The Mantis

Obviously he was playing. Rose no 12

Hare was lucky to stay on as he managed a couple of sly kicks in the Banks boy’s ribs as he got to his feet. Not sure why the Banks player got booked at the same time. Was the penalty contentious? I was heading towards the exit so it was miles away, but the Rose players didn’t seem to argue given that it was essentially going to put them out.

Just been listening to Tam Cowan talking about supporting your rivals in Europe. No qualms back then in the HL.

If you went back to ICT's formation in 1994 they would rate more than a 'maybe'. Wins at Parkhead, Tynecastle and Motherwell as a lower-league side. Quarter-final in 1996 as a div 3 side. Semi-finals in 2003 and 2004 as a div 1 side. Knocked Celtic out twice, before doing it again in 2015. Also, pre-1994, you could make a fair argument for Caledonian as the Talbot of their day.

It was actually a Whitehill win in 1987, their sole victory. They’ve had, I think, 8 draws against league sides.

Should have twigged that - the Futbology app told me 2 days ago that I was there 9 years ago

Aye I would doubt if they would issue, but I remember one year the programmes were tied in with the sponsorship, must have been during the Tennents days.

Always a tall order going to Muirton but they had played Albion Rovers on the Wednesday night. There was a day when I would never miss a Welfare game in the Cup, I'd avoid booking holidays etc. Can't see them winning this, so they'd be out of the Cup before end of August for the first time in their history. Probably take in Lithgae v Banks. Are Jeanfield likely to issue a programme for this?

I was there, sitting on the track like all the other young lads. 25225 I believe. Enjoyed the first book, especially since I never paid for it But will get the others.

"You're shite Hasteens!" Beware his Canadian parents cheerleading from the stands "C'mon guys, don't let them through!"

Don't think this was well publicised at all. Quite interesting/slightly cringeworthy wee series of six 2-minute films produced by the SFA for Euro 2020 in a series "The Land of Football". Episode 4 is about Fort and there's a wee photo of Iceland by yours truly, getting compared to Claggan... https://euro2020.scottishfa.co.uk/national-tour/episode-4-fort-william/

The Wooden Box method. Only works with a wee bloke and a big lass. They do it standing up with him on the box. When his eyes start to glaze over, she kicks the box away.

Snap! LEAFA (Lothian & Edinburgh Amateur FA) Div 1 East Linton Hotspur 1 Penicuik AFC 4 (HT 0-1) New Moor Park, West Linton, Peeblesshire I had Att c20 plus several sheep. Plus a donkey braying somewhere. Free admission. Can of Belhaven Best £2.50. Hotspur conceding a penalty and being reduced to 10 men right after half time effectively ended the contest.

Was up in North Fife yesterday morning so combined it with a visit to Downfield v Blantyre Vics. Plenty youngish committee men in Downfield polo shirts helping out and defying the Joonyurs stereotype of old gits in blazers. The second half was played in a downpour and it was one of those games where every player's second touch was a tackle. Neither side seriously looked like scoring although it was an interesting enough game, but Vics nicked it with a scrappy goal 15 mins from time. Shame as I was looking forward to the penalties. Used to love when the SJC came around but games like this in front of 100 fans show the cup is in its death throes imo.

"resting", Shirley...

Aye, Walker & Scobie. Take it they'll still be available for the Cup. Looking at the accounts, WW were fined £250 by the SFA in 2015 for the discipline record in 14-15. In 15-16 they were in breach again so the fine was increased to £300. The SFA used to look at the overall discipline in the league and penalise the clubs that were well above average. That was in the LL, but WW are still a licensed club so maybe they are held to the same standards.

Ah ken!

Gannet at Troup Head last week

Bow Fiddle Rock last week. The squiggly bits at the top right are gulls. I just left them in.

I know we’ve had these groundhopping conversations before, but interesting that you’ve just completed 2 leagues where I’m just about the same stage. I’ve been visiting the HL in a fairly leisurely fashion since the old Caley days, and I was at Banff a couple of weeks back, with just Turriff, one of the new ones, to go. A bonus of supporting ICT, or Livi, County etc for that matter, is you more or less visit all the SPFL as you rise up the leagues. That’s much preferable to going as a neutral because even if the game’s shite, you’ve still got something invested in it. I had done all the West Prem when it was 16 teams, but now I have to visit the new Buffs Park, Darvel and Bonnyton. I suppose I could wait till Bonnyton inevitably go down and get replaced by the likes of Arthurlie and teams I’ve already visited. In the east, I think I only need to visit Kirkcaldy and Dysart, and the Swifts’ new park, and that’ll be everything down to level 8, as I spent a long time following Whitehill and Bonnyrigg over the years as my local teams.

One of the short list of grounds where you can watch from your car. In fact the first time I was at Lanark I drove right past the gateman thinking I was just going in the car park . Went back and paid though… A definite bonus in the winter when you can just run your engine for a few minutes…

Was just about to ask the same, been happening for weeks. Haven’t been able to get into it for the past hour, can’t get the results.

I remember ICT not getting a flag day when we were promoted in 2004 and Thistle were disputing their relegation. We obviously got Thistle’s fixtures. Away to Livi on the opening day, and a “derby” with Killie at New Year.

Maybe they should do it like this every time.

Went down there one day when they played Whitley Bay. Just checked and it was in 2000. Think they were in the Northern Premier League back then. Next time was 2003 just when it was all kicking off. ICT beat them 5-0 on the way to winning the Challenge Cup and promotion to the SPL. ICT’s record is better than most, P6, W6.