TRF Front Page Archive May 2003

These items have appeared on the TRF homepage and we wouldn't want to deprive you of anything that we have posted, so browse away.

31st August - Are you a die-hard Dons fan? Where were you on May 11, 1983? Did you travel to Gothenburg by air or by sea? Have you stories to tell about your experiences? If you have then we want to hear from you.

To mark the centenary of Aberdeen Football Club, the Lemon Tree has commissioned a new play by Henry Adam. When the Dons Were Kings is about the fans who traveled to Gothenburg after years of supporting the club, and who were there to see Aberdeen fulfill the dream. Henry has just won a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival this year.

We want to talk to as many people as possible about their experience of Gothenburg, and especially those who went on the Ferry. Your stories and experiences will contribute to When the Dons Were Kings. If you're willing to talk, contact Kathy@lemontree.org or call her on 01224-647999, ext 228.

28th August 2003 - If the Dandies are already back in desperate times, and there's no justification in thinking that so early in the season, then maybe we all need to be thinking of desperate measures. The brutal truth of football is that spending power is what brings success - look at the clubs that dominate European football these days, they are all fueled by massive injections of TV money that allows them to spend big time on the best players. The MAJORITY of clubs can't possibly compete with this unequal situation because they just don't have the readies. Even clubs in the English Premiership are up against it to some extent, because where they may be getting the cash from TV, they can't compete with the other sources of income that the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United enjoy. Southampton or Everton just ain't as marketable.

What's that got to do with us? Well, it may not be entirely logical here, but the heart is ruling the head - when the Dandies play away from home they take far more support to grounds (other than iprix and blackhead) than the opposition bring to Pittodrie. Hence, we are pumping large wads of cash into the coffers of other clubs for next to no return. SO - for the short term at least - why not stop going to away games? Instead, invest the money that would have been used on those outings in AFC. There are loads of ways of doing that, and provided that it is direct with the club it will benefit. At the same time the opposition will lose out on tens of thousands of pounds. Wouldn't want to do this long term, but if it was to generate enough income for Pele to sign, say, a big bruising centre back, then it would be worth the sacrifice.

This might sound like a party political for AFC, and indeed it is - we are all sick of second rate results and if something extra isn't done to boost the team then the club will go on losing money until the bank pulls the plug. Want that to happen? Thought not. Well then....

26th August 2003 - CORRECTION!

Prior to the season starting, I made the prediction that Leigh Hinds would finish Aberdeen's top scorer with around 16 goals. This was before we signed David "Put me Kangaroo Down Sport" Zdrilic, and before I was reminded by Saturday's performance against Dungfermalign of just how little (pun intended) a threat he provides to opposition defences. I was obviously mentally deranged when I made this prediction and would like to retract it. I believe Zdrilic will be our top scorer provided he stays clear of injury.As for Saturday......

We started well enough and the goal was well worked and well taken. Good interplay in the box between Booth, Sheerin, and the boy David. That sort of experience and calmness around the box is what we have been lacking for a while. Typically though, as soon as we think we've cracked it, both strikers get themselves injured. In the past when the ball has gone up to the front, it has been as though the midfielder or defender's pass has gone into a black hole. Mike Newell, Darren Mackie, and even Zerouali would squander possession because they didn't know what to do with the ball when they got it in any particular situation. Hinds, and Muirhead looked gormless up front and at times were thirty yards away from each other, making no intelligent runs and effectively marking themselves out of the game. And while we're on the subject of isolation, Jamie McQuilken might as well have not been on the pitch. He was reluctant to involve himself when the Dons did go forward and never looked as though overlapping Sheerin was going to be in his gameplan. Hart occasionally went forward and showed one really good touch in the second half from a long ball which he stopped dead whilst at full pelt. However, all to often he would not make himself available for Russell Anderson who was bringing the ball up from the back in
the first half. Anderson would be forced to loft it forward or go up the wing himself which he did a couple of times and put in a great cross from the right.

