It was started by some cross-country skiers who were training in the swaps, during the summer months. The first tournament was held in the Scandinavian country in 1997 with 13 teams. This event has now become a massive football competition with over 200 teams taking part.

The game has now spread to neighbouring Sweden and across the North Sea to Iceland and the UK. Lauren Witherspoon attended this year’s Swamp Soccer UK tournament in Edinburgh and takes up the story.

Swamp soccer teams from England and Russia were last night celebrating in the mud as they won the mixed and men’s world cups.

Tora Oetgen, from Norwich’s Hockering FC was ecstatic after her team won the mixed trophy: “That was the hardest work ever, I mean it’s hard work the whole weekend but that final was probably the toughest game.

“We played swamp soccer last year and that was by far the toughest game we’ve played. I’m knackered. Can’t believe we’ve won it to be honest. Cant believe we’re world champions at something! And wearing dresses!”

Hockering FC suffered a set back on day 1 of the tournament when their goalkeeper dislocated his shoulder and a sub was drafted in at last-minute to play the final matches on Sunday. But the team, who dressed as the Stig and pit crew on Saturday and in dresses on Sunday held on to defeat Motherwell’s Murderwell to lift the trophy.

In the men’s final, Ayrshire team Jyzas Mudslingers were beaten by Penza-Center who traveled 10,000 miles from Russia’s Stavropol region.

Late pulls-outs left them with no subs for the whole competition. Speaking before the final, Captain Raymond Dillon explained: “We have got no subs – we have turned up here with six players – you’re aloud ten! Three boys pulled out on the last week and we couldn’t get anyone else to come up.

“All these other boys have got ten players and you can see that these other boys are taking it serious. I wouldn’t’ say we were taking it serious – we were just here to enjoy it – but we’re taking it serious now we’re in the finals.”

Raymond revealed Jyzas Mudslingers were named after their manager who was due to play last year in Dunoon but suffered a brain hemorrhage meaning he was unable to take part. He explained: “He’s been left partially disabled but he’s still alive to tell the tale and he’s our manager now. And that’s his name, Jaiser.”

While there was a world championship at stake, some teams were just there to take part, including Edinburgh based team Colon Pee who were eliminated on the first day but stuck around to watch the finals.

Colon Pee’s Michael Bates, who had never heard of swamp soccer before this year’s tournament, said it was great fun to play. He said: You get some teams who are just in it for a laugh and some teams who are really competitive. We were just in it for a laugh. As long as you’re facing another team who are, it’s just loads of giggles. Again, obviously they’re the ones that don’t get through!

Asked how he found the swamp conditions to play football in, Michael admitted it was hard work: “It was really deep, I was surprised. When I heard about it I thought it was going to be fairly solid with a wet layer on top but it’s about 12 inches of solid mud.

“So you go in thee up to your shins and just can’t move. Sometimes the ball would just completely disappear. So it was very difficult moving about and kicking the ball about. It was kind of like rugby a lot of the time. Everyone would just kind of lock arms and try and get in on the ball.

“We’re all pretty battered and bruised but we’ve already planned to come next year!”

Director of Swamp Soccer UK, Stewart Miller was pleased with how the weekend had went: “It’s went really smoothly. All the teams have had a good time and the weather was good to us.”

And will Edinburgh see this unique brand of the beautiful game again? “We will have to see what the city of Edinburgh council says – I don’t think they’ll be pleased at us cutting up all their pitches.”

Ipswich fans may not have had much to cheer about of late but that is all about to change. Fans of a certain age will remember a time and a special season in the club’s history when the club chased three trophies but ended up winning one…but what a great achievement it was.

After losing out in the League and the FA cup, Ipswich only had the UEFA cup to go for but go for it they did!

The team of 1981 lead by the manager supreme, the late Sir Bobby Robson went all the way beating AZ Alkmaar over two legs in the final, a final in which Frans scored a goal in each leg to help his side win the trophy.

Those players, the heroes of 1981 were reunited on May 30th, 30 years after they lifted the old trophy at Ipswich Town Hall for a gala reunion to mark their magnificent achievement.

I managed to catch the thoughts of the Dutch midfield master Frans Thijssen, who more than played his part in a magnificent Ipswich achievement that season.

Frans along with his fellow Dutch team-mate Arnold Muhren played their part in making Ipswich Town one of the most attractive, attacking sides to watch in England and in Europe.

SG: Frans, you moved to England in 1979 to sign for Ipswich, what did you know about the club before you came?

FT: “I did not know much about the Ipswich team when I moved to England. In the past I played twice with FC Twente against Ipswich Town for the UEFA cup (in 1973 and 1974). Arnold (Muhren) left Twente for Ipswich in 1978 and he had very good feeling about the club so that made my move a lot easier.”

SG: You obviously made quite an impression as you were voted the Footballer of the Year in 1981, which was quite a season for you and the club?

FT:“Yes we had a very strong team with national team players from England, Holland and Scotland (George Burley, Alan Brazil and John Wark) The balance in the team was very good and we had quality in every line. We played more football than most English teams and that suited my game as technical player.”

“Yes 1981 was very special for me and winning the footballer of the year award was a great moment.”

SG: Did you feel the club was going to end up as runners-up in three tournaments as you lost out in the FA Cup semi-final where second in the league and made the final of the UEFA Cup?

FT: “Yes losing in the semi final of the FA Cup was a great disappointment for me. Going to Wembley was a dream for every player. Our problem was that our group was very small. We had injuries at the end of that season and Ipswich could not replace these players.”

