Boozegate and the SFL run-in
I promise not to let it fill the column but I couldn't write this week without touching on 'Boozegate' or 'on the lash on Loch Lomond' - whatever you want to call it.
The story had only just broken when I was writing last week and my only comment at that time was that I hoped it was an April fool, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
I'm sure I don't really need to tell you that I'm talking about .
For me, they have been punished by both club and country and deservedly so.
I don't know what everyone else's take on the subject is, but I hope the story is coming to an end and a line can be drawn under these recent events.
The two players have been banned from ever playing for their country again and it looks like their club careers could be over as well.
They have been all over the press for the past week - front and back pages.
Let's move on, although in all honesty I would be very surprised if there wasn't a lot more to come.
Talking about club careers being over, it's at this time of the season that players and clubs are beginning to think about next season.
I am certainly in that position and have a big decision to make come the end of the season.
I've not played anywhere near enough football this year and it's not something I want to continue into next season.
We have a massive five games coming up so I will wait until we have them out of the way before sitting down with the club to sort out my future.
After Dumbarton's victory at Forfar last night, every team has now played 31 games and it's looking like an exciting run-in.
While we have continued to pick up important victories without necessarily playing well, other results have gone in our favour and we now lie in the final play-off position two points clear of our nearest rivals.
I wonder if the chairman has sorted out the manager's budget for next season yet?
After starting the previous two games, I was very disappointed to be left on the bench against Montrose at the weekend.
However, after a similar performance to the one at Elgin we once again managed to grind out a 2-1 win after initially going behind.
The result was overshadowed by the referee showing three red cards after the final whistle and unfortunately two were for our players.
You like to think that the referee might show a bit of common sense in these situations but, having said that, it's still a bit unclear as to what actually went on.
What it now means is that the team will have to do without both Peter Watson and Aaron Muirhead for at least the next two games and gives us a few headaches in terms of defenders.
Alan Inglis has come in and performed well recently and he is a more than able replacement.
Derek Townsley is coming on with every training session.
He almost managed the full session on Tuesday - only missing the small games while he sat at the side with his trousers round his ankles and an ice pack on his groin.
All things considered, the manager should still be able to continue with his favoured formation, even without Rocky Balboa and Mr T.
Failing that I think the only other option is for Harry Cairney to get on the phone to the SFA to register himself.
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 8th Apr 2009, boomshakalak wrote:glad to see that you have come out against the actions of the 2 eejits. From my perspective the drinking was not the issue - this is trivial compared to the V-sign which just highlights them as half-wits.
I hope your contract discussions go well... it must be a difficult time.. but that said you have been lucky to have spent any time at all doing a job that you (should) love so much!
1 final thing - when you said the referee "should show common sense"... doesn't the same apply to players?? I have no idea what went on - but if the ref has deemed something has happened worthy of sending 3 off... then weren't the players able to take some personal responsibility and apply "common sese" themselves - and not get involved in whatever they did in the first place.....?????
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 8th Apr 2009, Rabster wrote:The fight for the play-off places is pretty tight. OK, Annan maybe two points clear of the next club but if you were only two points clear of relegation you would not feel at all comfortable. (I know there is no relegation your division, but you get my point.) Having said that I would imagine that you are all pretty happy with how the season has gone.
Your lack of matches this season has been due mostly to injury, no? If that is the case I don't see how the club can blame you, or indeed you moving would help matters.
I don't really want to comment much on the two clowns, in a fairytale world Scotland would somehow qualify and leave them back in the circus but that won't happen. No matter, we are better off without them.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 8th Apr 2009, ritchiebaby wrote:The drinking session at Loch Lomond was bad enough but to compound it with the sneaky hand signals from the bench showed a complete lack of respect to just about everyone. The two eejits obviously consider themselves as professional footballers at their peak, but have only confirmed a stereotype of overpaid, badly behaved yobs. Presumably this is how they think top players representing their country should behave.
Their apologies quoting "what happened last weekend and the events during the last week" were equally disrespectful. If they had admitted that they had been extremely stupid and childish, I would have accepted that, but their wording was meaningless jargon.
Unfortunately, Ferguson and McGregor are not the only players showing no common sense, as pointed out in boom's comments on your blog. Every club has them and they always cause some sort of problem for the club.
Chris, good luck in your contract negotiations and Annan in their quest for promotion.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 8th Apr 2009, fiferlad1984 wrote:I think everyone is over reacting. Yeah the lads went out on the lash and yeah they were a bit pathetic with the childish hand signals, but lets be a realistic banning a player of barry's talent from the international team for life is just ridiculous,
I think we need to look at our chances for competing in the finals of any competition we clearly need all players of barry's calibre, not only for the final stages but to get us there in the first place,
so ill concede that the lads done a stupid thing if everyone realises that we need players like them to have half a chance of Scotland doing anything in tournaments.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 9th Apr 2009, gableendieman wrote:as per usual, Stevie Nicholls lost the plot. The guy is a a walking disaster with the whistle and is always stopping the game, dishing out cards and trying to be the angry dad with players. There was a blatant two handed parry of the ball in the box and as usual Nicholls waved play on. I think the 3 red cards ruined the game (even after the final whistle) and it was slightly unnecessary (as was the reactions of David Cox and the Annan number 2)
I thought the game was a scrappy affair and Montrose should have been home and dry in the first half, it was a sloppy goal for us to lose given that we defended very well for the majority of the half. We have a young team; the goal affected us and we never quite came back out of the dressing room. Annan came at us and another defensive error from Chrichton set up the penalty. You did well to hold on as we did apply some mild pressure. It's the ability to hold onto a lead that gets teams into your position and it's one of the things on the pitch which has killed our hopes this season (not to mention the off the pitch troubles)
Congrats are due to Annan though, you have a good squad who play for eachother and Cairney must surely get Manager of the year. The club has a great community feel about it and a very friendly atmosphere to away fans (on both times I have been down). I'd like to see you stick around in the 3rd so we can come back again next year! The only thing I don't like about the club is Lee Hoolickans dodgy barnet!!
It's a shame you weren't playing as it would have been a good battle between you and Scooooby Davidson in the middle of the park.
All the best with the negotiations and the run in!!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)