Hart and McQuilken must have compromising pictures of Paterson and Angus the Bull in a post match love in. How else are they keeping McNaughton from a spot on either wing. Paterson waited far too long in bringing on Super Kev and when he did, he brought off one of the players who looked as though he had some fight in him, leaving on the ineffective McQuilken. Sheerin faded in the second half and I think Deloumeaux should have been played in midfield. One of the few threats we offered in the second period was when Eric the Red shot from distance and Spillie spilled. As for Preece, we can only hope that Saturday was a bad day at the office and that the otherwise good start to the season that he has enjoyed won't be ruined by a sudden confidence crisis that is all we need with Esson unfit from one week to the next and our other goalie just starting to shave. It was unfortunate for Paterson that Booth and Zdrilic were both injured and with Mackie Clark and Bird unavailable for similar reasons there was little he could do up front in the second half. However, questions must be asked of his starting line up. There are very few players in this league, outwith the infirm, who are truly comfortable with the ball at their feet in tight situations. McFadden, Valois, Caballero and McNaughton are the only ones that spring to mind. Paterson is lucky enough to have one of them on his books he should use him. He didn't win young player of the year just because he was young. I don't hold out a lot of hope for our trip to the capitol next weekend. Hibs offer a more dynamic attacking threat than Dungfermalign and played better against the huns at Iprix than we did at Pitters. Its not panic stations yet but a poor performance next weekend will have people rightly concerned.

Over and out,

Captain Sweaty.

15th August 2003 - The complete arsehead who invaded the pitch today deserves to get every available book slung at him. Who knows what the dipstick thought he was going to achieve, but there's no doubt that the only outcome is serious damage to AFC. Even on the field, he almost certainly cost the Dons a goal - by breaking the concentration of the Dandies whilst at the same time getting the huns dander up. But the real damage will be the aftermath. At the very least, the press will have yet another field day at our expense and cast up (probably inaccurately) past incidents and stirring up resentment and negativity all round. Indeed, the BBC website already has a report that implies that AFC were at fault for a flare being fired at the recent Liverpool game, when in fact it was a flare that came from outside the ground and was fired by people from Merseyside. Goodness knows what other smears the gutter press will dole out, but you can be sure that nothing will be said that is sympathetic to the Dons.

Let's put it in context, this was one guy out of a crowd of over 16,000 who were behaving perfectly well. There were masses of police and stewards on duty, particularly in the area where this person got onto the pitch - but it will be AFC that get the blame. What can they do? They can't erect fences because of safety issues and they can't check the potential behavioral patterns of everybody that is in attendance. They will doubtless ban the bloke sine die and hopefully sue the arse off him too, but they can't possibly guarantee that this will never ever happen again. Nor can any other club, because there are always unsaveable idiots about who will do something stupid despite the best efforts of others to stop them. The big threat to the Dons could come from the SFA and they way that it responds to the incident.

This was not a riot, it was a single, deranged moron, who will be punished for his actions. There is no way that AFC should be punished along with him.

14th August 2003 - IT'S BACK on Saturday! - TRF58, the Twelfth Man's personally tailored rag - On sale round Pittodrie...

Under pressure TRF scribe Fray bentos races against the clock to meet yet another demanding deadline

Inglorious 12th August 2003 - Just had an email from I'm Andy Dewar regarding Northsound's post-match AFC phone-in which they're kicking off this weekend. Phone no. is 01224 401035, text no. is 07770 401035. This will keep Dons fans from having to listen to James bleeding Traynor, so it is more than definitely worth a wee plug on redfinal.com if you ask me.

11th August 2003 - Was it just me or when the top deck started a chorus of "Stand Free" on Tuesday night during the first half, instead of the normal "Stand Free" they sang "Thanks for the Memories" before continuing with the original lyrics to our proud anthem? I thought at the time it was perhaps a tribute to the late Bob Hope. But yesterday it hit me that it could be a send off by song for Teddy Scott who had recently announced his decision to retire. Of course it could just have been my imagination. Whilst we're on the subject
of tributes, how about a few Barry White numbers being played over the Tannoy, sorry Speaker system, when the huns visit next week! After having chosen "My First My Last My Everything" as the club's "Official Anthem" last year, we have heard it on very few occasions. I suppose if voluptuous titty totty Jordan died Gareth Gaytes would bring out a tribute to her entitled "Thanks for the Mammeries!" I thought of that one myself! Aren't I clever?

Captain Sweaty

8th August 2003 - On behalf of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign I would like to thank everyone concerned who purchased HJC related goods around the ground on Wednesday night.

Special thanks to the Aberdeen branch of the Liverpool supporters club who helped to make this possible, and a special thanks to those of you (Liverpool supporters and Aberdeen supporters) who purchased the various HJC goods that were available. You are a credit to your fine club and wonderfull city.