SG: Did you use the heart-break of the other competitions to give you the push you needed to lift the UEFA Cup?

FT: “That was our last chance to win a big price. A special game for Arnold and me because we played against the champions of Holland and we knew they had some very good players in the team”

SG: You scored in both legs of the final but did you feel any nerves as AZ 67 mounted a comeback in the second leg?

FT: “I remember that I had just recovered from a hamstring injury and scoring in both games was a great feeling.”

“After the first leg we felt very optimistic but the second leg was not easy. They made it very difficult for us and I was very happy to hear the final whistle.”

SG: How did it feel to eventually win the trophy?

FT: “After the disappointments in that year it was great to win the UEFA Cup in our own country.”

SG: What were the celebrations like after the match and when you got back home?

FT: “Coming home to Ipswich the next day and the celebrations with all the supporters was an unforgettable moment in my career.”

SG: Was this more a sense of relief that you had managed to eventually win something is this amazing season?

FT: “Yes everybody was very relieved after the game. Having a great season with so many good players and in the end the UEFA cup”

SG: They say that it is always harder to hold on to your trophy after you have won it, was it a shock when Aberdeen knocked you out the following season?

FT: “It is always disappointing to go out of the competition you won the year before. After a draw at home we lost 3-1 in Aberdeen.”

SG: Did you know much about the Scottish club before you played them?

FT: “When you live in England you see more Scottish football but Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen were big names in Europe and they had a big manager who is still winning matches and trophies.”

SG: Do you think because you were favourites, you underestimated them in any way?

FT: “It’s a long time ago but I don’t think that was the case.”

SG: Was that match more physical than most of the games you had played in the English League?

FT: “No the style of football was similar. We had more problems coming from Holland to England. Especially in the beginning from building up from defence like we used to in Holland to the long ball game.”

SG: You finished second in the league the following season but the club never quite lived up to their ’81 reputation and you left for Nottingham Forest, did you enjoy your time at Ipswich?

FT: After that period players were leaving the club and in 1983 I had an offer to play for Vancouver Whitecaps in the American League. In the winter period I went for 6 months on loan to Nottingham Forest. Ipswich will always be special for me because of the success I had in England and the warm feeling from the people and the supporters.

SG: Signing for Forest meant that you had played for two of the best managers that England had ever produced in Sir Bobby Robson and Brian Clough, how were these two managers to play for?

FT: “Bobby Robson looked after us very well. We felt at home from the beginning, he was the first manager who brought players from abroad into English football. The relationship was very good between the players and the manager. He was the boss but every player wanted to give something extra for him.”

“Brian Clough was totally different, he had a totally different character. Players were more afraid of him!”

SG: You went on to manage and coach yourself, how did you enjoy this?

FT: “I worked as head coach in Holland and Sweden and worked 7 years as coach in The Middle East. It was a good experience and I enjoyed my time as coach but as player you have more influence on the game and more enjoyment.”

SG: Was it easy for you having Arnold in the Ipswich side with you also?

FT: “Arnold was a great help for me in the beginning. Having two Dutch players in the midfield made it easier to change the style from long ball to the position game.”

SG: Do you still keep an eye on the Ipswich results?

FT: “Yes I follow the Ipswich results every weekend. The last years are disappointing. The end of May I’ll be back in Ipswich because of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the club winning the UEFA Cup. I look forward to seeing my English and Scottish team-mates back again.”

SG: Can you see the differences in coaching and playing now compared to your days?

FT: “Yes things are changing in life. We did not have computers when we were young. Technical players are still the players who make the difference. That will always be the same but the level is gone down. Here in Holland it’s good to see my club FC Twente closed the gap in the last years with Ajax and PSV.”

SG: Do you think that more could be done at grassroots level in the UK to help develop young players?

FT: “It’s very important to work with young players to develop their skills. In my club FC Twente we have the same idea about this. My job here is coach from the under 23 team and technique trainer for the younger teams.”

SG: What made you become interested in tying up with Stranraer FC?

FT: “The club asked me if I was interested to go with them. I heard about the contacts between supporters here and in Stranraer FC. Look forward to have a good time and a few beers in Scotland.”

SG: Would you consider running a coaching clinic and youth tournament for other Scottish clubs if they asked?

FT: “I work now for FC Twente but in football you never know.”

SG: What do you make of the game in Scotland at present?

FT: “Celtic and Rangers are the big names in Scottish Football. Money will always make the difference in football. We have the same problem. We will always lose players to the big leagues in England, Italy and Spain.”

SG: The Ipswich team you played in not only had great individuals throughout the side but also had a great manager in the late and great Sir Bobby Robson, can you sum up what he meant to you during your Ipswich career?

FT: “Bobby Robson was a father figure for Arnold and me. He was always helpful and interested. He made us feel very welcome and was very important for my career.”

Celtic blew the chance to go top of the SPL and have handed the title back into the hands of their rivals Rangers, with three games remaining. Despite all their hard work in the past few months, Celtic undone it all against Inverness Caley. Credit to Inverness though, they deserved the victory and should have won by a far bigger margin.

Celtic knew that if they had won tonight’s game against Inverness, that they would regain top spot in the SPL. However they did not start as many had predicted, when an Adam Rooney flick deflected off Charlie Mulgrew for the opening goal after just seven minutes.

