2 Nithsdale, from Dumfries, were even worse. They entered the Cup 3 times, withdrew rather than face QOS Wanderers in 1886/7, lost 9-2 in 87/8 and 13-0 in 88/9. One match was abandoned after an hour because everybody was bored, & another was lost 27-1 against 5th Kings Volunteer Regiment Reserves.

The day after the Kennedy assassination in Dallas, which I expect was a topic of conversation that afternoon at the Barley Mow. When the news of JFK's death came through, Take Your Pick was abandoned and we never found out whether the contestant decided to take the money or open the box.

Long retired, Pete, but left my job with the boss's boot up my arse & with no support from fellow workers or the Union. Despite working for a local authority rather than a private company, many of my colleagues turned out to be a bunch of scabs. This disappointment may well have affected my opinion!

Sorry, Pete, but in my experience working class solidarity is like the Great Skua. It's extinct. Folk on the few remaining factory floors are too busy cursing asylum seekers to organise anything more useful than a trip to the pub.

That's not how I remember the Covud emergency. I recall Nicola appearing on TV every day to advise the public, & never taking a holiday. If she had waited to consult other ministers the media would have called her weak & indecisive.

She did her honest best for all of us, including you, Gerry.

Too close for comfort! The Faragists won most first preferences so their defeat is down to those of us that placed them last on the ballot. My mistress & I will gladly accept gifts, such as Irish whiskey, chocolate and apple pie.

Never celebrated a Tory win before. Relieved, but still scunnert.

You've gone to a lot of trouble, Steve. On the ground there are more people in Stranraer with contempt for the Faragists than there are supporters of his. I don't feel worried. They are going to lose, and after all the effort & fuss they've made it's going to hurt them badly.

Very cold today, Mike. The fash won't fancy walking to the polling stations. We vote 1 to 8. I put Reform UK 8th behind the Tories and the Heritage Party.

Keep your chin up.

CORRECTION

The match is scheduled for this evening. There was another game on in Scotland last night that took precedence.

Reform UK will not win in Stranraer & The Rhins. Trust me. x

1975 was the year I passed my Economics A level thanks to the remarkable teaching of ex Rugby League international Cec Thompson, who got us all through the 2 year course in a single year. Best teacher I ever had.

I worked for a Labour council too, Pete, in an English county - Derbyshire - that's now under Reform control. The Welfare Rights Service was something to be proud of, but that was a long time ago now.

I don't know why the Greens did so, Eoin. He's just a paper candidate and not trying to win. The "Scottish Heritage Party" had a stall in town today, even though, to the best of my knowledge, they don't exist.

If Reform win I'm leaving. Couldn't face my neighbours if I suspected they'd gone fash.

Absolutely correct, Patrick.

After giving short shrift to Reform canvassers in Stranraer twice on Saturday, I promise that if Labour come round they'll get the same treatment.