ITS SINKING

in now and I'm able to get my head round the possibilities that this tie gives to the club, and they're all positive. I know planning has started already and much is to be done. The big talking point is, and will be, the sale of tickets. Thankfully we have the experience within the club that hopefully will make this a successful operation. Everybody will have their view, that is right. My own one is fairly simple, this season their is an average home gate of something in the region of 470. Every one of them must get a ticket if they so desire. After that Supporters Club and Trust members after that, basically whoever you want as long as they're sold. Yes I know that's overly simple but as long as the afore mentioned all get a ticket that's all that's required. How about the addition of those Berwick fans that went to Clyde and Cove. After that the only important thing it that they are all sold, which face it, will hardly be a problem, will it?

WELL WE

waited 2 years and 9 draws but did we get the hum dinger today. This certainly makes up for all these away ties and more. Celtic at Shielfield, one of the biggest clubs in the world. What this kind of game will do for our club as regards everything can not be calculated right now but things will become clearer and with the right administration this can put the club on an even keel for a number of years. I know work has started already and am confident this board will make sure that maximum revenue is obtained and used in such a way as to safeguard our club for a number of seasons. The work done at Shielfield eg Ducket side turnstiles, new seats etc will make staging this game much more feasible. And don't remember there's also the enjoyment factor of seeing your team play in this kind of game.

JUST BACK

from the weekend and off course Cove. Were you there? The Berwick support were well represented in what is listed anyway as a 250 attendance. It was hard to tell standing in the covered enclosure where the majority of the crowd were. No seating at the Rainbow Stadium unless you pay for one of their packages and sit upstairs behind the glass fronted area. Must be the smallest tightest ground I've seen Berwick play on, marginally bigger than my kitchen, and I've seen them play on a few! Nice little set up non the less. The game itself was a hard affair with the home team giving nowt away but in the end our class showed and we beat them into submission. How about Greenhill's goal? You'll need to look hard to see a better one this season. On to the 4th round, or third as it used to be when the big boys entered. Personally I want the old firm or Edinburgh two away or anyone else at home. That's what I'd like. What I'll get will probably be Stranraer or Buckie away. Any chance of a home tie this time. The draw, don't really know when it is, they are a well kept secret aren't they. Got to finish by saying well done to Duns who courtesy of their win yesterday now sit top of the Border Amateur League. Well done lads keep it up.

A WINS

a win and that's exactly what we had to get yesterday. Mind you, for a long spell I couldn't see us getting a thing. One nil down and they had a second chalked of, we were playing absolute mince, but, the manager made a desperately needed double substitution and in two mad moments we pulled it round and got the points. Someone said that at desperate times you need to win ugly. Well let me tell you yesterday was John Merrick ugly, and improvement is needed. Rightly you'll say that Gribbon, O'Reilly and Greenhill were absent but don't let the end result fool you. We were for 90% of the game crap. However after dropping a couple of places in the week we pulled one back and got, if I'm right something like our first win in at least six. What did you make of the away support? There were hardly any of them and those that chose to stand in the home end would have been no disgrace to any day centre. Someone said "the tree family" No matter onward to Cove next week.....anyone know how to get there!

THE NOOSE

tightens, or so it seems to me this week. Starting last weekend with a defeat at Gayfield, one which by all accounts was deserved which worries me even more. Then on Tuesday we slipped down a place after the Annan Montrose game. Last night was no better when Arbroath won again and we further slipped to our lowest position of the season. Then 5 minutes ago I read on the SFL site that Paul Currie will be out for what they describe as an extended period with an injury. I'm presuming this to be accurate although our club have said nothing. I don't know the up to date situation re bookings but no doubt they will kick in soon. Our squad is looking shockingly thin, but that's not really news to anyone given what we have. Where do we go now, well a win on Saturday is imperative, everyone knows that. What team will we see though?

WELL, IT

had to happen we all knew it and now it has. You know, our first league defeat of the season. I wasn't there yesterday but got a first hand report which in summary said we pretty much got what we deserved, nowt. More worrying though is that fact we may have a couple from yesterday with injuries plus suspensions kicking in. This is something the Ducket faithful have worried about for some time now and although its threatened on occasions this season its never really caused a main problem. They always say that its the way a club reacts after the first defeat at the end of a long unbeaten run and next week at Shielfield we'll all be holding our collective breath. Its hugely important in the context of our season that we MUST get a win next week. Anything else and we are well and truly hitting the skids.
Got to mention the reserves as well, and their 7-1 thumping of the perennial whipping boys Hawick. Good stuff lads, none of you know how soon you may be needed elsewhere!

ANOTHER FITBA

week dawns but a quick look back to the weekend first. Not a great weekend for our black & gold teams, the first team as you know drew its fifth league game in a row. Too many points lost has seen us into third place I'm afraid, need better or we'll start to see a gap starting to appear. Gribbon however kept up his phenomenal goals record to hit his 12th league goal this season. The only person beating him in Scottish League goals is Rangers Kenny Miller whose on 13. If he keeps up this rate he'll end the season on something like 44! Our reserves lost 4-3 at Peebles Rovers and the Under 17 team lost 3-0 at Ayr United. Lets all hope for considerably better this weekend.
You'll also have noticed Dundee have been docked 25 points. I think this puts then on minus 13 which should make relegation something of a certainty, because to be fair anything else would be totally inappropriate. The message must be sent, and I know its extremely harsh on the clubs fans. The players will eventually move on, some sooner than later but the message must be loud and clear to these individuals who want to own clubs and cheat, ITS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

WERE YOU

there this afternoon? There was an improved crowd of 520, which is good. What was bad was the performance. The whole afternoon, apart from say the last 10/15 minutes we couldn't string anything together. The way the team performed was stinking, and when Queens Park took the lead they thoroughly deserved it after a long range shot fair streaked into Mark Peats net. At that stage there was only one result and when Crease made a double substitution and Darren Gribbon, too willingly feigned to leave the field, there must have been more than my heart sank. And it proved right when he pushed home the equaliser, can't remember the timing, but there must have been about 20 odd minutes to go. After that we did step it up a wee bit but couldn't get the winner. In truth that would have been unfair on the visitors. We'll need to step it up from here mind today was not good enough. I know we remain unbeaten but its turning into too many draws. I won't slag individual players of, there were to many.

FIRST GAME

in the second quarter of the season tomorrow and we have yet to taste the bitter pill of defeat. What chance tomorrow then? Well, if we play like we know we can the victory is there for the taking, and conversely, if we play like we did in the first half at Broadwood last week, well, who knows. I believe we have a full squad to pick from tomorrow, makes a change doesn't it? If you believe what you read Queens Park are not having a great season so far so here's hoping eh. You'll know as well as I do that Annan are on cup duty tomorrow so lets get the points and maybe Stranraer may not then the top of the league here we come, get your self along and watch your local side, cause remember there's only one local league team in the town and you don't have to go on a train to watch them.....

ANOTHER AWAY

draw would you believe it? Conspiracy theory's, I'm really starting to believe in them. I'd really appreciate it if you my reader could tell me the last time we played a cup tie at Shielfield. I know we've just got to get on with it. At least it's a team we don't normally play. Question number 2, have we ever played them before, I'll endeavour to answer that one and say no, pretty sure about that. Plus it's one we can and should win. It's not very often we play a team we've never played before but it should be interesting. We'll be going there as the "big" league team and remember what with all the debate about league v non league and league v juniors etc we need to be sure to keep our end up. And remember the next round sees the big boys all coming in. How do you fancy Hamilton away?

THE DRAW

for the third round is apparently to be made tomorrow at Hampden at 2 o'clock. Nice to hear at last although they managed to keep it a secret long enough. I heard it from within our club I've still not seen it publicised anywhere. Suppose they had to tell us eventually didn't they. Maybe they wanted to keep the whole thing a secret within their own little club and play the games without telling anybody. Mind you they probably realised if they did keep it "in house" nobody would end up paying. Well they don't do they, snouts and troughs spring to mind, that's the only time they need the great unwashed, must really rile them eh.
I see as well we've signed a left back from Stenny on loan for a month. If I were Elliot Smith I'd be starting to get a complex. Wasn't that last lad we had on loan a left back as well, or does Jimmy know something we don't?

JUST WATCHED

the announcement on Sky Sports about the top 50 players nominated for some French sounding award and the fact that for the first time in five years there's no English players nominated. Now don't get me wrong here I'm a huge fan of the English game and this criticism is squarely aimed at the suits running the game, but what do you expect when you allow your game to be saturated with non indigenous players, and off course owners. The main thing that made the English league great was the Englishness. Sadly I've got to say year on year that Englishness is being diluted. More than half the top flight teams are owned, I hate that term, by foreigners, some of whom are doing here what they are not allowed to do at home. More non English managers and it's no longer unusual for teams to take the field bereft English or Scots or Welsh or Irish players. Are you really surprised at this outcome, I'm not.

