retired_ceb_33

9.7.2003
Just before our next game away to ST MIRREN i managed to agree a deal with Sir Alex for a season long loan deal for BOJAN DJORDJIC . An excellent prospect that i hoped would add some craft into the midfield , but i wouldn't be stopping there and fingers crossed more quality should be added before the big kick off .

ST MIRREN 0 RAITH ROVERS 1
Amazingly a crowd of over 10500 turned up at Love Street for this friendly fixture . PREST set up the only goal in the 13th min flicking on for ADAILTON to fire home from the edge of the box . DJORDJIC played the full 90 mins and seemed to fit in very well . Another player showing up well was a trialist by the name of PODESTA . The URUGUAYAN liked to command the midfield and i was interested in adding him to the squad , but unfortunatly he opted to sign for ALAVES instead .


11.7.2003
With 2 days to go before our trip south i was delving in the transfer market again . CEDRIC VAN DER GUN arrived on a season's loan from AJAX and also joining was RICHIE PARTRIDGE who signed from LIVERPOOL for a fee off £1million pounds . I had tried to get PARTRIDGE in on loan last season , but he had decided to go to QPR instead . With these two signing's it gave us excellent options on both flank's .

13.7.2003
The only trouble i was having in bolstering my squad was the distinct lack of striker's . With this in mind and not having much luck persuading players to join , i bit the bullet and resigned ARCHIE THOMSON on another season's loan .

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 RAITH ROVERS 0
A full strength CHARLTON side were held to score-less draw and to be perfectly honest we were much the better side . Despite a good performance i decided that trialist MICHELE SERENA didn't fit in my future plans and told hom he would be freed after the CARDIFF CITY game .


17.7.2003
CARDIFF CITY 0 RAITH ROVERS 3
An excellent performance saw us win this game pretty comfortably . PARTRIDGE was in irresitable form and tore the defence apart . 2 goals from ARCHIE THOMSON in the first half and one from ADAILTON in the second settled the game .

19.7.2003
ST JOHNSTONE are paid £250k for PAUL LOVERING , who shone for them last season at left back .


20.7.2003
Joining up before the game is LIVERPOOL striker NEIL MELLOR for a fee of £1.7million pounds and he goes straight into the team for the game .
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 RAITH ROVERS 1
The final game of our mini tour and another victory . The most pleasing element of the tour has been despite trying different players at the back we failed to concede a single goal . I hope that we don't start conceding goals for fun in the league instead !!!!
The only goal of the game came in the 9th min from PREST and it was all made by new boy MELLOR . It should have been a lot more but overall a very successful tour indeed and most of the new signing's have bedded in very well .

27.7.2003
A work permit is finally granted for ANDREJS STOLCERS and the former FULHAM player should add a bit of competition in a number of spots in the side .


28.7.2003
RAITH ROVERS 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 0
Despite fielding their strongest side , the high profile visitors couldn't break us down . Who knows what might of happened if i had fielded my first team . I now feel more than ready for the challenge ahead and feel i have a squad capable of finishing in the top half of the league .

retired_ceb_33

Here is my squad for the forthcoming challenge in the SPL .

Goalkeeper's :-

MARK BOSNICH :- What is there left to say about this guy ? Had an absolute stunning season last year with 27 clean sheets in only 42 appearance's . AUSTRALIAN 17 caps 1 goal . 31 YEARS OLD


JOHN KARELSE :- Still to make an appearance in the first team , the former NAC BREDA and NEWCASTLE UNITED player was brought in as cover for BOSNICH . DUTCH . 33 YEARS OLD

Defender's :-

PHILIPE MEXES :- Talented defender who is on a season long loan deal from AUXERRE . Big things expected of him and he should play most of the games this season at centre half . FRENCHMAN 1 cap . 21 YEARS OLD


JORGE VARGAS :- Just coming back from a serious knee injury and another contender for the centre half's position . May struggle to dislodge the other defender's and a place on the bench at best look's his best target when fully fit . CHILEAN 8 caps . 27 YEARS OLD


MAURO BONOMI :- Club captain and so far outstanding at the back . In his prime and should be the rock at the back for a good few years to come . ITALIAN . 31 YEARS OLD


SALIOU LASSISSI :- One of the many close season signing's . Had a good career in the top flight in ITALY with PARMA and SAMPDORIA but never managed to break into the top team at ROMA . Another player with great potential but only time will tell if he fulfill's it here . IVORIAN 4 caps . 25 YEARS OLD


