Letters

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Please send comments and letters to editor@thepink.org.uk

Telfer King

Dear Sir,

I have a strange request which you may just want to delete!

My Name is Telfer King. I'm 66 years old living in Woodway, Texas, USA.

While bored I typed in my name as it is quite unusual. To my surprise your site came up and listed a player named Telfer King playing for the Haddington Athlectic. Being as I have never seen anyone with the first name of Telfer I was shocked to say the least. If you could tell Telfer he's not the only one (burdened in America) with the name Telfer as his Christian name.

Here in America I have to repeat my name many times as people look at me with that "what the hell" look so I go by my middle name of Rodger (mothers maiden name).

My mother came from Ayr and my dad was raised and played football in the small town of Pumpherston in which all of his brothers and dad were shale miners. They both left Scotland in the early 1920s which I am glad for I doubt I'd look good in a kilt.

Anyhoo, thanks for reading this and if you contact Telfer tell him I wish him the best in life but don't come to America using this name or he'll end up with those "what the hell" looks as well!

Rodger King (aka Telfer for official documents)
28th March, 2009

Football Chat On Black Diamond FM

Dear Sir,

I would like to use The Pink letters page to announce that I will be giving an interview live on Black Diamond F.M. this Saturday, 28^th March on the Sports Programme between 4pm and 5pm.

Anybody interested in listening in should tune into 107.8fm covering Edinburgh and Midlothian. It is a local Midlothian radio station that is looking for all types of sporting organisations to get in touch and get some coverage for themselves.

I will be doing my nest to answer all the clever questions they can come up with regarding The Just FC and the Edinburgh Sunday Amateur F.A. Black Diamond can be contacted via the website for clubs interested in getting some coverage or publicity.

Paul Glynn
23rd March ,2009

Well done Craigroyston

Dear Sir,

I would just like to send a well done to all the players and coaching staff of Craigroyston BC U13.s after the success in the Persevere Cup Final on Friday night. Their first trophy in their first competitive season.

Derek Moorhead
21st March, 2009

LET THE KIDS PLAY (2)

Dear Sir,

I felt that I needed to respond to this letter to share this disappointing issue in a fairer light.

Indeed it was a great game of football and I thought both teams played very well and produced a great game of football. Unfortunately, a loud shout from the hutchie coach along the lines of " Come on Ref surely that was a Hutchie ball" which I am sure you'll agree is the most common statement made on a Sunday by coaches and supporters of all teams. And to everyone's surprise on both sides, the Ref ran 20 yards to address the issue in a very over reacting manner to which we were all quite taken aback. Let's just say there was one man on the park who was determined that his Authority was second to none and this for me was what spoiled the game.

The incident could have easily been avoided, and being a parent of 2 boys who play for different Edinburgh teams and who attends 2 games every Sunday, this was totally unnecessary and I have never seen anything like it. I am also quite surprised at the complaint being made as some of the opposing teams parents also condemned the rather extreme actions when speaking to us after the game. I know that there were a few that appeared unhappy, but they also did not hear the comments from the other side of the park where as I was right there.

We can all get over excited at a game and yes we need to stay calm, but there was no swearing or malicious intention from the coach whatsoever and it is a shame that he is being shown in that light. I do however agree that the parent who was riled by the incident needed to keep the head and I am sure will never do this again but the coach on this occasion was in fact just being passionate about the game, surely that's not a crime.

Let's hope that we can be forgiven for supporting our kids by a few shouts of encouragement and yes of course we are going to object to some decisions - but we are human after all.

Yours in sport

Arlene O'Donnell
16th March, 2009

No help to "let kids play"

This might sound like sour grapes, and feel free to edit as required, it is not intended to be however here goes anyway.

Bad week for my son's team this week on the weekend where the association has decreed that we distribute the cards to the boys. Two weeks previously we asked for a game this week to be postponed, 3 players injured and the goalkeeper on holiday, league secretary told the team coach that game could not be postponed and the cup tie would need to be forfeited.

When the team coach called today to report the result, centre back in goal so easy to guess the result, was told that next week our team has a free week, an absolute disgrace IMOP. When we all are trying to keep boys interested and motivated this did nothing to help the situation.

So thanks for the support.

