TRVMP

Thought he was going to Kilmarnock.

While not at the level of Cappielow I've handled submitting and seeing to completion (insurance back-and-forth, getting the check from the insurer, getting the repairs done, figuring out what to do with the small excess amount we had left over) a claim for a business that suffered pretty severe roof damage. Leaving aside the obvious legal differences between Texas and Scotland: Sure, all else being equal (own the property, no planning permission stuff etc.) you can fix anything you want whenever you want. It wouldn't ruin our claim necessarily. Presumably (and this is a presumption) the insurer has already been out to have a look and has got the evidence they need. If that's the case it doesn't matter if we start repairing it now. But if the club is still waiting on the insurer to decide on a payout, they may decide - and I'd agree with them if they did - it's far too risky to start repairs now. We do have a bit of cash in the bank but we need to be prudent with it, and the most prudent thing right now is to wait for insurance to run its course. That's what I picked up as well, it's "will the money we get from the insurer allow us to do more than simply patch up the roof here?" If that's the case it's all the more reason to wait - no point in getting someone up there to just patch it up, then finding out there's scope to do more work and having to go through it again. The only thing I find strange is how slowly the insurer is moving, but I've never made a roof claim in Scotland so maybe it's not a fair basis for comparison.

Plus if you want in at the 4th division level there's cheaper ways of doing it. Thorn, who are going great guns, are a fine example of that. And unlike Broomhill they seem to have a plan to be a local club for local people.

As with Sam Ramsbottom going to South Africa, there are tons of British/European agents, coaches, club staff, administrators etc. kicking around all over the world, and it's generally due to a connection with one of those that guys will get decent tax free contracts to play in a (temperance) pub league for a year or two.

Because of admin and their financial troubles I don't think they've announced many (if any) renewals yet but they are trying to keep most of last year's squad.

We made such a huge song and dance over a cheeky chappie kitman who was leakier than a sieve, but Mark Farrell, who has been around in good times and bad, gets no recognition at all. Very poor form from the club and not for the first time recently.

Also should be banned from having a 1930s Cockney spiv mustache, which he seems partial to.

I reckon Mullen's run of mixed form came at a good time for us. If he'd finished the season like he'd started he'd have loads of offers. As it is, perhaps we can hold onto him. I'm sure he'll come good again.

The Millen thing was spreading like wildfire within minutes of happening, I got messaged about it not long after the game and I'm nowhere near Cappielow.

Zalgiris are a weird outfit. They're a basketball club, an extremely prominent one (they are automatic entrants to the EuroLeague, the super league of Euro basketball) and the football team's a sideline. Most Zalgiris fans probably have no idea they have a professional football team at all, much less that they're champions. The basketball team sells out every game (15k capacity), the football team plays in front of a few hundred. Nonetheless, a chance for European football and probably a decent, low-tax wage.

Canceled his summer holiday in order to get a cap versus Liechtenstein. Well, you would, wouldn't you?

Presumably this is Laird's job. Or Dale's. Or both.

It's going to be tough to play hardball over clauses. If we get a reputation for standing in the way of young talent they simply won't come here in the first place. However, incentive packages are pretty common these days so hopefully we can get something beyond a one-time payment, even if it's just add-ons and not a sell-on.

In a world where Bournemouth pay 300k for a guy with only 7 league appearances, nothing is impossible. What I find incredible is people thinking 200k is low and wanting us to play hardball with it. Madness. Anything like that we should bite their hand off. A sell-on clause is a great idea too, of course, but I imagine buying clubs like to avoid those.

Someone's putting about a rumor that United could pay 200k compensation for him. If that's the case, take the money and run. Can't believe it's even up for discussion.