RICHARD ROBB :- Signed after impressing in a struggling INVERNESS side last season , this youngster has a good right foot and should be pushing hard for a first team slot very quickly . SCOTTISH . 20 YEARS OLD


PAUL LOVERING :- Left sided defender who was signed from ST JOHNSTONE in the close season . This former AYR UNITED and HIBS player was the best left back in the First Division last year and should make that position his own on merit . SCOTTISH . 27 YEARS OLD


IVAN HURTADO :- Vastly experienced player who came in for the injured VARGAS last season and didn't dissapoint . He is almost certain to be the first player on the team sheet . ECUADORIAN 80 caps 3 goals . 29 YEARS OLD


ALEXANDR CHAIKA :- Although mainly a defensive midfielder he can play anywhere on the left hand side and did a sterling job on the left wing last season . Another player with good international experience , he chipped in with goals and assist's last season and i have no qualm's throwing him in when needed . BELARUSIAN 16 caps . 27 YEARS OLD

Midfielder's

RICHIE PARTRIDGE :- Big money signing from LIVERPOOL in the close season , this guy has bags of ability and electric pace and should cause defence's no end of problem's . He can also play on either side but will mainly be plying his trade on the left . EIRE . 22 YEARS OLD


CEDRIC VAN DER GUN :- On a season long loan deal from AJAX this guy has loads of pace and should cause havoc down the right flank . Has failed to make the right hand side his own at AJAX and hopefully that is their loss and our gain . He is also comfortable in the centre of midfield and equally effective up front if needed . DUTCH . 24 YEARS OLD


BOJAN DJORDJIC :- Rated very highly by the MAN UTD management this guy is technically a left winger but will play just inside to accomodate PARTRIDGE . Also on a season long loan deal his flair , technique and pace should be an asset to the side and maybe he can chip in with a few goals as well as assist's . SWEDISH . 21 YEARS OLD


FREDDY ADU :- Outstanding prospect at such a young age , he has already settled in quickly and featured largely in last season's championship winning side . He made 23 substitute appearance's last season as well as starting 12 game's but will be used mainly as a sub this season to avoid burn out . Very comfortable with both feet as well this guy seems to have it all . AMERICAN . 14 YEARS OLD


RUSSELL LATAPY :- Was signed from FALKIRK for £100k in the transfer window last season after impressing in 3 of our meetings last season . Despite coming to the end of his career , he is still a big talent and we should get a season out of him in the top flight . TRINIDAD AND TOBAGAN 93 caps 35 YEARS OLD

Forward's


ANDREJS STOLCERS :- Another recent signing , he was brought in as cover for the strikers mainly but hopefully has enough experience to play in midfield as well . Has a wealth of experience internationally which can hopefully rub off on our younger players . Previously with FULHAM . LATVIAN 61 caps 11 goals . 29 YEARS OLD


ADAILTON :- Arrived in SCOTLAND with a bang and couldn't stop scoring last season . Also signed in the transfer window last season and went on to score 15 goals in just 17 appearances . Will probably start the season as first choice striker . BRAZILIAN . 26 YEARS OLD


MARTIN PREST :- The fans player of the year , he chipped in with 15 goals last season and built up a great partnership with ARCHIE THOMSON . He almost made as many goals as he scored and can also play on the left hand side of midfield . Unfortunatly for him he may struggle to start and the bench looks the best option for him at the beginning of the campaign . ARGENTINIAN . 24 YEARS OLD


NEIL MELLOR :- Record buy in the close season from LIVERPOOL for £1.7 million , he is a must starter and hopefully he can justify the money and faith i have shown in him . Still only young but has been learning his trade behind a world class striker in OWEN so if just a bit of that has rubbed of on him we should be laughing . ENGLISH . 20 YEARS OLD


ARCHIE THOMSON :- On loan from BELGIAN club LIERSE for a second succesive season .
Arrived in Kirkcaldy as a virtual unknown but soon set the place alight . Finished as the club's top goalscorer with 28 goals in all competitions . Has good pace and also links up well with other's , but may have to wait for his chance . Time will tell if he can repeat last year's feat . AUSTRALIAN 7 caps 16 goals . 24 YEARS OLD

retired_ceb_33

1.8.2003
Long odds are offered for us to win the league , but after DUNDEE'S shock win last season anything is possible . The board seemed to have raised their expectations of me and after wanting me to consolidate last season in Division One they now want me to qualify for Europe in my first season . Let the challenge commence and as long as we take full points from the smelly Pars i will be more than happy .