Just over a minute later and Celtic equalised through Kris Commons with a superb swerving shot. But Grant Munro, who was told this week that he was surplus to requirements at Inverness, restored Caley’s lead in the 53rd minute. Shane Sutherland extended Caley’s lead nine minutes later before Commons pulled one back from the penalty spot in injury time, after Shaun Maloney had been brought down in the box by Ross Tokely. And with seconds remaining Paddy McCourt went down in the box, claiming for a penalty, however referee Iain Brines turned down the claims as Inverness held on for a well deserved victory that now hands the fate of the SPL title in Rangers’ favour.

Inverness ignored this week’s news that ten of their players would be handed their P45s, and started the game with renewed vigour and a point to prove, and took the lead after just seven minutes.

Sutherland got to the byline and fired the ball across goal towards the six yard box, where Rooney flicked the ball of Mulgrew and past Fraser Forster. The lead lasted just over a minute when a superb strike from Kris Commons equalised for the visitors.

Commons turned Tokely before running towards goal and firing a left footed shot and swerve past Ryan Esson in the Caley goal. But straight from the kick off Caley could have taken the lead again when Rooney broke into the Celtic box, but saw his shot blocked by Forster’s legs.

Terry Butcher’s side claimed for a penalty after 50 minutes when Nick Ross went down under the challenge of Charlie Mulgrew, but referee Iain Brines waved away the protests.

But three minutes it was Caley celebrating once more when a superb strike from Munro gave them a deserved lead. Aaron Doran swung in a corner, but it was only headed as far as Munro, who took a touch before unleashing a curling half-volley past Forster.

Neil Lennon hooked Stokes soon after replacing him with Daryl Murphy, but the striker picked up a head knock, and while he was receiving treatment Inverness increased their lead just after the hour mark. Lee Cox sent the ball into the box where Sutherland was waiting to smash a left footed volley in off the far post, with Forster rooted to the spot.

Forster then came to the rescue once again for Celtic, saving first from Rooney who was one-on-one with the keeper, and then stopping a fierce shot from Ross.

With the minutes ticking away, and with it Celtic’s title credentials, Celtic pushed forward-looking for a goal and it came too little too late in the third minute of extra time from the penalty spot. Ross Tokely was adjudged to have brought down Shaun Maloney in the box, and Kris Commons fired it into the bottom corner.

And then a minute later, Celtic were claiming for a second penalty after substitute Paddy McCourt took tumbled in the box, but the referee waved the protests away, and rightly so, as Inverness held on to win all three points and to hand the destiny of the SPL title back in favour of Rangers.

While Celtic were poor throughout the game, you cannot ignore Caley’s performance for the full 90 minutes. They were the better side on the night and wanted the win more. Their performance did not justify their bottom six status, but as with many teams in the league, sometimes they just play that little bit better against the Old Firm.

As for Celtic, they must hope that Rangers drop points in the last three of their games, while having to secure three wins of their own, on tonight’s showing that is nigh on impossible. And the night continued to get worse for Celtic as Beram Kayal was stretchered off with a suspected broken wrist and concussion.

Outgoing Rangers manager Walter Smith could now secure his third title in a row for Rangers and a double, with many seeing tonight’s result as Celtic choking when it counts once again.

Rangers fans have once again vowed to weed out the bigots who continue to tarnish the club’s image with sectarian and racist chants. On 1st May a meeting took place with the club’s Supporters groups that represents tens of thousands of Rangers fans, pledging to take action after holding talks with Official Fan Liason boss Jim Hannah.

It comes only weeks after Rangers were punished for sectarian singing by their fans by UEFA.The punishment will see Rangers fans banned from the club’s next away game, fined £35,500 and further suspended punishments.

A Group statement read:

“There was a meeting held at Ibrox of over 150 supporters representing over 80 Rangers Supporters Clubs from all over the world, plus board members of The Rangers Assembly, The Rangers Supporters Trust, and The Rangers Supporters Association, and also representatives of The Blue Order, several fans forums, and the Rangers fans liaison officer Jim Hannah.

There were discussions regarding the sectarian singing problem amongst a minority of supporters at our games and how we can try to eradicate this by more stringent self-policing and making the offending supporters know that this is unacceptable at our club, and that we want to promote a more positive image and atmosphere at our matches.

It was agreed that any songs with references to Sectarian chanting as outlined by the Police and the Courts must go now and remain gone. We accepted that there is still a problem amongst a minority of our support, and while we are certainly not the only club with an offensive singing problem, we are the only ones being highlighted at present and whilst we need to clean up our own act we insist all supports must be treated the same.

It was also discussed and agreed that we need to be far more resourceful in presenting a fairer portrayal of Rangers and Rangers fans in the media, and while it is clear that there is an agenda against us and us alone, but we have not done anything about it for far too long. To this regard we have already had meetings with prominent officials from Strathclyde Police and experts in professional fields relevant to us to assist us with our intentions to create a more level playing field within the law for Rangers supporters. The time for this sleeping giant of a support to sit idly by while our enemies politicise everything we do without fear of being challenged or reciprocal action being taken is over.

The message from the representatives at the meeting was unanimously supportive, and we are confident that these messages can be taken back to the Supporters Clubs worldwide, and amongst the Supporters groups and forums, and that we can unite as one to try to eradicate the minority who persist in sectarian and offensive singing, but also challenge and expect all other club’s supporters to do the same, and we will ask the Police and the Procurator Fiscal to be vigilant with Sectarian and offensive singing from all clubs to help us to help them create an atmosphere and society where we can all freely enjoy going to the football without prejudice.”

