Miah Dennehy

1 hour ago, adamski said:

I just found this whilst sorting through the detritus of my life… A nice memento of an absolute thumping 

My first ever derby, 2 days before my 10th birthday. This may be a failing memory, but as I recall it was very much a game of two halves, with the wind playing a bit of a part?

11 hours ago, maxjak said:

There was a 17 point gap between 2nd placed Rangers and third placed Hearts....for me that says it all?

Undoubtedly those two are so, so far ahead of the others atm-I just don't think it's that much different elsewhere. The English league literally has twice the amount of teams in it, statistically there is almost bound to be more competition. The gap between 3rd and 4th in England was 14 points, not mush difference at all.

On 23/05/2024 at 15:51, maxjak said:

Yep....it was a three horse race until the latter stages, until Man C pulled away to complete a massive 2 point advantage, on the last day of the season.....what is your point?

True it was 2 points- there was little doubt come last day though was there. In Scotland, Celtic chucked away a 9 point lead and then got an 8 point one back, the title  only confirmed on the penultimate game.

22 hours ago, sglosbcfc said:

Not taking away from what was an amazing achievement, not just winning two European trophies but becoming the top team in Scotland above the Old Firm. However, the game has changed massively in that time. Aberdeen were awash with oil money and they could pay wages that were close to the Old Firm. There was no Bosman ruling, so top talent had to stay with Aberdeen and would not walk out on a 'free' for bigger wages at Celtic, Rangers or down south. Also other clubs were stronger, like Dundee U and Hearts and were capable of going to Glasgow and beating the Old Firm. Finally attendances were closer, the Old Firm only got sell outs for the really big games, nowadays they are sold out for the vast majority of matches. Actually Aberdeen's support has held up well and the likes of Hibs and Hearts attract bigger crowds than the 1980s, but the gap is still bigger with the huge increase in the Old Firm's attendances.

Derek McInnes deserves huge praise for being the manager who has given the Old Firm the biggest number of bloody noses in the past 10 years, that said he hasn't come close to knocking them out.

I've a soft spot for Aberdeen. Saw them in a European game against Real Sociedad about 10 years a go, great atmosphere in th eground and around the bars before the game.

19 hours ago, Malago said:

I for one will be watching the Scottish cup final on Saturday instead of watching Man City pass Man U to death.  Won’t be one for the purist, but lots of blood and thunder and a great atmosphere to boot.

I'm managed to get a ticket in the ballot. However it is my wife's birthday today. Managed to convince her Glasgow would be a great place for a birthday weekend trip away!

Got up here a couple of hours ago

4 hours ago, North London Red said:

All fair, but it’s still arguably true that the disparity between the top two and the rest is greater in Scotland than almost anywhere else. Celtic or Rangers have won 39 league titles in a row, a longer duopoly than any other European league (I think Ukraine is second, going back to the early 90s). Nine different English champions in that time period, just for reference. 

Yes, it is very skewed, partly because Scotland is such a small country ( England's population is 10 times bigger) and because so many people follow one of the big two . I think the only way that will ever stop is if there ever is European Super League, or if they both join the English set up, neither of which I'd like to see, purely on traditional grounds. It is like any other league in the world now, whoever has the money, dominates.

On 17/05/2024 at 11:30, 22A said:

An interesting game in Scotland tomorrow. Stranraer who finished bottom of the Scottish League are playing East Kilbride. If the visitors win, they replace Stranraer in the League and Stranraer drop into the Lowland League.

Says a lot about the SPL when that will be Scotland's most important game on the last day of the season.

It was a play off game- they tend to be at the end of a season, and it wasn't the last one, there are still more to play.

On 16/05/2024 at 07:36, SecretSam said:

Question: how would Celtic/Rangers do against Championship teams? We all know the likes of Man City would tear them a new one, but what about down a league?

FTFY

Well last time Celtic played Man City , both games were a draw. Celtic have been really poor in Europe recently, but they still beat Feyenoord and drew with Atletico Madrid this season. So I should think they would be pretty handy in the Championship.

On 15/05/2024 at 21:55, North London Red said:

But at the same time, four different teams have won the premier league in the last 10 years, and it could become 5 in 10 years on Sunday (unlikely, admittedly, but not impossible). Over a ten year horizon that’s probably more different winners than many other leagues  

To restore a bit more unpredictability over the next few years it really needs Guardiola to leave Man City. 

Yes, but there are literally twice as many teams in the English Premier League. 

Admittedly I'm biased, I love Scottish football and have  a season ticket up there. But even the big Glasgow clubs aside, there's some fun to be had watching the others. I was up at Celtic against Rangers last week- which obviously I enjoyed very much, but the night before I was at the play off game between Partick and Airdrie. Great atmosphere and great fun.

On 15/05/2024 at 20:58, maxjak said:

How boring and pointless is the Scottish Premiership?    Rangers or Celtic?   It's been the same since i was a young lad......I cannot understand the passion generated by such a tedious two horse race that occurs every year.  It has  to be the dullest  and most predictable league in Europe?      

Have you seen the English Premier League lately?

15 hours ago, stortfordred said:

How to drive a potential customer into the arms of your business competitors  

I''l have you know that we are actually everyone's  favourite second team. I'm sure I read that somewhere.

6 hours ago, slartibartfast said:

Yes, I don't suppose they see many Romany caravans over there ? 

They don't, the car hire company were very surprised when I asked for one. An Hyundai i10 was the best they could come up with.

1 hour ago, Kingswood Robin said:

So you were both enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Guernsey, and you go and bring that up !

It wasn't very beautiful yesterday, pissing down all day and flight delays in an airport where you cant charge your phone!