WHY WE WALK ON (or why have a Justice Campaign)

WE WALK with hope in our hearts and friends at our side in a struggle to continue challenging the verdicts and opinions which contradict the living experiences of those who survived pens 3 & 4 and the who were bereaved by the storm we have come to know as HILLSBOROUGH.

WE WALK ON in order to show our challenge continues through Anne Williams efforts to have the cause and verdicts on Kevin’s death overturned, to show that survivors still suffer the ill effects of the disaster and challenge the legal lice who ripped us off when we needed their help.

WE WALK ON to continue our challenge to the rancid rag and their rugger rat mates, who spit in our face when all we ask for is the real truth to be told.

WE WALK ON to show solidarity and share proper Sun shine with those we know have had to face a similar struggle. Like the father arrested at Walton while his infant child was taken to Alder Hey, or the mother who was taken to Styal, while her infants lay helpless, all killed by a condition which even the new DNA project will take more than a lifetime to unravel or understand.

WE WALK ON to gather and gain support from each other, support from the likes of you here today, support from those who will still listen, support from those who have made donations, support from those who have organised or taken part in auctions, football tournaments, half marathons, support from those who have bought a book or a badge or a T-shirt.

WE WALK ON because we know with your support we CAN get stronger about how we feel, and clearer about what we need to say or do. WE WALK ON because we know WE CAN change the experience, verdicts and tales of Hillsborough, WE CAN change the minds of FHM magazine and gain a retraction from Michael Moore, WE CAN open a shop of our own, and with the help of friends like you, WE CAN continue to show that our living experience is the REAL TRUTH ABOUT HILLSBOROUGH.

WE WALK BECAUSE YOU HOLD OUR HAND THROUGH THE STORM AND WE WILL NEVER WALK ALONE, THAT’S WHY WE WALK.

BIG BIG THANKS FROM THE HILLSBOROUGH JUSTICE CAMPAIGN.

http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/home.shtm

YOU make the difference, our 96 fellow Reds will never walk alone.

Thank you, God bless you all.

Robbie Ashcroft
Hillsborough Justice Campaign

7th August 2003 - Right then - all roads lead to Tynecattle and a fresh joust with the jabbering Jambos. Some say that is a tough way to start the season - TRF says bollocks! You have to play them all sometime so just get on with it! Probably it is better to go into the opening match on the back of the great workout against Liverpool than otherwise, they may have gubbed us at a canter but that should give our players all the incentive they need to raise their game and try and start inching towards the qualities that they were shown on Tuesday night. Hearts are nowhere near as good as the Premiership side and it is a good bet that Steve Paterson and co. have improved the Dandies a great deal from last season so there's no reason why we shouldn't be hunting a result in Edinburgh. The squad looks much stronger and better balanced than what we started with last term and the players who have come in have all displayed much more spirit and drive than the guys they replaced. What will help us a lot is a good strong start to the season, its down to the players now so in the ancient ritual cry of the Red Army - COME ON YOU REDZZZZZZzzzzzzz!!!!!

5th August 2003 - Here are Captain Sweaty's Pre-Season Predictions for the 2003-04 SPL Season (Make of 'em what you will...).

1. huns (By a soft penalty, what else?!??!) 2. tims(By 31 points) 3. Farts 4. Dungfermline 5.DONS 6.Fibs 7.Hundee Utd 8.Scumdee 9. Kilmarnockiebogleton 10.Livingstones 11. Ne'erdowell 12. Partickularly crappy Thistle (By a fair bit)

Dons top scorer will be Leigh Hinds with 16.
Dons Best 11 at 10:41pm 5th August 2003: Preece, Anderson, McGuire,
Deloumeaux, McNaughton, Hart, Tosh, Sheerin, Heikkinen, Hinds, Booth.
(Zdrilic work permit yet to arrive)
Subs: Esson, Mackie, McQuilken, Tiernan, Bird.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO AFC: It's simple, just bet all your money, mortgage your house, sell the car, auction the wife, and send your kids off to a sweat shop in Thailand, put it all on the opposite of the above predictions at your local gaming office. Hey presto, next season you'll be able to buy out Oor Stewarty and purchase a squad of top European internationals.

