Pic: VisitBritain (Creative Commons)
Saturday
For many, Saturday morning is spent disposing of the mess from the night before.
Steve Elkington
Think before you Tweet
However, not too many could have expected a major clear-up operation to be taking place at Royal Birkdale, home this week to the British Senior Open, after Australian golfer Steve Elkington decided to vent his feelings about Southport on Twitter. Elkington thumbed; “Things about Southport England … -fat tattooed guy -fat tattooed girl -trash -ice cream stored guy -Pakistani robber guy -shit food” Just to help his case, he then Tweeted on Saturday; “Couple of caddies got rolled by some Pakkis. Bad night for them.”
His comments were considered racist by most, foolish by many. Needless to say, explanations and excuses were quickly offered, though not entirely believed. Lee Westwood asked on Twitter; “I know it’s Friday night but how much has elk had to drink?”
I hope he had none. I’d hate him to have any excuse for what he said …
Sunday
In recent weeks Sunday’s have seen some memorable sporting finishes and conclusions. I’m thinking here of Wimbledon, the Tour de France, The Open and the cricket, not to mention the odd Grand Prix. The British Senior Open just had to get in on the act as well, with its own memorable finale. Actually, better make the memorable for the wrong reasons.
Long-time leader Bernhard Langer came a cropper at the 72nd hole, dropping two shots and allowing Mark Wiebe to force a play off. With play having been suspended twice during the final round because of rain and lightening, the tournament was already running late. But organisers decided to press on for a finish. This was perhaps not the best decision ever made, and one likely to end in farce, given that before Langer and Wiebe had even got near the tee, my erstwhile colleague Euan McLean of the Sunday Mail noted that until now, he didn’t realise golf buggies had headlights!
Gary McAllister, Derek Rae and Darrell Currie at Hampden. Need for a caption competition
Not surprisingly, after two additional holes and in near-dark, play was halted, with Wiebe clinching the title the next morning after the fifth extra hole – and after another PR disaster for golf …
Monday
There really should have been a caption competition and a prize to be had when former Scotland skipper Gary McAllister, commentator Derek Rae and presenter Darrell Currie attended Hampden for the launch of BT Sport’s SPFL coverage this season. I do wonder if Rae, given where he hails from, had his hand down the back of the couch to see if there was any loose change …
Tuesday
Talking of money, it seems Neil Lennon is a wee tad peeved that Celtic are being asked to pay over the odds when they go shopping for players.
“With the money that we’ve brought in for Gary (Hooper) and Victor (Wanyama) sometimes the price all of a sudden seems to rise a bit,” said Lennon after paying around £3m for Ajax winger Derk Boerrigter.
As I said to Mike Graham on talkSPORT’s Extra Time, I couldn’t recall Celtic giving Southampton or Norwich City a discount on Wanyama and Hooper.
But then, regardless of what Celtic have in terms of usable cash, maybe clubs across Europe have wised up to the Parkhead club’s business model of buy players cheap, then selling them at a healthy profit.
Now, I am trying desperately to remember who it was who pointed out that strategy to everyone …
Wednesday
According to one report, half the clubs within Scotland’s all-new Premiership are reporting increased season ticket sales. I’m not sure about the terms and conditions, but will there be a rebate should any clubs be liquidated part-way through the season?
Just asking …
Thursday
Well done to St Johnstone for recording a great away win over FC Minsk in their Europe League qualifying tie. Playing in Europe is nothing new for the Saints, but I just hope they don’t get ahead of themselves as they did in the early 70′s when they considered a name change to SJ Perth to fit in with their new-found European status.
Maybe, just maybe, after the final in Turin. That’s in Italy, for those who haven’t been beyond Norway or Belarus …
Friday
Many will have woken up to the sad news that Colin McAdam had died, aged 61.
McAdam will forever have is place in Scottish football history having been the first player to have his transfer decided by tribunal when he moved from Partick Thistle to Rangers. Rangers offered £80.000. The Jags wanted £500,000. Lord Wheatley, Scottish League President Tom Lauchlan and SPFA secretary Harry Lawrie decided to meet in the middle – and McAdam moved for £165,000.
It was never, ever enough for Thistle fans. Neither would any supporter think 61 was ever enough either!