ARE YOU

like me and waiting for the Scottish Cup draw? How is it nobody seems to know when the draw is. The suits must know so why ain't they tell the great unwashed. I know they have no interest till the old firm appears but please, come on the competition has started. Which led me on to thinking, again we're not being told, whose in the draw. As far as I can see from the top down, there's 6 from the first division, all the second 9 non leaguers and 4 from the third, with 2 replays to go there could be 2 more from the third or non league, or one of each. That's probably a load of bollocks and I certainly can't be bothered to trawl back through checking my sums. Either way from a black & gold perspective, any chance of a home draw? From a personal perspective someone at home we can beat easily or failing that someone we don't normally play.

TWO GAMES

this weekend both involving the black & gold. Yesterday first at Broadwood where we progressed to the third round of the cup at the expense of Clyde. Didn't turn out to be hugely easy in fact for times it was decidedly nippy, edge of seat stuff. It shouldn't have been but they did hit woodwork on several occasions. We were treated to two cracking goals again and for the second McMullan was incredible. If that had been done by a foreign player on the telly they would have been screaming about it. No matter we're through. First time incidentally we've beaten Clyde in the Scottish Cup and they've won it three times. Did you see the crowd they gave, nothing like it. There were 111 Berwick fans there but I'm afraid the crowd they gave didn't seem right. They wouldn't doctor the attendance figure and cheat would they?
This afternoon I spent at Old Shielfied with 36 others, my first ever game there incidentally, watching our Under 17's against Arbroath. Interesting game with the Angus side winning, should I say.....ok then 9-3!

CUP WEEKEND

is with us this season again, and as usual, it's getting a habit, we have an away tie, back up the road to picturesque Cumbernauld. It's only a few weeks since our last visit there and if you look at the league table, I know tomorrows the cup, it would appear they have made no progress at all. They do appear to be having a torrid season and I read the other day that Marc McCusker is still out, so lets hope, and no malice intended here, I certainly hope tomorrow shows no improvement. We need to be through to round three, suppose mind you every club will say the same, and get a wee break cup tie wise. How many will be there I wonder supporting the black & gold? The last time the numbers were quite respectable so I hope we can take a few more tomorrow. If your not going the reserves are playing Kelso at Shielfield and on Sunday the youth team have their first home game this season against Arbroath.

STATS STATS

and damned lies so the saying goes, and if your talking about various government departments releasing them it couldn't be truer, and in that I'm talking from experience. But in this instance I'm talking fitba, off course, and I've been looking at the games I've attended in the first quarter of this season as against last seasons games for the same period. Looking at all the games, for purposes of clarity I've put this seasons figures in brackets, for last season I'd attended 23 (19) games and travelled 1769.3 (1458.1) miles spending £413.73 (£417.65)
For the Berwick only games last season I'd attended 12 (11) games travelling 960 (1197.8) miles spending £266.78 (£197.93)
A load of numbers I know but it shows there isn't much difference without really trying.

A COUPLE

of things have struck me in the last couple of days. Firstly the games I've watched in the last two nights, all English Premier League sides, good to see they are all embracing the idea of bringing through young English talent, in Chelsea's game last night the Russians had almost as many Britons as the London based side. Strikes me more and more about these clubs, what exactly is English about them? Hell, it was almost like watching an African Cup of Nations match, in all of them.
The other has been the emerging situation at Dens park. Out of the shadows have reappeared an itinerant Italian who apparently was on their board the last time they were in a similar position, credentials indeed. He apparently is expressing an interest in taking over. Another foreign owner, oh no. He has already been ultra disparaging towards the clubs fans, and has been quoted as saying "The fans are not going to be sufficient. They don't have the money, the expertise or the credibility" He's got them right on side them. He may be right, but what they do have is their club in their hearts. How many games has he seen since 2003? Send him packing Dens fans......

Another fitba

week starts. I was thinking that last week I started with 46 others at Kelso watching them play Ormiston then three days later I was one of 51322 at the nation stadium as the roof came of and I finished the seven days at Links Park Montrose with a couple of hundred others, although they'll tell you it's more, again. But tonight I'm an arm chairer, you know that curious lot that are experts on all things football but couldn't tell you the last time they set foot inside a ground, and putting your Newcastle/Liverpool/Man United/Everton tops on and going to the Brown Bears doesn't count. So I'll join this venerable company tonight and kick the week of at Blackburn Rovers. Oh by the way did you see Villa's goal at Blackpool yesterday, ye I know on the telly, but what an absolute cracker.

MONTROSE 1-1 BERWICK

Had a weekend away and managed to take in our game yesterday at Links Park. Result, probably fair, I spent an agonising last 15 minutes when we got absolutely battered, I was literally just waiting for their winner to go in. But it didn't, and we certainly deserved a point. What can you say about Darren Gribbon, he can certainly get them. 11 so far for the season from I think starting 8 games. Was mystified by the managers double substitution, may be a reason, hope so,cause I couldn't see any logic in it. Had to laugh when I seen the match attendance figure. I commented at 4 minutes to 3 that there couldn't be 150 in the ground but the attendance figure would be 375, it always is from Links Park. What figure was given.....376! What point is there is giving out incorrect crowd figures? There was nowt like 376 there.

I'm now

looking to this weekends game up at Links Park. These breaks always seem a long time to me and we left Montrose on a bit of an up with ourselves coming of the back of three draws and in all honesty not really firing on all cylinders. But we're into the next game and it's time to get back up there. We know off course that thanks to our erst while officials David Greenhill will be absent which will require the manger to do a wee bit of juggling again. Thanks to these same officials he should be getting used to it by now! The couple of games played last week, results wise, were ok for us but we need to get something from the game. Frighteningly this Saturdays game signals the end of the first quarter of the season, wouldn't it be great to do that on top of the pile because off course next weekend we have another break, from the league that is, with the cup rearing it's head, but that's another story.

SCOTLAND 2-3 SPAIN

Went through to Hampden last night and saw a real gutsy performance by Scotland. Yes, we got beat but there were few long faces, great what a bit of effort will do. I'm happy to thank them for giving me the rare pleasure of enjoying seeing my team coming back from 2 nil down against the world champions. What a feeling that was, Hampden went absolutely wild! Take nothing from Spain mind, their passing game was incredible. A 20/25 passing movement almost seemed to be the norm. The atmosphere at the game was great with the Spanish fans mingling with their hosts around the ground prior to kick off. We had to queue before hand to get a pint mind, I never remember it being that busy for a Berwick game there. We also witnessed the slickest chippy in the world, just up from the ground. They must have been turning out a supper of various sorts every 10 seconds! All in all an enjoyable night with our driver, the lads learning, getting us in and out in double quick time, we were home by midnight.

A couple

of games on the box tonight, main one has to be the under 21 game from Easter Road where Scotland take on Iceland trying to turn round a 2-1 first leg defeat. Can we do it? no chance...no seriously I hope so but, always but when your talking about modern day Scotland sides at all levels. Certainly hope so but, there we go again! The other game is a third division, can't be bothered with all this league 1 league 2 bollocks, between Swindon and Bristol Rovers I'll have a wee look at that one as well. Then we have our biggie tomorrow night against the Real/Barca select. I'm having nightmares already and I'm not even asleep yet!

A footieless

Sunday, don't you just hate these bloody international breaks? Fans of Dundee might have to get used to that though. The people running their club seemed to have learned nothing since they were last in this situation seven years ago. I say that on the assumption they will enter administration next week. This so called safety net situation that so many clubs seem to use to get out of facing their fiscal responsibilities is being called into play again. I'm no expert but doesn't that leave companies and individuals out of pocket? On the face of it the last example, Livingston, don't seem to have suffered unduly. Which then raises the question what "punishment" will the league place on them? Now that is a question. The Livingston situation happened out of season so to do the same thing would leave the league in turmoil. So will it be a hefty points deduction which will almost guarantee relegation? Sad situation I'm afraid, especially if you have unpaid bills marked "Dundee FC"

KELSO 0-1 ORMISTON

Spent the afternoon at Springfield Park Kelso with 46 other hardly souls where a far from perfect game resulted in a win for the then nine man East Lothian side. First time I've seen either side this season and they were far from impressive. The referee had to work overtime to stop the collective pot boiling over. It makes me wonder why lads at that level do it, but I'm sure both sides would say he was far from perfect, we all do don't we.
I did watch the Scotland game last night, what a load of crap. Backs to the wall from the off I'm afraid. It was like Rourkes Drift only this time the Zulu's were wearing red. Up till the home side scored a draw was the ambition and after they did score there was no answer. What was the managers plan, ask him cause I've certainly no idea. And finally today's two results in our division went rather kindly for us. Good omen maybe for the resumption next week?

