hatchetman

Spot on. Two of those clubs in danger of disappearing altogether. Warrenpoint could/ should have went last season. Omagh Town a bit of a loss. **** me this is getting depressing.

The money the Larne man has is way above anything any of our country cousins have had. I remember going back a tad when Portadown were throwing money around, and look where they ended up. Mind you they had some side and success at that time (Vinny Arkins tormented us) but paid a high price. The only self sustainable club is Linfield. Biggest support, more or less guaranteed income and have a professionalism about them unmatched in the Irish League. They are really well run and their spirit finds its way right down to all playing levels. They're far from my favourite club but you have to stand back and admire them. Cliftonville and ourselves punch above our weight from time to time but sustaining the finances is difficult. Gurntoran sold their soul and are paying the price. Coleraine's new input will of course help if it's well spent, but how long is that income going to be there. The same applies to Larne. I believe Kenny is trying to make them a viable business. None of us (bar one) has the regular support needed for full time football. Sport is full of boom and bust stories. Sugar daddies coming in and moving on. So it's onwards but not always upwards. (I have absolutely no inside line on any IL club.) As I repeatedly prove, I know nothing about football. Doesn't stop me rabbiting on.

Only seen the last half hour tonight, and while not a classic, was an exciting watch. Andy Ryan was some signing. Well done Larne. They've brought a new dynamic to the league,and I find it interesting. They'll be a force for a year or two yet. I just want to beat them more often. Mind you, I want to beat everybody more often.

Seemed like a fairly straightforward win on Saturday. Coleraine were on a bit of an unbeaten streak, but didn't appear at it from what I heard /read. That's us fourth with whatever advantage it accrues. I won't make next week's game. Is there a worse kickoff time than 5.30 Saturday. Got pished on in Majorca. It's odd seeing umbrellas hanging beside buckets and spades.

San Miguel is Filipino. (originally)

Followed that on ceefax from not so sunny Majorca last night. Seemed like a decent enough win, and Gurntoran getting beat suited us as well. My only (very personal) concern is that the Reds lose their way before the cup final, and piss away my twenty quid. Watch the first goal. It was like a game of pinball. San Miguel is a very acceptable pint.

Crues not at it in the first half, but a much better second. Should have got a point out of that. Jordan f*****g Owens. When Stephen Baxter first started giving him a run all those years ago, I thought we'd reached the bottom of the barrel. 250 goals later it once again shows how little I know about football. A feisty game with no love lost. That's not a great Linfield side but like a lot of previous ones they don't lie down and they battle to the death. This last year I've been tormented with late goals. Hope Coleraine do us a favour today. I know it looks like I'm talking to myself on here, but I'm off to sunny Majorca in the morning, so I don't give a toss.

b*****ds.

Poor first 45 yesterday, not helped by Kathleen. Second half much better and very competitive. I like Inver Park. Decent ground and handy enough for me. I'm never happy doing the Blues a favour, but three points gratefully accepted. Fourth place could be pretty beneficial in Euro qualification terms. Home to Linfield next Friday, and I owe some relations a good slabbering. Then I'm off to Majorca for a week. How do I fit it all in.

I've £20 on Cliftonville at 11/4 to win the cup. I'd rather Gurntoran had won, but I thought Linfield were always in control. Mind you I seen most of through the bottom of a pint glass.

And I'm not there to gloat. I love penalties. (except in Dingwall)

Didn't realise I'd been away so long, but that was my first Crues game this year. It was dire. Ninety minutes of crap punctuated with one lovely cross and header. At least the bus back was a good laugh.

Please no. They must appoint another clampet. It's the Gurntoran way.

Told you. Comedy gold.

Declan Caddell announced as next manager. With the club all his career. Great player. Bled red and black.(regularly) Involved with the youth sides. Should know us inside out. Whilst I'm not sure this is always a good thing, I wish him all the best. He'll have my full support.

Looked like a fairly straightforward win for the Crues. The Oval going into another meltdown. Shame.

A great draw. I might be home that weekend and could be talked into attending either of those. I'd like to see Cliftonville lift it.

Mickey Mouse competition. ( I got a real sickener at Firhill a couple of weeks ago. I was licking my wounds but ventured out again on Tuesday. That went well.)

Stephen Baxter has brought unimagined success to Crusaders. We were relegated in his first half season (which we had flirted with in the two previous seasons). That season playing at the second level was great fun. Winning trophies and visiting places I'd never heard of. After promotion it took a couple of seasons to find our feet, and we've never looked back. League titles, cups, European wins and a glorious All Ireland Cup. At the same time, whether by luck or planning, a well organised board came together, and the off the pitch basket case that was, wasn't. Seaview is a very tidy Irish League ground. Stephen Baxter is not universally popular. What manager is. He can buy and discard players without (in my opinion) giving them a real chance. His late/never substitutions used to frustrate me no end. He can be abrasive and of course, opposing fans dislike him immensely. I on the other hand, have nothing but respect for the job he has done. I've never passed two words with him and don't expect to, but if I had a Christmas Card list, he'd be top. Seaview won't be the same. Good luck to the punter following him.

Crusaders are poor (football wise) intermittently. I'm poor (financially) permanently.

If I'm home I'd love to meet up, although we're poor at the moment.

McGonigle should help. He was wasted at Seaview.

Bate. Season falling on it's arse.

Wouldn't even fight for Crusaders.

Our daughter lives in Ayrshire and we have a hut in her back garden. As we are retired we can run back and forth as the mood/ money takes us. I've been a Thistle fan since primary school. (Picked Thistle just to not follow the other two) It's great to be able to go to Firhill so often. I also travel to handy away games. Somerset Park, Airdrie and of course Cappielow. I was there in early September but I expect CentralTon has blanked that one. When Thistle are away I go to games in the WOSFL. I was never a great neutral at matches but age and a desire not to spend Saturday afternoons in the pub have changed that. Be happy to accompany CentralTon to Seaview. I hope you keep well Jacks. Keep contributing as this is obviously a circumstance where the internet is a force for good.