The "R" word in use for the first time

It's official. After months of trying to talk the situation up, the powers that be have finally come clean this evening and acknowledged what the rest of us have known for a long time. After several years of talk of no more boom and bust it looks like we are there once again. In spite of the money spent over the last few years in an attempt to breath life back into the old girl, we are, once again, staring Relegation full in the face.

Acknowledgement of it on the 10 o'clock news this evening in a matter-of-fact statement by the Manager now paves the way for what looks increasingly likely to become another Winter of Discontent with all that it could entail. Significant season-ticket losses are expected and thousands more fans will again sit at home eating toast on matchdays dreaming of happier times. 

Chances of averting the Relegation, now that we have recognised the seriousness of the situation, look slim and are pinned on a successful outcome of the due diligence exercise underway with wealthy Arab financiers. Wyn Grant is reporting feverish hope on this tonight and we should all say our prayers for financial rescue from the Relegation threat as we go to our beds tonight.