A weekend

with no black & gold footie, and all because the national team, well one of them depending which side of the emperors wall you come from, is playing tonight, yes tonight. Daft or what. I know our lot tried to get the Clyde, game which I think is due for the Christmas/ new year holiday period at their place, brought forward, but they wouldn't play ball, well they certainly wouldn't and said NO. I'll certainly be watching our lot on the box tonight in Czechoslovakia, I know you don't say that any more but.....I'll probably end up peeking over the back of the couch, you know the way you used to watching Dr Who when William Hartnell was the man. I'll be ecstatic if we get a point, although I can't see it, can you?

Spent today

at a meeting in the ancient splendour of the Guild Hall in York at a meeting. As you do I had a blether with one of the lads from that neck of the woods, well, Ripon actually, and to cause further confusion he watches Burnley. His gripe was that since their relegation ticket prices had gone up by £4. This season to watch second division football he has to shell out £28 a game. Certainly in that league as he told me there are empty seats in abundance at most grounds. On the way down I read another article which was saying that a season ticket at Molenaux, wrong spelling? Home of Wolves, you know, this season will set you back £1885, kid you not. The point I'm getting at is at a time when the English game a literally awash with money prices keep rising. The lad I was talking to that watches Burnley goes to about half the games he used to at Turf Moor, the rest he goes to various non league games in the area. Hopefully there'l be many more like him then maybe, just maybe something might change.

As it's

Tuesday the Daily Ranger carries the league tables which always wiles away 15 minutes over lunch time. So having done my poring I thought I'd share a few stats with you. Tables apart Darren Gribbon is equal top league scorer, with Kenny Miller of Rangers on 10. The old firm aside, which is where they should be, we're now the only unbeaten team. We are the top league scorers though. Not bad I'd say after the first 8 games. I know we've only taken 3 from the last 9 points and came of the top consequently but all in all a fairly satisfying start to the season.
You may want to look in here http://www.shiteseats.co.uk/post/1244072104/berwick-rangers-supporters-trust-a-q-a as we now have a relationship with our friends at St James Park and they have been interested and kind enough to give us a wee shout on their site.

Another football

week dawns with both Berwick teams drawing 22 at the weekend. I say both teams because if you know me you'll be aware of my interest in East of Scotland football so I am happy to see our reserves in that league starting to put a wee run together. Their draw at Kelso on Saturday sees them unbeaten in four and more importantly the first in that four that they haven't actually won. They do appear to be getting on track after such a short time when effectively a new team were formed. The recent Scottish Cup results may have cast some doubt on the quality in the league and unfortunately I have to add that there's also a wee bit lacking in two things I consider to be basics of any team in any league that purports to be organised and in many ways professionally run. Any idea? Well I'll tell you, a match programme and an active web site. Of our 7 opponents thus far in the East of Scotland league 2 don't have any site and 3 have not issued a programme for our game at their place. I won't name names, they know who they are but it's just a tad disappointing as neither require rocket science and both are so important.

I couldn't

make yesterdays game unfortunately but have been given enough information to form an opinion. Reading Dave Cook's usual hugely descriptive match report on our official site and having spoken to him the main point of contention is again the officials. Far to often this season at our games post match discussion has centred around this particular individual. Thankfully I don't need to be as guarded as Cook has to be for the "official" site in this particular ramble so feel quite happy to express my concern, frustration and often felt anger at the standard of match official we have had to endure at our games this season. The way many of them have performed must leave third division fans aghast at how badly some of them have done. There seems to be no way to get them to explain particular decisions or their general performances and they all too often appear bumbling pompous asses. The way many of them brandish cards at will for seemingly innocuous acts all too often spoils the game for the hard pressed PAYING fans. The only group of individuals never listened to in any serious debate on our game!

The last

two league games at Shielfield have been first v second tomorrow it's first v third as we face Annan for the first time this season. They are actually unbeaten away from home with two wins and a draw scoring five times and just letting in once. Not a bad record certainly. Notman is back tomorrow with I presume Gribben still absent. We'll need to play better than last week, I know every team is entitled to an off day, lets hope we've left that behind last week. I really hope we can push on with the great start we've made but must admit to knowing hardly anything about how Annan are faring this season. But on the other hand their record pretty much speaks for itself so far. We'll need to be at our best.
We're having one of our Trusts race nights tonight in the Pilot and Jimmy Crease is our guest. It's normally good fun and probably the best pub in town to get a good pint of several beers. If your going I'll see you there.

More bad

news from Dundee today as apparently players and staff will not be paid this week. Thankfully, although I feel for them this in no way reflects what is happening at our own club. As, since the take over things are now being run on a much more even keel. The argument exists that this prudent governance leads to a stifling of ambition. In general terms this is probably factually correct although if you doubt the sense in that just have at look at Dundee. Off course the ideal scenario is to be able to push forward in a way that can be sensibly and safely financed. But for most clubs, ourselves included, this is rarely possible so those running the clubs have to temper the fans demands with what they know makes fiscal sense.

What an

absolutely crap draw we got today in the Scottish Cup 2nd round draw. Incase you don't know we're away to Clyde. I always hope for a draw involving a team you don't normally play and given the number of non leaguers against 3rd division team I was certainly hopeful. But Clyde we got and away from home. The only consolation would have been a home draw. Remember them, just about. I think today is the 7th in a row away from home, or is it 6? Either way it's hard to imagine a worse draw. An optimist would say, hey ho lets go there and beat them and get into the next round, which one are you?
On a different note you might want to have a look at the Newcastle fans site at http://www.shiteseats.co.uk/links
Here's what they say about themselves...... We're an independent site for latest news, views and crap on Newcastle United. Our writers are season ticket holders who follow the club around the country. This website has no links to NUFC
I've had a couple of email exchanges with one of their guys and this blog is now linked into their site as well as our trust, with hopefully more to come. Always nice to talk to our friends at St James Park

The blue

half of Tayside are making the news at the moment, for the wrong reasons again I'm afraid. They've allegedly been dodging the tax man for the last 19 months whilst also spending a similar amount that they didn't give to the tax man on transfer fees. Naive or what. You can't keep secrets from the Tax man. HMRC is a sole less entity with feelings for nothing and no one. If your going to owe anybody money let it be anyone but the Inland Revenue. You really would think they would know better at Dens Park. Do you remember their last flirtation of a similar type? A few years ago they were an eye popping 23 million pounds in debt but somehow came through it. It appears they have learned little and I do think the Revenue are now much more making examples of football clubs "trying it on" The time will come when they'll go all the way and close somebody down. This time, probably not, but.......

The situation

with our youth team rumbles on, would you believe. UEFA, ye them, have still not given whatever clearance is required and in the meantime game after game is lost and last I heard four of the lads have got sick of waiting, and not playing, and decided to take their boots some where this ridiculous clearance is not required and they can do what they signed up for and play fitba. We happen to be in a unique position as regards this but this surely must have happened somewhere else. Mind unless there's money being made or there's freebies on the table the European suits at UEFA ain't interested. It would be a different story if someone at Old Trafford didn't get their X's on time or a foreign player got called a terrible name, then there would be action......

If you

were there yesterday have you got over it? After all the dust has settled and you have time to think clearly it was a point which I think is acceptable away from home. We're not going to go through every game playing "pretty" football and it will be ugly and become the kind of thing you turn away from. Yesterday was that but that's the name of the game. I've already said the down side was the performance and the fact that yesterday was our first game when we haven't scored, coincidence that Gribbon wasn't there, I certainly hope so. But we got what we got, an away point and we're still top of the pile. Notman will be back next week, plus, we'll all have to wait and see what the goalie situation will be though. Not to further cause doom and despondency if you take a look at our yellow card situation it's not going to be to long before they start kicking in. It's going to be an interesting next month!

Made the

trip to Larbert today for my third away game of the season. The Berwick support was quite reasonable, numbering in the 80's and we watched as usual at "Stenny" from behind the goal. The journey up had been entertaining listening to City beating Chelski, great result. Unfortunately that was pretty much where the entertainment stopped for the afternoon. We knew it was bound to happen and happen it did today. Let me say right away we did get an away point which under normal circumstances is quite acceptable. We remain top and unbeaten but and today it was a huge but, we played crap, no it was much worse than that. With few exceptions, the goalies both being one of them, our lot couldn't put a foot right today. I think we've saved up all the bad stuff from our previous six excellent games and put it on the park today. More and more the number in our squad worries me. It'll be the goalkeeping position under scrutiny, may be even Gary O, but that's next week, today one to forget.........

