Sunday 28 February 2010

No football

again for us this weekend. Apparently cliftonhill had about two inches of water on it and even on Friday there was literary no chance. We now look to Tuesday and given the present Shielfield surface what chance? Ironically enough there was no rain in Berwick yesterday and only a wee drop this morning. What does that mean, probably nowt as the damage may already have been done. After I heard the postponment yesterday I thought maybe an East of Scotland game but no luck there either, they were all off!
Did get some televised footie however, did you see Pompeys game at Burnley. What the hell did David James have on his head? I presume he achieved that courtesy of a wee lassies head band. When I was a laddie they were called alice bands, that's ALICE David.
And staying with Pompey on the day they went into administration the squad set of for their fixture at Burnley by.....plane. Yes they flew. Wonder what the many that they owe dosh to think of that, you couldn't make it up......

Thursday 25 February 2010

We had

our first Trust board meeting post AGM last night at the Pilot in Berwick. Top of the agenda was the appointment of new post holders. One of which is the Chairs position due to our Chairman deciding to stand down. Having held the position of vice chair as long as our Chairman held his I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I was duly voted as the new Chairman and only hope I am able to do half as good a job as John, that is what you said isn't it John? We got through a fairly packed agenda and will carry on the planning into our next meeting. We also welcomed three new board members so now have a nigh on full compliment and are certainly planning to get a load of stuff organised this year as the clubs need is as great as ever.

Wednesday 24 February 2010

The club

has signed another youngster in Jordan, is it? Cropley. If he's half the player his old man was he'll do a job at our level. If your around my age you may also remember watching his dad play for Hibs. We could certainly do with a wee bit of luck on something and if this young man can do something special for us, and himself off course, it would be really welcome. Did his dad and Brazil's play together? Can't really recall but I think Cropley may have been first, but you'll tell me won't you??
Our West correspondent drew the next ditty to my attention. That of Shire having a game, think it's against Albion, where YOU pay what you want. It's an idea that's already been tried in the English league at Mansfield Town when they had Gateshead as visitors and drew in a huge crowd at that level taking far in excess of what they may have had otherwise. I'll wish them well even although they are being less than helpful in my request for a programme from our game recently!

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Well, I

watched the Rotherham v Shrewsbury game last night and witnessed the most blatant dive I'll see, oh, probably till the next time I watch a game on the telly. The offender was the Millers grandly named Adam Le Fondre who threw himself down in spectacular fashion and succeeded in conning the referee into awarding his team a penalty which he himself took and scored. Thankfully it didn't win them the game but never the less another example of the cancer in our game that is cheating. Shame on you young man.
The only black & gold news I've seen is that Joe Savage was offered terms but turned them down. I only saw him once, briefly in the one all draw at Annan and can't say he stood out, no tears from me then Joe.

Monday 22 February 2010

Another football

week commences and thank goodness there's more on offer than just black & gold. I'll kick off tonight watching the Rotherham v not quite sure who at this stage, it'll come to me though. Just been watching some of the MOTD stuff I taped at the weekend and I've got to say how many of these guys playing for Pompey have made up names? Now there's a club in soapy. I find it hard to have much sympathy and must saying it's another case of a small number of players getting rather rice on the back of a club that could no way afford it and they will eventually go back to whence they came and the people that matter, the fans, will suffer. Had a look at the list of players they have sold this season, it comes to in the region of £80 million, no sign of that though. Does that put our problems into perspective, NOT AFTER 4 HOMES DEFEATS IN A ROW IT DOESN'T......

Sunday 21 February 2010

Had other

things to do yesterday so wasn't at the game, but by all accounts that made me one of the lucky ones. That's not a guess by the way, I've spoken to someone who was there and he confirmed it was worse than last week. That off course means we can now be overhauled by Albion Rovers whom we go to next week. Mind you in truth we are nowhere near promotion material, infact we're about as far as it's possible to be from there. I'm tired of saying that this run just goes on, but it does, and there are better men than me that need to figure out how to change it. But sort it they have to do, and I'm not ignoring the players in this, your the lads that are under achieving, at least I hope you are, cause if that's your best I think I can hear a rotund lady warming up here vocal cords.

Friday 19 February 2010

I see

a number of matches have fallen already with several more subject to pitch inspections. We, as far as I know, are not in that category, at least yet. Mind you given the well publicised state of our pitch and the weather forecast for tonight I wouldn't be surprised to hear something negative. But as of now the game goes ahead and am I right in saying our opponents have never beaten us? Well lads if ever you had a shout to change that its right now. Our form is nothing short of worrying at present and one more slip from us will give Albion the chance to catch us, I know, if they win their games in hand. Brazil back tomorrow is the rumour and how about the number 1 jersey? Will we see the new signing because unless Mark Peat has made a recovery of biblical proportions he surely has no chance and again I think to date he has made the most appearances this season.
On a different note I see that ex Rangers are making their mark in the East of Scotland Premier League. The line ups from last Saturdays Tynecastle v Spartans match included Eddie Mearns, Robbie Arthur, Chris Flockhart and Robbie Manson.

