weeyin

Seems like Samson has a nice coaching career these days.

I can't imagine we are doing social media promos for Tait.

Right, but the main argument on here is band vs hoop (and how it's the hoop that is the "traditional" style). How many true hoops since 1970? Like I said, my formative years from the ages of about 5 - 20ish were hoopless, and images of guys like Wullie Pettigrew are seared onto my brain wearing the sash kit. So while I am 100% in favour of maintaining traditions and the hoop, on a purely personal front, the memories of chipmunk crisps, kia-ora and "goal for Pettigrew" will always be emotionally tied to those other styles (even though, aesthetically I'm a big fan of the current version). It's for much the same reasons I'll never like any change kit more than a white one.

As long as we don't sign the plastic pitch from Livi, it will all be good. (Talking of which, are we ripping up the turf again this year? I remember the groundsman saying at the start of the project, the plan was to reach a point where the summer work would be less intense than the early years).

A precontract is a commitment to sign anproper contract at some point in the future. There's still some legal questions about how enforceable they are if one party pulls out. A lot of that depends on exactly what was signed. Richie Brittain is a fairly recent example of someone changing their mind after signing one.

To be honest, in the 50 odd years I've been following MFC I'd guess about half of our kits have had no hoop/band at all. The first games I went to were in 1970, and until 1984/85 we had less than one season with a hoop. All the other seasons were either plain shirts or the diagonal sash. So my formative, mpressionable years as a 'Well fan were very much with no hoop or band.

Generally yes. Stopping a production line, retooling, restarting for 50, stopping, retooling and restarting would typically be very expensive and the cost overhead could only be spread across those 50 shirts. Newer technology can make these things quicker, but downtime and idle machines are still something that any manufacturer of any product wants to avoid.

Setting up a manufacturing run for 50 unique shirts would be very expensive I imagine. One-offs and small batches rarely make economic sense.

I think the rules are clear. It's just impossible for us to test a matchday shirt with the appropriate equipment, so all we can do is guess. Like I said earlier, though, the explanation for us could be as simple as Macron don't do hoops for clubs like us.

You're trying too hard now. You won't catch any fish unless you dial it back a bit.

True - but the rules I quoted were 2018. I have no idea what they were in 2015. I understand the difficulties, though. If they don't have a way of measuring it, there would be complaints. If they do have a way of measuring it, it will be potentially ambiguous unless they make it subject to ridiculously high levels of scrutiny and compliance.

It would take a better man than me to review all the details of that number, but with the multiple clauses allowing shadow outlines, key lines, visible from 50m etc. etc. I have no idea if that violates anything. I do know they have enough money and a big enough support that Kappa will manufacture a custom kit for them. Depsite all our chat about regulations etc., however, it might just be that Macron won't make a 'Well kit in that style.

If they meet the requirements with a hoop, they won't "get away" with anything. They will be abiding by the rules. Like you say, though, it's hardly worth the expense for a team like ourselves to design a UEFA friendly kit on the off-chance we qualify - and find a willing manufacturer. I imagine of there are other hooped shirts in the Euro competitions, they will be worn by teams with budgets we can only dream about.

Or "a wee bit annoying" at least.

Are they asking him if he knows any fast wingers, because he doesn't fit the Robinson mould for wide men - speed first, ball skills second.

That'll teach me for relying on the Official site! He's still listed in the Reserve squad.

No idea - but if I was the club I wouldn't risk being papped out of Europe because of a shirt number.

Obviously, I've never had the pleasure of measuring the contrast, but the regs state:

Semple and MacIver maybe (and/or Starrs)?

Basically, there needs to be a "number zone" that provides sufficient contrast between the number and the shirt colour. The claret band doesn't meet that requirement.

For the interested reader:

Very smart. Would have preferred the black socks, but that's a minor niggle.

I still remember the quote I saw from a Rangers fan after they signed Hastie. His prediction was "another youngster we'll loan out for 2 seasons before offloading him to Oldham"

I've obviously no idea, but I take the original point. If Polworth or Turnbull leaves we'd need a completely different style of replacement than if Donnelly or Campbell leaves.

Andy Robertson has been found wanting at international level too. Not because he's a bad player (he's obviously excellent), but because the international squad has deep issues that you can see have a negative influence on even our best players.