Almost time

for our latest chapter in "how we won the Championship" Wouldn't it be great if we could read back the way and that had come to pass! But back to reality and tomorrow will be the usual difficult encounter. They're heading up the second half of the table at present and I've got to say I've not heard much comment about how they are playing. A quick look at the table shows their season so far to have a bit of a lop sided look about it only having played two of their six games at home. I'll stick my neck out here, unlike Gladston Small, and say that I'm looking for full points tomorrow. Having said that I've not heard how Darren Gribbon is doing, if indeed he did actually get a knock last Saturday. And off course there's no Steven Notman which will mean a wee shuffle at best. I just hope that neither of these situations will knock our push of the rails.

Looking forward

to the Scottish Cup first round on Saturday. Not everybody's cup of tea I know, no big names, no glamour and a load more, but I and I'm sure others will have an interested eye on proceedings. I'm certainly rooting for all the East of Scotland clubs and hoping they proceed. As a programme collector I'm also always interested to see if any of the home clubs fail to issue for such an important occasion. I'll be particularly interested to see if Hawick and Coldstream manage to produce anything. They are two of the "offenders" in the nicest possible way, for not producing in the East of Scotland league and if you read this a couple of days ago you'll know neither do they reply to people who are trying to produce a programme, sorry lads but I've still heard nowt to this day. I still want you both to win however.

Did you

watch the game on the box last night? Arsenal really embarrassed Spurs I'm afraid. By the end, apart from the Arsenal contingent,the place was almost empty. As usual these days not many shocks last night with the possible exception of Brentford's win over Everton and Falkirk beating Hearts. There's a few more League Cup games tonight with two on the tele so you know what I'll be up to, now now keep it clean!
On the black & gold front the SFL site reckons that Eddie Malone has signed for Ayr. Kinda forgotten about him to tell the truth. On another player apparently Notman has a one game suspension not two as the Daily Rangers said the other day, good new indeed.

Those of

you that know me or read these ramblings occasionally will be aware of my association with the Berwick Trust and as such I never tire about banging the ubiquities trust drum and I've just read another example of our ethos. The guy at Dundee FC whose been bank rolling them looks like he may sever his relation with the club. Cue the ringing of bells of the panic variety and much gnashing of teeth on Tayside and I won't say......well I won't but it's always liable to happen. The dilemma they now have, to maintain the status quo at least, is where to find the necessary finance. I know, going back to Trusts, that Dundee have a large and active Trust, what can they do? Time will tell, but I don't know, maybe now is the time to start considering other alternatives. One thing I will say again is that it's deeply, deeply unhealthy for a community asset like a football club to be owned, and therefore at the ever changing whim, of one individual.

Another footballing

week commences, with nae fitba on the box tonight. Ah well no doubt we'll all survive. Having gleaned a wee bit more info on our game on Saturday it does appear that nigh on everyone was left dumb founded by the referees decision re the penalty. And of course the ramifications will continue if according to today's Daily Ranger he's now going to miss the next two games. Is that right, a two game suspension for a red card, thought it was one, but not 100% sure. He will be missed, obviously, and again from the aforementioned Daily R they also reckon Gribbon picked up a thigh strain on Saturday but didn't speculate, not like them is it? how this would actually affect him. Lets hope that they stick to their normal accuracy eh!

Just back

from a weekend up North so had to rely on the Premier League biased Media to keep up with what was going on at Shielfield. And off course as you'll be well aware I only got the basic bones of what happened. So at this stage I'm waiting to speak to someone who witnessed the action to tell me if the result was fair or if we "wus robbed". Just looking at the actual result we still hold our top spot and still by the same two points and the other results meant nobody else could take advantage of our points dropping. If I'd been at the game and we were 2-1 down and equalised with two to go I'd almost have thought we'd have won, but I may get told differently.
Our reserves got their second away win on the trot as well winning at Coldstream. Details are about as hard to find as tits on a bull however but never mind, they seem to be getting things right and now sit in a mid table position.

The big

games just keep coming so far this season, great isn't it? For the second week in a row it's first v second, and we're still first! This time it's the only two unbeaten teams in the league going head to head. We've come good, and surpassed it every time this season, lets hope the team can do it again. My recollection of Stranraer sides is that they are normally big and physical, mind you we're no longer the small side we used to be either. Away from their own Stair Park their goals for and against are fairly close, not like our own free scoring boys. That sounds like something you might have heard in the last war!
You may have seen I answered the question about Darren Gribbens two hat tricks and whether it had happened before on the official site. And off course it was done by good old Ken Bowron setter of many club records, and still the holder of a few. No matter, lets go for another resounding victory tomorrow and send another message to our league opponents, that'l teach them!

Didn't get
home from work last night to listen to Gribben on the wireless but heard it today on-line. Darren your a **** hot goal scorer at the moment but don't give up the day job lad. Mind you nowt at all wrong with getting the clubs name on national radio. Staying with footie I've just noticed on the SFL site that the club have offered last Saturdays trialist Eddie Malone a contract. No idea if there's any truth in the story but it would be nice if we could break that first on the official site. And yes, I've said that before, but there's been no change.
Some of you may know I'm editing a match programme for the reserves this season. As such I need information from our opponents and from last Saturday and this I've tried to contact Hawick and Coldstream via their club secretary's. Net result, not a cheep from either. I'm just trying to produce a worthwhile issue people. It's good to talk, or visa versa......

What is

happening with the Scottish Football Authorities? Now we all have our opinions of the "suits" that run our game. I have many opinions on them, few on the plus side but even they seem to be out doing themselves. Our newly formed under 17 team, and mind you a lot of work has gone in to where they are at this point from many individuals, not least of all the players, have had all their games thus far cancelled, including being removed from the SFA Youth Cup. Reason, awaiting international clearance for the lads from south of the border. I kid you not, and this seems to be taking an age. I really kid you not, this situation currently exists. I don't know where they currently are as of today, I'll need to try to find out.
As an aside we presently have the highest league scorer in Scotland if you didn't know, in young Gribben. Well done to him, 7 at this stage from 5 games ain't at all bad.

Another week

of fitba is upon us. For those of us that tune it to the telly stuff this midweek certainly has a few to offer. We're back to the good old Champions League as well. I'm still not sure if I'm a fan. All that making the rich richer etc. The sheer size of most of these clubs and the money involved doesn't really do it for me. Very little of what they achieve filters down anywhere near to the level that I enjoy. Then we have the matter of a Scottish club versus an English one, aka Man Utd v Rangers. Who do you fancy, from a nationalistic point of view I can't see it going any other way than Man Utd I'd even go as far as saying it could become embarrassing. Mind you the SPL are no strangers to that this season are they?

Spent the

day at Almondvale Stadium in Livingston today taking part in a Supporters Direct day for trust Chairmen. This was the second such session including chairmen from seven trusts. Joining me today were chairmen from Falkirk, Clydebank, Raith, Livingston, Morton and East Stirling. The day proved interesting and useful.
Going back to yesterday for a minute, we (the trust) had a recruitment stand just at the turnstiles at Shielfield, manned (and womaned) by trust board members. New members signed up which was great and made the exercise fully worth while. On the subject of numbers I was surprised at the lack of travelling fans yesterday. Arbroath usually bring a few with them but yesterday they all chose to stay on the Angus seaside. I counted 14 on the away terrace! Poor show lads poor show.

Another great

win today at Shielfield, doesn't that sound great, I'll say it again, another, yes another, great win today at Shielfield. In the first half we destroyed them with a couple of sublime goals from the ever alert Darren Gribbon. But O'Reilly weighed in with another and the Red Lichties had no answer at all to what we were doing to them virtually at will. They were able to ease of long before the end, another debate there as to whether they should or not, but never the less another walk in the park for a side who look so at ease. The visitors did pass well especially early on but never threatened. As promised Crease played a new face, there's a joke there, at left back sacrificing Elliot Smith. Apparently he was Eddie Malone but my opinion was he offered nothing that we don't get from Smith on a regular basis. Here's a question, when's the last time, and who was he, that a Berwick players scored back to back hat tricks at Shielfield? Let me know cause I don't.
And looking elsewhere it's great to see the reserves get their season of and running with a great win at Hawick. Not seen any details on this one yet but all in all a great day for everyone in black and gold.

The eve

of our big game, are you going? Having been in and around the town today it's sad to report that evidence and expectation were not in evidence at all. I said yesterday so won't do it to death again, but opportunity lost. No matter, for those of us who care it should be an interesting encounter. How many will they bring do you think? It would really improve the match atmosphere if they had in excess of 100. That's what matters really although it obviously would be a welcome addition to the club coffers as well. This is the start of a crucial four games for the club, after starting with so many "aways" we now have a rush at home when we need to pick up more points off course. Before that off course there's the Supporters Clubs talk in at the black & gold tonight. Given our great start to the season Jimmy no doubt will be hoping for an easy ride, good time to have one eh!