Thursday 18 February 2010

Last nights

game went the way I thought off course. Is it just me or is every result that effects us going the wrong way. It also seems to me that the top three seem to be on runs and picking up points at will whereas our bad run just goes on and we're finding points as hard to find as tits on a bull. Good news may be at hand however if the SFL site is to be believed in saying that Alan Brazil has been back in full training this week and the manager is quoted as saying he may be involved this Saturday. If ever you were required young Brazil.The postponed games have also been rescheduled to we know the fixture plan for what is fast becoming the run in.
To finish tonight I must mention, thanks Kev for flagging it up, one Paul Cooper. Cooper nicknamed Santa, received 6 red cards in Hawick United's game against Pencaitland last November. Apparently 5 were for "a verbal exchange" with the ref. When I asked Mr Cooper for a comment he said ***** ***** *** ******** ****!

Wednesday 17 February 2010

The gods

are certainly not wearing black & gold at the moment are they. A last minute winner at Station Park last night pretty much sums it up. A look at the table today confirms what's been on the cards for a while. We're down to fourth, but a further look gives no comfort what so ever. Queens Park are not the immediate treat, although don't rule them out, no, its Albion Rovers that concern me. Three games in hand and eleven points behind starting with one of these games tonight. Maybe we can get a wee rub of the green from Annan. I see we've signed Jay Shields, remember him? But theres always a price isn't there? Courtesy of our ref on Saturday we'll now miss Paul Currie for two games. We certainly need someone or something to freshen up the team at the moment, maybe young Shields can provide that.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Not given

much thought to matters black & gold today. Probably a combination of work and a wee bit of trying to stay away from it. Almost midweek however as we head to our next game however but not quite yet. One game tonight that effects us, can Elgin do us a favour, what do you think, ye, I tend to agree. Quite a number of games tonight to keep us occupied, I'll be watching the Man U game but might dip into the Lyon Real game. I won't blether on now though as I can't really think of any other pressing matters tonight, you'll be glad to hear!

Monday 15 February 2010

Those of

us that care, and there are still a few in these days of consistent sub 400 crowds, are rightly concerned about the way our team is performing. It seems to me that our season is imploding before our eyes, week on week they are getting no better. I have just read Dave Cook's match report on the official site and as usual he says it pretty much the way it is. The manager can do all the preparation in the world but it's up to the players to sort this or our season is liable to end in tears. Been looking at a form table based on the last 8 games and it illustrates exactly where we are. Where that is is 6th in the table 6 points of a play off place. The top three are Shire Forfar and Livingston. My worry now is how can we improve so that the next 8 are not the same as the last.

Sunday 14 February 2010

Were you

there yesterday? If so you don't need me to tell you any more about it, so I won't. If you weren't there your bloody lucky. The good bit about yesterday took place pre 1500 hours. It was our sixth AGM, the Trust that is. We had Brian Porteous Jimmy Crease and Bill Parkin as our guests representing all parts of the club. They all spoke eloquently and positive it was as well. Just a couple of things they told us, from Brian he said the club had secured funding to help refurbish both dressing rooms and Jimmy told us a number of things which clarified some issues with a few players and some the club are looking at. Bill further clarified intentions for both supporters organisations to work together on future projects. Everything was fine till you know when, but you know the rest don't you?

Saturday 13 February 2010

We were

taken apart today in the most inept performance I can remember watching Berwick serve up for a long time. We offered absolutely nothing anywhere on the pitch and every Berwick player was a disgrace. I left, with many others, with over twenty minutes to go and unless there is a sharp improvement more than me will be considering whether to part with their hard earned to watch any more of this. Our players should hand back their wages and beg forgiveness from the fans who they embarrassed today. I'm saying no more and now want to try and forget what I witnessed this afternoon.