I see most of the press has written off our chances to do well this season. Strangely enough Dundee Utd seem to be tipped to do well. They have signed a lot of attacking players but they still can't defend for toffee. The only strengthening of their defence that has been carried out is the letting go of Jim Laughlan. The Sunday Times and Scotland on Sunday both see us finishing around 8th or 9th. Same with the Sunday Post who had us at 9th I believe. Charlie Nicholas in the P&J doesn't hold out much hope either. Although he is not bold enough to give an exact prediction for us, he did himself no harm by slating the SPL's decision to only ban chris suckin for a
measly one match for his unfounded allegations of cheating against Dunfermline. He rightly states that a Dons player or Motherwell player for example would be treated much more harshly. Even Gerry McNee is showing a little less vitriol towards the Dons than normal, predicting us to come in at no. 5. Strange times indeed. Roll on the beginning of the season and lets shock a few of the Ba'thist Broadcasting Corporation Sports Chiefs who have decided yet again to boycott the Dons' fixture schedule in favour of exciting, balanced matches such as huns vs Kilmarnockiebogleton. Lets make Dennis Wyness wonder if he made the right choice by cuffing the Jambos on opening day. Let's start a campaign for the minimum age of cheerleaders at Pittodrie to be raised to 18. They can keep wearing the same costumes though. GOOD LUCK for the forthcoming season DONS.

Captain Sweaty.

4th August 2003 - The buzz is back! The prospect of a full house at Pittodrie for the Liverpool game is a mouth watering. You can't beat the atmosphere generated by a big crowd and of course, for people with long memories, we've got something to prove against these guys. Maybe the most important part of the occasion is the opportunity it presents our players to win over fans who aren't regulars. A good fighting performance might be enough to enhance the Dandies' reputation and encourage some of the irregulars to come back for some domestic fare. Every extra punter through the turnstiles has got to be a help in the regeneration of the Dons so grab the chance with both hands (or feet).

Looking ahead to the season, it was good to read Steve Tosh's comments about his desire to do well and how some other Pittodrie players need to get hungrier. There's no reason on earth that the Dons can't aim high, especially the players. They have to show those old fashioned characteristics of 'spirit and determination', but Pele has pulled together a squad that is capable of doing something for us and with some great pro's in the ranks kicking arse, maybe we'll start to see the sights rising. One thing in our favour is that outsiders like the Sunday Post have already written us off. Let's hope that applies to some of the early opposition too, that way we can hit the ground running and get established high up in the league and do more than enough to stay there - especially if the work permit comes through for secret weapon "Zdrilic the Dons' Socceroo". Get stuck in!