Almost time

to be giving thought to Saturdays game again. And what a cracker it is. This early in the season and we've got first v second. When your at the top, sounds good eh, it feels to me that there is much more to loose. I don't think we've got anything to worry about given the way we've started but by the same token nobody will take them lightly. Without checking I think they've won their last two without conceding but the way O'Reilly and Gribbon have been playing you need to always fancy us for goals. As an occasion hopefully it might have something. Without criticising but our division lacks a wee bit of making the match day an "experience" I know it's not easy with the numbers attending but I think more thought could be given by all concerned. And as I say that's not criticism but hopefully some constructive input. What do you think? When's the last time you went to see at match at your club and got the feeling they were really glad you came along?

Did you

watch your respective international last night then? For those of us born on the northern side of the emperors wall, and by the way that's the only true to to call yourself a Scot, but I digress. I did watch the game from Hampden, oh I did watch it. That was the worst performance in the history of international football involving our country. Their country, by the way population equivalent to say Falkirk, has won 5 games in their history and avoided defeat 13 times. The quality of player on show last night is what we now have. Now, for anyone say, below 25, that will appear the norm, but anyone of a similar vintage to myself remembers when Scotland could put a good, sometimes excellent, side on the park. We are now reduced to watching that absolute crap, and no result achieved in the 8th minute of stoppage time can disguise that. And I've got a ticket for the next game at Hampden against........the Spaniards!

Turned a

wee bit of interest to youth football at Shielfield today and our newly formed under 17 team. I was in at the start when the trials took place but have heard scant little since then. I did know, through John Bell, that there is some bizarre situation where international clearance is required, thereby requiring certain paper work to be completed, in a long drawn out fashion off course relating to the boys born on this side of the border. It apparently means discussion between the various Scottish authorities, mad or what? The upshot being off course that they have had their first two league games postponed, at home to Morton and away at Livingston. Will it be sorted before the next scheduled game a week on Sunday?

I see

Clyde's Marc McCusker has won the Irn-Bru Phenomenal Young Player of the Month for August. Well done to him, but it must have been a close run thing with one or two of our players. As far as I'm aware he got one more goal than our two but hey, well done lad, we'll not mention that your team are currently lying 8th in the table now will we!
Before we can think of next Saturdays encounter we all have midweek internationals to contend with. As I've said earlier we've started of with a point away from home, that's fine, but now we need three tomorrow at Hampden. We need something like a 3-0 win to really get the campaign up and running, then 4 points on the board wouldn't look that bad at all. I was going to go to the Duns Chirnside game first but unfortunately it's been cancelled due to Chirnside having a number of lads working. Fine story when all Dingers know they were running scared? And no, I'm not needing to be in Chirnside in the foreseeable future!

BERWICK 2-0 GRETNA

Witnessed a little bit of history yesterday at Shielfield when a Berwick side took the field against their Gretna counterparts in a competitive fixture for the very first time. It's not very often that that happens so I was glad to be present. It was a fairly robust game with a few "meaty" challenges. From our point of view there were no injuries so we can resume our league challenge next Saturday with our recognised line-up. As you'll know Arbroath and Queens Park chose to play yesterday, quite a sensible decision I'd say, but what that result means is that next Saturday it's first v second, tasty eh? This early in the season as well, certainly hope for a healthy turn out.
Must mention the reserves, who lost by 2-1, for the second game in a row. However, if you look at the league table the three teams they have now played are one two and three in the table. Maybe time for some easier ones, and on that point it looks like they will go to Hawick next Saturday. Royal Albert have been the whipping boys for the last couple of seasons. Yesterday they lost 10-0 to Robbie Horn's Vale so come on boys break your duck next week eh?

Well, it's

our first cup final of the season tomorrow, ok I know. But anyone who reads these ramblings knows I'm a fan of this tournament and am looking forward to this encounter. Given that the reserves have a fixture will he play the first team pool, not quite sure if there might be any mix and match situation. It must be better than a blank Saturday or extra training session and hopefully will keep the pot boiling. Worst fear off course is any kind of injury to anyway ahead of the resumption of league game next Saturday. No matter, looking forward to it after missing last Saturday. Get that Brasso bottle out again!

I see

that Jimmy Crease has been given the first manager of the Month award. No real surprise there, who else could they have given it to? And that's not being conceited. We have made the kind of start to a season that every team wants. You ear a lot about early season, bedding in, the league table's not worth looking at till Christmas, well I'm here to tell you it's worth looking at right now! Crease is doing an excellent job and long may it continue. I also noticed today, if you believe the SFL, site that Ryan Holms has moved on. Not surprised really I'm sure he saw the writing on the wall that his chances were going to be limited.

The Scottish

Cup first round draw was made today. All the East of Scotland teams managed to stay apart, not so the Highland clubs where there are two all highland ties. The nearest to us here is over at Coldstream where the Streamers take on Forres Mechanics. Another interesting one is Selkirk against Bo'ness United. The full draw is posted on the East of Scotland site by the way.
Something else that caught my eye today was the newly Trust owned Stirling Albion stopping all complimentary tickets at their Forthbank Stadium and apparently they will not be requesting any at their away games either, only fair I'd say. They've worked out it could be costing them up to £20k a season. Great idea I'd say. At all levels of the SFL it should be totally unnecessary. Those that want to go should pay, simple. You always get those that reckon they should get in for nowt, what good are they to the club? Well done our Trust colleagues at Stirling.

Not much

on the football front today I'm afraid. I even had to think about work for a short time! I'm only joking off course (incase my boss looks in). We have a European game on Friday night and it appears our players are falling like flies. Can't say I'm overjoyed at the prospect of another embarrassment in Europe, after our recent debacle on the club front. You must live in hope however and that's the stance I'm taking. First game in a new tournament and all that.
Both our teams, Berwick that is, play East of Scotland teams this weekend as well, if you keep an eye on that particular thing. I'd like to see our reserves get of the mark but will also be interested to see who Jimmy puts out against Gretna.

Just back

from a long Bank Holiday weekend, which sadly didn't include out fixture at Hampden. However I kept up to date with what was going on and was told that it was an easy performance and basically a good solid win. Which of course keeps us on top after playing three of the opening four away from home. How good is that and it's there to be enjoyed by us all. You'll remember last season when we set a new club record by winning our first five at home, but then, well you know that as well. So everybody is just taking things easy but it all looks good right now. We have a free weekend this Saturday but are of course playing the City Cup Final against Gretna, which may well be a good thing to keep the pot boiling, so to speak. And you may also be aware this is the first ever competitive fixture between the two clubs.

Oh dear

oh dear, dear, dear. Why, well I was witness last night, albeit via the BBC site videprinter, to another early seasonal demise to Scottish aspirations in European competition. The facts are, we are not yet out of August, yes August, and we have one, I'll say it again ONE, participant in Europe. Do we have a team who made it directly into the Europa League? not really sure but it hardly changes anything really. The performance by our clubs last night doesn't come anywhere near being embarrassing, it goes way beyond that. Our top league, and mind I specify that, cause it's nowt to do with the other divisions, is pitiful, the rest of Europe must be doubled over with laughter. When will these clubs pull their collective fingers out, and I don't mind singling out Celtic here, because of the resources they have, you spend all the time in Scotland shouting about beating Rangers and winning the League, you had two chances this season to make a European impact and you blew them both. Here's a suggestion,save us all embarrassment next season and stay at home.....please

Just been

trying to watch the Champions League draw, but I kept nodding of. Talk about a long drawn out affair, and complicated, what a load of bollocks. Typical bloody FIFA, why use one word when ten will do. I'll let them get all that out the way then check it on ceefax. Much the less painful option I'd say. We had our monthly Trust meeting last night in the Pilot. As usual it was a busy and lively session different this time by the fact that we had two of the clubs younger fans, and junior Trust members along to give us their views of various subjects. This was certainly a great idea by board member Eric Deighton and when we sat down and thought about it this must be the way forward. There will be continued involvement with the lads and plans are already afoot to expand their group, then who knows where it can go.

Nae fitba

on the box last night, unfortunately, although there was off course plenty around. Kept an eye on it all on the BBC site videprinter. Any shocks, now I'm trying to think, I suppose MK Dons beating Blackpool or Brechin beating Dundee. Did you notice the crowds however? Both in England and Scotland they we fairly small. Biggest, I think, in England was at West Ham, over 20000 and Scotland at Tynecastle less than 5000. Mind you that's fairly historical so I suppose no real surprises. A few more tonight to tie up the second rounds, oh and by the way did you notice the Clyde score at Dunfermline? For a while they were ahead then only got beat by the odd goal in five. That off course means to me that we would have given the Pars a right doing, ye, I know......

