Marlowe

Tip for today;

To all normal forum posters, My Sincere Apologies for posting a Picture of Beith's facilities showing their shared facilities of a changing room with the adjacent Sports Centre and of course their non-existent Car Parking spaces meaning spectators' cars just block the local bus routes and the driveways of long-suffering neighbours. There was a humourous label appended which I have now correctly named with it's reference to bottles and not spears ( Beith used to have a Spear's School - sadly now demolished, but when we played Rugby against them they were proud to be called 'Chukkas' , ah! but times have changed, name calling is no longer to be tolerated) but I fear the Moderators will forbid my re-posting the picture as they have REMOVED the post and PENALISED me. Was that Sincere Enough, your honours?

70% To move, 30% to stay. Unless somebody wins the Lottery we will move on. Unwanted Pie & Bovril identities now available .... see Admin. Lurpak Butter is not real butter - bloody Palm Oil, just to make it slippery!

Why would you ask ? This information has been posted on this thread in minute detail ... clearly you haven't bothered to read it, so why are you asking, on whose behalf?

If you have been following this thread you wouldn't need to ask that question, wait till after 8pm tonight.

I have now read the Petition which the Club has posted on its Facebook site and after a little more thought it has become clearer that the Rearguard is a combination of the John Bennett Associates Club and the other Remainers who have been sucked in. However, if they have 33 Members / Season Ticket Holders they should have an EGM as requested, however, they are not in control of the meeting or its Agenda. As with Brexit, the Remainers are political opportunists with axes to grind and it has more to do with opposition to the current committee than the good of the Buffs. I wholeheartedly support the current Committee and applaud the efforts they have put into moving this club forward.

I was told that it was a petition to request an EGM. If it was then I am in favour of having a constitutionally correct meeting with a proper agenda and provision made for discussion regarding Buffs matters because that should result in everyone entitled to be heard having an opportunity to make their case but by the end of the meeting when the votes are counted I would expect most folks, if not all, to be bound by the results. I foresee continuing arguments if the Vote tomorrow goes against the Remainers because it seems as though it is going to be a Single Question vote, Stay or Go. I think that at least there should be supplemental questions such as for the YES voters ( would you have Voted STAY if there had been a feasible, believable alternative plan to sort Abbey Park's problems) and similarly for the NO voters ( Do you have a feasible, believable plan for STAYing at Abbey Park). If the Petition has been misconstrued or otherwise amended from a simple request for an EGM they can remove my name from it. I'm sure they know who I am.

RE: Stuck in the mire. Just watched it again ... clear breach of Winners Rules. Defenders, 1st priority, clear the danger first. Fleming should have hoofed it forwards. Whyte should have thrown it forwards. Boylan should not have made a blind pass inwards (can't call it intercepted when it went straight to the opponent) when his right back was nearer and clear of opponents. Having said that, this was still on the halfway line and shouldn't have resulted in a goal. The first hour was an exciting game played with gusto by both sides and the only complaint I would have of the Buffs was that all hoofed forward balls seemed to be drawn like a moth to the bright shiny dome of the No 5 who was or should have been Man of the Match ( not be-little-ing the scorer here). The Maryhill mud was our undoing, and then the implosion ... The danger is that some will say " bad day at the Office let's move on" verbally abusing the Refs has become a habit from the Buffs, when will they ever learn?

Stuck in the mire. Just watched the Clydebank v Buffs video (just posted on P & B at the top of the listings) and although both teams had to cope with the same conditions clearly playing on porridge was more difficult for the Buffs due to them usually having salt on theirs instead of gooey syrup. Apart from bad passing and wrong-footing the mud assisted several of the goals, but not all 5. Time for a self-imposed voluntary ban on players speaking to Referees and their assistants as the manager seems incapable of controlling himself, maybe he should start off by standing away from the pitch-side as the players he constantly shouts instructions to just blank him half the time anyway. Have a look at the GARTCAIRN thread by the way, NEW facilities, paid for by Quangos from the Ratepayers etc! Weel done them? Much rubbish overheard on Saturday about 5 year plans and why don't we get John Bennett to pay for the new changing rooms and we can pay him back over the next few years, and John Bennett's got copies of the constitution in his office, and anybody who smiles at Colin Boyd gets a vote and the only reason they don't call an EGM is because they know they'll lose the vote without even knowing what the agenda would be, and Somebody ( you know who) must be going to make big bucks out of Abbey Park. Clearly there were movers and shakers on a miniscule scale attempting to mount a rearguard action to preserve the status quo at Abbey Park but they don't seem to realise that scare-mongering and scurrilous remarks just make folks want to be disassociated from them especially as their only solution is maybe asking John Bennett to maybe pay for the works if indeed they are necessary at all, after all, we've managed so far the way things are. I despair. Why was there an extra dozen people on the coach on Saturday, what inspired them to come out, did they hear there was a petition going to be on the bus? An EGM with a proper agreed Agenda would be a good thing ... it would settle the arguments and be the last chance for alternative solutions ... Put up or Shut up!

