G_&_T

Interesting, thanks. So Darvel, even if they lose to Falkirk, still stand to make nearly £100k in prize money and TV money (on TV x 2) , in addition to gate receipts, merchandise sales, etc.

That one was particularly disturbing, because the guy was literally in tears and begging the police officer not to shoot him. There was also absolutely no need to make him crawl like that. Why, when he is lying face down with his hands outstretched could they not have cuffed him? The copper was temporarily re-hired so he could get a police pension, it seems: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-officer-who-fatally-shot-sobbing-man-temporarily-rehired-apply-n1028981 The place is fucked. Arizona is one of the worst - they're considering reinstating the gas chamber as a method of execution. It took the last guy 18 minutes to die in one: I mean, if they got someone to throttle the condemned to death, or use an axe or a chainsaw on him, it would have been quicker. It's a barbaric society, I'm not sure why we're constantly bombarded with American news and 'culture', personally.

Where did you get the prize money info from, out of interest?

I am in complete agreement that those officers are thoroughly obnoxious, but do you really want them to be murdered? I will probably get shot down in flames for this, but isn't that the sort of attitude that allows police brutality to flourish? If police officers played by the book, instead of meting out their own form of 'justice' which is accepted by their colleagues, then police brutality wouldn't be such a problem. One of the problems America has, is that brutality is glamourised. Violence begets violence. In an ideal world these men would be jailed, but also made to realise just how brutal and cowardly their actions were. They're nothing but thugs who were wrongly entrusted with a position of power. What's most concerning about this is that they have probably done it many times before, but the victims survived.

What are the chances of a neutral getting a ticket for this game? I would imagine slim to none after the media exposure and the fact there's a quarter-final place at stake.

Fiction, I know, but have you seen Yosser's Story, part of an 80's series known as Boys From The Blackstuff? The way the police dealt with him, when they take his kids away from him, shows how things were back then. This is yet another appalling video of the police in the US. The cop is clearly very callous and itching to shoot the guy, who begs for his life first:

The problem with many police officers, and it certainly used to be the case here (though less so, now), is that the people attracted to these positions are often bullies. I have heard several accounts from people arrested in the 1970s and '80s, in Scotland, who got a kicking off the police. It's almost cliched to hear of folk who got a doing in the back of the police van before being released. I'm sure most folk on here will have heard of the Stanford Prison Experiment, it was even made into a film: The sad truth is, the power that comes with authority, and the ability to detain and 'restrain' folk will often be abused. This is more so if there is a prevailing culture that turns a blind eye to it. Also, one should remember - though this is in no way excusing errant police officers - that they deal with the most violent and sometimes downright psychopathic people in society every day, so even the most well-intentioned may become very cynical. Of course, they also deal with a lot of vulnerable people - the mentally ill, the homeless, those addicted to drink and drugs, etc. Some old coppers I have worked with have justified being violent in the past, by claiming that they arrest the same wrong 'uns all the time, and because of the high standard of proof required they cannot secure a conviction, or they get a 'slap on the wrist'. So giving them a good kicking was seen as a way of punishing them. I'm sure a lot of people would be only too happy to turn a blind eye to such behaviour if the recipient of the violence was a sex offender, or such like. Anyway, I have gone off on a tangent. But ultimately what I'm saying is what sort of people would be attracted to an occupation - especially in America, with shows like Cops, and where you can routinely carry a gun, baton and tazer? What motivates someone to want to do that? My experience with the police has taught me to be polite and even subservient to them. I'm sure some will scoff at that, but these people do have power and I'm sure some of them are just itching to abuse it.

Been asleep since 20.00. I have just woken up to this result - tremendous. I would LOVE to see you or Greenock promoted. Preferably both of you.

How about: SPL - 12 clubs League 1* - 16 clubs (each playing the other twice, then a split into groups of 8 and play each other home and away) Three regional leagues of 14 (East Coast, West Coast & Highland). Top club from each is promoted. *I have never like the name 'Championship'

Just notice that I wrote 'reputed', when I meant 'reputable'. The quality of journalism nowadays is rubbish, generally. I can only speculate whether this would've happened twenty or forty years ago, but I reckon it wouldn't have. Nowadays with the availability of the internet, there's less excuse for it, too.

I wrote '...the likes of Wick Academy...'. If this is going to be a reasoned debate, you need to quote me correctly. You could have Ullapool FC, Orkney FC and even Eriskay FC in there, if it's a proper pyramid.

Surely this will be picked for the TV now. The possibility of having a tier six side in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup is unbelievable. However, my prediction: Darvel 1 Falkirk 3.

There's no excuse for reputed publications not spelling Darvel correctly, however it does demonstrate just how big of a shock that victory was last night.

I disagree. A team worthy of promotion should be able to beat the bottom side in the SPFL over two legs. If you can't do that, then you shouldn't be promoted. The other big problem with promoting both the Highland and Lowland League winners, is having to travel up to the likes of Wick Academy every other week. It would cost a fortune and result in a decline in attendances. I think the current system is correct.

Season tickets. All credit to the "Red Army", but I reckon Hearts would also be able to take 800 fans there.

Presumably apart from you? Hearts have 2,000 on their waiting list, they're undoubtedly Scotland's third biggest club.

Good that one of these will be in the quarter-final: Cove Rangers/Ayr United v Elgin City/Drumchapel United

Immediately after the second goal, Hibs fans are show leaving...I will never understand that, given the amount of time left.

I'm a fan of Scottish Football in general, and I reckon the best thing that could happen would be for an Old Firm, to eliminate one of the Cheeks. Lots of derbies would always be good, too: Ayr vs Killie (or Darvel) Drumchapel vs Partick Thistle (or Queen's Park) Hamilton vs Motherwell Linlithgow vs Livingston

In the stands, too. There are tickets still available for this one...

Ah, I wasn't aware of that. Well that does make a difference. How on earth have you managed that?

I'm only considering today's game. But: 7,500 x £30 = £225k 9,500 x £20 = £190k We've just come through a pandemic. Aberdeen announced a huge loss this year, St. Mirren recently announced a loss too - and I'm well aware that their policy to reduce Old Firm numbers has paid off. I can understand why clubs would wish to milk the Old Firm fans for this game. Personally, I think St. Mirren's approach is the best one - they gave their fans a vote and then worked with them to ensure the club's finances weren't impacted by the decision to reduce Old Firm numbers. Fans have rallied and donated additional sums, turned up in greater numbers, bought tickets to be shared in the community, etc. It strikes me that St. Johnstone supporters simply demanded the club cut the price and the away allocation, i.e. take a financial hit.

I can't help but think the club will still be financially better off now, than they would have been had it been £20, and definitely so if they had limited Rangers' allocation. And there's the first goal.

Paranoia alert: Morton started too well and there was a fear they could've caused an upset. The Old Firm are the 'showpiece of Scottish football...', etc.

I don't understand how Goldson's handball in the Old Firm cannot be given and that one can. I haven;t watched the former again, but didn't Goldson move his hands (albeit to protect his face) and handle the ball, whilst this one is 100% an accident and his hands are not in an unnatural position. Saint Mirren had one at Tynecastle...the list goes on.