Was sent

an article I'd never read last night by Peter Unwin from the South of France would you believe it. Well the article itself wasn't from the South of France it was from Liverpool TV but Peter.....hold on, you get the gist. Well, I read the article which was on Sammy Reid being Bill Shankly's first signing for Liverpool and it goes into some excellent detail and stuff as I say I've never seen before. I thought it certainly worthy of sharing with the clubs fans and beyond of course so I've put it up on the club's official site. Have a look yourself it's worth a read.
Away from Shielfield I watched the City Liverpool game last night. I'd say it was a conclusive win for City and made me wonder how far they may be able to go this season. It's been tried before off course, buying instant success I mean, but on what I saw I must say I was impressed and you can't fail to be if you look round their squad. Time will tell off course but I'm rooting for them.

Question questions

questions about our start to the season and game at Clyde on Saturday. I actually got a couple of answers, but first the questions, if any of you have any idea. We've scored 12 goals from our first three league games, when's the last time that was beaten over the first three games? I was going to ask about the 6 goals we put away against Elgin, when is the last time we scored more? Reading in the excellent Clyde programme from Saturday they reckon that that is the first 6 goal haul in 17 years. Also, someone at the game on Saturday said they had spoken to a journalist who said we had never played Clyde at Broadwood in the league, again the Clyde prog says we have in 1996 a 0-0 draw. It also offered another interesting ditty. Sammy Reid, yes our Sammy Reid, was Bill Shankleys first signing for Liverpool in 1960. You getting the idea I'm enjoying reading it, and I'm not half way through yet, beware of more to come!

Top of

the league, top of the league, ye, your right I'm still singing it. Might be the only chance we get this season, although on yesterdays performance I certainly hope not. As usual the Sunday papers give scant coverage to yesterdays goings on in the Third Division but those of us that were there know exactly how it panned it. It really gives great hope for this new season and a real base to build on. After 3 games we're top of the league, top scorers, best goal difference and have the equal joint top league scorer. Not bad eh? BLOODY GREAT I SAY........

Were you

there today then? I've got to say if not you missed one of the best Berwick performances and results for many a long year, then way beyond that even. What a hell of a game. During the whole of the first half then into the start of the second those of us in the away stand, in the region of 70 Berwick fans, to say the least could have been a hell of a lot more comfortable, but after that the show began. We absolutely took them apart and at times, if you'll excuse the expletives, took the piss. They had no answer to what we created and we were all over them. The whole team were splendid, with perhaps special mentions for Paul Currie, for getting through an absolute ton of work, and off course his goals, and Darren Gribben who was a continual threat and never gave them a minutes peace. When he did get subbed he came of with a "muckle smile on his face. Finally, before I go for a lie down, on my pet subject I'll be very surprised to get a better third division programme this season, cracking issue Clyde.

Good selection

of euro games last night. By my reckoning there were four good scores and three that will probably see the British team go out. You can make up your mind who you think they are, its all about opinions isn't it? Onto much more important things though, Clyde tomorrow. First time we've played then in a few seasons, not sure how many though. Apparently they're being quoted even although they have signed quite a few from the Juniors, mind you the bookies, that's the one's that never actually go to games, are barely wrong, or so they'll tell you. Personally, before a ball is kicked, and this obviously may well change as the game progresses, I'd take a point right now, but we'll see, at least those of use going West certainly will, are you one of them then? I'll have to look up the AA route finder as I can't remember how to get to the ground.

Berwick Reserves 0-4 Leith Athletic

Went to, well actually done the gate and sold the programmes, at our reserves first home game last night. A lovely night for football with Shielfield bathed in sun and not a bad turnout, including a number from Edinburgh, I counted 74 in total. Jimmy Crease was present and three first teamers played, unfortunately our lads were a bit outclassed by a useful Leith outfit and it proved to be something of a steep learning curve. However this was their first full outing and it must be remembered that unlike any other team in the East of Scotland League we are not results dependant. For this team to be successful and prove it's worth more than wins are important. However on what I saw our number 9 last night stood out a wee bit for me. They don't have a game this weekend so have a break to work on what happened last night.

Well well

after berating Spurs first half performance last night, justifiability so by the way, they did pull their collective finger out and should have saved the tie. At this stage I want all British clubs to go through so I was quite happy with the outcome. Also interesting to see last nights East of Scotland games, all Premier League by the way, and all away wins. There are a number of games tonight when we'll get a better look at the tables after almost all the clubs will have two games on the board. Not got too much time tonight as I'm on a tight timetable, let you why tomorrow......

Just sitting

watching the Spurs game on the box and they've been getting a right spanking, but they did get one back just before half time. That does give them at least a chance now but they'll have to up their game dramatically from the fairly turgid fare they've served up so far. At the same time I've been reading Saturdays programme from Shielfield and I must say as usual Dennis has come up with another good issue. On that point the reserves start their season tomorrow night at Shielfield against Leith Athletic and I've agreed to edit a match programme for them. Anyone who knows me knows the importance I place on clubs producing a programme and as our reserves are competing in a "proper" league, by that I mean not a reserve league, I think it's important they have a creditable match programme. Hopefully if you get your hands on one this season you'll agree!

Did you

watch any of the telly games yesterday? Two draws is what I got, if you had ESPN you got a win as well. I'm going to watch the Man United Newcastle game tonight. It'll never take the place of actually being there off course. I smile when passing various pubs displaying their signs outside advertising "live" football. Wrong, it's football on the telly. I'm sure there are a huge amount of fans up and down the country who watch their team regularly, on the box. Is it a good thing, well you make up your mind. Even with the vast amount of monies which football gets from TV none of the clubs seem to be any better of, judging by what they charge to get in anyway. I've never hard a player or club anywhere saying "we've got enough money this season from the TV so we'll drop entrance charges" The more they get the more it goes up, draw your own conclusions.

I'm still

re running yesterdays game over and over again. What a great way to kick of your home season. Pity there were only 409 there and I know there was no help with "away" fans. Someone thought they spotted one in the stand, but "hens teeth" was the phrase that stood out for me. No matter, but wouldn't it be great if we could be getting 6 700 inside Shielfield again. Will we ever get it again? I'd imagine that maybe Clyde might bring the most fans this season. It does help, and not just from the fiscal side, it actually makes a difference inside the ground, the bit where the clubs administrators rarely stray but are able to view through their glass fronted haven. The new reserve side almost started their season yesterday at Eyemouth. I say almost because an injury to one of the home players required the intervention of the air ambulance which resulted in the game being cancelled. The lad will be ok I'm told but was kept in hospital over night. They'll try again to get their season under way on Wednesday night at Shielfield against Leith.

What an

incredible performance at Shielfield this afternoon, at 6 nil talk was of our record win, only one more goal away. Up to this point some of the play on offer was quite simply absolutely superb. If this is what we get this season bring it on I say. The referee, who I must say produced the worst performance afield, then contrived to award the visitors a penalty, seen by not another soul in the ground, after which they scored a legitimate goal and we then took our foot of the gas and allowed them back into it a wee bit. Mind you take nothing at all away from Berwick, brilliant football and a hat trick and incredible goal from Darren Gribbon certainly stood out. What a start to the season, perfect in fact after two games. Second top in the table, and when you are let no one tell you that early season league tables mean nothing, their team is normally bottom when they say that! Onwards and upwards to Clyde next week.

Duns 0-6 Hibs

Spent another pleasant evening at Gavington last night watching arguably one of the best youth outfits in the country in Hibs, sorry Duns! but if you just take the score as a yardstick improvement has been made from last season and if you actually watch them I think it's clearly evident how they are progressing under the tutelage of Neil Oliver and Stephen Lennon. Again it was an occasion with the Hibs full management team in attendance and taking nothing for their trouble, well done Hibs. Done my usual head count and came up with 222 souls present, not at all a bad turnout.
Back at Shielfield we kick off our home league programme against Elgin tomorrow in a game not to be under estimated but I'm looking for a win and three points to cement our away draw at Coatbridge last Saturday. Good luck to to the Reserves as they open at Warner Park against the Fisherman of Eyemouth.

Our national

team managed it again last night, yes another crap performance. Not bothered to look at an detail I'm basing that entirely on the score. The way things are at present third rate is an ambition I'm afraid and it gives me absolutely no pleasure at all to say that. With the Euro Championship just round the corner and the world champions in our group my heart trembles to think of the potential outcomes. I have a ticket for the game at Hampden against the Spanish which I'm actually looking forward to if only to see the likes of Torres and his mates.
I've also just had a look at the SFL site and it says we've signed a lad from Preston Athletic, true or false, no idea, heard nowt. Mind you it'll not be the first time will it!

