WE are fast approaching the time when clubs will be sending out fancy brochures to their supporters imploring them to renew their season tickets for the 2011-12 campaign.

Fancy buzz phrases such as ‘moving forward,’ ‘customer focussed’ and ‘you are our lifeblood’ will be trotted out as chief executives try and get as much cash in before deciding their budgets.

IT can be tough being a football manager, what with disgruntled fans, over-ambitious directors and the media constantly harping away.

So the last thing you need is to be sent off for tackling a pitch invader dressed in a mankini!

MUCH of the media spotlight this last week has been on Scottish football with the disgraceful scenes at the Celtic v Rangers Scottish Cup replay in Glasgow.  But another item which emerged from north of the border was the decision to start next season’s Scottish Premier League on July 23, the competition’s earliest ever start.

IF your team is having a rubbish season, try looking in the dug-out for a clue as to why.

Scientists at the University of Portsmouth reckon that a coach’s appearance could  have an effect on players' impression of their competence.

IF you ever find that following your favourite football team becomes too depressing or even boring, then you could try and go ‘virtual’.  According to a report in The Sun Newspaper, the Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott try to get one over on Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney after Rooney’s spectacular goal won the Manchester derby.

I don’t think the powers that be who run Europe’s top football clubs have done themselves a favour by declaring that they are opposed to their players taking part in both the European Championships and the London Olympic Games in 2012.  The Olympic football event is for players aged under 23 and gets underway a month after Euro 2012 takes place in Poland and Ukraine.