Kingsland Codger

One thing that puzzles me is why it took the disaster at Hillsborough for football grounds to be improved. There had been previous examples of too many people trying to fit into to small a place. Younger readers might find the following example of note I was at Murrayfield in 1975 to see the Scotland v Wales match. In those days, Murrayfield had one large grandstand with the remaining three-quarters of the ground open-air terracing, standing only. 104,000 people crammed in to Murrayfield that day (at the time the largest rugby crowd in the world, and still the largest ever in the UK). The terracing was unticketed with 50 pence entrance paid at the turnstiles. Whilst it didn't feel dangerous at the time, it was clear there was a problem as the police were taking schoolboys out of the main terraces and down to the front to sit by the touchline. From then on, international rugby matches at Murrayfield were all-ticket games with a capacity limited to 80,000. Soon afterwards, the Scottish Rugby Union built another huge stand and by 1995 the entire stadium had been re-developed into an all-seater 67,000 (plus a bit) capacity arena. The point being that the SRU and the police made immediate efforts to ensure over-crowding could not happen again and then embarked on a long-term solution. Why did it take football so long to make similar changes? Those of us over 50 can recall the sight of the crowd at the Kop End at Anfield swaying and rippling everytime a home goal was scored - the danger was there for all to see. Further, if Hillsborough did not have a safety certificate, then why on earth was the stadium still open - and not just open, but given such a major fixture?

Many thanks for the suggestion. The problem still persists and I trying other ideas I have found through Google.

I have been given an old iphone and am experiencing the following problem ... When receiving (and making) a call, I can hear the other person but they cannot hear me. However, when I touch the 'Speaker' button - then the other party can hear me. So I can use the phone but only if I don't mind others hearing the conversation. Hardly ideal. Any ideas how this problem can be fixed would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

Don't you just love the sound of a sweetly struck six being hit high-and-handsome straight back over the bowler's head and way beyond the pavilion.

You were quite correct. The phrase used was 'unprecedented in the UK'.

And he falls straight into the elephant trap and gets the literary reference wrong. No surprise there. It's not 'a little knowledge'; it's 'a little learning' http://poetry.eserver.org/essay-on-criticism.html - It can be found about a third of the way down.

As others suggest, lie down flat and see if good old fashioned rest can cure it. If the pain persists, Google for a McTimoney Chiropractor in your area http://www.mctimoneychiropractic.org/

When the child is placed in your arms for the first time, you are likely to experience an enormous sense of responsibility. Yes, you might well have been preparing for it, but there's nothing quite like holding your first child and realising there is no going back; you can't say you want one a different size/shape/colour - this is yours and you will be responsible for feeding and clothing him/her. And it won't be long before you have to educate - good luck with the potty-training. Don't be surprised if, after all the excitement, you find you don't have much of a role for the first few months. Apart from nappy-changing (see a useful tip from Windmill above) and burping the baby there isn't much you can do. However, it soon picks up and your life will change forever. And finally, don't be surprised at shedding a tiny tear when he/she gets married in 20plus years time - it will come along all too quickly, so make sure you enjoy every minute of being a Dad.

I have always taken in some sandwiches and similar to ODIs in the past and it has never been a problem. Liquids, soft or hard, however, were not permitted. I gather this is a rule imposed on Hampshire CC by the organising authority.

If they have only received half of this year's payment and the next installment is in January, then wouldn't that be next year?

And an additional comparison... our first match in League 1 was at home to Millwall. Crowd = 20,103

I forgot about the censor! So let's call him Yamashta and leave it at that.

Is Arlington a dead cert? Would it be a grave matter if not?

But how right they were ...

Winston Bogarde was offered a huge wage by Chelsea 10 or so years ago and barely played for them. He stuck around until his conract expired.

I would like to join Ampersound with 3rd August as the Farewell date ... "The lamps are going out all over Fratton. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime"

Regardless of the rights and wrongs, Saint Donovan has a problem. He has made every effort to comply with the requirements asked of him and yet more documentation is needed. He is due to go on holiday and does not have the time to fulfill these new demands Saint D, may I make a suggestion? If communication is a problem, then solve the problem by starting to communicate - even if the fault lies with the TO. Write (email) to the Ticket Office and explain to them exactly what you have told us here. That you visited the Ticket Office, that your ID was initially queried, that you were then told to get the uni/college to write confirming your status and that your money was accepted. But then a further requirement has been asked but as you are going away you cannot meet that new requirement. Try to come across as being utterly charming and in need of help. Finish the letter asking them what you should do as you don't want to be left Season Ticketless on your return. The key thing here being to put the ball back into their court before you go away.

Only £39.99? Bargain. And with loyalty points for Preston away too! Compelling. But I guess I still have to pay an admin fee ...

I cannot play my DVD on my PC. When inserted, Windows Media Player fires up but then nothing happens. Can anyone shove me in the right direction to get it to play?

The Chelsea game will have to be re-arranged as they will be in Japan for the World Club Championship. http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/index.html

Might Gus Poyet be approached to take over WHL?

Bravo Monsieur Hollande. It may be hopelessly late but at least he did the correct thing as soon as he could.

Who once owned a cow, name of Daisy

Should anyone from France decide to come to London, they will be moving to France's sixth biggest city http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18234930