The rain that should fall on Spain fell on City Park tonight. Even the midges ran, or is that, flew for cover. Having said that Dapper MI is doing a great job and the boys are working hard. As I’d stood about, talked and did very little exercise I challenged Bobby Dry to a few run thru’s.

I set the cones up giving him a 7 or 8 yard start over 40 yards and give him his due, the “steamroller” can cover the ground a lot quicker than people would think. Anyway we were going to do 10 runs and after 5 I was getting very close to catching him – steamrollers must need a longer recovery time that us mere mortals.

I caught and beat Bob on the 6th run, although he’ll dispute that and then it happened on the 7th. Just as I was cruising past him he went down in a heap with an arrrrrgh!!! His hammy went. For the first time in his career he said.

I shouted for Eartha to come over and help but he shouted back he was just a Kit Man so Bob had to crawl over to the changing rooms as I completed my 10 runs.

He didn’t make the pub tonight. Eartha reckons he headed straight to Murrayfield hospital.

Spartans and Ealing Comedy characters. I’m still working thru them and although some may have never made a Carry On film I’m concentrating on 50′s, 60′s and 70′s British comedy.

Walter has to be Bernard Breslaw. Mike Irving has to be Jim Dale. Derick is as positive as Tony Hancock while Hutch reminds me of Lance Percival. I see a bit of Eric in Kenneth Connor and when AK got concussed against the Uni last year he was as near Charles Hawtrey as you could get.

There’s something about Naomi that reminds me of Kenneth Williams and Eartha has the same hearing problems as Eric Sykes. Danny O’D has the same hairstyle as that big dopey guy who was part of a trio with the other two always having a fag on the lip – can’t remember there names. Oh! and his dad is a ringer for Father Ted.

What about Craig? I’m struggling with him at present but I’ll come up with someone.

Anyway, time for bed.

Early. I woke up to a few Emails most of which relate to our pre-season friendlies. Alan Irvine sent me the Scottish Brewers Challenge Cup rules and a copy of the draw which I’m sure Tarzan was at!!!!.

The Draw is – Saturday 19th July Annan Athletic v Workington AFC – KO 12 Noon

Stranraer v Spartans – KO 3.15 pm.

Sunday 20th July The Consolation Final KO 12 Noon.

The Final 3.15 pm.

I sometimes get premonitions and I just had this feeling we’d get the SFL2 side. Luck of the draw I guess.

Seriously thanks to Alan for thinking of us when the Internet team pulled out. The 3.15 KO gives us more time to get down and two games in two days will help the match fitness of the boys.

There’s too much going on with the Academy and our SFL bid for those with the purse strings to have time to consider the “Annan” weekend yet but “Steamroller” Bob Dryburgh has been thinking ahead. I received this Email from him this morning

“Any up market hotels for Tarzan and I? Bob”

I think that Ealing Studios should bring out a remake of “Carry On Camping” starring Bob Dryburgh and Jimmy Murray filmed at the campsite behind Galabank. I can just see Jimmy and Bob sharing a tent with Jimmy’s feet sticking out the bottom and Bob struggling to get a sleeping bag to fit him.

Which Carry On characters are the two of them most like?

Well Jimmy would fancy himself as Sid James or Kenneth Williams but he’s really a stick on for Stephen Lewis who the older ones among you will remember better as Blakey, the conductor from On the Buses.

Bob’s a ringer for quite a few. Terry Scott came to mind, even Hattie Jacques some of you might think but I’d settle for Frankie Howard. “Don’t titter Jimmy.”

My favourite Carry On character was Charles Hawtrey – now who at the club reminds me of him?

To take my mind off a week on Thursday I think I’ll match all the Carry On actors to people at Spartans. It won’t be hard.

Late. Anyone for tennis? I love the sport but Wimbledon lasts for two weeks so unless bandy Andy is on I’ll give it a miss for the present.

Back to the real sport and I’m glad to see most of the football fraternity agree with me in condemning the World Champions for such a negative display last night. Robbo on the BBC Blog didn’t mince his words “What a tight-fisted, mean-spirited, uninspiring, desperate and downright miserable way to approach a game of football.” He’s not called the Tees mouth for nothing. Mind it’s easy hiding behind a nom de plume as I’d never get away with saying something like that.

Anyway one of the best things I’ve done in the last six months was buying my sons a couple of Torres tops. Murray has just turned 5 and he’s finally got the football bug. Well maybe not quite the bug but he’s definitely showing an interest.

He was out the back playing with his younger brother when I got home tonight and was all excited when he saw me. “Dad, I’ve been practicing running with the ball like you said.” I was really pleased as all he’s been doing is kicking the ball with his toe as hard as he can. I stupidly taught him to hold the ball out in front of himself then drop it and kick it on the volley. He now sprays it over our 16 foot lilandias into the neighbours gardens. I’ve tried to get him to run with the ball and even dribble round cones but the geography of our garden doesn’t suit. I was very pleased he’s been trying to run with the ball close to his feet and told him so.

“Dad, I was running past Robert very fast”.

“Good Murray, how fast?” I asked

The question mark appeared on top of his head as he formulated an answer.

As fast…..as fast as a…….steamroller”

Well that it then. I’ve got a son who’s going to turn into a young Bob Dryburgh.

I popped into Leslies yesterday afternoon for a pint and there was racing on the Tele. This close season is hard work indeed. Tonight for the first time since the Euros started there isn’t a game on the box. I was hoping there would be a South American World Cup qualifier or a re-run of China beating Australia (I caught a couple of minutes of what must have been a re-run on Sky last night when the Italians were really getting to me) or anything with men running after a ball – round of course.

The big thing the Euros have done for me is take my mind off the SFL place up for grabs. It’s been all quiet on the Eastern, Southern and Highland front for the last few days but watching the cream of Europe playing puts July 3rd on the back burner. Worrying about how long it will take in the game before Luis Aragones substitutes Fernando holds different pressures to shaping a team to take on Clyde in the Challenge Cup at Broadwood in a few weeks time.

The bottom line is someone’s going to have to do it.