Change won't happen immediately, probably not even soon (ie before Scottish Elections in 2026).

There will be a definite change the in attitude of the Government, but will it make any positive difference to the general public?

Burnley have appointed former England midfielder Scott Parker as their new head coach on a three-year deal.

Parker, 43, succeeds Belgian Vincent Kompany who joined Bayern Munich despite relegation from the Premier League last season.

Parker has been out of work since March 2023, having been sacked by Belgian side Club Bruges after winning only two of his 12 games in charge.

After leading Fulham and Bournemouth from the Championship into the Premier League, Parker will be aiming to do the same with the Clarets.

“I’m really pleased to be here," Parker said.

"I have been speaking with Burnley for some time now which has been a positive thing as I’ve now got a real feel for the people around the club.

“To be around the training ground now you start to get that feeling again and I can’t wait to get on the training field and start work.

“For us to be successful this year is the most important thing. We have to win and build a team the fans and club can be proud of. This team can represent every single one of them in that aspect and that’s the aim.”

Parker held a second round of talks with Burnley officials this week and emerged as the preferred candidate.

The Lancashire club also held talks with former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, as well as ex-England midfielder Frank Lampard.

“His vision for the future aligns with our goals and ambitions of returning to the Premier League as soon as possible," Burnley chairman Alan Pace added.

“His track record of success along with a commitment to developing young talent makes him an ideal fit.”

“We are confident he can lead us to new heights and continue to build on the solid foundations laid at Turf Moor.”

Burnley begin their 2024-25 Championship campaign with a visit to Luton on Monday, 12 August.

It was a game of two halves for Hibs against Edinburgh City today, with different sides in each half. Hibs won 5-0 with goals from Chris Cadden, Dylan Levitt and Harry McKirdy in the first half, plus Reuben McAllister and Josh Campbell in the second.

Hibs now travel to The Netherlands for a week-long training camp, where they play MSV Duisburg and PAOK.

Wealdstone have signed former Watford, Crystal Palace and Jamaica defender Adrian Mariappa.

The 37-year-old left Salford City last month and has played more than 500 games in a 19-year career that has seen him also play for Reading, Bristol City and Burton Albion.

He has featured more than 60 times for Jamaica featuring in the Concacaf Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

"Adrian has a fantastic pedigree and for us to secure his signature is a huge bonus for the football club," Stones manager Matt Taylor told the club website.

"He will be a big character within the squad and his leadership skills will be vital for the upcoming season."

The SPL fixtures have been published, with our first one against St Mirren away on Saturday 4 August. The first one at Easter Road will be on Sunday 11 August against Celtic - no doubt it's on the Sunday because it'll be a TV game. The first Edinburgh Derby is on Saturday 26 October.

The full list is here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/tea...es/2024-08

Likely to be short as per usual



At least we are at home

Posh with a capital P for starters. Might as well get it out of the way early ....

Huddersfield Town League One fixtures 2024/25
*Asterisks indicate games set for international dates that may end up being moved depending on call-ups

Sat 10 August: Peterborough (a) (theo)

Tue 13 August: Morecambe (h) (EFL Cup rd 1) (Snooty)

Sat 17 August: Stevenage (h) (Snooty)

Sat 24 August: Shrewsbury (h) (jjamez)

Tue 27 August: Walsall (a) (EFL Cup rd 2) (jjamez)

Sat 31 August: Rotherham (a) (theo)

Tue 3 September: Doncaster (a) (EFL Trophy North Group F) (Snooty)

Sat 14 September: Bolton (a) (Snooty)

Tue 17 September: (EFL Cup rd 3)

Sat 21 September: Northampton (h) (jjamez)

Tue 24 September: Blackpool (h) (theo)

Sat 28 September: Reading (a) (Snooty)

Tue 1 October: Birmingham (a) (Snooty)

Sat 5 October: Barnsley (h) (Snooty)

Tue 8 October: Barnsley (h) (EFL Trophy North Group F) (Snooty)

Sat 19 October: Bristol Rovers (h) (Amelia)

Tue 22 October: Wrexham (a) (jjamez)

Sat 26 October: Exeter (h) (jjamez)