By all

accounts last night was a much improved performance against a Thistle side which failed to impress. Remember the score from last years game, albeit in a different tournament, was 5-1. We must view this, with the supporting evidence, as further evidence of improvement. It all augers well for this seasons league campaign and personally my hopes remain on the high side. One thing I've yet to mention from my holiday, which was to Brugge incidentally, was our visit to Club Brugge v St Truiden on Saturday night. The home side ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in front of a near full house. Best I can find out after talking to those at the ground was the crowd was in the region of 25000. Interesting again, although I've been there before, and remember this is their first division, we only paid 20 Euros for an excellent seat four rows from the front almost mid way down one side. Britain's top flight greedy clubs take note......

Just back

from my summer vacation, this lunch time actually, and beginning to catch up with all things fitba, not least black & gold. Good result on Saturday at Albion, an away point on the first game of the season will do me and by all accounts we were well worth the point if not more. Encouraging start then it's on to Firhill tonight, again, which I won't make unfortunately. What are we expecting from this game? Good question. I was there last season when we were well beaten and although I'd wish for more can't really see much change. If they can pull in a similar number, c1700, as last season at least the club will get a small cheque for our troubles. It's really Saturday's game against Elgin that is important to our season but I'll remain hopeful with all crossed.

One of

the many topics of conservation at Peterhead on Saturday, remembering that it was another away cup tie, was when was the last time we actually had a cup tie at home? There were various stabs at the answer but no one really was able to put their finger on it. Since then off course I've had a look and Peterhead was number 5 and Partick will be number 6 in a row. Our last home tie in any of the competitions was on the 25th October 2008 against Albion Rovers in the second round of the Scottish Cup. Since then the run has been Stranraer Challenge Cup 1, Partick Thistle League Cup 1, Civil Service Strollers Scottish Cup 2 and Ross County Scottish Cup 3, and the 2 this season, giving us our 6 away in a row. Factor into that the trips to Stranraer, Dingwall and Peterheed and we're long overdue for one at Shielfield.

Game 7
Peterhead 1-0 Berwick

Just back after a long weekend away, a fair bit of which was spent on the 466.6 mile round trip. Our journey up was spent in sunshine, blue sky's and torrential monsoon type rain. Although I was soon put right on my use of the word monsoon by John Bell who reckons he had spent 7 days and nights in a "real" monsoon on his recent trip to the Himalayas. The game was actually not at all bad from a black & gold point of view with our team playing some pretty good football for spells of the game. In fact given a wee bit of luck we were not that far from getting some kind of a result. A lot to take from this game, individual performances and some great passing being only two. McLean again and I'm starting to warm to big McLeod at the back. The keeper was good going on great at times as well. This was a useful Peterhead team and we shouldn't bump into to many of their type in the third division this season...I hope.

Game 7
Duns Amateurs 0-2 Vale of Leithen

Vale ran out winners, but again Duns played not at all bad. They got a penalty early on but committed the cardinal sin, didn't score. Infact the Vale keeper pulled of a good save low to his right after which it was fairly even but Vale scored and Duns didn't. Right until the last few minutes it was only 1-0, but to be fair I don't recall Duns having a shot which troubled the visiting keeper. The challenges were fairly meaty with a few minor "stramashs" taking place. But remember there are several leagues between the sides, and it wasn't that obvious, sometimes not at all. Vale had two ex Berwickers in their ranks, Robbie Horn, who didn't play, story of your life Robbie, sorry lad! And Steven Radzinsky, who did. Enjoyable game on a nice evening.

Game 6
Selkirk 0-2 Rangers X1

Spent a pleasant last evening at Yarrow Park Selkirk where a young Rangers side had a good run out against a competent local side. Rangers scored either side of the break with the first an absolute cracker but they never ran away with it. Selkirk laid it on well producing a 24 page programme for the even. It must be one of the most attractive back drops to any ground, on all sides, is that still a back drop? Done a head count and came up with 394, not bad, bit of money for the Soutars at £5 a skull.
The other half of the old firm, what can you say? Not a good score at all, infact a shocking score against a team many would say "who" Obvious that this is another mediocre Celtic side to go with all the others they have produced in the last few years.

My gamet

plans were dashed last night unfortunately. I intended to go out to the Eyemouth v Alnwick game but it was called on and moved to this Saturday apparently. Wee criticism here, there was nothing about the game, never mind the call off and move of the game,on either club web site. After that I consider going up to Netherdale for the Gala game, but that to fell. Apparently this time due to pitch problems apparently associated with the non laying of their 3G pitch. Found out all the relevant info on the East of Scotland part of Pie & Bovril, well done to those who posted.
So it was a night in the hoose, where amongst other things I had the BBC site up with the videprinter on watching the scores from the two British clubs in the euro qualifiers. Unfortunately both lost to scores which will probably see them out. It's Celtic's game tonight and imperative for the Scottish game that they come home with a "result" Not on tele though, neither is their home leg. Not a bad thing I'd say. All these "armchair" Celtic die-hards with need to get themselves along to Parkhead, if they know where it is that is.

Well the

draw has been made and for the third time in four seasons we've drawn Partick Thistle at Firhill. The previous two have been a Challenge Cup 2nd round tie in 07/08 and last year a League Cup 1st round tie. Kind of funny really after going nigh on a generation where we hadn't played them we now can't avoid them. From what I said yesterday this is probably the tie we'd want, crowd wise and cheque back to Shielfield wise. I like Firhill as a ground, real sort of "fitba grund". On the subject of crowds its interesting that our three home friendlies netted barely 1000 punters. Lesson to be learned, maybe, I'm not aware of the expectation re total attendances but personally I was hoping for more. Would we have been better with almost 2000 paying half price at the gate, to what was actually charged? twice as many people equals twice as many programmes, 5050 tickets, food sales. Not a lot I know ten how about better atmosphere?

Start of

another week in the football world. Even although we had no participation I've been glancing over the Daily Rangers stuff on the weekends Alba ties. Far as I can see there's only two sides from our division through, QP and the Shire, so the chance of us getting a "bigger" club in tomorrows second round draw would appear to be good. I don't think there's a whole lot of cash in this competition so getting someone who might pull in a few spectators would help Not bad eh, being in a second round draw this early in the season! I think the draw is in the afternoon, not sure though, baited breath and all that......

Game 5
Eyemouth United 7/8-1 Berwick United

Started to loose track of the score at Warner Park yesterday, so that score may be open to interpretation! The Fishermen, with apparently half a new team, won rather easily, although don't get me wrong the Berwick team never gave up but they didn't have enough under the bonnet to really bother the Eyemouth lads. Never the less an entertaining enough game, and there was no biting wide for a change, don't happen often when I'm there.
Prior to going out to Eyemouth I was down at Shielfield and had my first look at the all new dressing rooms. Certainly a fair change, it all looked rather smart, everything new and shiny, plus the home one now has a muckle flat screen tele on the wall.

Game 4
Berwick 0-0 St Johnstone

Good game last night, at half the price as well! Got to be careful with pre seasoners but this was a good performance against a Saints team containing several "names" that we all recognised. We should have won, with I think the new lad Holmes, missing the sitter of the night right at the death. Young McLean again was excellent, interesting in the second half when he got moved out wide. Disappointing attendance again, what can you say, reasons, na, I won't go into that again. Sincerely hope more home fans get themselves along come August the 14th. After last night that's our pre season done and I'm certainly not down hearted. Our squad looks very promising and if the lad Holmes did sign after last nights game that's us on 19, will that be it, damned close I'd say.

Game 3
Duns Amateurs 0-2 Hearts X1

Spent a pleasant evening at Gavington last night watching a much improved Duns side from that that I seen last season against Hibs (10-1 to Hibs, sorry Duns). And I certainly wouldn't say the opposition were any easier. In the Hearts side were 3 lads who have played in the first team whereas Duns started with 10 lads from the town. They tried to play passing football and for periods kept the ball on the deck, playing the ball out from the back. They were off course out shone by their full time opponents for periods of the game but not disgraced. Again, like last season, all at Duns had worked hard to make this an occasion and having Jeffrey's Brown and Gary Locke wandering amongst the crowd having photo's taken and chatting and signing stuff done no harm whatsoever. An enjoyable evening, look forward to the next one.

Have you

been keeping up with the European qualifiers then? Must admit to, in the absence of any other creditable football, keeping an eye on what's been going on. Linfield went out in Norway last night but the night before New Saints from Wales progressed to the next round with a cracking tie against Anderlecht. Motherwell play tonight taking a slim lead to, not quite sure actually, think it might be Finland. We have our last friendly tomorrow night against St Johnstone who apparently are bringing something which will resemble their first team. Oh and by the way remember to buy the Advertiser to get one of their half price tokens. If your like me you might think you've paid enough to watch "friendlies" in the last week.