It is a noble idea for fans to self-police themselves – if it works. Sadly we have heard the phrase self-policing from Rangers all too often and sectarianism is still clearly evident in the stands each week.

In 2007, then president of the Rangers supporters assembly, Jim Templeton said, “We had a very constructive meeting with the club [& Sir David Murray] and we are united in our desire to eradicate offensive behaviour. All the supporters’ groups involved agreed to increase our self-policing drive, which achieved significant success towards the end of last season. We are unanimous in our belief that self-policing is the way forward and acknowledge that the club can only do so much – the rest is up to the fans.”

Association General Secretary John McMillan said at the time, “We had a good meeting yesterday and the message has been sent back to our branches throughout the country. On behalf of the RSA I’d appeal to all fans to recognise the seriousness of the situation. Decent Rangers fans could miss out on seeing the team if there are bans on away allocations. There could also be serious implications for the club in terms of SPL points being deducted, or UEFA closing parts of the stadium. We have rules and we act if members fall out of line. But this has to come from within the support. We need, as the chairman has said, to start self-policing. If fans see people misbehaving, then take the seat number and report them to Rangers. We will vigorously go after this problem which is shaming Rangers. It can’t go on.”

Both McMillan and Templeton talked a great story, however the reality was and still is quite different, as sectarianism is still a scourge of the Scottish game. And the LATEST self-policing initiative from the Rangers fans comes after the club’s FIFTH punishment by UEFA. If Self-Policing was a successful tool in which to weed out the bigots and racists, why did it not work out first, second or third time round?

In March 2007, the same groups as this week, aimed to ‘isolate and shame’ those who were ‘bringing the club into serious disrepute’. That move four years ago, followed claims of sectarian singing at their match against Osasuna in the UEFA Cup. Likewise this week’s announcement follows the club being punished by UEFA for further sectarian singing in their Europa League games against PSV Eindhoven both at Ibrox and in Eindhoven.

Since Policies and Procedures were introduced by the SPL in 2007, in relation to ‘unacceptable conduct’, no club has been seriously penalised by Scottish football authorities. Rangers were

The new legislation gave the SPL power to dish out warnings and fines and to even dock league points from clubs whose supporters breached the rules. Rangers immediately got in hot water when sectarian chants were belted out at their opening game of the 2008 season at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. They were given their final FINAL warning then by the SPL, and despite continued sectarian singing, as well as match delegates reporting further singing over the years – including 12 reports of sectarian singing this year alone – NO action has been taken.

Three years on, the same policies and punishments are still in place, the songs and chants are the same, but with a few more additions, and the SPL still fail to take action – why is that? It has been reported that some within the SPL believe that the clubs don’t necessarily deserve punishment just because fans disgrace their name.

Both Rangers and Celtic have mounted ongoing and visible campaigns through advertising, messages in match programmes, magazines and on the giant screens. Fans are warned about unacceptable behaviour. Some clubs and fans alike would see the perpetrators dragged out of the stands by stewards and police, but the wading in could ignite unrest in the stands and the Police Match Commanders opinions are to leave it alone, that order is maintained. And the clubs assist and comply with all police investigations into any incidents and take the appropriate action, whether that means imposing stadium bans, removing season tickets, or helping secure criminal convictions.

On top of that the media have a duty also to out the perpetrators and to report on the singing and chanting. Sadly the majority of the mainstream media fail to report such issues time and again, and its only a handful of journalists who do so.

If ridding Scotland of Sectarianism was a paramount objective of all within the Scottish game, then not only must the governing bodies take action, but so must the media.

At Scotzine we have attacked Rangers fans for singing such songs as The Billy Boys, The Famine Song and the Big Jock Knew song, not to mention the add-ons. Likewise we have condemned the continued singing of Pro-IRA songs by Celtic fans, along with the add-ons they belt out also. However this has seen us attacked by both sides of the divide and this is the same for anyone else who speaks out, including fellow fans.

That is why Self-Policing in my eyes is no longer a viable option to use to tackle sectarianism and racism. The fans have failed to deal with it, therefore it is now time for the clubs, the police, the governing bodies to take action.

In November 2006, a Scottish Government Official Publication, ‘Fan Consultation on Sectarianism within Scottish Football’ stated that:

The supporters of Rangers are the only group which feel that sectarianism is not a major problem in contemporary Scottish football. They argue that the situation – has been getting steadily better over the last few years and is nowhere near as bad as it is painted. In any case, they argue that much of what gets labelled as ‘sectarianism’ is rather to do with football fans ‘winding up’ the opposition.

While supporters of Celtic agree that sectarianism is a major problem but see it as much more widespread than most other supporters. They are keen to stress the historical context in which Celtic came to be formed as a club, and the history of discrimination against Irish Catholics in the past and, possibly, into the present. Celtic supporters believe they are the recipients of the sectarian sentiments and sectarian actions of fans from most of the other major clubs in Scotland.

It is also stated, “The Scottish Executive and the Scottish Football Association hold meetings with editors and sports editors of the major media companies in Scotland to discuss: The importance of the media reporting accurately and clearly on any future displays of sectarianism within Scottish football. The dangers of adding a ‘sectarian gloss’ to stories where such an emphasis is unjustified by the facts of the event. The dangers inherent in routine expression of sectarianism in humour, attributions of allegiance, and the like. The Scottish Executive commissions a consultation with the editors and main contributors to the major football fanzines in Scotland, so as to establish their views on the routine expression of sectarian sentiments, epithets and humour in these significant sub-cultural outlets.”

