Cliff - what I meant to say was that the Irish team should have gone out there with the intention of trying to win it. All the teams should. As far as I can see, the Irish team have gone for a good laugh and seem content to try and get out of the group stages, after that they can lose with dignity and return home, heads held high. That's not good enough. There's a difference between going out and competing and trying to win as opposed to going out and expecting to win.

Went to see Peter Kay last night. Very funny - acutely observed comedy. Organised by Jackie Hamilton from the Moondogs who told me that they have a Peel sessions CD coming out in the autumn.

Roy Keane is a fantastic player but everyone has to know when not to cross the line. From what I've heard it seems overwhelmingly that he overstepped the mark which is very sad because I for one was looking forward to seeing him play. It's not all about scoring magnificent goals. Keane is so often the most important player on the pitch and could have given Ireland a good chance of doing well.

I haven't seen exactly what Keane said. On Football Focus they had a transcript of it and were fairly appalled - does anyone know if it's anywhere on the web?

'You were a crap player and you are a crap manager. You aren't even Irish you English cunt. You can stick it up your bollocks.' There was a lot more but that's the best bits.

Mick McCarthy managed us through a very difficult group unbeaten. He will go on to be a top manager. Keane is a gobshite prima donna. I think he cooked the whole thing up to sell copies of his autubiography. When your only ally is the looney Eamonn Dunphy (he once said Maradonna wasn't world class)then you are in trouble.

I see there is a 'punk' compilation CD being advertised on TV called Teenage Kicks, which shows an albeit brief clip of the Undertones singing the title song.

Hello everyone – remember me? Just thought I’d catch up a bit and say thanks for the messages of support. Nothing resolved as yet but I’m trying to stay positive. Rick - you’re not allowed to be depressed, you’re not even 40 yet! Who cares about the World Cup, Big Brother’s more entertaining (especially ‘quietly sexy’ Spencer – yes, I know he’s far too young for me but that never stopped any man looking at page 3!). Sadly plenty of Roy Keanes in there also ie. loudmouths (the polite version of Arthur’s description!). The best medicine any doctor could prescribe of course is The Undertones (thanks for reminding me of that Derek!) although as certain decisions may mean I’m skint for the next 40 years, can you use all your powers of persuasion DONIN, get down on your knees, even kiss his feet if you have to and literally BEG John to play over here (please!!!). I’m sure he won’t take it the wrong way but if he does I’m sorry about your black eye!

Luckily I’ve just enough pennies in my money box to stretch to A1’s new album (excellent teletext review and shock, horror it's written by a MAN!)and I've also read on there today about a punk compilation - not sure if it's the same one though. Worth looking into when I'm in HMV tomorrow and I can always raid the kids piggy banks! Best go lie down...two hangovers in as many days. One from Friday’s school reunion bash (if I could remember it, I’d tell you about it but I know it was good – probably just as well I can’t remember details!). Sad DJ had no TK (why?) but I let him off when he played Into the Valley. Today’s hangover is from my annual Eurovision Party - you have to be off your head to enjoy the wonderful awfulness of it and this year it really surpassed itself – absolutely diabolical. Ours wasn’t bad but my vote was on the three Slovenian ‘Virgin (debatable) air stewardess’ transvestites. They certainly needed balls to perform that load of drivel.

Sorry first message should have read 'Hugh's description' not Arthur's. Lack of sleep = lack of brain obviously. Or maybe lack of sleep has nothing to do with it!

Hi Lindsay great to hear from you! Welcome back and hopefully the football chat wont dominate so much now. I was thinking about you last night when I was out on a lager and curry bash- in one truly awful pub they had Eurovision on the big screen- I thought I bet I know who is watching this!! So who won then? Did the UK stun everyone as you predicted? I agree with you about Big Brother the new people are horrible- all total stereotypes. That blond girl has got to go!!!! The fellas arent much better, the Geordie guy is revolting- except he's not a Geordie of course. His voice is even more irritating than mine. Though I can see its going to be compulsive viewing over the next weeks instead of the world cup.

The one that won (Latvia) has to be the worst Eurovision winner in it's entire 47-year history (although I could be wrong as I don’t remember the first 7). Even the audience looked like they’d lost the will to live during the encore (evident by the unmistakable ‘do we really have to suffer this AGAIN’ expressions on their faces) and I’m sure the organisers had to step in with a few gun-toting security guards to stop everyone leaving before the end of transmission. We came in equal third, not that anyone was remotely interested by then.

I agree Jackie, Jade is unbelievably awful isn’t she, the type that gives us girls a bad name and after just one day the whole nation is begging to have her evicted (but wouldn't it be much more fun to impose her on the rest of the group for a few more weeks;-) Might even be a Big Brother first – a murder in the house! It’s too early to judge on the others, maybe after tonight. The blokes make me laugh – they think they’re so macho. Didn’t housemate Sunita once sing a song about that?!!! Sandy at least helped the girls downstairs with their bags so plus points to him for that. Rest of them (apart from Spencer) were probably too busy admiring themselves and showing off with their so-called wit (although I’d be inclined to replace the word wit with twit). Can’t wait for tonight…

Hi Lindsay - hope things woork out.

Thanks Arthur, things are looking up already. Been in the loft today. Aren't lofts wonderful? Especially when they're packed full of long-lost Undertones memorabilia! Found loads of Smash Hits and Skids/Protex articles as well as two signed Depeche Mode photos. Can't wait to read it all. Spotted already - single reviews, Finland 1981 and USA 1980 postcard reports, '79 UK tour article, Sounds 1978 Readers Poll (Tones 5th in New Band behind Van Halen!, Skids 6th), dodgy Oh Boy mag pic of Protex and review of a Hope & Anchor gig, Skids at the Lyceum and article headed Hope, Glory and Albert Tatlock!, listing of taped Peel broadcasts (unfortunately recorded on those massive reel-to-reel tapes - remember them?!), fan letter in Smash Hits from irate Mandy Southwick of Wells re. bad single review demanding to know how Cliff White dare write such rubbish..is he so deaf that he can't hear that it's great, ace, brilliant?! Looks like I'm going to be up all night...

Jackie, also found a rather risque report on Damian, girls and a hotel room but I’ll send that one to you by email, it’s classified!! Oh and I've gone off Spencer already, he's hopeless and has no sense of fun which is no good for me.

Forgot to mention, saw the Teenage Kicks compilation ad. after BB. Great promotion!

Jeeez Oh! CMos can you sort Lindsay out with a site for herself? Joking Lindsay, glad your back. On the Keano thing I've met him and I've met McCarthy, Kean has a reputation for being a bit lively, McCarthy could shit Keano's all day and not break sweat, he is a big chap and not a guy to fuck with. 'I' think it's a major blow to the team because on the park Keane's prescence is immense. He has a winning mentality, and he could be the difference between winning and losing. He said he wants to end his career at Celtic, gee thanks Roy I can hardly wait. Right that's me done back to the knitting!