If it's no-smoking pubs you want you will have to come to Scotland. The law there has recently been changed to No Smoking in Any Public Place. Wonderful! Clean air at last!

He's not the only one!!

There is in my house!

When you get to my age young fella, you will know the answer to that one

Out of that lot I would only welcome a category 1) and as SteB says further down the page, I would rather see Rovers fold and become just a beautiful memory than see them "prostitute " themselves in category 2) & 3).

Sorry for the mis-understanding about you going to Salzburg Paul. However as for the rest, I do understand what you are saying, but I still disagree. It is not a matter of making the package more enjoyable, and for me and probably 1000's more like me, it IS purely and simply a matter of affordability. I can only explain things in terms of my own situation, but I would imagine that apart from the fine details my situation is the same as the others I am referring to. I have as you all know been a Rovers Fan since season 1946 - '47, and have seen the good and the bad times and never, ever, lost my intense love of the Rovers. I have stood on the old, roofless BBE for several hours in rain and even snow to watch Rovers (because of crowd size and need to get there early) That is what it was like years ago, but I and many 1000's more never gave it a thought; it was Saturday afternoon and the Rovers are on. Nothing else mattered, we cant wait to get there. Now ask yourself why? That was obviously by todays standards in comparitive comfort (of a seat with a view, roof over your head, warm concourse with bars, indoor toilets, Tv screens etc etc) a very "poor buy". So why did we bother? Simple! Because the price was right and more than that; Because we loved the Rovers so much that the thought of missing it was completely untenable. I personally know people who have upped and left wedding receptions in full flow to get to Ewood for the kick-off. And I made sure myself that my wedding day did not clash with any Rovers matches. I could go on at length but do not want to bore you. Just wanted to make the point that the package does not come into the equation at all for the true "dyed in the wool" Rovers fan, and the only reason why such a person does not go to every match is the cost, pure and simple. As I have said before on another thread, I try to get to as many matches per season as I can afford which last year was 4; this year will be less than that because of rising costs and fixed income. I have a premium of over £100 attached to each match I attend, plus the match ticket and no beer at all on the ground (far too dear). Hope that makes it clearer for you. It is NOT the "package"; it IS the price! :ph34r:

Well Bully for you and them too. How many of those making the trip to Salzburg have family comittments? My bet is that the vast majority (if not all) are single and in well paid employment or else are already wealthy. As for the rest of us; don't you think that we would just love to be there too? Just ask yourself why we are not!

I want some of that!!! Where do I get it? Converts 4quid into 6 million quid!!! YES PLEASE!!

Thank you Drakefyre.

If this statement was traceable to any of the preceeding posts it would be helpful. As it stands it is quite meaningless!

Tend to agree with you there PR, but with a slight reservation. Namely I am a little worried that letting our more promising youngsters play at League 2 level there is a strong risk that they will develop bad playing habits> This could have a detrimental effect on the players development.

I am reasonably satisfied. We have to give the present squad a chance to see what it can produce under the guidance of our superb management and coaching team. You never know it could be far better than we all expect. I too had hoped to see a good AMF signed; Petrov would have been good for us, but alas it did not happen. Now we have to all put this tranfer window out of our minds and get behind the team. I trust Sparky's judgement and if he thinks we dont need a new AMF; so be it! AS I said earlier on another thread, maybe he intends to use Benni as a combined AMF/striker or even to play him in AMF mode and use two other strikers up front. He has the skill, vision and pace that Bellamy gave us (well almost) and can still score goals coming from MF.

Ditto!!! Anyone know how to produce the video?

Well I must admit to being just a little sad at seeing Shefki go. He was not the best footballer but he was all heart and a fantastic professional; an example to all! In many ways reminiscent of Tommy Briggs although not as prolific a scorer, but a great guy to have around. Here's wishing you all the best for the future Shefki and thanks for what you did for us. Look after yourself. You will always be welcome back at Ewood if our paths cross again.

--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ste B @ Aug 30 2006, 16:31 ) 440531[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Its obviously prompted our former resident site mentalist Vinjay to send the following in a few times. Hmmmm.... VERY reminiscent of certain speeches I remember from Nuremberg in the mid-30's

Funny you should say that Mr. Indeed, because up here in Scotland, Livingston F.C. supporters have a Samba band that goes everywhere with them, and this is truly entertaining even for the home supporters. They up the tempo or change the rythmn when their team is on the attack and it is both entertaining and effective in increasing the adrenalin flow for all.

Exactly! We will certainly miss getting as many reds and yellows.

Monday? It seems to be Tuesday up here, but down there...... who knows?

Sorry Stu but that wont wash! Let's just suppose that if by using your logic the sum of all the "keep" votes exceeds the number of "get rid" votes. According to you then they should stay. But stay under which conditions? there would then be a huge argument about where to put them! No, sorry that won't do at all! To make it right there should also be 4 "Get Rid" options e.g. 1) Shoot him 2) Take the drum off him and fit it over his head 3) Tell him to go and bang it a Turf Moor 4) Tell him to bang it with a sponge. Then it would come down to the most votes for just one option and be fair.

As one of those that voted "Don't care" I can say this with impunity. This is a rigged poll! There are four different ways of voting to keep them and only one way of voting to get rid, which splits the poll in a way that means it is VERY much easier to get rid than to keep. As I said, I really dont care what the result is but I do like to see fair play :ph34r:

Absolutely right Aggy, but the problem is: Who the **** is going to want him? Certainly not any Prem club. Maybe Accy Stanley could be interested if we let them have him on easy terms!

I can fully understand your position IHB, and admire your sensible and responsible approach to your finances. In your position I would probably do exactly the same or even more likely would not have bought the ticket in the first place. It is very easy for all those with good careers and high incomes to criticise they have most likely never known what it is like to have to miss out on the leisure thing that matters most to them. I do know as I have been in that position several times at different stages in my career. And in fact I am in a similar position right now and from which there is no hope of escape except by winning the lottery. For me to come to Ewood to watch a Rovers match in person it has a premium of over £100 attached to every visit, and that is not including the match ticket and booking fee. Consequently the number of matches I get to at Ewood are decreasing rapidly each year as my income from pensions does not increase in line with inflation or anything like it. Nor does it allow me to cope with massive increases in household bills, fuel charges etc etc. For me to find myself in this position would be heart breaking after over 60 years of living and breathing Rovers. Rovers, Rovers, if it were not for the saving grace of Sky Sports and a DVD recorder. These also are very hard to justify but my wife is a very understanding lady who knows just what Rovers mean to me and she is fully supportive of my "hobby" as I am with hers.

I would say if we don't win at Bramall Lane we have a problem!

Spot on Scotty. Can't disagree with any of that. Only thing I would add is that if Peter is fit again for the Sheff. U. match I would start him on the left MF and put Gamst on the bench. Also let's hope that Nelsen is back and gives Sparky a selection problem.