And here is the problem – forums, fanzines and certain fan groups.

Forums such as the Vanguard Bears and Follow Follow breed new generations of bigots and are free to do so, with the clubs and Police doing little to combat online sectarianism and racism. And likewise the administrator of Follow Follow produces a fanzine of the same name, which was banned itself from Rangers for its sectarian content.

That same administrator Mark Dingwall, is a key board member of the Rangers Supporters Trust, one of the groups that have taken part in numerous fans discussions to peddle the self-policing message.

One issue proving that the fans should no longer hold the key to stamping out sectarianism and racism, surrounds the singing of the Famine Song. The Rangers Supporters Trust, fronted by Stephen Smith, said the reaction to fans singing The Famine Song was completely over the top.

He stated, “The reaction from Rangers to baseless accusations of ‘racism’ is disappointing, but the Rangers support absolutely rejects this – along with the sectarian political agenda and deliberate misinformation behind it. Racism is not a wind-up, even one in very poor taste, aimed at Scots Celtic fans whose ‘affiliation’ with Ireland amounts to vocal support for the IRA and songs about killing. The RST’s opposition to racism and sectarianism is unequivocal.

“We were closely involved in the recent ‘self-policing’ initiative, have close links with the Scots-Asian community and support the many positive aspects of the club’s identity and tradition which welcomes those of all faiths and none. Scottish football and Scots society has been transformed in the last 30 years: football violence is insignificant compared to the 70s. Ibrox is a safe place to watch football and comparing Glasgow to Belfast is a sick joke.”

However the Law Courts of Scotland disagreed with the RST, as they convicted one Rangers fan William Walls of singing The Famine Song at a Rangers match against Kilmarnock. Even the man, who himself was kicked out of Rangers for singing a sectarian song, Donald Findlay QC failed to win an appeal against the conviction as he tried to claim that if The Famine Song was racist then so was Flower of Scotland.

If one of the major Supporters Group’s tasked with implementing self-policing backs the singing of such songs, it proves that self-policing will never work. And even more so when such forums and fanzines as Follow Follow and Vanguard Bears are part of the discussions also, when both have clear sectarian agendas.

The recent Old Firm summit was further evidence of the authorities claiming they wanted to do something about the problems, but do more talking than taking action. With myself stating that the summit was more to do with political vote winning by the Scottish Government and the Police trying to pin societies problems on the Old Firm game.

And after the League Cup Final, when Kenny MacAskill praised both sets of supporters for their behaviour, he was attacked in some quarters for blatantly ignoring the sectarian singing of the Rangers supporters, which was mentioned also by The Times columnist Graham Speirs at some length. Likewise the Police failed to carry out what they had promised to do, if they heard sectarian singing. Over 20,000 fans singing sectarian songs cannot be missed, yet the majority of the mainstream media failed to report it and the authorities failed to recognise it and condemn it also. Again questions must be asked why?

In society, it is not the citizen who dictates the laws, yet Football seems to be a law onto itself with the fans having the power to police themselves. As the phrase goes, it is a bit like turkeys voting for Christmas.

So while the noble gesture of the fans taking action against fellow fans is great, in reality it won’t work as long as the fans continue to point the blame at someone else rather than the real perpetrators. Just look at the recent goings on with Rangers, FARE and UEFA. The fans singing the sectarian songs were not the ones receiving the most abuse from fans and the club alike, but it was FARE – an organisation tasked with stamping out Racism – who received abuse because of certain members alleged links with Celtic or Journalists who the Rangers fans perceive as anti-Rangers. It was even more hypocritical when fans of Rangers Forums began posting personal details, phone numbers of those they believed were responsible from within FARE, not to mention racist and sectarian abuse being posted.

That is why Self-Policing must be binned and a proactive and hardened task force made up from the government, media, clubs and the police take over and take those who perpetrate such sectarian and racist behaviour to task.

It’s Terrace time again folks; welcome aboard. On this week’s show we will have a look at the path of destruction left in the wake of Celtic and Rangers as they drive towards the SPL title finishing line – and woe betide anyone who gets in their way.

Hearts have become the draw specialists, St. Johnstone finally scored (twice!), Hamilton have the tiniest fragment of hope of SPL survival – and we pay tribute to the late, great Eddie Turnbull.

In the lower league we pay tribute to champions Dunfermline and look ahead to the final day of the SFL season, in which there is still a hell of a lot to play for. Particularly interesting if you are an East Fife, Brechin, Stenhousemuir, Alloa, Queen’s Park or Stranraer fan.

We’ll look ahead to the next six day’s football action in the top flight, including tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) 6PM showdown between Inverness and Celtic, which could see the Hoops’ go top of the pile in the SPL.

There’s the return of Punt of the Week and we’ve got a Northern Irish Where are they Now? and Craig even does some rapping. Get wired in and enjoy.

As ever Email us on theterrace@scotzine.com or Follow us on Twitter at @terracepodcast

His career as a footballer, started with Linwood Rangers Boys Club and his subsequent years were laden with silverware. From his fresh-faced days at St.Mirren as a 17-year-old – where he helped the Buddies defeat Dundee United 1-0 in the 1987 Scottish Cup Final – to Motherwell before making a surprise move to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund. Lambert was an integral part of the Dortmund side that won the 1997 Champions League Final against Juventus, where he stifled the threat of one Zinedine Zidane, setting up the opening goal by Karl-Heinze Riedle and became the first British player to win the Champions League with a non-UK club.