2.8.2003
EAST END PARK , DUNFERMLINE .
DUNFERMLINE 0 RAITH ROVERS 2
Dream start to the season as a crowd of just under 11000 turned up to see us do them over big style . With 7 new players this was going to be a hit or a miss and thankfully it was a huge hit . DJORDJIC went close twice early on before the home side also had 2 good efforts . The opener arrived in the 28th min and it was record signing MELLOR who scored , heading home a corner from PARTRIDGE . Moment's later he should have scored again but was superbly denied by RUITENBEEK . The second goal came 4 mins from half time when ADAILTON fired home after good play by VAN DER GUN . MASON came close for the home side midway through the second half but it wasn't to be and we had our first three points in the bag . ATTEN :- 10921 SCORERS :- MELLOR 28 , ADAILTON 41

OTHER SCORES :- ABERDEEN 1 RANGERS 2 , CELTIC 2 KILMARNOCK 0 , DUNDEE 4 HIBERNIAN 0 , HEARTS 2 MOTHERWELL 1 , PARTICK THISTLE 1 DUNDEE UNITED 0 .


9.8.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 2 ABERDEEN 1
Although the scoreline may not suggest it , ABERDEEN were blown away on a dry , crisp afternoon in this SPL fixture . Once again the star man on show was NEIL MELLOR who grabbed both the goals . EASSON in the Dons goal had a busy afternoon and had to save twice from MELLOR early doors before ADAILTON tried his luck . The opening goal arrived in first half stoppage with VAN DER GUN causing havoc down the wing before crossing for MELLOR to out jump the defence and head home . Within a minute of the restart and the game was level again . TIERNAN outjumping the home defence this time to head the ball low past BOSNICH . This was to be the visitor's one and only chance in the game and it only seemed to spur us on . PARTRIDGE first tried from distance which the keeper did well to parry , then 17 mins to go he picked up a long cross field pass from BONOMI before flicking the ball on too MELLOR who closed in on goal and struck the ball past the despairing keeper . Substitute THOMSON had an effort just over , before MELLOR fluffed his hat-trick chance in injury time . So maximum points from 2 game's and even more pleasing was the way most of the new signing's had settled in already . ATTENDANCE :- 6575 SCORER'S :- MELLOR 45,73 / TIERNAN 46

OTHER SCORES :- DUNDEE UNITED 4 HEARTS 2 , HIBERNIAN 2 CELTIC 2 , KILMARNOCK 3 DUNFERMLINE 0 , MOTHERWELL 3 DUNDEE 0 , RANGERS 1 PARTICK THISTLE 0 .


16.8.2003
FIRHILL , GLASGOW
PARTICK THISTLE 0 RAITH ROVERS 2
RICHIE PARTRIDGE is turning out to be a revelation so far and worth every bit the £1million we forked out for him . PARTICK just couldn't contain him as he ran them ragged . He created the opening goal in the 20th min , disposessing the rather poor ROWSON before running to the corner flag and crossing majesticly for the powerful MELLOR , who rose to head home his 4 goal in just 3 starts . MCBRIDE , MITCHELL and BRITTON all tested BOSNICH but it was left to the other flying winger VAN DER GUN to set up the killer second . BOSNICH'S long throw found the DUTCHMAN and his 40 yard pass caught out the Thistle defence allowing ADAILTON clean through and he made no mistake shooting home from just inside the box . ATTENDANCE :- 6093 SCORER'S :- MELLOR 20 , ADAILTON 70

OTHER SCORE'S :- ABERDEEN 4 KILMARNOCK 1 , CELTIC 3 DUNDEE 0 , DUNDEE UNITED 1 MOTHERWELL 3 , DUNFERMLINE 5 HIBERNIAN 1 .


17.8.2003
OTHER SCORE :- HEARTS 1 RANGERS 3
In the first live game on Sunday RANGERS proved to be too strong for HEARTS with GREEK strike sensation ANESTIS AGRITIS the 2 goal hero for the dark blues .