And driving there is weird!

I'm working in the Channel Islands atm and spent yesterday on Guernsey. I visited a potential customer, who when I told him I was a Bristol Rovers fan, excitedly told me that Alex Scott, formerly of your parish, was from the island. I let that slide but he went full flow into telling me how much he loved golf and that Steve Lansdown is ploughing £50,000,000 into a luxury hotel and golf course here. I hope it's true and it comes out of your playing budget

I'm up in Glasgow for the game today, was in the pub last night and realised Partick were playing Airdrie in the play offs, so nipped along there. Great atmosphere from both sets of fans, love the paly offs

3 hours ago, harvey54 said:

Totally agree. Didn't Dennis Wise start it at an FA Cup Final? 

That's certainly the first time I remember it.

I'm sure I'm just a grumpy old ******, but this relatively recent trend of bringing family members onto the pitch- normally kids- irks me.

I have zero interest in seeing a footballers family celebrating with them on the pitch. If they want to join in the celebrations, they should climb the barrier and run on like the rest of us.

12 hours ago, bredwood said:

Yes she’s something along those lines. My Dad wasn’t a trade unionist but had a lot of friends in the Labour movement. I don’t recall any flags and things but I guess my mind was on other things.

Yes, I'm sure it was.

It's a very long story, but I knew a few people there who mentioned Louise to me and that her brother was a big City fan. I have no idea why I remember random stuff like that.

10 hours ago, Scrumpty said:

On the subject of lawyers/trade unionists, is John Malitski (phonetic spelling) still involved with your lot? Used to be chairman or supporters association, or similar 

I don't think he is officially. I think it's Malcyki, but could be wrong. Oddly enough, I've only met him once or twice. Definitely one of the good guys.

37 minutes ago, bredwood said:

Yep that's her

I heard she was a defence lawyer these days. Apologies if I have this wrong and this just goes to show what a weird memory for things I've got if this right, but was your dad a trade unionist who died some time  ago and had quite a large funeral- trade union flags etc?

3 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

I've had a similar conversation with mates. If we ever got there I think I'd go as much as possible , then I would seriously consider what I was doing next. If we did get up it would be unlikely we would stay for long enough to get disillusioned , but not sure it would take that long.
I have a Norwich mate , after loving doing well in the Championship he hated the Prem . 

The guys I go with pick a few games a year for an away day , I love Saturday afternoons in different towns . Playing away on Sundays afternoon, Monday nights or what ever, just doesn't appeal to me.  Gone are the days we had vans or coaches going to every game religiously . 

Yes, I think those days are in the past for anyone who supports a higher level club. We used to run a coach from the Pied to every single away game for a few years in the 90s- including our stint in the second tier, which would be hard work for fans of a Championship club to do now.

On 01/05/2024 at 20:41, Slacker said:

As someone that has always said that the Premier League is far from being my Holy Grail,most of my fondest City memories seem to be from when we were in League One. 

I can relate to that, as I'm sure can many others. I know a Bournemouth fan, who was home and away with them for years, away games in a private coach or mini bus all with the same bunch of mates. The last time I spoke to him, he had lost his love for the game. Kick off times always changing, unable to get tickets with mates etc. The first season was fun, going to all the big grounds, but that soon wore off, and his best away day in recent years was apparantly at Watford, because it was a 3pm kick off on a Saturday and all his old gang could get together.

As I said, I still have some great days out with Rovers, but middle aged and old men who don't buy merchandise and enjoy going out on the piss in real pubs rather than a concourse bar are not the demographic clubs are looking for, and strictly on business lines, who can blame them?

13 hours ago, bredwood said:

That’s a coincidence. My sister was born in 64 and also went to Whitefield.  You may remember her as she once led the students out on strike.

Louise?

1 hour ago, 1960maaan said:

Those area line were never as defined as some think.
I grew up in BS2 , my mates were City too. Went to Whitefield and there were plenty of City there and we used to run coaches from the Maypole in Hanham in the 80s . I had plenty of mates in Kingswood & Hanham that were City , Easton and Fishponds too , I have mates that grew up in Filton . Overall maybe , but never as black & White ( Red & Blue) as it has been painted at times.

Hanham, St George have always been mixed, but I'm surprised what you say about Fishponds. Were you born in 1960? I was born in 64, went to Whitefield and it was pretty much solid Rovers when I went there.

1 hour ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

My view is the 'areas' thing is in the past, for any team in any city. Life just isn't like that any more, what with work, transport, education, accommodation.

Perhaps some of your generation have given up somewhat on catching up with City and the next youth generation have less rivalry in mind.

I think where Rovers have missed out massively is on new types of fan. I still have some great days out down Gloucester Road and the odd away trip, but all those good days are entirely based on the social side, which I suspect it is for many City fans as well. However, there are more and more fans who watch their football in a different way and those people want better facilities, whether that be seating, modern surroundings , a big stadium experience and to watch football at the highest level possible. We are light years behind City in those areas. 

42 minutes ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

I can't answer your question but can I ask another?

Do you think it true that there is an older demographic at the Mem or is that just an OTIB perception? If true that would be my concern if in your shoes, rather than the actual numbers.

I think the Barton era was terrible for a club trying to be family friendly. How would anyone want to align their youngsters with that sort of role model?

We definitely do seem to an older support. In my little group of 7 there are only 2 younger than me (I'm 60 this year) . There does seem to be a bit of a 'yoof' section coming through, a lot of those being sons and grandsons of us older ones. What is more concerning for me, is that areas that in my younger days were almost entirely Rovers, just aren't any more.