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and they pay more tax than the e average. At the top level a couple of seasons sets a player up for life. Not so when you go down the Divisions. Particularly at a club which has a ceiling for wages go £10,000 a week. Anyway, whatever any of us think, players will follow the money so we either compete or give up.

But still more attractive than we are apparently. Bit of a worry eh?

And having some mates with him helps.

No--they live on what they earned, partly at least.

What's wrong with that? Everything else seems too work on the basis of the free market---supply and demand. A footballer's life is a short one, why shouldn't he get the best deal he can? Not as if there's any reward for loyalty at Rovers these days is it?

And everybody in Burnley.

its realistic to believe we'll be weaker next season and probably weaker still the next season after that, given our owners expect us to fund ourselves via sales, low transfer fees and low wages. Do you agree with that?

I think I'll leave it there!

I have very happy memories of watching East Lancs in the fifties with my Dad. as you say, big crowds. First pro I remember was the Aussie leg-spinner Bruce Dooland. he was a class act and only available because he couldn't get in the Australian team with Ritchie Benaud around. Re the collection, for some spectators it was against their principles to chuck in for the pro on the basis that he was paid to play! Must have seen the entire 1960's West Indies team in the Lancs League. Great days, all gone now of course.

if you think last season was a "huge success' your standards are too low, like Venkys. Fnished 7th, made a profit----job done! not to me.

Well we scored fewer goals.

Mind you Australia's batters are as weak as I can ever remember. Their strength is in their bowling.

Imagine where we would have been if Sammi has stayed! Isn't that the point? We never build anything.

Was a great game, one to remember for a very long time. But its the Ashes I really crave victories in, can anyone see us bowling out Australia in Australia with that pop-gun bowling line-up? Need a fit Wood and a fit and in-form Archer at least---unlikely?

I think they might well have. Court case and all that.

I'd be thrilled!

That's a very big call!

We are trying to stay in the Championship---no more ambition than that. At the same time we plan to pay lower Division wages. It simply won't work.

Just like we are linked with various players we never get. It's all distraction.

Well I'm dreading it.

Nice it would be. Perhaps Wharton will come back one day!

Yet we'll still have fans blaming the exits on greedy players and their agents!

Thought he was Wrexham-bound?

Derby are broke though like us, that's why he's making the sort of signings he is. Focus on staying up next season and building. Always freebies available from us!

Chaddy in yet another attempt to convince us we're doing OK. We are signing dross in the hope that one or two come off. They can then be sold for a healthy profit allowing us to continue to play night games!