After little over a year at Dortmund, where he played 44 times scoring just once, Lambert was signed by Celtic for £2 million, certainly a small fee for a Champions League winner, and he proved to be an integral part of the Celtic team. In his first season under the guidance of Dutchman Wim Jansen, Celtic stopped rivals Rangers from winning ten-in-a-row. A moment in his career that the boy from Paisley said was his Greatest Achievement as a player.

“It has to be stopping 10-in-a-row,” he said. “The pressure was hugely intense,that is what made winning the league very special. Everybody was talking about 10-in-a-row. We all knew that we could not be the Celtic team that allowed Rangers to win 10 consecutive titles. That would have been etched in Celtic’s history. Out of all the cups and all the leagues, that title win is simply very special. I do not say that to annoy Rangers fans, I just say it because I have never felt so relieved in football as I did when that championship was won.”

During his time at Parkhead 1997-2005, Lambert won four Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish Cups, two Scottish League Cups and captained Martin O’Neill’s side that reached the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville, only to lose to Porto managed by Jose Mourinho. A Porto side that would the following year go on to win the Champions League.

At international level he played 40 times for Scotland, scoring just once, the highlight of his time with Scotland must be playing Brazil in the 1998 World Cup Final opening game, where Craig Brown’s men lost 2-1.

When he left Celtic in 2005, his time as a professional footballer was near the end and he knew it himself. But he had planned ahead.

As a player Lambert was never a controversial player unlike some of his team mates, he was a perfect example of how far dedication and hard work could take you. And it was this dedication he took into his new career as a Football Manager.

Ditching the preferred option of many a Scottish Footballer, who would go to Largs to do their coaching badges with the SFA, Lambert returned to Germany to take his coaching badges.

However he had one last stint as a player in a role he combined with manager at Livingston. After Richard Gough resigned at the end of Season 2004-2005, Paul Lambert took on his first managerial role on the 1st June 2005. He played seven more games as a player before hanging up his boots for good.

His time at Livingston was a learning curve, but it was a harsh reality of what Football Management was all about, an experience he would take with him all the way to Norwich.

Lambert spent little over 8 months at the Almondvale club, winning just four games out of 32 games in all competitions. The 7-0 defeat to Hibernian on the 8th February 2006 was the final straw for the Livi board and after the subsequent 1-0 defeat at home to Dunfermline, Lambert resigned as manager. He was replaced by Hearts legend John Robertson, but Livi were relegated in May 2006 to the First Division.

He was out of work for only a few months when Wycombe Wanderers came calling in June 2006, leading the team to the League Cup Semi Finals, defeating Premier League sides Fulham and Charlton Athletic on the way. In the Semi Final Wycombe faced Chelsea where they held the Stamford Bridge side to a 1-1 draw at Adams Park before losing the away leg.

Two years later he resigned as Wycombe manager in May 2008 following defeat in the League Two play-offs against Stockport County. And replaced Geraint Williams as Colchester United manager in October 2008. Just under a year later he left Colchester, days after defeating Norwich City 7-1, to take up the role of the manager’s job, replacing Bryan Gunn who was sacked after the 7-1 defeat.

The controversial manner in which Lambert left Colchester to join Norwich, cost City £425,000 in compensation along with a fine of £75,000 and a further sum of £125,000 suspended for two years. However Norwich’s desire to secure Lambert’s services were paid back in full, when he guided the East Anglian side to the League One title and promotion to the Championship in April 2010.

This season Lambert has led Norwich to the promised land of the English Premier League as runners-up to QPR in the Championship. However if QPR are handed a points deduction for the alleged existence of an agreement between QPR and a third-party in respect to Alejandro Faurlin’s economic rights, Norwich cold ultimately be handed the Championship title along with the already secured automatic promotion to the English Premier League.

It is an amazing feat for Lambert and Norwich who at the start of the season were labelled as one of those club’s destined to battle against relegation. Very few envisaged that the club would attain promotion to the Premier League, but after 45 games Lambert and the Canaries are now looking towards next season and playing against the big boys. Where he will face fellow Scots, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes amongst others.

Lambert said after gaining promotion, “It’s a miracle. The two years that me, Ian and Gary have been here and even Jeff Wood they have been incredible. When we joined we could never have visualised what was going. What has been achieved by the players, by that group of lads has been monumental. I don’t think you can get a word to describe what has been achieved. It’s absolutely incredible what has happened here. Just to stay in the Championship would have been a great achievement but to actually go up beggars belief.”

May 2nd, may just be the greatest day in Paul Lambert’s career as manager to date, however the 41-year-old has plenty years ahead of him as a manager, whether it is with Norwich or as some have pointed out a future Celtic manager.

Next year will be the toughest test Lambert has faced as manager and it will take every ounce of his managerial ability to keep Norwich in the Premier League, but he certainly won’t be lacking in the hard work and dedication department.

Lambert told BBC Radio Norfolk, “We aren’t going to compete with the money there, the Manchester Uniteds and that, you have to try to think of another way you can stay in the league.”

He added, “Time will tell, we’ve got a rough idea of what we want to do, I spoke with Ian [Culverhouse, assistant manager] and Gary [Karsa, coach] on Monday night and we’ll do everything we can.”

He will just hope that Delia won’t take to the field during half time and shout, “A message for the best football supporters in the world: we need a 12th man here. Where are you? Where are you? Let’s be ‘avin’ you! Come on!”

From his days at Linwood Rangers Boys Club to the heights of lifting the Champions League to the haul of silverware at Celtic, a failed rookie manager at Livingston to the English Premier League, it has been a whirlwind football career for Paul Lambert, but there is certainly more to come from this Buddie.

