Micky

Wilco, very glad to see that you don't make any such sweeping statements...! You are absolutely correct as well - it is your right to hold such views. It is your right because we live in a free democratic society where you are afforded those rights. Just remind me again - who is it that keeps it so?

What town do you live in?

I take it you too were drunk when you wrote this. Most of it sounds pretty much like most major towns and cities in this country on a Friday/Saturday night - go take a look at Southampton on a weekend night - you've just described it to a tee. My wife used to work in one of the Restuarants in Below Bar and it was like a no go zone during the evenings when I used to pick her up. Take a look at some of the reality television cop shows - all you have described is, I'm afraid, the norm - or are all of these people squaddies as well? If you think that the Armed Forces are thick ****s running around playing with a gun - then you yourself are probably well qualified to join! Forget the fighting troops, forget the conflict - ask youself - could the company that you work for deploy ten thousand employees overseas in a foriegn country. Could your company transport them, feed them, cloth them, accomodate them, provide washing facilities, provide transport, medical cover, shopping facilities - all the basic things that we take forgranted in life. I doubt that you could - it takes a whole lot more than a bunch of thickos to conduct such an operation. Once you've got to where you're going - theres also the small matter of a war to fight - but hey ho, I'm sure you think thats just a case of a couple of thickos, letting rip with some 5.56. If you think that you are being represented by thickos - you do not have a clue, and nor do you deserve the service that these guys provide. Yes you live in a military town, yes the squaddies go out, drink, kick off and try to score with the locals - but that is absolutely no different to the locals, is it?

With comments such as that, believe me - I really am a whole lot different to you. Your post started with the word 'stupid'; sit and think awhile.

With all due respect, sticking my neck on the line, guessing and assuming for once, I doubt very much that the MoD went cap in hand to any of the various agencies that donate to this 'charity'. I believe all such tickets were offered as a token of gratitude towards the Forces personnel, and it has grown somewhat since it's inception. Perhaps the MoD should have just declined the offer if so many people think that unworthy workers are being treated to these perks - who knows.

The thread sort of went off track a little there - soldiers, nurses, pay scales and graduates, all pretty irrelevant really. The fact remains that our Armed Forces (particularly the Army, and more particularly our Infantry, Marines and Special Forces) are currently in one hell of a fight trying to help the people of Afghanistan. The nature of this work means that many of them will (and have) paid the ultimate price, and as a result many good minded folk feel the need to do thier 'little' to make life for serving soldiers (Sailors & Airmen) that little bit more comfortable. A way to show their appreciation, to give a little to guys who have given a whole lot more - it actually probably means more to the giver than the reciever, if truth be known. Do our Forces deserve such 'perks' - fukin' right they do: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Interactive-Graphics/fallenheroes How many nurses, police constables, fire fighters or McDonalds workers have died over the last 3 years in the course of their duty - a few. But whilst some of these people conduct some thankless and dangerous job roles, none come even close to what your average soldier on operations experiences on a day to day basis. For those of you that question our Forces, I really hope you are around on the day that this country gets invaded - you might then see first hand just how good these guys are at what they do, and appreciate them for the selflessness that they show. A few free tickets for putting your life on the line day in day out - scant, scant reward.

Personally I think that the readership figures are a complete red herring - it could be mandatory to read The Sun every day - who gives a toss. The point is they have resorted to making reference to the club and players by means of non-descript names in order to try to 'censor' our particular image. Each too their own. The last time I remember doing anything similar or likewise was when John Burgess stole my bike, let the tyres down and dumped it in a stream - after that I always, without fail, referred to him as 'Pongy Johny' - that showed him. Admitedly I was only young at the time, probably 9 or 10, definately pre-pubescent, but I hated Pongy Johny - mind you, I've since matured and grown up a little.

I like this idea, "The Markus Liebherr Football Academy", has a good ring about it.

When one individual can touch the lives of so many, especially in such a short space of time, then they must be blessed in some way. I never ever met the man, nor did I speak to him - the closest I got to him was while occupying seat 207, row 5 of block 546 at Wembley Stadium on Sun 28 Mar 10. That said, I feel immensely humbled and priviledged to of known of him, to be able to associate myself, through the team I love, to him. There is only one Markus Liebherr.

We (the cartoons) are presently one of the floating banner headlines on the front page of Sky.com....

Careful - we are on the Sky Front Page now....!!!!! http://www.sky.com/

Santa does chrimbo presents mate, not bloody miracles...!!!

Now made it to the 'Top Stories' on Sky News site as well: http://news.sky.com/skynews

Totally agree with this. The issue is not to do with, and nor is it really going to have massive impact from such sponsors. Had we a shirt sponsor - they would probably have kicked off, can't see that any other SMS sponsor would really be too bothered.

You honestly believe that anybody would have believed that total bollux...? Really...? I don't particularly agree with what he has done, but if you honestly think that anybody would be taken in by the bag of bollux that you have just come up with - then I want you as my boss.

So many are so negative because we lost a game - and that, we are not meant to do..!

I sort of agree with this but there has to be levels between adulation and criticism. Adulation - loud cheers, much singing, happiness - cheering, singing, contentedness - occasional cheers, odd song, unhappy - muted applause, hacked off - booing. So you see, there are sort of levels of good/crap that need to be negotiated - it ain't always black and white...!

The only positive is that we will not achieve promotion.

I guess I must be the only person here who does not expect us to get promoted - but still feels positive about the season. Yes the bookmakers have made us favourites, but somebody has to be, and we have a decent squad. That said - it is not an easy league to climb out of, look how long it too Leeds to gain promotion - I think we will struggle as well. I think we had better get used to playing teams set up to defend as well - Plymouth were actually very good. Solid game plan, weathered the storm, got to half time, took thier one chance, shut up shop and went home with the points. As for us - I thought 1st half we 'looked good' without really threatening to score, let's be honest - did their keeper actually save anything - I don't think so. Second half, they get a sloppy goal - but our response was pretty timid to be fair. You would have thought we would have thrown the KS at them - but I thought that some heads went down a little and some players weren't available anymore. Ok we got AL on and eventually managed to test their keeper - but by then Plymouth had grown in stature and 'believed' - we could be there now and not scored. Yes we can point to the players that were missing and no it wasn't a disasterous performance, but I think there are going to be quite a few games like that this season. Teams will come, bung a bus in front of the goal and it is up to us to break it down - the players will get frustrated, and so will the fans - best get used to it. As I said - I don't think promotion is the 'nailed on' certainty that others seem to - I'm not expecting to get promoted - but I still think it will be a good season.

I booed all through the 2nd half - nobody heard, I was watching it on Sky.

God Dan, I love you....! I don't have a clue what he's on about either - I was just too embarrassed to 'stick me hand up' and admit it....! Anydbody fancy *translating / supposing / speculating / guessing what the actual point is here, as it seems to have gone right over me (and Dan) - would be much obliged. *Either, or, whatever...????

Absolutely nothing probably. They have just got away with cheating the taxpayer out of millions. I think it is hardly likely that they are going to get done now for four poxy pence in the pound over the next four years. Let's face it these are football ethics - who really actually gives a shyte - it would appear, nobody.

I would actually hope that most Pompey fans will also see that this is the wrong decission. If they have any decency within them, they must be able to see that what has happened today is nothing short of an injustice. From one administration (only 10 years ago..?) to over 130 million pounds of debt today, nationally recognised by thier fellow professionals as cheats - really is that anything to stand and applaud?

Good old Stan - he knows the score - shame he wasn't a judge...!

Damn.... eeerrrrr, I take it 54 is a little late to be taking up this riding malarky then....???