First of all, 'cheers mate'- to the wag who slipped the knife in where it really hurts by likening me to "Fred Elliott". I am nothing but downright distraught by such comments, ah say downright distraught. (To be honest though my laal scamp of a daughter uses similar comparisons frequently).

That banter however doesn't annoy me half as much as the indignation caused by a recent visitation to the site message board, obviously by an undoubted aficionado ( I jest ) of our beloved game of Rugby League. I refer to a right 'pillick'- (will that offending expression pass the stringent monitoring of the site master ?)

This twit deserves a much worse slagging, okay yes I'm harping on about you - the sad one who was hailing the merits of the Town.net site, only to mess it up with a statement which had me laughing, no tearing my hair out, when he asked - "why the academy match reports were not on line"?. I ask you is it worth in fact answering him/her/it, seriously. No let's leave it as a deep mystery - perhaps solved by purchasing an official club programme one Sunday.

You know it is probably such episodes that caused the Town Director - Mr Mike Cunningham- to resign, you bang your head against the proverbial brick wall and the pain will become unbearable. I'll just add my two penny worth regarding the departure of Mike Cunningham. Here we had a Director who I do accept worked hard for the club in general terms, in actuality I know he did.

Perhaps though thereby taking too much of the strain. I know he took a bit of stick over the 'merger' business, but rode out that storm, or so I believed. The problem, as I see it, is if you like the 'limelight', and my perception is that Mike did - his photo/comments were frequently portrayed in the local press - then you are surely on an 'accountable podium' regarding club topics. Something which at times must be so difficult to dispense.

I equate Mike as being the Tony Blair of Workington Town, or rather he was. Therefore in summarising this latest chapter in the clubs chronicle I ask this - is it perhaps best to use the low profile angle as a Director?, i.e.doing the biz, quietly though still efficiently. Do you think I am barking up a wrong tree? Hey, does Mr.Cunningham read this article? If so let's have a response.

Enough of the political crack eh? The weather has been once more beautiful for us dog walkers - which means cold and frosty- therefore as I write (Friday, 12/1) the Chorley match will be doubtful because of the hard going. However I have it on good authority that the Derwent Park playing surface is being covered as a precaution today. I do hope it is a successful measure, I'm really looking forward to the academy prodigy Craig Rumney making his senior debut on Sunday. Mentioning that 'academy' word reminds I have gone almost full circle - back to my opening salvo - and as I'm again tugging at the wispy remains I'll close for now.
K.S.