Dunfermline will be playing SPL football next season after clinching the First Division title with a 2-0 win over Morton at Cappielow.

Goals from Steven McDougall and David Graham sealed the return to the top flight for Jim McIntyre’s side with a game to spare.

It will be the first time since Season 2006/07 that the Pars have played in the SPL and will look to beat the tag that accompanies every promoted First Division side, that they are destined for the drop almost immediately.

Dunfermline will lift the Championship trophy on the final day of the season when they play host to Falkirk.

Manager Jim McIntyre said, “It is a great feeling to get over the line and that’s what we’ve been striving for all season. We have done it with some style.”

And Director of football Jim Leishman added, “Jim deserves a lot of credit. He’s a young manager with his first club and this is for all the hard work he’s put in.”

After Dunfermline’s second goal of the game, the Pars fans invaded the pitch. And again they invaded the pitch at the final whistle despite Police and Stewards in attendance.

Weir’s Number 3 jersey was prepared by kit man Jimmy Bell, and read, ‘Congratulations William and Catherine, 29th April 2011′.

However the message is technically in breach of FIFA regulations, which prevent players from making religious, political or personal statements.

Manager Walter Smith claimed that he had no knowledge of his captain’s tribute to the Royal Wedding, while it was also reported that Weir was also unaware of the tribute until just before kick off.

Smith said, “I didn’t know it was there. Sorry, I can’t enlighten you at all. It must have been the kit man.”

Rangers were recently criticised by Matt Dickinson, Chief Sports Correspondent of The Times, over permission given to the Rangers Supporters Assembly to place a small Union Jack flag on every seat in the home end before the seventh and final Old Firm derby of the season.

Dickinson stated, “I rang Rangers yesterday to ask why, exactly? The Union Jack is not an official symbol of Rangers FC. It is not part of the club badge, not on the shirt. It is not to be found on any page of the Rangers website. A shirty spokesman, dismissing the inquiry as a nonsense, said that it was the flag of his country and the British Isles. But there are dozens of British clubs and none of the others ever hand out Union Jacks.”

Dickinson is right in the respect that no other club has dished out Union Jacks to their fans for a display – so why Rangers?

He continued, “If Rangers wanted to give the team a show of support, why not simply hand out regular club flags and scarves? Why endorse a provocative symbol of tribalism, on the very day when both clubs were meant to be going out of their way to calm their fans?”

Dickinson claimed that the Union Jack, “has been hijacked as a sign of lasting enmity, of division, entrenching the idea that one club, for now and evermore, will represent the Protestant sector of Glasgow and the other the Catholic. One club handing out Union Jacks cannot possibly take us any closer to the day, however far away it may be, when Rangers against Celtic becomes a “normal” sporting rivalry, defined by geography, not historical or religious baggage.”

He finished his article with, “Rangers will insist that they do plenty [to weed out Sectarianism], but that has not been the impression given in the past 48 hours, on or off the record. They should pay more attention to their manager, the wise Walter Smith, who talked last week of how the sectarian problem had been tolerated for too long, and his relief that he was retiring. ‘To be quite honest with you, I’m quite glad to be getting out of it,’ Smith said, which was a terribly sad admission from a man steeped in Rangers since he was a lad. So that is one manager driven away and another who might have been killed. And a stupid club who think there is nothing odd, amid all this trouble, in handing out 40,000 Union Jacks.”

So after bathing in the Britishness of 40,000 fans waving mini Union Jacks during their game against Celtic, kit man Jimmy Bell took the club’s Britishness to an all new high with his commemorative message to the newly weds. No other club or individual donned such a message on their kit so why Rangers? Will they do the same for the next Royal wedding between the Queen’s Grand daughter Zara Phillips and England rugby player Mike Tindall on July 30th? I doubt it very much.

The whole mini flag waving and special tribute message reeks of the club trying to prove how British they are, and how much more they are than others. If they wanted to prove how British they are, maybe the club led by Sir David Murray, could have paid their BRITISH taxes, like everyone else does whether we see ourselves as British, Scottish, English, Welsh or Irish. Maybe then they could bleat on about how BRITISH they are, but currently the whole stunt just looks hypocritical.

While the Quintessential British Club supporters are waving flags costing 20p each, and the kit man is embroidering just the one shirt, the club continues to fight against Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, who claim that the club owe around £25 million in back taxes – not including fines and interest that could be accrued also. Taxes that could have been used to pay for Flak Jackets and equipment for those soldiers they continue to peddle out onto the centre circle at Ibrox to celebrate and worship. £25 million could have bought 500,000 flak jackets [body armour] or paid towards a couple of those fancy armoured personnel carriers, rather than player’s bank accounts. But hey the soldiers get a free ticket to a game that makes up for it all right?

I doubt that any action will be taken against David Weir or Rangers over the embroidered shirt, however given that Tamir Cohen was booked for taking his top off to reveal a tribute to his father Avi Cohen, who died in December after a motorcycle accident, after scoring the winner against Arsenal. Mike Jones the referee who booked Cohen reportedly apologised to player after the match, but by the letter of the law he was correct to do so, a law that many including myself think is idiotic.

By the letter of the law, and without any official permission to do so from the SPL or the SFA, the continued ‘Britishness’ publicity stunt should be punished accordingly. Whether it is the club, David Weir or Jimmy Bell the kit man punished for it. Otherwise ALL messages printed on kit, t-shirts by Scottish clubs and players should not be punished accordingly.

