Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,While I appreciate coach Craig Levein”s delight at the number of relatively young players of quality coming through for Scotland, there is a down side which he doesn”t seem to appreciate.
Should theses players come through with clubs in Scotland even our two biggest in terms of support their ability is unlikely to be enjoyed for long by followers of the game north of the Border.
It is a simple matter of finance. Let a really promising talent emerge and no club in our country can afford to turn down a decent transfer fee offered from England, or anywhere else for that matter.
So, unlike days when followers of Rangers and Celtic, Aberdeen or Dundee United, Hearts or Hibs and others could buy a season ticket secure in the knowledge that they would be seeing the same or a similar team over a period of a few seasons, now, if a number of quality players emerge, enjoying their skills is short term.
Yes, Scotland and their coach will benefit from the current surge of quality players, but onlookers see national teams “live” only a handful of times a season. By contrast, before our clubs became paupers their supporters could reel off the regular first-team season after season and occupy the terracing secure in the knowledge that their favourite players would be on the park.
Now those favourites, should they be of real quality, will be gone in no time and another 100,000 followers a season will depart the game and become television watchers hoping to see Charlie Adams, David Goodwillie and the rest “second hand.”Ian Wheeler,Springfield.
A blot on our dear landscape
Sir,Sydney has the Opera House, London has Buckingham Palace, Rio de Janeiro has Sugarloaf Mountain, and aspiring city Perth has … White Goods Mountain.
It is clearly visible not only from Friarton Bridge but also from another Perth landmark, Kinnoull Hill. A recent US visitor, clearly struck by the shimmering reflection of the sun”s rays on the majestic River Tay flowing far beneath him, asked me with some incredulity: “Is that a junk yard down there?”
I was tempted to respond: “Certainly not, that is the recycling plant which is proof of the Scottish nation’s green credentials.” But, sadly, I had to concede that the ugly blot on the landscape was indeed a junk yard.
We are informed that it is owned by Viridor and I note from their annual accounts that last year Viridor made a pre-tax profit of £62.9m. Clearly it is more than ideals that drive their business plan.
The article seems to present as a positive that waste from all but one of Scotland”s local authorities arrives on a daily basis at the Friarton Road site.
I did not have the heart to tell my visitor that outline planning permission had been granted for an incinerator to deal with more of the nation”s waste items. But then again our leaders would not be so foolish to actually let that happen, would they?Roy Mitchell.Barnhill,Perth.
Council rose to the bait
Sir.With regard to the St Andrews school fiasco, the council should not have been sucked into single party negotiations.
The offer of a joint campus was obviously just bait to allow the university to get its hands on the South Street site.
The university should perhaps consider that they may not be the only game in town.
I wonder what would happen if the council were to place the school on the open market.
How would an offer from, let”s say, a luxury golf hotel group compare with the land on offer from the university?
The best option is for two schools, one being at the bridgehead. The council may say they cannot afford two schools. Until there is an open market price for South Street, how do they know?
George M. Russell.46 Crosshill Terrace,Wormit.
They deserve their wings
Sir,I was astonished to read Colin Denovan”s letter (August 31) regarding the Airborne Division.
His remark that men join the Parachute Regiment “for no other reason but to wear jump wings” I found particularly nasty. They do earn their wings.
Parachuting men into action is a means of getting there faster. Once on the ground these men are highly trained infantry.
I have served in both The Black Watch and the Parachute Regiment.
Victor Herd.Chairman of Parachute Regiment Association,Fowlis Road,Liff.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.