Comments welcome

Stevie Brown
16th March, 2009

LET THE KIDS PLAY

Dear Sir,

Went along as a neutral on Sunday 15th March to Wardie playing fields to watch the under 13's game between hutchie colts and north merchiston. What a super game of football with hutchie colts deservedly winning 6-3.

The most disappointing aspect of the morning was that the referee had to send a hutchie vale coach and one of their supporters off and away from the match, which held up the game until he left. What example is this to set young boys who only want to play football, when one of there coaches is shouting and arguing with the referee who by the way handled the game superbly. No wonder we are losing young boys from the game and referees losing interest in our great game.

If this is the way things are at under 13 level boys football, god help us.

Regards
Mark Thistle
15th March, 2009

Ruxton Lives Up To Fairy Attributes

Dear Sir,

As a follow up to the match report on the Limelite v The Just league cup quarter final I would like to state the full extent of Greig Ruxton’s injury that he went to hospital for:

Although there were no broken bones, during the incident his lower arm had dislocated from his elbow, ruptured the muscles in the area and then re-located itself; damaging the socket or cuff as it went back into place. Ruxton is unable to work for the forseeable future and has his arm in a cast from his shoulder to his wrist. He will play no further part in football this season.

The doctors could not tell this from an X-ray on Sunday night so as no bones were broken Ruxton was sent home untreated; however, the following Tuesday Ruxton returned to the hospital for further examination after the swelling had reduced and fainted again when the doctor touched his arm.

I make no attempt to retract the comment about him being a big fairy!

Yours,

Paul Glynn – Manager, The Just F.C.
4th March, 2009

North Merchiston v Edinburgh City Colts

Dear Sir,

Last season you did a report on our game against Tweedmouth which we won 3-0. This past Sunday you reported on our game against Edinburgh City and we lost 3-0. Just to show that we appreciate your reports on games win/lose or draw I would once again like to thank you for efforts (and accurate reporting) in support of grass roots football. The conditions were atrocious but both sets of boys (and officials - oh and the ref) deserve praise for doing their best in difficult circumstances. We down in the lower leagues may not play the silkiest football sometimes but we all enjoy it nevertheless.

Thanks again.

Paul Bell
North Merchsiton Under 14s Coach
16th January, 2009

Jordan Sinclair

I'm writing to you to express great joy in seeing the name of Jordan Sinclair in your team of the year.

I had the pleasure of coaching young Jordan from under 7's till under 11's when the Cavalry side I took went their separate ways. Without doubt Jordan is one of the most gifted players I have seen with a thumping shot, frightening vision and a passing range that would put most adults to shame. He played a vital part in my team along with Jamie Sneddon (Hearts Boys Club), Max Todd (Hibernian Boys Club), Aman Habtamariam (Edina Boys Club) and Jack McLeish (Newcraighall Boys Club). These 4 lads and Jordan have great potential and hopefully a promising future in Football.

Yours In Memories

Scott Reid
6th January, 2009

Well Done Edina

As an ex Edina Hibs coach I wish to say well done to the U13's. They seem to go from strength to strength. It is good to see young footballers play football and not the long ball.

Well done to the coaches who I know very well. Good luck in the next round.

Derek Moorhead
Edinburgh
20th December, 2008

Dear Politicians

Dear Editor

I write this as an open letter to various people but mainly those in charge (or should that be charged) with looking after sports facilities in Edinburgh & Lothians.

Early last year I took part in the "unite the clubs" march on Holyrood where we handed over a protest letter about the state of the facilities. At the march, representatives from the political parties spoke of their support for us and asked for our faith that they would get something done.

Apart from the preverbal "white wash" of facilities (or what ever colour was sitting about spare in the councils warehouses) there has, as far as I can see from my visits to various local facilities, been no other work done.

Recently teams which I am associated with turned up at Warriston only to be turned away because there had been some vandalism of locks and the wardens were unable to obtain help to remedy this. It would appear that those involved with the facilities (council head office) have a 9-5 Monday-Friday job when we are all aware that most of the sporting events happen at the weekend and they were unobtainable.

So an open question to anyone out there, be you a councillor or a member of parliament, is, who is pursuing this on our (the taxpayers) behalf, at what stage is it at and when can we expect to see any investment?

