26th of foot

Things changed in the eighties. The tipping point and best manifestation of the hatred was/is the Aberdeen fanzine, 'the Nothern Light'. An A4 size 'zine, it was well written and produced. Tertiary educated scribblers and professional graphics sent a message that continues to echo to this day. All the usual suspects learned to sing from this particular hymn sheet. It probably hasn't published in 15 years, maybe more; however, the mental imagery continues to be evoked daily.

He used to be Andrew H Smith, Editor of ra Sellik View. He left, pitched up at the Hootsmon, still scrawling his poison pen as Andrew H Smith. His Rangers hating credentials remained intact. He contributed to Scotland on Sunday, told the readership of the trials growing up in the proximity of Larkhall. Andrew H Smith could not buy Kerrygold butter in the Larkie Co-op, never saw a green traffic light in the town, and knew the quickest way to Accident and Emergency was to sing Danny Bhoy. Appearances on Monday night Scotsport ensued, happy to sing his part in the Jim(the Tim)Delahunt orchestrated chorus. Front and center, Bhoy soprano standing between John Colquhoun and Andy Walker, listed as, 'Andrew H Smith spitting venom'. Then, Andrew was de-Aitched, his middle initial disappeared. One day in the Hootsmon, he was sporting an 'H', the next he was H-less. Maybe the H term became embarrassing? Despite the recent Lord Advocate and fellow Sellik fan, Frank Mullholland telling the men in the know, 'ah'm no interested in prosecuting embudy for it's useage'. Who knows, I suspect Andrew no longer wanted to wade knee deep in H-ery? The question remains, is it the same Andrew H Smith? I think we all know the answer.

............. thus in conclusion, a few Hibs fans were overcome by over exuberance; but the testimony provided by eyewitness, Jane Hamilton is most compelling. It's Rangers fault.

Treading the boards has addled Richard Gordon's mind, he has been auditioning too many fantasy scripts. He has just said on BBC Radio Scotland, "ah mean, there was a point in the second half where Adam Rooney made a horseshoe right around the Maribor eighteen yard box, with a defender hanging from his neck"! This attempt to paint the referee in a poorer light begs admiration for Rooney's upper body strength. However, it also demands an answer as to why Rooney ran a horseshoe of seventy yards with an opposition defender clinging to his neck? Then again, did it really happen? Has Richard been following white rabbits into holes that tend to deeper and deeper?

Big Am-Dram Quine, Rheinhart Gordon is blaming the Ref too; oh, and the bumpy pitch also. Wullie Miller is bereft. Liam McLeod is seeking solace with a packet of butteries and a jar of marmite. Oh well, the strength of Scottish football and all that. Still, the Dandy Dons can take comfort in hating Rangers more than ra Sellik. Stand Twee.

No, no, and thrice no. Sell out Saturday was a raging success, all the usual suspects told us so. I wonder why they didn't organise another attempt? I think Aberdeen claimed last season's first home game against the Yahoos was a sell out?

There are a number of dearly held secrets in Denmark : 1. the recipe for Spam. 2. that eating lego is addictive. Scott aspired to the former, whilst succumbing to the latter.

It would appear the random element in the SPFL computer, has been removed. Remember sporting integrity? All the usual suspects(Doncaster, Regan, lawwell, ....... etc) involved in this piece of choreographed theater remind me of Grouch Marx's proclamation on principles, "those are my principles, if you don't like them ............ I have plenty of others.

Dundee United at Ibrox would be preferable. Would Stephen Thompson and Jum Spence sit amid the Arabs because of dem big nasty Bears in the Directors' box?

Frankie, Just received a communication from a mate who is a recently retired Solicitor. He was one of those Lawyers used by newspapers to read and clear copy reference possible litigation. Informed me that the online Sports Editor at the Record is Darren Cooney. Apparently a big mate of Phil McFournames from a decade past. He was difficult, constantly passing off material sourced by Phil; until the Sun's Editor stated he was tarred by the sectarian brush. Further, Darren's MO was to legitimise misinformation by supporting the thrust by securing a quote from NBM. Anyways, reckons the blogger is a cultivated useful idiot by Cooney.

I have just viewed another forum where they have found pictures of him in an Aberdeen t-shirt, and contains a number of images of Easter Road with the strapline, 'Come on Hibs'.

The Online Editor at both the Herald and Evening Times is Stacey Mullen. She was outed on another forum a decade past. Her moniker in those days was, 'Showbiz Stacey'. Her social media means were outed, lots of Sellik, IRA, H term content. She complained she could no longer walk down Byers Road, the abuser became the abused. Further, Stacey and Jane Hamilton are big buddies, photos on Hamilton's social media showed both of them in attendance at many a game at ra Stydome. Angela Haggerty was in there too. Stacey continues to hate.

