Special aka

we've never won a european tie following a 1st leg away defeat, ( Katowice, Dortmund, Nancy), despite being confident of doing so ................. time that changed

was he now ? so what of the Third Reich connotations ? are you able to enlighten this 48yr old ?

Ian Curtis ............ never heard of him

BIG BIG thanks to Brazilian for keeping me informed of events yesterday. Even pleaded with 810m to keep us uptodate but it was Brazilian via Andy P who proved more efficient than aunty beeb. thanks guys.

Not sure where you live mate, perhaps it's West Lothian, ( I used to live in Ladywell then Uphall before heading into the capital). However, if you and your kids want to follow guaranteed success then head to Ibrox and/or Parkhead. However, if you wish to share the passions, (the lows and the highs), of the rollercoaster ride that is following an underdog get your family along to Fir Park. It isn't always pretty. It isn't always fun ............... but every jack one of us who goes thru that turnstyle is part of the Fir Park family.

I was told it was amber, when I bought it on-bay

27years or so ago, when I still lived in the town, I used to go watch them training down the Ashy and/or the Gresham. Participated in many a game of head tennis with Bruce Cleland, Willie Irvine, Stuart Rafferty, Brian McLaughlan, and a very young Gary McAllister, etc., Buggarz used to spunge a lift back up to Fir Park afterwards.

I'll never fit in it

safe journey sir, I hope you enjoy it, and look forward to hearing all about it on your return I'm all packed too, however I'm heading north west in the morning

The Keltic Cup

So does that mean the top I ordered, which is due to arrive in a couple of weeks ........ won't be arriving afterall

No worries mate, you weren't to know

Cheers ............ all we have to go on is our media's portrayal of the unrest in the Balkans over the last 20 years. It looks to have been a complicated issue. Those of us who travelled thru the former East Germany and onto Poland in 1991 certainly got our eyes opened as tothe reality of communist states. Those that do travel from Lanarkshire should be aware in advance what behaviour will be tolerated and what will not. In Nancy, and last week in Llanelli, we were pretty much encouraged to do our own thing. It would appear now that "our own thing" will cause friction/offence in Vlore. Motherwell fans are not trouble makers, however according to the 1st poster, any exuberance on our part will taunt the locals. Perhaps the Club were right to advise us to stay at home afterall

was with you until you brought the vermin into the equation. Sorry mate, but I'd rather set my face on fire than share a bar with The Filtheez

So, what's the new stadium like then ? Do the locals approve ? Will it embrace top flight football before too long ? What's to happen to Ninian Park ?

You and me both mate

Google earthed Vlora for a wee look. Oval stadium, with small stand on one side and low terrace on other, about half-mile from harbour. Place looks fairly clean, and not what has been popularly portrayed by our media over the years. In europe yes, but is it not a Muslim country ? which would result in normal behaviour perhaps causing unintentional offence. I doubt many will travel, due to the expense and logistic issues, but those that do ..... don't drink beer in street and wave yer Motherwell FC flags Don't step on cracked paving slabs, don't exhale breath during the first 15 seconds of every minute, and part your hair to the left.

Very complimentary words mate. I'm sure they will be very much appreciated.

chickens apparently Dortmund thought us brown mice and boy did we give them a fright

Off to Specsavers as we speak

Gav, maybe not so popular now, (Leeds are not the attraction they used to be), but I was aware of it during 70's/80's/90's .... Leeds seemed to have a large following amongst Motherwell fans, much more so than Man-U or Liverpool back then. I used to travel down regularly with the Motherwell Whites. Not sure about others but for me, my 1st exposure to the English game from what I can remember was the 1970 FA Cup Final (in those days that was the live game on tv, not the Scottish cup final taking place on same day). Anyway, Leeds seemed to be portrayed as underdogs and this young lad kinda liked the white strip with the sock flashes and my realisation that they had a very strong Scottish influence cemented my attraction. Bremner, Lorimer, Harvie, Gray, Jordan, McQueen, Gray jnr, Stewart, etc., and the rest is history.

Football Map of Albania slide down to bottom left for Vlore. Checkout their website Flamurtari No idea what it says, but the burds are absolutely gorgeous ....... Flow will need a watching

Good stuff.

was thinking that myself. Perhaps the Albanian Foreign Office has issued a security warning to fans contemplating a visit to Fir Park

Name and shame