Mike Hepburn
A volunteer coach of kids football
26th November, 2008

From Mr R. Carlos

Dear Sir,

In response to the letter from Mr G Reid – Mr Reid seems to have spelt Roberto Carlos wrong!

Paul Glynn is the new Roberto Carlos – that’s R-O-B-E-R-T-O C-A-R-L-O-S!

To quote the report you were obviously offended at:“with Steph Wilson at left midfeild and Paul Glynn at left back it was hardly The Just’s weakest position”. I notice in your letter you claim to have “a fairly insightful knowledge of the game” Does this include knowing which position Beckenbauer Played?

I am not old enough to have had the privilege of seeing him live but I’m pretty sure Beckenbauer never played left back.

Yours humourously,

Paul “Roberto Carlos” McGlynn
9th October, 2008

Paul " Beckenbauer" McGlynn!

Dear Editor,

I'm writing to show my amusement at the continuing mach reports that you seem to receive from The Just. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but it seems to be the same story every week with the writer of these reports. Is Paul Glynn the new Franz Beckenbauer? The way these reports are printed is thoroughly misleading. I am a grown man of forty eight who has played football at higher level than Sunday amateur with Arniston Rangers juniors being amongst the teams I have represented so I would say I have a fairly insightful knowledge of the game!

I witnessed the game that The Just "easily" won 5-0 against Dalkeith Town and must say the match report from the game was very far from the mark. I had a keen interest in the game as I had a nephew playing on each side so I'm not exactly biased!

Dalkeith Town are a very accomplished side who were very unlucky to not score three or four goals in the first half with only a poor ref denying them two very obvious goals which he somehow chopped off although I was later informed he is a current Just player just stepping in as they hadn't booked one! This same "ref" also allowed The Just three very dubious offside decisions which led to goals in the second half. Having said that The Just can play decent football and deserved a few goals when their goalkeeper was swapped around in the second half.

All in all I would say the match report was very disrespectful on Dalkeith Town who were minus their manager and nine first team players and were up against due to that and a lacklustre "ref".

Yours Faithfully

Mr G Reid
28th September, 2008

[To be fair to Paul Glynn when he does send in the reports he covers them with an e-mail dripping in light-heartedness. The report v Dalkeith was a case in point where it was clearly written "tongue in cheek". I wouldn't publish them otherwise. I understand both clubs know each other fairly well as do the players.

It is a bit of light hearted banter and fun. Thanks for the note and keep visiting. - Editor]

Praise for Edina Hibs U13

Dear Sir,

I am involved in one of the local clubs through here in Glasgow and our boys were involved in the recent Glasgow Cup at U13 level.

I just wanted to pass on my congratulations to Edina Hibs U13s who were outstanding in every way during the whole of the competition and were by far the best side my club have faced and that took part in the competition.

Edina were so exciting to watch I made the effort (as a few of us did) to get along to Glasgow Green for the final just to see them again. Sadly for them they looked tired and jaded (but this isnt surprising as they had to hang around all day till 6.30pm for the final) and didn't get what they deserved at the end but all credit to these young boys for lighting up our local tournament. They were a joy - truly they were. They will surely be one of the favourites for your Edinburgh leagues in the coming year. (And we defo wouldn't want to get them in the Scottish unless it was in the final!)

I was completely mesmerised by their wee fair haired midfielder who seemed to also cast a spell over our team and every other team. A slight wee lad, this gifted wee No 14 simply ran the show. Talk about magic in your boots! Strong at the back they have two powerful centre halves (5 and 6) who were difficult to penetrate and in our game their powerful right back (8) linked up so many good moves from the back through the wee No 14 that we just had no answer. I was also very taken by the wee guy up front who has great movement and technique. Saw him score two crackers in their semi final!

Just really wanted to tell their boys that they should be proud of their efforts and how they played. A wee bit of luck or timing would have meant that cup going down the M8 with you as it should've done. Maybe you should have played the side/formation that demolished us when you played in the final as it definitely seemed your best tactic and line up but maybe the final being at noon might have also been a factor.

Anyway, just wanted to say it was a privilege - everyone connected to that wee side behaved themselves brilliantly and they deserved more. Best U13s side we have seen.

Good luck for the coming season

Glasgow
12th August, 2008