Home Return to archive Index


31st August - Are you a die-hard Dons fan? Where were you on May 11, 1983? Did you travel to Gothenburg by air or by sea? Have you stories to tell about your experiences? If you have then we want to hear from you. To mark the centenary of Aberdeen Football Club, the *Lemon Tree* has commissioned a new play by Henry Adam. When the Dons Were Kings is about the fans who traveled to Gothenburg after years of supporting the club, and who were there to see Aberdeen fulfill the dream. Henry has just won a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival this year. We want to talk to as many people as possible about their experience of Gothenburg, and especially those who went on the Ferry. Your stories and experiences will contribute to When the Dons Were Kings. If you're willing to talk, contact Kathy@lemontree.org or call her on 01224-647999, ext 228.
28th August 2003 - If the Dandies are already back in desperate times, and there's no justification in thinking that so early in the season, then maybe we all need to be thinking of desperate measures. The brutal truth of football is that spending power is what brings success - look at the clubs that dominate European football these days, they are all fueled by massive injections of TV money that allows them to spend big time on the best players. The MAJORITY of clubs can't possibly compete with this unequal situation because they just don't have the readies. Even clubs in the English Premiership are up against it to some extent, because where they may be getting the cash from TV, they can't compete with the other sources of income that the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United enjoy. Southampton or Everton just ain't as marketable. What's that got to do with us? Well, it may not be entirely logical here, but the heart is ruling the head - when the Dandies play away from home they take far more support to grounds (other than iprix and blackhead) than the opposition bring to Pittodrie. Hence, we are pumping large wads of cash into the coffers of other clubs for next to no return. SO - for the short term at least - why not stop going to away games? Instead, invest the money that would have been used on those outings in AFC. There are loads of ways of doing that, and provided that it is direct with the club it will benefit. At the same time the opposition will lose out on tens of thousands of pounds. Wouldn't want to do this long term, but if it was to generate enough income for Pele to sign, say, a big bruising centre back, then it would be worth the sacrifice. This might sound like a party political for AFC, and indeed it is - we are all sick of second rate results and if something extra isn't done to boost the team then the club will go on losing money until the bank pulls the plug. Want that to happen? Thought not. Well then....
26th August 2003 - CORRECTION! Prior to the season starting, I made the prediction that Leigh Hinds would finish Aberdeen's top scorer with around 16 goals. This was before we signed David "Put me Kangaroo Down Sport" Zdrilic, and before I was reminded by Saturday's performance against Dungfermalign of just how little (pun intended) a threat he provides to opposition defences. I was obviously mentally deranged when I made this prediction and would like to retract it. I believe Zdrilic will be our top scorer provided he stays clear of injury.As for Saturday...... We started well enough and the goal was well worked and well taken. Good interplay in the box between Booth, Sheerin, and the boy David. That sort of experience and calmness around the box is what we have been lacking for a while. Typically though, as soon as we think we've cracked it, both strikers get themselves injured. In the past when the ball has gone up to the front, it has been as though the midfielder or defender's pass has gone into a black hole. Mike Newell, Darren Mackie, and even Zerouali would squander possession because they didn't know what to do with the ball when they got it in any particular situation. Hinds, and Muirhead looked gormless up front and at times were thirty yards away from each other, making no intelligent runs and effectively marking themselves out of the game. And while we're on the subject of isolation, Jamie McQuilken might as well have not been on the pitch. He was reluctant to involve himself when the Dons did go forward and never looked as though overlapping Sheerin was going to be in his gameplan. Hart occasionally went forward and showed one really good touch in the second half from a long ball which he stopped dead whilst at full pelt. However, all to often he would not make himself available for Russell Anderson who was bringing the ball up from the back in the first half. Anderson would be forced to loft it forward or go up the wing himself which he did a couple of times and put in a great cross from the right. Hart and McQuilken must have compromising pictures of Paterson and Angus the Bull in a post match love in. How else are they keeping McNaughton from a spot on either wing. Paterson waited far too long in bringing on Super Kev and when he did, he brought off one of the players who looked as though he had some fight in him, leaving on the ineffective McQuilken. Sheerin faded in the second half and I think Deloumeaux should have been played in midfield. One of the few threats we offered in the second period was when Eric the Red shot from distance and Spillie spilled. As for Preece, we can only hope that Saturday was a bad day at the office and that the otherwise good start to the season that he has enjoyed won't be ruined by a sudden confidence crisis that is all we need with Esson unfit from one week to the next and our other goalie just starting to shave. It was unfortunate for Paterson that Booth and Zdrilic were both injured and with Mackie Clark and Bird unavailable for similar reasons there was little he could do up front in the second half. However, questions must be asked of his starting line up. There are very few players in this league, outwith the infirm, who are truly comfortable with the ball at their feet in tight situations. McFadden, Valois, Caballero and McNaughton are the only ones that spring to mind. Paterson is lucky enough to have one of them on his books he should use him. He didn't win young player of the year just because he was young. I don't hold out a lot of hope for our trip to the capitol next weekend. Hibs offer a more dynamic attacking threat than Dungfermalign and played better against the huns at Iprix than we did at Pitters. Its not panic stations yet but a poor performance next weekend will have people rightly concerned. Over and out, *Captain Sweaty.*
15th August 2003 - The complete arsehead who invaded the pitch today deserves to get every available book slung at him. Who knows what the dipstick thought he was going to achieve, but there's no doubt that the only outcome is serious damage to AFC. Even on the field, he almost certainly cost the Dons a goal - by breaking the concentration of the Dandies whilst at the same time getting the huns dander up. But the real damage will be the aftermath. At the very least, the press will have yet another field day at our expense and cast up (probably inaccurately) past incidents and stirring up resentment and negativity all round. Indeed, the BBC website already has a report that implies that AFC were at fault for a flare being fired at the recent Liverpool game, when in fact it was a flare that came from outside the ground and was fired by people from Merseyside. Goodness knows what other smears the gutter press will dole out, but you can be sure that nothing will be said that is sympathetic to the Dons. Let's put it in context, this was one guy out of a crowd of over 16,000 who were behaving perfectly well. There were masses of police and stewards on duty, particularly in the area where this person got onto the pitch - but it will be AFC that get the blame. What can they do? They can't erect fences because of safety issues and they can't check the potential behavioral patterns of everybody that is in attendance. They will doubtless ban the bloke sine die and hopefully sue the arse off him too, but they can't possibly guarantee that this will never ever happen again. Nor can any other club, because there are always unsaveable idiots about who will do something stupid despite the best efforts of others to stop them. The big threat to the Dons could come from the SFA and they way that it responds to the incident. This was not a riot, it was a single, deranged moron, who will be punished for his actions. There is no way that AFC should be punished along with him.