23.8.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 5 HEARTS 2
What a cracker of a game this turned out to be at a soggy Kirkcaldy . HEARTS raced into a 2 goal lead inside 20 mins but went on to fall apart at the seams . 4 mins in and SIMMONS cracked one home after a good lay off by DE VRIES . With their second effort in the 19th min it was 2 . Once again DE VRIES set it up , this time heading on for ANDY KIRK to slot the ball past the stunned BOSNICH . Within 6 mins the deficit was cut . VAN DER GUN'S ball inside found PARTRIDGE and as the defence seemed to freeze he beat 3 men before firing past the keeper who really should have done a lot better . DJORDJIC hit the side netting moment's later but the equaliser was to come 12 mins from half time . ADAILTON was fouled at the edge of the box and LATAPY curled the ball past GORDON into the top of the net . The visitor's misery was complete 6 mins from the interval with one of the goals of the season contender's . PARTRIDGE picked the ball up just inside HEARTS half before going on a mazy run past 4 player's and tucking it under the advancing keeper . VAN DER GUN set up ADAILTON for number 4 and within an hour the game was over with PARTRIDGE finding LATAPY who curled home his second of the game . PARTRIDGE headed straight at the keeper , while sub STOLCERS fluffed his shot right at the death . Things don't get much better than this and already we are showing that a place in Europe is not beyond us . I do though however remind our player's not to get too carried away as there is a long way to go and we still haven't played either of the favourite's .
ATTENDANCE :- 7482 SCORER'S :- PARTRIDGE 25,39 LATAPY 33,60 ADAILTON 55 / SIMMONS 4 KIRK 19

OTHER SCORE'S :- DUNDEE 0 DUNFERMLINE 1 , KILMARNOCK 3 PARTICK THISTLE 0 , MOTHERWELL 1 CELTIC 0 , RANGERS 3 DUNDEE UNITED 0 .


24.8.2003
OTHER SCORE :- HIBERNIAN 2 ABERDEEN 0
HIBS grabbed their first win of the season in this week's live game while the hapless DONS crash to their 3 defeat in 4 games .


30.8.2003
TANNADICE , DUNDEE
DUNDEE UNITED 1 RAITH ROVERS 0
Our first defeat of the season despite the fact we dominated the game for large spells . Again PARTRIDGE was the best man on the pitch but for once even he couldn't create the killer pass . The only goal of the game came midway through the second half from CHARLIE MILLER who headed home a PATTERSON corner . With the unbeaten RANGERS next up at home i can't really complain after making such a stunning start . ATTENDANCE :- 12224 SCORER : - MILLER 58

OTHER SCORES :- ABERDEEN 3 DUNDEE 0 , HEARTS 3 KILMARNOCK 0 , PARTICK THISTLE 2 HIBERNIAN 0 , RANGERS 4 MOTHERWELL 0 .

retired_ceb_33

First of all before i resume my story i would just like to wish all cms readers and writers a happy new year .

retired_ceb_33

1.9.2003
MANAGER OF THE MONTH :- ALEX MCLEISH (RANGERS)
PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- RICHIE PARTRIDGE (RAITH ROVERS)
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- BOJAN DJORDJIC (RAITH ROVERS)


13.9.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 1 RANGERS 2
Rangers continued there impressive start to the season with a hard fought victory over ourselves. On the day our best was not enough , but i was very pleased with the effort shown by our team . ANESTIS AGRITIS opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th min after a neat one two with STEVEN THOMSON . The tricky play of the young GREEK striker was causing all sorts of havoc and he and FUGLESTAD both had good efforts denied by BOSNICH . On the half hour mark the game was tied as we sneaked an equaliser with our first effort on goal . MELLOR and DJORDJIC combined well and the tall scouser had the easy chance of tapping it home . The game took a while to settle in the second half but the best early chance fell to ADAILTON but somehow KLOS made a wonder save . The winner arrived 18 mins from time and it was former PRESTON striker RICHARD CRESSWELL , stooping to head home an inswinging corner from FUGLESTAD .
ATTENDANCE :- 7499 . SCORERS :- AGRITIS 12 , MELLOR 30 , CRESSWELL 78

OTHER SCORES :- CELTIC 3 ABERDEEN 1 , DUNDEE 3 PARTICK THISTLE 0 , KILMARNOCK 1 DUNDEE UNITED 3 , MOTHERWELL 1 DUNFERMLINE 1 .

14.9.2003
OTHER SCORE :- HIBS 2 HEARTS 4
The live sunday game produces 6 goals in the Edinburgh derby , but HIBS poor start to the season is reflected in the result.

20.9.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 2 MOTHERWELL 0
After back to back defeats we managed to get back on track with a comfortable home win against MOTHERWELL . Once again we managed to score with our first real effort on goal ,with MELLOR again the man on the score sheet . All the good build up to the goal was made by STOLCERS who had been hugely dissapointing so far in his short spell with the club , but his quick feet and pace got him to the corner flag and his cross was meet by the head of the incoming MELLOR who guided it inside the left hand post . The visitors huffed and puffed without really threatning our goal and it was no surprise when substitute THOMPSON fired home 7 mins from time to seal the points .
ATTENDANCE :- 6915 . SCORERS :- MELLOR 17 , THOMPSON 83 .


