suewhistle

What, like Saints last season? Anyway, I'd find it difficult to comment, but obviously fairly low. There's an awful lot of pressure on women not to play once they get past a certain age, and it's no surprise that in many teams there is a large proportion of lesbians as they are the only ones strong enough to put up with the sort of crap we've seen on this thread. Go and watch an international live and you'd get a better idea. Better than Sunday footie anyway!, and the last I watched down at Fratton (England v Denmark) was enjoyable to watch, and all the players very fit (in all senses of the word)! When you get the likes of part-time Bognor players (once had a chat with treasurer a few years ago) getting £250 match fees it puts the whole thing into perspective. Most womens' teams would love a sponsor giving them 250 for a season!

Yeh, I gave up on it due to the same problem. It's sodding Microsoft and their DRM (digital rights management). I might try again now I'm on ******** Vista.

Well, I'm not going to bite too hard as I'm not prepared to waste too much time replying to some of the Cro-Magnons on here. Italian football may not be better generally, or even as widespread but it is better organised, coached and funded, although I haven't worked out how yet! I haven't had to pay _anything_ in fees in spite of twice a week training sessions (in gyms when the weather is bad and every night at the beginning of the season) and my only expenses have been for travel when I've used my own car for nearby away matches. We have a masseur/physio who does prep and bandaging before games and remedial stuff at training. This is Italian 3rd Division regional football and there is only one division below us. It makes a difference from the scrabble for funds in the UK and the high match fees. I'm really chuffed to be playing footie (if from the bench) as I'm over 50 and when I was young I didn't get the chance to play organised football at school (hockey, aargh..) . Just playing for the sheer bloody pleasure of clipping a ball down the line, or pinging a crisp ball to a team-mate or annoying the heck out of the opposition defence - it's about playing. Saints contributes to community work including coaches for kids who are never going to be professional so the small amount to help improve a womens' team would be nothing on the same principal. A few kits and use of facilities would be a massive help, for example. The big clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sporting etc. all have loads of different sporting sections, and it doesn't take away from their success. It's all about community, and there's no obligation to go and watch any of them.

No alternative, I'm afraid, although when I'm not playing I go and support my local womens' team. Incidentally, ThameSaint.. hope to be at Towersey for the Bank Holiday festival. Come to The Three Horseshoes and buy me a decent English pint: I should be playing a.... (surprise, surprise) whistle (!), or flute or summat.. Don't worry, I stand me rounds.:-)

Well, I'd chip in 50p for Trousers for the sheer entertainment and graphic detail of that commentary. Anybody else care to contribute?

I would presume that for the better players available on free transfer it's not like getting somebody from the job centre... "It pay's £6.57 an hour, do you want it, yes or no". There's a balance between our needs, budget and what some player is trying to hold out for. A bit of poker bluff involved. We've panicked before now into paying too much (wages or fees) but I have the feeling everything is now a bit more considered and professional. I'd certainly hope to see some movement this week though.

Where's Dubaiphil when you need him?

We've sold the most though!

Skirts are OK, but Tennants Super - YMBFJ! Sorry Hamster, but I can sing "Over the hills and far away"!

Most of that tune, the first part anyway, is from a well known folk tune sometimes known as 'Willikins and his dinah" which has been used for dozens (or more) different sets of words because it's so adaptable (and in many societies well known). Sing the first few bars to anybody who knows even a little traditional music and they'll know the rest. Let me know the words and I'll sing it!

Bit difficult for me... I will be dossing on somebody's sofa - it's just that they don't know it yet...

I think Robsk was TT p**s, to be honest. Not too bad, in the circumstances. The overseas/Yorkshire/London/Scottish diaspora will be there for the Millwall game, so don't worry. The big question is, given the early KO: do I have my classic anaesthetic pint before the game (and where?) or just a complete debauch afterwards. Something like Junction/South-Western/Dolphin/Bent Brief/Guidedog/HL/Waterloo/ and then, who knows?

Problem is the world-wide spread of us Saints fans. Still, I'll be at the Millwall and Brentford games, at least. I was also idly looking at the Flybe schedules for Geneva-Southampton yesterday, but I could only justify it for next March if we are near the top and I get plenty of work this next academic year...

Apperitivo time!!

3 Rasiak

"superb link up between R and Lallana" ..well, well..

"As the tackles start to slide in from both sides" - so it looks like a decent workout!

from the "industrious Lallana" no less....

Heh, heh, and they say we're *****y!:-)

That, my dear, was a red wine typo!

Wrong!

Ego te absolvo, so don't worry about going to the cricket, I understand the beer tent is open longer.... The 'cop a feel' was only my thighs (I'm also a skier...) so don't get excited.. just because i'm not in a burqa.. Merda.. 2.30 in the morning..

Us overseas mebbers will visit when we can, discount or no discount... and if you think teaching english abroad makes me rich.... think again..

Chateau Musar 1978.. mmm .... many years ago I used to earn decent money, now I teach English...

a quick "marine bird that puts out its' wings to dry"