In between

friendlies at the moment as our squad reaches 18 with the addition of young Gribbon. As far as I'm led to believe either that or 19 will be top whack, budget wise anyway. I hope given the new arrangement that the reserves can back up where required although I'm aware that will depend entirely on what kind of quality they can get their hands on. I think I've said before that unlike the youth team the reserves get no fiscal support from the club, so us in the Trust are sponsoring them in a small way, and Paul Smith and myself will be producing a match programme for their home games. I know others are helping out with sponsorship and the lads involved are really grateful for all help they get.

Game 2
Berwick 0-5 Sunderland X1

Looks like a good thumping at Shilefield last night, but in parts we played some football. We never threatened them, but then you wouldn't would you? They had the Finn they signed from Spurs and David Heally who someone said would be on £9k a week, our entire week wage bill is way below a quarter of that, things in perspective and all that. If you were there, I know there weren't many of us, did he impress you, did he stand out, for me, no both times I'm afraid. Gribbon showed some nice touches and he's signed again. We'll take him for what he is, a striker who may get us double figures in goals this season, He may blow a fuse in the first game, may not off course, but he shows the modern day player trait in having absolutely no loyalty, but we know that so lets hope for the best from him.

Another game

in quick succession tonight at Shielfield against the perennial ubiquitous X1, in this case a Sunderland X1. I always like to see what English premier clubs have to put on show when their "big stars" are away elsewhere. I am right in saying that their first X1 are in some exotic location aren't I? No matter this should give our lads a good work out tonight. I presume he'll change personnel as much as he can tonight. There were a few guys on Saturday wearing shirts with no numbers on who I had no idea who they were. It'll be interesting to see how many English lads they have at this level, or will they all be "Jonny Foreigners" as well. It's heavily overcast in Berwick right on and we had a short sharp shower a wee while ago. Gid for the grass though......

Welcome back
Game 1
Berwick 1-1 Raith Rivers

to my seasonal blog, right and proper to start after my first game of the season yesterday at Shielfield against the Rovers from Kirkcaldy. We made our way to Shielfield after a busy Trust meeting at the Pilot where we got through a load of business on an afternoon in Berwick that was cloudy, sunny and windy all in equal parts. There were one or two Rovers fans there which was nice to see and would put a couple of quid into the club coffers but, on matters fiscal, £8 to get in, to dear for me. I know the club have the expense of staging the game, not least the payment required for the officials but two or three quid less would have been more reasonable. And £2.20 for a tray (whatever happened to a poke?) of chips, not for me mind, but that's any early season warning for yours truly.
The game, there was one, was actually ok from a black & gold point of view if you take out the comical goal we gifted them. Better now that in a few weeks time though. For me Andy Mclean was strong at the back and impressed. I've not been at the first two games but was in no way unhappy with what I witnessed yesterday. Onto tomorrow night now, will there be any "names" on show from the Stadium of Light?

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!

Both draws

have been made since Wednesday, what do you think? A bye in the Challenge cup is fairly neutral I suppose, might even give us a better chance to get a "better" quality team in round 2. One things for sure it stops us going out in the first round! Don't know if there's much in it money wise. Then today's League Cup draw, Peterhead away. The only good thing about that is that they're not a team from our own division. Can't really say there's anything good in it. It's a fair distance and there won't be much of a crowd. I think I'm right in saying this tournament does have cash involved so there is an incentive there anyway. Only been to their place once, a league game a few seasons ago, and no not the 9-1 job!
Spoke to one of the lads that works at Shielfield today and he told me the work on the pitch is progressing well, all is going to plan which is certainly good news for next season.

Season just

over, not yet if your involved with one of the four play of teams this weekend, and speculation and interest turns to pre season friendlies. Our third one has just been announced, away at Stenhousmuir. Then tomorrow and Friday we turn our thoughts to the two cup draws being made on these days. Tomorrow afternoon its the turn of the Alba Cup, you know the one, the Challenge Cup one, the one for SFL teams only. The first round draw will be made tomorrow afternoon then Friday its the League Cups turn. The format for this one apparently is the 15 First Round winners, that's where we'll feature, the first round, being joined by the seven lowest finishing SPL sides from last season – Falkirk, Kilmarnock, St. Mirren, Aberdeen, Hamilton Academical, St. Johnstone and Heart of Midlothian in the Second Round. So you can see how important it will be to get through.
Finally what do you think about Livingston changing their stadium name for the proverbial bag of gold?

Not long

till the World Cup now, 11th of June my tele said last night. Now, as you'll be aware my team, you know who it is, have again elected not to take part, ye, I know, but we're not there again. Not good enough, needs changed etc but we're not again so those of us of the St Andrews persuasion may well end up adopting a country. The question which will be discussed at many venues is off course should we support England. Personal question to be addressed individually. I will be giving my support to our English friends. I'm not of the persuasion to see England get beat, well unless they're playing us, but at this tournament I won't mind seeing them put on a good show. The one thing I'll ask, nae plead, please don't mention that unmentionable from your history, you know what I mean, I'm not going to say it myself...... and that really is as magnanimous as I'll get!

Just been

reading about Shires plight now that their owner, I hate that title in football, has jumped ship. Another example of the dangers involved when an individual owns control of a club. We've had very painful experience of it first hand and Shire now have a problem on their hands as to what they do now. Can't say I know anything about their individual but I'm always a wee bit suspicions of the motives behind some of these guys. Shire now have some decisions to make and couple that with the fact they are homeless then they don't have their sorrows to seek. Apparently their Trust may be able to buy the shares. If so a good thing, but it certainly is not as simple as that, although it's certainly a step in the right direction. I've said it before but I'll do so again, individuals "owning" clubs is bad news.
Just watched a great play off final which saw Blackpool back into the top division, do you remember the last time they were there.....I do!
Champions League final tonight, bring it on.......

Our first

two pre seasoners have just been confirmed, confirmed by the SFL that is, the clubs having agreed some time ago. Don't the "suits" always have to have their say? It's becoming a rather boring trait in modern day football. Even at our level if you hang around the main door at Shielfield pre match on a Saturday you'll see half of Burton's going in. At the higher level in certain parts of the ground they're like the proverbial flies on a s****. Don't know about you, but if your any way like me and wear a suit etc all week the last thing I want to do on a Saturday is "dress for work"
Just read as well that Cowden are staying at Central Park next season. Good that their club is staying in the town but the footie public of the town will certainly be on trial now. Can they turn out in sufficient numbers to take the pressure off their club? How about the shock some of the First division "big boys" will get on entering Central Park? Gotta be worth a giggle.......

Not said

well done to the Loons or Blue Brazil yet, but well done to both. Forfar deserved their victory and should do well next season if they carry on as they are. And Berwick fans wont be unhappy to see the back of them after their clean sweep over us last season. Personally I like Station Park and will miss the trips there but at the same time Gayfield is an acceptable replacement, as long as its not during the months of November to say April! Similar sentiments to Cowden who if you remember only went up the season before last courtesy of Livingstons demotion and if you also recall they lost in the play off final to Stenny. So the new members of our "club" next season are Arbroath and Clyde who may well be the big guns in our division. You getting the itch already......

Just back

from a weekend in what for this weekend at least was the football hotbed of Angus and Tayside. Everything up there was tangerine yesterday and a great day at Hampden was hailed as a success in footballing and occasion terms. The thing mentioned time and again was the refreshing difference from one involving either of the old firm. And the thing most commonly mentioned was the lack of "foreign flags" and songs full of bile and hate.It must be good for Scottish football but I'd beg some of these 28000 United fans and 18000 County fans to go back next season on a regular basis. Football happens most Saturday folks not just cup final days. If only a percentage of you turn up it will make your clubs stronger and be better for Scottish football.
Finally we've signed another two players from last seasons squad. Things appear to be moving along nicely in what really are early preparations. Great stuff keep it up.

Did you

watch any of the Cowden Brechin match the other night. That place actually looks worse on the tele than it does when your there. They must have been disappointed with the crowd as well, as they must have been at Arbroath especially for a "derby" Do you remember our crowd in the play off final, substantially better than both of these, and I know its not their final yet, but we'll see. Crowds don't seem something that'll be a problem at tomorrows Scottish Cup Final. Apparently Dundee United have sold something like 27200 tickets, almost twice their ground capacity and Ross County have shifted about 18000, almost three times their capacity. Heading for a near sell out, who need the old firm eh. Breath of fresh air as far as I'm concerned.
Finally I see Stenny have released Scott Gair and Ian Diack, how about him and Brazil up front next season?