Reference that blog! It reminds me of the behaviour of the then Sports Editor of Scotland on Sunday, Kevin McKenna. Twenty-odd years past, we played Aberdeen at Ibrox on a Friday evening. Whilst Andy Cameron was on the pitch doing the half time draw, a Dandy Don ran from the Broomloan stand to the halfway line. He kicked and pushed over an unseeing Cameron. He was quickly arrested and huckled from the pitch. He appeared in court on the Monday, charged with Breach, found guilty, and was fined. He was in his early twenties and a member of the Stirling(Uni) based Aberdeen supporters club called, 'the H-u-nhunters'. Their banner was always at Ibrox during fixtures between the clubs. Scotland on Sunday had an occasional columnist, 'Sydney Barrett', A nomme de guerre utilised to have digs at Rangers. Sydney found the actions of the Dandy to be hilarious, and agreed with the objective Host of BBC Radio Scotland's coverage, Richard Gordon; that it could be argued the pitch invader was providing a public service. Andy Cameron was then a fellow BBC Radio Scotland Presenter, hosting a Sunday morning request show. I am not a fan of Prawg Rawk, but I knew Sydney had been a founder member of Pink Floyd. Inquiries came back with the same name, Kevin McKenna. Kevin had been allowed to resign his Editorship of ra Sellik View three-four years before. At an event being hosted by an Italian football magazine reference the Old Firm, a drunken McKenna had made it on to the front pages of the national dailies. He reasoned that the IRA bombing of Enniskillen Remembrance had been a justified act of war, and threw in, "Protestants breed like rabbits". He was not sacked, and pitched up a few years later as Sports Editor of a Sunday broadsheet. Since, he has been Deputy Editor of the Herald, Observer columnist, Assistant Editor at the Daily Mail, ......... etc. Now, it may be someone can verify the credentials of Mr McFarlane as a Bear? However, I wonder if Murray Foote has allowed Jane Hamilton a nomme de guerre? We should be told.

If we challenge, it will come at the start, the autumnal part of the season. Sustaining that challenge will be dependent upon a number of factors. 1. Signing a 20-25 goal per season striker. 2. The Yahoos being the Europa League. Denied the riches of the Champions League for a third season on the trot is most helpful in the medium to long term; the short term advantage is having them play on Thursday evenings, thus playing league games on a Sunday. 3. Hubristic opposition managers. How many are prepared to listen to the demands of their venom spitting fans. Will Brendan and Derek listen to wee Joe and Liam McLeod claiming Rangers are rotten? Teams that present space to us will be dispatched like Dundee last season. If, and I think it remains a huge IF, we are in a challenging position after the winter break; I hope the Board back the manager.

Last year's pre-season friendly against Burnley was a decent affair, and I detest pre-season friendlies. We played well for thirty minutes, then succumbed to what became the winning goal. We were given an idea as to how Warburton likes his side to play, by both teams. Burnley was like watching the lads in the big boys' playground. It was faster, slicker with more pace and width. It will be interesting to see if we have attained their level. Remember, we are a couple of weeks in advance reference fitness, and after four competitive matches we should be ahead in touch and sharpness. I hope Burnley field Leighton James on Saturday, missed booing him last year.

Pete, If no other poster fancies ra Sellik at ra Stydome, I am willing to provide a preview.

The commentator on BBC Alba is Alex O'Henley. Sellik Director, and then Proprietor of the West Highland Free Press, Brian Wilson gave fellow Yahoo, Alex his start as a cub reporter. The Barra lad was the FARE Objective Observer ten years past at Villarreal that saw Rangers fined by UEFA. Like his big pal, Chris McLaughlin, O'Henley never hears his fellow jolly green'n'grey craicsters utter anything offensive, but appear to have BBC Scotland issued Jordrell Bank ears when Bears are in town.

This particular loan move could be a most difficult gig for Ryan. St Mirren's current front two are John Sutton and David Clarkson. Good luck to him.

I thought Martin was toiling amid the terwa of his bijou vineyard, next door to Sir Dave of the Moonbeams bigger affair? I would file that Guardian piece under 'fiction'. I prefer to remember the former male model from his first interview given to the Herald after being tasked to transform Argyle House; entitled, 'I am here to take the Blue out of Rangers'.

The comment from Mark Loney, do Yahoos do irony? The comment from Chris O'Neill is a quintessential example of Yahoo spelling. The Admiral Bar is the gang hut used by Pacific Quay CSC for club meetings. Ill Phil launched a book downstairs. Most appropriately as the heid bummer of Donegal Mountain Rescue led those in attendance back upstairs safely, for a rebel sing song. After Neil McCann signed for Rangers, he visited his parents back in Port Glasgow. His brother, then attending a seminary was also present. He left the family home the next morning to find his BMW trashed by a hammer, and an attempt to set it alight. It's only the craic. Reference Dave Ross, I do not expect Police Scotland to act, but surely the Licensing Board of Glasgow City Council should consider his status as fit and proper to be a Licensee?

I remember Robert McIlroy's, 'the Rangers Historian' did a big piece on Tom. He appeared on the pitch at half time during an evening match to a huge ovation.

Greg Binnie's Maw. We must admire Jum Spence's courage venturing forth with intent. I am sure the pictured one began to eat Jum after copulation, but found him to be particularly bitter and spat him back out.

I remember twenty-odd years past, Glenn Gibbons' piece in the Hootsmon, taunting Rangers supporters with an article stating out of Europe before the nights got dark. Well, both Edinburgh teams are out of Europe before the schools go back.

I know there is a perception that Russians live their lives at either end of the emotional spectrum, either highly optimistic or deeply morose. Well done and thank you to our Russian friends, proclaiming ten minutes of highlights from pushing the ball around in the evening sunlight, is the epitome of the former end of said spectrum.

Tonight, the strength of Scottish football is further enhanced. Gibraltar and Luxembourg have been joined by another behemoth, Malta.