Whitey Grandad

There are many points here and they have all been debated to death before. Two-dimensional video evidence is often worse than the close-up eye-witness who is better able to judge momentum and movement. There must be one set of laws for football at all levels and in all countries so that rules out the video referee. There have been many false decisions in rugby where this has been used. The 'Hawkeye' that is used in cricket is presented as technical fact when it is only a mechanical prediction of where the ball is likely to go. Interpretation of 'Interfering with play' is the big problem. The referee is in the best position to judge whether a player is interfering but the assistant on the line can only judge whether the player is in an offside position. The definition of 'interfering' has changed several times in the past few seasons. As an ex-fullback, I would prefer that we went back to the old methods.

Is that a euphemism?

Footballers and other professionals (such as musicians) who earn a lot of money in a short period are allowed special dispensation for their pension payments. These are not allowed for the likes of us. Damned shame, though, that such a promising young professional should have his career cut short. Sadly he is not alone in that.

The insurance premiums are guite high so some clubs run their own 'insurance scheme', that is they save on the premiums and take a chance. I believe that Arsenal used to be one of them. Likewise Hampshire County Council reckon that they are big enough to handle the risks and got caught for about £18m a few years ago when the Sony building at Basingstoke went up in flames.

You could see that??? We couldn't see anything :-(.

We had two seats in row B too! We were just to the right of the left-hand goalpost as you looked upfield, so we had stand support & drainpipe, goalpost, goal net, goalkeeper between us and the action. That and the slope of the pitch meant we were looking at the game from about knee-height. And we were getting wet from all the drips. Had a good view of our three goals, though, which made up for the poor view but as to what was happening at the other end, it was all a bid of a blur. I had one senior and one full-price but £18.50 was a lot for a seat with no view.

It's ironic that I was dry-side but my view was blocked by a big drainpipe.

Yes, that did occur to me after I had hit 'submit'. :-( So... That'll be next year then!

That would be next season then

When is the final?

The other rule is 'always play your best team'.

The other.

What is the trophy anyway, a tin of paint?

It all started to go wrong when the home clubs kept all of the gate money. Then Sky came along and the rest is history....

You are probably right. The Woolston to Fareham link is usually being worked on at the weekend.

Any night except Wednesday and I would be there. It'll have to be Sky Plus for me.

Whe you put it like that it's amazing how far we have come since the end of last season. We have Lambert and Connolly for less than we sold Dyer and McGoldrick, and their desire and hunger is quite refreshing.

Is that you on the left in the dress Wes?

The important question is... If you had to pay good money for him, would you buy him for the club?

Standard adult of £20 - £22 (category C). I think it might have been a special offer of 2 successive games for £30 total. Basic adult tickets range from £20 to £30 depending on location and the category of the visitors, so their prices are not bad, but we are talking about 'Wigan'.

The 7-days no longer apply: 'the suspension will now be automatic as opposed to the current seven day rule.'

Indeed you are quite correct. For temporary (not season-long) loans written permission has to be given by the lending club by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the date fixed for playing the round in order for the player to be 'eligible'. As for disciplinary procedures and bans, I believe that these only apply to games for which the player is 'eligible'. Of course, if Trotman were to collect a fifth booking and therefore a ban, what is there to stop Southampton asking Preston for written permission knowing full well that he is banned from playing the next match for which he would be 'eligible'?

Matches tend to go to the team that wants it the most.

Interesting point that. He is eligible to play as he is officially on loan at Southampton. As far as I know, any other 'understandings' about not playing against the club that holds your registration or not getting cup-tied are unofficial and cannot be written into the loan agreement.

Murty for me, every time.