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Pukka. You mention Riis. I've got his autobiography if you want to borrow it, it's a good read. I've also got one about Pantani and his use of EPO (sleeping with a heart monitor, and if his heartbeat dropped to a certain level, and alarm sounded. He then had to get out of bed and ride a stationary bike until his heart rate increased. This while riding the Giro), and his death from cocaine use. But, I've also got a lot of books concerning a certain American rider who is suspected of using drugs, but to use his mantra, has never tested positive. That's exactly the same as what Riis used to say, and look what happened to him. I could bang on all day about Armstrong and his antics, but that's another matter. Hopefully, everything wil come out, and he can't smear and bully people who testify against thim as before and use people in high places to have investigations closed down as before. As for drug taking, I gave up on cycling after the Festina affair (the book by Willy Voet, the soigneur for Festina is a frightening read. they were dicing with death with what they were doing), that was too much for me. Then Cofidis, Basso, Millar (his book is a good read) and Vinokourov etc. There's still a hell of a lot to come out about drug taking, including vertain riders who are still in the peloton regarding Dr Michele Ferrari, but thankfully after the introduction of the bilogical passport that's been adopted by the IOC, things have changed. Anyway, the same as you; I believe that it's now a clean sport, but a lot more negative tactically. I'm currently reading Eddy Mercx's biography, it was a lot different type of racing then, and not always clean. As I say, if you want to borrow any books, let me know a cycling subject, and I'll post them off for you.

Cavendish can complain all that he wants. Great Britain (Sky except for Millar) used exactly the same tactics as they've done all season, except it was for Cavendish and not for Wiggins as before. Tour de Romandie, Pairs-Nice, the Tour. All the same. Let breakaways go forward, then slowly reel them in. Except that this time, it bit them on the arse. The course was a typical Belgian Classics course and as expected Gilbert did a huge turn on the front (surprised Boonen disappeared), as Cancellara did in the 2010 Paris Roubaix when it was alleged that he had an engine in his bike, and it was x-rayed at the next race. Cavendish, despite his talent is a one trick pony, who needs dragging to the finish to win in the final sprint. He did win the 2010 Milan-san Remo with the Poggio at the end and a stage race this year, but he's basically just a sprinter. I see that Bernie Eisel took a turn helping him yesterday, as well. I don't blame others not wanting to help the British team, why chase down a breakaway only to tow Cavendish to the finish and end up with silver, bronze or sod all while he outsprints everyone for gold? Perhaps there was more in play rather than just the medal. As they race together all season, maybe the other riders decided that they didn't care who won, as long as it wasn't Sky again. As Sanchez said during the Tour, "Sky just want to win everything." A team of five can't control the peloton or chase down breakaways, and they all buried themselves for the cause. Perhaps they should have changed tactics just for once and do the escape themselves, and make everyone else chase them instead of blaming everyone else. Vinokourov may be a former drugs cheat, but at least he was willing to give it a go, and made the most of Uran's lack of concentration. As for the race presentation and commentary, in all of the years that I've followed cycling, I've never seen or heard anything as poor as that.

At times it seemed dull, and was screaming for a Contador or Schleck attack on the mountains. Evans and Nibali tried it, but Sky didn't panic, just slowly upped the pace, and reeled them back in. Due to the time advantage that Sky had, it was up to other teams to take them on; some did, and failed. Brilliant planning and tactics from them, and to see Sanchez's face not only at the sprint that Cavendish won but also the time trial was an absolute picture ("Sky just want to win everything!" Good). Personally I'm in awe of Hagen, who's still regarded as a sprinter. He led the team day after day, only dropping away when he could do no more. And as for Wiggins leading out Cavendish in the final unbelievable sprint, what a man. What a team.

"In fact I've got a bit of a pathological hatred of cyclists (don't whine about cars being inconsiderate when you cycle on the pavement and don't bother stopping for red lights)." As a fanatical cyclist for over 40 years who tries to ride considerately, I've got to agree with you, Rosa. there are some real pricks out there on the roads, including the one yesterday that tried to sit on my wheel, then gave me the thumbs up as he finally passed and rode like a maniac through two red lights. Chapeau, Wiggo.