14th August 2003 - IT'S BACK on Saturday! - TRF58, the Twelfth Man's personally tailored rag - On sale round Pittodrie... Under pressure TRF scribe Fray bentos races against the clock to meet yet another demanding deadline
Inglorious 12th August 2003 - Just had an email from *I'm Andy Dewar* regarding Northsound's post-match AFC phone-in which they're kicking off this weekend. Phone no. is 01224 401035, text no. is 07770 401035. This will keep Dons fans from having to listen to James bleeding Traynor, so it is more than definitely worth a wee plug on redfinal.com if you ask me.
11th August 2003 - Was it just me or when the top deck started a chorus of "Stand Free" on Tuesday night during the first half, instead of the normal "Stand Free" they sang "Thanks for the Memories" before continuing with the original lyrics to our proud anthem? I thought at the time it was perhaps a tribute to the late Bob Hope. But yesterday it hit me that it could be a send off by song for Teddy Scott who had recently announced his decision to retire. Of course it could just have been my imagination. Whilst we're on the subject of tributes, how about a few Barry White numbers being played over the Tannoy, sorry Speaker system, when the huns visit next week! After having chosen "My First My Last My Everything" as the club's "Official Anthem" last year, we have heard it on very few occasions. I suppose if voluptuous titty totty Jordan died Gareth Gaytes would bring out a tribute to her entitled "Thanks for the Mammeries!" I thought of that one myself! Aren't I clever? *Captain Sweaty*
8th August 2003 - On behalf of the *Hillsborough Justice Campaign* I would like to thank everyone concerned who purchased HJC related goods around the ground on Wednesday night. Special thanks to the Aberdeen branch of the Liverpool supporters club who helped to make this possible, and a special thanks to those of you (Liverpool supporters and Aberdeen supporters) who purchased the various HJC goods that were available. You are a credit to your fine club and wonderfull city. WHY WE WALK ON (or why have a Justice Campaign) WE WALK with hope in our hearts and friends at our side in a struggle to continue challenging the verdicts and opinions which contradict the living experiences of those who survived pens 3 & 4 and the who were bereaved by the storm we have come to know as HILLSBOROUGH. WE WALK ON in order to show our challenge continues through Anne Williams efforts to have the cause and verdicts on Kevin’s death overturned, to show that survivors still suffer the ill effects of the disaster and challenge the legal lice who ripped us off when we needed their help. WE WALK ON to continue our challenge to the rancid rag and their rugger rat mates, who spit in our face when all we ask for is the real truth to be told. WE WALK ON to show solidarity and share proper Sun shine with those we know have had to face a similar struggle. Like the father arrested at Walton while his infant child was taken to Alder Hey, or the mother who was taken to Styal, while her infants lay helpless, all killed by a condition which even the new DNA project will take more than a lifetime to unravel or understand. WE WALK ON to gather and gain support from each other, support from the likes of you here today, support from those who will still listen, support from those who have made donations, support from those who have organised or taken part in auctions, football tournaments, half marathons, support from those who have bought a book or a badge or a T-shirt. WE WALK ON because we know with your support we CAN get stronger about how we feel, and clearer about what we need to say or do. WE WALK ON because we know WE CAN change the experience, verdicts and tales of Hillsborough, WE CAN change the minds of FHM magazine and gain a retraction from Michael Moore, WE CAN open a shop of our own, and with the help of friends like you, WE CAN continue to show that our living experience is the REAL TRUTH ABOUT HILLSBOROUGH. WE WALK BECAUSE YOU HOLD OUR HAND THROUGH THE STORM AND WE WILL NEVER WALK ALONE, THAT’S WHY WE WALK. BIG BIG THANKS FROM THE HILLSBOROUGH JUSTICE CAMPAIGN. http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/home.shtm YOU make the difference, our 96 fellow Reds will never walk alone. Thank you, God bless you all. *Robbie Ashcroft* Hillsborough Justice Campaign