Friday 12 February 2010

Been one

of these weeks this week, I seem to have been all over the shop so haven't been able to spend time on here every day. Tomorrow looms large and apparently the water that has been lying on Shielfield has gone. It has rained in Berwick today but not consistently and hopefully not enough to set the situation back. Stranraer's match has been postponed and Albion have an inspection in the morning. I suppose there is still a possibility of bad news tomorrow depending on what happens overnight. We (the Trust) are also having our AGM in the Black & Gold tomorrow prior to the game and joining us will be the Manager and Chairman, should be interesting. After our point at Annan on Tuesday three more tomorrow will be great, make no mistake mind, it will be extremely tough.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Game 30
Annan Athletic 1-1 Berwick


Traveled over to Annan last night for our rearranged game. We should have won, an overly pedantic referee chalked of a perfectly good Berwick goal and generally made a nuisance of himself. Mind you, that apart a draw was probably about right. Our goal was an absolute cracker from Paul Currie. Unfortunately after that our old failing reared it's head as we failed to impose ourselves. About 20 Berwick fans made the effort to be there and we had to undergo the fiasco of Annan's version of segregation. This involved going round the ground to the away turnstiles from the social club, no segregation in there mind, and standing at the far end of the stand having access to two portable toilets. Unfortunately someone had left a little present in one so that was them out of bounds for yours truly! Not a bad night however but three points would have been very welcome.

Running totals
Overall 2708.1 miles £581.26
BR 1856.4 miles £426.31

Monday 8 February 2010

Another week

of football is upon us and a game comes round early this time with our trip to Annan tomorrow. First trip over there this season against a team we have a good record against. Mind you given our current state of play I don't know. We need to get this turned round quick or else our play off spot will genuinely be under threat. What with tomorrow then the Loons on Saturday this week could have a big bearing on how our season unfolds. I'm not going to start to get on the teams back but hope that in a constructive way the manager can turn things around and get us back to where we were only a short time ago.

Sunday 7 February 2010

Was elsewhere

this weekend so couldn't be at Ochilview yesterday, so I can't comment on the game, but I've read a couple of reports that don't give me much confidence I'm afraid to say. ,The manager has brought in a couple of loans and shuffled his pack, as they say, but the bottom line is another defeat. Is our season falling apart? Our only saving grace yesterday was Forfar's last minute goal although it's becoming more obvious that Livingston will go up. Is that a bad thing, maybe not just to get them out the way and let the second division put up with them. Annan on Tuesday I'm going to that one if I can get finished early and back up the road in time to get away, I'll let you know!

Thursday 4 February 2010

Shire on

Saturday now looms large on the horizon. Changed days indeed when you see that in the previous two encounters this season Shire have won both by 1-0. We need a win on Saturday more than ever. although I for one ain't too optimistic at this stage. One win in the last four is not promotion form and more than stats neither is the way we're playing. I really hope I'm wrong because we need a result on Saturday like we never have. Another club not going through the best of times are the Albion from Stirling. They're on the wrong end of the financial men again, this time apparently for unpaid ground rent amounting to a six figure sum apparently, owed to the local "Cooncil". As we all know local authorities have the compassion level of a Japanese prison guard in the last war, so I really do wish them well, they may indeed need it.

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Belated congrats

to David Greenhill for his 100th start for the Black & Gold on Saturday past. I knew it was coming up but what with all the turmoil caused by the weather lost track a wee bit. He joins Horn and Little in the 100 plus club of the current squad. Taking of Horn will he play again or just naturally move into coaching. Not even quite sure if he's fully fit at present and just not getting a shout, or what. Almost time to think about Saturday and Shire away or at least at Stennie. Anyone know what their ground status is at present. Are they actually doing anything to secure a new ground or can they just "doss down" at their mates indefinitely. Either way it's going to be a real toughie on Saturday, even tougher if we play the same as last Saturday. Just a quick mention on last nights score from Almondvale. Think they have it sorted now unfortunately. Still can't work out however how they are balancing their books with all these full time wages from crowds of 5/600. Just over six last night.

Tuesday 2 February 2010

According to

the SFL site Alan Brazil is back in training, which if correct is good news indeed, we need him. Why, however, do I need to read this on their site, who told them, and if anyone from Shielfield actually did why did they not tell berwickrangers.net first? There doesn't appear to me to be any use for us having an official site if any news related to the club doesn't break there first. If the story is bollocks then I take it all back, we'll all know fairly soon won't we.

Monday 1 February 2010

Start of

another sporting week and I'll be settling down tonight to kick off the week watching the big North West derby......from Gigg Lane. Got to say I've got a bit of a soft spot for the Dale, team who have been in the bottom league the longest etc. Spent some time today reading up on what Andy Murray had to see after yesterdays defeat, real human stuff as far as I'm concerned and he will get there, patience lad.
On a much sourer note we have John Terry and his antics. Very little about footballers surprises me now but they do have a dilemma on their hands there. Many questions need to be answered with, I suppose, the main one being is he fit to carry on as England captain. You'll have your opinion on that but some of the major companies associated with Terry apparently are considering pulling the plug, ala Tiger Woods. These individuals who live in the public gaze and have there outrageous life styles financed by it will have to learn that all that comes at a cost and Mr Terry may about to be the first to count the cost in all sorts of ways. Happen or not, what do you think?