Morton Loses…But Named Champions Anyway!


My people – my pale, pale people.

It is all coming together. For those in the pool, the answer is 6(a). See, the Morton lost today but so did Stirling. So that leaves Morton top of the league with two games to go. Automatic promotion. Respect: Stirling’s the town where I learned about ska in 1980 at Dad’s pal’s house (aka “me auntie’s”) care of Dad’s pal’s late teen daughter (aka “me auntie’s kid”) and that Specials 7 inch ep she controlled. And Stirling was the scene of “the epic bender” in 1986. Entered a pub and the bartender shouts “yes, the Canadians are going for it!” Entered the next pub and there is the shorter guy hitchhiking out of town at the end of Gregory’s Girl. I also realized Scots kids tucked in their wool sweaters on that trip…like, in their pants.

Anyway, the Greenock Morton actually advance to the First Division – which is the second division – for next season. Playing with the almost big boys. Woot. Photos above from an excellent set at Inverclyde Now in which the photographer does a great job not only of capturing the emotion of the visiting Greenock supporters but also gets a great range of the various jerseys sported by the fans – I love the blue tartan one. A great set by a thoughtful photographer turning his back on one story for another. I think we have about eight Morton jerseys in the house, two or three scarves, a pennant – and a few pins, many old programs and those cloth badges. And books…I have books…and away socks. And programs and a Jimmy Cowan cigarette card from around 1948. And other stuff.

Big big day. A wee dram of the good stuff in my Greenock Golf Club 1890-1990 tumbler tonight. More championship Morton chat at greenockmorton.net and from The Greenock Telegraph. Grannie would be proud.

Sports Pool 2007: Morton And NHL Playoffs

I woke up this morning too early. I was thinking, as The Smiths played in my mind, “why am I running a sports pool that there is a 50-50 chance I won’t see out, won’t tally up the points, have lost interest in?” Is it because I have not watched one NHL game this whole season? Maybe it’s because it is so virtually assured that the Morton will be promoted that I can’t use that as a question…unless:

6. Morton needs just one win to automatically move up next season to the SFA First Division. When will Morton secure promotion?

  • a. 14 April against Raith?
  • b. 21 April against Stranraer?
  • c. 28 April against Ayr?
  • d. Morton will choke but be promoted through the playoff.
  • e. Morton will not be promoted.

Twenty five points for the right answer.

7. NHL playoffs:

  • a. Which eight teams advance to the second round? Five points each correct.
  • b. Which four teams advance to the semi-finals? Ten points each correct.
  • c. Which two teams are in the finals? Fifteen points each correct.
  • d. Which team wins the Stanley Cup? Twenty-five points each correct.
  • e. Pick a goon. Two points for every penalty minute.
  • f. Pick a goalie. One point for every thousandth their save average is above .850. Goalie must play three complete games.
  • g. Pick five scorers. One point for every goal and one for every assist.

Like when the heck am I ever going to have the time to ever figure out all the scores for that many questions? Sure I can post all these questions but it is actually tallying up that takes the time. And it will be spring. And warm. And there will be gardening to do and stuff. Good luck to you.

Answers in by 7 pm tonight. Catch up with the sports pool with all the questions to date here

Sports Pool 2007: Final Standings For The NHL

The next question is one that has been long clamoured for so we better give in or we won’t hear the end of it:

5. Identify and put in order divided by conference the 16 teams that will make the playoffs. Ten points for each correct team minus one point of the number of places the team is out of order. For example, picking Detroit for second but they come in fifth makes it a seven point pick.

Get your picks in before April 1, 2007. I better figure out the points so far so this thing doesn’t get out of hand.

Complete sports pool 2007 links here.