7th August 2003 - Right then - all roads lead to Tynecattle and a fresh joust with the jabbering Jambos. Some say that is a tough way to start the season - TRF says bollocks! You have to play them all sometime so just get on with it! Probably it is better to go into the opening match on the back of the great workout against Liverpool than otherwise, they may have gubbed us at a canter but that should give our players all the incentive they need to raise their game and try and start inching towards the qualities that they were shown on Tuesday night. Hearts are nowhere near as good as the Premiership side and it is a good bet that Steve Paterson and co. have improved the Dandies a great deal from last season so there's no reason why we shouldn't be hunting a result in Edinburgh. The squad looks much stronger and better balanced than what we started with last term and the players who have come in have all displayed much more spirit and drive than the guys they replaced. What will help us a lot is a good strong start to the season, its down to the players now so in the ancient ritual cry of the Red Army - COME ON YOU REDZZZZZZzzzzzzz!!!!!
5th August 2003 - Here are Captain Sweaty's Pre-Season Predictions for the 2003-04 SPL Season (Make of 'em what you will...). 1. huns (By a soft penalty, what else?!??!) 2. tims(By 31 points) 3. Farts 4. Dungfermline 5.DONS 6.Fibs 7.Hundee Utd 8.Scumdee 9. Kilmarnockiebogleton 10.Livingstones 11. Ne'erdowell 12. Partickularly crappy Thistle (By a fair bit) Dons top scorer will be Leigh Hinds with 16. Dons Best 11 at 10:41pm 5th August 2003: Preece, Anderson, McGuire, Deloumeaux, McNaughton, Hart, Tosh, Sheerin, Heikkinen, Hinds, Booth. (Zdrilic work permit yet to arrive) Subs: Esson, Mackie, McQuilken, Tiernan, Bird. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO AFC: It's simple, just bet all your money, mortgage your house, sell the car, auction the wife, and send your kids off to a sweat shop in Thailand, put it all on the opposite of the above predictions at your local gaming office. Hey presto, next season you'll be able to buy out Oor Stewarty and purchase a squad of top European internationals. I see most of the press has written off our chances to do well this season. Strangely enough Dundee Utd seem to be tipped to do well. They have signed a lot of attacking players but they still can't defend for toffee. The only strengthening of their defence that has been carried out is the letting go of Jim Laughlan. The Sunday Times and Scotland on Sunday both see us finishing around 8th or 9th. Same with the Sunday Post who had us at 9th I believe. Charlie Nicholas in the P&J doesn't hold out much hope either. Although he is not bold enough to give an exact prediction for us, he did himself no harm by slating the SPL's decision to only ban chris suckin for a measly one match for his unfounded allegations of cheating against Dunfermline. He rightly states that a Dons player or Motherwell player for example would be treated much more harshly. Even Gerry McNee is showing a little less vitriol towards the Dons than normal, predicting us to come in at no. 5. Strange times indeed. Roll on the beginning of the season and lets shock a few of the Ba'thist Broadcasting Corporation Sports Chiefs who have decided yet again to boycott the Dons' fixture schedule in favour of exciting, balanced matches such as huns vs Kilmarnockiebogleton. Lets make Dennis Wyness wonder if he made the right choice by cuffing the Jambos on opening day. Let's start a campaign for the minimum age of cheerleaders at Pittodrie to be raised to 18. They can keep wearing the same costumes though. GOOD LUCK for the forthcoming season DONS. *Captain Sweaty.*
4th August 2003 - The buzz is back! The prospect of a full house at Pittodrie for the Liverpool game is a mouth watering. You can't beat the atmosphere generated by a big crowd and of course, for people with long memories, we've got something to prove against these guys. Maybe the most important part of the occasion is the opportunity it presents our players to win over fans who aren't regulars. A good fighting performance might be enough to enhance the Dandies' reputation and encourage some of the irregulars to come back for some domestic fare. Every extra punter through the turnstiles has got to be a help in the regeneration of the Dons so grab the chance with both hands (or feet). Looking ahead to the season, it was good to read Steve Tosh's comments about his desire to do well and how some other Pittodrie players need to get hungrier. There's no reason on earth that the Dons can't aim high, especially the players. They have to show those old fashioned characteristics of 'spirit and determination', but Pele has pulled together a squad that is capable of doing something for us and with some great pro's in the ranks kicking arse, maybe we'll start to see the sights rising. One thing in our favour is that outsiders like the Sunday Post have already written us off. Let's hope that applies to some of the early opposition too, that way we can hit the ground running and get established high up in the league and do more than enough to stay there - especially if the work permit comes through for secret weapon "Zdrilic the Dons' Socceroo". Get stuck in!