Kmcalpin

Lets be clear here. I'm not blaming the media for all football's ills and I don't think others are either. But the media must take a share of the blame. Fans: SOME have become spoiled, some prefer watching footie in a pub, some could put more back into their clubs. Clubs: have become too complacent and taken punters for granted. some such as those in EPL have become downright greedy. Players: particlularly at the top of the game have become too greedy and the effect of that has filtered down to all levels, including juniors. Governing bodies: too reactionary and inward looking. Old firm: bled our football dry to the detriment of the other clubs at all levels. Media: infatuated and obsessed with the OF and the EPL. Too ready to do our clubs down. I could go on and on.

Nothing personal MJW but I felt that I had to come out of self imposed exile to reply to your post. I'll start by saying that admission prices are far too high - the fans know that as does MFC. No argument there. Leeann Dempster is 100% right when she said that fans lacked an understanding of football clubs' finances. As Brazilian pointed out she wasn't referring to gate prices when she said that. I'm not blaming anyone for that, its simply a fact. For example, few fans seem to realise that 17.5%, shortly to become 20% of course, of ticket prices, programme prices and transfer fees is siphoned off by the Teasury in the form of VAT. Thats a lot of dosh. The club knows we have an out of date stadium and will move as soon as we can afford to. What else can it do? I don't agree at all that we have a "shit product". We were the 5th best club in Scotland last year. In attending Fir park for 50 years I've seen many, many worse Well sides. What are you comparing us with? The EPL, La Liga? if so thats totally unrealsitic. By way of comparison I recently attended the SECC for what was in effect a 90 minute concert. It cost £40 per ticket with a programme being a tenner. The seats were awful and the accoustics poor. Flow makes 2 very good posts and I have no guilt about saying so. He is right that the state of football is no one party's fault. The press have a huge role to play and many fans are brainwashed. I read this comment by Ewing Grahame in this morning's SoS about our forthcoming tie. "This tie is unlikely to quicken pulses outwith North Lanarkshire." There was no need go overboard to dress it up but equally there was no need to demean it. A totally unnecessary statement and one which illutstrates the problems the so called Scots media cause our game. The club is making a great effort to win over the community. I can only suggest that you contact Ms Dempster and ask to meet her to explain "financial reality" and her vision for the club. You might learn something interesting and surprising as might many. The future isn't all rosy but the club is in good hands.

An absolutely appalling post which has brought shame to this site. If that is how low things have sunk then I want no part of it.

Happy to explain this one. At the time Simo was popular amongst a substantial section of our support and in recognition of his efforts the club, in confidence it has to be said, tried to make him an improved offer to stay when his deal was coming to an end. In the event they found it very difficult to make him an offer. Quite a few fans were giving the club absolute pelters publicly for not making him an offer. Pelters bordering on abuse. The truth of the matter was somewhat different. The club, played it by the book and attempted to contact Valakari's agent by phone, in person, by fax and by post but he ignored the lot. Meanwhile the fans' criticism was growing louder by the day, for treating their hero in such a fashion. The club then tried to discuss the situation with the player directly but he refused all attempts to negotiate or even talk about it. Neither the player nor agent said anything, nothing whatsoever. Not surprisngly the club gave up coming to the conclusion that Valakari was offski and they were right weren't they? Neither he nor his agent had the decency to tell the club or the fans that he was going to move on. And that, my friend, is the tale of Simo Valakari's departure, as told to a group of Well fans in Edinburgh.

As far as I know, Ryan Scanlon was homesick and wanted to return to the central belt to be nearer his home. Thats a different situation. I'm sure Jim Gannon was quoted as saying that he would not pilfer players from Stockport and I have no problem with that. As far as Paul Slane is concerned if anyone cares to read between the lines on this thread, Paul Slane has patently been tapped by someone at Celtic. Not a good example to set.

We don't know what is going on behind the scenes. That said I agree with you Wee G. Unless MFC has been actively trying to punt him to Celtic during Mark McGhee's reign (highly unlikely I'd say) then the obvious conclusion to be drawn is that Chris McCart is doing his best to poach the cream of our young talent - Steven Lawless anyone? In my eyes, IF thats true, then it doesn't paint Chris in a very good light. However he's escaped criticism so far on these boards.

My thoughts exactly Eddie. We should give the lad some space to get back to fitness and JG space to deal with his contract. Some on here would would do well to remember Simo Valakari who treated the club and fans abominably but was well thought of nonetheless.

I'll say again that the folk that I know on the Trust Board have given their all. Whether or not the Trust "relaunches" with any of the old faces is not up to them....its up to others, currently on the sidelines, to take up the baton. I'm quite certain many if not all of the current Board would welcome others on board to relaunch. You can't blame the current board for carrying on if no-one else steps up to ring.

Yes, I served on the Board for several years and was the Press Officer until about 2 years ago when I had to give it up because of personal reasons. I've remained a member and will continue to renew. I can see both sides of the debate. The Trust Board is a group of honest hard working fans who have invested a lot of their own time in the Trust. They/we haven't always got it right in terms of communication and thats been very true of late. That said communicating with members isn't as straightforward as some would believe. I quite understand many fans have issues with the Trust - some have not renewed and some never joined. If they genuinely care enough but don't like what the Trust is doing or not doing or whatever, now is the moment to put their time where their mouth is. Its most unlikely that any nomination for Board membership would be turned down. Then change things from within.

Maybe someone from the Trust can pick this up?

Really quite surprised that no-one has mentioned this, given that the lack of Trust activity seemed to be causing something of a furore a few weeks ago. Renewal letters have been sent out and the AGM will take place on Wednesday 14 October at 7.30 in the Cooper Suite. Subs renewals are also due. The Trust is also looking for nominations for Board membership - there are vacancies. Given the apparent disquiet I'd say this was the perfect chance for disaffected fans to put themselves forward and change things once and for all. The AGM was also advertised in Saturday's programme.

Well according to him we had only one shot on target and that was the goal. What about Giles Cokes' effort on 20 mins?

If thats a true reflection of Eddie's match assessments then its no surprise his team is bottom of the SPL.

But you aren't and thats the point. Whether you should be or not is another matter which should taken up with the SPL or SFA but not MFC.

To be fair though, Everton's standard is way above anything you'll see in Scotland and most of Europe.

We need to give the guy a chance and get him fully match fit and sharp. Certainly he won us 2 points on Saturday.

Very sorry to hear this. Betty was Mrs MFC.

A proper mess up isn't it!

Can I ask you Everton how many times Lucas Jutkiewitz has played 90 minutes for you in the past 2 years?

You can say that again. He had a shocking challenge on Crags who went berserk afterwards and could have been yellow carded for persistent fouling after 20 minutes!!!

Ah so its like the AoH, Masons or Opus Dei?

A warning for older fans - the concession only applies at 65 not 60.

Drinks are on you then Colin

Agree that our marking at the goals was appalling but Hibs don't have that much class - Riordan, perhaps Miller, Zemmamma and Stokes. The other 7/8 are/were ordinary to say the least. Hamilton and St Johnstone both played aggressively in midfield and completely smothered them. Our game plan and midfield performance suited Hibs to a T and they took full advantage. Man for man I'd say we have a better goalie, defence and midfield.

Aye, stay off the chicken pies at Tynecastle.