Well our

English friends made it through and well done to them. The result was everything and they got it. Convincing, you can answer that but they move on and it's their old foes on Sunday. I've mentioned Germany before and the fact that I dislike the way they now have a two year residency rule which means they are playing what I'd certainly call non Germans. And how about the French, just rewards, I'd say so. They cheated their way to these finals and I'm glad they have gone this early. They done themselves no favours only showing petulance and a complete lack of judgment. The tournament is better for their passing.
On matters black & gold we've signed some more players taking our squad to a respectable 16. With the reserve and under 17's also coming on I'd say the preparation is about as good as could be hoped for. I went to Lowick again last night to watch the final trial for the youths and it appears that the coaches have their squad pretty well put together.

The World

Cup continues apace and I must admit to watching most of the games, at least with one eye anyway. What about these bloody horns/hooters/vuevue whatever they are. A few times I've muted the telly as it just becomes too much to bother with. What are they all about anyway. What is the point of them being blown incessantly for the whole game? I presume it's an indigenous thing, some football education required there me thinks. Have you watched the England games, oh dear, they really are making a total bollocks of the whole thing aren't they? That last game on Friday must rank as one of the most inept performances seen from England for a looooooooooooooooong time. Where is their pride?
Onto things domestic and you'll know the fixtures are out, we start at Cliftonhill in a start to the season rather bereft of home fixtures. The East of Scotland one's are out as well for the newly formed reserves. Interesting times. I spent an interesting day yesterday assisting withe the first trial day for the new under 17's team. It was held at Lowick FC's ground and 25 boys turned up. They had a demanding day which included the ubiquitous "bleep test". Fist time I've seen that in the flesh so to speak and that really sorts, in this case, the boys from the boys!

Well we're

into the WC and its been a reasonable start, unless your names Green that is! Sorry, couldn't resist, you can rest easy now Roughie, No more tiresome comments from jovial Englishmen about dodgy Scottish goalies eh? You gotta feel for the lad though, it was a shocker. Imagine the keeper at your club doing something similar what would you say then? No more mention of it from yours truly, till Friday that is anyway!
Our reserves are back into the EOS League as well. Good news no doubt and this time they have the full backing of the club and hopefully it will go well. Again it suits me given my long standing interest in EOS football and it should, if done the right way bring benefits to the EOS league as well. As a club we have some bridge building to be done and given the make up of next seasons first division there'll be plenty of derby games, cutting down on travel and costs.
Day to watch this week is Thursday, 9am to be precise, when next seasons league fixtures are released. Looking forward to it.

Just sitting

watching "our boy" kick of his pre Wimbledon tournament at Queens. What with this then Wimbledon and the WC what a great couple of months of sport on the box we have to look forward to. Things are happening down Shielfield way as well. If your like me and take an interest in East of Scotland football you'll be interested in the outcome of our reserves hearing this Thursday night at the EOS FA and FL meeting at Tynecastle when said application goes before the meeting. I certainly hope they get the nod as I know the club and Chairman have done some work to reassure the East of Scotland clubs that they are serious about competing again after our last brief sojourn under the previous regime when quite frankly those in charge treated the reserves and EOS League with disdain. It will be different this time, if we get in, and I'd hope the member clubs take that into account. As well as that we are also going to have an under 17 team in the SFL Youth League. All this smacks of forward planning to me, great stuff after what we've had to put up with.

Our full

list of pre season friendlies is now known, the fist two cup ties are out, well two if you count the ubiquitous "bye" and the league fixtures are out in a couple of weeks. And me....I've just finished totting up my list from last season. You may recall, probably not, that about nine months ago I said I'd never done it before so for the season I'd keep a detailed list of all the games I attended. Well, do it I did and it produced the following numbers:-
Games attended = 43 of which 27 were Berwick games
Most expensive entrance fee = £33.50 for Man City v Arsenal and £12 for Partick v Berwick
Biggest crowd = 47339 Man City v Arsenal Biggest crowd watching Berwick 1620 Livingston v Berwick
Most expensive programme = £3 Man City v Arsenal I didn't pay more than £2 for any Berwick programme all season.
Highest scoring game 11 goals Duns Amateurs 1 10 Hibs and Berwick games 6 goals Berwick 4 2 Hibs X1 Partick 5 1 Berwick Elgin 3 3 Berwick
In total I travelled 4809.5 miles of which 2811.0 was watching Berwick and in total I spent £960.53 and watching Berwick £573.57.
Quite a season you may agree, almost £1000 spent on fitba, my oh my!