One week to go to the vote, so I closed the other thread so that we don't have to be deflected by malicious nonsense from the likes of kenny131. Thanks all others who posted vital information and even if the Remainers didn't supply much in the way of facts to explain how we can afford to stay I know from private conversations with some who don't take to social media much or at all that they are still hopeful that Buffs remain at Abbey Park. None of them thought it likely that the funds would be forthcoming to sort the changing rooms and sewers etc! but a few maintained they would no longer support the club once they move to KSC. Let me say right away that I've known these folks to support the Buffs through thick and thin over the past twenty years so they don't make the statements lightly, rather as an expression of forlorn hope and dismay at the current Committee Chairman for forcing the issue. Clearly if the final decision is for the move there are many who will not attend a match at KSC but will travel to away games. I think we need 3 and a half psychologists to reason out the logic in there. There is still opposition to the idea that the players and management have a full vote, maybe weight it to a half-vote, just to be fairer. Also many feel that long-term regular supporters who cannot afford to outlay for the Season Ticket at the start of the season but still attend and pay at the gate for league and cup games should have a Vote, even half-a-vote, like the players? Cumnock's facilities are supposed to be of the community but I didn't see it as being anything other than Cumnock Juniors' place. Incidentally, around the large gate at the car park side the open wire fence has doubled green plastic mesh to prevent spectators looking in for free.

A well deserved win but helped by the defender who shortly after getting a yellow card decided to jump with his knee extended into the back of his opponent. Why did he do that? That's what his goalie was shouting at the other defenders several times. However, as we've witnessed before, 10 men played better and for a while looked as though a comeback was on the cards. My first analogy of 2019 is to compare it with Beth Brownings' bakery shop, Main Street, Kilwinning. When very busy it operates at maximum efficiency when there are 3 assistants behind the counter, fast service, quick wrapping and no queues at the till. However, when a 4th assistant gets in the mix the assistants efficiency drops by approximately 40%. ( my best guesstimates) They get in each other's way and block access to the produce and the till. They should take a lesson from the trials and tribulations of the Buffs, cheers Are team obliged by the rules to play with the full complement at all times ... could they hold a named player in reserve and field him ( with the Ref's permission of course) and withdraw another for sustenance and repair and detailed instruction and a good swearing if deemed beneficial? Any pedants out there? By the way, the Steak & Haggis pies are SUPREMELY DELICIOUS and made I understand by Brownings in Kilmarnock .... mebbees Kilwinkie should copy? Even Rabbi Burns would approve.

The Chairman has explained the rationale behind the List of Voters in a post on the other thread. I take your point about players possibly having a vested interest but it's balanced by the fact that they have already been using KSC facilities for training for some time and are therefore familiar with the place. If any don't like it they can vote to remain at Abbey Park. The Squad Budget has been reduced recently so they are being paid less than originally contracted for and with the future Abbey Park financial constraints this might worsen. In the longer term there are so many unknowns regarding Club Income that it's a long-shot hope that they would automatically be better paid. Surely the Right to Vote as expressed by the Chairman is that all those who have a Commitment to the Club should have their say and everybody else can express their opinions on Pie and Bovril, FREE of Charge.

http://scottishjuniorfa.com/sjfa/competition_fixtures.cfm?page=1761 All the games are on today according to the SJFA site.

Rumbled ?

Read all about it!! POT calls the KETTLE black https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/threave-rovers-unveil-new-football-12621342 just remember you read it here first. It seems from that article as though all the taxpayers of Dumfries and Galloway have gifted you the keys to the kingdom. A massive facility, FREE GRATIS. Who paid for those Floodlights then? Who the F--k are you really, Black Pennel and why are you interfering in the affairs of a club with which you have no connection, or have you, or had you?

Ive just now looked at the Google Map's satellite view of KSC at Pennyburn and the Show Pitch is the same dimensions as Buffs pitch if you move the goal line back 2 metres ( there is room to do it) at the Golf driving Range end. There is enough room for 4 full size football pitches, so pitch size isn't a factor. I also checked out Almswall Park, a hidden gem, who knew that was there, a full size all weather pitch with ample spare ground around for spectators and vehicles ( 4X4s) and modern changing facilities - is it NAC owned, would they swap it for Abbey Park and give Planning Consent for additional facilities and a long lease?

At the recent Public Meeting it was mentioned that there was a massive problem with the state of the changing rooms and showers which would require a substantial investment to replace those facilities. Upwards of £10k was mentioned. Who would want to Invest or fundraise a massive amount of money for a place you don't own. If it was a fixed to the ground building it couldn't be taken to the next Buffs Park. If the NAC gifted or sold at a reasonable sum or leased with a guarantee of occupancy for 30 years, rent pre-paid, then I would consider donating a small sum towards the necessary improvements. I am reluctant to give anything while it all can go up in smoke. If it can't be resolved and the club moves to Pennyburn and requires a cash injection I would donate provided Buffs were given sufficient security of tenure. I watched a Dalry match at Pennyburn some time ago and they appeared to manage fine... complaints about the size of the park aside. The guy I know on KSC's management team said that interlink fencing could be installed around the pitch perimeter and banners attached to prevent non-paying spectators. There would be other alterations to make it more suitable as a Junior football venue. My first preference s to stay at Abbey Park suitably upgraded but if that is not going to happen then I would support the move to KSC. The only other alternative I can think of is to ground-share with any of the following; Winton, Saltcoats Vics, Ardeer, Irvine Vics and I could be forced to go to the Medda, heavily sedated.

