CHAIRBOY

He is a bad egg. I think it's another case of "Leopards". Fancy being taken on a bonding exercise to Scarborough, when with Hull, and nutting Windass in a casino at 3am? What a dreadful role model. He hasn't really cut it at Premiership level.

Wigan player, Marlon King sent to prison for 18 months following his trial at Southwark Crown Court. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8332029.stm Good, Whelan has sacked him.

Sometimes I squirm when I hear tributes but I believe that this is a genuine case of "Nobody had a bad word to say about "Shep".

So typical. An overwhelming protest, probably 99% call, show Ashley what the folk of Newcsatle think of such heresy. http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/breaking-news/2009/10/28/fans-angry-at-plan-to-sell-st-james-s-park-naming-rights-61634-25031027/

I'm sure that's correct, Pat, who sadly died within the last two years. I remember a number of people attending his funeral in the Rotherham area. I think I'm right in saying that Pat's daughter married George?

Don't know if anyone saw the Derby v QPR match on BBC 2 Saturday 5.30pm? Spectators had been given T-shirts to mark the Derby Poppy Appeal. An ex-serviceman shadowed by two younger members of the forces made their way to the centre spot as the teams were kicking in during the warm-up. The pensioner was to place a wreath on the centre-spot whereupon it was moved after a brief salute. I noticed that as the trio made its way, twice they had to break rank to avoid, first an auxilliary person on the pitch and secondly a player chasing a wayward ball. In neither case did they try and avoid the poppy promoters. The ultimate insult, though this was in respose to Derby's dire display, was to hurl the shirts on to the field at the end of the game - there must have been over a hundred. A poor show indeed by some denizens of Derby - sadly this lack of respect comes as no surprise to me.

Yes, just the one cancellation. Elton's thrown a sicky possibly because his team, Watford were on TV playing against the Owls. He wouldn't have known of Sky's plans when the concert plan was arranged. He'll be much better this morning after the "Hornets" 4-1 win!

Looks like having to be a Johnstone's Paints winning manager. Simon Grayson would be a good contender. His brother is cricket coach at Essex and it strikes me, they're brighter than the normal English manager etc.

Near Commonside, or "in the (Spring) Vale" - just had my first plateful from "New Cod on the Block" and belive me, it was a plateful! The fish was like a whale, the batter scrumptious. My daughter's recommendation - the owner used to have a good reputation when at his former Broomhill shop.

My memory from the ABC is not a happy one. I was in the University orchestra and invited one of the female players to go with me to see the Hallé Orchestra at the City Hall. It was during the bad winter of '79/80 and when we arrived at the City Hall, we discovered the concert had been called off. We had a look around for alternatives and my companion opted for Watership Down at the ABC. Not being a film buff, it was tortuous anyway but exaccerbated by her munching her way through a box of popcorns, it was a night, or should I say evening, to forget! A much happier experience had been had when I went on my own to the Angel Street cinema to see a film "Something to Brighten the Morning" - a documentary on the legendary racehorse, Mill Reef. Now he was a star!

I think your Francis analogy is spot-on as I have been saying for many years. The problems started when he began to dismantle Atkinson's team. Not only his purchases but his poor man-management skills. I think he had a bust-up at almost every club he managed, he certainly had no success in any job. In Southgate's case, I'd see Downing's sale, at that price, as good business. I've rarely seen that player deliver.

What you heard was what you said but it seems the Strachan plan had been long in the pipeline irrespective of gates. Gibson said his fear was that Boro's performances did not look likely to gain promotion.

Sorry, No. 1902 was the year Webster Booth was born. I'm not that long in the tooth! Nor is REDFYRE but I wonder if he can help? The name sounds very much like a team which played in the Sheffield Cricket League. Redfyre has a greater interest in local cricket whereas mine was First Class.

STRACHAN - Everything seemingly in place. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/10/22/SOCCER_Middlesbrough.html

The Ibis near the bottom of Dixon Lane, central and near to trams. http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-2891-ibis-sheffield-city/index.shtml

Deliveries today but don't envisage any tomorrow as Friday is when the delivery postmen are striking.

HOPE POWELL - dismisses Mariners' link. http://www.sportgrimsby.co.uk/headlines/Powell-dismisses-rumour-linking-Town-job/article-1443668-detail/article.html I think this was always going to be a non-starter without being sexist. Mariners' available funds must be limited. On Newell's appointment, I was told his salary was affordable in comparison with what Peter Taylor asked for and got at Wycombe.

Having had a good run of getting "Who's Next" ? correct - McParland, Taylor, Barnes, Newell - Southgate would not have been on my short list, whereas Rodgers is, irrespective of being only four months at Reading. After Premiership football, this club is sinking towards Division 1, fast. I don't think the chairman will wear him much longer through fan pressure - or the loss of value if he wants to sell the club. Watford improved after Rodgers left and Reading have got worse! What do people see in this man, another Terry Butcher (Brentford, Inverness calamity) ? I also think Brown at Hull is on borrowed time.

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport/latest-sport-news/2009/10/21/southgate-leaves-boro-84229-24980981/# I am surprised about the timing of this decision. Gibson says it's the hardest he's had to make in football. He certainly took his time in getting rid of Bryan Robson until it turned into embarrassment. If Southgate can be sacked, I don't think it will be long before Rodgers at Reading will be departing.

Seemingly wasted two years salary to pay-off Newell but where will the funds come from for the planned new ground? Fenty, the chairman, claims:"We'll get it right." How many more managers will he employ before he does?

The Mariners have parted company with manager Mike Newell. It comes as no surprise to me. His tenure has been no better than the previous managers of Buckley and Rodger. http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/NEWELL-SACKED/article-1430605-detail/article.html

I find this extraordinary that the referee involved has been taken from a Premiership match and demoted to the Peterborough game in the Championship. Doesn't he still need to know the same laws for that game? I would have sent him back to the classroom!

I think your granddad would have been on the Wednesday board when my dad played in the 40s and it was he who helped out the late Derek Dooley with employment with the company after Derek's career was terminated with that tragic amputation.

Yes, the one near Woodcock travel? It was a Scottish & Newcastle Breweries pub.

Now, now! As Ferguson said at his press conference on Friday when quizzed about Wiley; he glowered and replied:" Don't go there, you're an intelligent lad!"