OTHER SCORES :- ABERDEEN 2 DUNFERMLINE 0 , DUNDEE UNITED 2 HIBS 2 , PARTICK THISTLE 1 CELTIC 1 .

21.9.2003
OTHER SCORES :- HEARTS 2 DUNDEE 0 , RANGERS 0 KILMARNOCK 1 .
Rangers lose their 100% record at a gale force IBROX with PAUL DI GIACOMO scoring the games only goal for the KILLIE .

24.9.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP ROUND 2
RAITH ROVERS 3 FALKIRK 2 A.E.T
Talk about scraping through by the skin of your teeth . This was supposed to be a walk in the park but all credit to the visitors who walked of at the end absolutely gutted by the winner in the 120th minute! It was FALKIRK who took the lead in only the 7th min . FLAVIO MAESTRI found room inside the box and from a narrow angle squeezed his shot under BOSNICH . Within 15 minutes the game had turned on its head as we scored twice in three minutes . FREDDY ADU nipped in ahead of team mate STOLCERS to send a right footed effort into the corner on 19 mins , then 3 mins later ADAILTON converted MELLOR'S cut back to make it 2-1 . Former NOTTS FOREST striker JASON LEE took the game to extra time when he easily fired home in the 66th min after good work by MAESTRI . With no clear chances in extra time and the game heading for penalties , a little bit of speed and craft by ADAILTON found him in space down the right and his pinpoint cross was met by MELLOR who broke FALKIRK'S heart with the winner .

OTHER ROUND 2 SCORES :- FORFAR 2 KILMARNOCK 0 , ELGIN CITY 0 HIBS 3 , ARBROATH 0 ST JOHNSTONE 2 , DUNDEE UNITED 1 HEARTS 0 , GRETNA 3 EAST FIFE 0 ,QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 0 BRECHIN CITY 2 , ALBION ROVERS 1 PARTICK THISTLE 0 , INVERNESS 3 MONTROSE 5 , AYR UNITED 4 STIRLING 0 , ABERDEEN 3 CLYDE 0 , PETERHEAD 1 DUNFERMLINE 0 .


26.9.2003
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP ROUND 3 DRAW
DUNDEE UNITED V BRECHIN CITY
MONTROSE V MOTHERWELL
FORFAR ATHLETIC V ALBION ROVERS
ST JOHNSTONE V RANGERS
DUNDEE V HIBS
AYR UNITED V RAITH ROVERS
PETERHEAD V CELTIC
ABERDEEN V GRETNA


27.9.2003
RUGBY PARK , KILMARNOCK
KILMARNOCK 1 RAITH ROVERS 1
We travelled to KILMARNOCK with mixed feelings after taking into account the 2 previous results of KILLIE . One week they ended RANGERS 100% start to the season , then last week amazingly lost out 2-0 to FORFAR in the cup . What we ended up with was probably a bit unfair as the home side dominated the majority of the game . STEVIE FULTON gave the KILLIE the perfect start with a goal after just 12 mins . MAHOOD teed the ball up at the edge of the box and FULTON slammed the ball home past a motionless BOSNICH . The equaliser came 9 mins later and for once it wasn't from the boot of MELLOR . KUFFOUR'S long ball upfield caught the defence napping and ADAILTON gleefully lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper to earn a share of the spoils . The KILLIE strikers then thankfully had an off day as they wasted chance after chance , although BOSNICH didn't really have to make much effort with any of them .
ATTENDANCE :- 10121 SCORERS :- FULTON 12 , ADAILTON 21

OTHER SCORES :- CELTIC 2 HEARTS 0 , DUNFERMLINE 0 PARTICK THISTLE 2 , HIBS 1 RANGERS 2 , MOTHERWELL 2 ABERDEEN 5 .


28.9.2003
OTHER SCORES :- DUNDEE 2 DUNDEE UNITED 1
Once again the Sunday live game is a hard fought derby affair with DUNDEE running out the deserved winners after totally dominating the game .