Sagan is a monster. What a rider at only 22. Cavendish seems to have been saving himself for the olympics, but I don't give him much chance of winning there with the course. It's more of a classics rider's course, and with only 5 riders in each team Great Britain won't be able to control the race. Cavendish has won the Milan-San Remo with the Poggio huge climb at the end, but Box Hill might be too much for him. It seems to suit riders like Boonen, Gilbert (finally do something this season), Hushovd or if Cancellara gets away on the final flat, he might do his time trial bit. then there's always Sagan to consider if he's riding. He was once so desperate to ride a race, he took his sister's bike, and won the race. Looking good for Wiggins now, Sky have controlled the race brilliantly, every rider has given their all. Except for Eisel looking after Cavendish through the mountains, they've all done their turn on the front. Considering that Hagan is a sprinter, he's turned himself inside out at the front, only giving up when he's given his all. Porte and Rogers have been solid, and then there's Froome. Thankfully there's no Contador or Frank schleck to rip the peloton apart in the mountains, or it might look quite a lot different in the GC. He can't attack in the mountains as he'd drag Evans and Nibali away, leaving Wiggins exposed, and the one thing is that Wiggins is the leader, no getting past that. So he has to stay by Wiggins's side unless it looks like me might be able to attack at the end of a mountain stage. Evans hasn't looked good all season, he's struggled for form, plus his new adopted son must have been a distraction for him, and Nibali is a typical Italian rider. Same as Menchov; Nibali promises a lot (and always says a lot), but rarely delivers. Tomorrow's stage might have an attack towards the summit of a climb, then hope to gain time on the descent. But, the way that Sky are riding, they'll probably just turn the screw. My riders of the tour, Wiggins, Froome, Sagan and the brilliant Tejay Van Garderen. Possibly Evans's successor. And I wouldn't write Sorensen off for KoM. A week to go, and I can't see Sky loosening their grip, and Cavendish to go all out for Paris along with Sagan. It's a shame that Froome hasn't been able to get more glory this Tour, but it's all about Wiggo. I would hope that Froome would get to ride the Vuelta as team leader where he finished second last year, and have Flecha by his side for the mountains. What a brilliant time for British cycling. The champagne's not in the fridge yet, but it's on the worktop ready to go.

Wow. What can I say after that? 1' 43" faster than Evans, and Froome's on fire. With a lead like that, it will be a miracle if Cuddles (Evans) can overturn that advantage. I expect he'll do his usual of sitting on wheels, then attacking on mountain tops. The only thing is, he hasn't got a great team to drag him through the mountains, he always seems to do it alone. Evans is always out of the saddle, but Wiggins has the power to remain in the saddle regardless of the route or incline. Pure class. As for Nibali and Froome, Nibali's Italian for a start. I watched him in the Giro where Liquigas dragged everyone up the mountains, and all the others used that, and attacked towards the end. I really can't see Nibali doing much, and he doesn't seem to be able to gain time as he usually does on descents. Froome is outstanding. If Sky hadn't protected Wiggins for two or three stages in last year's Vuelta, he'd have won that, rather than coming second as he did. Oh, and Wiggins's emotional response to whispers of drug taking, about time someone spoke out. It's no longer the 90's where doping was rife. I haven't put the champagne in the fridge yet, but if Wiggo wins this tour, it'll definitely be there, along with a few tears. After a wet 50 miles over Dartmoor on my new bike earlier, that's made my day.

Similar to one of my old cycling routes Seaside before I moved down here. I thought there were some hills around your area, but this place is unbelievable. Still, there's Dartmoor and plenty of places by the sea to ride to, so at least it makes it worthwhile. And the weather's perfect for cycling at the moment.

Ha! Got that wrong, didn't I! Old age and drinking taking their toll.

Ashdene and Windsor I think was the building company, I think the main stand was named after them.

Hallam, the brewery person was Harry Wilde. He was the secretary of the club when Lees's owned the club. Dave Ogden or Boundaryblue80 are possibly the ones who will know about Stop The Rot. Stotty was the owner of a few (by his own account) failed businesses, chairman the chief executive on from what I can remember was £50.000 a year. It was under his stewardship that allegedly £700,000 went down the plughole which was invested in a local building company at "an attractive rate of interest". Said building company duly went bust. It was also Stotty that had the extension put onto the front of the main stand. He was chairman through the "pinch me" years.

