darren Brown, but also over the bar and then firing a free kick wide. Although the visitors were creating most of the chances, Harp were dangerous on the break and had a great chance on the half hour mark. Michael McBrearty made great progress down the right and his dangerous cross into the box found Malone whose header was well saved by Josh Gorton. The home side were to rue this missed chance when Lochee United took the lead just a minute later. Lawson played in Logan DAVIE and, once he’d untangled his feet, the midfielder flicked the ball past Brown for the opener. On the stroke of half time the Bluebells doubled their lead. Kevin BUCHAN took a George Johnston pass in his stride, rounded the keeper and, though his effort hit the post, the striker was relieved to see the ball roll into the net. With three minutes to go Ross GALLACHER got on the scoresheet after good play between Josh McConville and Davie. McConville almost made it four in the closing minute with a shot that hit the post. A good three points for the Bluebells against a hard-working Harp outfit that kept things tight for the first half hour. Lochee Harp: Brown, McCabe, Fyfe, Kidd, McVicar, McBrearty, Harris, McCormack, Dobbie, Webster, Malone. Lochee United: Gorton, McNally, Kirk, Ballantyne, Smith, Davie, Lawson, Gallacher, Buchan, Ritchie (McConville 63), Johnston. Subs not used: Sinclair, Kenneth, Millar, Cavanagh.

Coupar Angus 0 Lochee United 11 A four-goal burst in seven minutes put the game outwith the Foxhall Park side’s reach. First up was Grant LAWSON who raced on to a Stephen McNally through ball on 11 minutes. He beat the outrushing keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net. Two minutes later George Johnston crossed for Kevin Buchan whose shot was saved by Smith, but, unfortunately for the keeper, the ball fell to LAWSON who drove home. BUCHAN did get on the scoresheet on 15 minutes, following up when Greg Kirk’s header came back off the bar. JOHNSTON’s pace was causing problems for the home side and he raced past his marker to get on the end of a superb Cavanagh pass to net on 17 minutes. On 24 minutes it was five. Johnston played in Buchan whose shot cannoned off CATTANACH for an unfortunate own goal. Four minutes later LAWSON grabbed his third and his side’s sixth when he took advantage of a great through ball from Ross Gallacher. On 33 minutes Buchan and Cavanagh combined to set up JOHNSTON who scored from close in. The second half started with Coupar Angus pushing forward but they conceded a penalty on 55 minutes when LAWSON was brought down in the box, The Lochee player gave Smith no chance from the spot. Three minutes later good play by Cavanagh set up LAWSON to tap home his fifth from close range. With 20 minutes left Lochee made it double figures. Logan Davie and Johnston set up Scott McComiskie whose shot was blocked but the ball fell to CAVANAGH who made no mistake. A minute later Reece Ritchie came on for Gallacher who had been having a fine game, pulling the strings for the Bluebells in midfield. Danny Millar almost got on the scoresheet with a header over the bar from a Cavanagh corner, but the final say went to McCOMISKIE who headed in a Ritchie cross with just two minutes left.

East Craigie

Lochee United 2 Kirriemuir Thistle 1 Lochee United came out on top in a tough opening game at Thomson Park against visitors Kirrrie Thistle. Two goals by George Johnston gave the home side a comfortable lead until Kirrie grabbed a late goal to put the result in doubt right up until the end. After an even opening spell Kevin Milne was brought down inside the Kirrie box and a penalty awarded. Logan Davie saw his spot kick palmed away by Daryl Burns but, in the scramble to get to the loose ball JOHNSTON got there first to bundle the ball home on 14 minutes. Just as in the first half, Burns was beaten in the 14tht minute when Grant Lawson, who had been fed by Buchan, sent in a cross which was met on the volley by JOHNSTON. With 15 minutes to go Stephen McNally was harshly punished for a robust challenge and the Angus side were awarded a free kick. Up stepped Ryan WINTER to give Gorton no chance from 25 yards. The Bluebells just shaded the game but Kirrie never gave up and made things as awkward as possible for the home side. Lochee United: Gorton, McNally, Ballantyne, Millar, Kirk, Davie (McConville 76), Ritchie, Gallacher, Lawson (Cavanagh 68), Johnston, Milne (Buchan 38). Kirriemuir Thistle: Burns, Kadela, H Barclay, Grant, George, Russell, Fairweather, Cormack, Dale Reid, Winter, Crosbie (Duncan Reid 87).

Great guy, Tom. Big shoes to fill at Lochee United.

Time will tell, but not so sure the gulf is that great at the moment. Coupar Angus have improved and Forfar Albion are now Forfar United, with a new management team and players. East Craigie have been excellent the last couple of seasons and will be an asset to the division. Last season Lochee United dropped points to teams they wouldn't have seen in their road a couple of seasons back.

Good point re everyone having to complete a set of fixtures at more or less the same time in order to facilitate a split. Never going to happen.

What is it with Scottish football and these ridiculous league splits? Now the East Region North has a proposal to split the 17-team league into two after 16 games and have two leagues of 8 and 9. Then teams would play each other home and away giving a total of 30 or 32 games depending on which half of the league you fall. What's wrong with just playing each other twice, once home, once away, giving a total of 32 games? The first 16 games of the proposal would skew the table, with some teams perhaps getting an easier home set of fixtures and others getting a more difficult set. And, eventually, it would mean playing some teams twice away and only once at home. An argument I heard was that it would give teams in the bottom half something to play for, ie some sort of trophy for finishing ninth. Doesn't wash with me I'm afraid. Ditch it.

Hernandez had a habit of driving to the halfway line then turning and passing the ball back. Used to infuriate me. My favourite LB, other than Sir Bobby. was Erich Schaedler.

Sorry about relegating you, Hearts, but we'll give you the easiest possible fixture list so you can come straight back up again. Yours, Neil

Think it's supposed to be a McGonagall.

Casting aspersions on my press box?

Remember speaking to Duffy at the time and got the impression that it was done over his head.

Would you accept a refund on this season's season ticket? At first I would have voted 'NO', but now I think I might vote 'YES'.

Just as the SPFL have incentivised (bribed) clubs to vote yes so that money can be distributed, they'll now 'incentivise' Dundee to change their vote.

Saw Queens yesterday at Arbroath. Absolutely awful. Both goals came from boys getting down the wing (Kevin Holt's side) and crossing the ball into the box. Serious questions have to be asked if we don't win this one.