1.10.2003
MANAGER OF THE MONTH :- ALEX MCLEISH (RANGERS)
PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- NEIL MELLOR (RAITH ROVERS)
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- BOJAN DJORDJIC (RAITH ROVERS)

retired_ceb_33

4.10.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 2 HIBERNIAN 1
Another tight game but thankfully with the right result at the end of 90 mins . BRAZILIAN ADAILTON the 2 goal hero for us . His first strike came after 19 mins , springing the offside trap before calmly slotting home under COLGAN . The lead however only lasted 2 mins with O ' CONNOR shooting home on the half volley after good work by BREBNER . MELLOR came close with an effort , as did MCMANUS for the visitor's . The winner however came from a hottly disputed penalty . ADU'S shot was blocked by COLGAN and the ball seemed to bounce up onto MURRAY'S arm accidently , but the ref decided it was a spot kick . ADAILTON slotted home easily from the spot . Both sides had good effort's late on in the game but we had done enough to claim the victory .
ATTENDANCE :- 7494 SCORER'S :- ADAILTON 19 , 44(PEN) O ' CONNOR 21

OTHER SCORE'S :- DUNDEE UNITED 2 CELTIC 1 , HEARTS 3 DUNFERMLINE 0 , PARTICK THISTLE 1 ABERDEEN 0 .

retired_blondie_524

This story has improved no end since the early days. Keep up the good work, all the extra details make it a good read. One thing though, how about a few tables? Or at least a little paragraph to say where the teams are. (to import a table, print it to file, open it with word/wordpad, copy what you want and paste it in the reply between code /code , using [ brackets to enclose the word code & /code)

retired_ceb_33

5.10.2003
OTHER SCORES :- KILMARNOCK 1 MOTHERWELL 3 , RANGERS 3 DUNDEE 0 .
Sundays live game is another cracker with just about everything happening at Rugby Park . Although hardly an eyecatcher on paper , 4 goals , a missed penalty and a sending off all added to the enjoyment . In the other game RANGERS continued their dominance with another win and the title already looks to be heading back to Glasgow , on the other hand last season's winners DUNDEE cant seem to buy a victory .


8.10.2003
DENS PARK , DUNDEE
DUNDEE 0 RAITH ROVERS 0
A point apiece was probably about fair after this disappointing midweek match . The home side however might feel a bit agreived as FABIEN CABALLERO'S stunning volley was harshly ruled offside . Neither keeper was seriously troubled and both set's of fans seemed to go home happy .
ATTENDANCE :- 7903

OTHER SCORES :- ABERDEEN 3 HEARTS 0 , CELTIC 1 RANGERS 2 , DUNFERMLINE 0 DUNDEE UNITED 2 , HIBS 1 KILMARNOCK 0 , MOTHERWELL 2 PARTICK THISTLE 1 .


13.10.2003
A work permit is finally granted for CROATIAN striker IVAN BOSNJAK and he will join up at the end of the season for a fee of £50,000 from AL ITTIHAD TRIPOLI .

14.10.2003
We decide to appeal after a work permit is denied for 34 year old TURKISH utility man TEMIZKANOGLU OGUN . After recently been freed by FENERBACHE , despite his age , the man with 79 international caps would surely do a job till the end of the season . I was hopeing his experience would rub off on some of our younger players . I had tried to sign him at the start off the season but had only just managed to persuade him to come , alas it looks as though he will be denied by the DoE .


18.9.2003
STARK'S PARK , KIRKCALDY .
RAITH ROVERS 1 CELTIC 0
Kirkcaldy is rocking after the mighty CELTIC are tamed at a rain lashed Starks Park . To take nothing away from our boys it was fully deserved although at the end of the day it is only 3 points . Star of the show was young 17 year old IBRAHIM AFFELAY (signed on a free after being released by PSV ) who's darting run's down the right had the CELTIC defence at sixes and seven's . It was quite a debut for the youngster considering he is feeling unsettled in the area and looking to move on . The only goal of the game came after 23 mins and was an exsquisite lob by MELLOR . BONOMI'S long clearance upfield was misjudged by the CELTIC defence and as the keeper came out to clear the ball MELLOR nipped in and chipped it over him . CHRIS SUTTON and HARTSON both looked a threat just after the goal but failed to make their effort's count . The second half was dominated by ourselves , with ADAILTON wasting 3 good chances and MELLOR almost grabbing a second at the death .
ATTENDANCE :- 7745 SCORER :- MELLOR 23

OTHER SCORES :- DUNDEE UNITED 0 ABERDEEN 3 , HEARTS 0 PARTICK THISTLE 2 , KILMARNOCK 2 DUNDEE 1 , MOTHERWELL 4 HIBS 1 , RANGERS 4 DUNFERMLINE 0 .