Found this from the Mail in 2006. From memory, I think that Alan Hardy mentioned £250,000 in the Chron. Could be wrong, though. Young gun: Micah Richards Manchester City's bid to buy out the sell-on clause in the contract of rising star Micah Richards has been rejected by Oldham. Defender Richards is seemingly attracting considerable attention from several Premiership clubs, notably Spurs who are being linked with a £5million move for the 18-year-old. Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are also rumoured to be targeting Richards, who made a major impact last season after breaking through into manager Stuart Pearce's plans. Although City are determined to hang onto one of their crown jewels, money talks as was the case exactly a year ago when Shaun Wright-Phillips joined Chelsea for £21million. Richards was signed by City four years ago from Oldham's Centre of Excellence, and is currently under contract at Eastlands until 2008, although there is talk of the club looking to make an improved offer. But in covering their options, as Richards yesterday made clear his future may one day lie elsewhere, City had hoped to persuade Oldham to agree a figure for the 20 per cent sell-on clause, one that could eventually net them at least a seven-figure sum. But a statement on Athletic's website said: "The club can now confirm City have been in touch with a suggestion they buy out the clause which could eventually net a six-figure sum. "Our polite reply was: 'Thanks but no thanks."' Richards could ultimately be lured away from City if one of the Premiership's big guns come calling as he has said: "For now I am with Manchester City, but I can't always say I'll be a Manchester City player in the future. "At the end of the day everyone wants to better their career, and if Chelsea, Arsenal or wherever was the right place to go, I'd have to consider it, wouldn't I? "Obviously there has been interest from different clubs. After only 15 starts the interest is unbelievable really. It's good to know, but my dad just keeps telling me to keep my feet on the ground, keep working hard and things will pay off." Richards is not the only star City are apparently looking to tie up long term as skipper Sylvain Distin is believed to have been offered a new three-year contract which would make him the highest-paid player at the club. The French centre-back, though, is seemingly keeping his options open, with Middlesbrough and Portsmouth monitoring the situation.

From what I remember, the old roof was removed, and the framework sandblasted and repainted, then a new roof was installed. New casing was also put on the back of the stand, unlike in the good old days when it was full of holes. As someone mentioned earlier, two thirds was concrete terracing, and the back part was old sleepers which really used to flex when the place was packed, and people usewd to stamp on them. The old terracing was removed, and I think preformed concrete slabs replaced them. But, I was told when all of that was done that the expected lifespan of the stand was only 10 years, and 20 years later it's still standing. I also remember that when the Rochdale Road terracing was removed, the concrete terracing was laid on ash which was sold to a company in Bury. And the foundations there were deep enough to allow a further tier on top of the existing stand.

Yeah, retirement's doing me fine, Dan. I was going to have a ride on the road bike across Dartmoor for 3-4 hours today, but I gave up on going out regardless of the weather years ago, it's bitterly cold with a freezing wind behind it today. Sue's dropped to 2 days a week at work, and Lin's now doing 3 days a week. We'll be hitting the Camel Trail over to Padstow from Bodmin in a couple of weeks, but August it'll be full of Emmetts, so we avoid the place. Otherwise I'll try to get down there in the car. And Longtimeblue, I agree with your statement, it's an indicment of the current state of the country. I just hoipe that the offer of tickets can be of help to someone. Second ticket's now gone. Thanks.

Blimey, Dave. A first class stamp's being generous for me! One ticket still remains for whoever wants it.

And how very dare you, young man. Less of the Janner, that's your mates Sexy Sue and her sister, Chinese Lin. I'm a Cornish Conehead, I'll have you know!

One ticket gone, and it's the bloke's birthday on Saturday, as well. One ticket remaining.

I've won 2 tickets on the Big Cash Bonanza, and as I live here in (currently) freezing and windy Cornwall, I'll be unable to attend, as I've other plans. They're for this Saturday's game against Leyton Orient, in the main stand. If there's a GENUINE unemployed supporter who's struggling to pay for a ticket and would like to go, PM me with your name and address, and I'll post them off first class for you. I'd like to give a single ticket to each person that wants them, rather than the pair to an individual. Thanks.

'Ere, I don't frequent the classifieds very much, but I gave Dan these details a while ago. My ex-brother-in-law is a bloody good builder. His details are: Ian McHale, 73 Birch Avenue Chadderton. Tel: 0161 620 2348. McAlpine as he's known to me. Let him know that Chip told you if he's of any use to you, and haven't got sorted yet.