Or was it the last desperate act of Martin Bain and Rangers to try to dodge paying the tax bill? Maybe I could get my shirt embroidered also, it would save me paying Council Tax this year.

Legendary Scottish Footballer Eddie Turnbull has passed away. During the 1950s he was one of the Famous Five, the noted forward line of Hibernian, along with Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly and Willie Ormond.

During his time with the Easter Road club he won three League titles. He was manager of Aberdeen between 1965 and 1971, winning the 1970 Scottish Cup and finishing second in the league in 1971. He returned to Hibs as manager, winning the Scottish League Cup in 1972, and led the club to their most famous victory, a 7–0 win over their rivals Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle Stadium on 1 January 1973.

Hibs published a statement on their official website, “It is with deep sorrow that the Club announces that Hibernian Legend Eddie Turnbull passed away peacefully this afternoon aged 88. The Turnbull family asked the Club, which was a major part of Eddie’s life, to make this announcement and also a plea for his immediate family to have some time to mourn the passing of a husband, brother, father, grandfather. Further details will be provided in due course.”

Club Chairman Rod Petrie said, “We are all deeply saddened by the news of Eddie’s passing. As a player, trainer, coach and manager of the Club there is no-one who has made a greater contribution to the club over many years. The Club will wish to acknowledge more formally his contribution at the appropriate time in consultation with his family.”

And Aberdeen manager Craig Brown paid tribute also to Turnbull.

“I shared hours in Eddie’s company. And it was a great pleasure to be in his company because he spoke football better than anyone at that time. I first met Eddie on the coaching staff at Largs when he was the top coach in the country at the time. He was hugely respected by everyone. All the coaches from my era worked with him. Archie, Walter Smith, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jim McLean, myself.

“Everyone who attended those courses used to hang on his every word because he was so knowledgeable. It was a joy to watch him at work. I cannot praise him highly enough as a coach and as a manager. It is a very sad passing for his family and Scottish football.”

Celtic secured the League and Cup double with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Rangers at Hampden Park, which went into Extra Time. Greig Spence opened the scoring for Celtic after 70 minutes, before an equaliser three minutes from time by Rhys McCabe gave Rangers hope as the game went into extra time. And when it looked like the match would be destined for penalties, substitute Liam Gormley struck from 25 yards out with 10 minutes remaining to ensure that Stevie Frail’s side secured back to back Youth Cup Final wins.

[singlepic id=1137 w=320 h=240 float=left]Celtic began the game with an attacking formation, while Rangers reverted to using a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation. Rangers carved out the first real chance of the game. Gordon Dick picked out Kane Hemmings with a nice through ball, but the Englishman’s shot was weak and it rolled past the post.

Celtic dominated possession, but they rarely threatened Inglis’ in the Rangers goal, but came out hungry in the second half. Good work down the right from Stephen O’Donnell almost produced the opening goal, but his cross went across the face of goal.

Frail was utilising his full backs well as they were getting forward more and more into the game, with great effect. Left back Kieran Brennan struck a fierce ball that hit the crossbar, but it was a prelude of things to come as Patrik Twardzik hit the crossbar also, before O’Donnell found space on the edge of the box to lay the ball off to Spence, who turned his man and chipped the ball over Inglis from 12 yards out.

Losing a goal, fired Rangers up and Naismith forced Feely in the Celtic goal to make a superb finger tip save. And when it looked as though Celtic had done the job, McCabe scored the equaliser with three minutes remaining. A Kyle McAusland punt up field found Chris Hegarty who headed the ball into the box for McCabe to head past Feely and send the game into extra time.

With the first half of Extra Time saying barely a chance on goal, Stevie Frail sent on substitute Liam Gormley to try to snatch a late winner and he duly delivered. The substitute had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds when, with his first touch he scored the winner. Gormley picked the ball up 25 yards out before he sent a looping strike over Inglis and into the back of the net.

[singlepic id=1172 w=320 h=240 float=left]And with a couple of minutes remaining, it looked like Rangers had scored another equaliser against the run of play. But as Chris Hegarty celebrated, the flag went up for offside much to the delight of Celtic, and to the anguish of Rangers.

By the time the Full Time whistle had gone, the Rangers fans were already making their way out as their players crashed to the deck in despair at seeing them lose their third Youth Cup Final in a row. For Celtic however the celebrations could start and after they collected the trophy and went on a mini lap of honour the party continued in the changing rooms, with many a Celtic song being sung with much gusto, as Billy Kirkwood was being interviewed by the press next door.

Post Match Press Conference

Celtic Under 19 Coach Stevie Frail: frail.wav

Rangers Under 19 Coach Billy Kirkwood: kirkwood1.wav

Match Information

Scottish FA Youth Cup Final
Celtic 2-1 Rangers (AET)
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Hampden Park

Goalscorers: Spence 71, Gormley 110; McCabe 87

Team Line-ups

Celtic: Feely, Toshney, Brennan, Hughes, O’Donnell, Bagshaw, Irvine, P. Twardzik (Gormley), Spence (Atajic), F. Twardzik, McGregor
Unused subs: Thomson, Fraser, Feruz.

Rangers: Inglis, McAusland, McIntyre, Cole, Hegarty, Hunter, Fotheringham (Crawford), Dick (McNeil), Hemmings (Mitchell), McCabe, Naismith.
Unused subs: Mitchell, Wiktorski, Drummond.

Attendance: 9427