22.10.2003
SOMERSET PARK , AYR
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP ROUND 3
AYR UNITED 0 RAITH ROVERS 2
Safely through to the Quarter Final after a comfortable victory over the Ayrshire side . After the struggle in the last round against First Division opposition , there was no way we were going to under estimate them . KLAS INGESSON made his first start of the season to add a bit of bite in the midfield and breezed through the game . Both goals again came from NEIL MELLOR who has proved to be a sensation for us . The first arrived in first half stoppage time and was a tap in after good play by strike partner ADAILTON . The pair combined again 10 mins after the break to kill the tie . A long kick out by BOSNICH was headed on by MELLOR to ADAILTON who's quick pass set the big man free and he raced through and smashed the ball past the keeper for his and our 2nd goal . Two late chances also fell to him but neither tested the keeper .
ATTENDANCE :- 7818 SCORER'S :- MELLOR 45 AND 55

OTHER SCORES :- DUNDEE UNITED 3 BRECHIN CITY 4 (A.E.T) , MONTROSE 1 MOTHERWELL 3 , FORFAR 3 ALBION ROVERS 0 , ST JOHNSTONE 1 RANGERS 0 , DUNDEE 4 HIBS 1 , PETERHEAD 0 CELTIC 4 , ABERDEEN 2 GRETNA 0 .

Despite flying high in the league , RANGERS were sensationally dumped out of the cup at Perth . In the other shock result BRECHIN scored an injury time equaliser to take the game to extra time , then came from behind with 2 second half extra time goals to dump the sorry Arabs out of the cup .


24.10.2003
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINALS DRAW
ABERDEEN V BRECHIN CITY
DUNDEE V FORFAR ATHLETIC
MOTHERWELL V ST JOHNSTONE
RAITH ROVERS V CELTIC


25.10.2003
OTHER SCORES :- DUNDEE UNITED 2 PARTICK THISTLE 0 , HIBS 1 DUNDEE 4 , KILMARNOCK 0 CELTIC 0 , MOTHERWELL 4 HEARTS 1 , RANGERS 1 ABERDEEN 1 .


26.10.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 2 DUNFERMLINE 2
The sunday live game produces another goal bonanza for the audience but for myself i was absolutely fuming after this performance . With leaders RANGERS dropping 2 points yesterday this was a great chance to narrow the gap at the top , however we managed to throw away a two goal lead . It was one of those famous games of 2 halves . The first goal came in the 11th min with MELLOR jumping highest to head home a PARTRIDGE corner . DJORDJIC'S fine run and cut back in the 25th min found the recalled THOMPSON who side footed home for 2-0 . THOMPSON should have added a third moments later , before on the stroke of half time the referee amazingly only booked WILSON for a kick at MELLOR . YOUNG and BULLEN both tested BOSNICH straight from the restart , and BULLEN'S perciverance paid off as he struck in the 71st and 79th min to earn the Pars a share of the spoils .
ATTENDANCE :- 7489 SCORER'S :- MELLOR 11 , THOMPSON 25 , BULLEN 71 & 79

HERE IS THE TABLE AFTER 12 LEAGUE GAMES PLAYED:-
LEAGUE



Hope the link works ok.if not try refreshing it a couple of times.seems to work then.

Cheers for the comments MAVERICKTANGO its much appreciated . I hope to be adding the tables from now on.

retired_blondie_524

very good, link works after a fashion on the works intranet. I will try it later on the broadband at home to see if it works any quicker

retired_ceb_33

Sorry the link for the league table has ceased to work.Isn't technology great.

Anyway here is the new link :-
TABLE AFTER 12 GAMES


1.11.2003
MANAGER OF THE MONTH :- ALEX MCLEISH ( RANGERS )
PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- RICHIE PARTRIDGE ( RAITH ROVERS )
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- JAMES MCFADDEN ( MOTHERWELL )


PITTODRIE STADIUM , ABERDEEN
ABERDEEN 0 RAITH ROVERS 0
A large crowd of just over 18,000 turned up to see this dire no scoring draw . Just six chances were created in the whole of the game , with the home side's only chance coming through SUMMERBELL 10 mins after the restart . It took us until the 79th min to create our first chance . The normally prolific MELLOR heading over from close in and then with 3 mins to go ADAILTON shooting over from the edge of the box . Overall a point each a fair result considering the game served up .
ATTENDANCE :- 18133

OTHER SCORES :- CELTIC 4 HIBS 0 , DUNFERMLINE 1 KILMARNOCK 5 .

