TheRealNumber5

Every game on a Saturday at 3pm. Once in a blue moon. Aberdeen v Kilmarnock Livingston v Hamilton Motherwell v St. Johnstone Rangers v Dundee United Ross County v Celtic St Mirren v Hibernian Give us your predictions Go

If Callum Davidson doesn’t come back, it’ll be Alec Cleland with Alan Maybury as his assistant. Then we need someone new to look after the kids

But by that token you’re suggesting teams from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Ireland etc shouldn’t get to play in the Europa League or Champions League as they wouldn’t be prepared. They find a way. I’m not daft here, I realise that’s a different level, money, professionalism and commitment etc, but the northern teams have the opportunity to play in the Scottish Cup if they want, I managed one game with Dounreay Workshops away to Rothie Rovers back in 99 (400 mile round trip was the big issue really). But if the whole setup changed to summer then the nationals would run that way too. I’m just saying it’s possible, that’s all. We don’t know when the leagues and cups will restart, they may start again in August and take until October to finish. Do we just leave everything after that and restart again in July? This is all conjecture, we’re at the mercy of an outside force and no end in sight for at least twelve weeks

It doesn’t require a huge sea of change. Everything under the Highland Amateur FA is summer football. They are under the SAFA umbrella and don’t have any special dispensation. Not that they have a choice because there’s hardly any astro parks to use up there and the weather dictates. You work with what you’ve got. It’s just something to consider. And Chris, I’m not 48. And I’m very happy I chose not to play Saturdays any more. I couldn’t keep up with the rest of your team any more!

I agree with ye mate, like I say, I hate the idea, mainly cos with my coupon and my size, playing in the sun damn near knocks me out with the heat (I don’t play Saturdays any more thankfully) but with the climate heading the way it is, this might be the time to do it. As has been said, the price of Astro is killing clubs, so grass in summer with midweek options is maybe the way forward. I’ll never agree with it, but we may have no choice. Works up north.

I’ve long been a hater of the idea. LONG TIME been against it. But if this drags on for too long and doesn’t get finished til much later in the year maybe this would be a good time to change the whole setup. Finish it later in the year then start the season in February giving everyone the summer football they wanted. I hate the idea as I’m a traditionalist and loved playing games in the wet, wind and snow with awful parks in mid January but nowadays councils won’t let us near the parks and even when they do they can’t be bothered to fix the parks like they used to do, so with the weather going the way it is going, maybe this is the time to make the summer switch. Just a thought. Like I say, I hate the idea but we may have no choice soon

The pyramid is drifting down from the SPFL to the Highland League and Lowland League then from there down to East Of Scotland League, South Of Scotland League and a new planned West Of Scotland League which some junior teams are applying to join. Nothing to do with amateurs whatsoever but I guess any could apply to join if they wanted to get the infrastructure together.

Sorry if I sound ignorant here, but £30 a month to play football is a cheaper deal than most clubs are looking for. When I was at Postal United our President was very understanding when players had a tough time financially and cut it from 10 a week to 5 to give them a little break, and nobody else in the team complained. I’ve found that a lot of the time these guys who say they can’t afford the money every week (or invariably say they don’t have it yet) are then spending more than that in the pub afterwards. Now I’m not saying they shouldn’t enjoy their free time, but we all know the amounts required to play amateur football - we pay it because we love the game - so if you don’t want to pay it, don’t play. I know the costs of running a team are rising and councils are ripping the soul out of football with some extortionate pricing (and also ridiculous rules about the length of time you get a let for e.g. two hours only so no changing rooms before and after) but in my opinion it’s generally players who are letting the game down. In sixteen years in Glasgow amateur football I’ve seen attitudes change dramatically. I’ve only been at two clubs and towards the demise of Postal I saw it creeping in and knew what was coming and left for Eastfield. That club doesn’t have players like that thankfully but who’s to say they won’t change in the next ten years tho I doubt Chris would allow it to happen. Clubs are dying because there’s a minority of players who just don’t give a s£&t and they let down the majority. I’m glad I got out when I did. Retirement was timely.

Honestly never thought I’d say this. Haven’t had the chance to watch them this season, no idea who they’ve signed up but know they’re desperate and asked someone in my work along to train, doesn’t even play any more. Greatest respect to Blantyre but losing 5-0 at home to them suggests and end is near. Can’t believe it’s gonna happen. The end of a great club. A legacy smashed.

Yeah that was always gonna be the choice. It’s as if they can predict the finalists already based on how they put the draw together...

So after today’s results the quarters line up as follows: Wick Groats v Castletown Staxigoe v Whitedale Maryburgh v Pentland United Avoch v Sleat & Strath Having seen draw and by past experience I can’t see anything other than an Avoch v Pentland United Final. Again

Fivepenny is the name of their wee ground. Seen it on BBC Alba. Lovely setup going on there, real family club. Got youth teams and all sorts organised. Impressive considering the remote nature of the place

Which I think is wrong. Helmsdale should be reinstated. I’ll never understand how they decide what should be replays or when the cut off is to be reinstated. Rules change every week these days. Gutted for the Ness boys though

A lot of players in the amateur leagues lined up in the North Caledonian League, I certainly did. Some can also play for Highland League teams depending which forms they sign. As a side note, are Bellmac gonna get kicked out for fielding a Sunnybank ringer in the nets? Bit of a poor show if it’s true.

I think to suggest the Eastfield team was a “B” team is a tad disrespectful. Only one of the team isn’t a regular member of the squad and the rest of that team today could have a big part to play next Sunday. Every good team needs a big squad and they’re all there on merit