The Original 59er

Interesting to read the comments on the game from those that were there. The goal from Main and the general background to his performance somewhat differs from the gist of the thread in the main section of the website................ Of course maybe his performance was only a one off and he will now disappear from view for the rest of the season. That would please a few folk, no doubt!

What you have read here is a pretty good cross section of feelings for the guy. He came to our rescue several times over and his shot stopping was outstanding. I rate him along with England's current stopper in that department, especially at penalties. When he left he was complimentary about the team and you got the impression he was a good team player and liked by he team mates. So good luck with him, I wish him and ITFC all the best.

One of the main reasons Woolies went to the wall at the time was how they marketed their products. Who else in the prime stretch of the High Street would have counters of sweeties in the first 30 feet. That is where you grab the shopper and show them what they really want to buy, or at least be encouraged to browse further into the store. Victims of a changing retail world and bad retail layout.

I have a little experience in this field if you want to discuss it. I have no clear favourite or preference and like most I have had some pretty ropey experiences with Estate agents, but there are some slightly better than others.

In the cold light of day, the signings who might be free-scoring forwards is poor................ that is stating the bloody obvious. On the other hand we have tightened up the defence to a degree, we have players who can get into the opposition half and create problems and we are middle of the league. So in my book we have made significant steps forward. That however doesn't get away from the fact that the various signings that have been made over the last few years who theoretically will be a main "striker" have been pretty poor. Our main goal threat is from the mid-field and that isn't good enough if we want to be a top 6 club. it is almost a case of signing someone and hoping they might come good as opposed to a player that is hungry, on the rise as a player and also has an eye for goal. We have to hope that Brophy can partially fill that gap. We also need both back-up to that player and also good support to lay off cross balls or is a mobile tall player who can chip in with a few but takes the brunt of the work so that a Brophy type player can play to his full potential. I would keep Dennis, Erwin and Brophy and let the rest go and continue to try and find that diamond in the rough (or a Lafferty!)

I've been able to do a wee bit more research and the maps below begin to tell the picture. 1st Map 1947 clearly showing the Alex opposite the RAH on the corner of Orr St 2nd Map same in 1951 3rd map is a 1965 edition, but actually was already 3 years out of date as the area was surveyed in '62 and still shows the Alex Cinema building. 4th map 1967 showing what might appear to be a petrol station with the number 23 Neilston Road lastly today

I'm actually quoting from the historical reference to the Alex as it seems to appear in the records. As I say I didn't know the Alex so can't exactly say where it was and how it relates to today's street scape.

I don't remember this building as it seems from the historical blurb (below) it was demolished in '59/'60, which is just a little before I could get to know this part of the town. I think it was the early 60's when I just got on my bike and saw as much of the town as I could. Located to the south of the town centre, opposite the RAH, the Alexandra Cinema was opened in early-December 1923 by Caledonian Entertainers Ltd. It had a 40ft wide proscenium (the part of a theatre stage in front of the curtain). In early-1930 it was equipped with a Western Electric(WE) sound system. It was modernised in 1938/1939, just before the War and was re-named New Alex Cinema. It was closed in early-April 1959 and was demolished in 1960 and a petrol station was built on the site. Today there is housing on the site.

A couple of retail establishments I used to frequent. McDougal Bros in Moss Street was a great shop to go and wander round. They chased you out a few times, but it was an interesting shop to spend your time especially if it was pi**ing down outside. The Sherwood Café, was always worth dropping into especially if you were meeting the girlfriend at the Kelburne and you were early, or she was late. Of course no mobiles in these days so you had to keep popping your head out the door to check if she had arrived.

There have been quite a few High St photos posted which isn't surprising given that it was the most important shopping street for so many years, even after the Piazza was built. However I came across this photo of the Liberal Club which dates back a little and the rather sad 2019 photo of it now. I suppose it really sums up the demise of the Liberals in general! This is located on the corner of High Street and Church Hill.

Getting back on subject, I'm sure these will have been posted before, but I think they are worth repeating as they are both relevant to our old home. In the first aerial it is a great shot of the town centre but you can see the roof of the north enclosure....... not sure when this was taken but it looks pre-motorway and I think Abbotsinch is still there as a RN Air Base, but I could be wrong. The second one is pre-north enclosure around 1933 time.

Assuming for one second you were correct, amazing how leopards can change their spots! 😉

There were a number of really disappointing aspects of today's performance. 1. The tactics were wrong from the start, i.e. the team put on the park was wrong 2. The team gave away cheap fouls which played into the strengths of Livingston. They pumped balls into the box and looked for the chaos. 3. It took the management team far too long to see that their selection wasn't working. 4. There were players on the park especially in the first half, who shouldn't have been near the Hampden turf. 5. If you compare that team with the team that played Celtic in 2013, there was no comparison. We deserved to lose to Livi if you especially look at the first half. Fractionally better in the 2nd half, but no cutting edge and long balls all day long, which suited their tall defenders. If the players believed that perhaps this was their one chance to appear and win a final at Hampden, then they didn't show it. Really, really disappointed 😞 😥

