... especially where they appear to have been bought by someone who's no real interest in the club. I was born in Blackpool and still have friends there. One of them was a staunch member of NAPM - Not A Penny More - who boycotted the club during its ownership by the Oyston family. He and I discussed on a number of occasions the effect the boycott had on the rising generation of Pool fans - if he wasn't going, then there was nobody to take his grandchildren to games at Bloomfield Road. So they would never get into the way of seeing their local team. And they'd then become 'fans' of, probably, one of the Premier League clubs in Manchester; but only via the media.

Does anybody know if we had a sell-on clause when he went to Bournemouth?

Agreed; but have to confess that Exiled_Rover's post made me lol. I like a man who's got a long memory, specially on Rovers' behalf!?

I've lost touch with former colleagues from 20+ years ago who gave the appearance of being ITK at Gigg Lane; but reading between the lines of their local weekly paper, I'd be extremely surprised if that game went ahead, either. I'm not sure if they even have a squad yet, let alone one capable of playing in League One.

Without digging boxes of old programmes out - no time for that, presently - I'd have to say, "Pass!" Edit: I'll defer to Matty's better recall!

Don't know how many PNE fans were in the crowd that saw them beat Cork City 2-0 last night. As one who remembers a pre-season game in Bray one Saturday evening many seasons ago - for the Andy McEvoy Trophy, if memory serves! - I can't help wishing for a pre-season tour of Ireland.

. . . of whom I'm one. I've a Geordie mate from College days who's lived in Glasgow for 30+ years but doesn't particularly follow Scottish football. When I've stayed with him & his family in the past, we've been to Premiership games at Firhill - his local ground - and Ibrox. What an experience that was! I never thought I'd get a chance to see Rovers at Ibrox and he knows what I'm like at 'collecting grounds' where we've played. So when the game was announced, his invitation to visit more or less crossed with my request. I'm invited to his younger son's wedding near Glasgow this time next year. So if we could arrange a pre-season friendly at Hearts (or Partick!) in mid-July 2020, that'd be much appreciated!??

? Don't we all? Glad to see I'm not the only one to use the club's full name, Matty! I find it provokes some sad expressions, especially on the faces of women friends!?

Which is where the 'Harry Berry thread' is going to be so interesting in reminding each of us who has worn the famous blue & white halves. Or a Rovers' keeper's jersey. So many names!??

Agreeing with both of those opinions, Jim. I looked on BBC Sport website & noticed that both Boric (So'ton) & Worm (Spurs) are out of contract - if their personal terms aren't exorbitant & they're prepared to play oop North, I'd have either ahead of Carson or Hart

Yes, I think he would be, too; but isn't he being linked with a move to Rangers? Even if we were to bid for him, I guess we'd come off second best in a tussle with them for him.

I hate being a pessimist - not in me nature, guv! - but what'll it do for our, let alone the players', morale if we're on the wrong end of a scoreline like that a fortnight today?!? As we may well be if current problems haven't been addressed. It'll be a lo-o-ong journey home.

No disrespect to Scottish football; but there's a history of Scottish players, especially forwards, who, in my memory of watching the game, have looked good north of the the border only to disappoint the English clubs who buy them on the strength of their performance in the Scottish leagues. E.g. Ally McCoist. And in more recent times, will the real David Goodwillie please stand up?!' I'm not saying, "Don't buy Brophy." What I am saying is "Caveat emptor."

"... on a non-match day with all the traffic lights between the cricket ground & Ewood on green." I think it's called advertising!?

The mot juste, I think; Lennie!?

Could you clarify that gnomic comment, please? As it reads, it reads - to me, anyway - like you're hedging your bets. Do you mean 'a few could be surprised by how little we spend' or, as I think you mean, 'a few could be surprised by how much we spend this summer.'

I'm sure Nixon will be onto that tip even as you're reading this, islander!?

Suggested amendment, neophox. Hope you approve. Signing someone who's a proven scorer at this level will help, but without improvements at the back, . . .

Glad I'm not the only one!?

Is my memory playing tricks on me; or did some shirts back in the 1970s/early 80s have the red collar and/or sleeves in line with the patriotic Red, White & Blue? My current replica shirt is one from the season when our owners eventually got round to putting the Prince of Wales' emblem and motto on it. As an old Fogey who prefers not to walk round with adverts on my clothing, I bought the shirt before the agreement had been made with the Prince of Wales Trust and didn't avail myself of the offer to have the emblem and motto put on the shirt. It's the nearest I could get to a modern shirt harking back to the days when I was growing up.

Fat chance of that, Matty. They're too busy inventing - needless, imo - new formats of the game.

Because I'm not in the market for a new replica shirt, I wasn't aware of the announcement of shirt availability being removed from the website. Which made my original comment irrelevant.

So I'll repeat my deleted comment that if I'd made my usual journey from Heywood by public transport on the basis of what had been on the website and had found I couldn't buy the new shirt, the air would have been blue. And white, of course!?

?

My memory of Samuel is of League One centre halves bullying him off the ball. I fear he'll be even easier meat for Championship centre halves.