No! Re-read the post please. Even if Buffs got the park rent-free there is a list of things which require paying because we are the tenants. The season lasts for 40 weeks with half of that being home games plus some cup matches. So for 4 hours use per Saturday afternoon for at most 22 days = 88 hours for a season we have to pay Water, Electricity and Rates etc on an Annual basis. My analogy is to compare renting a car for the four hours you actually need to use it as opposed to paying through the nose to have it sit in the street doing nothing but cost you money. Other posters will outline the costs of getting a Junior Club up and ready for the rapidly approaching future major changes. I played schools football cup finals at Abbey Park 60 years ago and was born within a mile of the place, so I am emotionally attached to it, but unless Andrew Carnegie Re- Incarnated materialises the time has come to move on. Hope this helps you, slainge mhath!

It's very like having an old car that's not really yours but is on loan from an unfriendly unhelpful uncle who won't give ownership to you but requires you to pay to keep it maintained and the banger constantly needs money spent on it and the guy up the road says I'll rent you what you need only when you need it and it'll only cost you half what you are paying now. It's also saying to the main cash providers we want you to pay this extra £3,000 per season because we want to stay here but don't expect us to help out with our own money.

It’s now been made clear by a section of the membership that we arnt wanted at the club and our personal involvement with the Buffs youth section and KSC is seen as a conflict of interest by them. By section of 'the membership' you must mean the Season Ticket holders. Within that group there are clones of Statler and Waldorf from the Muppet Show, they will moan no matter who is running the club and don't care about how much time, effort and money they are contributing. It's like party politics ... they will never agree, and they will never put themselves in the position of financing the club themselves, they actually prefer being permanent opposition. It's hard to just ignore them but remember the discounted season tickets are only for home league games and they shouldn't be entitled to be ' members' with undue and disproportionate influence in how the club is managed. There are former movers and shakers who are disgruntled Ex- Buffs and who cannot just park it and move on. Ignore them too. Also within the same group are those who provide financial and other support to whoever is in charge and are aware of the contribution of the 2 Colins and will continue to provide that support in the hope you will continue in position and even recruit others with the financial means to keep the club at a high level. Here's a wee thought, if everyone connected with the club, ie, players and management, committee, and the 142 long-suffering diehards, plus the season ticket holders each brought just ONE other paying spectator the gate and draw ticket and food cabin income would surely increase with Gate Entrance of 400 or so. Thus the main problem is solved, or at least swept under the carpet for the rest of the season. Cheersmedears.

That's happened before, Ian Cashmore was sold to the Winton Rovers for £1500 a few years ago, which was necessary to pay the wages. With the Nay-sayers sniping away don't be surprised if Colin Boyd steps back, and Kilwinning is running out of individuals prepared to put both time and money into the Buffs. On the report of 142 attendance at a league game was that just for gate-payers or did it include Season Ticket holders? Without counting heads I judged the crowd to be around 180 to 200, still not sufficient to greatly improve the club's finances. When Irvine Meadow had their tussle with the Inland Revenue they had guys with buckets inside the ground soliciting donations to their rescue fund. Maybe Buffs could do the same. I worry that the guarantee of £100 for the Draw will leave a pittance for the Development Fund if the number of purchasers falls even further. At away games we always buy a draw ticket, strips of 5 or 10, and even when the crowds are substantial the payout is usually just £10, so the club gets a bigger share.

Sad to hear of his resignation but he was sickened by the attitude of many Buffties who attended the last disastrous PUBLIC MEETING. Most of them did not know or appreciate that he was the man responsible for canvassing the local businesses who pay for their boards around the pitch, or don't really care.

Get a set of non-blinking floodlights and play on a FRIDAY NIGHT and watch the crowds roll in. Not so very long ago Winton Rovers had a Friday night Floodlit match and attracted a very good crowd. As lights go their's are a bit low and blinding from a distance but better than nothing.

Heavy pitch today, but playable .... spotted these in Deichman's Shoe Store in Irvine Mall this morning,

Here's a thought. It is not an offence to be in an offside position, the offence happens when you become active. So, don't become active until you are deemed to be able to become 'active' without committing the offside offence. You cannot be offside from your own team's goal kick, so send a player to stand at the edge of the penalty box and hopefully draw a defender back so making it easier for your fellow players to advance nearer the opposition goal without fear of being caught offside. (You need a long kicker .. ? Pettigrew ?) You cannot be offside at a throw-in so whenever you get a shy someone immediately goes forward, even to the opposition goal line, again hoping to draw a defender back, then get the long-throw expert (? Joe Coleman) to launch it forward close to the shy-line hoping for a defender to head it into touch thereby making it easier for the next throw-in to be launched right into the penalty box. If the forward ball is intercepted then the offside player should not get actively involved until he is deemed to be onside again. There you go, new tactic adopted, problem sorted, glad to have been of help. (Am I right or wrong Saltyton ?)