What I'm not quite getting in this whole debate, is the blatant breaking of the rules week after week by almost every club. It applies in England as much as it does in Scotland, and in a number of cases it is almost properly being observed, but in many instances it is blatantly being broken, yet the clubs are not being penalised. Furthermore it could most certainly be the cause of an outbreak which spreads to almost a whole team (e.g. Sunderland and Manchester City) and perhaps our beloved Saints. I refer to the celebrations after a goal is scored. I know it's only natural to celebrate a goal, but to hug, fall on top of, kiss, put arms around etc. etc. is a sure way to pass this on and it's happening before our eyes every week. Just have a look at Sportscene on Saturday (at Iprox) or Match of the Day (at Maine Road) and sure enough cuddles galore for the players who had scored a goal, both in England and Scotland. So does it take an outbreak and a cancellation to induce the SPFL and Premier league to act, or do they just ignore it until all hell breaks loose?

Ginger Bread supporter sad after last night's result.😒 At least my daughter has a sense of humour!

What I'm not quite understanding is that in every league table I look at, both Motherwell and Hamilton are credited with the points they gained through the SPFL decision, which is technically under appeal, which essentially makes these decisions and outcomes as a temporary position rather that a confirmed decision. Yet no asterisks or bracketed explanation at the bottom of each table!? I'm not suggesting that we may have to ultimately accept our fates, but the league currently should not be skewed by the decisions until it is completed properly, right through all appeal procedures. So that should reflect 6 points less for Motherwell and 3 less for Hamilton and also games to be played by all teams involved, i.e. two less for Motherwell & Saints and one less for Killie and Hamilton. Innocent until proven guilty and all appeal procedures are exhausted comes to mind. All I want is consistency, so the transgressions by all are treated the same way. As has been said before, how can relegation or a European position be decided by the inconsistent decisions of a Kangaroo court?

My Dad also worked in the Bank of Scotland at Wellmeadow which was on the left hand side of the road coming away from the Cross which from memory was just about opposite Well St. He was there a few years, and actually suffered a heart attack in that office and died later the same day.

This location has loads of memories for me right back to my early days of being taken to Love Street and lifted over the turnstiles. 👌 In these days we got pretty good crowds and often well over 10,000 would be at the game and as the game drew to a close, my Dad and I would work our way round to the Greenock Road / Caledonia Street end and when the final whistle went, we would walk (very) quickly, as I seem to remember, as quick as my wee legs would allow, and we belted up to the West End to beat the crowds and get on a bus before it got to the Cross. Quite a few years later, but still at school I went out with a girlfriend who lived in the West End area for a fair amount of time and I had to make several last minute dashes up to the bus stop (in the last photo), in order to catch the last bus home. Sometimes left it a bit late then had the ignominy of a fair hike home and irate parents who were no doubt awake in bed waiting to hear the key in the door........................ happy days. So, this bus stop has loads and loads of great memories! (and I even fondly remember the girl fiend) ............... and please no re-arranging words and meaning in that last sentence!!😉

Ok I just knew I should have listened to you! a £5er on at that price would have certainly paid for a few things over Christmas......... Do you have crystal balls up in the east coast? So now I have a problem, having worn the lucky black & white boxers last night (having worn them also at the weekend and had them washed and ready for last night's game,) I now have to go through the same ritual to get them ready for Saturday, the B&W socks are in the same wash. Try explaining all that process to the better half and you can imagine my issue, It looks like a solitary washing process before Saturday!

I noticed that in the papers, so I wonder what the English authorities are going to do, take a leaf out of the SPFL book, or go about it in the proper manner, investigate fully why it occurred, decide if it could have been avoided by the CLUB, then take appropriate action, be it a fine, some other less draconian penalty such a forfeiture, or exoneration?

I have a real liking for Paisley Abbey. Nothing religious in that statement, just the beauty of the architecture, its place and positioning in the town and the peace and tranquillity inside. In addition I've attended a concert in there and the acoustics are superb. I was in the church when the Queen and the Queen Mother attended in 1963 on the 800th anniversary of the building (not quite the current one, but the formation of the building in the first place). So I do enjoy posting things about the Abbey, as it does hold a pretty special place in the years that I've known the town. So here are three from different eras and coming from different directions. 1. Coming from Gauze Street with Bank Street immediately on the left which essentially disappeared when the Police Office was built (I know that Bank St still partially exists but it is a bit lost on the other side of the dual carriageway at Mill St. Further on the left was the original Cotton St and on the right is Silk St. 2. From Bridge St looking back towards the south of the building. 3. From the other side of Gauze St, (a great photo) I think looking past the statue of Robert Tannahill in one of our famous foggy days, and yes I can remember when the fog almost appeared green!

Is this the old East School?

For those who have any interest in the history of the Grammar School, this is worth a read and it opened my eyes a little as I knew very little of the years before is settled into Glasgow Road. 7.1-Paisley-School-McKechin.pdf

Not that it is a picture of real architectural beauty....................

No but I do have an old photo of the South School!