Tue 29 October: (EFL Cup rd 4)

Sat 2 November: Tamworth (a) (FA Cup rd 1) (jjamez)

Sat 9 November: Crawley (a) (Snooty)

Tue 12 November: Man Utd u21s (h): (EFL Trophy North Group F) (Snooty)

Sat 23 November: Charlton (h) (jjamez)

Tue 26 November: Leyton Orient (a) (theo)

Sat 30 November: (FA Cup rd 2)

Tue 3 December: Wigan (h) (Snooty)

Sat 7 December: Mansfield (a) (theo)

Tue 10 December: Bolton (a) (EFL Trophy round 2) (Snooty)

Sat 14 December: Lincoln (h) (jjamez)

Tue 17 December: (EFL Cup quarter final)

Fri 20 December: Cambridge (a) (theo)

Thu 26 December: Stockport (h) (jjamez)

Sun 29 December: Burton (h) (theo)

Wed 1 January: Wigan (a) (Snooty)

Sat 4 January: Rotherham (h) (Snooty)

Tue 7 January: Wycombe (a) (theo)

Tue 7 January: (EFL Cup semi final 1st leg)

Sat 11 January: Shrewsbury (a) or (FA Cup rd 3) (Snooty)

Sat 18 January: Blackpool (a) (jjamez)

Sat 25 January: Bolton (h) (Snooty)

Tue 28 January: Birmingham (h) (Snooty)

Sat 1 February: Northampton (a) (Amelia)

Tue 4 February: (EFL Cup semi final 2nd leg)

Sat 8 February: Reading (h) or (FA Cup rd 4) (theo)

Sat 15 February: Barnsley (a) (Snooty)

Tue 18 February: Shrewsbury (a) (Snooty)

Sat 22 February: Peterborough (h) (jjamez)

Tue 25 February: Wigan (a) (Snooty)

Sat 1 March: Stevenage (a) (Amelia) or (FA Cup rd 5)

Tue 4 March: Wrexham (h) (theo)

Sat 8 March: Bristol Rovers (a) (jjamez)

Sat 15 March: Crawley (h) (theo)

Sun 16 March: (EFL Cup Final)

Sat 29 March: Charlton (a) or (FA Cup quarter final) (theo)

Tue 1 April: Lincoln (a) (Amelia)

Sat 5 April: Mansfield (h) (jjamez)

Tue 8 April: Wycombe (h) (Snooty)

Sat 12 April: Burton (a) (theo)

Sun 13 April: (EFL Trophy Final)

Fri 18 April: Cambridge (h) (Snooty)

Mon 21 April: Stockport (a) (theo)

Sat 26 April: Exeter (a) or (FA Cup semi final) (Snooty)

Sat 3 May: Leyton Orient (h) (Snooty)

Sat 17 May: FA Cup Final

Pick your favourites for the not so cheap train tickets.

The joy first game on a Friday night

The National League has this evening released the following statement regarding Southend United Football Club.
The National League continues to be concerned about Southend United Football Club’s ability to fulfil its financial obligations for the forthcoming National League Season.


The Club has for several months been the subject of a winding up petition (a further hearing of which is scheduled for this week) and, on 20 June 2024, filed its accounts for the year to 31 July 2023 which underscore and amplify the concerns expressed previously by the League.

Accordingly, the National League has today advised Southend United Football Club that as a result of the Club’s failure to provide the League with detailed, objective and independent evidence that the Club has sufficient funds to meet its financial obligations for the forthcoming National League season, and in light of previously-expressed concerns (underscored by the most recently-filed accounts), the Club will be required to post a bond of £1million, which will be held in escrow to the order of the League.

The bond shall remain in place until the sooner of (i) an ownership agreement with the consortium currently in talks with the Club being successfully concluded, to the satisfaction of the National League and the FA; or (ii) the Club demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the National League, that is has sufficient financial resources within its own means to meet its financial obligations for the forthcoming Season.

In the event that the Club fails to post the Bond in accordance with the requirements that have been communicated to the Club, the National League Board will meet again to consider further sanctions against the Club.


The decision is subject to the right of appeal to The Football Association.