2.11.2003
OTHER SCORES :- DUNDEE 2 MOTHERWELL 1 , HEARTS 1 DUNDEE UNITED 1 , PARTICK THISTLE 1 RANGERS 3 .
The live sunday game see's HEARTS absolutely batter DUNDEE UNITED but failed to take full point's , indeed they had to come from behind .

5.11.2003
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINALS
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 2 CELTIC 0
Once again the mighty CELTIC are rumbled at Starks Park . Again the star of the show is youngster IBRAHIM AFFELAY who seems to relish playing against the Glasgow side . Even on loan winger CEDRIC VAN DER GUN (who is close to full fitness again) will find it dificult to break back into the side . The opening goal came in the 34th min and it was RICHIE PARTRIDGE who created all the panic in the visitors box . His teasing corner was partially cleared by the defence , but when he received the ball again this time the cross was met by MELLOR who headed the ball home . AFFELLAY twice went close before a poor kick out by HEDMAN was pounced on by DJORDJIC and his through ball set PARTRIDGE free and he made the keeper pay .
ATTENDANCE :- 4931 SCORERS :- MELLOR 34 PARTRIDGE 74

OTHER SCORES :- MOTHERWELL 2 ST JOHNSTONE 0 , DUNDEE 2 FORFAR 0 , ABERDEEN 3 BRECHIN CITY 1 .

7.11.2003
TEMIZKANOGLU OGUN see's his move to Kirkcaldy collapse after he is refused a work permit .

8.11.2003
CELTIC appoint DAVIE MOYES as their new manager .

OTHER SCORES :- DUNDEE 0 CELTIC 0 , HIBS 0 DUNFERMLINE 3 , KILMARNOCK 2 ABERDEEN 0 , MOTHERWELL 0 DUNDEE UNITED 2 , RANGERS 2 HEARTS 0 .


9.11.2003
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 2 PARTICK THISTLE 0
Sunday's live game and we are back to winning way's . Indeed in the first 20 mins we were flying and should have scored a barrowload . 9 mins in and we took the lead , ADAILTON picked up a loose ball and hammered the ball into the corner . 8 mins later and it should have been 2 but LATAPY put his penalty
wide . We didn't have long to wait though for the second . ADAILTON again took advantage of a loose ball in the 19th min to tuck it away for his second of the game . Chances then went a begging , then on the stroke of half time Thistle missed their best chance when they also missed from the spot kick , GERRY BRITTON seeing his kick coming back of the woodwork .
ATTENDANCE :- 6328 SCORER'S :- ADAILTON 9 , 19


13.11.2003
Future signing IVAN BOSNJAK suffer's an injury but thankfully it isn't serious and he will be back in 3 month's .

14.11.2003
With the transfer window just round the corner i decided to renegotiate a few contract's on less money to free up the wage budget . Also a few players were told that they can look for new clubs . The players listed are JORGE VARGAS , KOFI MENSAH , GORAN STANIC , PATRICE ZERE , JUAN JOSE JAYO , WILLIE NANOU , EMMANUAL KUFFOUR and after interest by SHEFFIELD UNITED and a poor start ANDREJS STOLCERS .

Our bid of £1.5million for ALEXANDER FARNERUD has been rejected and i decide to back off this move and focus on other target's

15.11.2003
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER PLAY-OFF FIRST LEG
SCOTLAND 2 SLOVAKIA 2
The Scots chance's of qualifying take a dent with this dissapointing draw although on the day the result was probably fair .


19.11.2003
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER PLAY-OFF SECOND LEG
SLOVAKIA 2 SCOTLAND 2
The Scots bow out on penalties after a battling 2-2 draw leaves the game all square on agg .


22.11.2003
TYNECASTLE STADIUM , EDINBURGH
HEARTS 1 RAITH ROVERS 0
Quite simply one of the worst performance's the team has shown since i took over . To be fair to the home side they did create plenty of chances and more than deserved to win by more than the one goal . It took a 47th min penalty to win the game after KIRK was fouled in the box by VARGAS and VALOIS stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way .
ATTENDANCE :- 15469 SCORER :- VALOIS 47 .

OTHER SCORE'S :- CELTIC 2 MOTHERWELL 0 , DUNDEE UNITED 3 RANGERS 1 , DUNFERMLINE 2 DUNDEE 0 , PARTICK THISTLE 1 KILMARNOCK 3 .